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If Sol didn't know Himeko a little, he might have flipped the table right then and there. The things on the table truly didn't look like anything a human should eat.
But according to what he knew, this woman was a master of dark cuisine— the Raiden Shogun of the world of Star Rail.
These dishes were indeed prepared earnestly, and the invitation for him to taste them truly came from goodwill.
In that case, after showing off a bit earlier, he felt it would be rude to refuse outright.
Welt looked toward Himeko with some headache and said: "Himeko, don't force Mr. Mercer. He may not be accustomed to our cuisine."
He was already preparing to summon Eden's Star—he was genuinely afraid Sol might lose his temper.
With food like this, misunderstandings were far too easy to spark.
"That's exactly right." Sol cast Welt an approving glance and said solemnly: "As a newcomer, I'm experiencing a bit of acclimation trouble. I'm unable to enjoy the delicacies of this world."
"I brought some specialties from my hometown. They're enough to sustain my energy needs."
He casually conjured an exquisite tray of pastries. A faint fragrance drifted out.
Sol Mercer picked up a piece, placed it in his mouth, and gave Himeko a meaningful look.
"All right." Himeko nodded, a bit disappointed, then turned back toward Welt and the others. "Since Mr. Mercer isn't eating, the rest of you can have more. I was worried there wouldn't be enough."
What!?
Still can't escape!?
March 7th and Stelle looked at the food before them with despair, their expressions reaching peak theatricality.
With Sol's pastries right beside them, it became even harder to eat.
His pastries—white as carved jade, smelling of honey and osmanthus—were no worse than the finest confections from Xianzhou Luofu.
And they… had to eat apple pie with a fish head, and tree roots soaked in demonic juices. This was pure torment.
Welt and Dan Heng were more practical. They had already reached out for the dark pastries—faces calm, hands trembling.
Normally they'd find an excuse to escape.
But today, with an outsider present, they couldn't shame the Astral Express.
"Mr. Mercer, may I try your hometown food?"
Stelle finally couldn't hold back. She darted to Sol's side, golden eyes pleading like a puppy: "I'm really curious about food from other worlds!"
She was greedy, but not that greedy.
But added together with Himeko's cooking, she had no choice.
And since Sol had just boarded the train, she figured he wouldn't refuse her request. She was very clever!
Sol looked at her, smiling lightly, and handed her the box of pastries. "Of course. Sharing is best."
As expected of a Stellaron incarnate—bold and decisive.
"Stelle, those are Mr. Mercer's hometown snacks. There must be very few. If you eat them, what will he have later?"
Himeko spoke with a troubled sigh.
That was one reason. The other was that she didn't want Stelle eating something of unknown origin.
No matter what, Sol was still just an outsider who had barged into the train. Eating his food carried risk.
"Mmm—so good!"
With her mouth stuffed, Stelle looked at Himeko with an innocent expression.
"Ah…" Himeko held her forehead and looked apologetically toward Sol. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
Even with pastries she had painstakingly prepared right there, Stelle still chased after some stranger's food.
But that was Stelle's nature—perhaps also a form of Trailblazing spirit.
Fortunately, it seemed Mr. Sol Mercer's food posed no danger.
"It's fine. I have plenty of these pastries. Sharing a little doesn't matter."
Sol smiled casually.
For him, anything below a certain level was effectively limitless.
Hearing this, Stelle blinked at Sol a few times in secret, feeling a sudden sense of closeness.
The guy who just saved her life didn't seem like a bad person at all.
Seeing Stelle eating so happily, March 7th swallowed hard, full of envy.
So sneaky—she had escaped Himeko-auntie's afternoon tea!
And those pastries looked… really good.
But copying Stelle by running up to Sol? She didn't quite dare. Lively as she was, she still had boundaries with strangers.
Uuu, I'm so jealous…
Dan Heng and Uncle Yang had already picked up a piece of Himeko's pastry, silently accepting their fate.
Good. At least Stelle avoided disaster.
Meanwhile, Sol watched everyone's reactions with growing amusement.
One by one, they were all interesting—worthy of being members of the Astral Express.
He smiled faintly and decided to lend a helping hand.
He looked toward Himeko and said: "Miss Himeko, I offended everyone a bit when I first arrived. Allow me to treat you with some hometown delicacies as an apology."
Hearing this, Welt and Dan Heng—each holding a fish head or a dark pastry—froze in perfect sync, waiting eagerly for Himeko's decision.
"This isn't very proper… First, it makes you spend unnecessarily. Second, it would be a shame for the food I prepared to go to waste."
Himeko frowned slightly, feeling embarrassed.
"It's fine, Auntie Himeko!" March 7th jumped out, swiftly collecting the dark dishes. "We can save your cooking for later. I promise it won't go to waste!"
She then flashed Sol a bright smile. "It's rude to refuse such heartfelt goodwill from our guest!"
"March is right!" Stelle nodded rapidly, adding support. "If we refuse Mr. Mercer's good intentions, he might think we look down on his hometown food!"
She grabbed another pastry, speaking happily: "It's really delicious!"
Welt nodded in firm agreement. "Indeed, it would be improper to refuse our guest's kindness."
Dan Heng also nodded silently.
Seeing this, Himeko looked toward Sol Mercer and said: "Very well, then I must trouble you."
"A small matter, think nothing of it."
Sol smiled, and in an instant, he conjured several more trays of pastries.
Just in time—March 7th had already cleared the table, drinks and all, creating space for the pastries.
And so, after many twists and turns, the Astral Express finally enjoyed a relaxing and satisfying afternoon tea.
At this moment, Himeko's impression of their sharing-loving guest improved greatly. It now seemed that his use of force earlier had merely been a temporary measure. Overall, he felt quite pleasant.
The others also felt grateful for Sol's little act of kindness.
Being threatened a little earlier didn't seem like such a big deal now.