Seele: Bronya, Who Is This Woman? / Bronya: She's My Mom

Serval clearly hadn't expected Kiana to say that. Her previously calm and carefree expression vanished at once, leaving her looking as if she wanted to argue but didn't know how.

"I'm not. I didn't. She kicked me out of the City Builders, and she hasn't contacted me in so long. How could I possibly be worried about her?

"Right, I'm only worried about Bronya."

As she said this, Serval even nodded, as if affirming it to herself.

"Right, I'm worried about Bronya. After all, she's still young, and the burden of being the Supreme Guardian is still too heavy for her. I just don't want Cocolia to leave and dump this mess on Bronya, that's all."

"Anyone else might believe that, but don't fool yourself too."

No matter how much Serval explained afterward, Kiana ignored her.

Kiana couldn't help thinking, As expected of the city of lesbians. It's all about flowers blooming everywhere: Serval and Cocolia, Bronya and Seele, Pela and Lynx.

On the surface, they all looked like sisters with deep affection for each other. But one by one, they were more than friends yet not quite lovers. All it would take was for one side to make a move, and the other would immediately give up resisting.

"Ugh, forget it. Sure enough, even in a world without Genshin Impact or the Traveler, I still can't escape being a wage slave?"

What did Genshin Impact ever do to you?

Looking at Bronya and Serval, it wasn't just Kiana who saw what was going on. Everyone else had noticed too. If they didn't stop the two of them and let Bronya issue the order, then at best, they might get lucky, find that the Stellaron had really vanished, and return empty-handed after wasting manpower and resources.

At worst, the Stellaron would be found by Cocolia, or it would already be out of control. In that case, sending ordinary Silvermane Guards there would just mean sacrificing them one after another.

But who could stop the two of them now?

At that thought, the same sharp-tongued, hot-tempered girl appeared in everyone's mind at the same time.

"You're the one, Seele!"

When Seele saw Kiana return to the Lower District and say that she would take her to the Upper District to meet Bronya, she had assumed that Bronya's persuasion had worked.

But as soon as she arrived at Kliperburg, she was informed of the current situation and entrusted with an important mission.

"Why do you think Bronya will listen to me? Do you really think one sentence from me matters more to her than her mother, who raised her for more than a decade?"

The others said nothing, but their expressions clearly said, "Yes."

Seele had no expectations, and she didn't have much fondness for the Silvermane Guards either. But if those people died for nothing, Belobog might truly never welcome spring.

So she went to Bronya's desk and slammed her palm against it, drawing Bronya's attention.

"Bronya, don't waste manpower and resources. If the Upper District has so many people and supplies to spare, you might as well leave them for the Lower District to improve our lives. At worst, I'll help when we go looking for that woman later."

Seele saw Bronya staring blankly at her. Assuming that, just as expected, her words had failed to have any effect, she was about to tell Kiana to try another method—or simply let her knock some sense into her childhood friend with force—

when she heard the sound of a chair falling behind her.

At the same time came the sound of Bronya hurriedly getting up and suppressing a cry after banging her leg.

"Ow."

"Seele, wait. You're right. I was too hasty before. I'm sorry."

Seele: ?

Serval: ?

Serval turned her head and looked at the girl who had once been fighting alongside her. How had this unfamiliar girl appeared, and Bronya immediately changed her decision?

Only Kiana, watching the show from a distance, tugged at Stelle and March 7th beside her and pointed at Bronya.

"Look. This is what they mean by valuing romance over friendship, and romance over one's mother. Don't learn from her in the future."

March 7th: ...

Stelle: ...

The two fell silent.

Did Seele count as romance?

They didn't know. They only knew that all sorts of examples and persuasion from the Express crew had failed, while a single sentence from Seele had solved everything.

The two suddenly began to wonder whether they would really go that far for someone.

March 7th looked at the White-haired ball of fluff who had joined the Express crew not long ago.

"Kiana, would you give up the entire world for one person?"

