Shooting Stars: Chapter 7
Like a dream, Xavier, who had disappeared arbitrarily of his own volition for such a long time, returns to my side just like that.
Moreover, it was even as a knight of the Lightseekers…
After rescuing me from the dark cosmic vortex, Xavier brings me to where his team is stationed—
On the other edge of Starfall Forest.
As it turns out, anytime I find myself deep in danger, he isn’t far away from me.
The team that Xavier belongs to is, strictly speaking, not considered an official knight team.
Every one of them wears a different badge, each likely once belonging to different teams of the Lightseekers.
I don’t know what sort of experiences or beliefs they’ve had for them to all currently gather by Xavier’s side.
Jeremiah: You for so long, and it turns out you were actually hiding here and doing something big!
Jeremiah continues to speak casually as always, similar to how he was back at school.
Xavier: I was also only reminded of this Forest in the recent few years.
Xavier: All along, Starfall Forest has been the hardest-hit by Wanderers, so I figured there had to be some secret here.
Xavier: In the past, Lightseekers would chase down Wanderers all over the place, but whenever one was eliminated, another would just show up elsewhere, and all that effort would be in vain.
Xavier: So I thought, why not find the root cause, go straight to its weakness, and stamp out the problem completely.
All sorts of equipment has been used to build a simple command center. Xavier stands before a virtual screen displaying a map, carefully explaining to Jeremiah and me in great detail what he has found these past few years.
His voice remains calm as always, but rings with steadfastness and an indisputable strength.
I watch the way Xavier walks about in front of the virtual screen. It's as if he's still the same person he was before, but somewhere… Something is a little different.
Xavier: Still lost in thought? Everyone's already left to rest, what about you?
Xavier walks up to me, and only then do I notice the people surrounding him have all dispersed.
MC: Oh, I… Perhaps since I just left that mirage not long ago, I’m still adjusting…
Xavier: Really?
Xavier hands me a jug of water.
Xavier: But someone told me a while back, it's only when you have someone you like, that’s when you get lost in thought often.
Behind that sentence are memories that are far too distant. I think back for a moment, and only then do I find the familiarity I once shared with Xavier again.
I accept the water and smile, leaning against the command center with him.
MC: Yeah… We haven't seen each other in so long, perhaps I really do have someone I like now.
Xavier: That's good.
MC: Not asking who it is?
Xavier: No matter who it is, it’s still good.
Xavier: After living for too long, by having someone in your heart, you'll always have some hope.
Since he says it that way, I inadvertently take a glance at the hilt of his sword.
The star tassel is still hanging there, but it is so faded its original color can’t be made out. Only the string looks like it was newly made.
MC: This tassel, you really do cherish it.
Xavier: I'm used to it.
MC: Then do you still remember, that year…
Xavier: Oh right, you haven't seen our newly modified patrol spaceship, right.
MC: …
Xavier: It’s parked not far away, follow me.
During the few days that I temporarily stayed in the camp, Xavier was always very busy.
If he wasn't leading his companions into the depths of the forest to scout, he was going into the spaceship alone, and once he entered he'd be in there the whole day.
What happened after we separated and he returned to the palace that year? Why wasn't the Titulus Ceremony held? How did he join the Lightseekers afterwards? What exactly has he been doing all these years? I tried multiple times to find an opportunity to ask about all these questions for clarification, but…
He always seamlessly changes the conversation topic.
Not only does he avoid questions, it seems as if he is also avoiding being alone with me, whether intentional or not.
I can’t help becoming more suspicious. He must have something even more important that he isn’t telling me…
Jeremiah: Are you sure you want to act this way?
MC: I'm sure. Whether or not we can trick the truth out of Xavier depends on you this time, but don't go overboard with your acting, okay.
Jeremiah: Understood! It’s been over two hundred years, I can finally be of help to you this one time.
Xavier coincidentally had just come back from the dense Forest. I rush to sprawl down beside the command center.
Jeremiah: (MC)! (MC), what's the matter with you? Is it happening again?
It’s such an exaggerated performance, yet it somehow really manages to draw Xavier’s attention.
Xavier: What happened to her?
Jeremiah: I don't know, ever since you rescued her from that mirage, her body actually hasn't been too well, but there was no opportunity to tell you.
As expected, Xavier turns serious.
Xavier: It’s her ?
MC: Yes… right! It often throbs in pain, it hurts…
MC: Maybe there was some strange energy in the mirage that stimulated it… if only I knew the reason…
Jeremiah: I swear, she was even crying in pain just now!
