Honkai: Star Rail – Banner Character, Delivering Knives to the Player [24]

After exploring every interactive point he could find, Lao Xiong finally returned to the main storyline.

“Alright, back to business.”

He met Pela, then Serval, and finally approached the guarded Rift entrance. The quest marker led him toward Goethe Hotel.

But just as he was about to enter, the screen faded to black.

"Huh? What's going on?"

???: "That's her, ma'am. She’s been rummaging through trash cans everywhere, making a mess and increasing our workload significantly."

Bronya: "Arrest her."

As the darkness lifted, Stelle was already restrained by the Silvermane Guards.

① "You're… that girl we saw at Qlipoth Fort."
② "Oh, it's you! Just a misunderstanding, remember me?"
③ "Who dares accuse this Trailblazer?"

Lao Xiong stared blankly, eyes wide in disbelief.

"What? Is dumpster-diving actually illegal here?"

Stelle: "Who dares accuse this Trailblazer from the shadows? Show yourself!"

Upstanding Citizen: "It was me. You're a young lady—why would you go around rummaging through every trash can in this district?"

"Because of you, I'm forced to work overtime."

Stelle: "…"

Bronya frowned slightly.

She now knew exactly who these three visitors were.

Initially, she hadn’t suspected much, but discovering that one of them behaved in such a bizarre way was too suspicious.

Would genuine interstellar merchants degrade themselves like this?

Her mind raced with suspicion.

Where exactly did these people come from? Could there be another fortress-city on this planet besides Belobog?

Centuries had passed without outside visitors, and yet they appeared precisely at this critical moment.

If this wasn’t suspicious, then what was?

Perhaps this was an opportunity to test their true intentions.

"I, Bronya, acting commander of the Silvermane Guards, hereby detain you for disturbing public order."

"Wait!"

"Lingzhou! Finally, some backup!" Lao Xiong immediately recognized the voice.

Lingzhou approached slowly, accompanied by March 7th, who wore an expression clearly saying, I don’t know this idiot.

"Commander Bronya, we’re newcomers unfamiliar with local customs. Could you possibly be lenient?"

"As compensation for my companion’s actions, I'm willing to offer this citizen 100,000 credits to cover the overtime inconvenience."

Bronya hesitated. Seeing the janitor’s hopeful expression, she slowly nodded.

"Very well. But you'll still need to sign an official statement. Follow me."

March 7th panicked slightly. "But…"

"Of course. Thank you for your understanding, Commander Bronya," Lingzhou interrupted, shooting March a subtle glance.

Understanding immediately, March glared bitterly at Stelle.

Look at what you've done!

Seriously, who normal would even think of rummaging through every trash can in an entire district?

[Bronya leads your group into an interrogation room.]

"Huh? Weren't we just signing a statement?" Lao Xiong wondered aloud.

Bronya turned to the guards behind her.

"You may leave. I'll handle things here."

"Understood, Lady Bronya."

Once the guards left, Bronya’s stern demeanor softened slightly, though suspicion lingered in her gaze as she faced the group.

"Are you truly from beyond our world?"

March 7th: "Absolutely! Here, check out these photos."

She showed Bronya images from aboard the Astral Express and scenes from previous Trailblazing missions.

"Look, this snowy planet is your home—Jarilo-VI."

"And this is Herta Space Station owned by the IPC, and here’s the laserball stadium on Tycranium. Spectacular, isn't it?"

"And here—Salsotto, a world frozen mid-collapse. Isn’t it breathtaking?"

With every extraordinary picture, Bronya’s skepticism gradually faded.

Lingzhou: "Now look at this."

He produced a flight log clearly detailing their landing from space onto Jarilo-VI.

Bronya finally had no more doubts.

Belobog simply didn’t have the technology to fake something like this.

She took a deep breath, her expression growing even graver.

"In that case, I'll be blunt."

"Please abandon your plans for trade with Belobog and leave this planet immediately."

Stelle & March 7th: "Why?"

Lingzhou shot Bronya a slightly surprised glance but said nothing.

Bronya: "Belobog is facing a grave crisis. My mo—… the Supreme Guardian hasn't disclosed the urgency to you."

"For centuries, Rift corruption has relentlessly threatened us."

"The situation grows dire, yet the Guardian stubbornly insists on decisions and orders that defy all reason."

"It's unwise for you to remain. You’re outsiders; for your safety, please leave quickly."

Stelle stared blankly. "Wait, you arrested me just to tell us this?"

Bronya shook her head, candidly admitting:

"Not entirely. Initially, I doubted your identities because… honestly, what genuine merchant would act as you did?"

Hearing that, Stelle let out an awkward laugh.

Bronya: "I've wanted to approach you sooner but lacked a suitable reason—this incident provided an opportunity."

Lingzhou interjected abruptly, "So, those people secretly watching our every move—they’re yours?"

"Huh? We're being watched? Since when?" Lao Xiong was caught completely off guard, though some players quickly pieced it together.

Clearly, it wasn’t Bronya.

Bronya immediately denied it.

"No, those were the Supreme Guardian's spies. Clearly, she doesn't fully trust your story."

"That was part of why I initially suspected you."

"You have no connection to our troubles. There's no need for you to get involved. I strongly advise you to leave."

March 7th hesitated.

Given Bronya’s openness, she desperately wanted to ask if Bronya knew about the Stellaron.

But Lingzhou was the leader here.

Unless Lingzhou asked first, she couldn't speak rashly. Instead, she sent him a questioning glance.

Lingzhou: "Thank you for your concern, Commander Bronya. We’ll certainly consider your warning carefully."

"But truthfully, we’re confident enough in our abilities to explore unknown worlds."

"We’ve encountered Rift creatures numerous times. Perhaps we can help you resolve the root of your disaster."

"The root cause is clearly the Stellaron," Lao Xiong speculated. "Seems like Lingzhou’s trying to test Bronya."

Bronya frowned.

"It's not that I don't want to trust you. But even after centuries, Belobog hasn't identified the source of these Rifts."

"Without knowing the origin, how could it possibly be resolved?"

---

T/N: ooh i just realized webnovel doesnt allow these quote things... this might have to go straight to scribblehub

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