*Chapter 37: Silver Wolf: I Asked You to Call Screwllum, And He Really Came? !*

Following the train corridor forward, they soon saw familiar figures.

The pink-haired girl stood with hands on her hips, talking to the fluffy conductor.
Beside them, a petite figure with silver-gray hair stood quietly, head down, fiddling with a game console in her palm.

Jiang Liang clearly saw Silver Wolf glance at him out of the corner of her eye before quickly lowering her head and turning on the game console.
A bit like a child who starts reading when their parents arrive, pretending to be focused on something so they won't get scolded.
When chatting with March 7th, she spoke properly without distraction, but upon seeing him, she was like Higokumaru facing Judgment of Shamash, wishing she could bury her head in the sand.

"You're here !" March 7th, sharp-eyed, spotted him first and immediately waved hello, a smile on her face.

Pom-Pom also turned its small body. Seeing Jiang Liang, its previously somewhat tense shoulders relaxed. It raised a paw and waved at Jiang Liang too.
Pom-Pom's voice sounded much lighter. "This passenger, Silver Wolf... hmm, seems very quiet, not as bad as others say. Pom is slightly relieved."
It secretly glanced at Silver Wolf and added quietly, "Pom talked to her just now, she seemed a bit uncomfortable, only replying after Pom asked a question."

Jiang Liang thought this was normal.
Although Silver Wolf didn't seem socially anxious, encountering a genuine 'sunshine' personality like March 7th who truly wanted to befriend her probably made her feel like a vampire exposed to sunlight, wanting to flee.
Did the Stellaron Hunters have any companions like March 7th, the ultimate sunshine type?
Ignoring your status, even knowing you're a Stellaron Hunter, approaches you, confirms you're safe for her, then starts smiling cheerfully?

March 7th leaned closer to Jiang Liang, lowered her voice, and nudged him with her elbow. "Feels like just a gaming addict girl ~ She seems a little scared of you. Mentioned your name and she lowered her head. Don't bully her, okay?"

Silver Wolf's fingers flew rapidly over the game console buttons. Hearing March 7th speak, her fingers paused for a moment, then resumed their original pace.
Sigh.
Why can't three dialogue options just pop up when talking to people?
Silver Wolf, who always felt that although she wasn't comfortable with social interaction, normal communication was definitely fine, felt a pang of regret for the first time.
Silver Wolf found it strange... those eyes were so bright and warm, carrying undisguised goodwill and clarity. She clearly recognized her as a Stellaron Hunter at first glance, yet became so unguarded after knowing?

Jiang Liang thought internally, Of course ! What does 'ultimate sunshine personality' mean? Before you can even react, she comes over like a general, arbitrarily starts emitting light !
In fact, what you're thinking now is probably similar to what I thought when I first met March 7th.
Jiang Liang didn't have mind-reading abilities; he purely guessed what Silver Wolf was thinking from her expression.
Silver Wolf glanced at that inexplicably annoying face, realized what Jiang Liang was thinking, and turned her head away.

"Is the room arranged?" Ignoring Silver Wolf, Jiang Liang's gaze landed on March 7th.

March 7th immediately nodded. "Mm ! Arranged ! It's that empty room in the corner. Everything inside is ready. She can move in anytime."
Pom-Pom added, "The room is very clean, Pom ! The Conductor personally inspected it !"

Jiang Liang's gaze shifted from March 7th and Pom-Pom to Silver Wolf, who kept her head lowered.
Although she didn't speak, Jiang Liang knew what she was thinking.
She's thinking: 'Please don't be looking for me... If you're looking for me, I'll jump...'
"Then jump. No mercy."

"Silver Wolf, let me ask you something," Jiang Liang said.

Silver Wolf's fingers controlling the game paused. The bright red words "GAME OVER" instantly popped up on the screen.
She looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"If you have something to say, say it directly. Why twist and turn like a riddler?"

"I want to ask about Kafka. When you were talking to her, I heard the name and it felt very familiar," Jiang Liang rephrased. "I want to recover my memories, so I want to know more about her."

