Chapitre 11: Chapter 11 Night Talk on the Train
"How do you like it, Orion? How's the view from the train?"
On the Astral Express, Orion Astra and Himeko stood together in the observation car, gazing out through the massive viewing window.
The window is the largest part of the entire carriage, extending along both sides of the train like the wings of a butterfly in full bloom.
Orion thinks the observation car is the most unique feature of the Astral Express. At the center of the carriage is a semicircular sofa with red sides, resembling two soft and delicious cakes, backed by a circle of lush green plants that bring life to the train.
A little further to the side, two large, plush chairs sit together with a chessboard between them.
"It's amazing... I never imagined I could sit on a train and travel across the stars." Orion quietly gazed out the window.
For a moment, the starry scene outside was indescribable. Stars passed by one after another, and Orion couldn't tell if the stars were moving or if the train was.
"Isn't it incredible? I spent many nights here just watching the stars, taking beautiful photos, and going to bed really late." March 7th's voice came from behind. "Oh, by the way, I have all the photos from your space station in my room. Check them out when you get a chance."
"Sure, I will." Orion waved at March 7th.
"It's good to get familiar with things." A calm voice spoke from beside him.
"Good morning, Uncle Welt," Orion greeted, remembering the events of the night before.
*Yesterday...*
Orion and Welt Yang had come to the observation car. They sat in the chairs, gazing at the bright starry sky. For a moment, Orion didn't know what to say.
"I'll get straight to it, Orion. Do you know much about my home planet, Earth?" Welt's voice carried a hint of expectation.
"I've seen it, but not completely," Orion responded vaguely.
"I'm curious to hear more." Welt's expression remained neutral.
"How much do you know about the Aeons?"
"I'm familiar with them, though not deeply. I know a bit," Welt replied, adjusting his glasses; his interest piqued at the mention of the Aeons.
"What about the Remembrance Aeon Fuli? What do you know?" Orion didn't hold back; he trusted the man in front of him.
"Very little, to be honest. There are very few records in the entire universe about the Remembrance Aeon Fuli.
He has only appeared a handful of times," Welt explained. "But according to legend, every time He appears, it marks the emergence of a memory worthy of being preserved in history."
Orion focused, and golden-red particles gathered around him. A pair of powerful twin guns materialized in his hands.
It was the Judgment of Shamash.
"If I'm not mistaken, you know these guns," Orion said.
"Indeed." A look of recollection crossed Welt's face. "In my memory, these guns were once used by a friend of mine, but they were later taken from me."
"Could it be..." Welt mused.
"The reason I can wield these guns is thanks to the power of the Remembrance Aeon Fuli, and the source of this memory is you."
Welt was quick to grasp the situation. Orion's hint made everything clear to him.
"Orion, it seems you're not just anyone," Welt sighed, realizing that Orion and he did not come from the same place, and the power Orion wielded actually originated from him.
Orion's expression turned serious. "Mr. Welt, I apologize for using your memory." To Orion, taking someone's memory without their knowledge was akin to stripping away their dignity. It was deeply disrespectful.
"It's fine. This actually brought back some memories of my home," Welt shook his head, dismissing it. Then he turned to Orion with a serious expression:
"Orion, I must remind you, please don't use this power on the train crew or ordinary people."
Orion nodded, understanding the importance of restraint.
"First, don't let your abilities control you. Second, there's more than one person in the galaxy who can manipulate and influence the memories of others like you."
Orion's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Have you heard of the Garden of Recollection?" Welt asked.
"A bit."
Seeing the recognition in Orion's eyes, Welt continued, "The members of the Garden of Recollection are called Memokeepers."
"Memokeepers ?"
"Yes, they collect memories for the Remembrance Aeon Fuli, but most of them do so through peaceful negotiations."
"A Memokeepers who takes memories without consent is called a Memosnatchers."
"They're not well-regarded in the universe. As a member of the Astral Express, I don't want to see you go down that path."
Orion was touched. "I understand, Uncle Welt." His tone became warmer.
"Good, I'm glad you understand. You're much more sensible than March," Welt said with satisfaction. He could see the seriousness in Orion's eyes; otherwise, Himeko wouldn't have invited him aboard.
"Well, it wouldn't be March 7th if she didn't get into trouble." The two shared a knowing smile, fully aware of March 7th's character.
"March is lively, but she has her own thoughts. I've seen her sit quietly on the sofa all day, just gazing out the window without saying a word."
Walter shared some stories about the Astral Express, and Orion Astra was eager to listen.
"March 7 came from a mysterious piece of space ice called [Six Phase Ice]. When March woke up, she had lost all her memories. She ended up treating the train as her home, not just a mode of transport."
Walter spoke seriously, knowing that Orion Astra would learn these details sooner or later as a member of the train crew.
