*Chapter 36: Welt: I'm a Student ! Give Me Cosmic Juggernaut !*

"He wants it?"
"He wants it, so you give it to him?"
"Aiya ~ He insists !"

Well, Uncle Welt said he's never asked anyone for anything before, this is the first time, he's being so humble, how can I not let Uncle Welt see?

However, Welt wanting to see Jizo Mitama was also within expectations, so Jiang Liang wasn't too surprised.

He nodded slightly, and the black tachi appeared in his hand. The patterns on the blade glowed faintly, circulating with a dim luster under the bright indoor lights.

Welt took a deep breath, his eyes mixed with longing and eagerness, but mostly anticipation. He carefully reached out, his fingertips trembling almost imperceptibly, and gently caressed the cold surface of Jizo Mitama.

Hiss...

The sensation from his fingertips was hard and cold, but what shook his mind more was the restrained fluctuation emanating from within the blade.

So this is Jizo Mitama... To think I'd actually see the real thing here... here, who knows how far from Schicksal...

Welt's heart was far from calm. His fingers slowly traced the patterns on the blade.
Yes...
This is the feeling...
This is an authentic Divine Key.
Same origin as the Core of the First Herrscher, yet different...

"This is it..." Welt's voice was low, filled with irrepressible excitement. "It's the original, alright."

He closed his eyes, using his fingertips to feel the subtle vibrations transmitted from the blade. The eagerness on his face gradually subsided, then his mouth twitched before calming down again.

Joy, because he saw a Divine Key, saw something from the same world he belonged to.
Sadness, because he saw a Divine Key here. Not at Schicksal, not at Anti-Entropy, but in some unknown distant place.

But it was okay.
Welt's eyes became eager again.
This means Judgment of Shamash appearing on Stelle wasn't accidental, but traceable.
As long as I wait for Cosmic Juggernaut... can I go home then?

Like seeing a giant flying robot, Welt's heart filled with the joy of a bountiful harvest.

"Hoh?"

The small figure with fox ears and tail blinked her bright eyes curiously upon seeing Jizo Mitama again.
It was Higokumaru.

"Mii ~"

Higokumaru seemed attracted to the pitch-black tachi, letting out a cheerful cry.
She flew rapidly around Jizo Mitama, suspended in front of Jiang Liang, leaving behind trails of crimson afterimages.
"Jizo Mitama... can I go back to Yae Village?"

Welt looked up, his gaze behind the lenses slightly focused.
Oh? This is...
Higokumaru's excited behavior reminded him of the strange feeling he had when he first saw her.
He had been too excited earlier and didn't notice the aura emanating from Jizo Mitama felt somewhat familiar, like déj� vu.
Plus, Higokumaru seemed very close to Jizo Mitama... there was some connection between the two.

Higokumaru flew several circles around the sword before slowly landing on Jiang Liang's shoulder. She wiggled her small rear to sit firmly, her fluffy fox tail swaying contentedly, looking like a well-behaved, cute, silly dog.

"I'm not sure if you can go back to Yae Village... Higokumaru, do you not like it here on the train?" Jiang Liang asked gently.

Higokumaru affectionately rubbed against Jiang Liang's finger, brought to her forehead. Hearing his words, she thought carefully. "It's just... stayed there for a long time, leaving feels a bit unfamiliar... but everyone on the train is better."
If she went back to Yae Village, she'd start living alone and lonely again... Higokumaru felt she wouldn't choose to go back.

"Yae... a familiar surname," Welt thought. His gaze lingered on Higokumaru's small figure for a moment, then was immediately drawn back to Jizo Mitama.
He rubbed the scabbard, feeling it carefully. The more he felt, the more his mouth twitched.
It really is like this...

Seeing Higokumaru's reaction to Jizo Mitama and recalling the familiar aura he felt earlier confirmed his previous suspicions.
No wonder there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity when I first met Higokumaru.
What I sensed then wasn't Imaginary energy, but Honkai energy, something I hadn't seen in a very, very long time.

