Honkai Star Rail: I Played the Villain, Now the Heroines Want Revenge — Chapter 244

Chapter 244: Meeting Kafka

Orion and his group left the Divination Commission, the disorienting, data-filled structure looming behind them. They were on their way to rendezvous with Welt at the Exalting Sanctum.

“That Fu Xuan is too strange, isn’t she?”

March 7th complained about what had just happened, skipping ahead and walking backward to face the group.

“She called us all the way over just to say a few inexplicable, cryptic things… What exactly does that Master Diviner want to do?”

Stelle nodded in agreement, fiddling with her baseball bat. “I don’t know… She kept staring at Orion, it was very strange. Like, really staring.”

Welt pushed up his glasses and mused, “This Master Diviner is probably not simple. She seems to have an… unusual interest in you, Orion.”

Orion smiled, noncommittally. ‘Unusual’ is one word for it, he thought, recalling the phantom memory of her from the simulation.

“I think she just wants a man,” March 7th revealed the ‘truth’ in one blunt sentence.

“But, Orion, you have to be careful! I feel like the expression on her face when she looks at you is as if she wants to grab you and lock you up!”

Stelle immediately echoed, “Exactly! If you get caught, March 7th and I will definitely go rescue you!”

Orion looked at the two girls’ serious, determined expressions and smiled.

“Don’t worry, she can’t catch me.”

Just then, Welt’s phone rang, a simple, discreet chime.

He looked at the message, his expression changed slightly, and then he said to everyone:

“There’s news about the Stellaron Hunter, Kafka.”

“Kafka… they found her?”

March 7th and Stelle were both surprised by the Xianzhou’s efficiency.

Welt continued: “The message came from Miss Tingyun. She said she found traces of Kafka at Starskiff Haven and hopes we can go meet her immediately to pursue her together.”

“It’s that Tingyun again?”

March 7th’s brows immediately furrowed, and she felt inexplicably unhappy.

“We have to go check it out.”

Welt made a decision. “Kafka might have clues about the Stellaron. We can’t let her go.”

Orion nodded. “Uncle Yang is right. Let’s go.”

The group no longer delayed and immediately boarded a passing starskiff, heading to the rendezvous point Tingyun had mentioned.

A teahouse near the Starskiff Haven.

When they arrived, Tingyun was already waiting at the entrance.

Today, she had changed into an even more elaborate outfit, a flowing skirt made of cloud brocade that swayed with every step, accentuating her graceful figure and charming, professional demeanor.

“My benefactors, you’re finally here.”

As soon as Tingyun saw them, she immediately greeted them, her seductive fox eyes shamelessly lingering on Orion for a moment too long.

“As soon as this humble one received the news, I immediately informed everyone, for fear of delaying important matters.”

“Miss Tingyun, you’ve worked hard,” Welt said politely.

“How could it be hard to serve my benefactors?”

Tingyun’s gaze fell back on Orion again. She took a step forward, her voice soft and low.

“Especially to share the worries of Benefactor Orion, this humble one is even more willing.”

Her overt, targeted demeanor made March 7th and Stelle, who were standing nearby, furious.

“Cough!” March 7th deliberately coughed loudly, physically squeezing between Orion and Tingyun. She said with a bright, fake smile:

“Miss Tingyun, since there’s news about Kafka, shouldn’t we hurry and set off? Let’s not waste time here.”

“Benefactor March 7th is right.”

Tingyun’s smile didn’t waver. “However, this matter requires careful consideration. This humble one has prepared tea and snacks inside, why don’t we go in and discuss it over tea?”

As she spoke, she naturally reached out her hand, intending to link arms with Orion again, just as she had before.

Just as Tingyun’s fingers were about to touch Orion’s arm.

Another hand reached out from the side, blocking the way precisely in the middle.

It was Stelle.

She looked at Tingyun, her face expressionless, but her golden eyes were cold.

Her other hand was already tightly gripping Orion’s other arm, as if declaring ownership.

“No need for tea.”

Stelle said indifferently, but everyone could tell she was deeply displeased.

“We’re here to catch someone, not for a picnic.”

Tingyun’s hand froze in mid-air, and the smile on her face also solidified for a moment.

She hadn’t expected this seemingly dazed, spacey, grey-haired girl to react so quickly.

Oh dear, the benefactor is right.

Tingyun immediately withdrew her hand, her smile returning. “This humble one was inconsiderate. Then, shall we depart now?”

As she spoke, she naturally walked to Orion’s other side, the side Stelle wasn’t holding, forming a pincer attack.

“Kafka’s whereabouts are elusive, and her strength is formidable. According to the intelligence this humble one has received, her last known location was the most chaotic area of Starskiff Haven. There are many Mara-Struck there, so we must be extremely careful on this journey.”

Tingyun led the way for everyone, while meticulously explaining the situation, appearing very reliable.

But her body always leaned towards Orion’s side, whether intentionally or not.

