Chapter 66 - Changing the Destination

An unknown amount of time passed before the members of the Express crew finally trickled into the observation car. Today's meeting was to be held in the main car, and although they were all very late, Wende had thoughtfully prepared some small snacks for them—sweet pastries like walnut crisps and mung bean cakes, served with tea to help wash down the fine, dense treats.

"Mmm~ Morning. How strange. I feel like last night was the best sleep I've had since boarding the Express. When I woke up, the back pain from all my work was gone," Himeko said, looking refreshed and cheerful. Her makeup-free face was fresh and natural.

"Indeed. I haven't felt this at ease since leaving my homeland," Welt nodded in agreement. The last time he'd slept this comfortably… was probably after he heard that he had died.

"Morning, Dan Heng. Did you have any nightmares last night?" Stelle waved a greeting at him.

"I did, but… it was nothing. I slept very well." Dan Heng nodded, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

Last night, he had beaten that guy up, which put him in a much better mood. Was this the brilliance of Wende's medical arts? The ability to let one forget their troubles and have a good night's sleep.

"It's true~ It's been so long since I've felt this wonderful~" March 7th chimed in with her agreement.

"So… is this the reason you were all collectively late today, Pom?"

Pom-Pom's large, mournful eyes stared intently at the group, even though it, too, had almost failed to wake up on time…

"Haha, Conductor, let's just hurry up and decide on our next destination," Welt said to Pom-Pom with a smile.

"Hmph… Since Passenger Welt is so looking forward to our next journey, I, in my magnanimity, will forgive your tardiness, Pom! Don't let it happen again!"

Pom-Pom placed its paws on its hips, wearing a pouty, tsundere-like expression.

"Alright, alright, we get it, our dear Conductor."

Seeing Pom-Pom's adorable display, Himeko covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"Passenger Himeko, please be serious. The hyperspace route meeting will now officially begin!"

Pom-Pom put on a serious face and looked at the assembled crew.

"First of all, we'd like to thank all the Nameless for successfully resolving the problem at our last stop, allowing the Express to continue racing along the star rail!"

"Heehee, that was all four of us. Right?" March said to Wende, Dan Heng, and Stelle.

"Next, this Conductor will announce the name of our next stop is…"

Bzzzz…

Suddenly, the sound of static cut Pom-Pom off. A blue projection materialized in the center of the train car, revealing a graceful, purple-haired woman in a greatcoat, holding a black umbrella.

"..."

Looking at the newcomer, Welt narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression turning serious. Himeko also frowned at the sight of the purple figure, subconsciously averting her gaze.

"Long time no see, everyone on the Astral Express. I'm Kafka…"

Stelle stared in shock at the woman before her. When she had first awoken, the first person she saw was her…

The feeling was so familiar, as if they had known each other for a long time. But for some reason, why was there no memory of her in her mind?

Wende watched Kafka slowly approach and quietly moved to stand beside Stelle.

"Heh… perfect timing. Everyone is here."

Pom-Pom timidly hid behind Welt, peeking its little head out to get a good look at the "bad woman" who looked so sinister.

"No need for a charming self-introduction… Stellaron Hunter."

Himeko's expression was grim as she looked at Kafka. She had long heard of the infamous Stellaron Hunters.

"Heh… Himeko, is it? And an unknown little fellow… or perhaps, unknown for now."

Kafka's gaze flicked to Wende, her eyes full of amusement.

"..."

Wende's face was blank, but thoughts were already forming in his mind.

"I apologize for interrupting your gathering, but I trust that once you've heard my request, you will understand my presumptuousness… I must ask you… to change your destination."

[Holy crap, it's our Dad and Mom's first 'meat-ing'! Hell yeah!]

[wowowow! It's the bad woman!]

[Dad! I want her! reaches out.jpg]

[Wende x Kafka, why is no one drawing this yet?! I'm desperate!]

[Don't you guys think Himeko x Kafka has more of a vibe? drools.jpg]

[You mean Sunglasses Purple Eggplant x Wedding Dress Tomato?]

[What the hell kind of name is that…]

[I think Wende x Dan Heng is pretty good too…]

[Pom-Pom is so small… hehe…]

"Hey, hey, hey, can you guys be serious! We're watching the plot unfold here, aren't you curious about where we're going next??"

Sister Guoguo immediately put a stop to the live comments, which were getting progressively more ridiculous. If you're going to ship, then ship, but could you please ship something normal?

"Who was the one who shouted 'Wende x Pom-Pom'? Show yourself! I'll put you on trial for heresy!"

[What's there to be curious about… Didn't the officials already release the Xianzhou PV? Where else could it be besides the Xianzhou…]

[Tsk, no suspense at all, sigh~]

[To be fair, I didn't know. You guys spoiled it for me! (＊｀д´)]

[Oh, sorry. Now you know.]

[So cute~]

In the story, after Kafka explained the specific situation on the Xianzhou Luofu, the Express crew unanimously approved the proposal to go there. Although Dan Heng seemed to have some unspoken difficulties, he still agreed to go to the Xianzhou Luofu to retrieve the Stellaron.

Back in his room, Wende's expression was grim. Kafka knew him, which meant he was also part of "the script."

Perhaps, under the system's balancing act, he had been completely integrated into this world's plot. If he were a "variable," the Stellaron Hunters would surely have found him sooner. But if he wasn't a "variable," but just another link in the chain of fate… didn't that mean he couldn't change anything?

"No… I shouldn't think like that…"

Wende shook his head, sitting down on the chair in his bedroom.

He needed to think about this more carefully. Maybe… when he unlocked the 5-star character template and the 5-star Light Cone template, he would get another chance to change his destiny with his own hands?

After all, under the system's mandatory corrections, even the Light Cone plot he had casually fabricated had been fleshed out into a real memory and identity for him. The next time, as long as he made his corrections more precisely…

"Yes… that must be it…"

The light in Wende's eyes gradually brightened. He had figured it out.