His mind was still a mess.
The plot had completely gone off the rails, so what should he do next?
Subconsciously, he glanced at the Trailblazer (Stelle Version) next to him again.
The gray-haired girl was still holding that ordinary-looking baseball bat, her eyes fixed on the wreckage of the Doomsday Beast drifting away outside the window.
Besides a blank expression on her small face, there seemed to be a bit of... lingering disappointment from not being satisfied?
Oh no, this girl wouldn't be unhappy because she didn't get to fight, would she? And there was no sign of her Path awakening at all!
"No need for thanks, it was part of my duty."
Ms. Welt Yang's tone was gentle, but the gaze behind her glasses quickly became focused again.
Clearly, the interrupted conversation about her hometown was a higher priority for her.
"Mr. Astro, if you're feeling up to it, I think we can continue our chat!"
Astro looked into those eyes behind the lenses that had reignited with longing.
Thinking back to that black hole that appeared out of thin air just now and chewed up the Doomsday Beast like a snack, the hair on his back stood on end.
He made up his mind instantly.
Making things up in front of this fellow countryman who could conjure black holes at will?
He was afraid that if he didn't lie perfectly, he'd have to experience what it felt like to be 'tenderly cared for' by the Star of Eden the next second.
"O-okay, Ms. Welt."
Astro tried his best to make his voice sound steady.
"Please ask, I will tell you everything I know."
Ms. Welt seemed somewhat satisfied with his attitude. She paused for a moment and asked the first, and most crucial, question:
"Mr. Astro, you come from Earth.
So, before you left, or rather in your understanding... did there exist on Earth any... special organizations or powers that transcend ordinary human societal knowledge?
For example... Schicksal? Or... Anti-Entropy?"
Astro shook his head honestly:
"I'm sorry, Ms. Welt. I've never heard of those two names.
At least in the place and time where I lived, no such organizations existed."
As he finished, he saw the tiny flame of hope in Ms. Welt Yang's eyes seem to dissipate with his answer.
"...Is that so."
She gave a soft response and stared blankly for a while, seemingly processing this information.
"Then, Honkai... does this word ring a bell? Or, an existence known as a Herrscher?"
Astro continued to shake his head, this time with more certainty:
"No. Ms. Welt, the Earth in my memory... was just a very ordinary planet.
There were countries, cities, and technological development, but organizations or individuals like you mentioned... who sound like they possess extraordinary powers, there really weren't any.
At least the general public was completely unaware of them."
He was indeed telling the truth.
He had played the Honkai series games and knew those settings, but he couldn't and didn't dare to say that was a 'reality' he had 'personally experienced'.
In front of a Welt Yang who had very likely experienced the Honkai personally and carried a heavy past.
The risk of presenting game settings as personal experience was too great.
Ms. Welt fell silent.
She turned sideways, looking out at the boundless starry sky, her silhouette appearing somewhat lonely.
After a few seconds, she turned back, her eyes having regained their usual composure.
"It seems that although we both call it Earth, there are clearly significant differences."
Astro didn't forget his persona. A look of confusion appeared on his face, and his voice dropped a few notches:
"Then... then does that mean I... can't go back?"
Ms. Welt Yang looked at him, a trace of apology flitting through her gaze.
She nodded gently:
"Based on the currently known clues... yes, Mr. Astro.
The probability of you returning to the Earth you know is very slim.
What we are searching for is likely not the same Path home."
Just as Astro was considering whether to act more sorrowful.
A light figure leaned over.
"Oh, Aunt Yang, don't be so absolute! You're scaring him!"
It was March 7th.
He had finished his low-voiced conversation with Dan Heng at some point and approached them.
That face, which was as exquisite and cute as the girl March 7th in his memory, wore a reassuring and brilliant smile.
He naturally reached out, seemingly out of habit wanting to pat Astro's shoulder to offer comfort.
But his hand paused mid-air, and he instead lightly tapped the back of his own hand, the movement a bit cutely awkward.
"Astro, right? Don't lose heart!"
March 7th's voice was clear and pleasant, carrying the unique vitality of a youth. Paired with this face, his approachability was off the charts.
"Look, the universe is so big, there's more than one Earth! What does that mean? It means the possibilities are infinite!"
He tilted his head slightly, pinkish-blue hair sliding across his cheek, as he continued in that infectious tone:
"It's certainly a pity not being able to go back to your original home, but who says you can't have a new home and a new journey?
Like me, even though I don't remember my past,"
"But now, following the Express and seeing all kinds of stars and stories, I'm super happy too!"
He opened his arms, making an exaggerated gesture as if embracing the sea of stars.
Then he looked at Astro with a beaming smile and issued a formal invitation:
"So, Astro, do you want to come with us?
Board the Astral Express and Trailblaze!
Go see just how many incredible things there are in this universe!
Maybe..."
He blinked, with a hint of innocence.
"Maybe on some star, you'll find a way to help you get home.
Or... find a new home where you feel 'this is it'?"
This invitation was full of enthusiasm, and coming from such a beautiful and sunny face, it was almost impossible to refuse.
Even the cold-looking Dan Heng nearby looked over.
He seemed accustomed to March 7th's rhetoric, or perhaps, he didn't object.
Astro looked at the brightly smiling March 7th, who was watching him with expectant eyes, and his mind was a bit messy again.
Holy crap, this face, this voice, this personality... he's a carbon copy of the little sister March 7th from the game!
But... he claims to be a guy! A little sissy!
The conflict between his vision and the information made him dazed for a moment.
But the sincerity in the other's words and that pure passion for Trailblazing were real.
At this moment when he had just been told his return home was hopeless, this invitation was no different from a piece of driftwood thrown to a drowning person.
Ms. Welt Yang didn't interrupt March 7th, just watched quietly.
Uncle Himeko also cast a gentle gaze from afar, clearly giving tacit consent to the invitation.
Astro took a deep breath, suppressing the various emotions churning in his heart.
He knew that he actually had no choice at all.
Staying on this Space Station that had just been attacked by a Doomsday Beast and visited by Stellaron Hunters.
It was better to follow this... strangely-styled but seemingly reliable Astral Express Crew.
Besides, his cheat ability required various check-ins and collections, which meant he'd have to travel around anyway.
He looked at March 7th, trying his best to ignore the cognitive dissonance caused by that pretty face, nodded, and forced a smile:
"Thank you, March 7th.
And Ms. Welt, Mr. Himeko... if the Express is willing to take in a homeless person like me... I'm willing to join."
"At least, until I find a way home, or... find a new Path, I hope I can be of some help and not just live and eat for free."
March 7th immediately laughed happily, his eyes curving into crescents:
"That's great! Welcome to the Astral Express, new passenger Astro!"