"Based on current projections, the advance of these three forces is not particularly fast. However, the threat level has already surpassed any war the Corporation has experienced since its founding. I believe everyone present understands our current predicament. Therefore, this meeting is not merely an opportunity to share intelligence. It is a call to join hands and defend against the most severe cosmic-level disaster in recorded history. As the Director of the Corporation's Traditional Projects Department and the organizer of this meeting, it is my sincere hope that we can unite to weather this storm together."
The white-haired elder set down his microphone and offered a solemn, deep bow to the attendees in the conference hall.
The crowd respectfully acknowledged the highly esteemed IPC Director. Thunderous applause erupted from the floor, signaling the unanimous agreement of everyone present with Zaitian's sentiments.
The factions attending this conference spanned the entire cosmos. Aside from the initiators—the Interastral Peace Corporation—and the co-promoters—the Xianzhou Alliance—the attendees included the Astral Express, Galaxy Rangers, select members of the Genius Society, The Family, Mourning Actors, and even their least desired guests, the Masked Fools. Countless other mid-to-small-sized factions had also joined the assembly.
During the conference, all factions willing to join the collective and form an alliance signed a binding treaty. Due to the unique nature of this alliance, there were currently multiple [Leaders]. Unsurprisingly, these leaders were the respective [Aeons] worshipped by the various factions. This was understandable; on one hand, it strengthened their cohesion, and on the other, swearing oaths upon their Paths made the binding power of the contract far more absolute.
Naturally, upon learning of the [Alliance's] creation, the leading representatives of The Family—devotees of [Harmony]—smiled even more zealously than the Masked Fools in clown masks next door. But after all, they were followers of [Harmony], so the establishment of the alliance could only be described as a godsend for them.
At the end of the meeting, Himeko was invited on stage to give a speech. After all, the [Nameless] of [Trailblaze] were a considerable faction in the universe. As the navigator of the Astral Express, the [Trailblaze] she shouldered was evidently of great importance. Coupled with the Astral Express's soaring net worth, and the entire universe currently relying heavily on the star-rails, the status of the Astral Express had naturally risen with the tide.
"Thank you very much for Miss Himeko's speech. As everyone knows, Mr. Oswald Schneider, the head of the IPC's Marketing Development Department, was also once a Nameless. Although he cannot be here in person today, he has a gift that he entrusted me to pass on to Miss Himeko."
Following Himeko's speech, Zaitian walked up to the podium with a smile and spoke to her amiably.
"Oh? A gift from Senior Schneider? I'm already looking forward to it."
Himeko smiled back at Zaitian, though she couldn't help but feel a bit curious. That former Nameless... they seemed to have no connection whatsoever. Why would he give her a gift? And on such a solemn occasion?
"...Is this a show of goodwill?"
Offstage, Welt frowned.
"No, this is to win us over, and to publicly declare the relationship between the Astral Express and the Interastral Peace Corporation... But why do they need to emphasize this point?"
Welt was somewhat puzzled, but could only continue to watch.
He trusted Himeko would have a way to handle whatever came next...
"I believe Miss Himeko is not unfamiliar with this gift. The Corporation obtained this item, which is perfectly suited for the Astral Express, by chance. As an ally, it is only right that the Corporation returns it to the Express."
Zaitian turned to face the crowd. Behind him, a familiar silhouette appeared on the projection screen.
"Is that... the Astral Express?"
A voice from the audience asked in confusion.
"No, it doesn't look quite like the current Astral Express. The colors seem brighter? Since when did the Express get a new paint job?"
"You guys actually painted it behind our backs?! Are we of the Car-Washing Planet not worthy anymore?! Wuu wuu wuu..."
"Stop making a fuss. Wait, how did you even get in here?"
Looking at the crowd buzzing over the projection behind him, Zaitian gave a slight nod.
Sitting below, Welt looked at the front of the train, which was very similar to the Astral Express but clearly not theirs. He frowned deeply, and then his pupils suddenly trembled, as if a realization had struck him.
"Could it be..."
"Everyone, please quiet down."
