They Call Me Daddy (Honkai Star Rail)

"Why don't we just reveal our true identities to the Supreme Guardian?"

Stelle asked, looking puzzled.

Bronya, standing by, stared coldly at Wende, seemingly waiting for his explanation.

Only Dan Heng, who seemed to have understood Wende’s intention, sat quietly drinking tea from the hotel, not participating.

"Ah… haven’t you realized? The Supreme Guardian has already been eroded by the stellaron."

Wende rubbed his throbbing temples and addressed the three women.

"Stellaron? Is that not the culprit behind the eternal freeze? How could it have eroded my mother!?"

Bronya looked at Wende in shock. She had learned about the dangers of the stellaron on the way to Qlipoth Fortress with the exploration team. Because of this, she was determined to confront the Supreme Guardian directly but did not expect Wende to intervene.

"Yes, and the erosion is severe. Your mother might no longer be the person she once was."

Wende said seriously to Bronya.

"But… why would my mother..."

Bronya lowered her eyes, unable to believe that such a powerful "Supreme Guardian" could become so hysterical under the influence of a stellaron…

"Your mother… might have made a ‘wish’ to the stellaron."

Dan Heng, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up and said.

"A wish?"

"Yes, according to research by Lady Herta, the stellaron is actually alive, a lifeform with a unique mechanism that connects to people and grants their wish. It responds to the desires of the world it inhabits, but the form of wish fulfillment always involves some kind of disaster..."

"A disaster…"

Listening to Dan Heng's explanation, Bronya seemed to be deep in thought. Then, she appeared to recall something, her pupils contracting sharply with disbelief in her eyes.

"It seems you've figured it out…"

Seeing Bronya's realization, Wende spoke slowly.

"The eternal freeze is also likely caused by someone making a wish to the stellaron... Although we don’t know what wish your mother made, it doesn’t seem to be anything good."

Watching Bronya fall into contemplation, Wende shook his head.

Although he wanted to offer some comforting words, there was clearly no time for that.

"We need to move quickly. It won't be long before the Silvermane Guards encircle us. We don’t have much time left."

"In that case, why didn’t we capture her on the spot and force her to reveal the whereabouts of the stellaron?" March 7th asked, puzzled.

"Because... we are outsiders, and public opinion will not be on our side."

Dan Heng shrugged.

"And no one knows what kind of deal she made with the stellaron. Starting a battle rashly would only harm innocent people."

"But... where can we go now? Outside the walls? Or to the underworld?"

Bronya said with a bitter smile. As the adopted daughter of Cocilia, she had certainly noticed her mother’s recent changes, but she never imagined that her mother could be influenced by something this “stellaron”.

And now, besides Belobog, where else do they have to go?

"Knock, knock, knock. Hey? Are there any guests? Do you need to buy some Belobog specialties? My uncle’s goods are the best in all of Belobog!"

A knocking sound came from outside, followed by a voice familiar to the exploration team.

"Look, someone who can help us find a place to stay has arrived."

Wende’s lips curled into a slight smile.

Outside, Sampo was holding a “valuable” imitation antique in his arms as he knocked on the door to Wende’s room again. The door soon opened, and a large hand reached out to pull him inside.

"Long time no see, Sampo."

Wende greeted Sampo with a friendly expression as he threw him to the floor, appearing quite familiar. Lightning crackled in his hand.

"Uh… h-hi there..."

Seeing the familiar face, the “pleasant memories” from a while back instantly resurfaced in Sampo’s mind. He swallowed nervously, holding his hands up in front of him, speaking with a hint of fear.

"Damn it Sampo, you fool! Why did you have to be so greedy again? Now look at this! You've been caught by these devils again. It’s over, it’s all over. This time you’re really in trouble!"

Sampo deeply regretted his decision. He had heard that a few IPC employees who had met the Supreme Guardian were staying at the hotel and thought they might be easy marks. So, he eagerly brought out the “antique” he bought at a “high price” to “trade.” Now, not only did he not make any money, but he might even end up losing his life!

"My friends! I really haven’t done anything wrong! I was just out to make a bit of extra money. I definitely haven’t done anything heinous!"

Sampo pleaded with Wende from the floor, wondering if he had picked the wrong day to venture out or if he was just unlucky. Why did he have to run into this living nightmare again?

"Oh? I didn’t say you did anything bad. But your abrupt departure last time did leave us quite concerned."

Wende said casually, his fingertips moving idly as the lightning needles danced in the air with his gestures.

"By the way, about the compensation you mentioned earlier, it should be time to make good on that now, right?"

Wende crouched in front of Sampo, retracting the lightning rod and smiling.

