Chapter 231: Zhitobog's Grand Opening
The ripple effect of Dan Heng's "Anchor Theory" had not yet subsided in the chat group, and its most direct beneficiary—Stelle—was in a state of pure, unadulterated ecstasy.
Inside the private bathhouse on Amphoreus, Stelle was practically vibrating with energy, dancing circles around March 7th. She gestured wildly, her voice a conspiratorial whisper that was anything but quiet. "I'm the protagonist... It's me! Massive benefits are coming my way!" Her grin was so wide and brilliant it was almost blinding.
March 7th, by sheer force of habit, simply stood with her arms crossed, watching Stelle's antics with a deadpan expression. It wasn't the first time the girl had spontaneously combusted with excitement, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
But when Stelle grabbed for her hand, trying to pull her into some bizarre, impromptu dance she called the 'Celebration of the Protagonist's Birth,' the pink-haired girl's patience finally snapped.
"Hey! You! Settle down!" March 7th's fist shot out, and without a shred of ceremony, she delivered two solid bonks directly to Stelle's fantasy-filled head. The impacts were sharp enough to instantly raise two very visible bumps on her scalp.
"Waaah! That hurts!" Stelle immediately squatted down, clutching her head with both hands and letting out an exaggerated, theatrical wail.
She looked up at March 7th, her eyes glistening with crocodile tears. "Where's the gentle, slightly goofy March 7th I used to know? Why are you so aggressive all of a sudden? You hit way too hard!"
If she had just left it at that, things might have been fine. But her choice of words was like tossing a lit match into a puddle of oil.
March 7th immediately rolled up her sleeves, a vein pulsing at her temple. She leaned in close to where Stelle was still squatting on the ground, her voice dropping to a dangerously sweet tone. "Oh~? You've gotten bold, haven't you? Calling this young lady goofy? And saying I'm aggressive? It seems those two hits were too light. They didn't help you fully realize the error of your ways!"
Seeing the genuine glint of impending violence in March's eyes—a look that promised a very 'physical' form of calming down—Stelle's survival instincts kicked into overdrive. The clownish act vanished in an instant.
"No, no, no! March 7th, my hero, my liege! Spare me! I was wrong! I'll shut up!" As she spoke, she scrambled to her feet, using both hands and feet to nimbly hop back several steps, putting a safe distance between herself and the fuming archer.
"Stand still! How dare you run your mouth!" March 7th clearly had no intention of letting her off so easily and immediately gave chase.
One ran, the other pursued, enacting a familiar, chaotic chase scene that temporarily made them forget all about time paradoxes, worlds of consciousness, and anchor theories.
Ultimately, it was Welt who brought an end to the discussion in the chat.
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Welt: "Dan Heng's speculation provides us with a direction for understanding the current situation. However, whether the truth of Amphoreus is an anomaly in the flow of time, a more complex world of consciousness, or some other phenomenon we have yet to comprehend..."
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Welt: "One fact remains unchanged: there are immense risks hidden here. Specifically, the existence of at least three Emanator-level beings, whom our current strength is absolutely incapable of confronting directly."
His words sobered everyone up, including the recently ecstatic Stelle. The Emanators lurking in the shadows were like a sword of Damocles, hanging over all their hearts.
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Welt: "Therefore, our current top priority remains unchanged: to quickly find and gather all possible reinforcements. Whether it's Ms. Herta's wisdom, Ms. Kafka's combat power, or other potential support, all are essential for us to deal with the crisis in Amphoreus."
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Welt: "Stelle, Dan Heng, March 7th, when you explore inside Amphoreus, you must focus on your own safety. Try to avoid direct conflict with Emanator-level beings, and focus on gathering intelligence while waiting for reinforcements. Understand?"
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Dan Heng: "Understood."
[Honkai: Star Rail] - March 7th: "Got it, Uncle Welt! We'll be careful."
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Stelle: "...Alright, got it, Uncle Welt. We'll be careful."
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Himeko: "Welt is right. Safety is the top priority. We will also act quickly on the outside."
After giving his instructions, Welt's attention shifted away from the group chat. He refocused entirely on reality, looking at Sunday, who had been waiting patiently beside him, an inquisitive look in his eyes.
"Sunday, I've kept you waiting." Welt pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and began to move carefully deeper into the dark, silent space station alongside the Halovian, explaining what had just transpired.
"That was about the 'interdimensional chat group' that Stelle and the others mentioned earlier..."
Welt chose to be forthright. The Astral Express crew hadn't deliberately hidden the chat group's existence from Sunday before, and in such an unknown and perilous situation, sharing information was crucial for companions fighting side-by-side. He briefly explained how they had re-established contact with Stelle's team, the discovery of the time anomaly on Amphoreus, and the discussion that followed.
Sunday listened quietly, a flicker of surprise crossing his handsome face, but he quickly regained his composure and gave a slight nod.
"I see. It's good that you've reconnected with Miss Stelle and the others. However, this planet, Amphoreus, is indeed more mysterious and dangerous than we anticipated."
While Welt and Sunday continued their exploration of Herta Space Station, the conversation in the chat group had sparked action elsewhere.
On the other side of the dimensional divide, in a place the locals called Wildfire Town on the outer ring of New Eridu, a slightly hurried knock sounded from outside the lounge where Wise and Belle were staying.
"Coming!" Belle called out. She exchanged a puzzled look with her brother. Who would be looking for them at this hour?
Wise walked over and opened the door. Standing outside were several core members of the Sons of Calydon—Caesar, Lucy, and Bernice, among others.
Upon seeing them, Lucy planted her hands on her hips, her tone carrying a familiar hint of complaint. "I swear, you Proxies really are busy people! I've been trying to find you for the past few days, but I can only ever seem to catch you at this time of night. Where do you two run off to during the day?"
Before she could finish, Caesar impatiently elbowed her aside.
"Lucy, why beat around the bush with the Proxies? Just get to the point!"
Caesar's voice was a booming baritone, a hearty smile spreading across his face as he looked at Wise and Belle. "Proxies! Tomorrow! Our Sons of Calydon's rebuilt Zhitobog is officially opening for business!"
"How about it? Want to come to our grand opening ceremony? Join our celebration feast for the Sons of Calydon becoming the new top dogs around here? Guaranteed to be a blast!"
Bernice also poked her head out from behind Caesar, adding with a grin, "That's right, that's right! And there'll be unlimited fuel drinks! Plenty for everyone!"
Lucy, who had been shoved aside, watched Caesar's utterly graceless method of invitation, a vein throbbing on her forehead. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her rising temper, and finally roared, "CAE—SAR—!"
Her shout was so forceful it made her hat bounce slightly before settling back down. "How can you invite guests like that?! It's so rude!"
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