[Man, Leon's words are so blunt and real.]
[First time seeing him with that look in his eyes.]
[He's deliberately riling up Bronya, right? Though 'can't do anything' is the right password, it's the wrong account.]
After a long moment, the confusion in Bronya's eyes faded.
"I hear too many comforting words, and it's easy to get soft. Thank you, Leon."
Seele blurted out, "With such a heavy burden, someone should've snapped you out of it ages ago."
"Like Leon said, you need to know what responsibilities you carry."
"Whether as Silvermane Guard Commander or Supreme Guardian's heir, you're destined to make choices and set an example."
Watching the plot unfold, Old Bear couldn't help but tease.
"Sometimes people need a verbal wake-up call to get clear-headed."
"Gotta say, Leon's a damn good doctor. Claims he can't cure mental issues, but that whole spiel of verbal therapy didn't just wake Bronya up?"
"What she said earlier was a bit whiny—calling it self-pity's fair."
[You're right—that's a reliable adult for you.]
[While Stelle and Hook were scavenging, Leon found Bronya's origin story in the orphanage. Confirmed: adopted.]
[No wonder in the surface plot, Cocolia acts like a nutcase who doesn't care about Bronya's life.]
[That's what Stellaron corruption does—maybe it's not her true intent.]
[All the more reason for Bronya to rebel. If the corruption goes on longer, there's no saving her.]
The game screen shifted.
Oleg approached quickly with a group, his smile unconcealed.
"Hahaha, well said."
"Guard girl, Cocolia may have gone down the wrong path, but I believe the training for the Supreme Guardian's heir isn't misguided."
"Do you still remember the Supreme Guardian's duties?"
Bronya nodded quietly. "Of course."
"Then this old man won't waste more words." Oleg stopped walking.
March 7th stepped up beside Leon and Stelle, playfully smacking their backs.
"While this girl was resting, you two went and did something big without me? That's harsh!"
Stelle tilted her head at her. "If we actually called you, you'd complain. Who said staying up late's bad for your skin?"
March 7th laughed it off. "Oh, come on, rest is trivial compared to upholding the Nameless spirit!"
Stelle raised an eyebrow. "We disappeared, and you weren't worried at all?"
"Not too worried."
March 7th said naturally, as if it were second nature:
"When I woke up and saw you both gone, I knew Leon must've taken you to carry out tradition."
"Tradition?" Stelle's head sprouted a question mark.
"Y'know, the tradition of vanishing without a word. By the way, I hold the record for longest disappearance!"
Stelle's mouth twitched. "You sound awfully proud of that. And here I was, worried about you before we left…"
March 7th struck a pose, hands on hips, smirking.
"With Leon around—a reliable adult like Uncle Welt and Himeko—when it comes to safety during rest, I trust him 100%~"
"As long as I light that toxic incense burner he gave me, any sneaky ghosts or ghouls come near? One touch, and they're down."
"Oh, forgot to tell you, but no worries—you know now."
Stelle: "I already knew."
Seeing this, many streamers and players cracked a knowing smile.
Was the stuff Leon gave his teammates poison?
Nah, it's a health-boosting buff, a reassuring safety net!
To outsiders, that's the deadly poison.
"While you were all busy, regarding that Stellaron we talked about last time and your run-in on the surface, March here went over it all with me again."
After the Trailblaze team finished their banter, Oleg continued.
"I sympathize with what you've been through and assure you—Wildfire won't stab you in the back."
"March also told me your plans."
"They sound a bit like nonsense and unreliable, but it's a path. The underground's out of options, so I'm willing to bet on you."
"Guard girl, can we trust you now?"
Bronya took a deep breath.
"I can't confirm yet if the Fragmentum's tied to the Stellaron, but I can promise—"
"I won't stand by anymore, watching the Supreme Guardian keep making mistakes without doing anything."
At that, both Leon and Oleg showed relief.
One was satisfied, nodding at finally getting through to the kid.
The other sighed, letting go of a long-held worry.
Oleg: "You want to find the Stellaron's whereabouts. Wildfire wants to lift the underground's lockdown—"
"Our goals align, and it's all about Svarog. But that guy? Talking's pointless."
Stelle: "That's up to Clara now—whether she can convince Svarog and meet us at the agreed spot."
"Oh? You've already made contact with that kid? That's promising."
Oleg was quite surprised.
"Wildfire's tried talking to Svarog multiple times, but we're always shut out."
"Svarog's robots don't fear sacrifice. With Wildfire's strength, fighting's too risky—I don't want to gamble with underground lives."
"That guy doesn't listen to humans, but he cares a lot about Clara."
"With that connection, you might try diplomacy first, force later."
Leon: "We should always have multiple plans. Leave dealing with Svarog to us."
Seele: "Why? We won't hold you back."
Leon: "You won't in a fight, but Wildfire and Svarog don't get along. Bringing a big group isn't wise."
Stelle: "Leon's right. If Wildfire mobilizes in force, Svarog's bound to be more on guard."
"You can wait outside Svarog's base and act on our signal."
Oleg nodded in agreement. "You've thought this through well. Thanks for understanding Wildfire's position. We'll leave negotiating with Svarog to you."
Seele: "I'll go with you on behalf of Wildfire. Svarog won't be wary of just me. Sitting back and waiting for news doesn't sit right with me."
Stelle glanced at her teammates.
After exchanging looks, Leon nodded.
"After all that, everyone's probably beat. Rest for six hours, then meet at Boulder Town's east exit."
…
March 7th: "Ugh, waiting's so boring. Why not just head out now?"
Stelle: "Sis, you slept soundly, but the locals don't have time for that. Every one of them's got exhaustion written all over their faces."
"You think Leon wants to wait? He's just thinking of the locals, as a doctor."
"Like the saying goes, your body's the foundation of the revolution."
"If talks with Svarog break down and we have to fight, how do you fight without rest?"
March 7th blinked her big eyes rapidly.
"Fair point. You actually thought of all that? I'm impressed."
Stelle: "Is it possible that you're the—"
"No way! Don't call me dumb!" March 7th pouted cutely.
"I didn't even say it, and you're already confessing?"
"You jerk, stick your head over here!"
"No way… ow, that hurts! Leon, help!"
Leon: "…"