What if your Honkai Star Rail was like this?

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Conflict Between the Upper and Lower Districts

”I’ve heard about this matter for a while now. What exactly is the situation?”

Hearing this, Serval’s expression turned serious. ”Although there have been some issues between the Upper and Lower Districts over the years, it shouldn’t have suddenly come to open war, right?”

”Yes, indeed. I didn’t anticipate this either,” Gepard nodded. ”But a year ago, after a member of Wildfire named ’Seele’ appeared, the entire Lower District’s attitude began to change.”

”She started giving speeches in the Lower District’s taverns, boxing rings, mines, and other places, inciting riots and shouting slogans like ’overthrow the tyranny,’ attempting to start a war with us.” Gepard rubbed his temples somewhat helplessly. ”I’ve sent envoys multiple times for peace talks, but the other side’s attitude is very firm. They want to split half of the Upper District’s territory for self-governance.”

Stelle: ”...???”

Seele? Speeches? Riots?

Isn’t this version of Seele a bit too much? Don’t bring the art student into this! That’s crossing dimensions!

”She seems like a radical, but this matter is of great importance. Without sufficient communication, tens of thousands of people could be harmed.” Serval pondered for a moment before saying, ”How about this: tomorrow, I’ll lead a team to the Lower District for another round of communication and try to resolve this peacefully as much as possible.”

Unexpectedly, Gepard immediately shook his head, refusing outright. ”Absolutely not.”

”First, your position is that of a Captain. Diplomacy is not within your scope of duties. Second, you are my sister. On a personal level, I cannot let you take such a risk. Once you appear in the Lower District, it might instead give the radicals an opportunity.”

”But as the elder sister of the Supreme Guardian, my personally going for peace talks would show more sincerity, wouldn’t it?” Serval retorted.

”No, Sis. I didn’t agree when you wanted to become a Captain in the first place. That was already the limit of what I could concede. No matter what, this matter is not up for discussion.”

Serval clenched her fists, seeming somewhat angry. ”Gepard Landau, have you forgotten who you are? When it comes to something that concerns tens of thousands of people in Belobog, you’re talking to me about personal feelings?!”

Gepard’s face showed little expression, but his eyes revealed his guilt. No matter what, Serval had always been the older sister who stood in front of him in his heart. When she truly got angry, he would still instinctively feel a trace of fear.

But this time, he refused to yield. ”Diplomacy is not within the duties of a Captain. Stop being unreasonable, Sis.”

”Then I’ll take people to guard the district border. Don’t use other excuses to brush me off. I am the strongest Captain in the entire Silvermane Guards. I should take on the most dangerous missions.”

”Then, in my capacity as Supreme Guardian, I notify you, Serval Landau, that you are fired.”

”Hah? You looking for a fight?”

”...”

Seeing the siblings’ conversation gradually growing heated, Stelle quickly stepped between them and said, ”You two, I have a small suggestion that might barely achieve the best of both worlds. Would you be willing to consider it?”

”Since one of you is worried about safety and the other is worried about diplomacy, how about letting us help? Tomorrow, we’ll escort Serval to the peace talks. I guarantee that as long as the few of us are here, Serval will not suffer the slightest harm!”

Hearing this, Gepard narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of doubt in his tone. ”I mean no offense, but... how can you guarantee that?”

Even when everyone was discussing the Stellaron issue earlier, he hadn’t been this serious. This showed that he genuinely cared about Serval’s safety.

In front of outsiders, he seemed not like Serval’s younger brother, but like a reliable and mature older brother.

Gepard’s suspicion was well within Stelle’s expectations. She cleared her throat and pointed to March 7th beside her. ”First, let me introduce you. This is the combat powerhouse of our train. Don’t be fooled by her appearance as a peerlessly beautiful young woman—one so stunning she could make fish sink and geese fall, outshine the moon and put flowers to shame, a nation’s beauty, clever, cute, kind, and virtuous. But in reality, she is also a super warrior—wise and brave, heroic and mighty, capable of holding off thousands of troops all by herself!”

Even though this version of March 7th was usually cold and aloof, under Stelle’s lavish praise, her pretty face still flushed slightly.

This guy... what nonsense is she spouting in front of outsiders?

After finishing with March 7th, Stelle pointed to Dan Heng. ”This is the Cold Dragon Young of our team. He’s our support, our healer, our sub-DPS, our walking encyclopedia—the essential companion for any journey!”

Cold Dragon Young ... Dan Heng touched his nose, surprisingly finding this title somewhat acceptable.

”Finally, the ace representative of our team, Mr. Welt.” Stelle smiled slightly. ”If Uncle Yang wants to, he can use gravity to tear anything apart.”

Welt’s face showed little expression, but inwardly, he was quite pleased. A man remains a boy at heart until death. Just hearing Stelle praise him like this made him nostalgic for his days on Earth.

”In short, everyone here is highly skilled in their own unique ways. With us around, Serval will definitely not be in any danger.”

Hearing this, Serval quickly nodded. ”I can confirm what he said. Mr. Welt’s strength is truly unfathomable. Even I might not necessarily be his match.”

Gepard remained silent. After a long while, he slowly turned his gaze to Stelle. ”What about you?”

”You’ve introduced your companions as so powerful, but what role do you play in this team?”

”I don’t mean to target you, but this matter concerns my sister’s safety after all. I must ensure each of you has strength that matches your claims.”

Stelle smiled awkwardly. ”Me? I’m... I’m responsible for communication. If possible, I’ll try to avoid fighting as much as I can.”

”If that’s the case, if the worst really happens and conflict breaks out with the radicals in the Lower District, wouldn’t you become a burden?”

”Gepard, that’s a bit too harsh,” Serval said, her willow-like eyebrows furrowing.

”Sorry, but this is about being responsible to each of you,” Gepard said. ”The diplomats of the Silvermane Guards are not only skilled in communication but are also first-rate combatants. Without the strength of a vajra, how can one perform the compassionate work of a bodhisattva?”

”I can cover for her. I can also guarantee her safety,” March 7th took a step forward and said coldly.

”Miss March 7th, you may have misunderstood me,” Gepard said. ”I’m not looking down on Miss Stelle. After all, you are guests who have come from afar. I’m only saying this because I’m worried about her safety.”

”... March, the Supreme Guardian is right,” Stelle stepped forward, looking into Gepard’s eyes. ”Then what do you think I should do to not be a burden?”

Gepard thought for a moment and finally reached out his hand to Stelle. ”Sorry, but for the sake of rigor, I’d like to test you myself.”

”As long as the strength you demonstrate satisfies me, I’ll agree to let Serval go along.”