What kind of people are the Astral Express crew?
From Takatsuki's brief interactions, he understood that the three individuals were distinctly different, unlike the typical employees in other companies who often felt similar.
Or rather, the crew is such a place where no one forces you, and no one dictates what you should do. You can be yourself, do what you want, you just need to adhere to that baseline, and the rest is up to you to decide.
The lively March 7th, the taciturn Dan Heng, and the slightly quiet Stelle who seems to be learning from others.
All three gave Takatsuki different feelings.
This significantly improved Takatsuki's impression of the Astral Express, as he disliked strong constraints.
Originally, Takatsuki was a bit anxious about having no clue how to complete the mission, as it was related to whether he could return.
But now that he knew how to complete the mission, and was even one step away, he was no longer anxious. In fact, he even wanted to delay it a bit longer, as Seele's problem was still there. Because they still needed to separate at night, the process originally expected to end in a month was extended to nearly two months.
However, fortunately, now that they were not in the Honkai world, Takatsuki discovered that in the Sea of Quanta, although the energy in Seele's body was Honkai Energy, she would unconsciously absorb energy from the Sea of Quanta as replenishment, but this did not happen in this world.
Even though Void Energy and Quantum Energy are similar, Takatsuki couldn't explain why this was the case, and Seele knew even less. One couldn't possibly say that Seele was the daughter of the sea.
It wasn't until the next morning that Takatsuki was woken up by March 7th's knocking.
"Takatsuki, Takatsuki, wake up, it's time to go."
Takatsuki opened the door and only saw March 7th and Dan Heng outside. Dan Heng stood a bit further away, clearly not wanting to bother others with March 7th.
"Why so early? Hasn't much time passed?"
March 7th put her hands on her hips: "You can't see the sun in this underground place, who knows how long it's been."
"Don't you have electronic devices?"
March 7th just chuckled twice at Takatsuki's words, clearly playing dumb.
Seemingly awakened by March 7th's voice, Seele also opened the door to the adjacent room.
"Good morning, March 7th. Good morning, Takatsuki. Good morning, Dan Heng."
"Good morning, Seele."
March 7th smiled and greeted Seele, then watched as Seele quickly ran to Takatsuki's side.
"Takatsuki, you're always monopolizing Seele, that's too underhanded! I want to get close to Seele too."
It seemed that after soaking in the hot spring together, the relationship between the girls had improved.
"March 7th, if you can solve Seele's problem, then she won't have to stick to me every day."
Hearing Takatsuki's words, March 7th put her hands on her hips: "This girl can't do it!"
Saying the most cowardly words with the most confident tone, truly March 7th.
"Where are Stelle and Bronya?"
The group chatted for a while, but the two still hadn't come out, which was a bit unusual.
"Not sure, there's no sound in the room, they might not be in the room."
It was then that Dan Heng, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
"Huh? Where did those two run off to?"
March 7th asked with some surprise, and Takatsuki also extended his perception.
"Indeed, no one is in the room, but I can feel their presence outside. Let's go downstairs and check."
"Outside? How are they awake earlier than me?"
"You know you're early, huh?"
March 7th stuck out her tongue and feigned ignorance, then quickly ran downstairs. Takatsuki, with Seele and Dan Heng, followed her.
Stepping out of the Goethe Grand Hotel, they saw March 7th stopping people in the middle of the road.
Not only were Stelle and Bronya together, but Big Seele had also come along.
"Oh, you two left without a word, and we were worried!"
March 7th immediately started a tirade. After Bronya's explanation, they learned that both of them couldn't sleep that night, and there was no concept of day or night underground, so they went out for a stroll. They ended up meeting Big Seele, who was helping Natasha.
Although Natasha's supplies were temporarily abundant due to Takatsuki, she was the only doctor. The recent conflict had resulted in too many injured people, and she simply couldn't take care of everyone.
Because Takatsuki had healed many people the day before, the second conflict saw enemies meet with even greater animosity, leading to fierce fighting and many serious injuries.
