Honkai: Star Rail: I Can Fix This Gender-Bent World — Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Compensation

Young Master Asta immediately schooled his features, turning to the diminutive figure of Chen-as-Herta.

“Professor Herta, your new… ah, creation this time is certainly very… distinctive,” he began, choosing his words with care. “The resolution of the crisis at the Space Station was all thanks to you and the Astral Express crew. Professor, if you have any further needs or arrangements for testing your new creation, please feel free to give the order.”

He then retrieved a sleek, black card from his pocket, presenting it to the group.

“By the way, Ms. Welt, Uncle Himeko, and all you fearless Trailblazers, please accept this small token of our appreciation.”

Uncle Himeko’s mature, handsome face bore a polite smile as he raised a hand in refusal. “Young Master Asta, the Astral Express appreciates your kindness. However, the journey of the Trailblaze is to answer its call and walk its Path. Compensation was never our intention for intervening. The Space Station has just endured a great turmoil; these resources would serve a far greater purpose if they remained in your hands.”

Asta’s expression faltered. “Uncle Himeko, you’re being too formal! This is just the most basic token of our gratitude…”

Just as the delicate dance of polite refusal was about to continue, a sharp, impatient voice sliced through the deadlock.

“Inefficient.”

Every gaze snapped to Chen, who had somehow drifted closer to the center of the conversation. He tilted his small, doll-like head, his eyes—identical to those of any other Herta Puppet—scanning the two men. With a huff, he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Mundane formalities are meaningless. They accomplish nothing but the wasting of precious time.”

He delivered the line in that signature, condescending tone that was unmistakably Herta’s. His tiny finger jabbed first at the card in Asta’s hand, then at Himeko.

“You. Station Master. Since the budget has been approved and the expenditure items are clearly defined, just execute the transfer. And you. Navigator. Accepting reasonable compensation to maintain vehicle integrity and ensure crew survival is basic logic. It is a prerequisite for continuing to fulfill your Trailblazing duties. What is the point of all this tedious back-and-forth?”

The blunt assessment left Uncle Himeko momentarily speechless. A helpless, amused smile touched his lips as he glanced at Ms. Welt, who stood beside him.

Ms. Welt adjusted her glasses, a glint of sharp understanding flashing in her eyes. This kid, Chen… she could practically see the barely concealed excitement shimmering behind Herta’s perpetually bored facade.

As if granted a royal pardon, Young Master Asta quickly seized the opportunity provided by “Professor Herta’s” new puppet. “The Professor… ah, is right! I was overthinking things, getting stuck on formalities.”

He hurried forward and, moving too quickly for any further protest, shoved the card firmly into Himeko’s hand. “Then, as the professor suggests, please do accept it!”

Himeko looked down at the card, then back up, shaking his head with a soft laugh. He finally relented. “…In that case, thank you for your kindness, Young Master Asta. And thank you as well… ‘Herta,’ for the arbitration.”

“Hmph.” Chen, still in character, let out a light, satisfied snort.

He was about to retreat, his mission accomplished, when Young Master Asta spoke up again, his tone now more serious as he addressed Himeko and Welt.

“Uncle Himeko, Ms. Welt, there is one more thing… to be perfectly honest. Although the Master Control Zone is temporarily secure, the Support Zone and the Base Zone are another story. Especially several of the Energy Pipeline Convergence Areas and the Outer Observation Corridors… we’re still detecting signs of scattered Void Ranger activity and some lingering, unstable energy fields.”

He pulled up the Space Station’s structural diagram on a nearby terminal, several key areas pulsing with a cautionary red light.

“Our Defense Department members are handling the situation by zones, but we’re seriously short-handed. And… when it comes to facing Void Rangers and abnormal energy phenomena, their experience is a far cry from you battle-hardened Trailblazers.”

Asta took a deep breath, his expression turning into one of solemn appeal. “I know this request might be excessive, but could the Astral Express crew possibly assist us with a thorough cleanup? We would, of course, treat it as an additional commission. The Space Station is willing to pay corresponding compensation. The supplies and permissions we promised previously can take effect immediately, and we’ll add an extra batch of maintenance materials on top!”

Himeko and Welt exchanged a knowing glance. This was the real problem that Asta, as the Station Master, needed to solve.

Himeko pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over his younger companions. “Since Young Master Asta has made the request, and these hidden dangers do indeed exist… this could be a good opportunity for some practical combat training.”

A warm smile spread across his face as he made his decision. “Welt, you and I will remain here in the Master Control Zone.”

He looked at the eager March 7th, the expressionless Dan Heng, and Stelle, who was idly gripping her bat, seemingly not opposed to another fight. Finally, his gaze fell upon Chen, who was still trying his absolute best to play the part of an aloof, detached puppet.

“As for the task of cleaning up the remaining enemies…” The smile on Uncle Himeko’s lips deepened. “We’ll leave it to the youngsters. March, Dan Heng, Stelle, and… Herta. Form a team and clean up the sectors separately, according to the area distribution map provided by Young Master Asta. Stay safe, and maintain communication.”

“Yay!” March 7th was the first to react, practically jumping with excitement. “Finally, something proper to do! My bow was going to get rusty from playing cards in the carriage all day!”

He immediately turned to Dan Heng and Stelle, his energy infectious. “Let’s go, let’s go! We’ll freeze all those stragglers into popsicles! Dan Heng, you take the left flank! Stelle, you… uh, stick with me! And this one…”

He looked at the tiny Herta puppet, blinking his wide, curious eyes. “‘Professor Herta’s new puppet,’ want to stretch your legs a bit and test your performance too?”

At that moment, Chen was internally vibrating with an excitement that screamed, ‘New quest dropped!’

Combat! Practical testing! And compensation! This was exactly what he needed most right now! He could finally verify the combat effectiveness of different character transformations, legally obtain resources, and maybe even boost his “favorability” with his new companions on the Astral Express!

He forcibly suppressed the grin that was threatening to split his face, maintaining a mask of cool indifference. In response to March 7th’s teasing invitation, he simply let out another haughty snort.

“Hmph. Since the Navigator has arranged it, and collecting data on practical environmental stressors does help with subsequent analysis… I suppose I can reluctantly join you in this inefficient cleanup operation.”

Seeing the arrangements settled, Asta felt a great weight lift from his shoulders. Though he couldn’t fathom why the professor himself would deign to join, he wasn’t about to question it. “Excellent! I’ll immediately sync the detailed threat area distribution map and real-time dynamic markers to everyone’s communication devices! The Defense Department will cooperate to the fullest extent and provide area lockdown support! I’ll leave this to all of you; I need to go coordinate repair work in the other areas!”

After saying this, he bowed once more to Himeko and Welt, then hurried off, diving back into the monumental task of restoring the Space Station.

“Alright then, let’s set off!” March 7th waved energetically, already leading the way toward the passage to the Support Zone. “First target, the Energy Relay Station on the east side of the Base Zone! I heard there are a few wandering Plunderers there! Let’s give them a taste of my new arrows!”

Dan Heng followed in his wake, his movements silent and light. Stelle, bat resting on her shoulder, also started walking.

Chen cast one last look at Ms. Welt and Uncle Himeko before turning away. Without a shred of hesitation, he stepped forward, trying to make his tiny puppet steps seem as steady and dignified as possible as he caught up with the team ahead.

The Astral Express’s new generation’s first collaborative mission had just begun.