While confusion lingered, Shu's probing sense had already swept over the train and returned, bringing back an even more perplexing answer.
It wasn't their train itself; it was also a "memory." Just like the entire village of Depascal, woven together from vast amounts of "memory."
Shu looked at the train, then couldn't help but turn back. "Did any of you forget the train?"
"Don't think so, I still remember it," Kiana quickly shook her head. Mei and Bronya also shook their heads after a moment's reflection, indicating they both remembered the train.
If all of them remembered... then it must be a forgotten memory from someone else who entered the water cycle?
Should we check it out?
Shu pondered, simultaneously sending his probe back towards the train for a more thorough inspection.
He definitely wouldn't board unless it was completely checked out, especially not now, during his "sensitive period." If even the slightest thing felt off about the train, he would...
One of the replica Xuanyuan Swords hovering beside Shu instantly leveled, shooting out like a bolt of lightning and piercing directly through the train door.
"What's wrong?" Kiana and the others were startled by Shu's action, quickly readying themselves for battle.
"Is it the Herrscher?" Several cannon muzzles on Bronya's armor swiveled towards that direction.
Shu shook his head. "Unclear, but the feeling is somewhat similar to the Herrscher..."
As he spoke, he raised his hand, aiming the other replica Xuanyuan Sword in the same direction. This second sword clearly held more power than the first, the iridescent light flowing along its body growing brighter with time.
Then, the train door, now sporting a hole, opened. A gray-white girl emerged somewhat awkwardly from behind it.
"Please believe me, I mean no harm..." Seeing Shu's eyes narrow and the hand controlling the sword lift slightly, the gray-white girl promptly raised her hands, stating flatly, "..."
A faint bloody scratch marked her cheek, likely from the first sword Shu had launched.
Shu spotted his sword embedded in the train wall. Silently, he used [Wish] to extract it, aiming it at the girl from behind.
The girl noticed the sword behind her, the sharp edge prickling her senses, sending a shiver down her spine.
She had used her portion of the authority to bring this train here, originally planning to wait aboard for them. She hadn't expected Shu's sword to nearly pierce her head before the door even opened. She hadn't even realized she'd been scratched until the sword hit the wall with a crisp clang.
Is he going to kill me?
No, that person named Shu isn't that inaccurate. At this distance, he could easily pierce my head.
So he did recognize me and spared me...
Checking his memory again... blocked... couldn't see...
However, based on the previous memory fragments, the current Shu was likely... in that special sensitive period after a "return." But when did he "return"? And what happened during this "return"?
The girl didn't know. All she knew now was that if she didn't come out, the second, indiscriminate attack was coming.
Meekly abandoning her planned entrance, the girl glumly opened the train door and raised her hands towards them.
"...Long time no see." The girl, still clinging to a shred of hope, turned to look at Shu, wanting to play the cool, cryptic character. It was her only small joy...
Shu narrowed his eyes, his expression dangerous. "Didn't we just meet last night, Miss Depascal?"
The girl mentally rolled her eyes.
Fine. Last night's Shu allowed her to be enigmatic. This period's Shu indiscriminately dismantles everyone's act.
Completely resigned, the girl sighed.
"This train isn't any of your memories. It's the complete data memory of the artificial intelligence aboard the train, Ai-chan Hyperion. It seems all of you forgot her..."
Shu and the others instantly fell silent, looking collectively at the train before them.
Right... speaking of which, it seems they had forgotten Ai-chan from the very beginning...
Shu lowered his raised hand. "Thank you for the reminder."
The sharp presence behind her vanished. The girl's tense heart finally relaxed.
"You likely have other business, right?" Shu asked, retracting the sword and glancing guiltily at the two holes he'd made.
"Of course." The girl nodded. With a wave of her hand, the massive train behind her began to shrink and transform, morphing under everyone's watchful eyes into a naked, green cabbage-head figure.
She curled up quietly, seemingly clutching something, her posture strongly suggesting she was protecting whatever was in her arms.
Shu took over, using [Wish] to gently pull the floating Ai-chan towards them. Kiana stepped forward and took Ai-chan into her arms.
After a quick check, Shu shifted his gaze back to the girl. "I can lead you to [Him]—the Herrscher of Memory." Shu's hostility had almost vanished, but a strong sense of caution remained.
The girl didn't approach, instead staying put, seeking cooperation with Shu.
"What do we have to pay?" Shu countered. "What do you need, or what reason do you have to eliminate the Herrscher?"
The girl fell silent. After a moment, she sighed.
"I must stop [His] actions..." The girl's eyes held deep disappointment. "Our original purpose has been twisted. If this continues, it will only lead to an outcome unacceptable to us all."
Shu: "..."
"Explain clearly."
Shu completely lowered his hands, turning to look at Kiana attempting to give CPR to the android, and Mei and Bronya pulling Kiana away.
Silently removing his own coat, he draped it over Ai-chan. The girl also began her story.
"First, let me introduce myself again—My name is [Depascal], the Mandela Effect entity of this village."
"Mandela Effect entity?" Shu frowned, looking towards Mei. Mei thought for a moment.
"Does it refer to the Mandela Effect where non-existent memories are supplemented and shaped by the commonalities in different people's memories?" Mei quickly offered an explanation.
The girl nodded.
"Yes. Like the Herrscher who attacked you, I am also a conscious entity woven from the imaginations of the residents here, external impressions, and other fictitious memories."