Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking [94]

"…Alright, I get it. Distrust is normal, folks—no one in this line of work takes what others say at face value, or they'd end up dead in a back alley somewhere. But come on, do you really have to play dumb this hard?"

"But we genuinely have no clue what you're talking about?"

March 7 mumbled, clearly bewildered. Sampo eyed the two rather intimidating figures standing like guards behind her, then sighed in mock defeat.

"Fine, fine, I get it. Rule number one—always be on your guard. Can't fault anyone for it! It's my fault for being so open and honest… too honest, perhaps."

After some shameless self-praise, Sampo flashed a mischievous grin, appearing eager to be of service.

"Still, what are the odds we'd meet like this? If you have questions, just ask—your old pal Sampo will tell you everything he knows, at a fair price, of course. But let's make it quick; Silvermane Guards could show up any minute."

"Then let's start with these Silvermane Guards you keep mentioning," Welt interjected, cutting to the chase where March 7 couldn't.

Sampo's expression shifted to a "you're serious?" look, but a promise was a promise, and even someone like Sampo had his business reputation to think of.

"…Alright, since you really don't know, I'll fill you in. The Silvermane Guards are Belobog's army, law enforcement, peacekeepers… basically, they're one-track-minded enforcers who have a real knack for picking on folks like me."

He put extra emphasis on "picking on," glancing around nervously. The trio exchanged knowing looks, already agreeing that if the Silvermane Guards showed up, they'd be more than willing to hand Sampo over.

"Geez, you lot really are newbies… Never even been to a Silvermane cell, have you?"

"That's nothing to brag about!"

March 7, brimming with justice, fired back.

"Haha! Anyone in our line of work ends up there sooner or later! But hey, I'm practically your senior here, so consider this free advice!"

Sampo shrugged off her scolding, looking as thick-skinned as Belobog's city walls. He probably wouldn't flinch even if a wind dragon took a bite out of him.

"So, listen up! I'll teach you the basics—sneaking around, spotting the goods, pricing them, avoiding the Guards. It's all an art! Just the first bit alone, spotting goods, could take me half an hour to explain. But I'll simplify it: stick to neighborhoods with lots of young folks!"

"You're actually serious, huh…"

March mumbled, though a quick glare from Dan Heng silenced her while Welt cleared his throat, steering the conversation.

"We don't need the fine details. What we'd like, Sampo, is for you to guide us into the city. We'll compensate you."

"Into the city? You're heading back already? I haven't even opened for business yet, but I guess if you're paying, a quick trip back's fine. You didn't even know the way? Really?"

"We're not locals."

"Huh? Non-locals, you say? Don't tell me you're from… somewhere else?"

"To be precise, we're not from this planet. We're visitors from the greater universe."

Welt spoke with an unfaltering expression, his tone infused with quiet pride.

"Star… what? Uni-what?"

Sampo blinked, then eyed the other two, whispering,

"Is your friend here, uh, a former playwright or something? He sounds like a character in a script."

Two deadly stares silenced him, and he quickly waved his hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright! Doesn't matter where you're from; guests are guests, after all. Sampo Koski is a friend to all and fair-minded! If it's the city you want, follow me. Just keep it down, alright? We don't want any Guards catching on."

Sampo grinned widely, gesturing for them to follow as he led the way.

"Why do I feel like a thief sneaking around, even though we haven't done anything wrong?" March 7 muttered, sighing as she rubbed her forehead.

"Better question—why are you always hiding from the Silvermane Guards, Sampo? It's not like they'd arrest you just for stepping out of the city, would they?"

Dan Heng's gaze was sharp as he questioned him.

"Well, it's not exactly that… I, uh, might've stashed a few artifacts, one of which is a 'sacred relic'—not that it's a big deal! Those hardheaded Guards don't believe me when I say I'm only holding it for a friend."

A little too late, Sampo realized he'd let slip more than he intended and hurriedly changed the subject.

"Speaking of which… what's your story, anyway? Galaxy travelers, really? Not that I'm prying! Just curious, you know. Friends care about each other! No pressure to answer."

"We really are travelers on a Trailblaze mission—no joke. By the way, you mentioned something about a 'sacred relic'… Care to explain?"

March 7 looked at him intently, twirling a finger.

"Haha… Well, that's not really important right now."

"Not important? Sounds like it might be the reason you're wanted!"

March wasn't buying his deflections.

"Getting wanted is a standard occupational hazard, no biggie."

"Then why are you dodging the question?"

Sampo stammered, flailing for an excuse.

"Just a reflex, you know. I used to be a master at walking on snow without leaving tracks. That's how I'd dodge the Guards."

"…Are you talking about them?"

Dan Heng pointed to a group of uniformed Guards approaching in formation.

"Exactly! Those are the Silvermane Guards. No idea why they sent so many, but friends, I need a favor! I really don't want to get caught!"

In March 7's stunned silence, Sampo darted behind Welt and Dan Heng for cover.

Even worse, one of the Guards spotted them and immediately shouted, "Target located! He's got accomplices—apprehend them!"

"Oh no! Time to run, my friends! Take it away!"

Sampo bolted, only to be abruptly halted as a powerful force weighed him down, pinning him in place and making him look like he was trying to moonwalk in the snow.

