Star Rail: Can't I Just Peacefully Do Commissions? Chapter 47

"If the Emperor Bow had descended initially, those petty demons would surely have scattered and fled, but after the Emperor Bow departed, those petty beings might very well make a comeback."

"But now, with the two generals, Heavenly Strike and Candle Abyss, personally gracing the Luofu, and with this unexpected reinforcement, we might actually consider capturing a Lord of Annihilation alive."

"Lord of Annihilation? Jing Yuan, how many more secrets are you keeping from me?!"

"Minister Fu, I only just found out myself. The source of the information is that Nameless you met earlier."

Grand Tutor Fu's expression instantly turned extremely solemn.

"This person has never set foot on a Xianzhou, yet knows all sorts of internal details. Could it be that they possess divination methods far surpassing mine?"

"It doesn't seem like divination. As I see it, it's more like they've memorized the information. While I don't know the source of this intelligence, my younger brother currently harbors no ill will towards the Luofu."

"Jing Yuan, when did you become so naive? Even if they obtained that method, we cannot afford to be careless with that Nameless. We must find a way to get the channels through which they know all the Luofu's secrets."

"...Minister Fu, oh Minister Fu, when will your inability to tolerate even a speck of dust in your eye ever improve? Governing a region, mediating disputes, you absolutely cannot handle things with such a straightforward temper. If you offend them, and they abandon their alliance with the Luofu to turn to others, what then?"

... ... ...

"Jing Yuan, I cannot and do not wish to learn your ways. You have been on the Luofu for seven hundred years, governing this region with great merit. People call you the General of the Divine March, and some also call you the 'General Who Closes His Eyes.' Do you truly think I am unaware of the other meaning behind 'General Who Closes His Eyes'? You also have a tendency to let certain situations unfold before dealing with them..."

"It was the same with the Alchemy Division incident back then. You knew there were hidden circumstances behind Yun Hua's situation, yet you forced Yun Hua and Dan Zhu to leave the Luofu."

"I do not wish to bring up Yun Hua's matter now, but Minister Fu... Governing a region, the burden of hundreds of millions of common people rests upon your shoulders. I, Jing Yuan, do not fear death, nor do I fear being slandered by others after I am gone."

... ... ...

"When I was young, I was a Cloud Knight General. During a martial arts exhibition, a boxer from a remote planet came to the Xianzhou with nothing but courage in his heart. He was fighting for his homeland and seeking help. I became good friends with him and reported his homeland's situation to General Teng Xiao. But alas, at that time..."

Jing Yuan closed his eyes, a helpless wry smile on his face.

"In my life, I was powerless to help my dear friend save his homeland, and powerless to stop my master from falling into Mara-struck... In the past, with the Cloud-Piercer Five: Dragon Lord Dan Feng, Sword Master Jingliu, Hundred Arts Ying Xing, Sky Skill Bai Heng... I, Jing Yuan, was merely present by chance and added to their ranks. I never imagined that one day, all four of them would abruptly vanish, leaving only me, a Cloud Knight General who was poorly equipped and only skilled in a few strategies."

"Minister Fu, when I was young, I never thought I would become this so-called General of the Divine March. I only joined the Cloud Knights to repay my master's teachings. After leaving the Cloud Knights, I had planned to become a Sea Ranger, which would have been a fitting end to my swordsmanship... It's a pity that things never go as planned. What I truly long for now is to no longer wield my sword... because I know that the moment I draw my sword, the Luofu... will likely have no other choices."

"If one day, you ascend to my position, I truly hope you can sweep away all the deep-seated problems left behind by an untalented and incapable person like myself, and rebuild a more prosperous and flourishing Luofu. At that time... even if I, Jing Yuan, were to be under the Ten Lords Bureau..."

"Jing Yuan!"

"Hmm?"

"After you practiced that method, given the age you contracted Mara-struck, you can live for at least another two to three hundred years. When you speak of 'one day'... when will that be?"

"...When Minister Fu matures a bit more."

"You used that excuse two hundred years ago! Jing Yuan, you scoundrel, are you planning to wait until I'm also old enough to contract Mara-struck before you abdicate?!"

Chapter 96: What a Coincidence, My Wife is Also Named Elysia. (3/5)

"The 'Emotion Points' have accumulated to almost 1000 points again."

"The points are about 18 pulls... Commissions are indeed a bit scarce."

"I need to stir up some trouble, earn some points, and play around with some rate-up banners."

After settling down on the Xianzhou, everyone contacted Himeko. The Navigator also had no intention of staying on the train, so she came to the hotel to meet up with everyone.

