Clang!
The crisp sound of impact rang out once more, yanking everyone’s gaze right back to the control panel.
Xu Zixuan calmly withdrew his bat, turned to Arlan with a dazzling smile, and flashed a thumbs-up.
“Hm?
You said it couldn’t be locked just now?
One whack from me…
and now it looks like it can be operated and locked again!”
March 7th: …
Dan Heng: …
Arlan: …
“Dad rocks!!” Stelle and Caelus raised their bats high and cheered in unison.
Caelus, even quicker this time, whipped out that seemingly ever-present notebook and solemnly wrote: Important Maintenance Insight: If One Strike Does Not Cure, Administer Another Strike.
Arlan stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
But years of experience dealing with the space station’s various “curios” allowed him to quickly regain his composure.
This is probably…
some kind of Path ability.
After all, the star sea was vast and Pathstrider abilities were bizarre and innumerable.
No situation was truly all that surprising anymore.
Nothing unusual.
Nothing unusual at all.
“Come on, let’s go.
None of that ‘I need to stay behind’ talk.”
Xu Zixuan patted Arlan on the shoulder with a smile, motioning him to follow.
“We haven’t reached the point where anyone needs to sacrifice themselves yet.”
“Huh?
Arlan, were you planning to hold the rear all by yourself just now?”
March 7th caught on as well and quickly chimed in.
“No need for that, no need at all!
Leave the Antimatter Legion to us.
You just stick with the group and focus on taking care of yourself!”
The creed of the Astral Express Crew had never been to stand by and do nothing for those in need of help.
“That’s right.
Just trust us!”
Stelle rolled up her sleeves with overflowing confidence, attempting to show off her arm muscles…
It was just a shame that her slender arms displayed absolutely nothing convincing.
“Thank you.
All of you.”
Arlan finally revealed a sincere smile, a warmth surging in his heart.
He didn’t put on any more bravado about refusing, nor did he bring up how his injuries might slow everyone down.
He engraved this kindness in his memory.
“Didn’t expect you to be so kind-hearted,” March 7th nudged Xu Zixuan lightly with her elbow and whispered, “You saw right through Arlan wanting to shoulder everything alone.”
“Of course.
Among those who know me, Xu Zixuan, who wouldn’t say I’m a good guy!”
Xu Zixuan puffed out his chest with pride.
He, Xu Zixuan, was a pure 24K good guy!
Oh, wait.
A 24K pure good guy!
“The repulsion bridge is deactivated?”
“Yes.
This will at least delay the enemy for a while.”
Arlan swiftly pulled up the operating system nearby.
In no time, the repulsion bridge was reestablished.
“Ooh, what’s this glittery thing…
a Light Cone?
Aren’t these rare items exclusive to the IPC’s internal circles?”
March 7th was drawn to a Light Cone shimmering nearby, her eyes sparkling.
“A Light Cone?
What’s that?”
Stelle asked curiously.
Caelus also cast a gaze of eager inquiry.
Having been born less than a few hours ago, the two knew absolutely nothing about common knowledge of the universe.
“Light Cones are created using technology from the Garden of Recollection.
Since they can carry memories with the user, they are exceptionally powerful enhancement-type curios.”
“It’s said the IPC spent a huge sum to purchase the usage rights.
But how Herta got her hands on them is another matter entirely.”
Dan Heng’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly introduced the concept to Stelle and Caelus.
Internally, he was still pondering whether Stelle and Caelus really were employees of Herta Space Station.
The staff of Herta Space Station, while not necessarily geniuses, were all outstanding individuals.
Either highly capable, with high intelligence, or possessing some special talent.
But Stelle and Caelus…
Dan Heng found these two exceedingly simple and naive.
Even accounting for amnesia, this shouldn’t be the case…
As for Xu Zixuan…
in Dan Heng’s mind, Xu Zixuan had long since been branded with the label “Masked Fool.”
“The provenance of these Light Cones is legitimate.
That’s all I can say on the matter.”
Hearing Dan Heng’s words, Arlan quickly clarified on Herta’s behalf.
On Herta Space Station, everyone was a loyal devotee of Madam Herta, tolerating not a single shred of doubt.
“Please, take them for now.
They’ll be a great help in combat.”
Arlan picked up several of the Light Cones placed nearby and urged March 7th and the others to take them.
With Herta Space Station currently under crisis, even the slightest boost in combat strength was welcome.
Xu Zixuan also casually picked up a Light Cone and examined it with genuine interest.
This thing…
could he make one too?
Xu Zixuan rubbed his chin, then followed his own impulse and tested his ability.
“Dad, what are you doing?”
“Whoa, Dad, that Light Cone of yours is so cute!
It’s got a little dog in an astronaut helmet on it!”
Stelle had just chosen her own Light Cone and curiously leaned over to see Xu Zixuan’s pick.
[Woof!
Walk Time!]
“Huh?
What Light Cone?”
March 7th also curiously crowded in for a look.
“Here…”
He openly and generously displayed the Light Cone.
“Huh?
Peppy?”
Seeing this Light Cone, Arlan froze.
The little dog in the spacesuit on the Light Cone…
wasn’t that Asta’s pet, Peppy?
Peppy was Asta’s beloved dog, whom Arlan had looked after since he was young and with whom he shared a very close bond.
There was no way he was mistaken.
But this Light Cone…
he had never seen it on the space station before.
Arlan felt like his CPU was about to fry.
Which Memokeeper was so bored that they made a Light Cone out of Peppy’s memories?!
“Alright, alright.
Don’t get hung up on this for now.
Let’s hurry and go.”
Xu Zixuan silently slipped the Light Cone back into his pocket and whistled a tune.
“Right.
I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while now…”
Arlan couldn’t hold back his curiosity.
“You two just called Mr.
Xu Zixuan your father?”
“Yep.” Stelle and Caelus nodded in unison.
“Huh?
You’re Mr.
Xu Zixuan’s children?” Arlan was somewhat astonished.
“Oh, no.
There’s no blood relation.” The two shook their heads in denial.
Arlan: …
No blood relation and you still call him father?
Arlan found this a bit hard to comprehend.
“Right, Stelle, Caelus,” Xu Zixuan suddenly remembered something and patted both of their shoulders, “You both can see I’m not that old.
When we run into some pretty older sisters later, what should you call me instead?”
Soon he’d be meeting Himeko, and later on he’d encounter the wealthy Asta.
He couldn’t keep letting Stelle and Caelus call him Dad.
How awkward would that be later on?
“Ooh, ooh, we get it!” Stelle revealed a look of tacit understanding.
“When the time comes, we’ll call you Big Bro~”
“So, Dad, are you trying to find us a mom?” Caelus had a sudden epiphany.
“Ahem,” Xu Zixuan cleared his throat and looked at Caelus with expectant eyes, “Now, what should you call me?”
“Big Bro!” Caelus adapted seamlessly, immediately correcting himself, a sly glint twinkling in his eyes.
“So Big Bro is planning to find us a sister-in-law?”
Arlan: “…”
March 7th: “…”
Dan Heng: “…”
“Alright, alright.
Enough banter from all of you!” March 7th facepalmed and let out a long sigh, her voice brimming with exasperation.
“If we dawdle any longer, the Antimatter Legion grunts will surround us again.”
By this point, she felt that even if these three suddenly started performing a triple somersault with a half twist in midair the very next second, she wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest.