Perhaps it was because he was wearing a mask, or perhaps he was too composed, but after listening to Mr. Shi Hui's narration, Alpha still maintained his unperturbed demeanor.
"So that's it. Is this the reason for those guys' uprising hundreds of years ago?"
"You have answered a question that has puzzled me for many years."
"However, I still have one question."
"Ask away," Mr. Shi Hui said calmly.
"Which Aeon does the Astral Express you belong to follow? And what is your purpose in coming to Izumo?"
Mr. Shi Hui raised an eyebrow.
Clown Alpha, a very familiar name.
Like the name Luocha, it was a name once used by a certain Archon.
In philosophy, there is a very classic proposition: no two leaves in the world are exactly alike.
The Imaginary Tree theory, proposed by Zandari, the founder of the Genius Society, posits that in the imaginary space invisible to the world, a giant tree grows.
Each branch is a form of world existence; each flower and leaf is its present and past left in the time dimension.
The crown always maintains a dynamic structure—new shoots grow, withered leaves fall—as it draws unowned imaginary energy from the space-time tubules.
Countless births and endings are thus played out in the boundless universe.
And within these countless births and endings, there exist countless similar but not identical leaves.
This is the so-called parallel world.
Clearly, this Clown Alpha before him is Luocha's counterpart in this world of Izumo.
(Note: This is Honkai: Astral Express, so I won't write Otto. Anyway, Otto also used the name Luocha.)
Mr. Shi Hui: "Very direct questions."
"However, if I truly harbored ill intentions, how would you determine if my answers were true or false?"
Alpha chuckled softly.
"If you truly harbored ill intentions, then we wouldn't have been able to defeat Takemikazuchi so easily and obtain its energy core."
Alpha spread his hands, pointing to Raiden Mei beside him.
"Besides, if it weren't for your help, Ms. Raiden Mei would have already died at the hands of Takemikazuchi, wouldn't she?"
"Since you helped us, we won't doubt you. The questions earlier were just routine inquiries. If you don't wish to answer, then you don't have to."
Mr. Shi Hui shook his head and said.
"It's not really a secret."
"If one day you reach that star-filled sky, you will know—"
"Once, an Aeon named Akivili traveled through all realms aboard the Astral Express, laying silver tracks across the star seas, connecting one world after another, leaving behind legends of the universe and exploration."
"Some people, drawn by those wonderful adventure stories, followed the footsteps of Trailblaze, boarded the Astral Express, and joined the journey of exploring the galaxy."
"These are the Nameless."
Mr. Shi Hui paused for a moment, perhaps reminiscing about his time on the Astral Express.
"Later, Akivili fell, and a group of Nameless inherited his will, continuing to explore unknown worlds."
"We firmly believe that one day, the will of Trailblaze will connect the entire universe."
"And now, the Astral Express is still traveling through the galaxy, diligently repairing the silver tracks polluted by the Stellaron."
"Clap, clap, clap—"
A crisp round of applause sounded as Alpha stood up from his seat, openly expressing his admiration.
"A romantic story, a group of great Heavenly Outsiders, isn't it, my friend?"
Mr. Shi Hui was noncommittal.
"I will stay here to help you and try to eliminate the influence of that Stellaron."
"However, don't hold too much hope…"
Mr. Shi Hui gazed far into the distance at the black sun, which still hung silently on the curtain of the universe, watching everything without joy or sorrow, never speaking, only announcing the outcome of nothingness with its boundless shadow.
Alpha watched Mr. Shi Hui quietly; beneath his mask, no one knew his expression.
"Even among the Aeons, Nihility is one of the most powerful. Facing an Aeon, powerlessness is the normal state for mortals."
Mr. Shi Hui paused, his gaze sweeping over Alpha's mask, over Qing Leng's cold face, and finally resting on Raiden Mei's beautiful purple eyes.
"Someone once told me this: We all die, and we only have one life, so we must become someone we respect."
"In the journey ahead, we may see all kinds of strange phenomena and discover more of our weaknesses and flaws. After encountering minor difficulties and major disasters, how to maintain human dignity amidst temptation and hardship—earning one's own respect is not easy, but it is very worthwhile."
"This is not narcissism, arrogance, conceit, bragging, self-deception, introversion, or self-pity, but rather confidence, pride, self-illumination, self-awareness, self-reflection, self-narration, self-encouragement, and self-strengthening. Self-respect supports a free spirit and autonomous Trailblaze."
"Although we cannot change the outcome of life, we can change the process of reaching that outcome."
"Compared to the destination, the scenery along the way is more important."
"Clap, clap, clap…"
Clear and rhythmic applause broke the silence, and Alpha clapped again.
The white mask, etched with a profound smile, looked at Mr. Shi Hui, and his gentle voice carried a rare, sincere admiration.
"A deafening statement."
"The person who told you these words must be a great hero."
He took a step forward, extended his right hand towards Mr. Shi Hui. The hand was exceptionally long and slender, with a faint blue glow similar to the base's energy patterns subtly flowing beneath the skin.
"Mr. Shi Hui," Alpha's voice maintained a leader's composure, but with an added sense of recognition.
"Your arrival might just be an unexpected breeze in this desperate spark."
Alpha's hand remained steady between the two of them.
"Then, here's to a pleasant cooperation."
Mr. Shi Hui did not hesitate, extending his own hand as well. Then, their hands clasped firmly together.
"A pleasant cooperation."