Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

"We're here. This is Qlipoth Fort, the heart of Belobog, the Architects' headquarters—and the office of the Supreme Guardian."

After rattling off a list of titles, Pela turned to the three Trailblazers trailing behind her.

"As you may know, the vast cosmos is home to towering beings known as Aeons. By simply existing, they bring miracles beyond human comprehension. One such figure, Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation, is a cornerstone of our beliefs here in Belobog.

Under Qlipoth's guidance, the Architects constructed Belobog, shielding the last sparks of civilization from natural disasters and the eternal cold. Then, Lord Barbatos's winds of change kindled those sparks into a wildfire of hope, driving people to resist the fate that had oppressed them. Ultimately, his presence dispelled the cold, giving us a bright, new world."

As the three listened intently, Pela adjusted her glasses with a faint hint of reverence in her voice.

"Though we're unsure if Lord Barbatos is an Aeon himself, we nonetheless honor him alongside Qlipoth. While Barbatos's grand temple is still under construction, the Westwind Church has already been repurposed thanks to the generous donation of the Goethe Hotel owner. Should you be interested, you can visit there later."

"We'd love to. After all, for the Trailblazers, exploring, understanding, building, and connecting are our objectives. Any insight into legends of this nature would be truly invaluable."

Welt gave a formal nod of agreement, his curiosity about Barbatos growing with each detail Pela shared.

To alter an entire planet's climate—such a feat would be remarkable even back in his home world. Although there were powerful beings across the universe capable of similar feats, they were few and far between.

Barbatos hadn't just pushed back the cold. From what they'd gathered, this planet had endured the corrosive rifts for centuries, with the people's only safe refuge being within Belobog's walls.

If Barbatos had somehow managed to suppress the Stellaron's influence, end the centuries-long winter, and reignite life in this barren world… well, Welt knew that he himself, despite all his experience, would have struggled to accomplish such a feat as seamlessly.

Furthermore, the omnipresent breeze filling the city told him that seeds of freedom had been sown here. The people, once prisoners of fate, were finally free to make their own choices.

And yet, for all his reverence, Barbatos hadn't issued a single edict…

Was it that he did not want to use his title as the god of freedom to dictate the very freedom he hoped people would embrace?

The philosopher and dreamer in Welt felt deeply rewarded by this journey.

"Next, we'll meet with the Supreme Guardian herself. If you'd like to take a moment to gather your thoughts, now's the time. Her schedule is demanding, with many matters awaiting her attention, so please keep your requests concise."

"Wait, already?! Isn't this a bit too sudden?" March 7's eyes widened. "Could I at least freshen up first?"

"It's efficient." Dan Heng nodded approvingly. "Given the focus on rebuilding, the city probably values pragmatism over formality."

"Indeed, I foresee a very productive conversation." Welt nodded as he recalled something, turning to Pela.

"One question, if I may. Are there any customs we should follow when meeting with the Guardian? We'd rather avoid giving offense. As Trailblazers, it's our principle to honor local customs."

"Please, don't worry about it. The Supreme Guardian isn't one for ceremony, and it's perfectly normal for you, as newcomers, to be unfamiliar with Belobog's etiquette."

Pela's subtle smile held a hint of warmth.

"In fact, meeting those who've glimpsed even greater freedom… I think she'll enjoy speaking with you."

This comment raised the Trailblazers's spirits, adding to their anticipation for the Guardian.

"Very well. If everyone's ready, let's proceed. By now, Officer Seele should be concluding her debriefing with the Guardian—"

Pela had taken over as their guide so that Seele could report on her latest mission.

Though her official rank was only Lieutenant, Seele's authority was nearly equal to that of Captain Jepard, allowing her direct access to the Supreme Guardian.

As they followed Pela into the fortress-like structure, the grandeur of the place initially overwhelmed them, only for the sensation to quickly give way to a solemn atmosphere.

Every corner was spotless, with polished floors reflecting their images, deep red carpets, and Silvermane Guards standing tall on either side, lending an air of dignity to the entire scene. Even the usually lively March 7 felt a bit subdued.

She clung close to Dan Heng and Welt, careful not to accidentally break any obscure rule and trigger an army of guards to swarm in on them.

Upon reaching the hall, they found Seele in a heated debate with the Supreme Guardian.

"…I've explained it before, Seele. It's not that I don't want to lift the city's restrictions on going beyond the walls—it's that we don't yet know if there are lingering dangers left from the ancient wars now that the cold has receded."

Contrary to March 7's initial expectations of a matronly figure, the Guardian was young, with moonlit silver hair glinting in the afternoon sun. Her face was at once soft and determined, with the grace of a princess and the strength of a soldier.

Hands clasped before her, she spoke with a weight of consideration in her voice.

"If we hastily expand without caution, there's a chance people could stumble into old minefields or encounter lingering soldiers from the Legion. Such risks are too great to allow."

"I've told you already—let me lead a scouting team! Sooner or later, we'll have to face the outside world! How can you claim to value freedom if you're always holding back—"

"Pursuing freedom doesn't mean acting recklessly. As those who've been blessed by a god, we've seen firsthand how hard our journey has been. We owe it to him not to let his beloved people face needless harm."

"A plan… you're always making plans. You're just afraid to let go of control, aren't you?"

Seele, who'd been so laid-back earlier, seemed to have stored up quite a bit of frustration with Bronya.

"…That's enough for now, Seele. We have visitors. We can discuss this later, but for now, could you attend to them?"

Bronya's reaction was unsurprised. Seele's straightforward nature often led to heated discussions—she'd always had a stubborn streak.

Arguments like these were nothing new between them, but decorum required them to maintain some composure in front of guests.