Orion Astra listened intently. At that moment, his companions were not just game characters but real friends and family. They deserved his full respect.
Meanwhile, three small figures were eavesdropping at the door of the observation car and passenger car.
"Dan Heng, stop squishing me!"
"March, could it be that you're... um... gaining weight?"
"No way! Beautiful girls don't gain weight!"
"Shh, quiet! Don't you want to hear what's being said?"
Stelle put a finger to her lips, urging everyone to listen carefully.
The curiosity stemmed from this...
Late at night, after Stelle had used the restroom, she wandered near the observation car and noticed two figures through the dim light on the door.
"Are those Orion Astra and Welt Yang?"
The sight of these two mysterious figures talking made Stelle curious.
"Orion Astra, I'm sorry, but I just have to hear what you're discussing."
As Stelle pressed her ear to the door with a mischievous smile, a sudden clicking sound startled her.
"Stelle, you're up late, huh?"
A sleepy March 7 appeared in the hallway in pink pajamas, puzzled by Stelle's presence.
Stelle quickly covered March 7's mouth to keep her quiet.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
March 7's eyes widened in surprise, thinking Stelle might be up to something.
After the situation was explained, March 7 relaxed and said, excitedly:
"Why didn't you call me for this?"
Stelle, a bit embarrassed, shrugged and said with a smile:
"I did it on a whim."
The two quickly agreed to keep it a secret, and, with Stelle below and March 7 above, it seemed like they were teaming up.
"Oh, that's great!"
As they were enjoying the conversation, a cold breeze made them shiver.
"Stelle, isn't it a bit chilly out here?" March 7 said, pulling her clothes tighter.
"Yes, a blanket would be nice."
"That's so thoughtful of you," March 7 said, feeling a blanket around her.
"Blanket? I was just listening intently. How could I have a blanket?" Stelle was puzzled.
"Then... what was that just now?" March 7 said, feeling goosebumps.
"It was me," came a voice from behind.
"Ah--!"
March 7 and Stelle were startled again as their mouths were covered.
The starlight from the window illuminated a handsome young man with a calm demeanor, standing silently behind them.
It was Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng! Why are you sneaking around like that?"
March 7 asked in a low, irritated voice, looking fierce.
"Were you looking for a blanket?" Dan Heng asked with his usual calm expression.
"Not that! I'm talking about when did you come out?" March 7 continued, still scared.
"From the beginning."
Dan Heng had been the first to leave, intending to visit the observation car. When he saw Walter and Orion Astra, he stayed hidden. When Stelle stumbled to the door, Dan Heng instinctively stayed in the shadows. Later, when March 7 came out, Dan Heng waited.
He ended up covering March 7 with the small blanket he brought. Now, one more person had joined the eavesdropping team.
As Orion Astra and Walter's conversation shifted to other Aeons...
"Oh, I'm fascinated! What exactly is a C'tan?"
"I once confused them with Aeons, but they're different; a king of the Antimatter Legion can destroy galaxies, and his Havoc Vanguard can obliterate stars."
"Destroy a star?"
Orion Astra was taken aback, as destroying a planet seemed beyond reach, let alone burning a galaxy.
He mentally adjusted his understanding of combat power.
"Aeons, emulator, Path follower, ordinary person."
The gap between these levels was enormous. Even Orion Astra was just a messenger of destiny.
"Don't worry," Walter reassured him.
"As a crew member, anyone who harms you will face the wrath of Himeko and me."
Walter's cane hit the ground heavily, and a dark energy flashed in his eyes, making Orion Astra feel reassured. He believed that if needed, Walter would be able to handle any threat on the space station.
"After all, he is that Welt Yang!"
In Orion Astra's memory, Welt Yang's strength was already peaking at the planetary level. He used his power mainly for protection, but if fully unleashed, he could potentially wipe out civilization.
But now his strength was even more formidable.
Walter then held up a glowing black sphere surrounded by floating patterns.
"This is the Star of Eden," Walter said calmly, "a fake I created, but it's been with me for years. It's not much different from the real one."
"This gift is too much," Orion Astra said, feeling awkward since they had only known each other for a day.
"Is Uncle Yang's trust in me this high?"
"Come closer," Walter said.
Orion Astra leaned in, and Walter whispered something. Orion Astra's eyes brightened.
"I understand, Mr. Walter. I'll do as you ask if needed."
"Then I can rest easy." Walter reclined on the sofa, looking a bit lonely.
Orion Astra took the Star of Eden into the mirror space.
"Next time, let's watch something together," Walter said. "Maybe a giant robot or something."
Walter's eyes showed surprise, and he agreed, "Okay, I'll show you some classics from my hometown."
"It's a deal," Orion said before leaving.
As he walked away, he noticed how quiet the carriage had become.
"Must be my imagination," he thought.
That night, no one knew what Orion Astra and Welt Yang discussed except for them.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone