Kafka's smile seemed to become... more meaningful after hearing those words from [Kafka].
She nodded gently, as if she weren't facing a "double" with her own face, but rather a partner with whom she shared a certain tacit understanding.
"Since that's the case..."
The projected Kafka's voice remained steady and pleasant.
"Then I don't need to waste any more words."
Her gaze swept across [Kafka] and the members of the Astral Express Crew.
"I'll leave it all to you."
The moment she finished speaking, her figure dissolved like a chalk drawing being erased, turning into countless tiny specks of light that silently dissipated into the air, leaving not even a trace of her signature red umbrella projection.
A brief silence fell over the Parlor Car, leaving only the low hum of the train's engine.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the newly appeared, flesh-and-blood [Kafka].
She calmly put away her umbrella, her movements identical to the previous one, and turned elegantly to face the group of people with their varying expressions. On her face was that same inscrutable, gentle smile that seemed almost welded on.
"Alright."
[Kafka] spoke, her tone as relaxed as if she were hosting a tea party.
"The projection meeting is over. Next is 'internal Q&A time.' If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Everyone looked at each other.
The feeling was too bizarre. One second they were confronting a dangerous Stellaron Hunter, and the next they had to "consult" a "clone" who looked, sounded, and had the same abilities, but was on their side?
March 7th was the first to slide off Trailblazer, gathering her courage to point suspiciously at [Kafka]: "You... are you really a 'clone' summoned by Stella? Do you know as much as the real Kafka just now?"
"In terms of information, yes."
[Kafka] tilted her head slightly and explained patiently. Her mannerisms and tone made Himeko involuntarily glance at her empty coffee cup again.
"Beings like us who are summoned essentially use Stella's ability as a medium to 'play the role' of special clones of the originals. It's just that this 'role-play'... is a bit too thorough."
She smiled and reached out, a faint trace of purple energy swirling around her fingertips.
"Not just memories and personality, but even combat styles and special abilities... like my 'Spirit Whisper.' As long as Stella's power is sufficient to support it, I am 'Kafka'."
This explanation made Welt's brow furrow even deeper.
He pushed up his glasses and asked the most critical question in a heavy voice: "Then, from the perspective of the 'Kafka' you know, what is the fundamental purpose of the Stellaron Hunters' actions this time? Don't use'saving a companion' or 'clearing suspicion' to brush us off."
[Kafka] met Welt's gaze, her smile unchanging as she said clearly: "The fundamental purpose is for the Astral Express to successfully gain the friendship and support of the Xianzhou Alliance."
"Huh?"
March 7th was dumbfounded.
"Just for that? Going through all this trouble? The Stellaron, getting captured... all for that?"
"Because..."
[Kafka]'s tone became slightly more serious.
"According to the'script' Elio has seen, the Astral Express will encounter a massive entity in the near future that threatens the entire known universe. The Express's own strength alone will not be enough to overcome that crisis. It must have the full assistance of universe-level powers like the Xianzhou Alliance or the Interstellar Peace Corporation to even stand a chance."
"Threaten... the entire universe?"
Dan Heng repeated in a low voice, his eyes sharp.
Himeko remained silent for a moment, finally letting out a soft sigh and rubbing her temples.
"Elio's ability to prophesy... although we don't wish to be toyed with by fate, there are indeed precedents for its accuracy."
She looked at Welt, then at the young members of the Astral Express Crew, her gaze becoming firm.
"If that's truly the case, then the support of the Xianzhou Alliance is indeed vital. It seems we'll have to wade into these murky waters whether we want to or not."
She turned to the control console, her voice returning to its usual calm and decisiveness: "Pom-Pom, re-route. The destination is now—the Xianzhou 'Luofu'."
Pom-Pom's tearful response came from the cockpit: "U-Understood, Pom... Inputting coordinates for the Xianzhou Luofu, Pom..."
"The Xianzhou Luofu..."
[Jing Yuan], who hadn't said much, let out a long sigh filled with complex emotions. He raised a hand to rub his temples, looking less like a high-ranking general and more like a salaryman who had just heard he had to return to his hometown for a troublesome relative's wedding.
"What's wrong with the Xianzhou Luofu? Is there a problem?"
March 7th asked curiously, momentarily forgetting her previous tension.
"A big problem."
[Jing Yuan] spread his hands helplessly, his gaze sweeping over his companions from the High-Cloud Quintet beside him, each with their own expressions.
"As it happens, I am the current General of the Xianzhou Luofu—Jing Yuan."
He gave a bitter smile.
"Returning with such a 'lineup of old friends'... explaining it is going to be very... interesting."
"Of five people, three must pay a price..."
Dan Heng unconsciously whispered the words that had haunted his nightmares for so long, his expression heavy.
This phrase was inextricably linked to the Luofu and the High-Cloud Quintet.
"Oh, don't be so pessimistic!"
[Bai Heng] tried to liven up the atmosphere, raising her hand and waving it.
"With me here, that kind of thing shouldn't happen again, right? I'm the mood-maker!"
She tried to give a bright smile, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes as well.
[Jingliu] crossed her arms and calmly poured cold water on her optimism: "Don't be too optimistic. In the end, we aren't the true High-Cloud Quintet, but merely 'recreations' possessing their memories, personalities, and appearances. How the actual General on the Luofu, and the other... 'involved parties', will view us is the biggest variable. Our very existence might stir up a deep pool of water."
[Yingxing] added sullenly: "And I have no desire to be dragged into those troublesome Xianzhou affairs. I just want to find a quiet place to forge steel and drink wine."
He looked at Stella with accusing eyes.
"What happened to the promised Trailblaze adventure? How did it turn into a Xianzhou ethical family drama?"
The atmosphere became stagnant for a moment, as worries about the unknown, dread of past shadows, and headaches over the complex situation intertwined.
"Oh, whatever!"
Stella suddenly shouted, breaking the silence. She clenched her fists, her eyes wide, looking like she was ready to go all out.
"What's the use of thinking so much! We'll cross that bridge when we come to it! If we can't beat them, we'll just wing it! We'll take it one step at a time! We have so many people anyway, plus Sister Himeko, Mr. Yang, and... the High-Cloud Quintet to help! We'll find a way!"
Her hot-blooded shout, devoid of any specific plan, combined with her face turning slightly red from tension and excitement, actually thinned the heavy atmosphere quite a bit.
Everyone looked at each other again, seeing helplessness, a bit of relief, and a tiny spark of fighting spirit in each other's eyes.
Himeko held her forehead and smiled: "Although the planning is practically zero... that courage is worth commending."
Welt pushed up his glasses: "That's all we can do. We'll play it by ear."
March 7th spoke up, full of energy again: "Exactly! A Trailblaze journey needs surprises to be exciting! And this time we have an 'insider info provider' (referring to [Kafka]) and a 'local tour guide group' (referring to the High-Cloud Quintet)!"
Dan Heng looked at the starlight warping outside the window: "...What needs to be faced, must be faced."
[Jing Yuan] regained a bit of his lazy smile and clapped his hands: "Well, since everyone's said so... everyone, get ready. Our 'Luofu Homecoming-slash-Stellaron Disposal-slash-Universe Saving Reserve' train is about to begin."
[Jingliu] added coldly: "I hope they don't 'welcome' us directly with Formation Blades and arrows."