Chapter 429: The Four Bangboo Make Their Debut
The hesitation flickering in Aether's golden eyes slowly hardened into a deep, unshakable resolve. The lingering worry for his younger sister twisted into a far more complex knot of emotion, heavy and suffocating in the quiet dark.
He knew Lumine was more than capable of protecting herself, but the unknown, otherworldly power she had recently come into contact with demanded absolute vigilance.
For a long time, he simply stood there, his gaze locked onto the glowing invitation resting in his palm. Finally, his lips parted. In a voice so soft it was nearly swallowed by the surrounding shadows, he spoke his refusal.
Instantly, the invitation fractured. It dissolved into a flurry of luminescent dust, slipping through his fingers and vanishing into the cold air. The connection was severed.
Aether turned on his heel, facing the massive, imposing structure of the Loom of Fate once more. Its deep, resonant humming gradually subsided into a low thrum. He closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, forcibly burying the soft, surging warmth in his chest, locking it away so he could throw himself back into the cold, calculating reality of his command.
Yet, during a brief pause between inputting the Loom's directives, he raised a gloved hand and issued a quiet summons.
"Go to Fontaine," Aether ordered.
From the pitch-black corners of the chamber, several Abyss Mages materialized, their floating forms silent and obedient.
"Find Lumine's trail," he continued, his tone flat but laced with an obvious edge of protectiveness. "Observe her from a distance to confirm her safety. Do not disturb her. Do not intervene in whatever she is doing. If there is even the slightest anomaly... report back to me immediately."
The Abyss Mages bowed low, their masks dipping in reverence, before they dissolved back into the shadows. Aether watched them go, his jaw tight. It was a meager gesture, but right now, it was the only concern he could afford to show for his sister.
Meanwhile, across the boundaries of worlds, chaos of a much brighter variety was unfolding.
"Hurry, hurry! The banquet is waiting!" Stelle's voice echoed down the corridor, practically vibrating with chaotic energy. She sprinted out of the Gear Coin Shop, leading the charge while carefully clutching a curiously squirming Conductor-Bangboo in her arms.
March 7th trailed behind her, looking entirely flustered. She had fully intended to lead the elegantly floating Sunday-Bangboo by the hand, but the little mechanical avian-winged creature seemed vastly more accustomed to moving on its own terms. It simply glided after her, maintaining a perfectly calculated, polite distance that made March sigh in exasperation.
"Hey! Azhdaha! Don't run that way! That's the repair room, you can't go in there right now!" Hu Tao's frantic shout rang out from the rear.
The Azhdaha-Bangboo wagged its mechanical tail, taking incredibly agile, bouncing steps that completely defied its sturdy, rotund build. It tried to veer off into a side fork in the hallway, its glowing digital eyes wide with curiosity at every flashing light and whirring gear along the path.
Hu Tao finally managed to sprint ahead and block its path, scooping the heavy little creature up while caught between a laugh and a groan of defeat.
The normally brief walk from the shop back to the main banquet hall had devolved into an exceptionally lively, difficult-to-handle obstacle course. The four newly minted Bangboos, each possessing wildly distinct personalities, were utterly mesmerized by their new surroundings.
In Stelle's arms, Pom-Pom marveled in a low, synthesized voice at the futuristic neon sights he had never witnessed in person. Beside them, the Furina-Bangboo was already putting on a theatrical display, striking dramatic poses and showing great interest in every cute, passing Bangboo they encountered, seemingly eager to strike up an impromptu stage performance.
Fortunately, the journey was short. When Stelle practically kicked open the double doors to the banquet hall, reappearing with this peculiar "Bangboo Squad" in tow, she instantly commanded the attention of every single person in the room.
The ambient chatter of the banquet flatlined for a split second, only to be replaced by a massive, surging wave of curiosity.
Paimon was the very first to react. She zoomed across the room, leaving a trail of stardust as she circled the four mechanical newcomers. "They're really here! Furina, hello! And this is... Azhdaha? Wow, you look so cute and squishy like this!"
Stelle hoisted the Conductor-Bangboo a bit higher into the air, presenting him like a hard-won legendary treasure. Her face beamed with a blindingly bright smile as she projected her voice across the hall.
"Everyone! Allow me to give a grand introduction!" Stelle announced theatrically. "This is the Conductor of our Astral Express! He takes care of our daily lives, manages everything on the train, and is the most, most, most adorable and reliable companion ever—Pom-Pom!"
