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Chapter 82 - Honkai: Star Rail — Kamen Rider! [82] [200 STONES]

The Knights of Beauty.

Throughout the galaxy, this was an exceptionally renowned organization.

Yet, the reason they gathered was neither ideology nor creed.

Their reason for unity was simple—the peerless, unparalleled beauty of Idrila, the Aeon of Beauty.

Unfortunately, after Idrila's mysterious disappearance from the galaxy, the organization had nearly fragmented into pieces.

Though remnants still wandered the galaxy, today's Knights of Beauty were but a pale shadow of their former glory.

Yet, even now, they steadfastly maintained their devotion to classical beauty, imposing upon themselves strict codes of chivalry.

They believed that only those possessing flawless bodies, wisdom, and spirits were qualified to claim themselves as devotees of Idrila.

They lived their lives faithfully adhering to Idrila's ideals. Yet, sadly, Idrila did not always accompany them.

Nevertheless, the knights continued to uphold their principles with unwavering dedication.

If you asked anyone in the galaxy about trustworthy people, many would mention the Knights of Beauty.

Because they weren't fanatical zealots obsessed with Idrila, nor did they react harshly to criticism or ridicule.

They understood that everyone had their own definition of beauty.

Even so, their sole mission across the cosmos was promoting Idrila's unmatched beauty, expecting nothing more.

If you ever uttered the phrase, "Idrila, Aeon of Beauty, is unparalleled in splendor," to any knight, you'd instantly gain their favor and assistance.

Precisely because of this, they often became targets of pranks by Masked Fools under the Aeon of Elation's command.

Conversely, another group serving the Aeon of Elation, the Mourning Actors, would often lend aid.

This peculiar relationship followed the Knights of Beauty across the stars, persisting even today.

And now, appearing before Sora and Robin was precisely one such knight—a man named Argenti.

With fiery crimson hair like blazing flames, he wore classical armor that accentuated his dignified stature.

Of course, people more frequently called him the "Emperor of Welding."

Why, you ask?

Hmph, say no more. It's time to weld!

"I hereby once again greet you both, bearing the weight of this rose."

Meeting once more, Argenti mysteriously produced yet another rose for Sora and Robin.

Watching his repeated rose-summoning trick, Sora suspected Argenti must have some kind of personal storage space similar to his own.

After all, classical armor didn't exactly have pockets suitable for roses, yet Argenti conjured them effortlessly.

He was practically like a tokusatsu protagonist, pulling transformation belts from thin air through a convenient dimensional pocket.

"It's quite embarrassing to admit," Argenti began apologetically, "but my spacecraft encountered a tiny issue while drifting in the galaxy. Without your aid, who knows how long I would have remained adrift?"

He continued earnestly, "Of course, this must also be Idrila's trial. And undoubtedly, you two are the friends who shall help me surpass it!"

Sora, having not said a single word yet somehow already elevated to friendship status, felt utterly baffled.

Is this really your character? Didn't you first get into a fight with the people aboard the Astral Express before getting along?

Noticing Sora's expression, Argenti turned his gaze upon him directly.

"Especially you, sir. In you, I sense an extraordinary beauty—so dazzlingly unique! Could it be that you too follow Idrila, the Aeon of Beauty?"

Huh?!

Sora was bewildered. How had the conversation suddenly turned to him, and why was the Aeon of Beauty suddenly involved?

Just as he struggled with a reply, Robin smoothly stepped forward, rescuing him:

"It goes against a knight's basic courtesy to pry into another's personal beliefs."

Argenti's eyes widened dramatically at Robin's words. "Have I unknowingly committed such an offense?"

He quickly turned back to Sora, deeply apologetic: "Please forgive my earlier rudeness, sir. Your brilliance was simply too blinding for me to ignore."

"As compensation, I vow to dedicate your name daily to Idrila for the next thirty days, ensuring her eternal blessing upon your journey."

The more Sora listened, the more uncomfortable he became. Offer up my name?

Why does that sound like I'm already dead? This feels wrong somehow.