Silver Wolf paused, remembering Elio's script.
The script said to let Stelle grow freely, at least at this current stage, and not restrain her with past events.
So, it's best not to mention the past when encountering Stelle.
Wait... did Elio's script mention her being arrested at Herta Space Station?
In the Stellaron Hunter clique, Kafka always said: anything not written in Elio's script is irrelevant.
Well, she didn't see the script saying she'd be arrested by Stelle at Herta Space Station either !
Is this truly irrelevant, or...?
Is Elio's script really reliable?

"...You can ask about other things. About this, I can only say I don't know," Silver Wolf decisively shook her head after thinking.
"I won't cause trouble here, but I won't provide you with intel. Hacking someone's computer for you is fine, but anything else, forget it."

"...Then there's nothing to discuss?" Jiang Liang asked.

"I really don't know ! Stellaron Hunters don't necessarily know everything about their companions' pasts ! Your train crew has a great atmosphere, but would anyone willingly share their past for no reason?"
This was a lie.
The relationships among the Stellaron Hunters were quite good. Although they didn't pry into the past, they wouldn't avoid it either. She just didn't want to tell Jiang Liang, hence the excuse.

Silver Wolf changed the subject, her tone laced with confusion. "Since you have ways to restrain me, forcing me to stay on this train, why bother going through all this trouble, negotiating terms with me? Why don't you just use your methods to control me, forcibly read the memories in my head?"
"Wouldn't that be simpler and more direct? Just take whatever information you want, no need to care about my willingness, nor worry if I'm lying or hiding something."
She spread her hands, wearing an expression of 'You clearly have a simpler, cruder method, why not use it?'
She already suffered defeat ! Can't you just forcibly take it? !
Does he really not know, or is he pretending not to know?

Hearing Silver Wolf's words, Jiang Liang's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, then quickly relaxed.
"I can't do that."
This was a lie.
Jizo Mitama could erode consciousness, even enter someone's soul.
If forcibly entering the brain, it could indeed dig out all secrets.
But Jiang Liang didn't know what the cost would be. Would it completely destroy the target's mental structure? Or turn them into a mindless drone executing only orders?
Against ordinary enemies, perhaps it could be considered.
But Silver Wolf's value was far more than just intel. Her value alive was much greater than becoming a puppet incapable of thought.

He paused, then added, "Besides... I really don't like using coercive means to achieve goals, if it can be avoided."

This sentence seemed to flip a switch in Silver Wolf.
Her previously somewhat playful expression vanished, replaced by a hint of mockery.
"'Don't like coercion?'" Silver Wolf repeated these words, her pitch rising slightly, as if confirming she hadn't misheard. "Are you really telling me this now? Seriously?"
Then everything I experienced in the Simulated Universe was just a fantasy?
Did I fantasize it myself? Am I, Silver Wolf, actually a masochist? While infiltrating the Simulated Universe to scout for the Punklorde Mentality, I hoped someone would discover and defeat me? When my companion called to check on me, I pretended nothing was wrong, enjoying the defeat...?

"Telling me now you 'don't like coercion'... sounds really..." Silver Wolf hummed softly, not finishing the sentence, but the unspoken meaning was clear.
Contradictory.
Hypocritical.

"Circumstances were different then and now," he replied淡淡地 (dàndàn de - lightly/indifferently). "Back then, you invaded Herta Space Station and spouted nonsense. Would you hold back against your enemies, not using all your means?"
"Now, you are staying here as a collaborator. Naturally, I will tend towards using milder methods to interact with you."
Jiang Liang's tone was frank, not shying away from his previous forcefulness.
"As for 'not liking coercion,' that's my personal code of conduct. When there's a choice, I prefer mutual respect and reaching consensus."

March 7th listened from the side, somewhat confused, looking back and forth between Jiang Liang and Silver Wolf.
"Hey, wait ! Stelle 'coerced' you?" she asked in surprise, her tone full of disbelief. "When did that happen? How come I didn't know?"
Pom-Pom's eyes also widened. Stelle isn't that kind of person... probably not...

