Inside the space station, Asta looked at the three of them in confusion.
"Huh? What happened to you guys?"
"It's nothing. We just fell a few times, no big deal."
"Really?"
"Really."
Zeig, March 7th, and Dan Heng were all bent at the waist, walking with shaky steps.
They didn't even dare to touch their own butts.
"…"
"You guys… got spanked?" Asta asked doubtfully.
Such straightforward words made Zeig unable to stand on the spot!
"What are you saying? We fell!"
"Oh? All of you fell on your butts? Where did you fall? Was the threshold of the Astral Express too high?"
"…"
"Miss Asta, you called us over. There must be something important, right?" Dan Heng changed the subject.
"Oh, I got so caught up watching your funny state that I forgot the main matter."
As she spoke, Asta pulled a ball out from under her skirt and stuffed it into Zeig's hands:
"Here, this is from Mr. Screwllum. He went to the Express to find you earlier, but your door was locked too tightly and Peppy inside wouldn't open it, so he left it with me."
"What is this thing?"
"It can be considered a small Stellar Differentiator. Mr. Screwllum's planet's defense mechanism uses the ultimate plus version of this thing!"
Zeig took the small ball and narrowed his eyes to look inside.
Inside seemed to be another small ball, but it was surrounded and wrapped by countless levers, pistons, and gears, as if deeply trapped in a cage.
"What is the use of this thing?" Zeig raised an eyebrow.
Asta took out a note from her bosom and muttered:
"Wait a moment… I don't remember the specifics too clearly. Let me check again."
"…"
"Oh, this is used to provide you with defense. It can withstand high-intensity impacts, but there is a limit."
Asta put away the note and said seriously:
"Under normal circumstances, when not in use, it can automatically recover energy without needing extra energy supplements. Just leaving it there allows it to actively recharge."
"But if you use it too harshly, it will also become overloaded."
Zeig asked curiously:
"Overloaded? What happens if it overloads? Will it explode?"
"It will."
"…"
"Once it explodes, it's gone. If you want another one, even Mr. Screwllum would need a long time to make it. This was custom-made for you based on the prototype of his planet's defense system."
Asta crossed her arms and said solemnly:
"So besides automatically replenishing energy, you can also use the power of your Stellar Core to speed up its charging."
Zeig held the Stellar Differentiator and nodded:
"I understand. Normally it can recharge slowly like solar energy, but I can also charge it directly with Stellar Core energy like plugging in a charger?"
"Correct."
Asta nodded and continued:
"Each time it is used, the strength and duration of the shield will be linked to the amount of energy it has."
After listening, Zeig couldn't help but frown:
"I feel like I probably won't need this… Even if something really wants to kill me, I can directly use energy to make an invisible energy wall to block it. What do I need this for?"
For Zeig, even if he really got injured it wouldn't matter. His recovery ability was also T1 level.
As long as it wasn't fatal, he could basically heal it in a short time with Abyss Flower.
The energy supply from the Stellar Core was also very abundant.
"Mm, that's true."
Asta nodded and sighed:
"So Mr. Screwllum hopes you never have to use it in your lifetime, because that would mean you've fallen into an extremely unfavorable situation — equivalent to being driven into a corner with no way out."
"If even this Stellar Differentiator explodes, then you won't be far from death either."
"…"
"Tch… How is that possible?"
Zeig silently put away the Stellar Differentiator and smiled:
"I still have some sense when fighting. If I really can't hold on, I'll definitely run. Why would I stubbornly resist?"
Asta spread her hands:
"I hope so. Anyway… this Stellar Differentiator is Screwllum's thank-you gift to you. After he finished modifying Heavenly Father for you, he kept thinking about what to give. In the end, he decided to give this to you."
March 7th listened quietly from the side and smiled at Zeig:
"Look, Screwllum is afraid you'll die! Hurry up and say thank you to Screwllum."
"Thank you Screwllum!" Zeig put his hands together and bowed toward Asta.
"Hey hey hey, why are you bowing to me? Oh right, when are you letting Peppy come back for dinner? Because you gave her your room card, she's been playing games in your room every other day. Even when Arlan goes to find her, he can only be locked outside."
"General Peppy?" Zeig raised an eyebrow, exchanged a glance with the two beside him, and asked again:
"She's still in my room?"
Asta nodded and frowned:
"Yeah. Didn't you three just go back? Didn't you see her?"
"We got spanked so suddenly that we didn't have a chance to approach the passenger car." March 7th said honestly.
"…"
Dan Heng thought for a moment and then said to Zeig:
"By the way, Zeig. Last time that staff member you helped still promised you a reward, right? Miss Herta had Asta waive the upgrade fee for Heavenly Father, and Screwllum gave you the Stellar Differentiator. There's still one last one left."
After this reminder, Zeig slapped his own forehead and exclaimed:
"Oh~! Didn't Leonard promise to give me something good that can make money? Why is there still no news until now? Does he not want to give it anymore?!"
Before Zeig was called to Belobog to take care of the museum, Leonard had given him part of his own salary and bonus as reward.
He later said he would give Zeig something good that could make money later on. Now that he had returned, there was still no definite news.
"I'll go ask!"
As he spoke, Zeig took out his phone, planning to call Leonard.
But at this moment, March 7th grabbed his hand and said hesitantly:
"How about we forget it? Maybe he forgot? It's been dozens of chapters. If we take the initiative to mention it, wouldn't it make our Astral Express seem too petty?"
"?"
Zeig put down his phone and narrowed his eyes:
"My friend, do you know how much Leonard tricked me back then? To help him clean up the mess, I felt terrible. Debts must be repaid — it's only right and proper!"
"Damn… Can you stop always thinking about money? It makes it seem like we're all very poor."
"Then when the time comes, you'll also help me pay half of the aircraft's breach of contract fee?" Zeig said in a deep voice.
"Fine! Now let's go crusade against the thief Leonard!" March 7th clenched her fist, as if a flame was burning in her chest.
"…"