“Even though I said that, the train can still put up a final struggle, right?!”

Argenti lowered his head slightly, his emerald eyes filled with unwavering determination: “Velt, I will escort you to the end. A knight keeps his word.”

Velt rubbed his red eyes hard, his voice almost tearful: “Don't think I'll be moved if you keep saying things like that. I'm known for being heartless!”

---

The Boys.

Homelander stood before the top-floor conference room of the Vought Tower, his blue eyes reflecting the New York neon lights. His fingertips tapped rapidly against the glass, each tap making Knight of Pure Beauty and Ashley, who stood behind him, tense up.

“Your approval rating has dropped by ten percentage points,” Ashley said cautiously, glancing at the data on her tablet. “Even among your die-hard fans, some people think you're not as good as that Pure Beauty Knight.”

“I really should twist this bitch's head off,” Homelander thought. If only she couldn't handle things like interest, taxes, and personnel...

Knight of Pure Beauty swallowed, forcing out a fawning smile: “Those people don't understand at all. They're just a bunch of stupid followers—”

Homelander spun around abruptly, cutting Knight of Pure Beauty off mid-sentence.

“Shut up, you fish-smelling waste.” he said in a low voice.

He snatched the computer from Ashley's hand, his finger scrolling through the latest social media data—the discussion about “Pure Beauty Knight Argenti” was climbing at an alarming rate, and the comment section was almost entirely filled with comments like “This is a true hero” and “I wish there were knights like this in real life.”

As his finger kept scrolling down, Homelander's face grew increasingly ashen. Many edited videos about Argenti had appeared online, and there were even topics comparing him to himself.

Reading the room, Ashley immediately stepped forward: “We can create some topics, guide public opinion, or introduce a new member of the Seven...”

“Oh.”

Homelander stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly grinned and reached up to grab her chin.

Terror and panic were instantly etched into Ashley's eyes. Her lips were squeezed into a comical shape by the immense force, like two fish lips. Her throat struggled to produce hoarse, muffled sounds, like an explanation... or perhaps a plea for mercy.

As his grip tightened, Ashley's face gradually turned pale.

“You're right... but it's not enough.”

He finally let go, and Ashley greedily took two breaths as if granted a great pardon.

“I want this,” Homelander said, raising his hand to point at Celestial Screen screen, where the Pure Beauty Knight was comforting others with Xing. Looking at Argenti's gentle expression, his smile gradually contorted. “No, I want someone even more ‘perfect’ than him.”

Ashley immediately understood what he meant, but Knight of Pure Beauty didn't react for a moment and cautiously asked, “You mean...”

“The Pure Beauty Knight—one of Vought's latest members of the Seven. Handsome, elegant, and noble as hell, like a prince from a fairy tale,” he sneered. “Go find someone suitable. Whatever abilities Argenti has, find someone like that.”

Ashley hugged the tablet tightly to her chest. The thought of leaving the conference room made her brain, which had been frozen for a few minutes, start working rapidly again:

“I'll arrange the best plastic surgeon and then hire a screenwriter to tailor a persona for him. Right... and film a promotional video for him promoting pure beauty and chivalry! I guarantee you'll be satisfied with this.”

Homelander nodded with satisfaction, but the next second, his expression suddenly darkened again.

“Listen,” Homelander said. “Ashley, I don't give a damn how much PR and resources you use—but if my approval rating doesn't show signs of bouncing back within three days... I'll tear the two lumps of silicone from your chest along your ribs and shove them into your kiss-ass mouth, got it?”

Ashley nodded desperately.

Homelander slowly got up. He straightened his uniform and resumed his expression of a sunny, righteous hero.

“Alright, when you get out, remember to close the door.”

---

While everyone was talking, Welt had finished checking the engine. If no one present had strong objections, they could begin preparations.

“Mr. Welt—please wait a moment,” Argenti suddenly interrupted. “I apologize—I've suddenly had an idea that might help you solve the crisis. While the train is being prepared, I hope to have an opportunity to discuss it with Xing alone.”

“You! At a time like this, can't you just speak directly?” March 7th expressed slight dissatisfaction.

“This idea... if I propose it openly, you will definitely reject it immediately. But as a knight, I must help the train solve its problem.”

Welt saw there was still time and gave them time to talk privately.

After taking Xing aside, Argenti frankly stated his idea: “I think I can go down from the train and confront the giant True Sting head-on—attack its stomach wall with my spear, causing it to convulse and vomit out the train.”

Xing's eyes widened: “Just you?”

Argenti nodded: “It's difficult for me to describe this phenomenon... but when I witness certain things, an emotion of beauty arises from the bottom of my heart. It is vague and can only be perceived by instinct.”

“Perhaps I have traveled the galaxy alone for too long and do not know the source of this feeling. But as a knight, my duty is to protect the seeds of beauty, stand before them, and resist everything...”

“And now, the Star Rail is this seed. This gives me a sense of belonging, a warmth like home, which I believe comes from your deep friendship with each other. Therefore, I vow to make myself a shield to defend this wisp of warmth, rather than seeking comfort and allowing it to become my shield in return.”

---

Fate.

“Interesting.” Seeing that Argenti intended to go out alone, Gilgamesh rarely showed a hint of approval. “At least he knows how to adorn his final act with blood, rather than wailing like a stray dog. Argenti... This King has noted his name.”

Kirei Kotomine stood in the shadows, his tone carrying a hint of surprise: “Oh? You would actually appreciate such foolish self-sacrifice?”

“Foolish act?” Gilgamesh sneered. “Kirei, your vision is still so narrow. This man knows he faces certain death but still charges forward. His courage alone is enough to call him a hero.”

Looking at the slime left on the floor by the dead True Stings in the train, Gilgamesh frowned in disgust: "These filthy vermin, daring to defile the battlefield with such ugly forms, truly displease This King."

Kirei Kotomine narrowed his eyes: "But it is precisely because of this ugly existence that the knight's grandeur can be highlighted, isn't it?"

"Hmph, you've said something halfway decent for once." Gilgamesh lightly swirled the wine glass in his hand. “However, This King is curious about the true form of these vermin. A monster that can swallow the train in one gulp, This King truly wants to see it.”