A wand now in hand, Welt calmly adjusted his glasses, his usual composure unshaken.

"No need to run, Sampo. We'll just have a little chat with the Guards and clear things up."

March 7 and Dan Heng exchanged a glance, then skillfully produced rope to tie Sampo up.

Seeing the trio restrain their "ally" instead of fleeing, the Silvermane Guards hesitated, pausing their advance. Surrounding them, a violet-haired girl stepped forward from among the ranks, her gaze sharp as a blade as she surveyed the group before focusing on Sampo, a merciless smile curling on her lips.

"Well, well, Sampo. Looks like your friends aren't thrilled about splitting the loot, huh? Even tied you up."

"W-wait, this is a misunderstanding, Boss Seele!"

Sampo's face fell, then quickly morphed into a sycophantic smile as Seele approached, a massive scythe slung over her shoulder.

"Oh? Misunderstanding? So stealing ancient robot parts was a misunderstanding, robbing the museum was a misunderstanding, and as for… borrowing the sacred relic of Lord Barbatos, also a misunderstanding?"

Seele stepped closer, her gaze assessing him as if deciding where to start slicing.

"Come on, Boss Seele! You know I'm on good terms with that guy!"

As Sampo begged, the three "accomplices" exchanged looks. Dan Heng prepared a hasty explanation, March ready to support him, while Welt—

Welt simply stood frozen in place.

The resemblance… it was uncanny.

If the girl he once knew had grown up, this would be what she'd look like. Her movements, her air… they were strikingly familiar. And yet, even compared to her darker persona, this Seele exuded the strength of someone seasoned by hardship, her sharpness balanced by restraint.

If he didn't know they were on Jarilo-VI, he might've thought he'd walked into some kind of parallel world.

Noticing his stare, Seele turned her gaze on him, her expression shifting to a mixture of annoyance and confusion.

"Hey—you, staring at me like that. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Seele's bluntness drew everyone's attention to Welt, March and Dan Heng watching with a hint of curiosity, eager to see the normally composed veteran caught off-guard.

Unfazed, Welt gathered himself and offered a quiet apology.

"My apologies if I stared. It's just… you reminded me of someone from home, a junior of mine."

"Home? So, you're really from space?"

Unlike the skeptical Silvermane Guards, Seele seemed open to new possibilities, listening intently. Her acceptance, however, wasn't due to Welt's vague explanation—it was the photo March had shown her earlier of Jarilo-VI taken from space.

Besides, the last person who'd come from beyond Belobog's walls had become their savior. And these three didn't seem like they were here with malicious intent.

After all, if they'd tied up Sampo—the resident troublemaker—then they must be on the right side.

It wasn't just practical; Seele had her own reasons to believe in them. Whoever these people were, she knew they weren't out for harm. In fact, she couldn't help but wonder how he in the city would react to their arrival.

A familiar, mischievous smile, one not unlike Venti's, appeared on her face.

"Alright, visitors. Follow me. Belobog's just down this road, so count yourselves lucky. You won't have to wade through snow until your toes freeze."

On the way, Welt asked Seele a few pointed questions about the planet. Specifically, he wanted to know what had triggered the planet's seasonal shift, whether the city's political landscape had changed, and most importantly—who this "Lord Barbatos" was that the Guards had mentioned.

Seele didn't hide the details.

"The first and third questions have the same answer, so I'll come back to that.

"In the meantime, though, you chose a pretty good time to visit. A while back, I wouldn't have blamed you for skipping out on our eternal winter. But now? With the planet changing seasons, you might just get to see some views worth exploring."

She glanced back at them before continuing, "As for the second question, yeah, the city's leadership has shifted. The new Supreme Guardian has done wonders for both the city and the people out here."

Then Seele returned to the first and third questions, drawing a deep breath.

"Lord Barbatos… He's the one who shattered the blizzards, cleaved through the mountains, broke the long winter, and brought Belobog its first spring."

Though Seele tried to keep her answer brief, her chest heaved slightly by the time she'd finished, her own admiration for the figure barely concealed.

Welt, March, and Dan Heng exchanged glances. Despite Seele's familiarity with Barbatos, she had referred to him with a touch of reverence, though she seemed to resist fully giving in to the tone.

"Understood," Welt replied with his usual decorum, though he could sense Seele found his old-fashioned formality a bit much.

March 7, however, was a different story.

"An entire winter broken? Sounds like we arrived just in time for the celebrations!"

March's sweet, lively smile brightened the mood.

"Whew! The scenery's actually lovely around here. Just look at this open plain and feel that breeze. Kind of makes you want to take a nap, doesn't it?"

March yawned and stretched as they continued along the path, savoring the rare moment of peace. So often, their Trailblazing missions meant fighting or defending, with little time for quiet.

Dan Heng agreed inwardly. Although he remained alert, his calm demeanor showed that he, too, felt at ease.

"By the way," Welt continued, "Seele, could you tell us a bit more about Lord Barbatos?"

"You'll get all you want to know once we're in the city," she replied, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "The Supreme Guardian herself is our biggest Barbatos fan. I can barely get through a day without her gushing about him."

With that, Seele led them toward Belobog's towering walls, her expression growing serious and respectful as they neared the city's gates.

"Welcome," she announced, turning to face them, "to the City of Preservation and Freedom—Belobog."

---

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