『 [ A Galaxy Ranger? ]
Upon hearing Boothill's declaration, a look of considerable—surprise—surfaced on Dan Heng's face.
[ Is that really necessary? ]
[ You look like you've seen a fudging ghost… ]
[ Thought we were all dead and buried, didn't ya? ]
[ Haha! ]
[ True enough. Vanishing from the radar for so long has its downsides. ]
Boothill laughed boisterously as he spoke.
[ The righteous faction of The Hunt wouldn't hijack the Astral Express. ]
Dan Heng retorted calmly.
[ I haven't hijacked it yet, have I? Does holding a gun while shooting the breeze count as a hijacking? ]
Boothill countered with self-righteous confidence.
[ I suppose it counts, Pa… ]
Pam said, their voice trembling slightly. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Amber: "Holding a gun while… shooting the breeze?"
Amber: "Mr. Boothill, your habits are truly…"
Xiangling: "Ugh… it really feels like what Hu Tao said. An interstellar bandit."
March 7th: "Exactly! Only a bandit would barge into someone else's territory and point a gun at them without a word!"
Welt Yang: "Mr. Boothill… you owe us an explanation for this."
Welt Yang: "The Astral Express has no quarrel with you. Why resort to such measures?"
Boothill: "Desperate times call for desperate measures… If I didn't do this, I couldn't get your help!"
Qingque: "What kind of twisted logic is that?"
Qingque: "If you need the Express Crew's help, couldn't you just ask them nicely?"
Qingque: "What's the meaning of pointing a gun at someone?"
Qingque: "Doing that, forget about getting help—you're more likely to get a severe beatdown!"
Boothill: "The key is, how was I supposed to know if they were actually from the Astral Express?"
Boothill: "So, until I confirmed their identities, I had to be cautious, right?"
Collei: "So Mr. Boothill couldn't recognize the Astral Express on sight?"
Boothill: "I've only heard the name; I can't say I know it by sight."
Stelle: "None of that matters. Your act of hijacking the train has left us with deep psychological trauma!"
Stelle: "Look at how scared my Conductor is!!"
Stelle: "Pam fur is standing on end!"
Stelle: "Unless you cough up a few hundred thousand credits in compensation, this page isn't turning so easily!"
Boothill: "Yeah, I was in the wrong there."
Boothill: "But I haven't actually done it yet, have I?"
Boothill: "So the issue of compensation doesn't even exist!"
Stelle: "Ah, this…"
Silver Wolf: "What, disappointed you can't scam any money out of him?"
Stelle: "What do you mean 'scam'?"
Stelle: "I am fighting for my legitimate rights and interests!"
Stelle: "Fine then. Next time you have a free moment, remember to come back and hijack us again, then wire the compensation directly to me."
Boothill: "Heh, son of a nice lady, you've got a black heart, alright!"
Boothill: "Someone like you not joining the Galaxy Rangers to go give the IPC hell with me is a massive loss for my Woo-woos!"
....
『 [ With all due respect, many rumors circulating in the galaxy regarding the current state of the Galaxy Rangers are not exactly pleasant stories. ]
[ I find it hard to trust you. ]
Dan Heng felt that Boothill's words were highly suspicious.
[ Laughable. The stories those dimwits cook up get more ridiculous by the day. They even say the Galaxy Rangers were all turned into long-armed apes by Dr. Primitive and are currently swinging from vines in some mountain ravine. ]
[ Of course, I know you won't believe me. ]
[ So, likewise, I can't just blindly trust that you are true Nameless. ]
[ See the bullets in this chamber? ]
[ Nine millimeter. An eternal classic. ]
[ Right now, I need the Astral Express's help, but if you're a bunch of impostors like that guy… tsk, this bullet might just end up lodging itself in my forehead. ]
[ I can't put myself in danger. Makes sense, right? ]
[ So you have to prove yourselves first… Hey, where are you going? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Barging into someone else's turf and demanding they prove their identity."
Stelle: "Talk about turning the tables upside down."
March 7th: "The Galaxy Rangers were turned into long-armed apes by Dr. Primitive?"
March 7th: "Where do these ridiculous rumors even come from?"
Himeko: "It may not necessarily be just a rumor."
Himeko: "That Dr. Primitive…"
Himeko: "If I recall correctly, he is also a member of the Genius Society?"
Madam Herta: "Correct. Genius Society Member # 64, Dr. Primitive."
Madam Herta: "He was hunted by the Galaxy Rangers for committing grave crimes."
Madam Herta: "But you understand, to be a member of the Genius Society implies he is incredibly difficult to deal with."
