Honkai Star Rail: I Played the Villain, Now the Heroines Want Revenge — Chapter 235

Chapter 235: I, Phantylia, Will Never Underestimate the Enemy!

The Star Skiff docked steadily at the harbor in front of the Palace of Astrum.

The magnificent building, the heart of the Sky-Faring Commission, loomed before them, its golden-green roof shimmering with intricate, flowing patterns of light.

[Inorin’s Note: The Palace of Astrum (司辰宫/Sī Chén Gōng) is the headquarters of the Sky-Faring Commission, led by Yukong. The source text confused this with the Divination Commission.]

“Tingyun,” in her role as the perfect guide, was the first to step off the Star Skiff, bowing elegantly. “Benefactors, we have arrived. Please, this way.”

However, March 7th, who was the first to reach the Star Skiff’s exit, hesitated.

She peered at the bustling, normal-looking street ahead, and remembering the terrifying scene from earlier, she was somewhat afraid.

She half-expected that the normal, smiling pedestrians might suddenly freeze, their heads twisting 180 degrees to pounce on her.

For a moment, she dared not step forward.

“What’s wrong?” Orion, who was right behind her, asked, his voice calm.

March 7th turned her head, and when she saw Orion’s relaxed, almost casual face, her heart suddenly settled.

That’s right. What was she afraid of?

Standing behind her was the man who could single-handedly eliminate a Lord Ravager.

With Orion here, even if everyone down there was the same kind of monster from before, what could they do?

Thinking this, March 7th’s courage instantly swelled.

She puffed out her chest, turned back, and said, “N-Nothing! Let’s go!”

With that, she strode confidently onto the streets of the Luofu.

As the group walked, the surrounding Xianzhou residents cast curious, but normal, glances at them.

However, just as they turned a street corner, Orion and Welt both keenly noticed a team of Cloud Knights, heavily armed and moving with grim efficiency, quietly appearing from an unmarked alley.

Immediately, they, with lightning speed, surrounded and subdued all the “pedestrians” who had previously attacked that trembling man.

They used specialized energy shackles, and the “civilians” thrashed and hissed, their faces momentarily distorting into the same bestial visages from before.

The Cloud Knights quickly led them away into a sealed transport.

The entire process took less than ten seconds, so fast and silent that it didn’t even attract the attention of the surrounding passersby.

The street returned to its usual liveliness, the shoppers and merchants unaware of the cleanup that had just occurred.

Welt’s eyes narrowed. So, they know. The Luofu leadership is aware of this… ‘glitch’… and is actively covering it up.

After that, the journey was uneventful.

Tingyun led the group to the grand entrance of the Palace of Astrum.

Just as everyone thought they were about to enter, Tingyun stopped.

“Esteemed benefactors,” she smiled apologetically, her fan fluttering lightly. “This humble one has already reported your intentions and situation to Lady Yukong via the Jade Abacus. I shall not disturb you by entering.”

“You’re not coming with us?” Stelle asked curiously.

“No, no,” Tingyun waved her hand, a delicate grimace on her face. “After the fright just now, this humble one is still a bit flustered and weary. I’d like to find a nearby teahouse to rest for a bit and await your return.”

“Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Orion’s lips curved into a smile.

“Is Miss Tingyun very tired? That’s quite understandable after such an ordeal.”

He stepped forward, his voice full of mock concern. “Would you like me to stay behind as well and find a place to give you a massage?”

Tingyun’s fluttering fan stuttered.

“This is a family heirloom skill of mine,” Orion continued, his voice smooth. “It’s guaranteed to relieve fatigue and promote blood circulation. You look… tense.”

Tingyun’s smile instantly stiffened. This… insolent mortal!

Phantylia, the Lord Ravager, a being of near-divine power, felt a flicker of genuine, unfamiliar annoyance.

What is he playing at? Is he… flirting? With me?

She quickly regained her composure. “N-No! Thank you for your kindness, benefactor. It’s just a small ailment of this humble one; how dare I trouble you, benefactor, with such a burden? I am truly unworthy…”

“How can you be unworthy?”

Orion took another step forward, closing in on her. The height difference was noticeable.

He was now close enough that she could feel the faint, strange aura from him—the dormant power of Finality and Elation. It made her skin prickle.

“To share Miss Tingyun’s worries, I am duty-bound.”

He leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping. “You’ve been such a helpful guide. It’s the least I can do.”

