Honkai, Survive

Why wouldn't I believe?

"So, what do you need me to do?" she asked, showing a willingness to cooperate.

Fang Jie smiled. "For mutual trust, my friend, for mutual trust. I know you're not someone who easily trusts outsiders, but the power is real. You'll understand once you go beat up the Astral Express squad. Do your best, it's fine to make a wish to the Stellar Nucleus. Or you can beat us all up, but I'll lower the price afterward."

"..."

Wait, aren't you guys all together? Is this some kind of business war? Or are you trying to prove the strength of outsiders to me? Cocolia didn't quite understand, but there was no need to delve deeper. This was something she had prepared for from the start.

"I understand. I've already arranged to meet with them tomorrow to discuss the Stellar Nucleus. I can immediately..."

"There's no need to be so hasty. Let's just do it tomorrow. Make proper arrangements. Besides, you, and the Preservation ideology that you guardians cannot bear, also need someone to inherit it."

Fang Jie, not holding any grudges about being drawn on, said cheerfully:

"Issue a warrant first."

.

.

PS: Good morning. Something feels a bit off. Did the comment section get swarmed? Everyone who left a good review is being dragged down.

Chapter Twenty-Five: But March 7th is very worried about you.

On the second night of the Trailblaze journey, the Stellaron Spirit still wasn't sleeping as peacefully as she did on the Astral Express.

It wasn't because she had any deep affection for the cardboard boxes on the train, but because she had heard strange noises last night... It sounded like the young Cocolia talking to something, about remaking some dying world.

It made no sense.

As for tonight, she could always hear the sound of military boots marching in her half-asleep state, which was incredibly noisy.

Damn it, I'm going to hit you all away with my baseball bat—!

Stelle was even envious of Fang Jie's sleep quality in the next room. March 7th wouldn't even wake up if he drew on his face...

Wait, if I sleep like that, will he retaliate?

"Yee!"

Stelle woke up with a start, also hearing a rapid knocking sound outside her room.

Her intuition told her something bad was about to happen... She should go out and check the situation.

When she stepped out of her room, March 7th and Dan Heng were already in position in the hallway.

March 7th looked excited. "Stelle, did you hear that?"

"When did I get a nickname like Stelle?"

Stelle's eyes widened.

March 7th glared back. "Oh, come on, what time is it? Isn't it nice, just like Rin? Or should I call you Little Grey Hair?"

Stelle was persuaded. "Then Stelle is fine. It sounds more human. What's going on? What are you listening to?"

Seeing the two of them chatting away at any moment, Dan Heng quickly explained the situation to prevent them from going off on a tangent again. "It's the Silvermane Guards. A group of Silvermane Guards has arrived at the hotel entrance. They don't look friendly."

"Executioners?"

Stelle immediately recalled Fang Jie's earlier joking remark. Wait, did he say that?

March 7th corrected Dan Heng seriously, academically, and earnestly. "We are the ones who have arrived."

"..."

Dan Heng didn't want to chat about this with them.

Stelle looked around. "Where's Fang Jie? Is he still sleeping?"

Unknowingly, she had already recognized him as a capable teammate and someone she should find to deal with problems together.

"Probably. He sleeps like a log."

March 7th complained...

"I'm not dead."

Fang Jie pushed open his door, with a bench behind him. He glanced at March 7th, who took half a step back in fright. "Aren't you guys being a bit too suspicious? Maybe these Silvermane Guards are just here to escort you."

He had always treated people sincerely.

"Escort? The atmosphere is too heavy for that."

March 7th didn't accept this explanation. "It feels very ominous."

Stelle's eyes widened as she tried to discern the solemnity from the Silvermane Guards' faceplates...

No.

March 7th, your intuition is amazing.

Of course! I'm a beautiful girl!

March 7th couldn't be more pleased with Stelle's admiring gaze, puffing out her chest and putting her hands on her hips.

Suddenly, she saw someone emerge from the Silvermane Guards below.

She wore a uniform similar to Bronya's, especially those black stockings, a specialty of the icy Belobog, both warm and aesthetically pleasing. Her crisp footsteps struck a chord in everyone's hearts.

"Wow, what a cool older sister."

March 7th felt a sense of familiarity.

"I am Serval Landau, acting Garrison Officer of the Silvermane Guards. In the name of the noble and supreme Amber Lord, and by order of the Great Guardian Cocolia, I am here to apprehend the infiltrators attempting to incite rebellion."

Even more familiar.

"No, wait a minute, isn't this like... you guys merged with Gepard and Bronya from before?"

March 7th felt like there were too many points to complain about.

Stelle also felt something was off: "Her tone sounds so strange."