When walking through a narrow alley, she “accidentally” tripped on a loose cobblestone, then gasped softly and fell towards Orion.

Orion, his arm still held by Stelle, simply sidestepped, letting her stumble.

Tingyun caught herself gracefully, her smile not wavering, but her eyes flashed with annoyance.

This, of course, caused a wave of poorly-hidden giggles from March 7th and a smug look from Stelle.

And when passing a stall selling sugar paintings, Tingyun used the same trick again.

She bought the most expensive, intricate skewer, shaped like a phoenix.

“Benefactor Orion, would you like to try it? It’s very sweet.”

She held it to Orion’s mouth, her eyes sparkling, a picture of feminine charm.

March 7th and Stelle were practically fuming at her actions!

“This woman! She’s doing it on purpose! Absolutely on purpose!”

March 7th stomped her foot in anger behind them, whispering to Welt.

“Uncle Yang! Look at her! She’s seducing Orion in broad daylight!”

Welt also looked helpless; what could he do? He couldn’t interfere in such matters.

And Stelle, with a dark expression throughout, held Orion’s arm tighter and tighter, like guarding food, glaring at Tingyun with vigilant eyes.

Orion was caught in the middle, feeling the different forces coming from both sides, and felt a flash of amusement.

This Phantylia, her plan is quite clever. Sowing discord.

However, she thinks this will work? Too naive.

Facing the sugar painting Tingyun offered, Orion did not refuse.

He leaned forward, ignoring Stelle’s death grip, and took a bite.

He then smiled at Tingyun and said:

“It is indeed very sweet. However, it’s not as sweet as Miss Tingyun.”

As soon as these words left his mouth, Tingyun’s eyes instantly lit up. He’s hooked!

And Stelle and March 7th looked at Orion as if struck by a bolt from the blue, utterly shocked.

“Orion! Orion! What- what are you saying!” March 7th exclaimed in a panic.

“Yeah! In broad daylight, you, you actually…” Stelle’s face turned red, and she felt a sudden urge to drop his arm.

However, Orion’s next sentence made Tingyun freeze:

“It’s just that, something so sweet, if you eat too much, it’s easy to get tired of it. And also easy to… get cavities.”

As he spoke, he meaningfully looked at Tingyun.

The smile on Tingyun’s face froze.

She wasn’t a fool, so she naturally understood the hidden, mocking meaning in Orion’s words.

Orion then turned his head, and before Stelle could react, he snatched the candied hawthorns she had just bought from her hand and took a bite.

“Hmm, this taste is still the best. Sweet and sour. It’s appetizing.”

After speaking, he deliberately held the half-eaten candied hawthorns to Stelle’s mouth:

“You want to try some too?”

Stelle was stunned for a moment, then, her face bright red, she subconsciously opened her mouth and bit into one.

The sweet and sour taste spread in her mouth, and the slight, heavy unhappiness in her heart instantly vanished.

She looked at Orion, her cheeks burning, and said, “Why did you steal mine!”

“I’m just helping you taste it, you know,” Orion said righteously.

March 7th, seeing this scene from the side, seemed to understand something.

She ran in front of Orion, also holding up the cotton candy in her hand:

“Orion, Orion! You can try mine too!”

“Alright.”

Orion happily took a bite of that as well.

Tingyun, neglected on the side, watched the three of them enjoying themselves, and unconsciously tightened her grip on her folding fan, her knuckles white.

She suddenly felt that her plan had failed. Utterly.

She had intended to use jealousy to create a rift between Orion and the two girls, causing conflict, ideally leading to a big argument, thereby disintegrating the team’s cohesion.

But to her surprise, not only was Orion not swayed by her, but he also appeased the two girls with just a few simple, infuriating words.

This made her feel like a clown.

What was even more infuriating was that the two girls not only didn’t fight among themselves but instead united against her, directing their hostility as one.

“Some people, you know, are too scheming. Aren’t they afraid of getting ugly faces from all that fake smiling?”

March 7th said sarcastically, loud enough to be heard, while eating her cotton candy.

Stelle also crossed her arms and snorted coldly: “Exactly. If she wants to steal my good brother, she’ll need to cultivate for another hundred years!”

Tingyun’s face still held a polite smile, but the warmth in her eyes had dropped to a freezing point.

Good… very good.

Orion, and everyone from the Astral Express.

You have successfully, truly provoked me.

“My benefactors, Starskiff Haven is just ahead.”

Along the way, Tingyun took a long time to compose herself before pointing ahead and speaking.

“Kafka is hiding within. However, that place has now been completely contaminated by the ‘Stellaron Sickness’, and the situation inside is probably more complex than we imagine.”

Then, she led the group inside to search for Kafka.

After the Astral Express Crew dealt with many Mara-Struck, Tingyun finally stopped.

She pointed to an old, giant cargo ship docked in a derelict, silent area.

“According to the last signal intercepted by the Sky-Faring Commission, that Stellaron Hunter named Kafka is in this vicinity.”

