Honkai, Survive

The Jizo Mitama was drawn a foot from its sheath, its blade wreathed in lightning, flashing and disappearing in an instant.

"—Grass and trees turn to naught."

.

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P.S.: Everyone, I'm looking for suggestions for flashy move names here (?o?o)??

Chapter 21: Sampo: Humans Have Five Names, Scripts Have Three

Automatons, reliable combat partners derived from the degraded and modified technology of a civilization from seven hundred years ago.

The so-called old civilization's technology was acquired through interstellar trade when Jarilo-VI was still a famous intergalactic tourist planet. To be precise, it came from the Interstellar Peace Corporation, who sought the energy ore known as Subterranean Vein, considering it a component of the construction materials for the Preservation.

At that time, the City Builders, emulating the might of the Clippers, forged machines capable of terraforming planets. Hundreds of Creation Engines tirelessly modified this planet, transforming ravines and hills into plains and forests, and building numerous cities along the coast.

This even led to a change in the planet's positioning from a mining planet to a tourist planet, with bays, palm trees, and upbeat music, suitable for any weary traveler seeking a home.

This was the history that Bronya Rand, as Acting Great Guardian, was privy to; she knew how beautiful her homeland once was.

And now...

Among many unfortunate circumstances, another terrible thing had happened.

It was a rebellion!

Disgraceful criminals had led the Silvermane Guards into a trap, ambushing and capturing the Garrison Officer. After learning of the situation from a Silvermane Guard who had fled to request reinforcements, she immediately took action, not underestimating the enemy's mobilization of all nearby forces.

But—

Thunder and lightning flashed, gone in an instant.

"Why, why are they... not moving?"

"I can't command the automatons!"

"This is bad, I can't move..."

Bronya was the first to notice the exclamations from the Silvermane Guards. The villains seemed to have hacked into the Silvermane Guards' control system for the automatons, even infiltrating the power armor. How was this possible?

But the reality was that all the automatons, large or small, whether the 'Grizzly' series that resembled nearby Titans and could take down Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, or the 'Fangwolf' series more suited for accompanying charges, or even the 'Spider' series used for self-destruction, had all shut down and remained stationary. The Silvermane Guards were trying every method to troubleshoot them...

The villains took this opportunity to wreak havoc, charging through the Silvermane Guard's defensive line behind them, causing chaos.

The Silvermane Guards were not weaklings who couldn't fight without automatons. For Belobog, everyone was determined and prepared to sacrifice. The weapons they held were not merely decorative... but the guns and cannons equipped with intelligent auxiliary units were rendered useless.

Even more terrifying was that the power armor supporting the Silvermane Guards' operations and combat in sub-zero temperatures had truly become tin cans, rendering the Silvermane Guards unable to move in turn...

Bronya felt unprecedented pressure. This was... this was no longer ordinary villains.

She would not give up easily. Even decorative items have their uses; she removed her armor and fixed a bayonet!

"To protect and to defend!"

Bronya charged forward first. Command was no longer important; the intelligence had already been reported to the Great Guardian. What she had to do was to fight alongside the Silvermane Guards, no matter what they faced.

Chaos ensued.

The Stellaron Spirit seemed to be the vanguard, and wherever its raccoon-shaped bat struck, nothing could withstand it!

"Who's next?"

"It's your turn."

"Taste this!"

Like a divine demon descending from the heavens.

She had cover behind her. With a ruthless determination to shoot her own allies' backsides impartially, March 7th froze the Silvermane Guards along the path and taunted them:

"It's time to get serious for once—stand still, I'll give you a blessing~"

Just two people were enough to...

At this time, Bronya did not yet know that this was a team with grand ideals, who often worked hard, always gave their all, frequently acted collectively, and loved to laugh!

Bronya also fell on the path of her charge. The Stellaron Spirit wasn't entirely without restraint in its attacks; for those wearing helmets, it would yank the helmet right off.

For those like her who weren't wearing helmets, the Stellaron Spirit circled around, and just as Dan Heng had used his Cloud-Piercing Thrust on Sampo's backside in the pile of snow not long ago, just as she had kicked a Silvermane Guard named Fang Jie after defeating him, her thick-soled, heeled shoes kicked her backside.

Children who love to learn are put to good use.

In the cold snow, Bronya struggled to stand up. The fight, the fight wasn't over...

"You can still stand?"

The Stellaron Spirit kicked again, its expression looking very, very excited.

Fang Jie couldn't bear to watch and withdrew his gaze, still holding the Jizo Mitama with one hand, not drawing it from its sheath.

He glanced at Rin. Fortunately, she hadn't made a move after he had acted.

Dan Heng also hadn't made a move, staring at... well, them.

'I've become a suspicious person. Welt, save me.'

Fang Jie stated his stance: "I have a bottom line I like: not bullying the weak, not killing the innocent."

"That's great," Dan Heng nodded in agreement.

Then he continued to stare.

"..."

At this moment, all the Silvermane Guards who had come with ill intent were down, all the charging Automaton soldiers had crashed, and even Bronya—she wasn't as durable as Gepard—had fallen like a defeated knight.

"Caw—"

Looking towards the source of the sound, under the gazes of everyone behind her asking, "What's wrong, March 7th?", March 7th chuckled and took another picture.

Dan Heng's expression was helpless: "March."

"That, that's just to keep as a souvenir. We were really amazing."

She wasn't guilty; she was proud.

