Stellar Train: I Open a Small Shop on the Train-Chapter 124

With a strong push, Cyno was sent flying. In a flash, Stelle appeared behind him and landed a knife-hand strike to his neck.

"Hiya! Take my dizzying karate chop!"

With that, Cyno's eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

Stelle looked around to confirm there were no more enemies, then stored away her Judgment of Shamash and jumped onto a pack beast.

Firefly glanced at the unconscious Cyno on the ground.

"Let's bring him back. This guy is considered pretty strong in Teyvat. Maybe Nahida can get some intel out of him."

Stelle agreed and tied Cyno securely onto the pack beast with some sturdy rope.

In the village chief's house of Aaru Village.

Cyno was tied to a stool, and across from him, Alhaitham sat quietly in a chair reading a book, flipping pages occasionally.

Cyno slowly opened his eyes and looked around.

Where is this?

Why am I here?

Noticing Cyno had awoken, Alhaitham closed his book.

"You're awake."

Cyno looked toward him.

"It's you, Alhaitham! Where is this?"

Alhaitham glanced at him.

"This is Aaru Village. You've been captured."

Cyno frowned at the mention of Aaru Village.

"Alhaitham, are you part of the rebellion too?"

Alhaitham shook his head.

"Rebellion? No, I'm setting things right."

Cyno snorted—he clearly didn't believe Alhaitham.

Seeing this, Alhaitham untied the ropes around Cyno.

"Come with me. Once you see what Aaru Village is now, you'll understand who's really on the side of justice."

With that, he pushed open the door. Cyno hesitated, but eventually followed.

As soon as he stepped outside, he froze in shock.

A massive tree towered not far from him. Though it was already night, the grass was lit up by glowing blue plants, illuminating the village.

Under the tree, many villagers and desert mercenaries were drawing water from a spring.

Everywhere in sight was grass, trees, and flowers—full of life.

Children's laughter echoed through the streets, and once-barren houses were now covered in lush greenery, transformed from desolate ruins to a natural paradise.

Cyno even saw a few chefs under a shed cooking large pots of food.

Mercenaries lined up with bowls in hand, chatting and laughing while waiting their turn.

Among them were the six little ones, each holding a small bowl and joining the fun.

The chefs naturally recognized them—they were all friends of Lesser Lord Kusanali.

Each of the six received a big bowl of meat from the chef.

"Eat lots of meat, kids! That's how you grow strong!"

Even the mercenaries in line had no objections and were asking if there was enough to go around.

Alhaitham looked toward the Tree of Life.

"This tree was planted yesterday by the Lesser Lord Kusanali. It's what turned Aaru Village into what you see now.

There are two reasons why these desert mercenaries have gathered here.

One of them is to protect this sacred tree."

Cyno was puzzled.

"Protect it? The Akademiya wouldn't destroy a place that's transformed like this in just a day. They'd send scholars to study and manage it. There's no need for mercenaries to protect it."

Alhaitham looked back at him.

"Were you even listening? I said this tree was planted by Lesser Lord Kusanali.

And for years, the Grand Sage's faction has imprisoned her.

Do you understand now?"

Cyno finally understood.

He'd already had doubts about the Grand Sage's claims regarding Lesser Lord Kusanali.

Now, considering the Akademiya mobilizing troops at Caravan Ribat and these mercenaries, what Alhaitham said must be true.

The Grand Sage's faction had imprisoned Lesser Lord Kusanali!

No wonder Alhaitham reacted so strongly when Cyno accused him of treason—turns out the real traitors were the ones at the Akademiya.

This side, they were the rightful ones.

Alhaitham looked at Cyno.

"Take off the Akasha Terminal. That thing lets the Grand Sage control you."

Cyno did as told, removing the device.

Alhaitham took it, threw it on the ground, and smashed it.

"Whether you stay or leave is up to you. Just don't side with the Akademiya."

With that, Alhaitham walked away.

He had things to do. Right now, he, Candace, and Aether were the busiest in the village.

He handled intelligence, Candace handled logistics, and Aether handled military affairs.

Nahida oversaw everything.

Inside Nahida's temporary office, the Aranara gathered.

"Tree Lord! Here's your pen!"

These little guys had been brought back by Aether the day before and had stuck by Nahida ever since, guarding her.

Nahida took the pen they handed her and smiled.

"Thank you."

The Aranara twirled around happily.

"You're welcome~"

Only Aether could've brought them back so easily—anyone else would probably still be stumbling through the forest.

Just then, Stelle walked in.

"Nahida, you called?"

As soon as she entered, she noticed the room full of Aranara.

"Yo~ so this is where you all were. No wonder I didn't see you all day."

Nahida smiled and nodded.

"Yes. I have a favor to ask."

Stelle sat down across from her, grabbing one of the Aranara and squishing it in her arms.

"What's up?"

Nahida explained,

"I'd like your help dealing with that mech. The one Azar and his people have been secretly building.

It's inside Sumeru City, and I'm afraid if I can't stop it quickly, it might harm the citizens."

Stelle thought it'd be something serious—just a fight? Easy.

"Sure, no problem. Is that all? March, Firefly, and I were thinking of checking out the canyon area. I heard it's popular."

The Tree of Life had created a waterfall that formed a canyon below Aaru Village.

The whole valley was illuminated by those glowing plants—very beautiful. Many villagers and mercenaries were down there having fun.

Stelle had just finished eating and was planning to join in.

Nahida gave a gentle smile.

"That's all. Thank you, Stelle. You'll be well rewarded."

Stelle wasn't concerned about rewards.

"Don't worry about that. You can give me something small or nothing at all. We're friends, no need to be formal."

Stelle was greedy, sure, but when it came to helping friends, she never charged.