Zaitian's flat voice seemed to hold some kind of magic. The various chattering sounds below instantly fell silent under his command.
"I believe everyone has recognized what this is. This is the gift we wish to present to Miss Himeko: an Astral Express."
"!!!"
The audience was instantly in an uproar. It should be known that the only Astral Express currently active in the universe was Himeko's line. Although trains symbolizing [Trailblaze] had once spread across the cosmos, after [Trailblaze] itself vanished, the Astral Expresses gradually faded from public memory. If Himeko hadn't repaired an Astral Express and re-embarked on the [Trailblazing] journey, many worlds would probably still be under the threat of Stellarons.
Now, the Corporation actually possessed an Astral Express too! And they were giving it away to the Express Crew?
Was that really necessary? The Corporation could easily run an Astral Express Number Two themselves! Why deliver it to the current Astral Express?
"This... Supervisor Zaitian, isn't this gift a bit too precious?"
Himeko looked at the train projection behind her, her breathing momentarily growing slightly rapid. However, instinct allowed her to immediately revert to her elegant and natural demeanor.
"Hehe, rest assured, Miss Himeko. The Corporation obtained this Astral Express by accident. Upon inspecting it, we found that it had long fallen into disrepair and could no longer be started. For the Corporation, rather than placing it in a museum as a mere exhibit, it is better to hand it directly to the [Express Crew] so it may continue to shine. After all, Miss Himeko is currently the only talent in the entire universe who can repair an Astral Express. I believe that after integrating this new train, the [Express Crew] will be able to better connect the entire universe together."
Zaitian smiled warmly at Himeko.
"Since that is the case, I won't decline. As the navigator of the Astral Express, I would like to thank the Corporation for its gift on behalf of all the [Nameless] aboard."
Himeko smiled and bowed elegantly in thanks to Zaitian and everyone below.
"We have already dispatched this Astral Express to miHoYo Planet. Once the meeting concludes and Miss Himeko returns, this train should be ready to soar through the universe once again."
After this minor interlude, the remainder of the meeting confirmed some trivial yet important details, such as the [Alliance's] nickname, the location for future assemblies, and so on. Finally, after a vote, the crowd selected the most suitable moniker. Now, this alliance, gathering more than half the factions in the universe, had its own name: The [Star Ocean Alliance].
Proposer: A certain anonymous general from the Xianzhou Luofu ( )
---o---
"What? We're getting an Astral Express Line Two? And the Corporation gave it to us for free? I must be dreaming... Stelle, hurry up and pinch me!"
March looked at the pictures and text Stelle posted in the "Astral Express Family" group chat, her pinkish-blue eyes full of disbelief! This was too sudden! She wasn't prepared for this at all.
Seeing this, Stelle reached out her sinful little hand and gently pinched a full circle on March's waist, just as March had pinched her on the train before.
"Ouch!!"
Slap!
Teary-eyed, March smacked away Stelle's wandering hand. With a thoroughly aggrieved expression, she could only turn her gaze to Dan Heng beside her.
Dan Heng simply raised his head calmly, glanced at Stelle and March, and then continued to bury his head in his work.
Endless! The work was completely endless! He was starting to miss his days as a simple guard on the Express. At least he didn't have to rack his brains working overtime every single day like this...
"It seems the Corporation wants to tie the Express firmly to their battlefront. But even so, they wouldn't just give away an Astral Express unconditionally... After all, it's considered an Aeon's creation. Even if it can't be used, its research value alone is immense."
Wende stroked his chin, looking at the train in the picture. He felt that something was a bit strange.
At this time, Himeko and Welt had concluded the meeting. Given that the Astral Express had just acquired a Line Two, they decided not to linger in Pier Point and chose to return directly to miHoYo Planet.
Meanwhile, upon learning that the Astral Express was about to get another line, Pom-Pom's emotions became noticeably complicated.
"Do you think there will be another Pom-Pom on the other train? If there's a second train, will you guys not want Pom-Pom anymore?"