The potions Takatsuki provided could only be given to those with more severe injuries.
The other injured could only be treated gradually. Bronya, Stelle, and Big Seele had helped out all night.
"I didn't expect the Underworld's resources to be so scarce. Mr. Takatsuki, on behalf of the people of Belobog, I express my gratitude for your assistance."
Takatsuki waved his hand at Bronya's formal thanks: "These are minor matters. As for your side, if you truly want what's best for the people of Belobog, at least lift this lockdown order first."
Bronya showed a hint of embarrassment.
"That is not something I can decide. It was an order personally issued by the Supreme Guardian."
"Then you become the Supreme Guardian."
Takatsuki said nonchalantly.
"How can I? I am just a Silvermane commander."
Bronya immediately became nervous.
"But you are the closest person to the Supreme Guardian's position, aren't you? I heard you are the candidate for the next Supreme Guardian?"
Takatsuki had overheard a little information about Oleg and Bronya's conversation yesterday, but he didn't care. What did it matter to him if someone was the emperor of a country? He wasn't from here anyway.
"Yes, but I am still far from qualified..."
Takatsuki shook his head: "What qualifications? Let's go, let's go meet Svarog. The Stellaron we care about, the truth about the Supreme Guardian that you care about, will have a result today."
Bronya opened her mouth but still nodded.
"I don't know what kind of person that Supreme Guardian is, but just looking at her actions and your actions, for us, you, I, are much more reliable than that high and mighty Supreme Guardian."
Big Seele suddenly spoke, seemingly her attitude towards Bronya had improved after spending a night together.
"Um, I actually had a dream last night."
Stelle suddenly spoke after seeing the others finish chatting.
"A dream?"
Stelle nodded: "I should say I've had it for several nights now. It's a dream about the Stellaron."
"In the dream, there seemed to be the voices of the Stellaron and Cocolia..."
March 7th blinked: "Is it because of the Stellaron in your body that it's resonating with the Stellaron here?"
"Possibly, after all, we don't know the secrets of the Stellaron..."
Dan Heng's words stopped halfway as he suddenly looked at Takatsuki.
"Stelle has a Stellaron inside her?"
Takatsuki looked at Stelle, and March 7th immediately replied: "Yeah, isn't that amazing? Stellarons are almost uncontrollable, but the Stellaron inside Stelle is completely under control."
Dan Heng, however, remained silent.
"Dan Heng, you don't have to look at me like that. Do I look like someone who would attack a companion?"
Takatsuki noticed Dan Heng's gaze and spread his hands.
Dan Heng didn't speak, just folded his arms and closed his eyes.
"What, what? Who is Takatsuki going to attack?"
March 7th was still a bit confused. Takatsuki reached out and flicked March 7th's forehead, making March 7th clutch her forehead and wail, then said: "Of course I'm going to attack little March 7th."
"Ahhh!"
March 7th shrieked and rushed to Takatsuki's side, furiously punching his chest with her small fists, which only tickled Takatsuki and made him laugh.
After calming down the rampaging March 7th, the group followed Seele to Svarog's base, the Robot Settlement.
"To be honest, I'm not familiar with the Robot Settlement myself, since it's Svarog's territory, not the Underworld's, so I've only been there a few times."
Big Seele said while leading the way: "And it's said that outsiders can't enter the Robot Settlement's gate, but since we've already come to an agreement with Svarog yesterday, we shouldn't be blocked, right?"
Although she said this, everyone knew that even if an agreement was reached, the other party might still go back on their word.
"Even if they block us, just have Takatsuki fight his way in again."
Stelle added from the side.
"Takatsuki isn't our thug."
March 7th immediately replied: "This time, if the other party still doesn't cooperate, let our crew act together. After all, we are Trailblazers, how can we always ask others for help?"
"I don't mind, but since you have that idea, March 7th, I'll just provide support for you then."
