Honkai: Star Rail — Kamen Rider!

One by one, these familiar characteristics emerged clearly between two distinct figures.

Their hair color, their facial features, their eyes—aside from their hair length, these two people were virtually identical.

To an outsider's eye, they appeared like sisters.

But why would such an eerie coincidence appear here, of all places?

Robin couldn't shake her confusion. Yet, as Sora dismantled one suit of rampaging armor after another, what emerged next made Robin's unease deepen further.

Because each guard who appeared beneath the dismantled armor looked nearly identical as well.

Indeed, describing them as identical wasn't an exaggeration.

Except for minor personal differences, their short hair, faces, and eyes matched precisely. Such uniformity immediately pointed to one uncomfortable conclusion.

"Are they... clones?"

Only cloning technology could reach such a terrifying degree of uniformity. Otherwise, it would be impossible to gather so many identical faces throughout the galaxy!

The commotion was soon subdued by Sora's group. Although these out-of-control armored guards might pose a threat to ordinary people, to Sora and Argenti, they were barely a minor nuisance.

With his exceptional swordsmanship, Sora easily dismantled each suit of armor without harming its occupant.

While Argenti wasn't as precise as Sora, his martial prowess alone effortlessly incapacitated the remaining guards, leaving them unconscious on the ground.

The chaos swiftly subsided, and the scene returned to calm—but beneath this calm was an unusual, oppressive silence.

Hotaru had already knelt down beside one unconscious guard, carefully removing her armor. As expected, yet another familiar face emerged!

An uneasy quiet settled over everyone present.

Cloning technology had always attracted endless controversy since its inception.

Even the Genius Society was highly cautious about cloning, recognizing that employing such a practice would severely damage one's reputation.

As a result, cloning was heavily restricted galaxy-wide.

But repeatedly cloning a single individual to use as guards was beyond unethical—it was almost unheard of, even throughout the entire galaxy.

If news of this leaked out, Zieltworth's precious reputation would instantly plummet several tiers.

Robin didn't particularly wish to involve herself, but what they'd uncovered had clearly surpassed any reasonable ethical boundaries.

"Mr. Serus..."

Robin addressed the mechanical lifeform sternly, "I believe you owe us an explanation."

If he refused, Robin would have no choice but to immediately leave with Sora and the others.

After all, who could guarantee he wouldn't secretly harvest their cells during treatment to produce more clones?

The short-haired girls, no longer hostile, gathered silently behind Serus. A few glanced curiously toward Hotaru, seemingly puzzled why someone who resembled them so closely had such strikingly long hair.

"I can provide you with an official explanation," Serus' synthesized voice replied mechanically, devoid of emotion. "They're officially registered citizens of Zieltworth who've signed formal employment contracts."

"That isn't what I meant," Robin said bluntly. "What I want to know is why you've misused cloning technology."

Serus hesitated briefly, turning his mechanical gaze toward Hotaru behind Robin. She returned his stare impassively, her eyes utterly emotionless.

"This involves sensitive matters that aren't suitable for discussion in public."

Serus gestured, summoning a luxurious shuttlecraft that promptly landed nearby.

"Miss Robin, please trust me. Once we're somewhere secure, I'll clarify everything."

He boarded the shuttle immediately, clearly waiting for Robin's response.

Robin, uncertain, looked toward Sora for guidance.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Sora glanced back at the short-haired girls standing silently nearby, and Hotaru, who showed no intention of leaving them behind. He made his decision.

"Then let's hear him out. But first, I have something to ask Argenti-san."

Sora quickly approached Argenti, quietly instructing him:

"Argenti-san, please pilot the ship into orbit. If you spot a shooting star leaving the planet's surface, come immediately to intercept us."

Argenti looked surprised at first, but upon seeing the item in Sora's hand—a bullet engraved with a particular emblem—he instantly understood.

"Isn't that the signal bullet of the Galaxy Rangers, those valiant champions of beauty and justice…?" Argenti looked up in astonishment. "Sora-san, could it be you're walking the path of such noble justice as well?"

"Forgive my previous presumption. The light of justice you and your comrades spread across the galaxy remains, even today, the most magnificent radiance of all."

