Pom-Pom didn't keep anyone guessing and got straight to the point.
"First, the Asdana system, where Penacony is located, is filled with memoria. In history, it was one of the major places where the Memory Zone leaked into reality. Even after thousands of years, the memoria concentration there is still above average."
"Normally, this won't cause any problems... but everyone's body is different. If you experience dizziness, hallucinations, memory confusion, or anything similar, don't ignore it!"
"Second, Penacony belongs to the Family of Harmony. This is also the first time the Family has openly invited other factions. Remember, the Astral Express is going there as a guest. Make sure to follow the local rules."
"Got it. When in Rome, do as the Romans do! Don't worry, Conductor. We definitely won't embarrass the Nameless," March said.
Pom-Pom turned to look at March and opened his mouth.
In the end, he didn't say, "You're the one I'm most worried about."
Of course, besides March, there were two other passengers who couldn't be underestimated.
Stelle was always talking about how "rules are made to be broken," which was just as worrying.
On the other hand, Nero, who was usually the most carefree and least concerned about rules, was actually the one Pom-Pom felt the most at ease with among the three this time.
Leaving aside the fact that the kid seemed to know Miss Robin, even though he didn't have a paper invitation or an electronic message, the power of Harmony in his hands was real. It came directly from one of Penacony's Harmony Twin Stars.
On top of that, the kid's identity was special enough. In other words...
He had the kind of face people would forgive on sight.
Pom-Pom sighed before continuing.
"The third point isn't really a requirement... Pom-Pom has a favor to ask everyone.
"If possible... while you're enjoying your vacation, I hope you'll also spare some time to help look into a few Nameless."
Stelle blinked twice.
"Are we getting new companions?"
Pom-Pom was speechless for a moment, unsure how to explain.
Himeko spoke up, "I'll explain."
"Like most worlds where the Express stops, Penacony was once a station on the Silver Rail. Thousands of years ago, it was a remote prison owned by the IPC. It was the Trailblaze that connected it to the sea of stars."
"Back then, the Astral Express also visited Penacony. Just as every journey has meetings and partings, according to the train's records, a few passengers chose to stay behind and made Penacony the final stop of their journey."
"So they're our senior predecessors." Nero blinked as he stood up from the sofa and placed Little Xipe onto the seat he had just been sitting on.
Little Xipe didn't run around. After letting out two soft chirps, it obediently lay there, its eyes shining as it watched everyone in the meeting, as if it really liked the atmosphere.
"After all this time, can we still find them?" Stelle asked.
"Don't worry." Himeko smiled and shook her head. "Just think of it as a ceremony for returning to an old place. After the Express left, the Stellaron cut the worlds off from one another, and Penacony changed hands several times."
"How those old Nameless who stayed here lived afterward, what they experienced, and what traces they left behind in this world... following in the footsteps of our predecessors is an adventure in itself."
"Even after leaving the stars behind, a Nameless's Trailblaze never truly ends. That's what the Conductor thinks too, isn't it?"
"According to the member records, the three passengers who got off back then were named Tiernan, Mikhail, and Razalina. They served as the train's guard, mechanic, and cartographer. Other than that, there isn't any more information."
March lowered her eyes.
"Just names and jobs? They might not even be their real names... Isn't this like looking for a needle in a haystack?"
"If we find something, we find something." Himeko smiled. "Considering how diverse the Nameless are... we might even find their descendants. There's even a tiny chance... that we could meet them in person."
"That concludes today's route meeting. There's still some time before the warp, so everyone can go check their luggage."
"Before the warp begins, this Conductor will make an announcement!"
"Um... Sister Himeko, before we leave for Penacony, could we make a stop at Belobog and the Luofu first? I'd like Clara, Huohuo, and the others to come to Penacony with us."
Himeko looked at Nero and thought for a moment.
Nero seemed to know Miss Robin. Besides being a famous singer, she was also one of Penacony's Harmony Twin Stars, so invitations shouldn't be a problem.
As for expenses... the kid's factory was doing very well. Even without an invitation, it looked like he could afford to pay the full cost himself.
In that case, there didn't seem to be any reason to refuse.
Himeko nodded.
"No problem. What do you think, Conductor?"
Pom-Pom looked up at Himeko, then at Nero.
"Even though the passenger car might get very noisy with more people... since Passenger Nero wants to invite his friends, then let's do it."
So before heading to Penacony, the Express first visited Jarilo-VI and the Xianzhou Luofu.
On Jarilo-VI, everyone had work to do, and after some people had left, there weren't enough replacements. So only four people boarded the train: Clara, Pitch-Dark Hook the Great, Lynx, and Svarog.
The affairs of the Robot Settlement were temporarily left to Wildfire. Oleg, Seele, and Natasha could handle things.
Sampo originally wanted to come too, but as the factory director, he couldn't leave. Wearing a miserable expression, he was turned down by Nero.
Even though he had already been to Penacony once before, that was completely different from riding the Astral Express, teaming up with the little ancestor, and going to the Planet of Festivities as friends on a happy vacation.
Watching the Nameless leave, Sampo pressed his lips together and thought,
"Ahaha damn it... I've got to find a chance to trick a coworker into becoming the deputy factory director."
Things also went smoothly on the Luofu.
Nero's friends all gladly accepted the invitation. Qingque stood there nervously under Fu Xuan's silent gaze, but fortunately, she was allowed to leave in the end.
Jing Yuan agreed to let Yanqing go with Nero to broaden his horizons, though he actually wanted to go himself. Nero saw a bit of envy and longing in his eyes.
But as the General, Jing Yuan had too much to deal with. Sneaking away for a short break was fine, but being gone for too long would cause problems.
When Nero came to invite Huohuo, the Ten-Lords Commission readily gave her leave. Faced with a new planet, Huohuo felt both nervous and excited. Tail, on the other hand, made a huge fuss, like a child going on a trip for the first time.
Things were a little harder with Bailu. Because of Nero's earlier actions, the dragon elders no longer dared interfere much in ordinary matters.
But this time she was leaving the Luofu. Bailu really wanted to go, but the old men with horns refused. Then someone named Taoran was slapped by Nero and embedded into the ground.
After that, the dragon elders respectfully escorted the current High Elder of the Luofu Vidyadhara onto the train.
Nero also invited Sushang and Guinaifen. Unfortunately, Sushang was on duty and couldn't come have fun.
Only the "unemployed drifter" Guinaifen happily boarded the train with everyone, saying she wanted to show her fans Penacony's local customs.