"Damn it... I'll use Star of Eden to give that Herrscher a head-on blow !"
No, wait, let me ask you...
Main character activates a special ability and transforms into some powered-up state—white hair, blue eyes, dual pistols blazing. He’s got a silver-haired loli sidekick who’s a gaming prodigy. The reliable adults in the group? A red-haired woman and a brown-haired middle-aged guy who fights with the Star of Eden. Oh, and now Honkai energy’s started showing up?

What is this place supposed to be?

Well, it’s definitely not St. Freya Academy.
Not Schicksal.
Not Anti-Entropy.
Not the Sea of Quanta, a World Bubble, the Imaginary Tree, or even World Serpent.
So seriously… where are we?

If this really is a sequel to some work... combining these elements, Welt guessed this work would probably be called 'Honkai: Star Rail'.

In short, Welt's mood was complicated right now.
Higokumaru affectionately rubbed Jiang Liang's cheek, her small tail swaying.

Welt reluctantly withdrew his hand stroking Jizo Mitama, refocusing his gaze on Jiang Liang. His eyes burned like someone who had discovered a priceless treasure.
He showed Jiang Liang a heartfelt smile.
The smile was filled entirely with the desire to go home.

"I truly didn't expect to see a Divine Key here again," he paused, seemingly searching for the right words to describe his inner excitement.
"...It's practically a dream come true."
This child... is truly not simple.
Perhaps... I really can go home.

Different thoughts swirled in Welt's mind, finally settling into a quiet sigh.
"Your decision to stay on the train… it means a lot to me."

He handed Jizo Mitama back to Jiang Liang, eyes burning with sincerity.
"I've only ever asked for something once in my life. But if this Jizo Mitama was also given to you by that white-haired young man… then the next time you see him, ask him one more thing for me—
Can he give you a train called Cosmic Juggernaut?"

Welt smiled faintly.
"That’s my one lifelong wish."

After speaking, Welt turned and walked towards his room, his steps light, his back radiating an indescribable excitement. That smile seemed to hide something else too...

Jiang Liang had just breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Dan Heng walk over quickly. His cool face carried a trace of imperceptible worry, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Stelle," Dan Heng approached him, his voice low, tinged with unease.
He glanced in the direction Welt had left, then looked at Jiang Liang, his eyes full of doubt.
"About that... Silver Wolf..." Dan Heng paused, seeming to choose his words. "...can we really trust her?"

Dan Heng was still very worried.
He rarely questioned the crew's decisions, but this time, the subject was a Stellaron Hunter.
Stellaron Hunters are all lunatics, acting completely illogically. Is this really okay?
He looked seriously at Jiang Liang.

"I don't doubt everyone's judgment, nor do I want to say everyone is too kind. When I was desperate, Miss Himeko and Mr. Welt helped me too... but cooperating with a Stellaron Hunter is too risky."
Stellaron Hunters never play by the rules.
And Silver Wolf is outstanding among them, a top hacker. Her bounty alone could probably buy several planets.
Can leverage alone really restrain her?
Dan Heng always felt uneasy.

"It's okay. What binds Silver Wolf isn't just a verbal agreement," Jiang Liang patted Dan Heng's shoulder, pausing slightly without detailing the specific methods. "I have other ways to ensure she won't pose a threat."

Dan Heng stared into those golden eyes, trying to decipher more information.
Other ways?
What are they?
Stelle seems very confident.

Dan Heng's brow still hadn't completely smoothed out, a trace of hesitation flashing in his cool, cyan eyes.
Dealing with Stellaron Hunters was akin to asking a tiger for its skin.
Silver Wolf's identity was too special; the slightest misstep could bring disaster upon them.
However, Stelle's attitude was firm... perhaps she really did have something up her sleeve.

Dan Heng fell silent for a few seconds, finally nodding slowly.
Since Stelle says so, let's trust her for now.
The train crew must trust each other.

"Mm," Dan Heng responded softly. Though his tone still held some hesitation, the worry in his eyes had mostly dissipated.
He chose to trust his companion.

"Since you're so confident, I won't ask further," Dan Heng's gaze became calm again, regaining his usual composure.
"But regardless, it's always right to be extra careful."
He added a final instruction, his tone serious and earnest.

