Star Railway: The Pioneer's Journey

Chapter 267 Three Choices

Although Yunzhi's interruption of the spell was particularly forceful, the atmosphere had already reached a certain point, so Sunday ignored Yunzhi's words and began to talk about her past—

"The first story happened when I was a child..."

When Sunday and Robin were young, they were affected by the "Star Core Disaster" and were adopted by the family's Gopher Wood—that is, the Dreamer.

One evening after dinner, they found a lonely little harbinger pigeon in Gopherwood's backyard. It seemed to have been abandoned by its parents and was dying in the grass.

They built a nest for it, and because of the cold weather, they suggested taking it back on Sunday and asking the adults to build a birdcage for it... They decided that once the cheerful pigeon could fly freely on its own, they would release it back into the sky. Unfortunately, its fate was already sealed.

"So, should we stick to the original plan and build the nest on the spot, or should we build a birdcage and carefully raise the bird in a warm house?"

The words had barely left his lips on Sunday.

Yunzhi's brow twitched suddenly.

Relaxed, happy, and sunny memories are flooding back!

The partners are also thinking about it—

"I would rather build a birdcage; after all, survival is more important."

Himeko thought for a moment and then said.

March 7th nodded in agreement: "Yes, it would be so pitiful if the little bird got hurt by those poisonous insects or something."

Survival is the most important thing... Everyone thinks that way.

and so……

Yunzhi particularly wanted to ask a philosophical question.

Why can birds fly?

—How would I know? Go ask the birds!

"Although I can tell from your question that you two siblings are kind-hearted, I'm sorry to say that if it were me, I probably wouldn't have chosen either."

Lan sighed regretfully, "After all, I come from a military background, and it's not uncommon for me to encounter shortages of supplies during marches and battles..."

"If that little hapless pigeon were to encounter me, I fear it would only face the dead end of becoming food."

Lan let out a sigh.

Yun covered her mouth, not wanting to laugh in this somewhat serious and sentimental occasion.

"Build a bird's nest for it on the spot" or "Build a birdcage for it inside the house"?

Lan chose "or".

If you actually get your hands on one of these little creatures, it'll most likely get eaten. When people are busy with other things, how can they possibly have time to care about a bird?

Even if they treat the bird well, if it dies in the end, they will probably only feel regret and quickly forget about it.

Everyone has to move forward; who would stop for an insignificant creature?

Upon hearing this answer, the train crew members all turned speechless, and even Gallagher couldn't help but cover his face.

"I deeply regret this choice."

As expected of the head of the Oak family, Sunday quickly adjusted his facial expression: "Well... the second story takes place during my time as 'Duoyin'. Duoyin is a unique position in the Oak family, responsible for listening to the confusion and bewilderment of the dream residents and giving them corresponding guidance."

On Sunday, I heard voices from various places in my dreams, and thus I heard the world woven from the complex fabric of human nature.

He once hosted a dreamer who had given up everything for a better life—his house, land, and two children—before smuggling himself into this place.

He had a plan: after becoming rich, he would redeem the children and share the dream of Pinocchio. Unfortunately, his smuggling plan was a bit clumsy and was discovered by the Hound family.

On Sunday, they asked the hound family to stop the pursuit, hoping to let the man live in peace. However, this well-intentioned act of kindness would later have bitter consequences...

"So, what's the next choice? Should we persuade the hound family to stop hunting him so he can survive, or remain silent and let the smuggler be brought to justice?"

It's a very profound story.

However, Yunzhi still found this strange.

"He owns houses and land... Did he offend someone? How could he end up like this?"

Yunzhi, who has always been able to make money from any amount of wealth she has, said she couldn't understand it.

Lan, who has never lacked money since Yunzhi arrived, also has the same question.

There's absolutely no empathy involved.

"Actually, it doesn't matter which one chooses, that person won't have a good outcome, not only because no one will pay for his actions, but also because he himself probably can't make a fortune in Pinocchio."

This place offers many opportunities, but there are even more people, and there are many talented individuals. Do you want to make a name for yourself here?

They don't even consider whether they can outmaneuver those foxes who come on vacation or the high-ranking executives who control Pinocchio.

Sunday nodded: "As you said, he won't have a good ending. He'll either go insane or be caught by the hounds."

In the end, he will never have a good ending.

"Next comes the third and final decision..."

On Sunday, I took a deep breath and glanced at the robin.

"This story takes place on the very day I assumed the position of head of the Oak family..."

That day, during a private conversation with Sunday, the dreamer explained something—

A robin travels across a planet engulfed in war, trying to soothe people's suffering with its song, and is even willing to offer its own flesh and blood to aid the company's relief supplies...

However, she was still unexpectedly hit by a stray bullet.

The bullet pierced her neck, but fortunately it didn't damage any vital organs. Thanks to advanced medical technology and perhaps the company's assistance, Robin recovered very well after the surgery.

The robin beside her touched the somewhat elaborate necklace around its neck and lowered its head sadly.

She has a scar on her neck, which was definitely from that time.

Although there are many ways to remove scars nowadays, she still kept this one.

"This is just a pipe dream, a nightmare that has haunted me for many years... I ask you, if it were you... would you still support the robin embarking on the journey of 'harmony'?"

Why is there still such a question?

March 7th felt sad: "Miss Robin, you've experienced all this..."

The robin smiled and comforted her, "It's alright now, I can still sing."

Xing, resting her chin on her hand, asked, "Support or stop...?"

The Star Core Essence seemed to recall a few of its past experiences.

—If Kafka knew she would encounter countless dangers during the "exploration," would she still have chosen this path?

—Probably…

Because Kafka knew this was the best path for her—because that's what her never-before-seen "grandfather" had said.

Xing gave up thinking.

The person in front of me still can't be compared to Kafka's mother.

Lan then looked directly at the robin:

"If I stop you, will you give up?"

This kind of question, without a doubt, should be answered by Zhihu Gengniao himself, right?

What others say is irrelevant; your own thoughts are the most important.

Sunday's attention also fell on the robin.

The robin was somewhat conflicted.

She lowered her eyes, her mind in turmoil, as if two little voices were arguing within her. One told her she should persevere, while the other dissuaded her, urging her not to worry those who cared about her.

But she didn't dwell on it for long.

"I think I will choose to continue."

The robin raised its head, its eyes showing no hesitation:

"I hope to build an ideal paradise. I hope... I can help others, and no matter how dangerous it is, I will still choose harmony."

"Because, in my opinion, this is the best path."

Lan nodded and looked at Sunday: "Did you hear that?"

To do something knowing it's impossible.

He knew back then how unwise it was to oppose immortality under the miracle of the Medicine Master, but he did it anyway.

Even if he had to do it all over again, he would still do it.

—But this time I'll try my best to do it right, at least to prevent it from suffering those hundreds of years with me…

Far away.

These three questions on Sunday... you can't truly empathize with them without experiencing them firsthand.

Was he wrong?

Most likely not.

But most people would disagree.

Sunday and those who walk the path of "order" have meticulous plans and sound reasons, but in any case, they have forgotten the most important thing.

That is human nature.