Chapter 19: Interstellar travel
-You lost weight, again...
-Yes...
I nodded softly at Himeko's confirmation.
Who would have thought that getting affectionate with Herta would turn her on again? I admit, I was looking for that a bit. I'm a man, okay?! I have my libido too! But it's unfair that, when Herta gets tired, she exchanges places with her puppets to rest! If it wasn't for that, Herta would never beat me in endurance!
-Nadie, what have you been doing these days? I looked for you but I never found you.
-Eh...
How am I supposed to answer Stelle? I was doing "exercise" with Herta and it lasted two days in a row with hardly any rest in between, that's why you never saw me?
-Nadie.
At that moment, a doll of Herta's came to us, interrupting the conversation between Stelle and me.
-What's up Herta?
Good timing!
-It's important so keep it.
What Herta handed me seems to be a capsule, through the glass you can see what appears to be a special serum.
-Knowing you, I know that in the end you will use the mask even if I forbid it. This serum is of immediate effect, all you need to do is inject it when the situation calls for it. Give it to someone you trust.
As expected from my wife, Herta knows me well....
-Thank you, Herta. Stelle, keep this for me.
-Are you sure?
Stelle looked at me with concern since the two of us were the only ones who heard how important this serum is to me.
-Yes, you are the only one who could keep it. The only situation that would force me to use the mask is protecting you, so it doesn't make sense for someone else to keep the serum.
-Okay.
After listening to my explanation, Stelle accepted the responsibility of storing the serum.
-Well, it's time to go.
At that moment, March could be seen hopping in the direction of the Astral Express.
-Hm~ Let's go!
While I was saying goodbye to Herta, Asta, Alan, Peppy and a few more researchers, Stelle stands watching the Astral Express, her new home, in silence.
-It's time to get on.
Himeko's words bring Stelle back to reality and they too set out to board the Express.
I don't know if I was hallucinating or what, but for a moment the mythical song "Take the Journey" started playing in my head. It was a strange feeling of deep emotions, the combination between the "beginning of a new adventure" and the "nostalgia of many past adventures".
As the Astral Express began to pull away, Stelle, March and I waved to everyone from the window. Asta bowed respectfully, Alan looked at us silently and Herta simply turned her back to leave.
After 3 long years, I will once again leave my home called "Space Station" to restart another adventure.
As the Astral Express finally began to pull away from Herta Space Station, a high-pitched voice caught our attention.
-Ahem!
Stelle and I turned around but found nothing.
-I'm here!
As I looked down, there stood the mascot...I mean, the conductor, Pom-Pom.
-At least they don't treat you like emergency food.
-Huh?! How rude! How could you call Pom-Pom emergency food?! I heard about you from Himeko! Even though you're a somewhat special Emanator, don't think you're such a big deal because we're all special here on the Astral Express!
How... How cuteeeee!
-Can I hug you?
-Kyaa! Get away! I never agreed to be hugged! Let me go!
I'm sorry but it's impossible to restrain myself in front of such a friendly little tsundere creature.
After a few more shouts from Pom-Pom, I had to reluctantly let go.
Now that I notice, ever since I boarded the Express as a crewman, I could feel a new energy surge from deep inside my body. Is this the Way of the Trailblazer? It means I can now make use of the Space Anchor, doesn't it?
-Nadie, do you want to explore with me?
Stelle's voice wakes me up from my thoughts and I could see her eyes shining, it seems that the Trailblazer spirit inside her is already taking effect even before the adventure starts.
-I will go to my room first. Herta prepared it specifically for me, I want to visit before anything else.
-Good idea, can I come with you?
-Of course.
We head in the direction of the sleeping area and I look for my name tag.
-It's this.
After calling the curious Stelle, who keeps running around, we enter my room and find a fantastic view.
Furniture of exorbitant values, bed comparable to a king, state-of-the-art devices and an extremely cozy atmosphere. The room is mostly dark purple, bringing a gothic feeling that reminds me a bit of Herta.
-Wow, this is amazing, Nadie! Your room is on another level! Compared to mine, this is another world!
I totally understand where Stelle's amazement comes from.
Even for me this feels a bit excessive. My room almost looks like the presidential suite of a 5-star hotel....
But, well, my own room on the Space Station is no worse than this either. Herta is always very picky when it comes to the sleeping environment after all.
In a corner, there you can see sitting another of Herta's dolls, only it is deactivated.
I also have my own bathroom, there is a Jacuzzi and much more. The size of this room is simply absurd, it could even be compared to a two-room apartment. No wonder nobody has chosen this room so far; if you don't have enough furniture to decorate it, it's inevitable to feel somewhat empty and lonely.
I checked more or less where Herta kept everything and it's all very neat and tidy. I like it.
-Nadie, let's go explore the rest of the carriages! Let's go!
Being pulled by Stelle, we explored the rest of the carriages with curiosity.
Although I already knew that the Astral Express had connections to Herta Space Station, I never had the chance to get to know it due to how busy I was working (having fun) as Herta's secretary. So this was all new to me as well.
-Welcome to my room!
March proudly introduced us to his room.
-March's room is so pink!
-And her bed so cozy.
I threw myself on the bed and covered myself with the sheet without worrying about the real owner.
-Maybe I should move into this room?
-Hey! What do you think you're doing, Nadie?! Get out of my bed! You can't do that in a lady's room! It's so disrespectful!
Of course, there was no way March was going to keep quiet. But let's talk seriously, there isn't a Honkai Star Rail player out there who has never fantasized about sinking into this fluffy bed.
-It smells good, too.
-Don't smell!
-It smells like flowers, why do all women smell so good? That's so unfair, men's body odor stinks, is this some kind of biological discrimination?
Ignoring March's cries, Stelle lifts the sheet slightly and gets into bed with me as well.
-You're right Nadie, it smells really good~.
-Not another one...
It seems that being ignored by us depressed Marzo a bit. With no other choice, we reluctantly get up so as not to disturb her anymore.
-Have you guys been to see the archives yet?
This girl sure recovers fast.
-You mean Dan Heng's room? Yes, his bed is not very comfortable.
I commented.
-It was a little tight for two people.
Stelle complemented.
-Do you two just crawl into every bed you see...?
March for some reason felt complicated.
-Stelle, let's go see Welt and Himeko's rooms.
They are forbidden territories in the game after all.
-Good idea, I want to try their beds too.
-Hey!
We ignore March's shout and run off to continue exploring the Express.
-*Sigh*. I wonder if this is how Dan Heng felt whenever I caused him trouble...
...
..
.
Unlike the game, as here we are in real life, the jump did not take place immediately and we traveled normally through space for more than a day. This time was very useful to get to know each other better.
I chatted a lot with March, Welt and Himeko. Dan Heng stayed most of the time locked in his room with the files, from time to time I visited him but he is always focused on his own thing, making it difficult to start conversations.
Now that Dan Heng finally stopped being a neet and came out to have a snack with all of us, it was time to explain the situation Stelle and I found ourselves in.
-I'm sorry to bother you guys, could you listen to me for a few minutes? I have something important to tell you.
.