"There, there. Our conductor is so cute, how could we not want you? Besides, with a new train, shouldn't Pom-Pom be happy? In the future, Pom-Pom will be the conductor of two Astral Expresses. What if the number of Expresses keeps increasing? Then wouldn't Pom-Pom become the [Grand Conductor]?"
Himeko couldn't help but smile at Pom-Pom, who was slumped against her leg looking as if it were about to be abandoned. She gently stroked its little head to comfort it.
"Really?"
Pom-Pom lifted its head, blinking its cute, misty eyes at Himeko.
"Of course. After all, the Astral Express can't function without its conductor."
Himeko smiled at Pom-Pom.
"Well then, since Passenger Himeko puts it that way, Pom-Pom will reluctantly accept the title of [Grand Conductor], pom!"
Enjoying Himeko's pets, Pom-Pom said happily.
"Good, good. But our Grand Conductor needs to be busy for a little while now. We're heading back to miHoYo Planet to receive the new train."
"Mhm! No problem! This Grand Conductor can't wait to go see their new underling!"
Watching Pom-Pom's back as it excitedly ran towards the control room, Himeko smiled and shook her head.
"It seems Pom-Pom's adaptability is even better than yours or mine. That's something we need to learn from."
Welt sat on the sofa opposite Himeko and shook his head slightly.
"Indeed. If only the two of us could be as carefree as Pom-Pom. How wonderful would that be?"
Himeko sighed with a soft smile.
"The Corporation's move this time is certainly grand. But there's something I don't quite understand. Is their goal really just to tie the Express to their front lines? Even with miHoYo Interstellar Inc. and miHoYo Planet backing us, the Corporation didn't need to make such a highly publicized announcement, did they?"
Welt was still somewhat suspicious of the Corporation's attitude. In particular, Supervisor Zaitian's words made him feel that the highly respected elder had an ulterior motive.
"I feel the same way. The Corporation's goal is definitely not that simple. I have a feeling they have another purpose."
"Yes... Could it be that their true intention wasn't to win over the Astral Express?"
As if a thought had suddenly struck him, Welt frowned deeply.
"Not to win over the Astral Express? Then could it be..."
Himeko instantly understood Welt's meaning, and the look in her eyes instantly became complex.
---o---
"Was it really necessary for us to go to such great lengths to tie the Astral Express to our front? Will the Xianzhou have any objections?"
After the meeting ended, Zaitian's deputy looked at the many representatives participating in the post-meeting activities below. He spoke to Zaitian, who was standing by the window with his hands clasped behind his back.
"We are merely bolstering the strength of our partners. It's also a way to cast a brick to attract jade... to see if we can force the entity standing behind them to reveal the tip of the iceberg..."
"You mean... that entity capable of casually teleporting planets across the cosmos?"
"Oh? Did I say that? Haha, young man, you should think more for yourself."
"Your teachings are correct, Supervisor..."
Zaitian's gaze was profound. If that entity truly was at that level, then the scales of this cosmic war would tilt almost infinitely in their favor. If not, it didn't matter; they still had the "Lifetime Board Member"...
This move... whether in the open or in the shadows, and no matter which side it was meant for, was a brilliant play!
---o---
Squelch!!
"Ahhh!!!"
On the border, upon a planet inhabited by Denizens of Abundance, the Antimatter Legion suddenly descended. Leading them was none other than the Lord Ravager, Xingxiao.
Commanding the elites of the Antimatter Legion and four Doomsday Beasts, she quickly tore through the Boliren's defenses and prepared to turn the planet into a dead star!
"Which number is this? Forget it, if I can't remember, there's no need to."
Casually flicking a lifeless Boliren soldier off the tip of her spear, Xingxiao looked up at the sky thick with smoke, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.
To enact [Destruction] through pure, tyrannical dominance... what a joy it was!
"General."
Suddenly, an Antimatter Legion soldier appeared beside Xingxiao, bowing its head respectfully to her.
"What is it?"
Wiping the tip of her spear, Xingxiao said dismissively.
"We've discovered traces of those bugs. A force of the Swarm is rushing towards this planet. Your orders..."
"Oh? They're delivering themselves right to our doorstep... Tell the troops to move fast. We have new enemies to play with!"