Welt Yang: "In the process of hunting Dr. Primitive, the Galaxy Rangers likely paid an extremely heavy price."
Welt Yang: "But Dr. Primitive has disappeared. Was he successfully hunted down by the Galaxy Rangers?"
Boothill: "Hard to say. That thing just vanished without a trace. The Galaxy Rangers are still tracking his trail."
Lumine: "Uh… listening to you guys… this Dr. Primitive sounds pretty formidable?"
Lumine: "He managed to evade the pursuit of the entire Galaxy Ranger faction single-handedly?"
Lumine: "Is it just because he's a member of this… Genius Society?"
Furina de Fontaine: "The Genius Society… sounds like a place only geniuses can stay!"
Hu Tao: "I'm curious, just how much of a genius do you have to be to get into the Genius Society?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Genius enough to catch the gaze of Nous, the Aeon of Erudition. That is the entry requirement."
Nahida: "To require the acknowledgment of the Aeon of Erudition just to enter?!"
Nahida: "That seems incredibly difficult!"
Madam Herta: "It's alright. Not that hard."
Stelle: "Easy for you to say standing there without a backache."
Stelle: "You're an Emanator of Erudition; of course you don't think it's hard!"
Paimon: "Huh?!"
Paimon: "Madam Madam Herta is actually an Emanator of the Aeon of Erudition?!"
Paimon: "Wow, so she's a super big shot too!"
Venti: "To become an Emanator of Erudition… just how powerful must one's brain be?!"
Zhongli: "In terms of universal rationality, it likely represents the pinnacle of wisdom in the cosmos."
Nahida: "The pinnacle of cosmic wisdom… truly fascinating…"
Lumine: "There are just too many big shots in this universe."
Lumine: "It feels like anyone you pick at random is some incredible figure."
Stelle: "Heh, I feel like before long, I'll be a big shot too!"
Stelle: "After all, my reputation as the Galactic Baseballer is already starting to spread across the cosmos!"
March 7th: "Look at you, getting all smug. Get stronger first before you start bragging!"
March 7th: "Save yourself from getting bullied again in the future!"
Stelle: "Who dares bully me?"
Stelle: "Don't they know my good bro is Aventurine?"
Stelle: "Or don't they know General Jing Yuan and I are friends?"
Stelle: "Or perhaps they don't know that Madam Madam Herta of the Genius Society and I are intimate experimental partners?"
Xiangling: "Wow… what a rock-solid background!!"
Hu Tao: "With connections like that, I bet you could walk sideways across the universe!"
Silver Wolf: "Tch, just borrowing authority to look tough."
Silver Wolf: "Works for scaring small factions."
Silver Wolf: "Major powers won't buy that act."
Stelle: "You're right. That's why setting the seas ablaze works better!!"
Stelle: "Hotaru, my dear, if anyone bullies me in the future, YOU HAVE TO PROTECT ME!!!"
Hotaru: "Uh… o-okay! With me here, I definitely won't let anyone bully you!"
Silver Wolf: "Tsk tsk, you just keep spoiling her!"
....
『 Before Boothill could finish speaking, Dan Heng walked over to the table and picked up the half of a jade pendant resting there.
[ Recognize this? ]
Dan Heng displayed it to Boothill.
[ Huh? ]
[ Is that—mother-fudger, a Jade Abacus of Allying Oath?! ]
[ The Xianzhou actually gave that thing to you guys?! ]
Boothill looked at the Jade Abacus, an expression of shock plastered on his face.
[ M-Mother…? ]
Pam listened to Boothill's words with a puzzled look.
[ This is a Jade Abacus gifted to the Express by General Jing Yuan of the Xianzhou Luofu. ]
[ Its presence on this train is the Xianzhou Alliance's certification of the Astral Express's identity. ]
[ Is that sufficient? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Navia Caspar: "Jade Abacus… of Allying Oath?"
Navia Caspar: "What is that?"
Navia Caspar: "Why is Mr. Boothill so shocked upon seeing it?"
Boothill: "How could I not be shocked?!"
Boothill: "That's a Jade Abacus of Allying Oath!!"
Boothill: "I never expected you Astral Express folks, son of a nice lady, to actually get your hands on that thing!"
Boothill: "Looks like you did the Xianzhou a massive favor!"
Fu Xuan: "Indeed. The Astral Express recently extended a helping hand, saving the Xianzhou Luofu from a great catastrophe."
Fu Xuan: "Thus, the General, after much deliberation, gifted this precious Jade Abacus to the Express Crew as a token of gratitude!"
Furina de Fontaine: "So what exactly does this thing do?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "The Xianzhou Alliance's Jade Abacus…"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "As far as I know, it is a supreme token that grants unconditional protection from the Xianzhou Alliance in a critical moment."