Kiana hadn't expected March 7th to ask such a question. Looking at March 7th's expression, however, she realized that she wasn't making conversation. She genuinely wanted to know Kiana's answer.

Kiana began to think as well. Would I really?

If Asta, Herta, March 7th, Stelle, or Himeko were in trouble, and saving them required the destruction of a planet—or an even greater price—what choice would Kiana make?

"The blood of the Kaslana family tells me that I need to protect everyone I'm responsible for protecting."

Kiana seemed to feel that something had appeared within her body, but then it suddenly vanished.

For that brief instant, Kiana seemed to see a starry sky. She just didn't know whether it had been an illusion.

Kiana felt that the atmosphere around her had grown somewhat oppressive, so she quickly returned to her usual self. She hugged March 7th from behind, pressed her body against March 7th's back, and spoke in a soft, languid voice.

"Little March, did seeing someone show off their relationship make you yearn for romance too? Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you, Little March."

Chapter 39: Seele: Bronya, Who Is This Woman?

Because of Seele's "persuasion,"

Bronya ultimately chose a compromise. She, Seele, and several members of the Express crew would follow the clues to Everwinter Peak.

Serval, meanwhile, was ordered by Bronya to remain in the city.

"If anything happens to me, I'll leave Belobog in your hands."

It was the first time Serval had seen Bronya speak to her with such solemnity. Looking at the grown-up Bronya, Serval suddenly had an illusion.

The illusion that her daughter had grown up.

But the atmosphere was quickly ruined. Dan Heng was responsible for preparing the supplies and had left ahead of them, while the other three remained in Kliperburg, watching the scene from the side and eating popcorn Kiana had taken out of her storage space.

Stelle: "Do you think what Bronya just said counts as a death flag?"

March 7th: "It probably does, but she isn't Kiana. Her mouth shouldn't be that effective."

Kiana: "Hey, Little March, that's a personal attack. If you keep this up, I'm going to get angry."

March 7th watched Kiana puff out her cheeks and pretend to be angry. She couldn't help poking Kiana's cheek, then took the opportunity to put a piece of popcorn into Kiana's mouth.

But Kiana had no intention of merely being a mascot. Before March 7th could withdraw her hand, Kiana stuck out her soft pink tongue and brushed it over March 7th's fingertip, then seemed to savor the taste.

"Sweet and cool. It tastes like March 7th!"

"The sweetness is from the popcorn, and the coolness is because my hand is cold."

"Is that so? Then how about I taste March 7th's real flavor?"

March 7th had thought she was already used to Kiana's lewd remarks, but Kiana had still come out on top.

Kiana was only teasing, however, and didn't actually do anything excessive. That somehow left March 7th feeling strangely empty inside.

But when she glanced at the vacant-looking Stelle beside her, March 7th suddenly felt much more at ease. At least there was still plenty of time, and she had no competition.

"There's plenty of time, and Stelle isn't much of a rival. I'm definitely going to win."

Stelle was happily watching the show and eating snacks when she suddenly felt like sneezing for no reason. Her instincts told her that someone was badmouthing her behind her back.

She looked at March 7th and Kiana beside her. Kiana was focused on watching the show, while March 7th was distracted but kept muttering things like, "It's settled, I can't lose, definitely winning..."

Neither of them seemed suspicious. So who could it be?

"It must be that Sampo guy!"

Sampo: "Achoo! Who's cursing me again? Why do I feel like my luck's been so bad lately? Could it be time to find that woman and have her tell my fortune?"

Because the Supreme Guardian had left, Bronya led the group as the acting Supreme Guardian and commander. Thus, the figure of Brother Jie from Kiana's memories did not appear.

Along the way, Bronya remained rather silent. Seele seemed uncomfortable with this version of Bronya, however, so she kept striking up conversations with her from time to time.

Seele occasionally told stories about things she had encountered in the past.

Whether Bronya had been drawn in by the stories or by Seele herself, she was no longer quiet and taciturn. Instead, she chatted with Seele every now and then.

Kiana and the others, however, felt incredibly awkward.

"Are we being third wheels?"

