Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

Mystic Code Deployment: Bonus Chapters ✨

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"Whoa, I don't really get what's going on, but it looks like the whole city is about to turn up a notch!"

March 7 gazed out over the flower-adorned fairytale city, marveling at how the so-called Lord Barbatos truly understood the hearts of girls, even down to the aesthetics.

But Welt and Dan Heng had their sights set on something farther.

For Lord Barbatos to reappear and announce a festival in such a grand way, he was taking charge of the city's post-disaster morale. It not only blunted the criticisms aimed at the Supreme Guardian but went a step further—

This was an invitation.

An invitation that would allow people to unwind, give them reason to freely pursue things they love, and encourage them to face outward, with new courage to explore.

Without a doubt, the challenges awaiting beyond the city walls were carefully arranged by the winds, ensuring that they would be completely safe.

Winners would be rewarded, while those who fell short wouldn't be discouraged—clearly, this festival was meant to become a yearly event, a tradition where all could strive again next year.

Even the theme of the "Windblume" was deeply symbolic.

If Welt's hunch was right, the people of Jarilo-VI were fortunate to have such a gentle "god."

To give so much for their sake, to ask nothing in return, and even to willingly offer up more… should such a being truly become an Aeon, humanity might well gain another "lover of mortals."

The Aeon of Exploration, Akivili, had loved people too. But his love was reserved for those who braved the unknown, those who boarded the Express to journey across stars and transform the unknown into the known.

Unwilling to allow what could be known to remain obscured by threats, he had cast light into those vast, dark spaces, using his Star Rail to link the stars and ensure that no civilization remained isolated.

But what about Barbatos?

What, in the end, was he seeking?

Pondering these questions, Welt, Dan Heng, and March 7 headed for the Qlipoth Fort.

After delivering them there, Pela turned to rush off to her next duty.

Watching the petite intelligence officer take off, March 7 couldn't help but admire her.

"Miss Pela has her work cut out for her! First, she helps us set up beacons, then she has all her usual duties… and with the festival starting, I doubt she'll get a break anytime soon."

"She seems to enjoy it," Dan Heng said with characteristic calm.

"Well… maybe it's because she believes in her Wind God so much. Just as her god loves humanity, she pours her own love into the city, bringing it prosperity and proving to herself that her faith is worthy of her efforts. In the end, that's what a goal is, isn't it?"

Welt smiled, a hint of nostalgia in his gaze.

"All right. We should head inside ourselves. Let's not keep the Supreme Guardian waiting."

Upon reentering Qlipoth Fort, they were greeted by a decor transformed from its previous austere solemnity. Fresh flowers were everywhere, their scent uplifting but never overpowering.

It was clear this was also the handiwork of the Wind God. In the main hall, the statue of the Builders even wore a Hawaiian-style flower garland, which left some passing clerks unable to hold back their chuckles.

There were numerous little details like these, which March 7 delighted in photographing to capture these hidden, whimsical touches of everyday life.

Of course, she'd obtained permission from the Silvermane Guards first.

After walking through the hallway, they arrived at the dining room prepared by the Supreme Guardian, where a sumptuous spread of Belobog delicacies awaited.

While the spread was impressive, the portions were perfectly balanced to avoid waste.

"Wow! This food looks amazing!" March 7 exclaimed, eyes wide as she spotted a fried Rock Lobster nearly the size of her head.

"You're here! Perfect timing—the food's ready, so please sit down and enjoy. And save room for dessert," Bronya said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It's been a while since I made something sweet, so I'm not sure if it'll suit your star-hopping tastes."

Bronya's amethyst crystal earrings shimmered, accentuating her graceful neckline. She had a refined, effortless charm that made even March 7's lively cuteness seem childish in comparison.

Welt couldn't help a slight moment of daze. Though he knew this Bronya was not the child he remembered, her face was so strikingly similar that he couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like if he'd arrived sooner. Perhaps he could have given that former Supreme Guardian a well-deserved lecture—or joined in this journey of exploration he'd always dreamed of.

Dan Heng, meanwhile, showed no sign of distraction, offering a serious nod as he took his seat.

"I'll make sure to give it a proper taste."

"Then, please, enjoy."

At Bronya's words, the lunch officially began. Even these well-traveled adventurers found themselves savoring each carefully prepared dish.

They kept conversation to a minimum during the meal and only began talking again when dessert was served.

