As Himeko's figure disappeared into the distance, Welt leaned closer to Leon and whispered:
"Make sure to warn March about Himeko's coffee tomorrow…"
As for Dan Heng, he could finish it with a straight face—no need to worry about him.
"No need to warn her, probably. We're heading out on the next journey tomorrow anyway."
Leon took a sip of the coffee, savoring its 'robust' flavor.
This one's potency was no joke either.
He discreetly tucked the coffee away into his system space.
Himeko's mastery of coffee had two extremes.
First: exceptional flavor, absolutely master-level craftsmanship.
Second: lethal-level dark cuisine.
The train's history had a record of it.
After drinking Himeko's newly developed coffee, March 7th spent an hour running to the bathroom over a dozen times.
Of course, Himeko didn't know about this.
After all, no one had the heart to dampen her passion and hobby…
"Fair point."
Noticing Leon's subtle maneuver, Welt skillfully conjured a tiny black hole, discreetly disposing of the dark beverage.
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with the unspoken understanding of adults.
"By the way, where's Stelle?"
Welt suddenly remembered that the train welcomed a new passenger today.
"Probably checking out some part of the train—"
"Waaah, help!"
Before Leon could finish, a familiar, muffled voice suddenly came from somewhere.
"March's voice!"
"It sounds like it's coming from the parlor car. I'll check it out."
Leon flashed to the upper car, following the source of the noise.
The parlor car was empty, except for the drink-mixing robot that loved telling bad jokes.
Soon, Leon looked up, his gaze locking onto the ventilation duct.
There it was—March 7th's voice again.
And Stelle's too.
This…?
Spreading his wings, he flew to the vent's entrance and peered inside.
"March, Stelle?"
"Help, Leon, I'm about to get crushed in here!"
So they were stuck inside.
Leon stifled a laugh.
"…I can't squeeze into the vent. I'll have to use the brute method—blow some wind from the other end to push you out."
He only looked slim in clothes; his shoulders were wider than the duct, so there was no way he could fit.
Without hesitation, he flew to the far end of the ventilation duct, conjured a gust of wind, and sent it roaring through.
In an instant, a certain pink-haired girl inside instinctively clamped her legs together.
It… felt awfully chilly down there…
But the next second, she pushed the thought aside.
The wind grew fiercer, generating force that pushed them forward.
"Ouch!"
March 7th's head collided with Stelle's, letting out a pained yelp as her eyes spun with dizzy swirls.
Hearing the commotion inside, Leon kept channeling the wind for a bit longer.
Then, he flew back to the original spot to wait.
One hand each, he grabbed the gray-haired and pink-haired girls sliding out, settling them onto the sofa.
Tch, now they were all dusty and disheveled.
"Thanks, Leon…"
Stelle weakly clutched her head, wincing as she glanced at March 7th.
"I thought you passed out too."
Leon suppressed a smirk.
Stelle proudly patted her chest.
"My head's tough—how could I faint that easily?"
"…"
Leon finally let out a laugh, reaching out to press a few points on March 7th's body.
"Leon… Stelle… why are there so many of you?"
Still not over the dizziness?
After a moment's thought, Leon walked to Shush, grabbed a cold drink, and pressed it against March 7th's neck.
She jolted, springing up from the sofa, fully awake.
"You use Six-Phase Ice, but you're that afraid of the cold?"
Stelle gave her a deadpan look.
"It's not ice, just some kind of condensed… uh, crystal!"
March 7th mumbled her explanation, her voice trailing off as her face flushed with embarrassment.
The awkwardness lasted a few seconds before she suddenly swung her little pink fists at Stelle.
"It's all your fault!"
"How's it my fault? You're the one who followed me—"
"Don't say it!"
"Fine, I'll shut up."
Stelle shrugged.
Her feigned mature expression, like an adult not stooping to a kid's level, made Leon chuckle inwardly.
"You two should go take a shower and change. You look like scruffy little kittens."
"After that, come to the observation car for a small meeting."
With that, Leon turned and headed to the lower car, leaving the two girls staring at each other.
…
"I'm really curious—how did you both manage to get stuck together?"
Leon's face showed a thoughtful look.
At his words, March 7th instinctively covered her backside.
Noticing her little gesture, Stelle pursed her lips and puffed out her chest.
"I can't see my toes when I look down, so I got stuck. Unlike March."
"What do you mean, can't see—hey!"
March 7th caught on, glaring at Stelle.
She clearly had plenty of assets herself, okay?
Welt shook his head helplessly and asked:
"So, why did you crawl into the ventilation duct?"
"I… I heard noises in the vent and thought there was something weird hiding in there…"
March 7th poked her fingers together, looking sheepish.
"So I climbed up to investigate the truth, and… got stuck…"
"Heh… did you find anything weird?" Himeko chuckled softly.
"I did—it was Stelle, also stuck in there."
Five pairs of eyes turned to Stelle.
Stelle said confidently: "I was just exploring."
"Not bad, a fine seedling for Trailblazing." Himeko's smile deepened.
Young people, a bit of restlessness isn't a big deal.
"Alright, today's a good day, so no lectures or criticism. The reason I've gathered everyone is that the conductor has an announcement."
Pom-Pom cleared their throat.
"Allowing Passenger Stelle to wander the train so aimlessly is truly this conductor's failure."
"But she seems to be enjoying herself," March 7th teased.
After some light-hearted banter, Pom-Pom got to the point, formally asking Stelle if she was willing to become a Nameless.
"Of course I am."
Without hesitation, Stelle recited the Trailblaze creed Leon had taught her.
Even if Paths rise and fall, Trailblazers should hold their own convictions.
Even in the face of towering waves, the train crew should stand united.
Even at the brink of life and death, we should resist injustice.
Even if forgotten by the world, we should not dwell on fleeting gains or losses.
Even in the twilight of the galaxy, we should illuminate the long night.
Even amidst chaotic turmoil, we should look forward and crush disorder.
After reciting, Stelle noticed several stunned gazes fixed on her.
"Uh, is there still dirt on my face?"
"No, it's just surprising that you recited the Trailblaze creed so solemnly in front of everyone."
March 7th looked at her with admiration.
"When I did it, I was super embarrassed before and after."
"Passenger Stelle did well. It's an old tradition of the Trailblazers. Passenger March 7th, you should learn from her."
Pom-Pom praised happily.
"Next, Passenger March 7th, come with me to show Passenger Stelle her future room."