"All Stellar Rail readings have returned to normal ranges, Pam!"
"The train is about to depart again and leave the Herta Space Station. Please sit tight and hold on. Say goodbye to this beautiful space station one last time, Pam!"
Under Pom-Pom's announcement, the three obediently sat in a row.
Opposite them were Welt and Himeko.
Welt rested his elbows on his thighs with fingers interlaced:
"You three seem to have gained quite a bit, so… were you actually playing games before?"
As soon as these words came out, they immediately caused an uproar.
The three looked at each other and whispered among themselves.
It was as if Welt had said something extremely rude. March 7th and Zeig both showed expressions of disgust toward Welt.
Welt: "…"
In the end, Zeig spoke up:
"I don't understand, Simida!"
Welt: "…"
"What's the use of that? You're giving them too much face."
Himeko spoke through gritted teeth:
"Do you know how long Peppy stayed here? Zeig, every time I went to your room door, I could see piles of takeout trash stacked there. Aren't you going to explain?"
"?"
"Are you trying to say that you threw it out?"
"No, what I mean is… has the train started yet? Can I get off first to sever ties with General Peppy and make a righteous cut?"
"Hmph, stop quibbling. The people at the space station already said you came back from Jarilo-VI!"
Himeko crossed her arms and said in a deep voice:
"And something about… capturing the evil fugitive March 7th and then returning to the train to put her on trial, right?"
As soon as these words came out, the three looked at each other again.
In the end, March 7th raised her hand:
"I don't understand, Simida!"
Himeko: "…"
"Hmph, that won't work, Pam!"
Pom-Pom waddled over and pointed at the three accusingly:
"It's fine if you went out, but why did you lie to us, Pam? The drinks prepared for you every day were all claimed by Peppy, Pam!"
This accusation made the three whisper among themselves again.
In the end, two of them simultaneously looked toward Dan Heng.
"…"
Finally.
Dan Heng raised his hand with an expressionless face:
"I don't understand… Simida."
"…"
"?!"
Himeko, Welt, and Pom-Pom's pupils suddenly dilated, seemingly in disbelief.
Good guy, even Dan Heng had been led astray by these two ultimate troublemakers and turned into a troublemaker himself!
Dan Heng sat there silently.
"…"
At the time, Zeig had said he was in seclusion playing games because he didn't want anyone to discover he had gone back.
Secret investigations like that were naturally better the fewer people knew.
As for March 7th claiming she was in seclusion, she was just copying Zeig and also didn't want Dan Heng to know.
Because on the last day when Dan Heng left Belobog, he seemed to be in a bad mood.
So March 7th wanted to let him rest.
As for why the last one, Dan Heng, also claimed to be playing games.
"…"
Actually, he really thought March 7th and Zeig were playing games, while he planned to secretly go to Belobog to help.
But in the end, the three still ran into each other in Belobog.
They had even fought.
Since explaining it was too complicated, Dan Heng couldn't be bothered to speak up.
"Good, you three are really something." Himeko's eyelid twitched. She finally sighed:
"Anyway, everything has really come to an end, right? This time we are truly setting sail. Don't jump off the train midway again!"
Zeig raised his hand:
"We'll try our best."
"…"
Seeing that the three had finally put away their wandering thoughts, Himeko said to Pom-Pom:
"Pom-Pom, you may begin."
"Understood, Pam!"
"Next, this Conductor will announce the name of the next stop—"
"Wait!"
"?"
Just as Pom-Pom was about to reveal the destination of the next stop, a voice interrupted.
"Wait a moment!" March 7th suddenly shouted.
"Passenger March 7th, what is it this time, Pam?" Pom-Pom frowned.
"I have a small question."
"Go ahead."
"Can we play music? Without music, I feel a bit unaccustomed."
"You… Tch! So annoying, Pam!"
Pom-Pom waddled over to the nearby gramophone and fiddled with it for a bit.
In an instant, melodious and soothing music slowly played.
Only then did March 7th sprawl comfortably on the sofa and sigh:
"Yes, now it has the right atmosphere."
"No more interrupting, Pam!"
Pom-Pom waddled back and announced:
"Next, this Conductor officially announces that the name of the next stop is—"
"Hehe… It's fine to announce it later~"
"Who is it this time, Pam!"
Pom-Pom turned around irritably. A female projection silently appeared behind her.
"You… Eh? You are… a Stellaron Hunter, Pam!" Pom-Pom took several steps back and hid behind the others.
Himeko, Welt, and the other three "shua" stood up, looking gravely at the suddenly appearing projection.
"Long time no see, everyone on the Astral Express~ I am Kafka."
She slowly advanced, sizing up the group:
"Perfect timing. Everyone is here."
Himeko looked at her warily:
"There's no need for charming self-introductions, Stellaron Hunter."
"Himeko, right?!"
"Sorry for interrupting your gathering~"
Kafka casually strolled around the car as if it were her own home.
This… Zeig was the first to disagree!
He directly took off his shoe, picked it up in his hand, and leaped toward Kafka with a leap of faith:
"Everyone, witness this humble one as a god descending to the mortal world! Capturing this evil thief in one move!"
Only a "slap" sound was heard.
Zeig passed straight through Kafka's projection and fell to the ground like a dead dog.
"…"
Kafka lightly shifted to the side, revealing Zeig's position, and whispered:
"Ayy, why are you still like this?"
"Idiot, that's a projection. How could you actually hit her?" March 7th couldn't bear to watch.
"Ahem ahem… I got a bit too excited. Sorry." Zeig climbed up from the ground and put his shoe back on.
"No need to be so agitated. I believe after you hear my request, you will understand my rudeness~"
"We have no money, but we have one life!" March 7th shouted.
Kafka: "…"
"Correct!" Zeig frowned:
"Life is already tight as it is. How could we have spare money? You cosmic pirates shouldn't go too far!"
Dan Heng corrected:
"It's Stellaron Hunter, not cosmic pirate."
"Same thing anyway."
"…"
Kafka looked at Zeig for a while, seeming somewhat displeased. She silently recited a string of numbers: "42********78."
"!" Zeig suddenly startled and stared blankly at Kafka.
The latter smiled slightly and began reciting a second string of numbers: "******"
Zeig was struck like lightning!
"Huh? What is she reciting?" March 7th looked completely confused.
Why did Zeig react so strongly after Kafka recited those two strings of numbers!
"You… You!" Zeig pointed at Kafka in shock and said incredulously:
"Fuck, you even know my bank card password!"