It was that kind of... fallen noble knight vibe, seemingly serious and solemn, but with hidden reluctance and a hint of excitement. That was the Bronya from before too!

Serval didn't listen, nor did she stop: "Hereby, in my capacity as acting Garrison Officer of the Silvermane Guards, I temporarily strip you all of your rights to action and speech; you will have the opportunity to defend yourselves when the tribunal judges you. Surrender—"

"Wait a moment!"

A loud voice, tinged with weakness and disbelief, rang out. It was a voice they were all very familiar with.

It was Gepard.

He seemed to have rushed over, still injured, and happened to interrupt the apprehension. The surrounding guards instinctively parted to clear a path, allowing him to approach Serval.

"Sister, what is going on? Clearly..."

"Silence," Serval snapped.

"Gepard, address me by my title."

"I am the Garrison Officer of the Silvermane Guards!"

Gepard couldn't understand. Everything had been fine just yesterday. The Great Guardian seemed to be getting along well with the outsiders, even comforting the citizens after a long time. Why had things taken such a sharp turn today?

"Not anymore. You've been dismissed, Gepard. If you dare to obstruct further, you will be considered an accomplice!"

"What? Serval..."

Serval appeared cold and ruthless, her hawk-like eyes fixed on the familiar face before her. Upon hearing his words, she swiftly dropped a document, a flicker of electricity in her eyes.

"Stand down! Do you intend to harbor them?"

Catching the document, Gepard was rendered speechless by the dismissal content personally signed by the Great Guardian. He truly couldn't believe it. Why was this happening?

"No, there must be something..."

"Guards, apprehend them!"

Serval wasted no time and ordered the attack.

March 7th didn't understand what was happening either. Even the guy who guaranteed their safety had messed up. It was all the Great Guardian's doing: "Wait, wait a minute! This isn't what we agreed on. She clearly said she wanted to invite us to discuss important matters..."

Poor, foolish March 7th. The Stellaron Spirit already had its baseball bat ready, eager to play.

Dan Heng wanted to advise her but found himself holding his Gale.

"..."

He silently retracted it, stepping forward to block Stelle with empty hands.

Leading by example!

However, the current situation needed to be addressed. He confirmed: "This is a planned betrayal, no doubt about it."

"No way, we're going to be prisoners again... I notice this happens every three worlds."

March 7th clasped her head, unwilling to accept it.

"That's because you always act on impulse without any plan."

Dan Heng hoped March 7th would learn her lesson, and he used this to educate the Stellaron Spirit:

"You must think carefully and act with a plan."

Stelle looked doubtful, really?

She wasn't sure and looked at March 7th...

Her gaze was full of trust and pressure. March 7th understood that she had to come up with a plan to salvage her image as a senior. Otherwise... there was no "otherwise."

"I can grow too. A plan, a plan... Ah, I've got it."

March 7th looked around, not seeing Fang Jie who had quietly retreated behind them, but she saw the street: "Ah Xing, Dan Heng, look at that alley over there!"

Dan Heng understood: "I see. That area has been sealed off due to Cleft erosion—I get it now. This is indeed a feasible plan. Everyone, prepare to escape."

"Huh? Dan Heng, you agree? Just as I expected, amazing."

March 7th's spirits soared.

Wait, why aren't we fighting anymore? Escape? I don't want to...

Stelle had objections, but then she heard Dan Heng say: "Observe the periphery, infer the rest—"

For some reason, she immediately became compliant.

March 7th added a thoughtful explanation, "Shh! This is an old signal from the Express crew. When I count to one, run with us!"

"A ruler's command is absolute—"

"What are you whispering about? Give up your resistance and come with us!"

The Silvermane Guards were closing in. They acted as if facing a great enemy, diligently carrying out their duties.

Just like that, their eyes met.

"—The city relies on one!"

The battle horn sounded. Without a second thought, Stelle pulled out her bat and swung it at the surrounding Silvermane Guards—Smash!

At the same time, March 7th's coordination was incredibly swift. Her Six Senses Ice sealed their bodies.

The group charged out like this...

Before March 7th leaped into the Cleft's erosion zone, she saw Fang Jie just watching and was instantly shocked. "Why aren't you moving? Run!"

The charging group paused because of this.

"It seems they aren't after me."

Fang Jie said with a serious expression, "Look, there's only a wanted poster for you."

They were two highly artistic portraits, well, wanted posters.

The figures in the portraits had gray-white fur, making their gender indistinguishable. They were on all fours, looking straight ahead, their eyes revealing a wild, unrestrained love for life. They had their mouths open, tongues sticking out, and were carrying starlight on their backs, making them quite conspicuous.

They were even in full color!