Jing Yuan's hologram stood beside Yukong, his relaxed smile never fading. He looked at each of them in turn Welt, March, Stelle before his gaze lingered on Kevin for just a moment.
Just a moment. But Kevin noticed.
Then Jing Yuan spoke, his tone formal. "I am sorry, guests of the Astral Express. It is true that there is a Stellaron on the Luofu, but I'm afraid I cannot accept your kind offer to help resolve the issue." He clasped his hands behind his back. "This is a Xianzhou matter, and it is our responsibility to handle it."
Yukong's posture relaxed slightly, satisfied.
Jing Yuan continued smoothly. "Of course, it would be inappropriate of me to let you return without something to show for it. While I cannot accept your help with regard to the Stellaron, I do have a favor to ask." He gestured toward the door. "Please, after you."
Yukong's fox ears twitched. She looked up at Jing Yuan, clearly wanting to say something, but stopped herself. With a tight nod, she turned and walked back toward her desk, her steps just a bit sharper than before.
The doors closed behind her.
Now it was just them and the General's hologram.
Jing Yuan's entire demeanor shifted. The formal stiffness melted away, replaced by something warmer. Almost cheerful.
"The Astral Express!" He smiled genuinely now. "I must confess that the train's reputation precedes it, such that it is often close to my thoughts. How delightful to come face to face with its passengers!"
March blinked. "Uh... thanks?"
Welt adjusted his glasses, arms crossing. "It's an honor, General. May I ask what the favor you spoke of is?"
"Ah." Jing Yuan's expression turned thoughtful. "A matter that requires capable people such as yourselves."
He began pacing slowly, hands still clasped behind his back. "We captured a member of the Stellaron Hunters a few days ago. He goes by the name of 'Blade.'"
Kevin's expression didn't change, but internally, he filed that away.
Blade. Already captured. The story's moving along.
"During our investigation," Jing Yuan continued, "the Divination Commission the department in charge of intelligence processing intercepted a transmission sent out by his accomplice, Kafka. She has managed to hide aboard the ship."
He paused, glancing at them.
"As for where that transmission was destined..."
The silence stretched.
Everyone knew the answer.
The Astral Express.
Jing Yuan cleared his throat gently, continuing. "I have some knowledge of your relationship with the Stellaron Hunters. The Divination Commission is convinced that you made an alliance with them."
March straightened immediately. "We didn't-"
Jing Yuan raised a hand. "I say that's impossible. The crew of the Astral Express are honorable people whose valiant deeds are lauded across the universe." His smile returned. "There must have been a misunderstanding."
March deflated with relief. "Of course there is! We always have to clean up the mess they left behind. They're just trouble, don't you agree, Stelle?"
Stelle nodded firmly.
Jing Yuan's eyes gleamed with something almost amused. "As such, I came to the conclusion that the communication must have been an attempt by the Stellaron Hunters to sow dissent between us."
He turned to face them fully.
"We can handle the Stellaron, but it will take time and will require the bulk of the Cloud Knights on the ship. It's this Kafka that concerns me. The longer she stays aboard, the bigger the threat she will pose."
Kevin watched Jing Yuan carefully.
He's not telling the whole truth. There's more he's leaving out.
"Since the Stellaron Hunters lured you to our ship," Jing Yuan said smoothly, "we shall move with the current. You are hereby authorized to do as you deem fit on the Luofu, with the goal of bringing Kafka out of the shadows and into our custody."
He spread his hands. "Doing so will clear the misunderstanding between us, reveal the Stellaron Hunters' intentions, and might even help with the Stellaron burst."
Welt looked at the others. March sighed, clearly knowing where this was going.
Stelle's response was blunt. "We don't have much choice."
Jing Yuan's smile widened. "Of course you do. You are just strangers and wanderers. But if you feel inclined to help the Luofu..." He inclined his head. "The Luofu never fails in rewarding aid that is given."
Welt nodded slowly. "Okay."
"Wonderful. It's a deal, then." Jing Yuan clasped his hands together. "I shall notify Yukong that all intelligence is to be shared with you, and that our best personnel are to aid you in your search."
His hologram flickered slightly. "I look forward to hearing of your success."
The hologram faded, leaving them alone in the large chamber.
