This is a memorial monument for unknown soldiers of the Republic. Every name engraved on them corresponds to a soldier whose body we could not recover… ...And to Star Whisperers, who can’t leave a body behind. Can’t leave a body behind? Is that true? Yes. When a Star Whisperer suffers a fatal injury, what makes up their bodies rapidly decays… and crumbles like sand. …… Ahaha… seems like I let out something terrifying… Don’t worry about it! Rather, it actually saves us some trouble, right? Hahaha… …… Speaking of which - did you notice what I put on my shoulder? Is that… a military rank insignia? That’s right, it’s for the “Deputy Army Commander”. When going to the fortress I wear it in accordance with the regulations. But wearing this thing while in power armor… It’s ok for a while, but it can get really uncomfortable. That’s why my soldiers and I usually take them out! Ahaha… About that… Speaking of the power armor, I’ve been wondering… Miss Rowland actually has Honkai resistance, wouldn’t it be better to not wear such heavy armor? Ah… in terms of agility, that would indeed be the case… But personally - Since the other soldiers have to operate something so heavy every day, shouldn’t I as well? Without understanding the difficulties the soldiers experience it would be difficult for me to give accurate orders on a battlefield where mobility is needed. ...For as long as one serves as a military commander, a single command they give could determine the life and death of countless people. Every soldier must remember that. …… Ah… Why did it have to become a heavy topic again? Let’s go! Across the valley - To tunnels and fortresses! Is this… a railway? Are we going by train? Indeed. Be it soldiers or supplies, as long as it’s not an emergency, it will first be transported by rail. This is the main entrance to the tunnel, so it has more bandwidth. Bandwidth? Like the internet? Is it surprising? The capacity of data transfer should obviously be called bandwidth. Ah… Did I not say it before? The reason that the Huaca Tunnel can connect to different places on the surface of the planet is because it can informatize matter and later materialize information. Wait… That’s the same way the Genius works! So is the technology that sent you here similar? In that case what you will experience next should feel very familiar! Wow, what an old station! That’s because… this is a genuine ruin. The ancients who worshipped nature built these temples - The fact that they are still standing after a thousand years is proof of their devotion. Even soldiers coming by troop carriers have to get off at this station and transfer to an underground specialized line on the tunnel. Everyone, please wait a little bit while I deal with all the procedures. Oh, thank you! The knight drove her power armor to a building that resembled a checkpoint. A nostalgic train whistle sounded in the distance. The cool autumn breeze from high latitudes stroked Bianka’s hair, reminding her of the few days she spent in Arkhangelsk.

Архáнгельск - Spelled in the latin alphabet as Arkh-angel-sk, “City of Archangel”. This city from the Far North Branch is under charge of a D-class Valkyrie named “Misha”. Despite being only a clerk, she manages the entire state by herself with no problems.

Misha once said that if every branch of Schicksal was like hers, if everything was as simple as a Valkyrie accepting a mission and killing the honkai beasts, then the world would be beautiful. It would be a world where everyone is living in peaceful days.

 The whistle from the train sounded closer. Probably coming to deliver new supplies and soldiers to the fortress. Rowland came out of the building waving what seemed like a passport in her hand. She seemed to have stored the power armor - It made her look small and pretty like Misha. Bianka ran towards the one waving-- --Her heart praying for world peace Phew… After climbing down such a long staircase, my knees are going to hurt. But is this the car we’ll take next? How should I say it… it’s kinda small? Ahaha, this is actually a modified traditional lightweight minecart. The cost of excavating the inside of the Huaca tunnel is quite high, so we chose the most lightweight design. Well, it should be fine if it’s only girls, right? Although it might be hard for the grandpa over there. Hahaha, but look at those soldiers sitting down still wearing power armor! Compared to them, does it matter if we bow down a little? And what do you mean “It’s fine if it’s only girls”? If we stand together and compare, I'm the tallest of all of us, right? … Tch! But you are young! Did your spine become like a grandpa’s after too much desk work? No wonder you were the only one to catch a cold. This is a rare opportunity, let’s get on right now! This reminds me of the Galleass oars - only this time we don’t need to contribute with muscle strength, hahahaha! Wow, the paddle rooms? That’s the place where the stench of male hormones gather! So dramatic, so great! Hahaha, although there is a word that I don’t know even with the translation, I agree with you! Sweat is both one of the ugliest and most beautiful things in the world! ...It’s hard for ordinary people to understand the interests of a writer. But if it was easy to understand, then wouldn’t the art have no depth? Hmm… but people are so indulgent that they can hang an urinal upside down and claim it’s a work of art, right?