As I’m mentally criticizing Jeremiah’s , Xavier presses his headset microphone, then picks me up in one sweep.
Xavier: Still on the spaceship? Postpone Operation Backtrack, I need to borrow the spaceship for a bit.
Xavier: Mm, immediately.
MC: Ah? Hold it!
Since the matter is being blown out of proportion, I rush to stop him.
MC: It’s not that serious, Xavier, there’s no need to borrow the spaceship!
Xavier looks at me suspiciously, so I hurriedly break free and leap to the ground, hopping twice on the spot.
MC: You see, I'm fine…
Xavier: You lied to me?
MC: …Um, that's because I've been here for so long, and you won't even tell me what you're doing, that’s why I resorted to .
Xavier isn’t angry like I had anticipated. After he makes sure I am indeed healthy, he pats my head with a bit of lingering fear.
Xavier: As long as nothing's wrong.
But from his reaction, I still discovered .
MC: So, why were you so anxious earlier?
MC: Is it really because certain situations here could possibly cause a person’s heart to develop problems?
Xavier: I hid it from you before, because everything is just our speculation…
Xavier seems to finally relax a little, and turns his head to face the direction where that mirage had appeared.
Xavier: It's not entirely a person’s heart. More accurately, it's the entire planet’s heart that has developed problems.
Xavier: Here, we discovered the truth about Philos.
Like a dream, Shen Xinghui, who had disappeared arbitrarily of his own volition for such a long time, returns to my side just like that.
Moreover, it was even as a knight of the Lightseekers…
After rescuing me from the dark cosmic vortex, Shen Xinghui brings me to where his team is stationed—
On the other edge of Starfall Forest.
As it turns out, anytime I find myself deep in danger, he isn’t far away from me.
The team that Shen Xinghui belongs to is, strictly speaking, not considered an official knight team.
Every one of them wears a different badge, each likely once belonging to different teams of the Lightseekers.
I don’t know what sort of experiences or beliefs they’ve had for them to all currently gather by Shen Xinghui’s side.
Jeremiah: You for so long, and it turns out you were actually hiding here and doing something big!
Jeremiah continues to speak casually as always, similar to how he was back at school.
Shen Xinghui: I was also only reminded of this Forest in the recent few years.
Shen Xinghui: All along, Starfall Forest has been the hardest-hit by Wanderers, so I figured there had to be some secret here.
Shen Xinghui: In the past, Lightseekers would chase down Wanderers all over the place, but whenever one was eliminated, another would just show up elsewhere, and all that effort would be in vain.
Shen Xinghui: So I thought, why not find the root cause, go straight to its weakness, and stamp out the problem completely.
All sorts of equipment has been used to build a simple command center. Shen Xinghui stands before a virtual screen displaying a map, carefully explaining to Jeremiah and me in great detail what he has found these past few years.
His voice remains calm as always, but rings with steadfastness and an indisputable strength.
I watch the way Shen Xinghui walks about in front of the virtual screen. It's as if he's still the same person he was before, but somewhere… Something is a little different.
Shen Xinghui: Still lost in thought? Everyone's already left to rest, what about you?
Shen Xinghui walks up to me, and only then do I notice the people surrounding him have all dispersed.
MC: Oh, I… Perhaps since I just left that mirage not long ago, I’m still adjusting…
Shen Xinghui: Really?
Shen Xinghui hands me a jug of water.
Shen Xinghui: But someone told me a while back, it's only when you have someone you like, that’s when you get lost in thought often.
Behind that sentence are memories that are far too distant. I think back for a moment, and only then do I find the familiarity I once shared with Shen Xinghui again.
I accept the water and smile, leaning against the command center with him.
MC: Yeah… We haven't seen each other in so long, perhaps I really do have someone I like now.
Shen Xinghui: That's good.
MC: Not asking who it is?
Shen Xinghui: No matter who it is, it’s still good.
Shen Xinghui: After living for too long, by having someone in your heart, you'll always have some hope.
Since he says it that way, I inadvertently take a glance at the hilt of his sword.
The star tassel is still hanging there, but it is so faded its original color can’t be made out. Only the string looks like it was newly made.
MC: This tassel, you really do cherish it.
Shen Xinghui: I'm used to it.
MC: Then do you still remember, that year…
Shen Xinghui: Oh right, you haven't seen our newly modified patrol spaceship, right.
