Stellar Train: I Open a Small Shop on the Train-Chapter 111

"I'm here to meet someone. Can you notify Calestia for me?"

The staff member recognized the name immediately—Calestia, their honored guest.

"Certainly. Please wait a moment while I inform her."

A few minutes later, the staff member returned with Nahida.

Nahida smiled and greeted Aether.

"Good evening, Aether."

Aether nodded with a smile.

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"Good evening, Nahida. Is Calestia inside?"

Nahida nodded.

"She is. Come, I'll take you in."

Aether followed her into Calestia's room.

As soon as he entered, a keyboard keycap flew across the room and hit him in the face.

The next moment, Calestia zoomed over, snatched the keycap back, and continued playing.

Aether looked speechless.

Everyone who plays Audition Online is a keyboard destroyer.

Recently, many keyboards in Hu Tao's internet café had been broken—unsurprisingly, all by Audition Online players.

After every round, they would smash the spacebar with full force.

It was as if they were trying to obliterate the keyboard.

After finishing a round, Calestia finally turned her chair to face Aether.

"Alright, what brings you here?"

Aether said, "I'm planning to leave for Sumeru tomorrow."

Calestia thought for a moment, then pulled out an extinguished Dendro Vision and tossed it to Aether.

"Looks like the internet was right—getting redeemed weakens you. With your strength, I doubt you can handle it. Take this. If you're in trouble, smash it. I'll come immediately."

Aether was about to retort at the sarcasm but realized Calestia had a point—being redeemed really does weaken you.

He silently accepted the Vision.

After that, Aether and Nahida agreed to depart for Sumeru the next day at noon.

Inazuma City, Tenshukaku.

Lumine, Ei, Paimon, and Yae Miko were having hot pot together.

Lumine asked, "Ei, how many Primogems have you collected? I heard you issued some sort of 'Primogem Hunt Decree'."

Ei glanced at Miko.

Yae Miko replied, "It's going well. We've collected over 20,000 Primogems so far."

Lumine said, "Of course it's easy for you rulers—you can gather tons of Primogems effortlessly. Meanwhile, I have to work hard just to earn some Star Coins. Sigh~"

Miko chuckled softly.

"I envy you. You get to do whatever you like, carefree."

Lumine thought about it and agreed—she really was free.

Then Miko asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"

Lumine gave her a suspicious look. "Why?"

Miko said, "I want you to come with me to Watatsumi Island and meet Kokomi."

Lumine shook her head.

"Can't. I'm going to Luofu to attend the Martial Arts Ceremony."

Miko looked intrigued. "Martial Arts Ceremony? What's that?"

Lumine explained, "Luofu is a faction on Ye Yun's side. They're hosting a tournament with generous rewards. Stelle and I already signed up—for fun."

She added, "You should send someone to watch too. Luofu is very strong, both in terms of individual strength and technology."

Miko turned to Ei. "What do you think?"

Ei didn't really care. "Do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't interfere with gathering Primogems."

Miko smiled. "It won't."

The four continued eating.

After dinner, Yae Miko walked down the streets of Inazuma City.

She was looking for a certain oni troublemaker.

Before long, she found Itto playing rock-paper-scissors with kids in an open space.

She watched quietly as Itto lost all his snacks.

"What?! The great Itto lost? You brats, dare to come back tomorrow? I'll win it all back!"

The kids quickly agreed.

"Sure! We're not afraid of you!"

After they left, Miko finally spoke.

"Arataki Itto."

He turned around. "You?! That damn fox!"

Miko sighed at the nickname.

Itto asked, "What are you doing here?"

Miko smiled. "I need a favor. Interested?"

"Sure! Tell me what it is—I'll do my best!" Itto replied enthusiastically.

Miko said, "Come with me tomorrow. There's a tournament. For every match you win, I'll give you 100 jin of food. Deal?"

Itto waved it off. "Deal. I'd help even without a reward. Where should I find you tomorrow?"