Seele glanced at the Trailblazers, fidgeting slightly with her hair before giving a small, disgruntled "hmph" and agreeing.

Once she'd left, Pela stepped forward to formally announce, "Supreme Guardian—I present the 'outsiders' mentioned in the report."

"Yes, Seele has already briefed me on the situation. You've done well, Pela. Now, let me have a word with our visitors from the stars."

With a nod from Pela, she left, allowing Bronya to address the Trailblazers directly.

Her first impression of them was quite favorable.

Their mixed-gender group carried a certain air of calm confidence—something that no mere charlatan could convincingly feign.

With a warm yet regal smile, Bronya began.

"Welcome, travelers from beyond the stars. I am Bronya Rand, Supreme Guardian of Belobog. I am here to listen to what brings you here."

"Honorable Guardian, greetings. We've come to investigate the origins of this planet's transformation. On the way here, we heard from Seele and Pela about Belobog's past struggles, including the recent clearing of the Great Winter."

This time, Welt carefully avoided repeating his mistake from meeting Seele, refraining from mentioning Bronya's resemblance to his own world's successor.

"Indeed, all of this is thanks to Qlipoth and Lord Barbatos. Their blessings gave our people the courage to defy fate."

Welt noted that Barbatos seemed to hold an even more special place in Bronya's heart.

With that in mind, he decided to ask directly, "In that case, would it be possible for us to meet Lord Barbatos in person? We're drawn to such a legendary figure, and to see him in the flesh would make our journey complete."

"…"

Bronya didn't respond immediately. Instead, her gaze sharpened as she studied them intently.

March 7 and Dan Heng, sensing the sudden change, tensed. They'd experienced negotiations that quickly soured before.

As they positioned themselves around Welt, ready for a quick exit, Welt gave a soft cough to signal them to relax.

He didn't believe that someone so reminiscent of his young protégé, or someone who was the Guardian of her people, would act treacherously.

If there was a misunderstanding, it could be cleared up. If things truly turned hostile, he was confident he could protect his friends, and they still had the Astral Express waiting in orbit for a swift exit if needed.

In a worst-case scenario, Himeko could activate the Express's railgun as a last resort. Based on Belobog's observable defenses, Barbatos aside, no one here seemed to possess overwhelming power.

So rather than appearing defensive, he chose to respond calmly, conveying both respect and resilience.

As expected, Bronya didn't react with hostility. Instead, she responded candidly.

"I'm sorry. Lord Barbatos is of immense importance to Belobog, and until I'm fully assured of your intentions, I can't grant your request to meet with him. I hope you understand."

Not an unexpected answer. No one would casually allow strangers access to a figure so revered, and had she agreed instantly, Welt might have suspected an ulterior motive.

But since direct contact was off the table, Welt sought a secondary option.

"I understand; it's a disappointment, but we respect your decision. If I may make another request, would it be possible for us to place a few devices outside the city to collect atmospheric data?"

"May I ask the purpose?"

"By analyzing certain particles in the atmosphere, we can learn more about what's behind this sudden climate shift. Specifically, it's a research request we've been entrusted with. Please rest assured—the devices are completely harmless to the environment and serve only to gather observational data."

Welt adjusted his glasses, offering a straightforward explanation.

After a moment's thought, Bronya nodded.

"If it's merely to collect environmental data, that should be fine. However, please avoid the old battlegrounds to the north—some dangerous remnants from past wars may still linger there."

"Thank you for the warning. We'll ensure the markers stay within safe zones."

"Good. I believe in your integrity. I'll arrange for Intelligence Officer Pela to assist you so you can complete your observations swiftly."

In this, Bronya was quite accommodating.

The conversation continued warmly.

Soon after, it was as if a switch had been flipped. With formalities out of the way, Bronya instructed the Guards to bring chairs for her guests and began inquiring about the stars beyond.

With a thirst for knowledge that felt almost childlike, Bronya eagerly listened as Welt described the universe, even asking if he thought Barbatos's homeland might lie somewhere among the stars.

From their exchange, Welt learned that Barbatos himself was an outsider—another curiosity in the ever-deepening mystery of this world.

By the time their discussion ended, Bronya seemed truly content.

March 7, who had joined in the conversation, shared her own story of being rescued by the Express after her centuries-long slumber. Bronya was both amazed and delighted.

"It's wonderful you've found friends who share your journey," Bronya said.

"Hehe, March 7 always has the best luck!" She smiled, her innocent cheer lightening the mood.

Bronya found herself reminded of the bard who'd brought freedom to her people.

But Venti's smile had a certain cheeky charm that made you want to pinch his cheeks and scold him.

Soon enough, Bronya glanced at the clock and rose to her feet.

"It's getting late. You must be tired after your long journey. I'll arrange for you to stay at the finest inn in the city. Rest well.

"Tomorrow, I'll invite you to a banquet. I may have more questions by then, so I hope you won't mind indulging me."

Welt nodded. He could see that Bronya had a mind hungry for knowledge, reminding him of his own role as a mentor, and he had no qualms about sharing what he knew.

"There's no need for such formalities. These are simply things most interstellar travelers would know. Given time, I'm certain Belobog will prosper and grow."

"Let's hope so." Bronya's smile softened, though her gaze remained serious.

"Thank you again, travelers from the stars. You've given me a bit more confidence. But if we're to proceed further, I'll still need time, and Barbatos must also be consulted."

As the conversation concluded, the Trailblazers took their leave, and Bronya sighed softly, her gaze drifting to the Westwind Church in the distance.

"Just as you predicted, Venti… Guests from the stars have indeed arrived. Perhaps freedom is… an even heavier responsibility than I once believed."

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