Long Night Moon nodded affirmatively, raising a hand to gently wipe away March 7th's tears: "Yes. And this... is merely the prologue of the story. In Amphoreus, during those years of fighting against the black tide, there are many more praiseworthy legends, many more stories of courage, sacrifice, and hope..."
"I want to hear them! I must hear them!"
March 7th nodded vigorously, as if afraid her sister would change her mind, and unconsciously clutched Long Night Moon's sleeve, as if grasping a rope connecting her to the past.
Long Night Moon, however, glanced at the clock in the carriage at that moment, a perfectly timed hint of regret on her face.
She gently patted March 7th's hand: "Today... it's already very late. This story is long and will take many nights to tell. Tomorrow... if nothing unexpected happens, at this time tomorrow, you come here again, and I'll continue telling you, my dear sister~"
"Eh? Why can't you stay?"
March 7th asked, puzzled. She hoped her sister could stay on the Astral Express.
Long Night Moon smiled helplessly: "Sister is currently... working for a 'big shot'. I'm not free to do as I please~ It was hard enough to take leave this time, and I rushed here specifically to see you after hearing about you."
Her tone carried a hint of self-mockery, and a faint bitterness of being "forced by life."
March 7th felt a huge surge of emotion upon hearing this.
(So Sister has it so hard! She even had to take time off just to see me!)
Long Night Moon took the opportunity to open her arms and gently embraced March 7th again.
This hug had less of a testing nature and more of the warmth between'sisters'.
She whispered in March 7th's ear, her voice carrying a gentle allure:
"So... be a good girl and listen to your sister, okay?"
"Mm! Okay, Sister!"
March 7th hugged Long Night Moon back tightly, her voice firm.
At this moment, she almost completely believed this sudden sister and the magnificent story she told about Amphoreus, the black tide, and their common origin.
(So easy to fool.)
Finally, Long Night Moon released her slightly, her crimson eyes seriously looking at March 7th, her tone becoming a little more serious:
"There are a few more things you need to remember. First, don't tell anyone about me, or our conversation tonight. Second, don't let anyone know about our future meetings either."
"Ah? Not even Sister Himeko, Danheng, or Uncle Yang?"
March 7th hesitated a bit, feeling it was wrong to hide such important matters from her companions.
"Especially them."
Long Night Moon's tone was unyielding, "This is a secret just between us sisters, okay? Promise your sister."
Looking at Long Night Moon's 'earnest' and 'mysterious' eyes, March 7th struggled internally for a moment, but ultimately, the longing for 'familial affection' won out. She nodded: "...Okay, I promise you, Sister."
"Such a good girl~"
Long Night Moon smiled contentedly, hugging March 7th gently again, "Then... see you tomorrow."
As her voice faded, under March's somewhat reluctant gaze, Long Night Moon's figure, like mist merging into the night, silently disappeared without a trace.
Only a faint fragrance remained in the air.
The carriage, which had just been filled with'sisterly warmth' and a shocking story, instantly became empty and quiet.
March 7th felt a strong sense of loneliness, as if everything that had just happened was an overly real dream.
Subconsciously, she turned her gaze to the sofa where Xing had been, wanting to find some comfort, or at least share her complex feelings with Xing.
However—
The sofa was empty.
The unfinished bucket of instant noodles was gone, and Xing was nowhere to be found.
"Xing?... Did she go back to sleep?"
March 7th scratched her head, her pink hair getting even messier. Her face was full of confusion and a hint of wistfulness.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!