"Come to the Grand Narukami Shrine," Miko replied.

She planned to bring Ayaka and Itto to the tournament. That should be enough.

Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon returned to their RV.

As they approached, they saw a bandaged girl sneaking around nearby.

Lumine stepped forward. "Who are you? What are you doing near my vehicle?"

The girl turned around. "This big thing is yours? Hi, I'm Yoimiya."

Lumine introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Lumine. Yoimiya, are you a local?"

Yoimiya nodded. "Yes, my family runs a fireworks shop in Inazuma City. I saw this big thing and got curious."

Lumine nodded in understanding. "I see. Come on, I'll show you inside."

Yoimiya was surprised. "Really?"

"Of course. Step aside so I can open the door," Lumine said.

Yoimiya quickly stepped away from the door.

Lumine unlocked it and invited her inside.

Once in, Yoimiya looked around curiously, just like Amber had before—like a villager stepping into a palace.

Lumine poured her a glass of orange juice.

Yoimiya took a sip and asked, "Lumine, did you come from outside Inazuma?"

"Yeah," Lumine replied. "Honestly, I kind of regret it. The weather here is awful."

Paimon grumbled, "Yeah, not to mention we lost a ton of supplies."

She had every right to be upset—most of the donated food was her rations.

Lumine rolled her eyes. "Why are you so bitter? I'm the one who gave it all away."

Yoimiya looked confused. "Supplies? You donated supplies?"

Paimon answered, "We handed out a lot of food in a village."

Yoimiya looked at them in disbelief. "You're that kind person? The one who gave food in Konda Village?"

***

Lumine was a bit confused.

"A great benefactor? That news spread so fast?"

"A great benefactor?" she repeated.

Yoimiya nodded slightly.

"Yeah, you donated so much food—if that doesn't make you a great benefactor, what does? You have no idea how many lives were saved because of that food."

Hearing this, Lumine recalled her time in Konda Village.

Back then, the people there really were thin and sickly-looking.

Yoimiya continued speaking.

"Today, on my way here, I heard a bunch of people talking about building a statue in your honor."

A bead of cold sweat slid down Lumine's forehead. She laughed awkwardly.

"Hehehe~ I appreciate the thought, really, but building a statue and all... maybe let's not go that far."

Yoimiya, on the other hand, didn't think the people were exaggerating at all.

Given Inazuma's situation, what Lumine did could really make people want to do that kind of thing.

"You don't know how hard it used to be here in Inazuma. Closed borders, the Vision Hunt Decree—every one of those made life harder for us ordinary folks."

As she finished speaking, Yoimiya took out her Vision.

"See? My Vision—I didn't even dare wear it back then.

On Watatsumi Island, they even started a rebellion against the Shogunate because of those decrees."

Upon hearing that, Lumine remembered how the Guuji (Yae Miko) had just asked her to accompany her to Watatsumi Island tomorrow.

"Watatsumi Island? I've heard of it. Aren't you all from the same nation? Why are you fighting each other?"

Yoimiya spread her hands helplessly.

"What else? It was all because the previous Kujou clan head and the previous Tonomo clan head misled the Shogun with false reports, making her issue poor decisions.

The closed borders cut off Watatsumi's supply routes.

Watatsumi Island relies heavily on maritime trade to obtain food.

When that stopped, they had no way to survive.

Speaking of which, Lumine, are you a merchant? You managed to bring out so much food all at once."

"A merchant?" Lumine shook her head, indicating she wasn't.

"No, I'm a traveler—wait, no, not a traveler. My tongue slipped. I'm an inspector, here to oversee the state of the people's lives."

Yoimiya didn't really understand, but she felt it sounded impressive.

Lumine noticed Yoimiya didn't follow and didn't explain further.

"Don't worry about the details. I'm just here for work."

Yoimiya nodded in understanding.

"Ohh, I thought you were a merchant. I was even thinking of introducing you to some business.

I know a few people on Watatsumi Island. If you were a merchant, I could've helped connect you."