Welt immediately gestured for them to gather closer. March and Stelle moved in without question.
Kevin started to step forward, but stopped.
"Let me talk first."
Everyone turned to look at him.
Kevin's voice was calm. Direct. "Jing Yuan didn't say the whole thing. He only gave us the surface." He crossed his arms. "He omitted details about Blade. And this is just a guess, but I don't think he even knows where the Stellaron is. If he did, he wouldn't need the bulk of his forces just to 'handle it.'"
Welt stared at him.
March blinked. "Wait, really?"
"Also," Kevin continued, "everything doesn't seem alright. Otherwise, Kafka wouldn't have sent us here if it was a small matter. Right?"
Welt adjusted his glasses, a faint smile on his face. "You stole my words."
Kevin raised an eyebrow slightly.
"But yes," Welt said, nodding. "We need to be careful. My gut tells me something is off about this whole situation."
March threw her hands up. "Right? It's as if everything is too peace—"
Stelle's hand shot out, covering March's mouth. "You'll jinx it again."
March made muffled protest noises.
Stelle's expression was serious. "You jinxed us on Jarilo-VI. Twice. I'm not letting it happen here."
Kevin almost smiled. He didn't have many memories from the Express yet, but he remembered March's... unique track record from his previous life. Maybe it was because she was a fragment of Fuli, the Aeon of Remembrance. Or maybe she just had terrible luck.
Either way, Stelle was right to stop her.
March pulled Stelle's hand away. "Alright, alright! You're acting like I'm some kind of devil."
Kevin looked at the three of them. "Guys, I'm afraid you'll have to do this alone. Without me."
The casual atmosphere evaporated.
March's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
Stelle frowned.
Welt's expression turned serious. "Why?"
Kevin's voice softened just slightly. "I would've loved to do this adventure with you. I haven't spent much time with you, but..." He paused. "You've grown on me."
It was true. Maybe it was because he'd spent so long alone. But these people—March's energy, Stelle's quiet understanding, Welt's steady presence they felt like something he hadn't had in a very long time.
Something like companionship.
March looked genuinely upset. "Aw, that's so sweet, but—why?"
"Why?" Welt echoed.
Kevin pointed across the chamber, toward where Jing Yuan's hologram had been. "Because I need to talk to that guy over there."
March tilted her head. "The General?"
"And mostly," Kevin continued, "it's because of the Stellaron Hunters. I can't explain it now, but I will. After this mess is done."
That wasn't a lie. He would explain. Just... not all of it.
The real reason was something he couldn't say.
Elio. The Slave of Fate. The script.
Kevin knew remembered that this arc wasn't about him. It was about the crew. About Dan Heng's past being exposed. About the bonds between them strengthening through adversity.
Elio's script didn't include Kevin because Kevin wasn't part of the game originally.
And if Kevin went with them, his presence would disrupt that. He'd change things. Maybe for the better, maybe for worse. But it wouldn't be the same growth they needed.
He was selfish enough to want to experience their journey with them.
But not selfish enough to break that journey for his own sake.
So he'd watch from the shadows. Handle things they couldn't see. Let them grow the way they were meant to.
Welt studied him for a long moment. Then nodded slowly. "Alright. If you think it's necessary."
"It is," Kevin said quietly.
March looked between them, still confused. "But-"
"Trust him," Welt said gently.
Stelle just looked at Kevin. After a moment, she nodded. No questions. Just acceptance.
Kevin appreciated that.
"Be careful," he said. "Things are going to get complicated."
March groaned. "Great. As if they weren't already."
Welt adjusted his glasses. "We'll manage. We always do."
Kevin watched them start to leave. March was already talking about where they should start searching. Stelle walked silently beside her, bat resting on her shoulder. Welt followed, hands clasped behind his back.
They didn't look back.
Kevin stood alone in the chamber, listening to their footsteps fade.
Then he turned toward the communication console where Yukong had been working earlier.
He needed to talk to Jing Yuan. Privately.
There were things the General hadn't said. Things Kevin needed to confirm.
And more importantly there was something Kevin needed to do on the Luofu. Something separate from hunting Kafka. Something he couldn't explain to the others yet.
He walked toward the console, fingers brushing the Ring of Finality on his right hand.
Time to have a conversation with the General of the Luofu.