Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking [21]
Perhaps noticing the awkward tension swirling around the two, Lieutenant Dunn spoke up, trying to ease the situation.
"No wonder you were so determined to hold the line—my apologies for misjudging your intentions and delaying your counteroffensive strategy."
"No, Lieutenant Dunn, you're too hard on yourself. Your decisions were sound—it's my own hesitation that nearly failed us."
Bronya shook her head quickly, looking at Dunn. Lieutenant Dunn was a seasoned Silvermane officer, a mentor who had trained most of the younger Silvermane Guards. He was one of the few remaining from her mother's generation, a man with a history as formidable as his position.
Every action he'd taken during the battle had been to keep the front intact; now, he was even trying to offer her a graceful way out. Anything less than gratitude would be ungracious of her.
As her gaze shifted, she looked at the Silvermane Guards who had been prepared to lay down their lives for her. Among them were seasoned soldiers and rookies alike. Some were small in stature, and one appeared to be barely a teenager.
"…To each of you, I may not be able to express my gratitude fully here, but please, accept my deepest thanks."
Bronya lowered her head to them in sincere, solemn respect.
The Silvermane Guards exchanged glances, and then, without protest, each stood straight and offered her a salute that conveyed their loyalty—second only to that which they owed to the Supreme Guardian herself.
When this exchange ended, the tension in the air dissipated. The renewed strength in their eyes steadied Bronya's once-uncertain heart.
She turned to Venti, who had been watching the interaction with a faint, amused smile.
He still wore the same relaxed, approachable smile that had made her feel at ease all those months ago. Only now did she realize why he'd believed she had the power to change things.
Behind him, the monster from the Imaginary Beyond lay beaten and barely breathing. The thing that had overwhelmed her and her team, forcing the heir of Belobog to flee, was now little more than a vanquished giant.
Bronya's gaze softened with a tinge of self-deprecation, but she forced herself to stand firm as she said, "Thank you, Venti. Without you, our losses would have been far worse. Tell me, how can I repay you?"
"No need for repayment! We're friends, aren't we, Bronya?" Venti winked and grinned, his tone playful.
"It'd be disappointing if I were the only one who thought so."
"…No, you're right. You are a friend I trust."
It was a battlefield and hardly a place for easy smiles, but Bronya couldn't help it; she felt a warmth as though his words could melt away any strain she felt. If her mother had seen her now, swayed by a few lighthearted words, no doubt she would have intensified her training.
Shaking off the feeling, Bronya continued, "I know this may sound a bit forward, but… could we handle this creature's remains? If left alone, it will eventually recover."
If that happened, it would threaten her Silvermane soldiers all over again. She couldn't keep Venti by her side as protection; surely, he had his own goals.
Preparing herself for whatever terms he might request, she was surprised when Venti merely stepped aside, revealing the creature that clung to life behind him.
"Naturally. Go right ahead."
There was no hint of self-interest in his voice. And when Bronya raised her gun to finish off the creature, dissolving it into fragments of light, the Silvermane Guards around them visibly relaxed.
For a moment, Venti watched in thoughtful silence, realizing how much these soldiers had endured. To him, vanquishing such a creature was a small feat, but for the Silvermane Guards, it had been an enormous trial.
Many of them had witnessed friends engulfed by its flames, likely feeling grief and helplessness long before he had arrived.
Once the ordeal ended, Bronya exhaled deeply and instructed the guards to begin clearing the battlefield. Lieutenant Dunn, sensing her need for privacy, tactfully joined in on directing the cleanup.
Finally, Venti and Bronya were alone to speak freely.
She felt both relief and something else, something more complicated. She wanted to dismiss it as mere paranoia, for thinking Venti might have staged all this. Such thinking, she knew, was the sort of bitterness that would only breed malice in her heart.
Still, this scene, viewed from a "reunion of old friends" perspective, felt strangely out of place.
"You haven't changed a bit."
Before her thoughts could spiral further, Venti broke the silence with a gentle remark.
"Er… Did I do something improper?"
Instinctively, Bronya checked herself, finding no fault, yet he still watched her with an amused expression.
"Your expression. When you're thinking, you furrow your brows, as if you're deciding what to have for your next meal!"
"My—my expression is that obvious?"
She had trained herself to remain impassive in any situation, to let nothing of her thoughts show. Losing that composure, after all, meant losing authority. But judging by Venti's face, it seemed she was failing that test.
Acknowledging her weariness, Bronya let her rigid exterior soften, sighing a little.
"Apparently, you're a better judge of character than I thought."
"Of course! In my line of work, one learns quickly who will tip well and who won't—a single glance is all I need."
Venti's grin was bright, eyes twinkling with playfulness.
"A distinguished lady like yourself—beautiful, poised, and generous. Why, you seem like the type to tip most handsomely."
She could only chuckle, amused by his compliment.
"I wouldn't squander public funds, but… as for private funds, I do have some. Perhaps I'll save a generous tip for you."
Eyes sparkling, Venti whistled as though he hadn't a care in the world, making her cheeks warm with embarrassment.
He quickly straightened, though, as if noticing her discomfort, and in a more casual tone, added, "Ordinarily, I'd say 'long time, no see,' but I suppose I should start with an apology."
"…I should be the one apologizing. For… sending the Silvermane Guards to follow you…" Bronya admitted, her voice softening.
"No problem, no problem! I could tell they were simply following orders. They kept their distance and even protected me on occasion, so I knew you wanted to find me, even if you couldn't bring yourself to admit it just yet."
She could only flush as he teased her, fully aware he had read her so easily.
In truth, Bronya's delicate features were an ideal of beauty for most people, including him.
"Well then, shall we call it even, forget it, and carry on as friends?"
"…Agreed."
In the end, she could only nod.
"So, do you have any other business here? If so, I can wait until you're done, and we'll go together to that place you've been curious about."
His invitation was direct and utterly sincere, with no notion of the late hour or any subtleties.
And oddly, despite every logical reason to decline, she simply couldn't bring herself to say no.
For gratitude's sake, or for the chance to see firsthand if his truths aligned with reality, she had to agree.
"Yes. I'll go to the lower city with you."
At her response, Venti offered her a gentle smile and a courteous bow.
"Then, I assure you this journey will be the most fascinating, the most genuine, and the most unforgettable one you've ever taken."
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T/N: Years ago! woah my guess is max 3 years min 2...?
FUTURE ME HERE changed it to months