MC: …
Shen Xinghui: It’s parked not far away, follow me.
During the few days that I temporarily stayed in the camp, Shen Xinghui was always very busy.
If he wasn't leading his companions into the depths of the forest to scout, he was going into the spaceship alone, and once he entered he'd be in there the whole day.
What happened after we separated and he returned to the palace that year? Why wasn't the Titulus Ceremony held? How did he join the Lightseekers afterwards? What exactly has he been doing all these years? I tried multiple times to find an opportunity to ask about all these questions for clarification, but…
He always seamlessly changes the conversation topic.
Not only does he avoid questions, it seems as if he is also avoiding being alone with me, whether intentional or not.
I can’t help becoming more suspicious. He must have something even more important that he isn’t telling me…
Jeremiah: Are you sure you want to act this way?
MC: I'm sure. Whether or not we can trick the truth out of Shen Xinghui depends on you this time, but don't go overboard with your acting, okay.
Jeremiah: Understood! It’s been over two hundred years, I can finally be of help to you this one time.
Shen Xinghui coincidentally had just come back from the dense Forest. I rush to sprawl down beside the command center.
Jeremiah: (MC)! (MC), what's the matter with you? Is it happening again?
It’s such an exaggerated performance, yet it somehow really manages to draw Shen Xinghui’s attention.
Shen Xinghui: What happened to her?
Jeremiah: I don't know, ever since you rescued her from that mirage, her body actually hasn't been too well, but there was no opportunity to tell you.
As expected, Shen Xinghui turns serious.
Shen Xinghui: It’s her ?
MC: Yes… right! It often throbs in pain, it hurts…
MC: Maybe there was some strange energy in the mirage that stimulated it… if only I knew the reason…
Jeremiah: I swear, she was even crying in pain just now!
As I’m mentally criticizing Jeremiah’s , Shen Xinghui presses his headset microphone, then picks me up in one sweep.
Shen Xinghui: Still on the spaceship? Postpone Operation Backtrack, I need to borrow the spaceship for a bit.
Shen Xinghui: Mm, immediately.
MC: Ah? Hold it!
Since the matter is being blown out of proportion, I rush to stop him.
MC: It’s not that serious, Shen Xinghui, there’s no need to borrow the spaceship!
Shen Xinghui looks at me suspiciously, so I hurriedly break free and leap to the ground, hopping twice on the spot.
MC: You see, I'm fine…
Shen Xinghui: You lied to me?
MC: …Um, that's because I've been here for so long, and you won't even tell me what you're doing, that’s why I resorted to .
Shen Xinghui isn’t angry like I had anticipated. After he makes sure I am indeed healthy, he pats my head with a bit of lingering fear.
Shen Xinghui: As long as nothing's wrong.
But from his reaction, I still discovered .
MC: So, why were you so anxious earlier?
MC: Is it really because certain situations here could possibly cause a person’s heart to develop problems?
Shen Xinghui: I hid it from you before, because everything is just our speculation…
Shen Xinghui seems to finally relax a little, and turns his head to face the direction where that mirage had appeared.
Shen Xinghui: It's not entirely a person’s heart. More accurately, it's the entire planet’s heart that has developed problems.
Shen Xinghui: Here, we discovered the truth about Philos.
It was like a dream. Xavier returned to me.
He was also a Lightseeker…
After rescuing me from the dark, swirling cosmic vortex, Xavier took me to his base camp…
On the other side of Starfall Forest.
He was always nearby whenever I was in danger.
Strictly speaking, Xavier’s squad was not official. Each of the knights wore a different badge. They most likely belonged to various groups in the Order of Lightseekers prior. I knew nothing of their experience or beliefs which made them join Xavier.
Jeremiah: To think you were actually here! We all thought you went missing.
Jeremiah still spoke his mind, just like back in the Academy.
Xavier: I’ve been investigating the Forest for the past few years. It’s always infested with Wanderers. There’s something afoot. The Lightseekers hunted down Wanderers in this area only for the beasts to be reborn. What a waste of time. I figured we attack the problem at its source. We’ll be done with it once and for all.
A command center had been set up using various equipment. Xavier stood in front of a virtual map, calmly explaining his discoveries over the years to Jeremiah and me. His voice was monotone, yet firm.
I watched as Xavier walked to and fro before the big screen. He seemed like his same old self, but also… not.
Xavier: Still in a daze? Or are you going to rest like everyone else?
Xavier walked up to me. It was only then I noticed the other knights left.
