Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Shaoji's Blade
Meanwhile, back with Stelle...
"You can either board the Astral Express and embark on an unknown Trailblaze Journey, or remain at the Space Station and become Herta's research subject..."
"Exactly," Herta nodded, then added, "Let me be clear: the moment I'm done with my research, or lose interest midway, you'll be dismissed."
"And then?" Himeko asked Herta.
"And then? What's that got to do with me?" Herta shrugged. "Asta can find her some menial job at the Space Station. She'll survive."
"You truly are heartless," Himeko sighed softly, then turned to Stelle. "Stelle, we won't force you. The choice is yours."
"Hmm..." Stelle lowered her head, lost in thought.
"I recommend the Astral Express," a gentle voice chimed in. Lumina, dressed in a white gown, approached with graceful steps. "Greetings, everyone."
Lumina smiled at Stelle before nodding to Himeko and Herta.
"Hmm," Himeko and Herta nodded curtly in response, offering no further words.
Under Stelle's curious gaze, Lumina began to speak slowly:
"The universe is vast and boundless. Each Trailblaze you undertake will be a rare opportunity for growth and valuable experience. The Astral Express frequently deals with Stellarons, and the answers to your concerns will emerge as you journey from world to world."
"By boarding the Astral Express and turning your gaze to the cosmos, you'll gain far more than you ever could within this Space Station."
"Of course, the final decision remains entirely yours."
Lumina placed a hand over her heart, her expression sincere.
Listening to Lumina's words, Himeko looked at her in surprise. "I never expected you to know so much about the Astral Express, Miss Lumina."
"Indeed," Lumina nodded without hesitation. "It was once my dream to become one of the Nameless."
"!"
Himeko was taken aback. She immediately extended an invitation: "Miss Lumina, on behalf of..."
"I said it was a former dream," Lumina interrupted gently, shaking her head with a bittersweet smile, as if weighed down by unspoken thoughts.
"Right now, I don't have the right to chase my dreams anymore..."
"This is..." Lumina seemed about to say something more, but she shook her head and forced a smile. "Never mind, why am I even saying such things?"
Herta and Himeko remained silent. They couldn't believe that Lumina had endured the Amber Era without experiencing significant hardships. As for Stelle, she was completely bewildered by the sudden change in atmosphere.
"Stelle, what will you choose?" Lumina quickly changed the subject, sensing the awkwardness in the air.
"I... Let me think about it," Stelle replied, pausing before making a decision.
"That's wise. Take your time to understand the situation before deciding," Lumina nodded approvingly.
She glanced at the others and chuckled. "Everyone, just consider what I said earlier as one of life's many fleeting moments. Let's forget about it."
With that, Lumina turned and walked away, her retreating figure radiating loneliness...
Live Stream Chat:
[MiHoYo, I beg you, have some mercy...]
Watching Lumina's bitterly sad expression and her forlorn figure as she departed, Xiao Hunhun felt a terrible premonition.
[Trust me, brothers, the blade is coming š.]
[They've been foreshadowing this since version 1.0. And from what I know, the characters introduced in 1.1-1.4 are practically guaranteed to survive. That means this multi-version buildup can only end in heartbreak. I refuse to believe otherwise.]
[Lumina doujinshi: five yuan each.]
"Damn it!" Xiao Hunhun's nascent grief was instantly replaced by fury. He furiously tapped the screen, banishing the doujinshi commenter from the chat.
Once his anger subsided, Xiao Hunhun stared at Lumina's breathtaking image on the screen, his heart once again overwhelmed with sorrow.
"Waaah, MiHoYo, please don't hurt her! /(ćoć)/~~"
"If you dare... if you dare!"
Xiao Hunhun clenched his teeth, a sudden surge of righteous fury coursing through him.
It was as if his own wife had been wronged, and he was charging forth to defend her with all his might.
"I'll even get down on my knees and beg you!"
But in the next moment, his bravado crumbled, replaced by a desperate, tearful plea.
[Coward Points +1]
[If you can't protect Miss Lumina, I will! I'll storm their headquarters with a blade!]
[Above poster, you'll accomplish nothing!]
[Password correct, address incorrect, loading failed...]
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"So, what do you think of my acting? Pretty good, right?"
Lumina nodded in satisfaction, watching the reactions in the live stream chat.
[Needs improvement.]
The System stubbornly chimed in, unwilling to let Lumina get complacent.
"Hmph."
Ignoring the System's retort, Lumina glanced at her Resonance Points and fell deep in thought.
"Hmm, what should I do next?"
"Let's see... this one..."
"Perfect! Let's start with this!"
Lumina's eyes suddenly lit up as if she'd found exactly what she was looking for.