As for Dan Heng, He still seemed unable to overcome the psychological hurdle.

After all, he was a great sinner who had committed ten heinous crimes and was specifically expelled from the Luofu.

Coupled with the memories of Dan Feng, he always felt he had failed the Luofu and had no face to board the Xianzhou.

So, he simply buried his head in the sand like an ostrich.

Wei Gong didn't feel it was appropriate to comment on his mindset, but helping the cold-faced Azure Dragon reconcile with the Luofu could probably net him a "997" commission. Based on Wei Gong's understanding of the system, a limited character banner would likely be given along with it.

"Uchiha Madara, Mobius, Dan Heng, Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan... The banners for these characters are the most likely to be triggered."

"I'll save up more points, then I'll go and provoke these people's quests. These silent types, can't they see that this brother really needs them to quickly ask for my help? Don't I, the righteous and helpful Emiya the Great Hero, deserve their plea?"

Mr. Emiya felt a bit strange. Wasn't his usual behavior obvious enough? He was practically saying, "Damn it, just give me all your commissions!"

"Do I need to frequently fall unconscious like Blondie the camera?"

Blondie in Teyvat has an endless supply of quests. If he also received rewards for quests like the Forest or Desert Books, he would definitely kick Blondie aside.

"Speaking of which, Genshin Impact and Fullmetal Alchemist are almost solidified."

He raised his hand and summoned the Aurora Curtain. The current analysis progress for this thing is only about 1.5%. If he were to truly complete the analysis and replicate it, it's unknown how many years it would take. However, there were quite a few coordinates stored within the Aurora Curtain now.

Mr. Emiya directly passed on those high school students enjoying their youth and love in the Spring Day Studio.

When the life levels are not the same, he was afraid he would become a runaway train and smash them to pieces.

"Nasuverse, Magical Girl Illya world."

"Honkai, Star Rail world."

"Honkai Impact 3rd, Previous Civilization timeline."

"Hokage..."

"Fullmetal Alchemist, these coordinates have been solidified. It seems those two little brats are still very wary of me."

Mr. Emiya couldn't help but rub his nose. How could he, a righteous young man from Fuyuki City, be resisted by a pure good-hearted combination like the Elric brothers? Shouldn't they be like Jing Yuan, wanting to become sworn brothers with him the moment they saw him?

"I don't know what stage the plot is at. Let's go take a look."

Since he had already decided to form an alliance with Jing Yuan, Wei Gong naturally had no intention of acting rashly. Phantylia, disguised as Tingyun, wouldn't easily attack March 7th and Asta now, as it didn't align with her aesthetic of destruction. If things continued like this, waiting for Jing Yuan's response...

"Welt, there's a new map. Want to go play together?"

"Forget it, you go ahead. I was planning to check out the streets anyway."

"Check what? See if there are any new golden-haired cosmic merchants, right?"

Welt heard this and immediately let out a cold laugh, not saying any more. Otto was his sworn 'brother' from another life. To have the chance to meet his 'counterpart' in another dimension, if he didn't prepare a few black holes to test its character, how could he be at ease absorbing the same air under the same sky as something that resembled an 'Otto-beast'?

"Alright, then I'll go alone."

Pulling open the Aurora Curtain, Wei Gong directly entered it. He immediately descended into an office. He had even completed a one-click outfit change, putting on what appeared to be a military uniform.

"A military officer?"

His eyes swept over the desk, where his identification and even his personal resume were laid out. The language comprehension function that came with the landing benefit allowed him to confirm his current information.

"Amestris, Second Lieutenant in the Central Military Department. Not bad, at least much better than an ordinary resident of the ninja world."

Dream starts like joining the Stellaron Hunters upon landing in a Star Rail-like world were rare. He pushed open the office door and officially entered the building. Some people looked at him, this unfamiliar Second Lieutenant, with a bit of curiosity. However, seemingly limited by their military rank, they didn't approach him to strike up a conversation.

After wandering around the building for a while, Wei Gong finally had a clearer understanding of his identity.

"Intelligence Division?"

"Seems alright? Just don't know what time period it is..."

After wandering around a bit more, a young girl with short, light brown hair, a clear complexion, and a few freckles approached him.

"Second Lieutenant Shirou Emiya, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes wants to see you in his office."

Hughes?

That name sounds a bit familiar.

"The guy who's obsessed with showing off his daughter, right? The best friend of that incompetent Colonel?"