The Stellaron Spirit, feeling honored, stood beside her and put her hands on her hips.

"Exactly, exactly."

Fang Jie, who had been 'protecting' Rin behind him, agreed wholeheartedly. He quietly blended in and gave a thumbs-up:

"That's right, that's right, we're awesome."

"Hey, you didn't do anything at all, just stood there motionless..." March 7th was calculating her KPIs and found someone slacking off.

Fang Jie couldn't accept this slander: "What are you talking about? I was the first one to clear the clouds for you. Otherwise, the overwhelming artillery fire would have come first."

"Really?" March 7th didn't believe it and looked at Dan Heng, who also hadn't done much.

Dan Heng nodded: "A very clever electronic intrusion method. All those machines were hacked, so those people could only resort to close combat."

And then they were smashed by the Stellaron Spirit's bat, along with March 7th's cold arrows.

What a ruthless combination.

"You... no matter what wicked plans you have, I will not surrender!"

The captive had something to say. Bronya's face was stern, her eyes determined, and she had prepared for the worst.

"Don't even think about using us as hostages. The Great Guardian will not compromise!"

"Uh..."

March 7th instinctively wanted to take a picture, but then she realized this was too awful.

"Um, is there a possibility that we didn't do this on purpose?"

Bad news kept coming. As soon as they arrived at Belobog, they met their good friend Sampo, who led them into the village—no, to Belobog.

Then, upon encountering the Silvermane Guards, he decisively abandoned them, leaving them to fight the Silvermane Guards. In the middle of it all, someone who called himself 'Nameless' joined in, and together they defeated them... This was already the third time they had fought the Silvermane Guards.

March 7th organized her thoughts, looking at Bronya's expression of "keep making it up," and behind her were soldiers who had initially looked imposing, all frozen in place or lying on the ground.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

And the machines that were still being smashed by the Stellaron Spirit. She seemed unable to stop herself from smashing them, treating it like a game, with parts and debris scattered everywhere.

"Stop smashing already, wooah, Dan Heng, what do we do? Are we going to be wanted again?"

Is there a possibility that you have already completed the first step of 'conquest,' successfully crushed Belobog's defense forces, and cleared the path to advance into Belobog?

Fang Jie 'suddenly realized,' his face showing, "So this is how Trailblazers from the Astral Express are," and was about to criticize that this wasn't very 'Nameless'... Compared to being suspected by Dan Heng, it was better to suspect them; there was more room for manipulation.

He said with a serious expression: "I never thought Nameless on the Astral Express would be like this. I always thought you were those kind-hearted old good people..."

"This was just an accident."

Dan Heng found it a bit hard to bear. Who did you think caused this?

"Please wait a moment!"

Finally, Gepard, who understood the situation better than Bronya, made a flexible adjustment: "There's been a misunderstanding!"

Under Bronya's gaze of "Have you betrayed the honor of the Landau Family?!", he stood up, raised his arms, and quickly and efficiently explained the situation:

"They are not the criminals we have been pursuing, but visitors from beyond the stars."

"The despicable criminals used them to create conflict with us. This is a misunderstanding."

"There's no need for conflict..."

Gepard called for peace. It was all Sampo's fault!

Bronya was a bit confused, but then she understood the cause and effect... Everything seemed to have happened so perfectly.

Damn Sampo!!

"That's right, it's all that guy's fault!" March 7th exclaimed loudly, wanting to clear her name and restore her image as a reliable senior in the eyes of the newcomers. "We should catch that guy and give him a good—"

"Kick in the butt."

The Stellaron Spirit not only repeated but also answered.

"That's right, kick him in the butt... Wait, kick him in the butt? Why are you learning this!" March 7th's eyes were stern as she looked at Fang Jie: "It's all your fault!"

Is there a possibility that Dan Heng also did it?

"Oh, you blame me?" Fang Jie retorted. "Isn't it because she's just a bit too eager to learn? Frankly, that's a virtue."

"A virtue!" March 7th gave him a thumbs-up, her gaze filled with approval.

Don't mind the details. What matters is that you've been praised.

March 7th wanted to cover her face, but Dan Heng was already accustomed to it. Can you imagine how he looked after March 7th before the Stellaron Spirit arrived?

What has been will be again.

Gepard hadn't spoken up again. He waited for Bronya to calm down, and he waited for these strong individuals to calm down. He appeared rigid and only knew how to protect, but in reality, he was quite adaptable.

Belobog today… it's good to have variables.

"Everyone, despite the slight misunderstanding, I sincerely hope to invite you to Belobog to meet the Great Guardian. In the name of Landau: I promise this invitation carries no ill intent. Your arrival is of great importance, and I believe the Great Guardian will also welcome you… after all, it's been hundreds of years since any outsiders have visited."

His tone was solemn, his expression earnest.

He wasn't planning an ambush with hidden assassins.

Bronya watched it all. "I am also willing to vouch for this."

That cunning villain Sampo, using the visitors from beyond to fight Belobog, must not be allowed to succeed—the Great Guardian will surely make a rational judgment!

There had already been too much meaningless sacrifice.

"I have no objections," Dan Heng nodded.

"I… sob sob sob…"

Before the Stellaron Spirit could speak, March 7th silenced it. "We agree too!"

The Silvermane Guards scattered on the ground had no objections. March 7th had already unfrozen them with a sheepish grin. As for the damaged automaton soldie