"Relax. I hold no grudge against you," Silver Wolf retracted her gaze from Jiang Liang, lowering her head again to fiddle with her game console. "Losing to you means my level wasn't high enough. I won't make excuses. The consequences of failure are also part of the game. Staying on the Astral Express... fine, I'll stay."
This was a lie.
How could the grievance of being spanked dissipate with just a few sentences?
Holy Mother types who forgive others are the kind who get cursed for life even in games !
She must find an opportunity on the train, then escape !
Heehee... I must survive !

Hearing this, March 7th sighed in relief, patting her chest. "That's good ! Once you're on board, we're family ! Let's definitely not fight !"
Pom-Pom also nodded. "That's right ! Everyone will be companions from now on, Pom !"

Asking directly won't work. Maybe try to wheedle some information out later, Jiang Liang thought.
He didn't believe Silver Wolf's words at all.

While thinking, the phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated slightly.
He raised his hand and glanced at it. A new message was displayed on the screen.
Sender: Herta.

Screwllum has arrived at the space station. Specifically asking to see you, and also Silver Wolf, whose hacking and coding skills are far inferior to even one hair of mine. Come over quickly.

The message's tone was as concise and direct as ever, full of Herta's style.
Jiang Liang raised an eyebrow.
Screwllum? From the Genius Club?
After learning Stelle had connections with figures from the Genius Club, Jiang Liang had quickly skimmed through the character introductions he could find in the IPC encyclopedia, memorizing the few recorded names.
His gaze turned to Stelle beside him, the meaning obvious.
"Do you know him?"
Stelle shook her head, the meaning equally clear.
"If I knew him, I'd swallow March 7th whole on the spot."

Now this is interesting.
What's he doing at the space station?
And wants to see me and Silver Wolf?

Jiang Liang calmly put away his phone, his gaze turning to Silver Wolf. "Need to go see Herta again."

March 7th leaned over curiously. "What's wrong, Stelle? Who sent the message?"
"Message from Herta," Jiang Liang stated succinctly. "Screwllum has arrived. Wants to see me and Silver Wolf."

"Screwllum? !" March 7th's eyes widened in surprise. She scratched her head.
"...Who?"

Hearing the name, Silver Wolf's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"Are you going?" Jiang Liang asked her.
"No," Silver Wolf's reply was crisp and immediate, without any hesitation.
"Why?" Jiang Liang asked back.

Silver Wolf felt the question was somewhat redundant but patiently explained anyway.
"Going over now, wouldn't that just tell him I was captured by you? It's embarrassing, okay?"
Her previous encounter with Screwllum ended in a draw. Earlier at the space station, hearing his name, she had wanted another match. But unexpectedly, before he even arrived, she got arrested.
Aether Editing restricted... going over like a prisoner?
Letting that bunch of self-proclaimed smart guys laugh at her?
Going over now is purely losing face !
No way !

Hearing this, Jiang Liang didn't insist further.
He understood Silver Wolf's thoughts.
For a Stellaron Hunter, face and freedom were equally important.
Besides, forcing her to go, apart from satisfying Herta's request, had no real practical significance.
Since Silver Wolf was allowed on the train, basic respect should be given.
It wasn't that Jiang Liang wanted to reform Silver Wolf, just that if you catch a Pokémon and want its help later, you need to cultivate some affection.
Pushing too hard could easily cause problems.

"Fine," Jiang Liang nodded in understanding. "You rest first then. I'll meet with Screwllum and be back."

Seeing Jiang Liang really turn to leave, seemingly having no intention of forcing her, Silver Wolf felt somewhat surprised.
Really not forcing me?
She actually knew what Screwllum asking Jiang Liang over meant. Herta must have told Screwllum about someone capturing her, making Screwllum interested in this person, hence calling Jiang Liang over.

"...Wait ! I'm going too ! But... no matter what I say to Herta, you can't mute me !"
No !
She has to go too !
Otherwise, who knows how Herta will slander her further !

Silver Wolf chased after him, following Jiang Liang out of the train car and all the way to the reception hall.
However, she didn't expect that before seeing Screwllum, she would see Asta busy working there.