"By the way, Bronya, what do you think of Lord Barbatos starting the Windblume Festival?" Welt asked, sipping his tea.

"Well… it's exactly the sort of thing he would do," Bronya replied, gazing down into her teacup with a soft smile. "He's always thinking farther ahead than me, always giving me challenges to overcome… but the moment I'm ready to face them, I find he's already joined me as a fellow solver. He can be a bit… unpredictable, but he's always so gentle."

"More like a mentor and friend, then?" Welt remarked with a nod.

"More like a close friend than a strict teacher, honestly. I remember the first time he snuck me down to the Underworld. Back then, because of my mother, the upper and lower districts had been cut off for a decade. I knew the people below were suffering, but I felt powerless."

Bronya set down her teacup, her gaze drifting to the city of flowers beyond the window.

Only a few months ago, Belobog had been an ice-cold city of despair, yet now, with that new hope, it had blossomed.

Following the thread of her memories, she continued.

"He led me through every corner of the Underworld, listening to me vent and helping me regain my resolve to create a city where people could truly feel happy…"

Her grip on the teacup loosened, her tone softening.

"It's strange, really. It was only a few months ago, yet it feels like a lifetime."

"Sounds like you've been through a lot, huh?" March said sympathetically.

"Please, just call me Bronya. Outside of formal matters, I prefer to interact as equals. As for hardship… others have had it far worse. Compared to the children of the Underworld, my childhood was full of privilege. I was lucky—at least I had my mother watching over me, even if she became distant over time."

Welt noticed a faint sorrow, but also a quiet acceptance, in Bronya's expression as she mentioned her mother.

"I've come to understand that my privilege was built on the exploitation of the Underworld. That's why I'm committed to rebuilding it—I owe them too much."

"You're doing great, Bronya. Even as outsiders, we've heard praise for your leadership. I'm sure Belobog will continue to flourish under your guidance," Welt assured her with complete sincerity.

They hadn't exaggerated—the most frequent praise they'd heard during their stay was either for Barbatos or Bronya herself.

Bronya's expression, however, showed a flicker of surprise.

"...Is that so? I honestly thought most people would resent me."

"Eh? But you've done so much for them—why would they hate you?" March spoke up, puzzled.

"It's… hard to explain. As the daughter of the previous Supreme Guardian, it's as if I carry the weight of all the lives she destroyed. Only by restoring the Underworld can I even begin to atone for those sins."

Bronya's expression dimmed slightly.

"Since taking office, I've seen the full extent of her misdeeds. The policy of retaliation left the Guards with scars that will never fade, and our city stood on the brink of collapse. Countless people displaced by the invasion waited endlessly for aid that never came."

"Compared to them, I'm incredibly fortunate. I have the support of my friends, who give me strength, and Lord Barbatos, who gave me a second chance to fight back against fate."

She took a shaky breath, her voice trembling slightly. "But those who suffered under my mother's rule… most of them never got the chance to change their lives. I'm sure they hate me, and I understand why."

"It makes sense," Welt said, nodding thoughtfully. "From what we've heard, some people still have issues with the Silvermane Guards. It sounds like they don't resent you as much as they resent your position as her successor."

"In the end, they see the city's improvements as the bare minimum she owed them. No matter what you do, some will always feel it's simply repayment," Dan Heng added, gazing down at his tea.

"Though I might be cynical," he went on, "have you seen any signs of people trying to leverage this? Demanding things in the name of 'repayment'?"

"Thanks to Seele—ah, I mean, Officer Seele," Bronya corrected herself, "I'm able to focus on internal affairs while she handles anything like that. I occasionally hear rumors, but no one's causing a stir in public."

She sighed. "But just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it isn't happening. Maybe I should speak with Seele more often. Being in this position, my view is wide, but it's hard to truly understand what the people think."

"Don't worry, Bronya," March said, clenching her fists in encouragement. "If you keep doing what's best for everyone, those voices will vanish on their own!"

"Thank you. I hope so…"

Bronya offered a small, grateful smile.

Just then, the door swung open and Seele strode in.

"Bronya, I heard you were… here," Seele's voice trailed off as she noticed everyone sipping tea and eating dessert. Her eyes narrowed.

Without a word, she seized the half-eaten pudding in front of Bronya and took a large bite, leveling a look of pure exasperation at her.

"What's wrong, Seele?" Bronya asked innocently.

