Half an hour later.
Sonia appeared before the group on time, her stern face softened somewhat.
She first respectfully bowed to the Trailblaze team, greeted them politely, and then reminded Bronya.
"Lady Bronya, it's time."
"…I know."
Time had passed so quickly… Bronya sighed inwardly.
Pleasant moments were, after all, not meant for her.
At least not now.
"Please excuse me, everyone. I'm swamped with duties, so I'll take my leave first."
March 7th smiled casually. "No worries, no worries, go handle your grand affairs~"
Stelle's expression shifted. "I want to do grand things too."
March 7th: "What grand things could you possibly have?"
Stelle chugged the juice in her cup and declared boldly—
"Belobog, your Trailblazer is back, the adorable trash—mmph… mmph…"
Before she could finish, March 7th covered her mouth and shot her a fierce glare.
Unfortunately, due to her striking appearance, the glare lacked much menace.
In short, it was very cute.
"I'm losing it! Was Trailblazer about to say 'adorable trash can'?"
"Man, I can't figure out why Trailblazer's so obsessed with that broken trash can."
[Old Bear, if you didn't trigger the hidden trash can rummaging quest, Trailblazer wouldn't say this line.]
"???"
"So it's the seed I planted that's now bearing fruit? Alright, fair enough."
"You guys know, I'm terrified Trailblazer might suddenly erect a sun disk."
[Just a meme, it's not that serious…]
[Not impossible. Leon's already pulled out a plastic chair from a street stall. All that's missing is a Yama Blade. So it's not weird if Trailblazer pulls out something too.]
[Not the same. Pulling out a plastic chair is fine, no big deal. But a Yama Blade? That's a big deal—Capcom would send a cease-and-desist.]
[Feels less cool than Green Corpse Cold… Pidgeon's…]
[Showing your true colors, huh, little hater? Want some fried dough?]
Bronya gave a faint smile, bid farewell to the group, and carried Leon's parting gift back to Qlipoth Fort.
Oranges and tangerines.
Seeing the figure waiting in front of her desk, she was quite surprised.
"Seele?"
"I heard from Sebas you went to see Leon and the others. I asked for the location and was about to head over, but you're back already."
Seele instinctively reached to sling something over her shoulder, only to realize halfway that she didn't have her weapon.
With the heavy foot traffic in the Administrative District these days, running around with a giant scythe in public wouldn't look good.
"I don't have much personal time right now. Once business was done, I came back."
Bronya placed the two bags of fruit on the table and removed her gloves.
Seele's gaze fell on the transparent plastic bags, finding the contents familiar.
After a moment's thought, she remembered.
They were the unfamiliar fruits Leon had taken out in the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone.
"You know these fruits?"
Seeing Seele staring at the bags, Bronya thought she might recognize them too.
"I saw Leon take them out. They're called oranges, right?"
"Mm, but the ones with harder-to-peel skins are tangerines. You can try one."
Bronya sat down, picked up a document to review carefully, and signed it.
Seele didn't stand on ceremony, grabbing one and peeling it open.
The tangerine's flesh was crystal-clear and plump, emitting a fresh fragrance she'd never smelled before.
Breaking off a couple of segments and popping them in her mouth, the sweet juiciness flooded her senses.
So delicious!
"You came to see me because things in the Underworld are mostly sorted?" Bronya didn't forget the main topic.
With both the Overworld and Underworld busy, Seele wouldn't come without reason.
Seele: "All done. Just waiting for your word to lift the lockdown completely and restore free passage between the Overworld and Underworld."
"Mm."
Bronya nodded her snowy-white chin, took a prepared document, and stamped it with her seal.
"I arranged this long ago. Please post it on the Underworld's bulletin boards. Five days from now, the passage cable cars between the Overworld and Underworld will officially resume operation."
"Got it. I trust your efficiency."
At some point, Seele, who once doubted Bronya at every turn, now fully trusted her.
"Besides that, I've got another thing to discuss—a proposal."
Bronya: "Go ahead."
Seele: "Groundfire plans to erect statues of Leon and the others in Boulder Town to commemorate the Trailblazers' contributions to the Underworld."
"I think… the Overworld needs them too. Without their help, we wouldn't be where we are now."
"What do you think of this idea?"
Bronya's lips curved upward. "Great minds think alike. I was planning to announce this at my inauguration ceremony."
And to express heartfelt gratitude to the Trailblazers in front of all of Belobog's people, erecting commemorative statues for future generations to admire.
This was an essential official stance, distinct from private gratitude.
That's why she made a point to meet the Trailblaze team today and thank them in person.
Unfortunately, Belobog currently couldn't offer any substantial gifts. All they had was the least valuable thing—sincerity.
She hadn't mentioned this to Leon and the others, not intending it as a surprise.
Rather, considering the Trailblazers' style, they'd likely politely decline.
They weren't after anything from this world.
Seele's lips curved too. "Looks like we've got some chemistry."
Looking at Bronya, she suddenly found the tangerine in her mouth tasting even sweeter.
"Here, I can't finish the rest."
Seele handed the remaining tangerine segments to Bronya.
"Thanks."
"No need to be polite. Business is done, so I'll head back to the Underworld."
"Mm, take care and don't overwork yourself."
"Worry about yourself, 'milady'~"
Their interaction made Old Bear mutter under his breath.
"Something's up…"
"Leon prepared so much fruit—why'd it have to be tangerines?"
[So shippable~~]
[Mihoyo just can't let go of the Kiana-Mei duo.]
[What's wrong with tangerines?]
[They carry meaning—depends how you interpret it. Could be fatherly love, or… you know.]
[Don't get it.]
[No worries, the ever-helpful internet will explain it for you.]
On the other side, while Ah Xian occasionally drew spicy Kiana-Mei fanart for clout, she wasn't much of a shipper.
Her focus was simple, as she had a standard orientation.
"Compared to the beta, the post-launch epilogue gives the protagonist team so much respect."
"Commemorative statues, huh? No practical use, but the emotional value is top-notch."
[Forget statues—they should enshrine us and worship us every holiday.]
[Especially Leon's heroic feat of holding the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone. Two words: True Man!]
[In the Restricted Zone, you can check the battle damage stats through Gepard.]
[How many died?]
[It's clearly written: since Leon arrived to help in the Restricted Zone, no more Silvermane Guards died—only injuries!]
[Badass! Where's it at? I'm going to check it out.]
[Gotta see it. There are two Leon-related achievements too, each giving 20 Stellar Jades~]