***

After Stelle left, Nahida summoned Alhaitham.

Alhaitham walked into the room.

"Lesser Lord Kusanali."

Nahida gestured for Alhaitham to sit down.

"Alhaitham, once we return to Sumeru City and defeat the faction of the Grand Sage, I want you to become the new Grand Sage."

Alhaitham immediately refused upon hearing this.

"Better not. I prefer studying and doing research on my own rather than running a nation."

Nahida, having anticipated this response, took out a textbook she had bought from Clara.

The book had been used by Clara herself. It mainly taught how to grow trees in various extreme environments, turning them into habitable soil.

"Take a look at this book."

Alhaitham took it and opened it, and was instantly drawn in by the contents on the first page.

Nahida continued.

"I want you to be the new Grand Sage primarily to help govern the desert and turn it into an oasis.In doing so, you can put the theories in this book into practice and help me manage Sumeru while you're at it. What do you think?"

After a moment of thought, Alhaitham agreed. That didn't sound so bad.

He then left the room.

Nahida stood up and stretched her body before heading out to walk around the village.

In the ravine near Aaru Village—

Stelle, March 7th, and Firefly had already arrived.

Walking along the path, they saw Sparkle chasing a Dendro Crystalfly.

"Sparkle!"

Stelle called out. Huohuo stopped and looked over.

Seeing that it was Stelle, she beamed with joy and ran over.

"Stelle! You guys are here too~"

Stelle nodded.

"Yeah, just strolling around. What about you? Weren't you chasing someone?"

Firefly reminded her.

"The Doctor."

Stelle snapped her fingers.

"Oh right, the Doctor. How did it go?"

Sparkle confidently placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm the invincible Sparkle! I caught five of his segments—Child, teen, young adult, middle-aged, and elderly. That's five new actors! I can write a brand-new play!"

March 7th was curious.

"What about those two you already had? What play are you planning?"

Sparkle wiped her nose proudly.

"Of course it's already written! Our Grand Theatre Prison's Chief Playwright Aha tailored a play just for them~"

Aha chuckled from the side.

"Hahaha, Aha wrote a script titled 'The Beautiful Love Story of Little Blondie and Little Wolfie', hee hee~"

Hearing the title made Stelle shiver.

Yikes—two grown men acting out a love story... just the thought was a bit hard to handle.

Still, she felt strangely intrigued. It was bound to be entertaining.

Sparkle asked,

"Stelle, where's Ye Yun? I need him to open the portal back."

Stelle replied,

"Go look around the village up ahead. He's in there somewhere, but I'm not sure exactly where."

With that, Sparkle and Aha headed toward the upper village.

Stelle, March 7th, and Firefly exchanged glances, then began exploring the ravine.

The entire ravine was bathed in soft blue light, the river water crystal clear. Stelle could see small fish swimming about.

Inside Ye Yun's shop—

A flash from the portal drew the attention of Himeko, Welt, Clara, and Kafka, who were eating.

Soon after, Furina jumped out of the portal.

"Tada~ The great Furina has made her dazzling entrance!"

Furina appeared in high spirits. Himeko smiled and greeted her.

"Furina, it's you. Have you eaten yet? Want to join us?"

Furina shook her head and patted her belly.

"I just ate tons of little cakes~ Thanks for the offer, Himeko.I'm here to find Stelle and the others. Are they on the train?"

Welt responded,

"They're not here. They went to Teyvat, to Sumeru. You know it?"

Furina replied,

"Sumeru? Of course! It's right next to me. What are they doing there?"

Himeko explained,

"They're helping Nahida reclaim what's rightfully hers. Last I heard, they're in a village out in the desert."

Furina's curiosity was piqued.

"The desert, huh? Got it. I'll go check it out. Nighty night, everyone~"

With that, Furina jumped back into the portal and returned to Fontaine.

Upon returning, she shouted at the door,

"Lancelot! Gather the knights—we're heading to the desert to find Nahida!"

Lancelot opened his door and left to carry out the order.

Soon, all the knights of the order had assembled at the gates of the Opera Epiclese.

Furina gracefully exited the palace shortly after.

She waved her hand.

"Sea-horse carriage!"

With a spell, two human-sized seahorses appeared pulling a carriage.

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Lancelot walked over to open the door and extended a hand.

Furina took his hand and stepped into the carriage.

Fontaine's citizens gathered around, murmuring.

"Where's Lady Furina heading this late?"

"Don't ask me—I've got no idea."

"Isn't it dangerous at night?"

"Ha! You're joking, right? Lady Furina is the Hydro Archon! And you think the knights are weaklings?I saw them with my own eyes—one swing, just one, took down a giant Hilichurl king."

"Mommy, those knight big brothers are so cool! Can I join them when I grow up?"

"Of course, sweetheart. But you'll need to eat well and grow big and strong if you want to join them and protect Lady Furina."

"Okay! I'll eat all my food!"

Furina's carriage soared through the air, heading toward the desert with Lancelot and the knight order.

At first, Furina was excited, sipping tea by the window and admiring the scenery.

The seahorse carriage could fly, so they traveled through the skies.

But as they went on, she grew bored—endless sand and desert rocks, nothing new.

After two hours of flying, they finally reached Aaru Village.

Naturally, their arrival startled the mercenaries in the village.

"Something's up! Get your weapons!"

Furina and the knights descended under the Tree of Life.

She hopped off the carriage and looked around.

"Wow~ The scenery here is really pretty~"

She admired the peaceful and lively village.

A mercenary stepped forward.

"Who are you? What are you doing in Aaru Village?"

Before Furina could respond, Nahida stepped out from the crowd.

"No need to panic, everyone. This is a friend of mine."