The four exchanged glances. Welt’s expression was solemn:

“Everyone, stay alert. This place is full of strangeness.”

They approached the cargo ship, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

At this moment, everyone stopped in their tracks.

In the empty space, a woman in a stylish, dark trench coat, with an elegant posture, stood with her back to them, quietly.

She made no attempt to conceal her aura, nor did she show any intention of fleeing, as if she had specifically waited for them here.

“Kafka!”

Seeing that back, March 7th subconsciously called out.

The woman turned around, revealing a face so beautiful it was intoxicating.

Her wine-red eyes held a smile, and her gaze bypassed Welt at the very front, landing on Stelle behind him.

“Trailblazer, long time no see… Hmm, no, it’s only been a day, right?”

Then, her gaze shifted, meeting Orion’s, who was standing right beside Stelle.

At that moment, Kafka’s smile seemed to change. A complex, unreadable look flashed in those eyes that could always see through people’s hearts.

This… this is new.

“Kafka, what is your purpose in luring us to the Xianzhou Luofu?”

Welt stepped forward and asked, his voice firm.

Kafka, however, completely ignored him. Her full attention seemed to be focused on Orion and Stelle.

“You’ve grown a lot…”

She first nodded at Stelle, like an old friend she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Then, her wine-red eyes turned to Orion, scrutinizing him up and down.

“And you… Orion. In Elio’s script, you were supposed to be an insignificant name, someone who would be erased in Belobog. Yet, you stand here now.”

“You, a person whom even the ‘Slave of Destiny’ cannot predict… Truly, surprising, yet very interesting.”

[Inorin’s Note: “Slave of Destiny” (命运的奴隶) is Elio’s self-given title. Kafka is confirming that Orion is outside of Elio’s grand plan.]

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the Astral Express Crew was startled.

Kafka, a Stellaron Hunter, why would she say that?

Orion… un-predictable?

And what is Elio’s script?

Orion’s heart also rippled slightly.

“A person who should have been erased, huh…”

He smirked. “Heh… I’m sorry I didn’t die in Belobog.”

“But, in the future, whether it’s you, or that so-called ‘Slave of Destiny’… when you see me again, you will only be more surprised than you are now.”

Hearing this, Kafka smiled, a genuine, amused smile. “If it’s truly as you say, then I look forward to that day.”

“But now, at this moment, we still stand on opposite sides, and we must continue to complete the next part of the script.”

“So, are we fighting?” March 7th was a little nervous. “Are Stellaron Hunters formidable?”

Stelle’s eyes sharpened. “Doesn’t matter. We’ll fight no matter how strong they are!”

She felt a bit annoyed at the moment.

Just now, she and Orion were exchanging those familiar glances… I really misjudged her!

Kafka is definitely a bad woman!

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense and a battle was about to erupt.

Suddenly, the sound of heavy boots.

Cloud Knights, armed with formation blades, surrounded the entire area, their jade-tipped spears cutting off all escape.

The crowd parted, and a petite, pink-haired figure slowly walked out.

It was the Master Diviner of the Divination Commission, Fu Xuan.

The divine eye on her forehead glowed, and her gaze, like a sharp sword, locked onto Kafka.

“Stellaron Hunter Kafka. You infiltrated the Xianzhou Luofu, colluded with the Astral Express, and smuggled a Stellaron. Your crimes are heinous! On behalf of the Divination Commission, I officially place you under arrest!”

The Cloud Knights’ formation blades were drawn in unison, their energy humming as they surrounded Kafka.

March 7th and Stelle also nervously drew their weapons, ready for a fierce battle.

However, to everyone’s surprise, facing this inescapable trap, Kafka, the protagonist, didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

She even let out a lazy yawn, then gave Fu Xuan a helpless smile.

“Oh dear, you’ve finally arrived, Lady Fu Xuan. Your efficiency is quite a bit slower than what was written in the script.”

After speaking, she actually, on her own accord, extended both hands, wrists together.

At this moment, the entire Starskiff Haven fell silent.

The Cloud Knights exchanged glances, their hands holding their formation blades somewhat at a loss.

They had prepared for an earth-shattering battle, but the number one most wanted criminal… surrendered herself?

Fu Xuan’s small face was tightly strained, the divine eye on her forehead flickering erratically, clearly also somewhat confused.

She had anticipated countless possibilities: Kafka resisting fiercely, setting traps, detonating a Stellaron to perish together…

But she had never expected this one.

“Cuff her.”

Fu Xuan squeezed out two words through gritted teeth.

Two Cloud Knights stepped forward and locked Kafka’s wrists with specialized, energy-dampening shackles.

From beginning to end, Kafka wore a smile on her face.

And her gaze, subtly, always drifted towards Orion.

Fu Xuan’s gaze also followed, landing on the Astral Express Crew.

“Astral Express. As outsiders, you are entangled with a Stellaron Hunter and have been caught by me. Your suspicion is great!”

She waved her hand.

“Take them all back to the Divination Commission for investigation!”