They Call Me Daddy (Honkai Star Rail)

After the CG sequence, players continued with the main quest, and ahead of them was a familiar figure.

【It's Bronya!】

【So it's not Gepard?】

【He’s guarding the gate. Since we came through the 'secret passage,' of course we'll encounter Bronya!】

【Why does she seem a bit off?】

Players were still discussing the significant changes in the plot when the dialogue with Bronya triggered a scene that truly left them in silence.

Such a tragic sacrifice only fortified one line of defense, and they had to be on constant guard against the invasion of the Rift monsters… The Silvermane Guard truly had it hard.

After finishing the conversation with Bronya, you could choose to continue talking to the guards. There were two NPCs you could talk to. One was the second squad’s sergeant. After talking to him, he thanked you for saving the second squad. Under his helmet, you couldn't see his expression, but you could sense his mood was not great.

The other NPC was a guard lying on the ground.

After talking to him, you would only get a line of text.

【Snowflakes fell on his armor and piled up.】

After the dialogue, this Iron Guard's name would change to "The Last Member of the First Squad."

【…………】

【Honestly, I’m starting to feel a bit uncomfortable.】

【Me too……】

【Sigh……】

Unexpectedly, the players didn’t continue making jokes but instead sighed collectively.

……………………

In Kakaya's Livestream

Kakaya watched in silence as the man lay on the ground, quietly picking up a nearby cigarette pack.

Snap……

Luckily, he wasn't on camera; he had a virtual avatar covering for him, or else this might have been enough for the moderators to ban his stream.

【What’s that sound?】

【Kids, don’t worry about it.】

【A cig for everyone……】

【A stick of the good stuff for everyone.】

The bullet comments included names and area codes, and for a moment, Kakaya didn’t feel like continuing the plot.

He lay back in his gaming chair, staring at the ceiling, and the cigarette in his hand had burned down a large portion without him noticing. He let the smoke spread through the air.

After an indeterminate amount of time, when the heat nearly burned his fingers, Kakaya belatedly threw the remaining bit of the cigarette into the ashtray, a bitter smile on his face.

“Sigh, wasn’t it better to use the old plotlines? Laughing and joking without worries, maybe March 7th and the old man could have some fun. But now you’re doing this…”

He wiped the slightly damp corner of his eye, feeling a bit helpless.

【Yeah…… How many more chapters of this game?】

【It’s well-written, but don’t write too much angst next time. Too much smoking.】

【Indeed (snap) (lights cigarette)】

【Sigh…… Thinking back to the previous plot settings, these guards are all heroes.】

【No spoilers, everyone still doesn’t know. Mods, ban this!】

【In that case, let me tell you a joke!】

【The moderator has silenced the joke teller】

【Good job, mod!】

【Yeah, it’s cold enough already. If you tell a joke, everyone will be frozen solid.】

“Sigh…… Let’s keep going.”

……………………

Back on Jarilo VI

Seeing Cocolia’s demeanor, Wende thought it was worse than the original.

This woman seemed to have lost some of her sanity under the erosion of the stellaron. Otherwise, as the Supreme Guardian, she should not speak so mercilessly to her own daughter in front of outsiders. Things seemed to be getting tricky.

Touching the container in his arms, Wende thought to himself.

“I…”

Bronya wanted to say something more, but Cocolia cut her off harshly.

“Enough! Do you want to embarrass yourself in front of these outsiders?”

Cocolia turned her gaze to the explorers, her expression full of disdain.

“Outsiders, you’re all visitors from beyond the heavens, right?”

Before Wende and the others could speak, she continued on her own.

“I am Cocolia Rand, the Supreme Guardian of Belobog. I wonder what brings you outsiders here after seven hundred years. Speak up, I’m listening.”

“Ugh, this is a far cry from the original plot. Now she’s completely dropped the pretenses, huh?”

Wende inwardly complained but maintained a smile and slightly bowed to the arrogant Cocole.

“Esteemed Supreme Guardian, we are sales representatives from the Interstellar Peace Corporation’s technology department. We have come here to recommend an excellent beverage to you, hoping to re-establish trade routes with Jarilo VI.”

With everyone behind him looking confused, Wende spoke respectfully.

“Wende, what are you doing…”

March 7th tried to ask Wende what was going on, but Dan Heng, who had sensed something, quickly covered March 7th mouth, staring gravely at the Supreme Guardian before them.

“Oh? Merchants… Hmph, let’s see your goods. If they pass my test, I’ll allow you to sell them in Beloberg.”

Cocolia’s expression became even more dismissive. Her eroded blue fingers lightly tapped the desk as she looked at Wende with contempt.

“Of course, Miss Supreme Guardian.”

Wende took out a metallic container from his chest, which seemed to contain some kind of liquid.

“Put it away. I’ll make my decision after you leave.”

With a quick glance at the container, Cocolia’s face showed another trace of mockery.

“Bronya, make arrangements for these distant guests. As for your transgressions, I won’t blame you. From today on, you’re temporarily relieved of your position as the leader of the Silvermane Guards. I hope you use this time to reflect.”

Playing with the metallic container that Wende had presented, Cocolia slowly spoke, looking at the outraged Bronya below.

Wende turned and walked down the steps, signaling frantically to Bronya and the trailblazers to leave quickly.

“Since that’s the case, Supreme Guardian, we will take our leave.”

With that, Wende led everyone out of the Qlipoth Fortress.

“You…”

“Shh!”

As soon as they stepped out of the Qlipoth Fortress, Bronya wanted to question Wende but was stopped by a finger placed on her lips.

“I know you’re confused, but it’s not safe here. We need to find a place where we can talk first.”

Ignoring Bronya’s questioning, Wende quickly headed towards the main city.

The rest of the exploration team, though equally puzzled, followed Wende.

“…”

Bronya stood still, contemplating for a moment before resolutely catching up with the express crew.

……………………

Inside the Goethe Grand Hotel

Finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, Wende hadn’t even had a sip of water before he was surrounded by March 7th, Stelle, and the recently entered Bronya.

“Wende! What are you doing? Why did we suddenly become sales representatives for the IPC? And why are we from the department that only sells home appliances!”

March 7th pouted, somewhat dissatisfied.