MC: Oh, I… I’m still recovering from that illusion.
Xavier: Truly?
Xavier handed me a jug of water.
Xavier: They say you have someone on your mind if you stare at an object for a long time.
Those words were associated with memories from the distant past. I had to think about them before feeling a sense of familiarity with Xavier again.
Leaning against the equipment, I took the jug and smiled.
MC: …The years passed. I could have fallen in love with someone.
Xavier: Good.
MC: Aren’t you going to ask who it is?
Xavier: … It matters not. I’m happy for you. Having someone in your heart gives you the hope to press on.
I couldn’t help but look at the hilt of his sword. The tassel was still there, but the star-shaped charm lost most of its original color. Only the string seemed to be new.
MC: You cherish that tassel.
Xavier: I do.
MC: Do you recall—
Xavier: Ah, you haven’t seen our modified spaceship.
MC: …
Xavier: It’s not far from here. Follow me.
Staying in the camp, I noticed Xavier was always busy.
He was either scouting the Forest or secluded in his spaceship for a whole day.
I had a lot of questions. Why wasn’t there a ceremony when he returned to the palace? How did he join the Lightseekers? What was he doing all this time?
Yet he always took the conversation in another direction.
Not only that, he avoided spending time with me.
I was even more suspicious. He must be keeping something from me.
Jeremiah: Are you sure?
MC: I am. I’m counting on you to find the truth from Xavier. Don’t overdo it.
Jeremiah: Understood. At least I can help you after all these years.
Xavier had just returned from the Forest. I quickly lay down next to the equipment.
Jeremiah: Hey! Hey, what’s wrong? Having another fit again?
We caught Xavier’s attention.
Xavier: What happened to her?
Jeremiah: I haven’t the slightest idea. Her condition only worsened ever since she escaped the illusion. We weren’t able to tell you until now.
As I expected, Xavier’s expression became grave.
Xavier: Does it involve her heart?
MC: Yes…! It hurts so much… like I’m being stabbed… Some weird energy must have… If we find the cause…
Jeremiah: I swear on my honor that she was crying!
Before I could complain about Jeremiah’s poor acting, Xavier turned on his headset, then picked me up.
Xavier: Are you still on the spaceship? I need to borrow it. Put Operation Backtrack on hold for now. Yes, at this very moment.
MC: Huh? No, no!
The situation is getting out of control. I hurriedly stopped him.
MC: It’s fine, Xavier! You don’t need to use the spaceship!
Xavier was still suspicious. I quickly stood on the ground and jumped up and down two times.
MC: Everything is working…
Xavier: You lied to me?
MC: …I had no choice because you wouldn’t tell me anything, even when I’ve been here for a while.
Xavier: …
Xavier unexpectedly wasn’t upset. After he was assured that I was fine, he ruffled my hair.
Xavier: As long as you’re healthy.
But his reaction gave me some clues.
MC: Why were you anxious? What did you discover? Does it affect someone’s heart?
Xavier: … It’s all speculation. Hence why I didn’t tell you.
Xavier seemed to trust me. He turned to look in the direction of where I saw that white figure.
Xavier: It’s not just a person’s heart. This concerns the entire planet. We found out the secret Philos has been hiding.
如同做梦一样，擅自消失了那么久的沈星回，竟然就这样回到了我身边。
而且，竟然是以逐光骑士团的骑士的身份……
把我从黑暗的宇宙漩涡救出后，沈星回带我去了他所在的队伍的驻扎地--
在星降森林另一个方向的边缘地带。
原来，在我陷入危机时，他一直离我并不遥远。
沈星回所在的队伍，严格来说并不算一支正式的骑士队伍。
他们每个人佩戴的徽章都不一样，曾经，应该是隶属于逐光骑士团里不同的分队。
不知是出于怎样的经历和信念，此时都汇聚在了沈星回的身边。
邱诺亚: 你销声匿迹这么久，竟然躲在这里办大事!
邱诺亚说起话来依旧没大没小，和从前在学校时一样。
沈星回: 我也是最近几年，才又想起这片森林的。
沈星回: 一直以来，星降森林都是流浪体祸患最严重的地方，我猜，这里一定有什么秘密。
沈星回: 以前逐光骑士团总是追着流浪体四处奔袭，可刚扑灭这里，那里又出现了，做的一切都是徒劳无功。
沈星回: 所以我想，不如找到根源，直取要害，把问题彻底掐断。
各类设备搭起一个简单的指挥台，沈星回站在一屏虚拟地图前，对我和邱诺亚有条不紊地解释着他这些年的发现。
他的语气依旧淡淡的，却透着坚定的，不容置疑的力量。
我看着沈星回在虚拟屏前走动的样子，只觉得他似乎还是从前的那个他，可哪里……又变得不太一样了。
沈星回: 还在走神么?大家都已经去休息了，你呢?
