Star Rail, Starting as Kiana Chapter 9

After hearing the accounts from the three guards, Gepard had a general understanding of the situation.

"That guy's too slippery, but forget him for now—the front lines are tight, and we don't have the energy to go looking for trouble. If we run into him later, we'll act; if not, we'll let it slide." Gepard finished speaking to the Silvermane Guards, then turned around to face the Express crew.

"Everyone, it's unsafe outside the city right now. Please come back with me first. Although Miss Bronya has vouched for you, your identities still need to be verified. Once that's done, we'll let you go. I apologize for the delay. I, Gepard Landau, as the Silvermane Guard Captain, offer my apologies on behalf of the Silvermane Guards."

Kiana found it strange now. Was Gepard really this dense?

The Silvermane Guards hadn't seen through her identity—that could be excused by unfamiliarity—but Gepard and Bronya had plenty of work dealings. After all this time, he still hadn't noticed she wasn't Bronya?

Kiana felt like the excuse she'd prepared might not even need to be said.

"Gepard, aren't you going to ask anything?"

"Miss Bronya, what are you trying to say? Ah, I understand. I'll keep quiet about this matter. But may I ask, was that height-enhancing outfit you wore before prepared by the Supreme Guardian? I have a friend who might need something like that."

Though it was another "I have a friend," when Gepard said it, no one suspected the friend was himself.

Because with Gepard's height, he really didn't need any height-enhancing gear.

"No, I haven't used any height-enhancing equipment."

"I see. My apologies. Could it be that blue-haired person? Don't worry, I'll find him and get the antidote for you."

Great. This Gepard's brain didn't seem to work well. He was way too single-minded—once he latched onto something, he never hesitated.

Kiana even wondered if she revealed her identity without making up an excuse, would Gepard think she was joking?

"Um, Gepard, right? We're actually not citizens of Belobog."

"Impossible. Aside from Belobog, there's no other place suitable for human survival here."

"No, no! We're actually visitors to this planet!"

Watching March 7th explain while Gepard wore an expression like she was telling a story, Kiana covered her face with her hand, experiencing for the first time what it meant for innocence to conquer all.

"March, take out that book you flipped through earlier and the photos you took. Show him."

"Oh!"

March 7th quickly pulled out her camera bag, fished out the photos she'd taken, and the book introducing Jarilo-VI.

Gepard took them, looked them over for a long time, then turned his gaze to Kiana.

"What are you looking at me for?"

"Miss Bronya, is what these people say true?"

Finding that Kiana had no intention of responding, Gepard dug through his memory for some legends recorded in his family's books.

What he'd thought were just myths now seemed to be clear records of history.

Chapter 16: Grandma Cocolia, I'm Actually Your Long-Lost Granddaughter

"If that's the case, since they're visitors from beyond the stars, then the Supreme Guardian herself must make the decision."

Kiana: Damn it. Even after explaining all that, Gepard still hasn't doubted my identity. Please, start doubting—if you don't, I'm afraid we'll end up with a real-and-fake Bronya story when we get back!

March 7th and Stelle were also incredibly awkward. Even after all that, Gepard still had doubts about their identities, yet he was utterly convinced about Kiana's.

At this point, what else was there to explain? Just go with the flow.

March 7th had given up. She could see clearly now—this guy was just stubborn. Rather than waste energy explaining, it was better to wait until they got back to the city and met other people in power.

After all, Kiana was Kiana. When they ran into the real Bronya, she believed the misunderstanding would clear itself up without any explanation.

Seeing that no one intended to keep talking, Gepard nodded, returned the photos and book to March 7th, and turned around.

"Outsiders, follow me. Beloborg lies beyond this curtain of snow."

"Welcome to the City of Preservation—Belobog."

Then Gepard consciously stepped back half a pace, letting Kiana stand at the front, while the other Silvermane Guards positioned themselves at the rear, placing the Express crew in the middle.

It was both a precaution and protection.

Only Kiana had countless alpacas stampeding through her heart right now.

Kiana's inner thoughts: I'm begging you, I'm really not Bronya. I shouldn't have come out looking like this. Ah, it's too late to switch back now.

But why are you making me stand in front? I don't know the way either! You lead!

Fortunately, in the end, it went without incident. Though they took a detour, they made it to Belobog safely.

They encountered a few Void creatures along the way, but they were easily dealt with.

Gepard: "As expected of Miss Bronya. She must have known their positions in advance and led us this way for safety."

Kiana: Stop praising me, stop it. I really don't know the way. I was just following the road—I didn't expect it to be a side path!

As soon as they entered Belobog, Gepard began recounting the history of this planet and humanity's last city.

But because Gepard quoted from texts as he explained, it gave everyone the strange feeling of being led around by a tour guide.

However, just as Gepard finished speaking—whether by fate or some other influence—when he led the group to Kliperburg to meet the Supreme Guardian, they happened to run into the real Bronya.

Instantly, among the four people present, three of them felt like their CPUs were about to burn out.

The three who followed Gepard into Kliperburg were also stunned.

Looking at the two figures before them—one tall, one small, with identical faces—it was impossible not to be surprised.

"Hey, two Kianas!"

"Hey, two Miss Bronyas!"

It was only now that Gepard realized he had likely mistaken someone along the way. When March 7th introduced herself and mentioned the four of them arriving together, he had assumed someone was in danger, so he hadn't pressed further.

Now it seemed it was all a misunderstanding on his part.

"Gepard, you may withdraw."

"Yes!"

Though Gepard's mind was full of countless questions, upon hearing the order from the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, he chose to obey without hesitation.