"If you notice any abnormalities, tell me immediately... However, I have another question. Just holding leverage over her is enough to make her obey?"
Dan Heng's tone was somewhat uncertain, a trace of doubt still lingering in his cool features.
Is something like leverage really effective against a Stellaron Hunter?
He asked in a low voice.

"Normally, once their secret is known, Stellaron Hunters tend to directly silence the person to eliminate future problems. It shouldn't be difficult for someone like Silver Wolf to erase someone who knows her secret... Considering, if Lady Herta knew Silver Wolf's leverage, Lady Herta should have used it long ago to threaten her not to approach the space station... So..."
Dan Heng didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
"I think you brought this secret, but what method did you actually use to make Silver Wolf compromise?"

"...Silence me?" Jiang Liang met Dan Heng's gaze and shook his head. "She wanted to. But before that, I beat her up first. Beat her until she had no temper left."

Hearing this, a trace of imperceptible shock flickered in Dan Heng's cool pupils. He opened his mouth, seemed about to say something, but ultimately only let out a barely audible gasp.
Beat Silver Wolf up?
And beat her until she had no temper?
That's a Stellaron Hunter... the genius of Aether Editing... practically a god in the virtual world !
Even in reality, with her endless high-tech equipment, Silver Wolf is definitely an extremely troublesome opponent !

Dan Heng imagined the scene: the petite silver-haired girl being ground into the floor, game console tossed aside, crying and begging for mercy...
Is this the Stellaron Hunter I know?
Are you the Stelle I know?
Winning against Cocolia doesn't mean you can win against a Stellaron Hunter !

Dan Heng's gaze towards Jiang Liang instantly changed. His tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed completely, replaced by understanding. He nodded, his tone also calming down.
"I see. No wonder he's so confident. Indeed, fists are the most reliable guarantee."
Understood.
He didn't probe for details. Since Jiang Liang could suppress Silver Wolf with strength, his previous worries were indeed excessive.

Jiang Liang gave a noncommittal nod. "I'll go find March 7th and Pom-Pom first. Don't know how they're getting along with Silver Wolf."
Then, without saying more, he turned and walked towards another car.
Dan Heng watched Jiang Liang's back disappear at the car connection before retracting his gaze.

After entering the car, Stelle walked up to Jiang Liang, quickly scanning the surroundings to confirm no one else was present before lowering her voice.
Although Jiang Liang didn't know why Stelle lowered her voice when no one else could hear her, he waited patiently for her to speak.

"Um... Jiang Liang... can I ask you for a favor?"
Her tone held hesitation and pleading.
Jiang Liang looked at her calmly, waiting.

Stelle took a deep breath, seeming to organize her thoughts. "It's about... that Silver Wolf just now... wasn't she talking to Kafka earlier? That Kafka... is also a member of the Stellaron Hunters, right?"
"I don't know why, but hearing that name feels very familiar..."
Stelle frowned slightly, pressing her temples. "...It seems like... in my lost memories... this person is very important."
She looked up, hope flickering in her golden eyes, looking straight at Jiang Liang.

"I know this might be troublesome... but... can you help me ask Silver Wolf..."
Stelle's voice lowered further, laced with uncertainty. "...about Kafka? Any information is fine... And..."
She nudged her chin. Jiang Liang looked in the indicated direction.
March 7th was chatting with Silver Wolf by the door. Seeing him, she waved.
Looking back, Stelle gazed at him with pitiful eyes.

Aren't we bros?
Why look at me like that? I already substituted for you, how could I not help you clear your main story quest?
"Don't worry, leave it to me," Jiang Liang thought.
Thinking this, Jiang Liang strode quickly towards Silver Wolf.

Silver Wolf was chatting with March 7th when suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw that familiar gray-haired figure approaching with an oppressive aura.
Wait !
I'm already on the train ! Why are you still staring straight at me? !
I didn't even do anything bad !

As Jiang Liang walked closer, Silver Wolf had an ominous premonition.
The next second, Jiang Liang stood before her.