*Chapter 16: Where Did This Honkai Energy Come From? **

*Train Carriage*

The door clicked shut softly as March 7th stood triumphantly in the middle of the hallway, hands on her hips, her face beaming with victory.

"From today onward, Higokumaru is under my protection !" she declared, shaking her head proudly, her hair swaying lightly. "Anyone who messes with her will have to answer to my Six-Phase Ice first !"

As she turned, she spotted Stelle leaning lazily against the opposite wall, hands stuffed in her pockets. Jiang Liang stood beside her, his expression as calm as ever.

Seeing that her "boss" had no objections, Higokumaru curled up comfortably, fully aware of her place in the hierarchy.

"Congrats, March," Stelle drawled, her eyes flicking toward the observation car. "You’ve officially adopted Higokumaru. But don’t forget—keeping pets on the Express still requires approval from Himeko, Dan Heng, and Uncle Yang."

"Oh ! Right !" March slapped her forehead. "I almost forgot—I wasn’t just here to tell you that. Uncle Yang’s acting weird. You should go check on him."

At the mention of Welt, March suddenly realized she’d forgotten the most important part—urging Stelle to hurry over.

Lowering her voice, she added, "Let me tell you, seeing Uncle Yang muttering names under his breath was scarier than when I blow all my resources on a gacha banner and get the wrong 5-star."

Stelle blinked. "That doesn’t just sound 'not great'—it sounds like he’s hit rock bottom. Are you sure I’m the one who can help?"

"Whether you can or not, we should still go. Let’s head over now."

Humming a horribly off-key tune, March cradled the fluffy Higokumaru in her arms and skipped cheerfully down the corridor.

Every now and then, she nuzzled the little fox’s head with her chin, unable to hide her excitement. "Maybe Uncle Yang’s just in a bad mood. Seeing something cute might cheer him up !"

"Come on, little Higokumaru ~" she cooed. "Big Sis March will take you to the observation car to see the stars ! Way more fun than being stuck in this gloomy guy’s room, right?"

"Shiny?" The little fox tilted her head, her voice soft and sweet. "Shinier than fried tofu?"

March burst out laughing, gently pinching Higokumaru’s fluffy ears. "Stars are a different kind of shiny ! The kind that twinkle in the sky. You’ll see in a bit !"

"Boss… can I come too?" Higokumaru glanced at Jiang Liang.

After receiving a nod, she wriggled happily in March’s arms, letting out a contented purr.

"Even after getting beaten up, she still calls him 'Boss' without hesitation…" Stelle mused. "This fox has potential."

"Boss, let’s go !" March, thinking Higokumaru was addressing Stelle, cheerfully echoed.

She led the way, while Stelle followed with her arms crossed, deep in thought. Seizing the moment when March was distracted by the fox, she elbowed Jiang Liang.

"Something tells me this is your doing again."

"Careful, kid. That’s slander." Jiang Liang shot her a sidelong glance, his expression turning pensive.

Truth be told, he did have an idea about what was going on.

Back on Jarilo-VI, when he’d gone all-out with the Judgement of Shamash against Cocolia, he’d heard the others shouting Bronya’s name.

Now, March mentioned Welt muttering names… and considering his reaction when Jiang Liang had taken on the form of Kevin Kaslana…

A terrifying thought crossed his mind.

Don’t tell me… going to Jarilo-VI somehow led us to people from the same world as him?

"My gut says this is definitely your fault," Stelle muttered.

"Fine, fine. Maybe it is related to me. Let’s see what’s up."

With that, Jiang Liang seamlessly switched consciousness into Stelle’s body.

The observation car wasn’t far. Soon, they arrived.

The door slid open, revealing Welt sitting calmly on the sofa—not muttering to himself as March had described, but sipping tea while gazing out the window.

March plopped down beside Stelle, Higokumaru curling up in her lap and sniffing curiously at the lingering tea scent.

"Uncle Yang… did he completely lose it? We never should’ve let him go to Jarilo-VI," March whispered, her worried eyes fixed on Welt.

She was about to say more when Jiang Liang subtly nudged her.

"What?"

"You might wanna lower your voice a little," he muttered.

March puffed out her cheeks but immediately clamped her mouth shut when she noticed Welt’s slight reaction. She stuck out her tongue sheepishly.

Welt’s posture stiffened almost imperceptibly before he slowly turned toward them, offering a tired but gentle smile.

"Ah, it’s you two. My apologies—I was lost in thought."

"Uncle Yang, March said you seemed… off after coming back. We were worried," Jiang Liang said carefully, avoiding direct questions about the names.

"Hey, Uncle Yang, whatever’s bothering you, we’ve got your back !" March chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Stellaron crisis? Family drama? We’ll kick it into space, right, Higokumaru?"

She scratched the little fox’s head.

"Mm…?" Higokumaru looked up at her blankly before lowering her head again.

Welt’s smile deepened, carrying the warmth of an elder humoring the young.

"It’s nothing. Just… saw some familiar faces. Brought back old memories." He rubbed his temples. "Never thought I’d run into two—no, three—no, four old acquaintances in a single day. Though one of them is already dust."

Originally, Welt had only gone to investigate potential leads. But the moment Dan Heng spoke, he’d nearly broken down.

"If you need help, you can ask Belobog’s Bronya or Seele. Just say you’re a friend of ours."

That sentence, uttered while they were in the Data Bank, had sent his heart racing.

And when he arrived at Belobog based on the coordinates, he froze.

Why does the 'Supreme Guardian' look so familiar?

Why does her name sound so familiar?

Cocolia…?

"Have I… never truly escaped? Is the Honkai still chasing me?"

"Familiar faces?" Jiang Liang raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue.

Welt nodded, his gaze drifting back to the starry expanse outside the window.

"Shadows of people I once knew. The universe is vast… yet small. Just when you think you’ve buried the past, it finds you again."

He sighed. "Still no closer to finding a way home. But… meeting so many 'alternate versions' of old friends, even seeing a Divine Key… I’ll find a path back eventually."

As he mused, his eyes landed on Higokumaru in March’s arms. He frowned slightly.

Normally, he wouldn’t care what passengers brought aboard the Express. But for some reason… this creature gave him an odd sense of déjà vu.

"Oh, you’re all here, Pa !" Pom-Pom waddled over just then, spotting Higokumaru in March’s hold. "No additional mascots allowed on the Express, Pa !"

"W-Wait, Conductor ! Let me explain—this isn’t a mascot ! She’s a souvenir from Jarilo-VI !"

But Welt’s frown only deepened.

"Why does this feel so familiar…?"