Tingyun was completely flustered now. This wasn’t in any of her scripts.

Does he know? The thought flashed through her mind. Impossible. My disguise is perfect. He’s just an arrogant, lecherous brat.

She had never expected Orion to pull such a stunt. She needed to leave. Now.

She frantically waved her hands, her feet uncontrollably backing away, her elegant composure completely shattered.

“Um… this humble one is not feeling well recently…”

“Today… right now… my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable, and I urgently need to find a latrine to relieve myself!”

“Benefactors, please go in quickly, I… I’ll take my leave first!”

After speaking, she didn’t even wait for a reply. She disappeared around the street corner like a startled rabbit, fleeing.

Orion watched her flustered retreating figure, the smile on his face gradually disappearing, his eyes turning cold.

The situation on the Xianzhou this time was different from most of the world lines he had seen…

This Phantylia, it seems, has done quite a bit to the Xianzhou already.

The “pause” ability… the cannibalistic Mara-Struck… this is new.

However, it doesn’t matter.

I’d like to see what tricks she can pull.

“That’s nice.”

Just then, March 7th’s light, singsong voice sounded beside him. “I want a massage too…”

She turned her head, looking at Orion with a scrutinizing gaze:

“Speaking of which, why are you so good to her? Saying you’ll give a massage and stay behind… are you interested in her? Already?”

Orion replied without changing his expression: “Not at all. I just saw that Miss Tingyun was too tired and sincerely wanted to help her. After all, when traveling the universe, more friends mean more paths.”

March 7th leaned closer, staring into his eyes. “Really? No other thoughts? Because you got reeeal close.”

“No.” Orion was very calm. “But you… March, do you also want a massage?”

“Yes… Ah, no! Um…”

Upon hearing this, March 7th instinctively wanted to agree.

But the words caught in her throat. She suddenly felt embarrassed, her cheeks flushing.

She immediately diverted the attention, nudging Stelle beside her and whispering:

“Quick! Your ‘good brother’ is offering! This is your chance!”

“Ah? Oh!” Stelle immediately reacted. “Um, I want a massage too!”

Orion looked at Stelle. “You too?”

“Mm!” Stelle nodded vigorously, her cheeks slightly flushed. “I can pay! Not just let you do it for free… you… do the work…”

She suddenly imagined Orion’s hands on her back, kneading her sore muscles…

No, wait… like in the simulation? When he…

She immediately felt her face burning hot, as if it were about to cook.

No, I can’t think any further! Bad Stelle!

Orion looked at the two girls with their flushed cheeks and couldn’t help but smile, a genuine, warm smile this time.

“Maybe someday. Let’s go, Uncle Yang is waiting for us.”

He pointed to Welt, who was already waiting patiently at the entrance of the Palace of Astrum, an amused glint behind his glasses.

Orion then strode over.

“Hey, wait for us!”

March 7th quickly pulled Stelle, who was still blushing and lost in thought, and followed him in.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Tingyun fled into an empty street corner, leaning against the wall, somewhat out of breath.

It wasn’t from exhaustion. It was from being flustered by Orion’s actions.

What massage… What exactly did that brat want to do?

Why was he so insistent on following me?

Could it be… he discovered my identity?

No, absolutely impossible!

Phantylia recomposed herself, her expression turning cold and disdainful.

My disguise is perfect. I have completely subsumed this Foxian’s aura. Even the real Yukong wouldn’t notice. He has never seen the real Tingyun, how could he possibly…

He is just an arrogant mortal, buoyed by one lucky victory. Nothing more.

No… I still need to be cautious.

After all, this guy personally killed Asat Pramad.

Fortunately, this time I didn’t underestimate the enemy like that fool Asat Pramad did.

Phantylia raised her head, her gaze piercing through the cavern’s ceiling, looking at the distant, completely withered Ambrosial Arbor.

A sinister, cold smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

This time, the Stellaron I brought is no ordinary Stellaron.

That is Celenova’s gift… a “Great Stellaron” forged and fused from a hundred high-purity Stellarons.

[Inorin’s Note: A “Great Stellaron” is a conceptual weapon, far more potent than a standard Stellaron. While a normal one is a “Cancer of All Worlds,” this is a “Plague of Galaxies.”]

This time, I will absolutely not fail like Asat Pramad!

Aeon of Finality… this time, I will carve out for you… the most perfect Lord Ravager.