"Sampo's got that sneaky vibe to him. When he ditched us, he didn't hesitate for a second.
Based on the first impression effect, the first face you see in a new map likely holds some secrets.
Leon said he's ready to taste Belobog's prison food—why would he say that?
Obviously, you'd only meet someone in prison if you're there too. Who's in prison? Sampo.
If he didn't have a good reason to see Sampo again, there'd be no need to get arrested.
To put it bluntly, Belobog's just a backwater civilization. If Leon wanted to, he could just take off with the crew—could the Silvermane Guards really catch them?
In conclusion, Sampo definitely has more plot to come. I think Leon's guide is him.
Don't believe me? That's fine—it's just a guess. Let's wait and see."
Feeling a bit parched from talking, Old Bear chugged some water and moved the mouse to find interaction prompts.
Hmm?
The wardrobe by the window was glowing.
After pressing F, he laughed louder and louder.
What the heck is wardrobe literature?
The Honkai: Star Rail writing team absolutely has some kind of disease—hard to imagine how much human DNA they've got left.
…
In a single room.
Leon casually picked up the listening pen, his pupils slowly shifting as a mischievous idea struck him.
He temporarily placed the pen in the isolation box and spoke nonchalantly.
"Aha, you're peeking at me, aren't you?"
"Oh, come on, darling~~ Aha just accidentally peeked on purpose~~"
An orange-red, eerie mask popped up out of nowhere, transforming into… a white-haired, red-eyed impish girl with a light green tint.
"My darling~~ Why'd you call for Aha? Got some fun, or do you want to make Aha the fun?"
"Get me some original Edo Star action movie audio."
Leon removed his headpiece, placing it on the bedside table.
"Ugh, Aha's got a better idea~~"
"I'm rejecting your so-called better idea."
"So cold! Whatever body type, moves, or voice you want, Aha can make it happen…"
Leon stayed silent, giving a carefree smile.
Aha could totally pull it off.
But no one could predict the start, process, or end.
When it came to Aha, everything boiled down to one phrase—
Believe in His nonsense, and you're done for.
"Less talk, get me the stuff. I might consider rewarding you."
"Alright, alright, alright!"
Aha was overjoyed.
Leon's phone pinged with a notification.
He received a ten-hour-long audio file.
Grinning, he started playing the audio, placed the phone in the isolation box, and gently set it aside.
"Whoever's listening, let them listen to their heart's content."
"So—darling, where's my reward?"
"Didn't I already reward you? Go find the real deal for your fun."
Leon rolled over onto the bed, ready to rest.
Aha's eyes widened as she leaped to pounce on him, only to get kicked away.
"What kind of reward is this? You're cheating, dear!"
She rubbed her backside, pouting pitifully.
"Yup, I'm cheating. Isn't getting played by me a pretty fun thing in itself?"
"You're right! Aha got played—Aha's got so much face! Love you!"
Aha turned back into a mask and vanished, leaving behind a reward for Leon—
A surge of Elation's power.
Leon, used to this, opened the system panel to glance at his faith points before closing it.
No progress bar—big numbers didn't mean much.
Better to rest and recharge.
Resting wasn't really an option, though, in case some hot-headed eavesdropper came barging in during the night.
Who could be listening?
He was really curious about their expression—hoping no outsiders or loved ones were nearby when they heard it.
Otherwise, they'd be socially dead.
…
Belobog, IP District, ZZ Avenue, Third Block, House 47.
Cocolia sat in her study, a small speaker-like device on her desk.
Her usually elegant and dignified face was now exceptionally grim.
Interstellar merchants, my foot—they're here for the Stellaron.
All high and mighty with their noble words, but really, they're after the Stellaron's power.
Want to go to the lower district?
In their dreams.
Tomorrow at noon, she'd sincerely invite these scheming outsiders to a banquet, treating them with the highest hospitality…
Having heard what she wanted, Cocolia stood to rest, but the speaker crackled again.
Lifting her fingers from the doorknob, she turned back and sat down, waiting leisurely.
After a brief silence, a pig-slaughtering wail blasted out with zero delay.
"Anata-sama, iyo, koi yo, hayaku, watashi o(╥﹏╥)o, o(╥﹏╥)o…"
Cocolia's mind went blank.
She couldn't understand the language—not at all!
But she knew they were holding a music lesson over there.
Teaching songs to preserve human civilization, teaching proper pronunciation.
"Mother, what are you lis—uh?"
Bronya, in her pajamas, stood at the study's door, staring blankly ahead, listening to the sounds in a daze.
The teacup in her hand fell to the floor, shattering.
The noise at the door jolted Cocolia awake like a thunderclap. She instinctively slammed her hand on the speaker, trying to destroy it.
But one smack didn't break it—not even a crack.
The sound got louder.
Bronya's face flushed red, her neck burning.
"Go back to your room!"
Cocolia roared in fury.
"Y-Yes…"
Bronya, startled by Cocolia's ferocious expression, closed the door and fled like she was escaping.
But the lingering sound still echoed through the mansion.
Cocolia, face ashen, froze the speaker under layers of ice, muffling most of the noise.
Two women's voices—and one man's.
Damn it!
Her long-term plan to create a new world, a new future, had made her almost forget humans had those desires.
Hearing it herself was bad enough.
But her daughter had caught her.
What would her daughter think of her? How would she see her?
If not for a shred of rationality holding her back, she'd have sent people to seize those three indulgent deviants right now.
Wait—
What if they let slip something important?
People are least guarded when they're at their most… elated, prone to spilling secrets.
If she walked away now, she might miss critical information.
Gritting her teeth, Cocolia melted two layers of ice and forced herself to keep listening.
The more she heard, the worse it got—she listened until dawn.
Unable to take it anymore!
This time, she finally smashed the speaker to dust with one blow.
"Bronya! Arrest those three imposters plotting rebellion—dead or alive!"
Her furious roar nearly shook the entire mansion.
…
Meanwhile, at the Goethe Hotel.
Leon opened his eyes, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
He opened the box, retrieved his phone, got up, stretched, and yawned.
They're coming this early in the morning? Looks like someone listened all night.
Ha, they're mad.