Under Tingyun's incredulous gaze, Pei Guang and March 7th deftly packed the Mara-struck soldiers into trash cans, slipping pacifiers into their mouths as they drifted off, each soldier unknowingly beginning to sip on a strange, dark liquid. One Cloud Knight's eyes widened with horror, "You abominations of Abundance!"
The word stung as Pei Guang's technique did seem a bit… unorthodox, and from the Cloud Knight's perspective, suspiciously similar to that of an abomination's. Drawing his weapon, he charged Pei Guang with a yell, only to have his stance broken by Pei Guang's swift parry. March 7th took the chance to slip a coffee bottle into his mouth, giving a firm squeeze to ensure he drank up. In seconds, his eyes rolled back, and he slumped into sleep.
Another Cloud Knight tried to follow suit but met the same swift takedown, finding himself packed into another trash can and promptly provided with coffee. With a shake of his head, Pei Guang muttered, "Everyone's nuts here—attacking anyone they see?"
March 7th shrugged. "Maybe it's a Stellaron thing?"
Pei Guang nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. Stellaron effects show up in all kinds of ways, right? Not to worry—anyone who runs into us is basically already saved. Huh? Oh, look! That lady with the long tail over there—she looks controlled, too!"
Tingyun could no longer hold back the impulse to intervene.
As Pei Guang and March 7th drew closer, she spoke up: "I'm grateful for the help you've provided, but surely, my benefactors, we can resolve this without violence?"
March 7th paused, considering. "See that, Pei Guang? She sounds normal and not controlled at all."
Pei Guang studied Tingyun for a moment before saying, "You're right. Alright, Miss, you're welcome for the rescue—usually, it's the part where you thank us properly for being your heroes."
March 7th chuckled. "It sounds so wrong coming from you, Pei Guang."
"Oh, come on, it's classic hero-saves-the-beauty stuff. Although, y'know, the 'thank you' part could be handled a few ways."
Curious, Stelle asked, "What do you mean?"
Pei Guang mused, "Well, if the hero's handsome, the lady usually says, 'For saving my life, my only choice is to offer you my hand in marriage!'"
March 7th laughed. "And if he's not handsome?"
"Then she'll say, 'I owe you a debt that I'll repay in my next life as a trusty mule!'"
Before she could respond, Tingyun herself laughed, breaking the tense mood. "You three are… unique. I'm Tingyun, Envoy of the Xianzhou Luofu's Sky-Faring Commission, grateful to my rescuers. But, may I ask, why are you capturing Cloud Knights?"
Pei Guang looked at her in shock. "What? Capture them? Come on, look close with those pretty eyes. This is a rescue mission! Right, Stelle?"
Stelle looked at the barrels of Mara-struck soldiers and Cloud Knights and agreed, "That's right! We're at forty-four saved now, and with you, Fox Lady, that's forty-five. If we don't get good loot from this, I'll make sure my lance has a few words with someone."
March 7th nodded. "Yep, that's a solid forty-five lives! Even if those Mara-struck ones can't be healed, we've got thirty-eight healthy ones left."
As Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th shared their own brand of logic, Tingyun was speechless. Welt, who had almost stepped in to explain, decided to let Tingyun draw her own conclusions. Observing the trash cans closely, she could see that those without pacifiers seemed simply asleep, some even looking familiar as her own fallen guards. Their wounds had healed, and their breathing was steady.
The Mara-struck were still… unusual. But despite being Mara-struck, they, too, seemed calm, as if pacified by some sort of sedative rather than Abundance's influence.
Relaxing a bit, Tingyun smiled and introduced herself formally. "It seems I've misunderstood. Once again, my sincerest gratitude, benefactors, I am Tingyun, Envoy of the Luofu Sky-Faring Commission. Might I know your honorable names?"
The three Trailblazers all drew their weapons.
Pei Guang cleared his throat, his expression suddenly serious. "Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll show mercy and tell you." He gave Stelle a meaningful look.
Confused, Stelle mouthed back, What next?
Pei Guang groaned. "You don't know Pokémon? Or Team Rocket? Are you GG or MM?!"
"Uh… huh?" was all Stelle could manage.
Realizing he'd have to teach her this "classic intro," Pei Guang pulled Stelle and March 7th into a quick huddle to sort out their lines.
Having squared away their script, they assumed a formation: Pei Guang at the front, Stelle to his left, and March 7th at the back. Clearing his throat, Pei Guang began, "Since you've asked sincerely…"
Stelle took her cue, brandishing her bat as it glowed faintly blue. "Then we'll show mercy and tell you!"
March 7th raised her bow to the sky. "To protect Xianzhou from the destruction!"
Pei Guang held up his wooden sword solemnly. "To bring order and peace to every nation!"
Stelle continued, "To extend our love and justice to the universe above!"
March 7th struck a cute pose, finishing with a flourish: "We're the lovable heroes!"
Pei Guang: "We are the Trailblazers, traveling through the galaxy!"
Stelle: "A bright white tomorrow awaits us!"
Watching the trio's grand display, Tingyun couldn't help but smile, applauding lightly. "So, you're the famous Trailblazers of the Astral Express! I've heard much about you. But, may I ask each of your names?"
With a smirk, Stelle pulled out her bat and introduced herself confidently, "I'm the Galactic Baseballer, Stelle!"
March 7th added, balancing her bow across Stelle's bat, "And I'm the Galactic Archer, March 7th!"
Pei Guang placed his wooden sword on top of theirs with equal pride. "I am the Galactic Swordman, Pei Guang! Together, we're the fearless Trailblazers of the galaxy!"
But as soon as they finished, Stelle suddenly remembered something important. "Uh-oh, Pei Guang! We were supposed to keep a low profile, but we just gave our whole intro away!"
Pei Guang looked shocked. "Oh, no! Got carried away! The mood was just right, you know? But hey, no problem! We'll just… silence anyone who heard. That way, our identities stay perfectly hidden."
March 7th gave him a thumbs-up, laughing. "Pei Guang, you truly are a genius!"
Feeling Tingyun's curious gaze, Welt pulled out his phone, pretending to scroll through messages. Even he felt the toe-curling embarrassment of the scene, let alone poor Tingyun.