"Don't say it. We know, but saying it out loud makes things awkward."

With that one sentence, the atmosphere immediately became strange.

For convenience in leading the way, Bronya walked at the front. Seele said she wanted to protect Bronya and prevent the Lower District from losing its chance to see the light of day again, so she also chose to walk in front.

Neither of them noticed the strange atmosphere behind them. In the end, only Dan Heng was left feeling awkward.

At some point, March 7th had already moved over beside Kiana. Although they weren't showing off their relationship, the atmosphere between them was harmonious.

Stelle, meanwhile, stared at the surrounding trash cans with shining eyes. Without March 7th and Kiana supervising her, Stelle was having the time of her life.

Unfortunately, the trash cans here were all empty. Their surfaces were either covered in rust, buried beneath snow and ice, or frozen solid, leaving Stelle no opportunity.

So Stelle looked at the current formation and, after some thought, moved to Kiana's other side and joined the two of them in their intimate conversation.

Only Dan Heng stared at the people ahead with a look of stomach pain.

He really wanted to say, "Please, aren't we here to search for the Stellaron and find Cocolia? You're not out on a picnic! Please take this seriously."

Perhaps she sensed the resentment of the person behind her. Kiana glanced back at Dan Heng, who was bringing up the rear.

Looking at the lonely Cold-faced Little Azure Dragon, Kiana remembered the photo of Blade that she had saved on her phone.

So Kiana spoke up.

"Dan Heng, don't be envious. Your good buddy will probably come looking for you soon. You'll get to see him on your next Trailblaze expedition."

Dan Heng: ...

He had originally only felt helpless, but now he was a little afraid.

He had witnessed Kiana's power of speech many times. Although he hadn't been one of her victims so far, whenever Kiana opened her mouth, Dan Heng couldn't help feeling that something bad was about to happen.

But Kiana's next sentence immediately drew everyone's attention, causing Dan Heng to temporarily forget the figure who always appeared in his dreams and occasionally shouted, "Five people, and three prices."

Because what Kiana said was, "Stelle, look. There's a fairly new trash can over there, and it isn't dirty either. Aren't you going to rummage through it?"

If that had been all she said, the others wouldn't have cared. At most, they would have complained that Stelle shouldn't rummage through trash cans just because they weren't dirty.

But the moment Kiana said her next sentence, everyone except Stelle and Kiana drew their weapons and prepared for battle.

"What if the Stellaron is inside? We've searched for so long without finding it. Who knows, maybe it's hiding in a trash can."

The others still wanted to stop Stelle, but the trash can in front of them seemed to possess an extraordinary attraction for her.

The moment Kiana finished speaking, Stelle had already reached the trash can and lifted off its brand-new lid in one swift motion.

They had expected a Stellaron to leap out. Instead, Stelle froze for a moment when she saw what was inside, then turned around and waved at the others.

"?"

Kiana was the first to reach Stelle, being the closest and also possessing spatial abilities. March 7th followed.

But after seeing what was inside, the two said nothing. They merely took several awkward steps back and gestured for the others to come over.

Dan Heng glanced inside and stepped aside as well.

Finally, Bronya and Seele arrived at the trash can and saw that there was a person inside.

"Who is this woman? Bronya, is she one of the Silvermane Guards? Why do her clothes look different from everyone else's?"

Chapter 40: Bronya: She's My Mom

"She's my mom."

Seeing Bronya fall silent, Seele seemed to understand why the others had backed away earlier to make room for Bronya instead of simply saying it themselves.

The good news was that they had accomplished one of their main objectives. Cocolia appeared to be fine and seemed merely to have fainted.

The bad news was that they had found her in a trash can.

The trash can was neither too large nor too small. To keep Cocolia from getting hurt, Seele and Bronya planned to work together to tip it over, then slowly drag her out.

The members of the Express crew, meanwhile, wore expressions that said, "I didn't see anything." This allowed Bronya to relax a little.

After all, the place where they had discovered Cocolia was truly too embarrassing.

"Kiana, what are you doing?"