"Okay, okay!"
The Robot Settlement was not close to Boulder Town. The group walked for a long time before reaching a place covered in snow.
"Is this Svarog's lair? I thought it would be a cold, unfeeling place."
March 7th couldn't help but exclaim as she looked at the scattered tents and numerous Wanderers around.
"Many Wanderers are temporarily staying here. Their hometowns were occupied by Fragmentum monsters."
Big Seele replied.
March 7th: "Isn't it dangerous to set up camp right under Svarog's nose?"
Big Seele: "Not at all. Although Svarog is overbearing, it never attacks humans without reason. For the homeless, this place is actually safe."
"Heh… if I hadn't moved out early, I might be one of them now."
Passing through the Wanderers' gathering place, the group arrived before a heavy iron gate.
"What a heavy gate."
March 7th walked to the gate and confidently declared, "Alright, watch me."
"Open—Sesame—"
The group fell silent, watching March 7th stand in front of them, hands on her hips, shouting at the gate.
"What was that? A password?"
Bronya asked, a little confused.
Dan Heng said expressionlessly, "That's a command from a fairy tale. It's impossible for it to work here."
Stelle: "Didn't Svarog say we should come today? Why hasn't it opened the gate for us?"
"Hmph, it just went back on its word, didn't it? When I see it, I'll show it how powerful my scythe is."
Takatsuki shook his head: "Although it said today, it didn't specify when. I'll take you in."
As he spoke, everyone felt their feet lighten, and their bodies floated up.
"Waaah, what is this?!"
March 7th, carried into the air by Takatsuki's Rooster Talisman power, screamed.
"Not flying, more like… telekinesis?"
"Telekinesis? Like in the movies?"
Ignoring the others' discussions, Takatsuki directly flew the group over the top of the enormous iron gate.
Although the iron gate was very thick and heavy, it posed no obstacle to the group who could fly.
"There's another iron gate inside, and it looks even more troublesome than the last one."
But even with a larger iron gate, it couldn't stop the group.
"These Underground robots don't seem to have any defense against aerial threats."
Dan Heng said, watching the robots as they flew over them without any reaction.
It wasn't until they had flown past the last gate that Takatsuki brought the group down to land.
"How fun! Can we do it again on the way back?"
March 7th asked Takatsuki as soon as she landed.
"Sure, but we need to solve the problem first."
"Great, great! I wonder if we can fly directly back to the train?"
Dan Heng retorted from the side, "Even if you could fly up, you'd suffocate from lack of air."
The group chatted as they walked further inside, quickly spotting Svarog surrounded by a circle of robots.
"Hey, hey, Svarog isn't really planning to go back on its word, is it?"
March 7th asked nervously.
"Foreigners detected…"
Upon discovering Takatsuki and his group, a robot around Svarog suddenly spoke.
"Svarog's language function is temporarily unrepaired. Communication will be relayed by this unit on behalf of Svarog."
"Svarog, your function still isn't fixed? Where's Clara?"
Takatsuki looked around. Seeing that Svarog had no intention of attacking, he asked.
"Svarog says: There are no repair parts in the warehouse. Clara went to Rivet Town to collect parts to repair the function and has not yet returned."
"Ah? That little girl went to Rivet Town?! Isn't that part of the Fragmentum?"
March 7th said nervously.
Although they hadn't been to Rivet Town, March 7th and the others knew that Rivet Town had been encroached upon by the Fragmentum.
"Indeed, Rivet Town is very dangerous right now. Svarog, can you provide us with the previous log information?"
Takatsuki nodded, but wasn't too worried. Since Svarog allowed Clara to go alone, it meant it trusted her.
"Svarog says: Language function and projection function are damaged, memory function is normal. Unable to play database projection data."
"So, it seems we'll have to wait for Clara to return and fix it?"
"Svarog says: Yes."
Takatsuki nodded: "Then let's go find Clara. This round trip will probably take a lot of time."