Honkai: Star Rail – Banner Character, Delivering Knives to the Player [52]

It wasn't long before two familiar figures appeared in sight.

"Seeing you safe puts me at ease."

Seele visibly relaxed upon seeing Lingzhou and the others unharmed.

March 7th asked curiously, "What happened here earlier?"

Seele’s expression darkened as she quickly recounted:

"The miners and vagrants hadn't even started fighting yet when Svarog barged in with his henchmen."

"At first, things weren't too bad; that guy seemed intent on just driving everyone out of the mining area."

"But then he suddenly unleashed powerful attacks—those huge craters over there are his handiwork."

She pointed toward the nearby dark pits, unable to restrain herself from cursing.

"That bastard… It's a miracle no one was hurt and the main transportation routes weren't damaged, or it would've been a huge loss."

"Maybe Svarog was doing it for Clara," Stelle mused aloud.

"Great, does that mean we've inadvertently become instigators?"

Seele was momentarily confused, not fully grasping Stelle’s meaning.

"What do you mean?"

March 7th helplessly spread out her hands, "We ran into that girl named Clara earlier and nearly got into a fight with Svarog."

She'd already prepared her words, briefly summarizing what had happened.

"Tsk, no wonder he suddenly ran off," realization dawned on Seele’s face.

Turns out that huge guy really cared deeply about Clara.

The moment he noticed something slightly off with her, he would immediately reprioritize his actions.

"Did Svarog threaten you in any way?"

Lingzhou replied calmly, "Well, maybe it counts as attempted intimidation? His subordinates lack good eyesight and ambushed my companions."

"Thanks for the invitation; my brain almost gained a new ventilation hole."

"I just realized I haven't bought insurance yet. Injuries while Trailblazing won't be covered by medical reimbursement."

"Damn, she even jokes about her own tragic demise."

Stelle rubbed her forehead theatrically.

"I've only been a Nameless for a short while, so I haven't purchased Trailblazer insurance. If I'm seriously injured, there's no reimbursement."

March 7th stared at her in disbelief.

"What do you take our Express for?!"

"The day you swore your oath to become a Nameless, Lingzhou already contacted the company and bought you the highest-level comprehensive insurance!"

Stelle blinked in surprise. "Eh, really?"

"Lingzhou’s always been in charge of insurance matters, so relax!" March 7th giggled.

Stelle immediately turned solemn. "I'm sorry, I spoke too loudly just now."

Lingzhou couldn't help chuckling softly, his voice gentle.

"As the train's doctor, of course I’d pay attention to everyone’s health and safety."

"As long as I'm here, I won't let any of you pass through death's door—unless I go first."

March 7th protested, "Hey, don’t say such unlucky things~~"

---

—[???]
—[Critical phrase detected! As a certified knife addict, I've come running!]
—[Boohoo!!]
—[Damn, no wonder Lingzhou’s Eidolon always felt off. He really carries a knife!]
—["Unless I go first?" I just remembered something really unhappy!]

"Come on, stop making things up! What knife? Just a smokescreen—you can't scare me!"

Ah Xian brushed it off confidently, looking entirely assured.

"Only unexpected knives stab deep into hearts. Setting a death flag right from game launch? Impossible."

"It's just the classic trope of catching your own tears; many classics share similar imagery."

"Lingzhou’s line is a textbook example of a heavy-handed attribute. Ah~~ he cares so deeply about his companions."

"If you round it up, it means I'm in his heart. I want to bear a litter for him!"

—[That's enough!]

"Rather than worrying if this phrase is foreshadowing future knives, you should worry about Lingzhou’s unrevealed backstory."

"That’s probably where the real tragedies are hidden."

"But it's just the teeniest-tiniest possibility."

"The most important thing is optimism, optimism—got it?"

—[I suddenly really want to see Ah Xian get knifed into tears...]
—[Better not. If Lingzhou Yifu gets knifed, who'll replenish your stamina and surprise rewards later?]

---

Seele interjected, "If you hadn't drawn Svarog away, things wouldn't have calmed down so quickly here."

"Regardless of the circumstances, I thank you on behalf of Wildfire for your assistance."

March 7th tilted her head. "So the trouble in the Great Mine is pretty much resolved?"

Seele nodded. "Pretty much. You're looking for Oleg, right? He'll be here soon."

Not soon—immediately.

Lingzhou had already used his special senses to detect a large group approaching.

He'd predicted their arrival time down to the second.

The Trailblazer squad finally met the leader of Wildfire.

"I thought the Wildfire leader would be a tall, strong middle-aged guy, but…" Stelle briefly studied the man at the front of the crowd, "he’s totally different from what I expected."

"You weren't expecting a gray-haired old man, right? Hahahaha!" Oleg laughed heartily, not minding Stelle’s words at all.

Seele briefly introduced both parties and explained the Express crew’s purpose.

"Seele tells me you met Svarog just now," said Oleg.

March 7th nodded, "Yes. Any problems?"

Oleg shook his head slightly, "A few, but not many. I know nothing about the Stellaron, but Svarog might."

"Huh?"

March 7th froze momentarily in disbelief.

"Who'd have guessed that a big robot would know anything about the Stellaron?"

Stelle shrugged lightly. "Well, now you know. Oh wait, I just learned that too—guess it's fine then."

"Now's not the time for jokes." March 7th rolled her eyes.

Oleg shook his head again, his tone serious.

"Honestly speaking, Svarog isn't exactly easy to approach."

"That guy speaks nothing but calculation results, never considering human perspectives."

"If the Stellaron you're seeking has been around a long time, there’s no better source of info than Svarog."

"If he’s willing to communicate, you might find some clues. But if even he doesn't know, we can’t help you."

Lingzhou inclined his head slightly, speaking softly, "Thank you for letting us know."

Oleg waved dismissively.

"Wildfire can handle the trouble here now, thanks largely to your assistance. We're the ones who should thank you."

"It's late, and you must be exhausted from all that running around. Head back to town with Seele and get some rest; I'll arrange rooms at Goethe Grand Hotel for you."

Hearing this, March 7th nearly triggered her PTSD.

"Rest again? I've developed psychological trauma from resting in this world..."

"Last time we slept aboveground, when we woke up—"

Realizing Bronya was standing nearby, March 7th promptly shut her mouth.

Bronya’s expression flashed briefly with awkward embarrassment as she looked away.

Stelle reminded, "And it’s Goethe again."

March 7th hugged herself tightly. "…Please, stop reminding me!"

"Relax. Wildfire still has influence in the Underworld." Oleg laughed again, then turned his attention to Bronya.

"As for you, miss Silvermane Guard from the Surface, I want a private chat."

"We've been waiting for someone from the Surface for over ten years."

Bronya remained silent for a moment, then nodded slowly, "Understood."

Lingzhou silently watched things unfold, suddenly raising his head thoughtfully, gazing upward.

Precisely meeting a pair of sneaky, darting eyes.

---

This is a fan translation of 崩铁：卡池角色，给玩家发刀 by 三十度幻. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!