Hearing that, a lightbulb went off in Lumine's head.

Wait a minute! This might be a business opportunity!

She couldn't just take Inazuma's Primogems—Yae Miko and Ei would probably disapprove.

But Watatsumi Island? They're rebels! Surely she could accept their Primogems?

A fair exchange of goods and payment!

Surely Miko and Ei wouldn't mind... because it's the rebels.

Only downside? She'd be supporting their enemy.

But hey, that's a small matter—she could always send some supplies to Inazuma too.

As for the food, Lumine planned to buy from Topaz. With just a bit of Stellar Jade, she could get a mountain of supplies.

Lumine looked at Yoimiya like a hungry wolf spotting a plump sheep.

"Yoimiya~ Actually, I am a merchant. I've got tons of food. Say, how about you reach out to those friends of yours?"

Yoimiya was a little confused.

"Huh? Didn't you just say you weren't a merchant? Now you are?"

Lumine waved it off.

"That's not important. What matters is—I have food. Can you help me contact them?"

Yoimiya replied, "Sure, I'll help. Will you be staying in Inazuma these next few days?"

Lumine nodded.

"Yes. My vehicle is also my home. I'll be parked right here these days, so just find me here."

Yoimiya nodded in understanding.

Then, under Lumine and Paimon's enthusiastic wave goodbye, she went home.

After Yoimiya left, Lumine grabbed Paimon and rushed straight to the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Train's inner realm, Treehouse.

It was nighttime. Though there was no real sun or moon in the realm, it simulated a day-night cycle.

The treehouse door was suddenly thrown open. Lumine burst in, dragging a dizzy Paimon.

"Topaz? Are you here? I've got a huge business deal for you!"

Her shout startled Stelle, March 7th, Firefly, and Kafka.

The others came out of their rooms and gathered in the main hall.

March 7th, in pink pajamas, asked, "Lumine? It's so late. What's the matter?"

Stelle, wearing a brown bear onesie, yawned.

"Yeah, Lumine, don't you sleep?"

Lumine excitedly found Topaz.

"Topaz! Do you have food for sale?"

Topaz replied, "Of course. How much do you need? 1 Stellar Jade per ton."

Lumine thought for a moment.

"Give me 500 Stellar Jade's worth."

Topaz looked at her, a bit puzzled.

"Lumine, why are you buying so much food?"

Lumine chuckled.

"To do business, of course! I found a way to make a fortune, hehe!"

Topaz was still confused. "Business?"

Lumine nodded vigorously.

"Yup! Business! Don't ask too many questions—just send the goods quickly, I need them now."

Topaz accepted the 500 Stellar Jade and made a quick call to her company to dispatch the goods.

"Alright, I've sent them to Herta Space Station. For heavy shipments like this, the fastest method is to send them there."

Lumine gave her an OK gesture and dashed off again.

March 7th was a bit curious.

"Lumine suddenly wants to start a business?"

Stelle yawned again, eyes barely open.

"Who knows... let her be. Sleep now, we're heading to Xianzhou Luofu tomorrow."

Saying that, Stelle returned to her room and immediately fell asleep.

March 7th, Firefly, and the others also headed back to rest.

Herta Space Station, Herta's lab.

Ruan Mei, Screwllum, Herta, and Asta were chatting casually.

After days of effort, the Simulated Universe had finally been repaired.

Herta took out her phone.

"I'll message the little guinea pig and tell her to come test it."

She texted Stelle but didn't get a reply, so she put the phone away.

Ruan Mei looked at Herta.

"Herta, you said you'd take me to that amazing shop—when are we going?"

Herta was reminded of her promise to bring Ruan Mei to Ye Yun's store on the train.

"After the test. The store's on the Astral Express, so once Stelle's done, we'll go together."

Screwllum, hearing this, was intrigued.

"Herta, what makes this store so 'amazing'?"

Herta replied, "Because in Ye Yun's store, as long as you have Stellar Jade, you can buy anything you want."