Meanwhile, with Argenti and Stelle... Argenti placed a hand over his chest: "I apologize for my abruptness. It is rather odd to suddenly request to speak with you alone.
In fact, I have a strong feeling that, as a Knight of Beauty, this is a battle I must face—
I believe I should disembark the Astral Express, confront the Everwinter Shadewalker head-on, attack its stomach lining with my spear to make it convulse, and force it to vomit out the Astral Express."
"Just you alone?"
"I find it difficult to describe this phenomenon, but when I witness certain things, a feeling of 'Beauty' arises from the depths of my heart.
It is vague and can only be perceived by instinct."
Argenti turned around, then continued.
"Perhaps I have wandered the galaxy alone for too long, making it hard to understand the origin of this feeling.
But I know that as a knight, my duty is to protect the seed that contains 'Beauty',
to stand before it and defend it against everything... And now, the Astral Express is that seed."
He looked at the others on the Astral Express: Himeko, Welt, March 7th, Dan Heng, and also Villett and Jiang Lin.
"This place gives me a sense of belonging, a warmth like home. I believe this stems from the deep affection you all share."
Argenti placed a hand over his chest, his tone resolute.
"Therefore, I vow to be a shield, to defend this warmth, rather than to live in complacent comfort and let it, in turn, become a shield protecting me."
However, at this solemn and serious moment, Jiang Lin suddenly leaned over.
"Defend what? What are you defending? Emperor Wu of Han?"
Interrupting Argenti's declaration, he also alerted Stelle, who then put her hands on her hips, her face serious:
"No matter what, I can't let you go alone."
Argenti looked at the two with a forced casualness, helpless:
"After this, I will find a way to escape on my own.
Even if I am pierced by a bug's horn, it matters not. The closer I am to death, perhaps the closer I am to the path of 'Pure Beauty'."
Argenti smiled faintly:
"I apologize for my verbosity. I am truly not skilled at expressing myself.
So, please, do not stop me."
Stelle still shook her head, then gave Jiang Lin a look... Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow. Although he had no experience cooperating with Stelle, he seemed to... understand? Probably?
Was she telling him to be ready to lull Argenti to sleep at any moment?
"Are you worried about me? Thank you... thank you..."
Argenti solemnly gave them a knight's bow.
"Your understanding is more precious than any treasure. I have encountered many travelers, too many sycophants and scornful provocateurs.
What is rare is a similar innocent heart. But I have made my decision."
Then, Stelle and Jiang Lin exchanged glances... and then, Argenti peacefully fell asleep... The two then helped him to a sofa in the observation car.
Afterward, Jiang Lin looked at Stelle: "He talks a lot, don't you think?"
Stelle nodded, sitting next to Argenti: "If only I had such eloquence..."
"He just said he wasn't good with words, didn't he?"
"And you believed him?"
At this moment, March 7th, noticing the situation here, couldn't help but ask in confusion:
"Uh... what happened to him?"
"He fell asleep," Jiang Lin said calmly, then sat next to Stelle.
"Huh? Now? He must have good sleep quality."
March 7th was somewhat incredulous.
At this time, the other people on the Astral Express also noticed what was happening.
They all looked at Stelle and Jiang Lin... Eventually, Stelle, unable to withstand the pressure, had to speak:
"He wanted to challenge the Everwinter Shadewalker alone, and then Jiang Lin and I took care of him."
"You didn't seem to exert any effort."
Jiang Lin calmly corrected the error in Stelle's words.
"I exerted sight. Sight is also effort."
Stelle raised her head, proud of her wit.
March 7th silently took a half-step back.
"I see. I'm not surprised he had such an idea.
I must admit that when I see similar behavior, I occasionally think of my younger self.
Rationally, I do not approve of this approach."
Welt said with emotion... while Villett's expression was extremely exaggerated:
"This guy said he'd die without regrets, talking about bidding farewell to his potted plants, so he wasn't joking after all?!
He was serious? Good thing you guys handled him..."
Stelle seemed to discover something new... "What? Are you starting to worry about him?"
"Don't talk nonsense, that's not true. I don't care about him at all. I'm just concerned about what will happen to the turning point in my life if he dies?
It's hard to understand. Better a living dog than a dead lion. Why is he so stubborn?"
Villett quickly retorted... but the more he argued, the softer his tone became, until finally, he reluctantly admitted:
"Alright, I am starting to worry.
This single-minded fellow, does faith truly matter more than life to him?
No, when he wakes up, I need to have a fight with him!"
However, just then, Jiang Lin seemed to sense something... His lips curved slightly upward.
Looking at the people on the Astral Express:
"The giant bug is about to convulse, Conductor, prepare to burst out!"
Pam was slightly startled... "Huh?"
And in the starry sky,
the Everwinter Shadewalker, after continuous effort, finally felt something.
A moment later... with a gaping maw, an Astral Express shot out from its mouth.
Everwinter Shadewalker: F-finally, it's out.
But as it concentrated and sensed its surroundings... My... my king?
Its already small brain instantly crashed.
— — — —
Astral Express
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, we made it!"
March 7th jumped up happily... But before she could rejoice for long, she noticed the huge fireworks outside the Astral Express... "W-what is that? Did the Astral Express cause... a cosmic explosion?" March 7th went to the window.
Jiang Lin recognized it at a glance: "An illusion."
"Yes, it's caused by the Everwinter Shadewalker. With such a big commotion, we must have collectively inhaled its 'wing dust'." Welt agreed.
"Huh? So that giant bug was also an illusion?" March 7th asked curiously.
"That part is real." Jiang Lin stood up and also walked to the window.
After some time... "If Argenti were still awake, he would definitely think these fireworks are beautiful, but thankfully we captured them... I'll show them to him later."
March 7th held up her camera... Then... "Eh?! Why is it all blank? Where are the fireworks?"
March 7th anxiously flipped through the film.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Lin was a little at a loss for words... But he finally reminded her... "Is it possible... that illusions can't be photographed?"
"Huh? But when I took the pictures... they showed up on the camera screen?"
March 7th looked bewildered. At this moment, Stelle took the opportunity to grab her camera... Jiang Lin took a deep breath: "Then is it possible that the illusion... is affecting your visual nerves?"
At this moment, Jiang Lin seemed to somewhat understand why the Truth Doctor would have misophonia... March 7th immediately felt a bit embarrassed... until she saw Stelle's actions... "What are you doing? You don't actually think I'm silly, do you? I just instinctively took pictures at the time, I just didn't think too much about it."
Seeing Stelle continue... "Hey, stop taking pictures..."
March 7th quickly stepped forward and covered the lens...