注：

《喷泉》（Fountain），是美籍法裔艺术家、达达主义大师马塞尔·杜尚（Henri-Robert-Marcel Duchamp，1887－1968）于1917年创作的作品。杜尚在《喷泉》这件作品中使用了在纽约第五大道118号的J·L·莫特铁工坊连锁店购买的贝德福郡型（Bedfordshire）陶瓷小便斗，将其倒立过来命名为“喷泉”，并用涂鸦字体署名“R. Mutt 1917”。

 Wait what? Do you still have such avant-garde works over there? I thought that “Waiting for Godot” was already the pinnacle of absurdity! Hmm… Maybe it’s because there are so many people like that that there is no shortage of Honkai Energy in our world? Hey, I was just kidding, lighten up a bit ok? Human society is meaningful because it’s so rich and colorful! If the people on the other side of the world had this kind of aesthetic spirit, there wouldn’t be a problem with an energy wall for us to solve! Whether it was good or bad timing, just when Bianka was feeling the cultural shock, the train bell rang. Right after boarding in with Rowland’s guidance, the engine roar overwhelmed everyone’s voices. The concrete wall outside quickly receded and the train was swallowed by darkness. And just when Bianka was wondering if there was nothing more to it-- --A beautiful light shone outside, catching the eyes of everyone visiting for the first time. Wow! Is that the “spine” of this world? So pretty… Isn’t it? It’s like “Galactic Railroad” has come to life! Ah… do you know “Night on the Galactic Railroad”? It’s a fairytale said to not have been finished in the original world…

注：

《银河铁道之夜》是日本作家宫泽贤治（1896－1933）于1934年所出版的著名童话作品。因作者离世时全书仍处于草稿阶段，故作品现存4个版本，且不同版本间差异较大。尽管如此，由于作品充满唯美主义的奇思妙想，因此仍受到众多读者的喜爱——宫泽贤治本人更是在他去世多年之后被捧为日本的“国民级”作家。

 Hmm… I think I have, but I’m not sure… Then what about Rita? I have. The Milky Way Railroad is a soul train that connects the ground and the heavens… In our dreams, we would ride it among the stars with our best friends. ...Sounds like a sad story. Fairytales always seek the delicate balance between sadness and warmth. And… It is said that the author’s sister had just passed away when he began writing this story. That’s… I’m sorry. I should not have used the word “sad” to describe such brave work. Hahaha, you Valkyries are always too serious. Because there is no journey in life that can be repeated, cherishing “Ichi-go ichi-e” is the simplest of the romances! “Ichi-go ichi-e”? It means “One time, one meeting”. Even if you meet with the same people in the future, be it yourself or them, you will not be the same as you were then. But that’s not a bad thing, is it? What we call “romance” is so attractive because it can’t easily be replicated! “Oh Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo!”. If you haven’t seen my play, this line won’t make you sad, right? ...I don’t understand you at all. Rest assured, Bianka-sama. Even if my name becomes Brunhilde or Ortlinde, Rita will always be your loyal servant. Hey...! Don’t make fun of your boss in public! Oh, it seems you’re getting along with the Valkyries, Rowland. Let me introduce myself: I am the Minister of Defense of the Republic and the commander of this fortress - Anna Charles Darwin. Everyone, let’s sit down and drink some mate tea together.

注：

马黛茶（yerba mate）一种传统的南美洲草本茶，富含咖啡因，成分是巴拉圭冬青干燥后的叶子。在阿根廷有“国茶”之称。

--After getting off of the “Command Center” station and passing through several large gates with dedicated gatekeepers, Bianka and her party met the Minister of Defense, Darwin, who had been waiting for them.


After her brief introduction, Rowland introduces Bianka and her group one by one.

