Honkai Star Rail: Developing Mobile Games on Xianzhou

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"Memory is no different from the deep sea."

The scene began with a calm monologue.

"Never gaze at the sea on a starless night."

Black Swan tilted her head up.

Letting her phone hover in the air automatically.

She watched the short film in a more elegant manner.

Although the cover had already indicated this was a short film related to Acheron, she hadn't expected her own voice to appear at the start of the video?

This immediately piqued Black Swan's interest!

These two sentences felt like a reminder from another Timeline's version of herself to her current self.

However.

It was supposed to be the deep sea, but the waters in the scene were tinged with a distinct red hue.

Before Black Swan could ponder further on what this imagery might signify, the scene shifted.

The person now appearing in the frame was none other than herself.

Surrounded by a warm, nostalgic golden light, it felt as though Black Swan was peering into someone else's memories.

But this time, it seemed more like she was viewing things from Acheron's perspective.

She saw herself asking with a tender, affectionate gaze, "Waiting for someone?"

The scene cut again.

The person before her was Acheron.

At this moment, her eyes were downcast, her expression indifferent.

She shook her head slightly.

"Then... would you like to dance with me?"

Black Swan extended her hand.

Acheron, seated, seemed somewhat wooden, as if instinctively reaching out her hand.

"Tap... tap... tap..."

The crisp sound of their high heels echoed on the dance floor.

Black Swan's monologue continued.

"I've been watching her for a long time."

"Tonight is the first time I've asked her out."

Black Swan couldn't help but chuckle softly.

To her, it could be interpreted as something she had experienced in another timeline.

Similarly, she had extended an invitation to Acheron.

But the setting was in a hotel ballroom.

Yet, it was done in a much more relaxed and ordinary manner.

"So it's this easy to ask her out."

Black Swan glanced toward the restroom.

Acheron seemed to be washing her hands there.

Although the video would likely showcase their dance, it would probably reveal what she had glimpsed from Acheron's memories.

But...

Such things were better "discovered" and "witnessed" firsthand, as it carried a greater sense of ceremony and accomplishment.

Thinking this, Black Swan even considered turning off the video.

To avoid spoiling the surprise of witnessing Acheron's memories for the first time.

"Hmm... never mind, I'll just watch a bit more."

"I can always turn it off if anything memory-related comes up."

...

Luofu, Exalting Sanctum Park.

Sitting on a swing in the park, Sparkle was eating an ice cream cone while watching a video titled Rondo Across Countless Kalpas.

She saw Black Swan and Acheron dancing under the golden light.

Black Swan's face was filled with confidence and joy.

Sparkle, annoyed, took a big bite of her ice cream scoop.

"Hmph..."

"So this is the dance partner you found?"

"Rejecting Lady Sparkle, I bet you'll get your comeuppance later in the story."

"Then I'll laugh at you mercilessly~"

She continued watching.

...

"A Galaxy Ranger, as mysterious as the rumors say."

Black Swan circled around Acheron.

As if appraising a precious treasure.

She now stood behind Acheron.

And, as if savoring the moment, she said, "A bit noble, a bit wooden."

She gently pushed Acheron from behind.

Forcing her to turn around and face her.

Then.

She began to guide Acheron into a dance with her.

"But in the night's hunt."

"The Hunt,"

"Is not the only hunter."

Watching this short dance sequence, Black Swan's smile grew even brighter.

The meaning conveyed by Yu Ling was already quite clear.

She had always been in the dominant position, exuding confidence, even bordering on aggressiveness.

Yu Ling naturally knew.

In Penacony, where Memokeepers thrived, they were practically in their element!

If not nearly invincible, they could certainly Cut With Ease!

The performance in this segment was equally captivating.

"Yu Ling, you really know your stuff."

So far, Black Swan was very satisfied with the expressiveness of this video.

At this moment.

The music came to an end.

With Acheron bending backward to conclude.

But Black Swan was clearly not content with just that.

She whispered softly, "At this distance, you're even more enchanting than you appear."

Then the music resumed,

And the dance continued!

The spotlight suddenly went out.

The surroundings plunged into darkness.

Black Swan's monologue echoed, "She, too, has come for The Watchmaker's legacy."

"Without a doubt."

"In this game,"

"Everyone lies."

"But memories do not."

Black Swan nodded.

Clearly.

She fully agreed with the words she had spoken in the short film!

The Galaxy Rangers, who had come for The Watchmaker's legacy, were indeed mysterious and noble, but in the realm of memories, she could easily take control of the situation.

During this dance.

Acheron momentarily withdrew her hand, but Black Swan swiftly pulled her back.

The stage then vanished.

The entire backdrop transformed into a dreamlike shade of purple.

Black Swan was well aware.

She had already begun to employ the methods of a Memokeeper.

Acheron also realized this.

Perhaps instinctively, she wanted to retreat.