Robin was about to correct Argenti again, but Sora immediately tugged her back.

"Let's drop this side discussion for now. Getting to the main point is more important."

Robin understood clearly—any more talk would likely entangle them further, so she quickly redirected the conversation.

As for Sora, he now felt that Argenti's gaze upon him was increasingly unsettling—as if Argenti intended to convert him into a believer. To avoid further entanglement, he withdrew, leaving Robin to handle questioning.

Robin's inquiry was straightforward: she simply asked why Argenti had ended up stranded in space.

"Everything was surely Idrila's trial upon me..."

Then Argenti recounted something that left both Sora and Robin utterly astonished.

"I sensed Idrila's call, directing me to my trial…"

"Thus, I traveled to the Termus system, ending a seventy-eight-light-year-wide conflict so that its inhabitants could live in peace."

"At the edge of a black hole, I heard desperate pleas, rescuing beings unwilling to surrender their hope for life…"

"I could not bear their suffering, so I chose to bring them here for treatment…"

"However, en route, I encountered the Swarm. After saving all aboard that vessel, I intended to eradicate every insect."

"And thus my greatest challenge arrived: I ran out of fuel."

Argenti wore an expression of genuine regret, seemingly disappointed he hadn't completed his trial in one go.

But as they listened, Sora and Robin's mouths hung open in disbelief.

Seeing the unconscious figures aboard Argenti's vessel only left them more speechless.

It's actually more amazing your ship's fuel lasted this long!

After hearing Argenti's incredible feats, they couldn't help but admire him—a true Knight of Beauty indeed.

"Well then," Sora sighed softly, "let's help however we can."

"Ah! If you choose to share your radiant brilliance, then naturally I shall accompany you."

"Stop exaggerating," Sora cut in, flustered. "I'm just an ordinary person. Just call me Sora."

He and Robin quickly prepared the advanced medical equipment aboard their luxury spacecraft.

"Sora? What a fine name!" Argenti praised again spontaneously. "Allow me to formally introduce myself once more—I am Argenti, a knight of the Knights of Beauty."

"Yeah, yeah, got it. Go rest inside and stop getting in the way." Sora felt the more Argenti lingered, the stranger things would get. Best to send him off quickly.

"If it's your request, I shall naturally comply."

Finally seeing Argenti leave, Sora breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is there something special about me?"

He examined himself repeatedly, finding nothing remarkable apart from slightly more toned muscles—a mere side effect of wielding power, not brilliance.

Who knows what he saw? But that guy really is a superhuman…

Ending wars, diving into black holes to rescue people, charging into ships ravaged by insects—Argenti practically embodied heroism to the extreme, never pausing once.

Now it was Sora's turn to handle things.

He placed the uniformed survivors into medical capsules, carefully attending to their recovery.

Clearly, these were the individuals rescued from the insect-infested ship.

After settling them, Sora moved deeper into Argenti's vessel, eventually encountering a slender girl in a loose, white dress, eyes shut tightly.

Under the dim lighting, her frail figure lay still, unconscious.

Is this the girl Argenti rescued from the black hole?

Approaching closer, Sora found her face oddly familiar.

Just then, her eyelids fluttered, and she opened her eyes—eyes glowing faintly with a yellow-green luminescence, reminiscent of fireflies, though dimmer compared to those etched in his memory.

Yet, the familiar gaze paired with her strikingly recognizable features immediately flooded his mind with infamous declarations:

Leave now, and nobody gets hurt!

I will set the sea ablaze!

I will show you everything I have...

Sora staggered two steps backward, instantly on guard.

Oh no. After your colleagues, now it's your turn, huh?

Are you planning another Rider battle?

Then I, Kamen Rider Ixa, will gracefully withdraw first!

Unexpectedly, the girl mirrored his cautious stare, warily studying him in silence. Her lips moved without making a sound, her hands trembling helplessly.

A realization dawned on him. Brows furrowing, Sora asked softly:

"You…can't speak?"

Slowly, cautiously, she nodded.

It seemed he'd encountered another familiar flower.

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