Oleg didn't stay long. He patted Seele on the shoulder and left with his man.
"Jiang Mo, what are you doing here?" Seele asked, poking his cheek as he stared off into space.
"Oh, I heard you were in trouble… I'm glad you're okay." He grabbed her hand. "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
He led her to his shelter. Seele was stunned. It was no mere shack; it was a neat, clean, and well-stocked little home. There was even a soft blanket and a pillow on the bed. It was a mansion in a shantytown.
"What do you think?" Jiang Mo asked proudly. "I made all this."
"Seele, come live with me," he said, his eyes serious. "It's safer here. Together, we can survive."
Safer… together… After so long on her own, those words were incredibly appealing. A warmth spread through her heart. She nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Okay… Jiang Mo, thank you."
He shared his last grilled sausage with her. As they ate, they reminisced about the old days. For the first time in a long time, the atmosphere was relaxed. Seele felt a strange sense of security. This felt like a warm home.
But later that night, Oleg's words and the "Wildfire" flyer echoed in her mind. Hiding here, she could survive. But was that the life she wanted? The Wildfire Oleg described was more than just survival; it was resistance.
The next day, she made her decision.
"Jiang Mo," she said, finding him carving a piece of wood. "I've made up my mind… I want to join Wildfire."
She braced herself for his reaction. She expected him to call her foolish, to mock her, to try and talk her out of it. In her mind, Jiang Mo was rational and self-interested. He would never approve of something so risky.
But he just looked at her, blinked, and said, "Wildfire? Okay. If you want to go, then go." He even smiled and went back to his carving.
Seele was dumbfounded. "You… you just agree like that? You're not going to ask why? Or try to stop me? Or… yell at me?"
"Why would I yell at you? It's your choice," he said without stopping his work. "What you want to do is up to you. Why should I ask so many questions?" He paused and looked up. "Oh, right. Go ahead, just make sure you come back for dinner every day."
Seele was speechless. All her prepared arguments were useless. She felt a strange sense of disappointment. "You're… not worried about me?" she asked softly, her cheeks flushing.
Jiang Mo looked up, his dark eyes serious. "I am worried," he said. "But I trust you."
Trust… me? She was stunned. She had always believed she could only rely on herself. But Jiang Mo said he trusted her.
"Okay," she nodded. "I'll go today."
"Okay," he replied. "Remember to be back early for dinner."
She felt a sense of peace. Then, on impulse, she stepped forward and threw her arms around him, burying her head in his shoulder for a few seconds before quickly letting go and jumping back. Her ears were bright red.
"S-see you tonight!" she stammered, then fled from the shelter.
Jiang Mo sat there, stunned, the piece of wood in his hand. After a moment, a smile spread across his face. He wasn't worried about her. He knew what Wildfire would become. It was safer for her there than on her own. And… it was a job, right? She could earn food.
But most importantly… a new plan was forming in his mind. A plan that would make life easier for both of them in the Underworld. Then, it wouldn't matter where she went or what she did.
My patreon.com/BOB_Davinchi
Honkai: Star Rail: I the Major Villain 65
Type-Moon Demon King, Wrecked Ereshkigal for Loot Right from the Start 85