Hu Tao: "Protection from the Xianzhou Alliance?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Simply put, as long as you hold this token, no matter where you are or what crisis you face, if you activate it…"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "The Xianzhou Alliance will unconditionally dispatch reinforcements across the sea of stars to help you escape the crisis!"
Boothill: "Heh, it's more than just that."
Boothill: "If the crisis you're facing is truly massive, even a General of the Xianzhou Alliance might personally rush over to help you, regardless of the danger!"
Boothill: "So… do you understand how important that thing is now?"
Furina de Fontaine: "It can even mobilize a Xianzhou General!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Those are Emanator-level super big shots!"
Zhongli: "If that is the case, this Jade Abacus is equivalent to a powerful exemption from death…"
Venti: "Ehe, truly a treasure beyond imagination!"
Venti: "If we in Teyvat were lucky enough to get one of those, wouldn't we be able to sleep soundly?"
Paimon: "Tone-Deaf Bard, stop dreaming."
Paimon: "There's no way we could ever get a treasure like that, right?"
Fu Xuan: "The Jade Abacus is generally only issued to allies who have shown great kindness to the Xianzhou Alliance."
Fu Xuan: "So, if you perform such deeds in the future, it is not impossible to receive a Jade Abacus."
Yanfei: "Great kindness to the Xianzhou Alliance?"
Yanfei: "Hmm… sounds like something impossible to achieve in a lifetime on Teyvat…"
....
『 [ …Alright, kid. ]
[ No matter how vast the galaxy, a simple clench of the fist can summon thousands of Cloud Knights… ]
[ Mother-fudger, that must be a spectacular sight. ]
Boothill knew quality when he saw it. This Jade Abacus was clearly enough to prove the Astral Express's identity, so he holstered his gun.
[ Now it's your turn. ]
Dan Heng began to demand Boothill prove his own identity.
[ The Galaxy Rangers have been out of the spotlight for too long; we don't have that kind of universally recognized fancy stuff. ]
[ But I've seen plenty of situations like this. The solution is simple… ]
[ Come on, ask me whatever you want. See if my answers can earn your trust. ]
[ If you still think I'm suspicious, it won't be too late to ask me to leave then. ]
Boothill offered Dan Heng a method.
[ Why should I cooperate with you? ]
Dan Heng retorted.
[ If I'm really a Galaxy Ranger, you definitely won't lose out by doing so. ]
Boothill answered with confidence.
[ … ]
[ Tell me, what kind of organization are the Galaxy Rangers? ]
Dan Heng remained silent for a moment before asking.
[ Ha, brother, that's a tough question to answer. ]
[ I'd struggle to even call us an organization. ]
[ We're just folks walking the Path of The Hunt, all holding to our own believed justice, and none of us are all that… popular with so-called universal values. ]
Boothill's tone was somewhat dismissive.
[ That kind of answer won't earn trust; it only makes your situation more precarious. ]
Dan Heng didn't buy Boothill's answer.
[ I guess you're fishing for some shared belief, huh? ]
[ But Galaxy Rangers don't need that kind of stuff. What brings us together is a common bottom line. ]
[ Do not bully the weak, do not kill the innocent… ]
[ These oaths aren't some lofty beliefs, but the absolute bottom line a person should never cross. ]
[ As Galaxy Rangers, we only look at the bottom line. Whenever someone tramples on it, the vengeance of The Hunt comes knocking. ]
[ And that's where the other meaning of the bottom line comes in—as long as you don't touch it, you can do whatever you want, understand? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Diluc Ragnvindr: "No so-called oaths, only a common bottom line?"
Diluc Ragnvindr: "Those are true heroes!"
Furina de Fontaine: "The organization known as the Galaxy Rangers feels like they truly support the weak with strength!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Unlike The Family… I don't seem to see any 'supporting the weak with strength' from them?"
Hu Tao: "Yes, I feel the same way."
Hu Tao: "Is it that this isn't the philosophy of Harmony at all, or has The Family distorted Harmony?"
Himeko: "It is likely… that not everyone in The Family is practicing the true philosophy of Harmony…"
Qingque: "Tsk, to uphold justice, you really have to rely on us followers of The Hunt!"
Stelle: "Well said! So when is the Reignbow Arbiter gonna send a little Hunt power my way?"
Stelle: "I'm not asking for a giant Lightning-Lord like General Jing Yuan has, just give me a mini Lightning-Lord and I'm good!"
Jing Yuan: "Hahaha, for that, you'll have to wait until the Reignbow Arbiter acknowledges you."
....