沈星回来到我面前，我才发觉围拢着他的人都已经散去了。
玩家: 哦，我……可能是从幻象里出来不久，还有点不适应吧……
沈星回: 真的?
沈星回递给我一壶水。
沈星回: 但以前有人和我说，只有有了喜欢的人，才会总是走神。
这句话背后的回忆太过久远，我回想了片刻，才找回曾经和沈星回相处的熟悉感。
我接过水笑笑，和他一起倚在指挥台旁。
玩家: 是啊……这么久不见，说不定我真的有了喜欢的人。
沈星回: 那很好。
玩家: 就不问问是谁？
沈星回: ……
沈星回: 不论是谁都很好。
沈星回: 活得太久，心里有个想着的人，总会有一些希望。
他既然这样说，我便不自觉地要去看他佩剑的剑柄。
星星剑穗还挂在那里，已经褪得看不出原本的颜色，只有绳子像是重新编过。
玩家: 这剑穗，你是真的很珍惜。
沈星回: 习惯了。
玩家: 那你还记不记得，当年……
沈星回: 对了，你还没有看过我们新改造的巡游飞船吧。
玩家: ……
沈星回: 就停在不远的地方，跟我来。
我暂留在林中营地的那几天里，沈星回总是很忙。
不是带领他的同伴进入森林深处探查，就是一个人钻进巡游飞船里，一待就是一整天。
关于当年分别后他回到王宫，为什么没有举行王储典礼，后来又是怎么加入逐光骑士团的，这些年究竟在做什么，这诸多的疑问我几次想找机会问清楚，可是……
都被他用其他话题不着痕迹地岔开了。
不仅仅是回避问题，他似乎也在有意无意地避免和我单独相处。
我不由更加怀疑，他一定有什么更重要的事情，没有告诉我……
邱诺亚: 你确定要这么演?
玩家: 确定，能不能诈出沈星回的实话，这次就靠你了，但别演得太夸张啊。
邱诺亚: 明白!两百多年了，总算帮上你一次。
沈星回正好从密林回来，我赶忙趴倒在指挥台边。
邱诺亚: （玩家姓名）!（玩家姓名）你怎么了?又发作了吗?
如此浮夸的演技，竟然真的引来了沈星回的注意。
沈星回: 她怎么了?
邱诺亚: 不知道啊，自从你把她从幻象里救出，她其实一直都身体不好，只是没机会告诉你。
沈星回果然认真了起来。
沈星回: 是心脏?
玩家: 是……对!经常突然抽痛，好痛……
玩家: 可能是幻象里有什么奇怪的能量，被刺激了……要是能知道原因的话……
邱诺亚: 我作证，刚才她都疼哭了!
我正在腹诽邱诺亚贫瘠的语言能力，沈星回便按亮耳麦，然后一把将我抱起。
沈星回: 还在飞船上么?回溯计划推迟，我要借飞船一用。
沈星回: 嗯，立刻。
玩家: 啊?先别!
这样事情就闹大了，我赶忙制止。
玩家: 我没那么严重，沈星回，不用借飞船!
沈星回狐疑地看向我，我赶紧挣扎着跳下地，原地蹦了两下。
玩家: 你看，我好好的……
沈星回: 你骗我?
玩家: ……呃，那是因为，我来了这么久，你都不告诉我你在做什么，我才出此下策。
沈星回: ……
沈星回没有像我预想的那样生气，确认我的确身体健康后，只是有点后怕地揉了一下我的头。
沈星回: 没事就好。
但从他的反应里，我还是发现了蛛丝马迹。
玩家: 所以刚才，你为什么那么紧张?
玩家: 是不是真的因为这里的某些情况，有可能让人的心脏出现问题?
沈星回: ……
沈星回: 之前瞒着你，是因为一切只是我们的推测……
沈星回似乎终于有所松动，转头看向幻象出现的方位。
沈星回: 不完全是人的心脏，准确地说，是整个星球的心脏都出现了问题。
沈星回: 在这里，我们发现了菲罗斯星的真相。
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