Suspended in the air, the Conductor-Bangboo seemed genuinely shy. His long, mechanical rabbit-like ears twitched nervously. "H-hello, everyone," he stammered bashfully. "Passenger Stelle is exaggerating, Pa... Pom-Pom is very glad to meet you all, Pa."
After speaking, he wiggled out of Stelle's grip, landing softly on the floor to execute a remarkably earnest bow. His round, metallic body bent forward in an endearingly clumsy motion that instantly melted the hearts of the crowd—especially the New Eridu locals, who had no context for the Astral Express but found this particular Bangboo to be exceptionally precious.
Following Stelle's lead, March 7th and Hu Tao stepped up to introduce the Sunday-Bangboo and the Azhdaha-Bangboo, respectively.
Lumine took her turn last, offering a brief, tactful introduction for Furina. She simply stated that the dramatic little Bangboo was a master of the performing arts and a renowned director from Fontaine. She entirely omitted Furina's past identity as the Hydro Archon; arriving in a new universe meant the perfect opportunity to start fresh with a clean slate.
Although the four of them were meeting the vast majority of the room for the very first time, their compact, adorable Bangboo forms completely shattered any lingering sense of distance or intimidation.
also, under the expert guidance of the group's two ultimate social butterflies—Belle and Stelle—the atmosphere quickly skyrocketed back into a lively, booming celebration.
Standing off to the side, Yanagi, Lucy, and Lycaon watched the chaotic scene unfold. Seeing with their own eyes that these new "visitors" were indeed just four Bangboos with limited physical functions and zero threat level, the final traces of tension bled out of their postures. They exchanged quiet, relieved smiles.
"It seems we were indeed overthinking things," Yanagi noted, her shoulders dropping in a relaxed shrug. She took a slow sip from the iced drink in her hand, having very firmly—and wisely—refused the cup of coffee Himeko had offered her earlier.
"Carrier limitations and rule constraints seem to be an absolute reality," Lycaon agreed, his tail giving a slow, elegant swish. "However, as we discussed before, maintaining a moderate level of observation and understanding remains a necessary precaution."
The banquet hall only grew louder and more vibrant with the addition of the four newcomers.
Pom-Pom's desperate attempts to maintain his strict, dignified Conductor persona—which clashed hilariously with his round, squishy Bangboo form—made both the Chat Group members and the New Eridu locals instantly flock to him. They lined up one after another just to greet him, offer snacks, and chat.
Watching Pom-Pom smoothly blend into this bizarre, cross-world gathering, Himeko stood near the dessert table. She held her coffee cup in both hands, a look of deep, heartfelt warmth softening her features.
"This is wonderful," she sighed softly, her amber eyes tenderly tracking the busy little Conductor as he scolded Stelle for dropping crumbs.
"Our Conductor can finally begin his own Trailblaze journey in his own unique way. Even though it's in this special form, being able to personally step off the train, participate in adventures, and meet new friends... this must be an incredibly precious experience for Pom-Pom."
Welt, standing just beside her, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. His steady, calculating gaze also rested on the joyful scene. He nodded slowly. "Indeed. This is a day worth remembering."
"Knowing Stelle's personality," Welt added, his tone carrying a rare, dryly amused lilt, "she might suggest we officially designate today as the 'Astral Express Bangboo Trailblaze Anniversary' or something equally absurd."
Himeko blinked in surprise, glancing sideways at the older man.
This usually rigorous, stoic companion—who so often lost himself in deep, silent contemplation—seemed to be wearing his heart on his sleeve just a fraction more than usual. The tension in his jaw was gone.
"Welt, you..." Himeko started, her voice laced with gentle concern.
Welt didn't wait for her to finish the thought. He shook his head slightly, his gaze remaining fixed on the distant, laughing crowd. When he spoke, his voice was steady, but it carried a heavy, nostalgic warmth.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just... seeing the actual possibility of contacting friends and family from home makes me inevitably... happy."
"Home?" Himeko repeated softly. A flash of realization, followed by a deep, respectful curiosity, lit up her eyes.
She remembered, quite clearly, that one of the primary reasons Welt had originally boarded the Astral Express was to find a way back to his own universe. But Welt had always kept his past guarded. He spoke very little of that distant Earth, or the brave people he had once fought alongside. It was a heavy, private domain, locked away behind his calm exterior.
"Speaking of which, Welt," Himeko murmured, stepping just a fraction closer, her tone entirely devoid of pressure but full of a friend's genuine care.
"You really rarely tell us the details about your home. Now that there's such a miraculous opportunity in front of us... would you like to talk about it? For example... that friend you wanted to invite?"
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