"Ugh…"
A black gravitational field erupted the moment the cane touched Blade's forehead, instantly suppressing the frenzied sword energy around him.
The man had brown hair and wore a stern expression.
Unlike Stelle's memory, he was wearing glasses, and his every movement carried an undeniable, almost oppressive authority.
"Who are you?"
Blade's voice rasped from deep in his throat, hoarse and unsettling.
After the cane strike, some of his madness seemed to recede.
"Mr. Yang!"
March 7th's expression shifted. She quickly moved to Welt's side. "You intervened?"
"Hm? The situation seemed unfavorable. I acted accordingly."
"Mr. Yang, we weren't aiming for a kill," March 7th stated seriously. "Your methods lack restraint. What if he had died?"
Stelle: ???
This version of Mr. Yang feels wrong too. Familiar, yet distinctly different… and that title…
"Hmph. Against Stellaron Hunters, mercy is a weakness." Welt snorted coldly. The cane in his hand morphed, transforming into a familiar purple-black sphere. "Star of Eden, by my command—"
Dan Heng, moving with silent efficiency, locked his arms around Welt's neck from behind.
March 7th simultaneously hoisted his legs.
Together, they lifted him off the ground.
Blade stared, momentarily stunned.
But the sight of Dan Heng nearing the elevator shattered his brief clarity.
With a guttural roar, he reached for his sword, prepared to charge.
"Blade, I'm sorry."
Mechanical arms encircled him from behind, pinning him in place.
An instant later, weightlessness seized him as Firefly, having activated SAM, shot upwards, carrying Blade away through a series of crashing exits until they vanished from the space station.
"He hasn't even experienced death ye—"
Blade's fading cry echoed into nothingness.
"Release me!"
Welt's voice was low and dangerous as he glared at Dan Heng and March 7th.
They stared back, their faces unreadable.
"Have you nothing to say? I will have you know—"
Ring ring ring—
The shrill ring of a phone cut through the tension.
Welt glanced at the caller ID and fell silent for a beat.
He then silently produced a pair of glasses and put them on.
The transformation was immediate; the domineering aura receded, replaced by a more subdued, almost scholarly demeanor.
Dan Heng and March 7th simultaneously inserted earplugs.
Dan Heng offered a spare pair to Stelle.
Given the plot's current trajectory, Stelle, though bewildered, accepted them without question.
"…Hello?" Welt answered the video call, his voice cautious.
"Is this how you answer the phone?! Were you not listening again? The energy signature from Eden's Star just spiked off the charts! I got the alert all the way on Earth! Do you still think you're the reckless fool who fought the Second Herrscher alone? Do you have any idea how worried—!"
Stelle: ???
First Herrscher? Earth? His wife? Just how many backstories have been merged here?!
"…This is a regular occurrence. The caller is his wife. You will acclimatize," Dan Heng explained flatly.
"Mm. His presence is often intimidating, but his nature isn't malicious. He merely becomes… singularly focused against threats," March 7th added.
Stelle could only nod mutely, a strained smile on her face. The First Herrscher… with a wife who scolds him from Earth… right. Sure. Why not?
Welt maintained a pained smile for the camera, gesturing sharply towards the elevator with his free hand, shooing them away.
"Let's proceed. Mr. Yang will… manage this. We should rendezvous with Himeko. He will follow," Dan Heng said, turning away.
"O… okay…"
Stelle's curiosity about this universe's Himeko intensified. She braced herself for another drastic reinterpretation.
A few minutes later.
"Dan Heng, March. You made it back."
Himeko took a graceful sip from her coffee mug, a warm smile gracing her features. "I'm relieved you're safe."
"Would you care for some coffee? …Oh? And who is this?"
"This is Stelle. She was also caught in the Legion's attack and provided us with valuable assistance," Dan Heng recited, once again handling the introductions.
A wave of emotion washed over Stelle. Amidst all the chaos, Himeko's presence—elegant, gentle, and utterly unchanged—felt like an anchor.
She wanted to hug her and never let go.
"Really? The two of you needed help? Stelle must be quite remarkable indeed."
Himeko reached out and gently patted Stelle's head. "Thank you for looking after them. Now, let's find Station Head Asta."
Stelle melted into the touch, nodding dumbly with a soft, "Mm."
…
"Projection radar nominal. Telemetry signal frequency is elevated! Maintain level parameters."
On the command platform, Asta lounged in her chair, directing the station's operations with lazy competence.
She brightened upon seeing Himeko's group.
"Well, if it isn't everyone? Perfect timing~"
Stelle: …
She was beyond surprise at this point.
"Oh? A new face? Aren't you going to introduce us?" Asta teased, crossing her arms.
Dan Heng began, "This is Stelle. She—"
"—Is simply adorable, I see."
Asta smoothly intercepted, leaning uncomfortably close to Stelle. She inhaled subtly, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Well, hello there~ Miss Stelle?"
Stelle's cheeks burned. She retreated a step, utterly flustered by Asta's forwardness. The character archetype was becoming clear: the playful, borderline flirtatious rich girl.
It's somewhat like the pink-haired fox next door.
"Don't be so shy! I'm only teasing." Asta laughed lightly. "I've been briefed on the situation. Thank you, all of you. Arlan would have been overwhelmed without your support."
"Lady Herta's defenses held, for the most part. We lost a few researchers… sigh… But considering it was the Legion, minimizing losses to this extent is an accomplishment."
"What's the next step?"
"Total annihilation. I've requested a planetary assault fleet from my family. We will purge every last Legion creature that dared set foot here."
Stelle's eye twitched. The sheer, audacious wealth and power in that statement… This Asta truly embodied the 'heiress' trope.
"ROAR!"
A deafening roar shook the station. Through the main observation panel, a monstrous purple beast came into view, clawing and tearing at the station's external armor, its sheer size terrifying.
The Doomsday Beast.
Stelle's breath hitched, but she forced calm. There's still time before the shield fails. We need to get to the platform…
"ROAR!"
Another roar, identical to the first, echoed.
Stelle's blood ran cold as a second Doomsday Beast lumbered into view, its gaze locking onto the station.
"…You have got to be kidding me."
CRACK!
As if responding to her despair, under the combined assault of both Beasts, the space station's protective shield splintered, a web of fractures spreading across its surface, poised to shatter completely.