Argenti pondered: "I see. In that case, my previous encounter with Velite has also been explained."
March 7th: "What did you discover?"
Argenti: "When I first met Velite, he was trapped inside a dark, incomparably huge cave and couldn't escape."
"Looking back, there were indeed sounds of swallowing and wriggling coming from inside the cave at the time."
Leon: "This means that the two of you were already inside this insect's body back then."
Dan Heng: "You all go discuss countermeasures with Welt and Himeko. I'll return to the databank alone to look for related information and join you afterward."
Everyone had no objections and quickly returned to the observation car to wait.
With people not yet gathered, no one spoke.
"It's so quiet… Can't you guys say something?" March 7th couldn't stand the atmosphere.
Argenti said sincerely: "To be able to meet all of you here, I, Argenti, would have no regrets even in death."
"…Forget it. It's better to stay quiet." March 7th almost choked.
So Argenti really wasn't good with words when he said so earlier...
After a while, everyone finally gathered.
Dan Heng synchronized the result of the train being swallowed by the giant True Stinger Insect with Welt and Himeko.
"So that's how it is..."
No one doubted the authenticity of Leon's investigation results.
Welt proposed a solution.
"Perhaps we can try to temporarily overload the train's engine and ram the insect's stomach, using super speed to charge out of the giant True Stinger Insect's body."
Stelle scratched her head: "The insurance Leon just installed on the train not long ago—can it be put to use so soon?"
March 7th: "…Why is your focus always so weird and out of sync with everyone else?"
Dan Heng frowned: "The preparations required for jumping are numerous. During the process, it's hard to guarantee we won't attract the attention of the insect swarm."
According to the databank records, the reason the giant True Stinger Insect is so enormous is because it is itself a special type of transport weapon.
Its body can contain and breed hundreds of millions of smaller stinger insects.
Once an insect tide is triggered, it would definitely be a huge trouble.
Leon rejected the proposal: "Not suitable. Overloading the engine carries the risk of spontaneous combustion."
Welt: "But we haven't thought of a better method for now. If everyone has no strong objections, we'll begin preparations..."
If they were outside, with the overall strength of the train crew, dealing with the giant True Stinger Insect wouldn't be difficult.
But inside its body, there were many more things to consider. Once excessive force was unleashed in an enclosed space, it could easily affect themselves.
After thinking it over, Leon felt it would be more appropriate for him to take action personally.
Just as he was about to make a move, Argenti suddenly spoke.
"Mr. Welt, please wait a moment."
"My apologies. I have come up with an idea that might help everyone resolve the crisis."
"During the time the train is preparing, I hope to have the opportunity to discuss matters privately with Stelle."
March 7th became anxious: "…At a time like this, can't you just say it directly?"
Argenti: "If this idea were proposed in public, it would definitely be rejected by you all immediately. But as a knight, I must help the train solve its problem."
"Ah? You've already mentally prepared yourself for rejection like this..."
"It seems you have some plan in mind. Although I don't understand the traditions of Pure Beauty Knights… forget it. There's still time."
Welt's gaze flashed with deep thought, then he looked at Stelle.
Stelle indicated there was no problem.
Seeing this, Argenti said sincerely: "Thank you for understanding."
As the two temporarily left the observation car, March 7th couldn't help but feel curious.
"What do you think Argenti wants to say to Stelle?"
"He wants to take the risk in our place." Leon answered with an almost certain tone.
The fall of the Aeon of Pure Beauty remained a mystery to this day, but the faithful believers of the Knights of Pure Beauty had never stopped following THEIR path and practicing the knightly way of Pure Beauty.
Simply put, it could be broadly summarized as being eager to help others.
In the galaxy, the reputation of Pure Beauty Knights was no worse than that of the Nameless.
The reason they weren't on guard against Argenti was because they could see what kind of person he was.
That pure, almost glowing sincere faith was as conspicuous as shining stars in the eyes of one who walks with mercy.
Himeko: "I understand what you mean. Do you want to politely decline Argenti's kindness? After all, the train encountering danger wasn't because of him."
Leon: "No need. This concerns principle for a Pure Beauty Knight. Supporting him is enough. I will provide him with protection."
...
"Lady, I apologize for my abruptness. Suddenly requesting a private conversation with you is quite strange no matter how you look at it."
Argenti first offered an apologetic bow, then his expression turned solemn.
"In fact, I have developed a strong feeling: As a Pure Beauty Knight, this is a battle I must face—"
"That is, for me to leave the train alone and confront the giant True Stinger Insect head-on."
"Attack its stomach wall with my lance, causing it to convulse and vomit the train out."
Although Stelle had already somewhat guessed, she still showed a slightly surprised expression.
"As expected… just you alone?"
Argenti answered a different question: "I find it difficult to describe this phenomenon, but when I witness certain things, I feel emotions of beauty from the bottom of my heart. It is vague and can only be perceived through instinct."
"Perhaps I have been traveling alone through the galaxy for too long and find it hard to understand where this feeling truly comes from."
"But I know that as a knight, my duty is to protect the seeds that contain beauty and stand in front of them to fend off everything."
"And right now, the Astral Express is that seed of beauty."
"This place gives me a sense of belonging, a warmth like that of home. I believe this comes from the deep bonds you all share with one another."
"Therefore, I swear to become a shield with my body to protect this trace of warmth, rather than selfishly seeking safety and letting the train become a shield to protect me instead."
"I am willing to guard these seeds of beauty again and again, allowing them to bloom into pure and crystalline flowers, in order to prove my devotion to THEM!"
"This is something that will inevitably happen on the journey named Argenti!"
Stelle: "The 'THEM' you speak of—is that Idrila?"
Argenti: "Correct. The goddess Idrila is the faith of us all and the pursuit of our destined path."
"When I bleed and lose consciousness in battle while defending the path of beauty, I have countless times seen traces of THEIR presence in my unconsciousness—spreading from beneath my feet and extending toward an unknowable future."
Stelle's expression became somewhat complicated. In the Simulated Universe, she had also encountered other Pure Beauty Knights.
But perhaps because the Simulated Universe's computational power wasn't focused on this aspect, her impressions and knowledge of those Pure Beauty Knights' deeds were mostly extremely vague.
Argenti's current words and actions were completely consistent, making her feel a trace of respect in her heart.
"Idrila's traces… could they be your hallucinations?"
"My reason tells me they are not." Argenti denied this statement. "But I hope they are."
"In those old hallucinations, I kept running. On the muddy road, the footprints THEY left behind made me sadder than any crying."
"And every time, I was only just short of seeing THEIR figure."
His words sounded vague and difficult to understand to some people.
However, Stelle still precisely captured the core meaning.
"I understand. You want to fight to protect 'beauty' and to see Idrila."
Argenti nodded: "Mm… This is my personal desire."
"Falling, standing up, falling again, standing up again—countless times of tempering, hovering between life and death, all so that we may get closer to the path once traveled by Pure Beauty."
"This is my oath as a Pure Beauty Knight."
Stelle asked the final question: "Why did you choose to speak with me alone?"
Argenti said sincerely: "Our sparring match was only halfway through. As a martial artist, I am not good with words, and I still have the other half that I haven't conveyed to you."
"I am truly not good at expressing myself. I apologize for my verbosity. Returning to the beginning—will you support my idea?"
Stelle's expression turned serious: "Out of respect, I support it. Out of personal feelings, I oppose it."