Chapter 256: Night of Universal Hallucinations 『 Part Five 』
「 Dan Heng walked over to the Data Bank's search terminal, casually pulled up a file, and opened it. Detailed information on various insectoid species instantly unfurled before everyone's eyes:
"While perusing the Chronicles of Interdimensional Insects in the Data Bank, I came across a species that exists only in anecdotal records. Due to a lack of actual research specimens, the author tentatively named it the 'Giant Sting'."
"This insect can grow to truly colossal proportions—large enough to swallow an entire Star Destroyer(starnought)."
Dan Heng suspected that the "Overlord" Argenti had heard was precisely such a giant bug, and that they were currently situated inside its stomach.
This explanation triggered a memory for Argenti regarding his previous encounter with Velite. When they first met, they had been trapped within a dark, impossibly vast cavern, unable to escape. They had indeed heard sounds of swallowing and peristalsis echoing through that "cave."
"Hm. Since your trajectory happened to intersect with the Astral Express's rail, we may have encountered the same 'Giant Sting'."
Just as Dan Heng was about to cite evidence to verify his hypothesis, a sudden, rumbling sound of gastric churning came from outside the train. March 7th, she silently hugged herself in fright.
"…It seems further proof is unnecessary." Dan Heng opened the door to the Data Bank. "Let's go. We need to discuss countermeasures with Mr. Yang." 」
「 ..... 」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
Teyvat, Fontaine—
"Wait, a bug that swallows an entire Star Destroyer?! Shouldn't armies and manpower be mobilized to launch a joint crusade against such a behemoth?"
It was teatime. Navia was spooning sugar into her almond flour, but upon hearing Dan Heng speak of such a colossal insect, her hand trembled in shock, knocking over the jar and spilling nearly half its contents into the mix.
Since childhood, she had heard legends from her parents about the "giant beast" Elynas. It was said to be a monster larger than the entire Court of Fontaine. To crusade against it, Fontaine had dispatched countless troops, yet it could swallow Fontaine's ships in a single bite. Even today, its mountain-like skull could be seen in the distance from the city walls.
Elynas was one of the few giants Navia could conceptualize. The whisk in her hand trembled imperceptibly.
"Then wouldn't this monster be even bigger than Elynas?"
"Considerably so, I'm afraid. You cannot compare Fontaine's ironclad ships to a Star Destroyer."
Clorinde stirred her black tea with unhurried grace, the silver spoon clinking crisply against the porcelain cup.
"As the name implies, a Star Destroyer is a weapon capable of obliterating an interstellar civilization. The sheer volume of the ship alone is likely greater than all of Fontaine's waters and landmass combined. If you really want a comparison…"
Clorinde picked up a macaron that Navia had just baked.
"To a Giant Sting, Elynas would probably look about the size of this macaron."
"So, why doesn't the Interastral Peace Corporation send someone to exterminate that kind of monster? With the IPC's power, wiping out a bug like that should be doable, right?"
"Perhaps… this is a low-probability event?"
Clorinde gave her a meaningful look.
"You're the boss of the Spina di Rosula; you should know that deploying military force is expensive. Leaving aside the rarity of Giant Sting, even if one were encountered, the cost in manpower and resources to engage it would be immeasurable. Although those people are always mouthing off about 『 Preservation 』, I don't believe they possess that kind of benevolence."
—
「 On the way back to the Parlor Car, March 7th felt the atmosphere was a bit too heavy. She glanced at Dan Heng on her left and Argenti on her right. "So silent… aren't you guys going to say anything?"
"To have met you all here, I, Argenti, die without regrets," Argenti declared with immediate solemnity.
"…Never mind, it's better if you stay quiet."
After the group explained the sequence of events to Welt, he analyzed the situation for a moment and came up with a plan. "If the Express has indeed been swallowed… perhaps we can attempt to temporarily overload the train's engines, ram the stomach wall, and break out of the 'Giant Sting's' body at super-speed."
"Why not just warp out?" Stelle asked, puzzled.
"Warp jumping requires extensive preparation, and the process would inevitably attract the swarm's attention," Dan Heng explained.
Although this plan carried the risk of the train's engines spontaneously combusting, there didn't seem to be a better idea at the moment. 」
「 ..... 」
〜Chainsaw Man World〜
"This situation with the train… isn't it exactly like that time we got trapped on the eighth floor by the Eternity Devil?"
Denji sat cross-legged on the sofa, watching Mr. Yang's plan unfold on the sky curtain. He yawned.
"That plan is so boring. If you ask me, they should just call Blade over… I've even got the excuse ready. Just tell him if he's late, he won't get to kill Dan Heng with his own hands."
"Huh? What does this have to do with Blade? Denji, you really are an idiot, aren't you?"
Power poked her head out of the bedroom.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… Power, you just don't get it! Let Blade jump straight into the Sting's stomach, keep killing the Stingbug, and bleed everywhere. The Stingbug multiplies infinitely, and Blade kills them again…"
"One can resurrect infinitely, the other can multiply infinitely, but the Sting's blood will just keep increasing, endless, and flowing! That way, the perpetual motion machine is complete! Even the Genius Society would have to invite me to join!"
Power suddenly realized something.
"Denji, you've been talking for ages, but how is the Express crew supposed to get out?"
"Did you forget Sting's blood? Blood is made of water too, y'know~"
Denji let out a weird "hehehe" laugh.
"Just have Dan Heng turn into the High Elder, use that orb of his to manipulate the blood into a dragon, and smash a hole through the stomach wall! The more they fight, the more blood there is, so there's no need to worry about running out."
—
「 Argenti noticed that everyone's spirits were somewhat low, so he decided to join Stelle in comforting them.
They approached Velite and March. Velite was on the verge of an emotional breakdown; he was just a third-rate employee of the IPC, and this sudden calamity felt like an utter disaster he didn't deserve.
"Please, everyone, do not worry," Argenti stepped forward. "I am currently bidding my final farewell to this potted plant; just as with our meeting, to have befriended the many lives aboard this train and discussed the Path of Beauty with you all, I die without regrets!"
March subconsciously scooted a little closer to Stelle. "This guy has been hugging that plant the whole time… did he build a deep bond with a potted plant in such a short time? I mean, I'd be worried about the plushies in my room too, but…"
Velite lowered his head in despair. "I never thought that our first meeting might turn out to be 'goodbye'. Sigh, it seems there's nothing we can do now. I, Velite, will dedicate my final moments to listening to your stories about the Express…"
"Don't talk nonsense! Who said anything about 'goodbye'!" Pam glared at Velite. "But seeing as you've finally started to show some affection for the Express at a time like this, Pam is quite relieved." 」
「 ..... 」