But it was already too late.

This slight resistance brought a faint smile to Black Swan's lips.

It was a unique kind of... charm.

And everything.

Proceeded just as she had anticipated, or rather, just as she had arranged.

Acheron even began to actively cooperate!

"Heh..."

"Getting into the groove."

"Isn't it?"

Countless stars emerged beneath their feet.

These stars formed various scenes.

Clearly.

These were fragments of Acheron's past.

"Everyone has a past."

"The past shapes the present."

"Some can grasp their memories."

"Others are entangled by them, unable to escape."

The first scene showed a young girl holding flowers meant for Acheron...

The second scene depicted Acheron in a ruin, with a person lying down pointing a gun at her.

The third scene showed Acheron walking through a desert.

The fourth scene portrayed Acheron holding an umbrella, standing by the sea with someone who might or might not be her companion.

"So I made my move."

"I need to know, what kind is she?"

Black Swan saw.

In the video, she raised her chin.

Like a proud swan lifting its head.

A faint, confident smile hung at the corner of her lips.

Even she felt she was being a bit excessive.

But.

"I do quite enjoy this kind of excess..."

Seeing this.

Black Swan realized she couldn't keep watching.

Too many appetizers can spoil the appetite for the main course.

What came next.

Black Swan wanted to "open" and "witness" it herself.

She wanted to save the most wonderful moments... for herself.

Meanwhile.

In the bathroom.

Acheron looked at herself in the mirror.

Starting from the top of her head.

Her originally purple hair gradually took on a pale hue.

Then it continued downward.

As if it was soaking her entire body.

Acheron's expression remained blank.

She stiffly turned her head to the side.

And said to the person outside, "Memokeeper, just... wait a little longer."

Hearing this.

Black Swan couldn't help but smile wryly.

She thought to herself, "You're not scared, are you...?"

"The you in this video performed quite well."

With this delay.

The video in front of her continued playing.

"This banquet attracted many people."

"The Company, the Memokeepers, the Fools, the Nameless..."

The two danced closely.

Spinning in the increasingly enchanting atmosphere.

And Black Swan saw herself finally getting to the point.

"And then, the Annihilation Gang of Destruction."

"They were supposed to attend."

"But..."

"Duke Inferno is dead."

"He and his descendants,"

"Will never attend the banquet again."

"Beautiful Galaxy Ranger."

"What did you do?"

At this moment.

The background music suddenly changed.

The previous elegance and leisure were swept away.

Replaced by something intense and dramatic!

Black Swan's expression turned intrigued.

Such a question was undoubtedly a shortcut often used by Memokeepers to probe memories.

Using keywords to guide the other's consciousness into reacting.

And recalling the relevant memories to show the Memokeeper.

It's like throwing bait into the sea to attract a school of fish.

Yu Ling, oh Yu Ling.

Why go to such lengths?

I just wanted to treasure Acheron's memories...

It's not a dangerous act.

Nor will it have any negative impact on her.

Why pair it with such a dangerously charged BGM?

At this rate.

I might end up being seen as the villain by all the players.

This is really quite troubling.

And with this question, the scene passed through Acheron's pupils.

A black-and-white world unfolded before them.

In this world.

Even the flames had no color.

The burning remains falling from the sky.

It wasn't hard to tell.

They were the remnants of Duke Inferno!

Case closed!

Such a scene appearing in the depths of Acheron's memory...

Was enough to prove.

That the true culprit behind the attack on Duke Inferno was none other than this mysterious and noble Galaxy Ranger, Acheron!

"This wasn't something I intended to reveal."

"Miss Acheron, your situation is about to become very dangerous."

However.

At this moment.

An unexpected twist suddenly appeared!

In the black-and-white world.

A flash of red emerged.

It was Duke Inferno's glasses.

The lenses now glowed a bright red.

Through the tint.

A figure holding a blade could be seen in the background.

She bore a striking resemblance to Acheron.

But her hair cascaded down like a pale waterfall.

Amidst the disheveled locks.

A crimson eye seemed to peer through the screen!

"May I ask."

"Are you asking me?"

Black Swan's entire demeanor instantly shifted to one of utter disbelief.

Her eyes widened.

So shocked that her mouth hung open in astonishment.

The background of their dance had turned a deep, blood-red!

And her dance partner before her.

Was no longer the mysterious, noble, and taciturn ranger.

But a pale, long-haired woman with eyes as sharp as blood.

At this moment.

The expression on Black Swan outside the video and the one inside were almost identical!

Both stared in disbelief at the scene before them.

"What... what is going on?"

The situation, which had been Cut With Ease, had now taken a drastic turn!

Who was this woman in her memory!

Why was she able to turn the question back on her!

However.

Just then.

A sharp sound suddenly came from the bathroom.

It seemed like... the sound of a mirror shattering.