"What's wrong?" Seele snapped. "While you're here enjoying tea and pudding, the entire city's buzzing! And you haven't even issued an exit permit!"

"Ah… sorry. Given the circumstances, it seemed prudent to take time to consider it properly. But since Lord Barbatos himself has given his blessing, I'll—"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll make sure the Guards don't let anyone near the old battlefield. Still… he's got no idea how much extra work he's caused us with this festival. That loafer needs to work off some of the chaos he's thrown at us!" Seele finished her tea in a single gulp, wiping her mouth before turning to leave.

"All right, Bronya! Issue those exit permits and stop keeping people waiting!"

As Seele disappeared through the door, Bronya gave the group an apologetic look.

"Forgive her bluntness. She means no harm—she's just direct," she explained with a smile.

"No harm done. It's clear Seele trusts you deeply. I'd say that's the sign of a strong friendship," Welt replied, then stood.

"Speaking of, we shouldn't keep you any longer, Bronya. Lunch was a delight, and as for the dessert—it was lovely."

He paused, taking out a small, worn notebook and a sleek device that resembled a phone.

"This notebook, Records of the Star-Trail, is a journal I've kept, noting places, people, and ideas we've encountered. It might serve you well in your journey."

Bronya accepted the notebook with care, smiling in surprise.

"Thank you, Welt. I'll treasure this."

He then handed her the phone-like device. "You'll also have this communicator, which can link directly to our train."

With these, Bronya had all she needed to keep in touch. They each gave her a Silvermane Guard honorary badge as a gesture of friendship—an emblem that allowed them to come and go without restrictions.

As they left, they realized they hadn't visited the Neverwinter Workshop. Back on the street, they decided to stop by, hoping they might find a suitable vehicle to help them navigate the Wild Plains during the festival.

Upon entering, they were greeted by a burly, imposing automaton and a little white-haired girl with striking red eyes.

"Um, h-hello! Welcome to the Neverwinter Workshop," she stammered, clearly nervous but endearing.

"We were hoping to talk to Miss Serval about some transportation options for the plains. Or perhaps, if there's nothing suitable, we could purchase parts to build something ourselves," Welt said warmly.

The girl's anxious expression softened into a shy smile.

"Oh, um… Miss Serval's out, but if you're looking for a vehicle, we have some refurbished Hound automaton models. They've got four-wheel structures, so they're well-suited for the plains. You could even connect a few of them to make a larger one if you know how to modify it," she explained helpfully.

"Could we take a look?"

"Of course. Mr. Svarog, could you show our guests to the storage area?"

"Request accepted," the towering robot said in a deep, mechanical tone. Its magenta gaze lingered on Welt before it led them to the back.

The Neverwinter Workshop was much larger inside than it appeared from the street. Several well-worn Hound automatons stood in a row.

Welt walked around each one, occasionally tinkering with the mechanisms before turning to face the others. Moments later, he set to work, transforming the old automata into a sleek, snow-adapted vehicle in black and red.

Svarog quietly observed and even recorded the process, eventually insisting on letting them take it free of charge.

Unable to argue, they drove the snow crawler to the city gates, where they found themselves surrounded by the crowds gathering for the festival.

As they neared the gate, a cheerful voice called out.

"Hey, wait up! You there—do you mind giving me a lift?"

March 7 turned to see a young traveler with braided hair and an androgynously beautiful face chasing after their vehicle.

"Dan Heng, someone's trying to catch up! Should we stop?"

Without stopping entirely, Dan Heng slowed the vehicle, allowing Welt to reach out and pull the traveler up.

"Phew—thanks, all of you!" the newcomer said, clutching an old, worn book. "My Hound automaton broke down, and I couldn't miss the gate opening, so I took my chances and ran for it. Luckily, I found some kind-hearted people!"

"Glad to help. So, are you heading out to look for the Windblume, too?" March asked curiously.

"Sure am! I heard from someone named Bosun that Lord Barbatos's favorite flower is the white cecilia!"

The boy's expression brightened with a pure, sparkling joy.

"And if you find it," March continued, leaning forward eagerly, "what will you wish for?"

"A pair of wings," he answered dreamily. "Wings that'll let me fly through the skies, just like a bird."

He paused, seeming to remember himself. A little bashfully, he added, "Ah, right—I never introduced myself. I'm the soon-to-be-greatest adventurer of Belobog, Venti!"

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T/N: Haiyah this guy

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