He still had some impression. Tragic supporting characters often leave a deeper impression, like Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, the little girl Nina who was turned into a chimera, Nanachi and Mitty from the Abyss, and Bols and Chelsea from Akame ga Kill!.

In worlds with dark underlying worldviews, the fates of these characters often appear more extreme and tragic.

Being shot dead by a homunculus disguised as his wife.

An innocent child used as a sacrifice by a father worse than a beast to maintain his status.

Loyal subjects like Bols who sacrificed themselves for their country, only for their wives and daughters to be ravaged by scum...

"So, in such serious, dark, and grim worldviews, there are always too many plot points that are upsetting."

He was only occasionally fortunate that he hadn't appeared in worlds like Seraph of the End, which could cause physical discomfort, otherwise, he might have been unable to resist truly going on a killing spree.

Following the freckled girl, he arrived at Lieutenant Colonel Hughes's office. The office was empty except for Lieutenant Colonel Hughes himself. When Wei Gong entered the room, the Colonel signaled the freckled girl to leave.

After the freckled girl left, with only Wei Gong and the Colonel in the room, the Colonel stared intently at him for a long time. Suddenly, his expression sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Second Lieutenant Shirou Emiya, on behalf of the Central Military Department, I welcome you to Intelligence Division 3. From today onwards, you are a direct subordinate of mine, an Intelligence Officer. Today is your first day officially joining Division 3, and according to regulations, there are some things I must inform you of in advance."

"In Intelligence Division 3, the most unforgivable taboo..."

"Is... absolutely not..."

"To compete with me for the cutest girl in the world, Elysia."

"...Lieutenant Colonel, actually, my wife is also called Elysia."

"I've decided. You'll go to another department. I'll personally write you a letter of recommendation."

"But I truly believe Elysia is the cutest girl."

"Excellent. From today onwards, you are my most trusted confidant."

Chapter 97: You refuse to cooperate with me properly, and I find it quite difficult.

Maes Hughes.

Although he was a very ordinary supporting character in Fullmetal Alchemist, he was the first person to uncover the profound darkness of this country. He possessed exceptionally keen information-gathering and associative abilities.

At just over thirty years old, he was neither a State Alchemist nor born into nobility. To reach his current position as a commoner, it was evident that he was an extraordinary individual.

Therefore...

"Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, I am not from your country."

"Your name sounds like you might be a minority from the New Country?"

"Strictly speaking, I'm not even a citizen of the New Country, but a person from another world."

Another world?

The Colonel's expression instantly stiffened. He then raised his head in astonishment, looking at the orange-red short-haired youth before him.

"...That's right? Adding settings for yourself, the 'person from another world' setting seems a bit outdated, Second Lieutenant Emiya."

"Never mind, it's better to let you see something more directly."

Saying this, he suddenly reached out to his right, and dozens of golden chains materialized without warning. They shot out of the window, and a moment later, a gloomy curse could be heard from outside.

"Damn it, this kid's serious!"

"What else would it be?"

Shirou Emiya let out a laugh, and then golden chains quickly bound the person outside the window, dragging them back into the office. Maes Hughes watched this sudden series of events, his expression becoming very wary. His gaze flickered between Shirou and the bound black-haired youth.

"Homunculus, Envy. It seems like a good idea to take you back to be material for Mei."

"You bastard... how dare you treat me like this!"

The black-haired youth let out a ferocious low growl, his emotions appearing extremely unstable.

"Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, if you want to understand the true darkness of this country, take this with you."

He took a mobile phone from the warehouse and handed it to the Lieutenant Colonel. Since the Elric brothers weren't cooperating with him, he had no intention of bothering with them further. In this world, choosing other, more rational collaborators suited his personality better.

"I'm very interested in your country's Alchemy. Have Roy Mustang come talk to me. I originally intended to cooperate with the Elric brothers, but unfortunately, those two are full of suspicion towards me."

...I think they're right to be.

Although Hughes didn't speak, his eyes conveyed this sentiment. Shirou Emiya couldn't help but laugh. He stood on Envy's head, his foot repeatedly grinding against his skull.

"This thing is one of the Seven Emotions separated from a certain Monster. Do you know why they, who shouldn't have physical form, possess physiological characteristics indistinguishable from humans?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"The Omnipotent Elixir, the Fifth Element that can replace all costs. Do you know about this gem that is highly revered in many Alchemical theories?"

"Philosopher's Stone."

"Indeed. This guy has at least dozens, even hundreds of them inside him. That's why he's a Homunculus. If it were any other creature, they'd probably explode from being overfilled."