(T/N: Sunglasses Cake -> Shader Cake. Closer to the original. Btw its Kafka's cat-cake if someone didn't know.)
Wisteria Cake stepped forward and began introducing the various cat-cakes and their jobs on the Xianzhou.
"Qingque Cake works odd jobs at the parlor. Shader Cake makes clothes for people... Trash Cake digs through trash."
Herta and Ruan Mei exchanged glances at the last one, both frowning.
"And you? Wisteria Cake. Are you just putting on acts here every day?"
"I can repair robotic birds and various items from the Artisanship Commission. I usually stay there."
"I only come here on weekends, following the performance schedules of Bailu, Li Sushang, and Guinaifen to earn some extra credits."
Ruan Mei felt relieved that the cat-cakes had found independent lives. Though some of their survival skills were... questionable.
Herta studied Wisteria Cake and continued.
"We're glad you can be independent and work. But some of you don't seem to have any survival skills at all."
All the cat-cakes simultaneously looked at March 7th Cake and Trash Cake.
"Meow? Why are you looking at me? I can survive just fine."
"Meowmu. There are sometimes surprises in the trash."
Herta retorted sternly.
"You two are coming back to the space station. Once Asta's credits run out, you won't even be able to survive."
Navigator Cake and Shader Cake immediately stepped forward.
Shader Cake: "Madam Herta, I'll take care of Trash Cake."
Navigator Cake: "Madam Herta, I can take care of both of them."
In an instant, Shader Cake and Navigator Cake were locked in a standoff, neither willing to back down.
Herta closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. Another headache. She waved her hand.
"These are Ruan Mei's creations. You handle it."
Ruan Mei also rubbed her forehead. Their rivalry really has been passed down. Still fighting over custody of Trash Cake.
---
At the same time, Firefly Cake and Blade Cake took Shader Cake's side.
Yang Cake, Dan Heng Cake, and March 7th Cake stood with Navigator Cake.
Both sides were ready to erupt into the first war of cat-cake kind. Future generations would name it The War for Trash Cake.
(A/N: Silver Wolf Cake had long since fled because she couldn't stand Wisteria Cake's bullying back at the space station.)
Wisteria Cake and Ruan Mei Cake stepped forward. Through their mediation, both sides reluctantly agreed to a truce.
Seeing the cat-cakes negotiate among themselves, Herta compromised.
"Sigh, fine. Go back and rest. Ruan Mei and I respect your individual decisions."
"If any of you want to return to the space station, just call me. I'll have Asta arrange your trip home."
After bidding farewell to the cat-cakes, Ruan Mei and Herta arrived at the Skysplitter. Leaning against the railing, they gazed down at the Luofu nightscape.
"Ruan Mei. Your creations never cease to amaze me."
Ruan Mei nodded slightly.
Herta removed her magic hat. A faint smile graced her face.
"They have wisdom. Confidence. Hope. The desire to pursue a better life—a place among the thousands of homes that are lit."
Then, with a hint of reluctance, she asked.
"But is my space station really that bad?!"
Ruan Mei touched her lute and replied.
"Compared to the Luofu, the space station lacks a certain smell of fireworks."
Herta pouted.
"Then they've never been to the blue planet. Honestly. Next time, I'll take them there."
Ruan Mei smiled faintly.
"You haven't changed."
"Hmm?"
Bam.
A miniature beam of etheric energy shot past. Herta didn't even turn around. With a single thought, she erased it.
"A familiar aura. Silver Wolf?"
Ruan Mei turned. It was Silver Wolf Cake—the one who had fled the space station long ago to wander.
"Not Silver Wolf."
"Ah?!"
Herta spun around. Seeing Silver Wolf Cake, she blinked—then smiled.
"Time to bully Silver Wolf again."
"Sigh. It's just a cat-cake."
Seeing its ambush fail, Silver Wolf Cake quickly tried to teleport away using etheric energy.
Herta's lips curled.
"Interesting."
With a casual wave, she effortlessly calculated Silver Wolf Cake's destination.
She summoned a [Mirror] at its landing point and forcibly teleported it back.
Silver Wolf Cake's eyes went wide as it stared at Herta in disbelief.
Herta yawned casually.
"Keep running. I'll give you time to gather etheric energy."
Silver Wolf Cake gritted its teeth. It fled again—only to be teleported back.
---
On the train, Silver Wolf, accompanying Firefly to see Stelle, suddenly shivered.
"What's wrong, Silver Wolf?"
Silver Wolf looked around. No sign of Herta.
"I... I keep feeling like Herta's watching me."
"That can't be. This is the Astral Express. Herta wouldn't appear here."
"I hope so."
Himeko approached with two cups of coffee.
"Welcome, both of you, to the train."
Firefly and Silver Wolf accepted the coffee.
In an instant, Silver Wolf nearly met the grace of God.
"What... what is this?! Are you trying to kill me?!"
Himeko smiled calmly.
"Little Silver Wolf. I would never harm you. In fact, the moment I saw you, I felt a strange familiarity."
Silver Wolf crossed her arms and snorted.
"Of course. Himeko of the Astral Express. Your words are always flawless. But this coffee... Firefly?! You?!"
Firefly's coffee was already gone.
"What is it, Silver Wolf?"
"Sigh. I forgot you can't taste."
"Sister Himeko, could I have another cup?"
Himeko was slightly surprised but quickly recovered.
"Firefly. Are you here to see Stelle?"
"Yes. Sister Himeko, where is she?"
Seeing Firefly's politeness—so different from Silver Wolf—Himeko couldn't help but marvel at the gap even among Stellaron Hunters.
"She'll be back soon. Please wait a moment."
"Thank you, Sister Himeko."
"Alright. I'll make you another cup."
"Thank you, Sister Himeko."
After Himeko left, Silver Wolf remarked.
"You really are easy to get along with."
Firefly scratched her head. Just as she turned to look at Silver Wolf—
March 7th and Stelle had returned to the train together, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere warm and joyful.