Inside the observation car of the Astral Express.
Looking out the window at the planet completely covered in ice and snow, Hiroshi revealed an expression of understanding.
Indeed, everything was just like the original plot;
The train couldn't proceed further due to the 'Stellaron,' and they needed to go to Jarilo-VI to retrieve and seal that Stellaron.
Afterwards, Pom-Pom explained the situation to everyone. Upon learning this, Himeko also began considering who should go to Jarilo-VI this time.
"How about this time, let Section Chief Lin and that child go with Little March and Dan Heng?"
"It seems this time has nothing to do with me either."
Welt's tone carried a hint of disappointment.
"We should give the kids a chance to be alone together and develop their relationships."
After comforting Welt, Himeko's gaze returned to Hiroshi, Stelle, and March 7th.
"Alright, if there are no issues, go talk to Dan Heng."
When they arrived at Dan Heng's room, he was organizing information about Jarilo-VI.
"You're here. From what I've learned, this planet completely wrapped in ice and snow, named Jarilo-VI, still has one area with normal temperatures."
"Choosing it as our landing site this time might be a good option."
Hearing Dan Heng's words, Hiroshi pondered thoughtfully.
If he wasn't mistaken, what Dan Heng mentioned should be Belobog.
In the original plot, the group was taken there to meet the Supreme Guardian—Cocolia;
However, she had already been brainwashed by the Stellaron, pretending to arrange things for them while actually planning to eliminate them.
Hmm... Since that's the case, then they absolutely couldn't act like last time;
They had to find a way to avoid the Supreme Guardian's detection and secretly take the Stellaron.
"If there are no objections, let's set off."
As Dan Heng's final words fell, the group left the Astral Express and headed to Jarilo-VI... Upon arriving on this planet, all they could see was a vast expanse of white, the surrounding icy snowscape, and a bone-chilling cold.
"Don't worry, you two. Dan Heng and I are seasoned Namelesss. Following us will definitely ensure your safety."
March 7th proudly placed her hands on her hips, boasting while giving Stelle and Hiroshi a reassurance.
"Sigh..."
Hearing her words, Dan Heng helplessly rubbed his forehead and glanced at Stelle and Hiroshi.
He hoped they... wouldn't be like March, needing him to worry... The group continued forward, and not far ahead, a raised snowdrift appeared, seemingly hiding someone shivering from the cold.
After a brief recollection, Hiroshi immediately recognized who he was.
Isn't this Old Sampo? A troublemaker; the original Astral Express Crew had been tricked by him quite a bit.
But this time... he had to make him pay some interest.
"Hey... aren't you coming out? You're shivering from the cold~"
March 7th walked up to him and asked, but Sampo showed no intention of coming out.
"Miss March, step aside!"
"Huh!?"
Stelle, Dan Heng, and March 7th turned their heads to see Hiroshi pulling out a deep blue giant blade from somewhere, larger than his entire body.
March 7th was instantly startled, and Stelle and Dan Heng also looked surprised.
"Hey, hey, hey! Little brother, even if he's hiding and won't come out, there's no need to kill him!"
Hiroshi ignored her, swinging the 'blade of the god of war' and slamming it hard into the ground;
Instantly, a powerful shockwave erupted from the ground, directly flinging the hidden Sampo out.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Gentlemen, let's talk this out! I..."
"Stelle, grab him!"
Before she could react, Stelle's body had already moved according to his words.
She pulled out a baseball bat and accurately struck Sampo on the head;
Sampo, hit by this heavy blow, immediately rolled his eyes and passed out.
"Well done, Stelle!"
"Hehe!"
Praised, Stelle scratched her head somewhat sheepishly.
"But why did we grab him?"
"Yeah, it makes us Namelesss seem like kidnappers or something."
Dan Heng didn't join March 7th's comment, instead looking at him as if waiting for an explanation.
"Because this guy clearly isn't a good person!"
"In this remote wilderness, not only did he come here, but he also hid. This means he's probably a fugitive, or even some dangerous terrorist!"
After hearing his perspective, March 7th understood a bit, her slender fingers lightly pinching her chin in thought.
"Hearing you say that, it does... make some sense."
Hiroshi continued.
"So he must be afraid of being caught by this world's officials. Taking him with us can help us understand this world and avoid dangers."
"And if we accidentally encounter them, we can hand him over to increase the officials' trust in us!"
After listening to his explanation, March 7th's eyes immediately lit up, and she excitedly clapped her hands.
"So that's how it is! You're amazing! You actually thought of so much at once!"
Dan Heng looked at him and couldn't help but show a hint of admiration.
It seemed he was much more cautious and reliable. With him here, this Trailblazing journey would likely go smoothly, and his own work would finally be less strenuous.
"Then... should we take him with us next?"
Stelle looked at Hiroshi and asked.
"Yes, from his earlier behavior, he's probably being chased. Let's find a safe place to extract some useful information from him."
So the group took him to a secluded corner.
"What should we do next?"
"Of course... wake him up gently."
With that, Hiroshi walked up to him and slapped his face.
"Hey! Idiot! Wake up!"
"Ouch! This..."
Slapped awake, Sampo tried to rub his face but found himself tied up with a rope.
"Hehe, spare me, heroes. Let's talk this out."
"By the way, has Commander Gepard arrived? I'm quite familiar with him."
As he spoke, Hiroshi was already secretly planning his strategy.
If there was one place on Jarilo-VI safest for them now, it was undoubtedly the Lower District.
However, the entrance between the upper and Lower Districts was now sealed, and only he had a way to get in there;
So... first, have him lead them to the Lower District.
"Don't worry, we won't harm you. We just need you to take us somewhere far from the law enforcement here."
"I'll give you ten thousand credits as payment then. How about it?"
Hiroshi said, showing him his credit balance.
Sampo was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped to the ground.
One, two, three, four... a full ten digits!
Holy moly! Old Sampo has never seen so many credits in his life!