"In other words, the train might be infested with a huge number of Swarm Stings right now? We might even be inside one of their bodies?!"
Perhaps because Lynelle and the others had been delayed on their way, unlike the original course of events, by the time the Express crew encountered Argenti, he had already nearly uncovered the truth on his own.
"My knowledge is limited, and this judgment is based solely on my own experience. Therefore, if we could verify it against the data in the train's archives, we might reach a more accurate conclusion. However, there is no doubt that Swarm Stings have already begun to appear aboard the train."
Argenti performed a standard knight's salute.
"If you would have me, I am willing to fight alongside you all and work together to overcome this predicament."
"I believe Passenger Argenti is correct. Just a moment ago, there was indeed a terrifying sound in the train! Very terrifying!"
Pom-Pom waved their short little arms.
"In that case, how about we each return to our rooms to check?"
March 7th, feeling goosebumps all over, immediately stood up. "I—I don't want any Swarm Stings showing up on my bed!"
"My room has special protective measures, so it should be fine... But, Mr. Argenti, are these the Swarm Stings you saw?"
Welt adjusted his glasses and began discussing the types of Swarm Stings invading the train with Dan Heng and Argenti.
"Lynelle, should we head back?"
"No need, I already had Choo Choo check." Lynelle remotely controlled Choo Choo and the Dimension-Scorpion, starting to search their room. "So far, our room is still clean..."
"Ah!"
Right then, a scream shattered the calm in the passenger car.
"It's March!"
Dan Heng, who was closest to the door, reacted instantly.
"Let me see..." Himeko immediately pulled up the train's comms system, and a tiny camera automatically flew out into the corridor to observe the situation inside March's room.
"I'll handle this, Himeko."
Lynelle immediately stepped forward, touching the communicator in Himeko's hand. In an instant, Lynelle's figure vanished right before everyone's eyes.
"She's...?" Argenti, seeing Lynelle "work her magic" for the first time, widened his eyes slightly.
"Don't worry, that's her ability." Dan Heng was already rushing out of the parlor car. "Let's go."
--+--
Meanwhile, in March's room.
"This is..."
March blinked in disbelief, instinctively taking half a step back.
"Why is there another me here?! She's talking to me..."
"Heh..." Seeing March 7th's flustered and adorable reaction, the other "March 7th"—her eyes devoid of any spark—curled her lips into a slight smile.
"I know your past. The things you want to see, to touch, to know... Your home, family, friends, emotions, what you love and what you despise..."
"I'm the complete March 7th... with all of your forgotten memories..."
"Wah! Wh-Who are you?! Why do you look exactly like me?!"
"...Sigh."
The other March 7th's smile instantly shifted from amused to unamused.
How unfortunate. It seems the amnesiac March 7th is a bit... simple, to the point where she didn't seem to grasp her introduction at all, even though she'd spent so long thinking of it before seizing this chance to emerge...
"Wh-why aren't you saying anything? This is seriously creeping me out..."
Watching her disillusioned self seem somewhat lost for words, March 7th took another half-step back.
"Don't be afraid, March."
Just then, the black card in March 7th's pocket vibrated slightly, then began to emit scattered pinpricks of pink light.
Immediately after, Lynelle's form materialized instantly, embracing March from behind.
"Lynelle!"
The moment she saw Lynelle appear, March 7th immediately latched onto her like a lifeline. "Th-this person...!"
"Oh? So that card also carries your power to protect your comrades... How thoughtful."
The other March 7th smiled faintly, tilting her head slightly. "However, you also carry the scent of memories..."
"Is it that unusual to smell like that after working with the Remembrance? If that's your standard," Lynelle retorted without backing down, "then there's another one right out in the passenger car."
"Her? ...Heh."
"March 7th" didn't seem inclined to make a move against that 'Messenger of Remembrance' for now.
Looks like the train would get to keep its sunny doll a little longer.
Lynelle thought with some relief.
"S-so..." March 7th gently tugged Lynelle's sleeve. "Who exactly is this...?"
"Relax, March." Lynelle maintained her confrontational stance toward "March 7th," but her words carried a meaning completely opposite to her posture.
"Split personality is a pretty common condition. Back in my hometown, you could run into eight or ten people with dual personalities just walking down the street."
"Huh?"
"By the way, among those with split personalities, some are completely at odds with their other half, some willingly let their primary personality consume them, some think they're the main personality but are actually just a child, and then..."
Lynelle's gaze swept meaningfully over the "March 7th" before her.
"...there are those who see the primary personality as supremely important, willing to do anything to protect them—the ultimate primary personality stan."
"..."
"March 7th" silently averted her gaze.
"Then, then she..."
"March!"
Just then, the room door burst open with a bang, cutting March off. Stelle, Dan Heng, and Argenti all appeared together in the doorway.
"This... It really is the work of the bugs."
"Bugs?"
March 7th turned around to see that the other version of herself that had been standing opposite her had abruptly transformed into a massive Swarm Sting.
"Eek! Wh-what's going on?"
"I've read about Swarm Stings in the archives. This species sheds fibrous dust when flapping its wings, which can cause hallucinations in those who inhale it."
Dan Heng's spear, Cloud-Piercer, was already in his hand.
"But..."
March cast a confused look at Lynelle.
According to Dan Heng's explanation, inhaling the fibrous dust took time, yet she had seen that "March 7th" the moment she entered the room.
More importantly, that other March hadn't seemed like a hallucination at all...
"Don't worry." Lynelle secretly winked at March. "It was just an [illusion], right?"
"...I see."
Seeing Lynelle's meaningful expression, March 7th nodded, though not entirely convinced.
"Well, I'll have to think about this more carefully later... Wait, this is my room in the first place!"
"Seeing March still acting so delightfully scatterbrained puts my mind at ease."
"Hey!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.