Once he left the room, Cocolia's gaze drifted back and forth between Bronya and Kiana.

"A coincidence?"

Cocolia, who had originally intended to send Bronya away, found herself momentarily dazed by the appearance of someone who looked exactly like her daughter.

Thus, instead of immediately dismissing Bronya, who had been arguing with her moments ago, she tacitly allowed her to stay.

"Visitors, I already know your identities from the messenger."

"Welcome, guests from beyond the bitter cold... no, from beyond the sky, correct?"

"That's right, Grandma Cocolia."

"Pfft!"

Cocolia was left speechless, her carefully prepared remarks completely derailed by Kiana's single sentence.

This time, her gaze was no longer veiled; she swept it seriously over her daughter Bronya and Kiana.

Bronya was also taken aback. Who told Kiana to blurt out "Grandma Cocolia"? Cocolia only had one daughter—her. If Kiana called Cocolia grandma, then what did that make her?

"Miss, you..."

"Grandma Cocolia, I'm actually your long-lost granddaughter."

Kiana's words became the last straw that broke Cocolia. Already worn down by the Stellaron and the planet's future, her heart was haggard, compounded by her daughter's suspicion, she was teetering on the edge of collapse. With Kiana's final blow, Cocolia's mind went blank, and she fainted.

"Mother!"

Bronya panicked, forgetting they were still in Kliperburg with outsiders present.

But consumed by worry for Cocolia's health, she forgot to address her as Supreme Guardian, calling her mother instead as she rushed to her side to check on her condition.

"Mother, are you alright!"

Bronya gripped Cocolia's hand tightly, fearing this might be their last meeting.

"Bronya... what's this about a granddaughter..."

With that, Cocolia's blood rushed to her head, and she passed out.

Even as she fell unconscious, Cocolia couldn't figure out when Bronya had a child, or who had seduced her precious daughter.

Still, despite Cocolia's lack of achievements—born in the wrong era, leaving Belobog in chaos—she was still the Supreme Guardian.

Within minutes of her collapse, several physicians arrived to treat her.

As a result, the Express crew's meeting with the Supreme Guardian was forced to pause.

"Everyone, let me take you to rest. I apologize; the Supreme Guardian is unwell and may not be able to see you for a while. You can tell me what you wish to convey, and I will relay it to her."

Looking at Bronya, who had come before them after Cocolia was taken away by the physicians, and recalling her address to Cocolia, they chose to explain the full truth.

"I see... the Stellaron? So that's the culprit behind this place's suffering? I will relay this to the Supreme Guardian. In that case, you are our honored guests."

Heh, Yomi was originally expected to debut after the anniversary version, but if she comes out in 2.1, I'll see how it goes. Maybe they'll release her early when the Xianzhou arc starts. So, can Yomi cook?

Chapter 17: The Bully March 7th and the Maiden Kiana

After speaking, Bronya led everyone to the Goethe Hotel.

When passersby near the Goethe Hotel and the waitstaff inside saw Bronya—second only to the Supreme Guardian—leading a group there, they assumed something major had happened at the hotel.

Fortunately, Bronya only booked the most luxurious rooms for them and didn't engage further with anyone else.

This let Old Goethe, the hotel manager, breathe a sigh of relief.

After arranging everyone's accommodations, Bronya looked at Kiana as if she wanted to ask something, but in the end, she didn't voice it.

Leaving behind a "If anything comes up, notify the Silvermane Guards to contact me," Bronya hurried back to Kliperburg to check on Cocolia's condition.

No sooner had Bronya left than Kiana found herself surrounded by two figures.

"Dan Heng, save me!"

Dan Heng watched as March 7th, hands curled into claws, advanced step by step on Kiana, with Star mimicking her movements. He glanced at Kiana, who had been backed onto the bed, her shoes kicked off in the struggle.

Dan Heng chose to pretend he saw and heard nothing.

After quietly closing the door, he returned to his own room.

"Take this!"

"Ahh!"

March 7th looked down at Kiana, who was pinned beneath her, clothes disheveled and face flushed, and only then realized her current image was just like a bullying tyrant in a story.

And Stelle was the lackey by her side.

Fortunately, Kiana had already reverted to her original form, which eased March 7th's guilt a little.

"Slurp."

She had to admit—after all, Kiana was the protagonist of the Honkai Impact series (referring to Honkai Impact 2), the one who made even Yae Sakura yearn for her in dreams. Even March 7th, seeing the sight before her, couldn't help but suck in a bit of drool.

But before long, once Kiana got up and changed clothes, March 7th and Stelle returned to normal.

"By the way, Kiana, are you really that Supreme Guardian's granddaughter?"

"Of course, if you don't want to say, that's fine—everyone has secrets. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask."

Faced with March 7th's question, Kiana, now back in her usual clothes, couldn't help but roll her eyes. She felt like March 7th sometimes couldn't tell the difference between a joke and reality.

"March, didn't I say when we first arrived? I'm not from this planet. I just happen to know the relationships here by chance. And besides, look at Cocolia and Bronya's ages—do you really think I could be Bronya's daughter?"

"Then why did you say that? Didn't you just let yourself get taken advantage of?"

March 7th still didn't get it, but Stelle, standing nearby, seemed to have guessed something.

"Kiana, are you trying to say that Cocolia has a problem?"

"Bingo."

"Huh!?"

"Keep your voice down—walls have ears."

March 7th felt her mouth covered by Kiana's hand. After hearing Kiana's words, she nodded to show she understood, and only then did Kiana let go.

But right now, March 7th wasn't thinking about what might be wrong with Cocolia. She was thinking about something else entirely.