"Sigh... It can't even break through my defenses."
Inside the Astral Express Observation Car, traversing the Asdana Star System, Lumina sighed as she watched the passengers around her fall into a deep dream.
Before the Train's Warp, Lumina had considered this possibility and retracted all her defenses, including her self-preservation measures.
Yet upon entering the Asdana Star System, this so-called "Ena's Dream" still couldn't breach her defenses. Lumina couldn't help but feel utterly speechless.
"As expected, everything depends on me alone."
Shaking her head, Lumina rose from her seat and gazed out the window at the starry expanse. She raised her small fist and punched the space before her, creating a faint crack.
Hmm, weak attack power, but impressive defense, huh?
Lumina's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she examined Ena's Dream, which remained unbroken despite her punch. This Ena's Dream isn't as useless as I thought.
She raised her fist again and delivered another punch.
With a swift, decisive strike, Ena's Dream shattered, revealing a completely different scene beyond.
Seeing this, Lumina quickly slipped through the broken section of Ena's Dream to avoid being detected by its creator. She then activated her Abundance power to repair the damage she had caused.
"Perfect!"
Lumina nodded in satisfaction, gazing at the seamlessly restored surface of Ena's Dream.
Since they had only just entered the Asdana Star System and hadn't yet reached Penacony, the Astral Express continued to hurtle through space at lightspeed.
Lumina watched the ever-changing scenery outside the window as the train hurtled forward. Glancing inside, she saw Stelle, Caelus, and March Seventh still sleeping, adapting to the effects of the Memetic Substance. She chose not to wake them, returning to her seat to quietly await their awakening.
Tap... tap... tap...
Before long, a soft, deliberately muffled footstep sounded.
"Eeeh? Passenger Lumina has already adapted to the Asdana Star System's environment, Pom-Pom?"
The newcomer looked at the already awake Lumina, surprise evident in their voice. But in the next instant, they recalled Lumina's identity and quickly suppressed their astonishment.
"Conductor," Lumina replied with a gentle smile, recognizing Pom-Pom's voice.
Lumina then said, "I've been to other star systems covered in Memetic Substance, and places where its concentration far exceeds Asdana's levels. I've long developed a resistance to its effects."
This statement was half-true. Lumina had indeed visited other Memetic Substance-covered star systems and regions with severely elevated concentrations.
However, the claim of resistance was false. From the very beginning, Lumina had never been affected by the Memetic Substance at all.
"Oh... I see, Pom-Pom... Passenger Lumina must have had a hard time."
Pom-Pom, who knew at least some of Lumina's illustrious history, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
Hearing this, Lumina shook her head gently. "It wasn't exactly hardship," she murmured. "I saw many things I would never have otherwise witnessed, and learned much I would never have known. From a certain perspective, I suppose I'm a kind of Nameless myself."
Lumina gazed up at the stars scattered across the Cosmos, a serene smile gracing her lips. Her peerless beauty, combined with that radiant smile, made her seem like a celestial being stepped out of a painting. It was a sight tragically unseen.
Well... Pom-Pom probably didn't count as a person.
"Then, Passenger Lumina, would you like to—"
"I'm sorry, but I won't be joining the Astral Express."
A glint of hope sparked in Pom-Pom's eyes, and its ears began to wiggle excitedly. It was about to invite Lumina to join the Astral Express when she cut it off with a firm refusal.
"Hmm... All right."
Hearing this, Pom-Pom's ears drooped dejectedly.
Seeing Pom-Pom's adorable dejection, Lumina smiled gently. She rose from her seat, walked slowly to Pom-Pom, and crouched down slightly. Raising her evil... no, her flawlessly white and slightly rosy hand, she gently placed it on Pom-Pom's head and began to stroke it.
As she stroked, she said softly, "I only resemble the Nameless in certain ways. My ideals are completely different from theirs."
"Moreover, given my unique circumstances, joining the Astral Express wouldn't be a wise choice."
Feeling the softness of Pom-Pom's head, Lumina began to spout complete nonsense with an air of utmost sincerity.
Truly worthy of being called a "doll," Pom-Pom's head was remarkably soft and incredibly pleasant to the touch. If only it could be used as a body pillow, it would be the epitome of bliss.
Hmm, naturally, compared to a beautiful girl, the difference might as well be as vast as the cosmos.
"Umm... Passenger Lumina..." Feeling the warmth on his head, Pom-Pom couldn't help but squirm a little, clearly enjoying Lumina's caresses.
Lumina's touch seemed almost magical, drawing Pom-Pom into a trance where any resistance melted away...
Noticing Pom-Pom's dazed state and sensing the others were beginning to stir, Lumina withdrew her hand.
"Though I won't join the Astral Express as a Nameless..."
"If the Astral Express ever needs my help, I will not fail them!"
Lumina stood up, her expression solemn and her voice filled with earnest resolve.
How could she not be serious? March 7th, Stelle, Little Swarm, and the others were all aboard the Astral Express. If some catastrophic event led to their complete annihilation, Lumina would lose her mind.
Hmm... of course, even without March 7th and the others, Lumina wouldn't abandon the Astral Express if it faced trouble.
At the very least, she would help within her means.
"Thank you, Passenger Lumina. I will deeply engrave your kindness into the Archive, so all future Nameless will know of it."
Hearing this, Pom-Pom, who had initially looked like he didn't want the conversation to end, gradually became serious, realizing the profound significance of Lumina's words.
Lumina's declaration was practically an official announcement of her alliance with the Astral Express, something Pom-Pom would certainly treat with utmost importance.
"Hmph~ We're almost at Penacony," Lumina hummed softly, gazing out the window as the Train drew closer to the planet's coordinates.
"Yes, we'll arrive at The Reverie Hotel in about half an Hour System Time," Pom-Pom nodded, checking the itinerary.
"I wonder if they'll wake up before we reach The Reverie Hotel?" Lumina chuckled, glancing at the still-sleeping members of their group, who were acclimatizing to the Memetic Substance.
"Not everyone is as... um... as remarkable as you, Passenger Lumina," Pom-Pom replied. Though their destination was near, he wasn't sure when the others would awaken. He walked over to each of them, adjusting their positions to ensure they wouldn't feel too uncomfortable upon waking.
"But they're remarkable in their own ways, aren't they?" Lumina chuckled softly, then settled back into her seat.
"Mm, Passenger Lumina is right. They're all exceptionally remarkable," Pom-Pom agreed.
"Including Passenger March Seventh."
"I'm truly honored to be the Conductor for such a distinguished crew."