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Astral Express.
March 7th couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Just moments ago.
This knight of The Beauty, named Argenti, had been spouting things like "Please acknowledge that the goddess of The Beauty, Idrila, possesses unparalleled beauty," "I am not a man of many words," and "I long for you to understand The Beauty."
And then he initiated a battle!
As soon as they entered this scenario, Argenti immediately became a boss-level enemy in the game.
With weaknesses to Fire, Ice, and Physical attributes.
March 7th's team, which relied heavily on Long Dan as the main DPS, found themselves in a bit of a tough spot.
Fortunately.
The battle was halted halfway by Uncle Yang.
Welt spoke in a grave tone, "Forgive me for dampening the mood. Both of you, I've just discussed with Himeko, and the current situation might be more urgent than we initially thought~."
Argenti immediately acknowledged that he had been a bit too engrossed in his interactions with the Astral Express Crew.
"I originally piloted the Rarity through the galaxy—but during my journey, I happened to discover Velite, a stranded company employee, and rescued him from a massive cave he had accidentally fallen into."
"After saving Velite, I decided to escort him safely to his original destination, which altered my course. Unexpectedly, this brought me closer to the Astral Express's route."
Once it was clear that it was all a misunderstanding, everyone began discussing how to resolve the crisis at hand.
March 7th wandered over to the window again, looking puzzled. "What kind of trouble are we actually in this time? This starry sky outside doesn't look normal at all."
"Uncle Yang, what do you think?"
Old Yang sat on the sofa, pondering for a moment before saying, "It seems like an environment distorted by magnetic fields...? The train here doesn't seem to be in a normal cosmic environment. I can't say for sure, though, since it's just an anomaly in the game. We can't gather much direct information."
"We could ask Argenti. Getting to know the Knight of The Beauty through this mission in advance isn't a bad thing for us."
Pom-Pom couldn't sit still any longer. He jumped down from his seat and approached the projected screen, saying, "Pom-Pom is more concerned about what's happening to the train. If it poses a threat, we should do everything we can to prevent this experience from becoming a reality."
March 7th nodded in agreement and stepped forward to speak with Argenti.
["So, what should we do now?"]
Argenti placed a hand on his chest. "Enjoy the present."
["Huh? And then?"]
"Continue to enjoy the present."
["Is that your solution?"]
"You don't understand. I need to focus on enjoying the crimson night of the universe to detect the discordant notes. They share a commonality, and once discovered, I will act to eliminate them," Argenti said matter-of-factly.
March 7th: "..."
She didn't understand, but she was deeply impressed. Scratching her head, she couldn't help but mutter, "I feel like... even Sampo is more reliable than this guy!"
"Uh... no, wait, he still seems a bit more reliable than Sampo..."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the universe, Velite was unaware that he had already become one of the characters in Argenti's Companion Mission.
He had just completed a business trip for his company and was now piloting his ship back to headquarters.
Suddenly, a dilapidated ship appeared on his flight path, heading straight for him as if it intended to self-destruct.
Velite was horrified and immediately changed his course!
But the derelict ship followed him, veering off its path as well.
"Boom!"
The two ships collided.
Velite's ship was fine—it was, after all, the latest business model. But the other ship, already in poor condition, was now on the verge of total destruction.
Trailing black smoke from its tail, it wobbled alongside Velite's ship and landed on a nearby desolate planet.
Velite stormed out of his cabin, furious. "What's wrong with you? Do you even know how to pilot a ship?!"
"I've already contacted company security. They'll be here soon to deal with this accident."
Velite was absolutely indignant.
After all, the ship's recorder had clearly captured the video evidence of the other party's violation of regulations.
There was no possibility of a scam.
"Bang!"
The hull of the derelict ship was suddenly punched open.
Velite was startled.
He immediately prepared to flee back to his own ship.
From within the derelict ship.
A cowboy-dressed cyborg jumped out.
He patted the small sparks on his shoulder.
The cowboy sneered and said, "Damn it! If I hadn't crashed into you, little darling, we'd both be bug's dinner by now."
Following the cowboy's gaze.
Velite immediately shivered in fear.
In the vastness of space.
A giant True Sting was wandering!
Wherever it passed.
Nebulas, asteroids, space debris—all were swallowed into its mouth.
Its size was so immense, it resembled a moving planet!
Its shadow even blocked half of the starlight.
"By the Amber King! What... what is that thing!?"
"It's so huge!"
"Our ship wouldn't even count as an appetizer in front of it, would it?"
Velite was so scared he collapsed to the ground.
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
He said to the cowboy, "Uh... thanks."
"Hiss... why do you look familiar?"
Velite's expression suddenly turned strange.
"Ahhh!!!"
"You're the company's S-class wanted criminal—Boothill!!"
Boothill tipped his hat down, squinting his eyes, "Damn it, I haven't even said a word and you recognized me? Is this how you treat your savior?"
"W-what do you want!?"
Boothill laughed recklessly, his shark teeth gleaming.
"Lately, I've had my eye on a character named Dan Heng, heard his second soul's strength is pretty good, just short on cash."
"You mean the Dragon Dan from 'Honkai: Star Rail,' right? No problem, I'll top up for you!"
Hearing this.
Boothill immediately showed a displeased expression.
"Who the hell wants you to top up? We Galaxy Rangers have our own principles."
Velite breathed a sigh of relief.
Although this guy talked a bit weirdly, he did save him.
And he didn't want money.
He must be a principled wanted criminal.
Suddenly.
A "bang" sound came from behind as the hatch closed.
Velite was dumbfounded.
"You..."
"Damn it! My ship!!!"
Boothill left a message, "I've got hands and feet, if I need money, I'll just rob the company's bank!"
"What's the point of talking to you."
"I'll borrow this ship, see you later, little darling!"
Velite stood there in a daze.
Looking around at the desolation.
Only the scrapped old ship remained.
"Ahhh!!!"
"Help!"
"Is there anyone who can save me!"
...
On the planet of The Knights of Beauty.
Argenti put away his phone.
He began grooming himself by a spring, looking as if he was preparing for a campaign.
Velgarna, a Knight of Beauty, approached and asked, "What's wrong? Not planning to finish the plot before setting off?"Argenti said righteously, 'In the recent plot, I saw the company employee Velite trapped in a huge cave.'"
"Considering the connection between the game and reality, this future follower of the goddess Idrila must also be in imminent danger..."
"As a Knight of Beauty, my sense of duty compels me to never allow such a situation to persist!"
"I will go to rescue him!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
The scene erupted in an uproar.
Someone exclaimed in admiration, "What a noble and selfless quality! Argenti, you truly live up to being the representative of our Knights of Beauty!"
"We will follow you on this mission!"
"Anyone who acknowledges the unparalleled beauty of Goddess Idrila deserves to be saved!"
The Knights of Beauty mobilized as one.
Each piloting their own magnificent spacecraft, they headed towards the area where Velite was located.
They were not far from the target region to begin with.
They arrived nearby in no time.
At that moment.
Boothill happened to be piloting the stolen spacecraft away from the area.
Numerous spacecraft from The Knights of Beauty intercepted him.
As their representative, Argenti boarded Boothill's spacecraft to negotiate.
"What the hell!"
"Who the hell is this little cutie?"
"I just hijacked a spacecraft, and immediately I'm surrounded by so many little cuties?"
"Your efficiency is dozens of Pom-Poms higher than those damn company cuties!"
Boothill's hand was already on the revolver at his waist.
If the other party made any move, he would strike first!
Meanwhile, Argenti looked honored.
He spoke, "Ah... what exquisite language."
"Please allow me to compliment you as well, charming sir. Such beautiful words are a wonderful symbol of interstellar communication."
Boothill: "?"
Is this guy mocking me?
Wait!
His attitude seems genuine.
Does he really not understand how filthy my words were?
Does he really think I was complimenting him?
No way!
No way!
Boothill noticed the silver armor on the other party and suddenly remembered.
Damn it!
This guy is from The Knights of Beauty!
Argenti bowed slightly and sincerely asked, "Have you by any chance seen a stranded company employee nearby?"
"We, The Knights of Beauty, have come to rescue him."
Boothill pulled his hat down.
He lowered his voice and said, "Oh, I think I recall something. There was a guy whose spacecraft broke down, and he's repairing it on that planet over there."
"Thank you for your guidance, honorable friend."
"May you believe in Idrila."
After speaking devoutly.
Argenti left the spacecraft.
Boothill immediately pushed the engine to its limit, desperate to get out of this area as soon as possible!
Something's off today!
I need to find a place to mess with that damn company!
Then I'll have some fun with Honkai: Star Rail.