Argenti had previously fought alongside Galaxy Rangers, learning some of their deepest secrets, including this emergency summoning bullet. He vividly remembered their faces filled with determination, resolved to only fire it in moments of utmost despair.

Together, they'd created miracles, overcoming impossible odds. Yet, afterward, the Rangers had vanished without a trace, indifferent to fame or glory, moving swiftly on to their next destination. They left all the acclaim to Argenti, their only purpose seemingly to sow the seeds of righteous beauty across the cosmos.

And now, Argenti discovered that Sora, his companion, belonged to that very same organization.

"Enough of that for now. My safety is in your hands," Sora said, cutting off further discussion.

In the galaxy, countless groups couldn't be trusted at all. But the Knights of Beauty unquestionably topped any list of those who could.

Thus, Sora willingly entrusted Argenti with his safety.

After all, he'd barely arrived on this planet and had already stumbled onto a hidden scandal. If Zieltworth attempted to silence him to protect its reputation, at least he'd have a backup plan.

"Understood. Since you've entrusted me with this duty, I will naturally fulfill your wishes," Argenti responded solemnly. "But may I request one thing from you first?"

Sora nodded cautiously. "Go ahead."

Argenti asked seriously, "Could you repeat after me—'Idrila, Aeon of Beauty, is unparalleled in splendor!'?"

Sora's lips twitched slightly, but ultimately he complied. "Idrila, Aeon of Beauty, is unparalleled in splendor!"

Argenti nodded, visibly satisfied. "Excellent. Now Idrila shall bless your journey, ensuring your safety and prosperity."

Sora waved goodbye to Argenti before boarding the shuttle with Robin and Hotaru.

...

Zieltworth wasn't a particularly large planet.

Every inch seemed purpose-built around a medical theme—pristine white dominated everywhere.

No natural scenery greeted the eye, only endless expanses of white metallic structures.

Precisely because the landscape outside changed so little, Sora could focus intently on his thoughts.

He knew exactly what it meant for them to possess such identical features.

Hotaru and the Zieltworth guards both displayed traits clearly indicating their origin.

Thus, Sora confidently concluded that they all belonged to the now-extinct Galactic Empire—Glamoth.

However, the empire that once produced the Iron Cavalry had long since been obliterated.

"So Serus must have discovered a production facility…" Sora muttered quietly to himself.

But this raised another troubling question. Upon discovering Glamoth's Iron Cavalry production line, Serus hadn't shut it down. Instead, he'd used it to create guards for his planet.

Such behavior couldn't possibly be justified as proper conduct anywhere in the galaxy.

If this was true, continuing treatment here was absolutely out of the question.

Lost in contemplation, Sora didn't notice the shuttle had already reached their destination—a luxurious theater.

He stepped out of the shuttle, noting the short-haired girls had swiftly dispersed the surrounding crowd, clearing ample space around them.

"Come, everyone. Inside, I'll provide all the answers you seek."

Serus entered the theater, and Sora's group naturally followed closely behind.

Inside, they found a massive screening hall. After they took their seats, Serus immediately started the presentation.

The screen first displayed a vivid, thriving planet with beautiful mountains, rivers, and golden landscapes.

"This was my original home planet, where I was first born," Serus narrated quietly. "But tragedy soon struck."

As if on cue, the screen showed dark swarms of insects blotting out the sky, devouring everything in sight.

Buildings, plants, animals, people—everything vanished into the swarm's ravenous jaws.

Amid the chaos, a terrified boy collapsed onto the ground, frozen in fear as he stared helplessly upward, eyes wide with horror at the swarm filling the skies.

But suddenly, streaks of flame burst through the darkness above, crashing forcefully to the planet's surface.

"Attention, indigenous lifeforms. Proceed immediately to evacuation points."

Silver-armored warriors swiftly charged forward, directly confronting the insect menace.

"I was rescued by surviving Glamoth's Iron Cavalry," Serus stated simply. "They are my saviors, the reason I'm alive today."

Hearing this, Sora stared coldly and silently at Serus.

So, after discovering your saviors' production line, you decided to use clones of them as guards for your own planet?

Is this your idea of repaying their kindness?