"Uh… compensation, of course! Your pal Sampo is a man of his word. Anything I promise, I will definitely deliver. Compensation is just another service I offer; I would never shortchange you!"

Sampo gritted his teeth and forced a smile.

‘This is it! The assets I’ve built up over years at Jarilo VI are about to be lost here!’

"Oh, I knew you were a man of your word. Now, we want to visit the underworld. I’ve heard you have a shortcut there. How about you be our guide? We can discuss the compensation later."

"Visit the underworld? If you had said so earlier! Your best bud is quite adept at navigating both the over and underworld. I’m very familiar with that place! What do you want to do there? Sightseeing? Maybe eating?"

Upon hearing about the underground, Sampo immediately perked up. If he couldn’t escape here, maybe they wouldn’t be able to find him in the underworld?

"Then, please lead the way."

Wende nodded in satisfaction, patted Sampo on the shoulder, adjusted his disheveled collar, and spoke earnestly.

"R-right now?"

Seeing the very serious Wende, Sampo felt a bit nervous inside.

"Of course. Lead the way."

Wende said firmly.

"Ah… well then, please follow me. Sampo’s grand tour is about to start…"

Sampo said listlessly, then dejectedly headed toward the door.

Seeing the “happy” Sampo, Wende nodded in satisfaction and then addressed the now stunned group inside the room.

"Come on, what are you waiting for?"

"Ah… oh, we’re going now?"

March 7th looked cautiously at Sampo by the door and asked Wende tentatively.

"Of course."

Wende confirmed with a nod.

"Do we really need to leave so quickly? Even though the Supreme Guardian has been eroded by the stellaron, there should still be a bit of rationality left in her, right?"

Dan Heng questioned, puzzled by Wende’s urgency.

"I put Himeko’s coffee in that container."

Wende said expressionlessly.

"…………"

"…………"

"…………"

Seeing the express crew fall into silence, Bronya was at a loss. What kind of special thing is this “Himeko’s coffee”?

"I think we need to leave immediately."

March 7th, usually so cheerful, now spoke with a serious expression.

"Yes, we can’t delay any further."

Dan Heng, with his arms crossed, nodded in agreement.

"Let’s go!"

Stelle immediately moved towards the door with a swift stride.

"Ah…"

Bronya looked confused. What kind of properties could “Himeko’s coffee” have to cause the them to panic like this?

"Wait, why do I have to go underground with you?"

At this moment, Bronya realized that she might not need to accompany the crew underground.

Upon hearing Bronya’s question, Wende turned his head with a calm expression.

"Are you choosing survival or hope?"

With that, Wende followed Sampo’s steps and headed outside the Goethe Hotel.

"…………"

Looking at the ever so enigmatic Wende, Bronya was internally struggling. She had intended to stay and find a way to persuade Cocilia, but… would she ever hear her voice again?

Thinking back to her mother’s harsh public reprimanding, Bronya felt a suffocating sensation.

‘Is she… really still my mother?’

Gritting her teeth, Bronya finally resolved to follow Wende, not only for the Silvermane Guards but also for all of Belobog. She chose to trust Wende!

Because… she had no one else to trust right now.

But as soon as she stepped out, she was again overwhelmed with confusion.

‘Who am I? Where am I? Who is this hedgehog in front of me?’

Seeing Sampo’s back covered in lightning rods, Bronya thought she might be hallucinating. She rubbed her eyes, but Sampo still appeared as despondent as ever.

"Let’s go, Mr. Sampo."

Wende clapped his hands and spoke gently to his “friend”.

Sampo was now fully prepared; he certainly wouldn’t dare to disappear while they were going down.

"My dearest compatriot Wende, can you at least take out a few needles?"

Sanbo, feeling numb in his throat from all the lightning needle, spoke.

"It’s fine, it won’t hinder your walking. I’m skilled with my needles."

Wende was quite confident in his needle technique. As long as Sampo didn’t act recklessly, these lightning needles wouldn’t negatively affect him but would rather help him feel refreshed for several days!

"Yeah, I’m such a good person, even helping him with the hidden ailments he’s built up over the years!"

Wende praised himself inwardly.

………………….

In Qlipoth Fortress

"Emergency! Emergency! The Supreme Guardian has been attacked! Seal off the entire city!"

The Silvermane Guard, arriving for the shift change, found Cocolia with a grim face, frothing at the mouth. They immediately panicked and ran outside, shouting loudly as they went.

Just moments ago, the self-satisfied Cocolia had tasted the “specialty beverage” brought by Wende. It smelled nice, and Cocilia had no doubts. To her, Wende and his group seemed like mere opportunistic businessmen in Belobog, not worth worrying about.

So, she had taken a small taste of the drink.