 Bianka really hated these kinds of formal greetings, but she waited until it was over. Uh… can I ask a question now? Go ahead. What’s the matter? Just now… you said your last name was Darwin, right? It wouldn’t be the one from “Origin of the Species”... Oh, you mean my dad? Indeed, before I left that world he was planning on writing such a book. I’m happy to learn that his book changed people’s worldview for the following century. Oh… you’re his “daughter”? But in that case, wouldn’t the “Origin of the Species” you read be the work from a different world’s Professor Charles? Nope. As far as I’m aware, from all known worlds, there is only one Darwin who published “Origin of the Species”, married and had children, who is my father. Huh? Then just like the “High Priestess” of the Yucatan, you spent so long in the form of data in the Sea of Quanta that it resulted in an apparent time leap? ...It’s essentially different. But… in your case we can’t use “Different Universes have different starting points and different flows of time” as an excuse! Because that’s not the case. And I’m not immortal like the “snake” you met. The reason why there is a time contradiction in what I said is-- I’m a Star Whisperer born from the death of someone. A mere copy. “Born from death”? “Copy”? What are you talking about? The real “Anna Charles Darwin” died of illness at the age of 10. The one standing in front of you is just an afterimage inherited from the Sea of Quanta. ……？！ Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m a ghost or a spirit. This is just the result of applying the Ether Anchor’s ability of “copying the world” on “people”. Be it the achievements of civilization or intelligent life, they are ultimately an amount of “Negentropy”. You can use the “Ether Anchor” as a “medium” to “balance” the "Negentropy". ...And Negentropy and Imaginary Energy - That is, Honkai Energy - are associated with each other. In theory, we could indeed do the opposite: Use Honkai Energy under control to create new Negentropy. -That is the basic principle behind the “Selene”. Haha, as expected of Dr. Schrodinger, who proposed the theory behind Negentropy - You already seem to understand what I’m talking about. Well, what are you talking about? …… Valkyries, do you know the power of the “First Herrscher”? You mean the “Sovereign” of Anti-Entropy? He can copy all kinds of mechanical devices, Sacred Relics and even Divine Keys out of thin air, right? A good summary, but if we’re being technical… he doesn’t make those copies out of “thin air”. On the contrary: By manipulating the Honkai Energy stored in his body he creates reason, making constructs out of something similar to “Negentropy”. Generally speaking, Honkai Energy is almost impossible to control - but he is a herrscher, a superpower beyond human comprehension. Miss Darwin… Your “Ether Anchor” has a similar power, but you can’t manipulate it as you wish, correct? Hmm… To be more precise, the “Ether Anchor Point” can’t be controlled at all. It, by itself, is “salvaging” information that can be restored from the Sea of Quanta - An ocean of data. Those two Valkyries there must have gone through the experience of being informatized and later rematerialized. - That is a specially targeted “salvage”. This type of “salvage” is always happening in the “present continuous”, therefore their souls and consciousness also remain the same - Even if they show up on the other side of the world, they are still themselves. But the information of “Anna Charles Darwin” is already “past perfect”, the Ether Anchor just happened to read this vanishing data from the Sea of Quanta and restore it. ...That’s why I can be sure I’m just a copy of a historical figure. Perhaps there is a more complex mechanism out there that can truly revive the dead - But this world’s “Anchor” can not. …… Thank you for being so honest, Miss Darwin. If you’re not holding back on all of these top secrets, would I be right to presume your “Republic” is in desperate need of help from our Caledonia? Hahahaha! Such a sharp tongue, as expected from the Red Captain of the Seven Seas! I just might fall for you at first sight! Hey, Llona, don’t suddenly barge in and start making fun of our guests! Humph, Anna is still so stingy even after becoming the Minister of Defense. My name is Llona Draculesti, Commander of the First Guard- But you can call me Dracula. Unlike this beautiful but stingy girl next to me, I’m a Star Whisperer who doesn’t need the Ether Anchor to exist-- --In fact, I have been alive for over 500 years! What do you think, aren’t “vampires” strong? Let me translate: “After being adrift in the Sea of Quanta for over 500 years I no longer care whether I’m human or a monster, so don’t feel bad for me”. Am I wrong, Llona? ...Tch. You always ruin my perfect image. Friends of Rowland, don’t you also think it’s hard to talk to Darwin? Uh… I think I prefer this straightforward style. It’s at least better than our Overseer, always speaking in riddles! ...It feels weird to talk about him in this way, he did save my life after all. ...Let’s leave the talk about the other world for later. Everyone from the Inca Republic - Your only important military goal is to destroy the empire on the other side of the globe - Is that correct? Oh, are you the famous Dr. Schrodinger? That would be correct. The Republic itself only exists in order to deal with that “natural disaster”. ...Although I haven’t done much lately. Is the reason why you summed it up in such a way because there is now a method to “achieve that goal”? Hehe, you might say that. But first I need to ask a seemingly irrelevant question… Is there an “idol” working in the Republic? ...What?？ Why would you ask that no-- --Oh. What do you mean? Do you know that “idol” in some way? Simply put, we are trying to reassemble a long-lost powerful weapon. --And a part of that weapon might be in the hands of that “idol”. Hahahaha, you have to be joking, right? Miss Bianka, could you be talking about the gems that contain the power of the Holy Sword “Durandal”? That’s right. Thanks to her connection with the gems, Dudu showed us some clues on where to search for-- --Coming! Bianka, it’s coming! Hey! Don’t interrupt me, you idiot! What is “coming”? It’s the golden “Gem of Love”! I suddenly felt it’s presence near here! Like it jumped through time and space! Huh? Is that so? Maybe the person with the Gem used the “Huaca Tunnel”? It’s very much like a “Hyperspace jump”. Miss Darwin, is there a special event scheduled for today at the fortress? Today? There should be a live concert in an hour- Wait, could “that” star be the “idol with a gem” you are looking for?! This hour… she should have just arrived! “Star”? ...Is she an energetic-looking girl with light blue hair in a ponytail? Oh, so you do know her? Ah… no, I mean-- Alright, alright, what are you still doing here? Hurry up and go to the venue! You need to talk to her before the show, right? Go! Go! We can talk about plans after it’s over! Ah- don’t push me! I can walk by myself! The auditorium of the fort was much quieter than expected, perhaps because the audience had yet to be allowed in. Bianka was about to go straight to the backstage-- --But suddenly the accompaniment starts, and a girl in a cute dress begins her rehearsal. My voice ♬ Can you hear it ♪ Your smile ♬ Is like the sunshine after the rain ♪ An angel descending on earth ♪ A rainbow between the clouds ♪ A gentle creature running around ♬ A poisonous rose sprouting ♬ Because if you were there ♪ I could've cherished my fate ♬ Because if you were there ♪ I could’ve been brave ♬ Our souls meet ♬ I only wish we’ll no longer be apart ♪ Our fingertips touch ♬ I only wish to not forget those moments ♪