What if your Honkai Star Rail was like this?

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Return to the Overworld

After weighing her options, Cocolia decided it was necessary to probe her daughter’s intentions. Given Bronya’s stubborn personality, if she really ran off with some purple-haired girl from the streets, Cocolia could only grit her teeth and stew in silence.

If she could make Bronya gradually realize the issues through her questions, that would be ideal.

Sigh, why couldn’t Bronya be like her when she was young—gentle, elegant, and well-mannered?

”Miss Seele, please forgive my blunt question,” Cocolia said softly. ”Do you know how much material foundation is truly required for two people to be together?”

Seele thought for a moment and smiled lightly. ”Madam, I was born in the Underworld, so of course I know that connecting two people’s lives requires not only emotional bonds but also an absolutely solid material foundation.”

”I own three properties in the Underworld and two shops, one of which is a charity shop to support Underworld residents. I also run an orphanage. In my early years, I studied at Belobog’s University of Finance and Economics in the Overworld. My greatest hobby is dedicating my efforts to the Underworld’s development, so I’ve saved up a modest sum—about 1.2 million Winter City Shields.”

Cocolia raised an eyebrow. If Seele was telling the truth, those were quite impressive conditions.

”Lady Cocolia... Madam, I can understand your feelings as a mother, and it’s given me a deeper respect for you—you’re a responsible mother. Even I sometimes struggle to tolerate Bronya’s little tantrums.”

Cocolia nodded slightly. Well said.

”Their personalities are completely swapped...” Stelle, quietly enjoying the drama, muttered to herself.

In the original storyline, this would’ve been the moment for Bronya to do the convincing.

”But Bronya is, after all, her own person now. If possible, I’d like to join you in loving... cough caring for her and helping her in my own way,” Seele said with a smile.

Bronya pouted. ”Mom, weren’t you always going on about Aunt Serval... cough just kidding.”

Cocolia’s mouth twitched. ”...Is that the same thing?”

Bronya rolled her eyes and said no more.

”Lady Cocolia, please believe me. I’ll prove it to you with my actions,” Seele said.

Cocolia let out a long sigh. The new generation really outshines the old. Back when she was in a similar situation, why didn’t Serval get it? That blockhead—ugh, so infuriating.

”...Fine, we’ll talk about this later,” Cocolia said with a stern face. ”Right now, the priority is figuring out how you’re going to change the Great Guardian’s mind.”

”I’ll keep this brief. Yesterday, when you arrived in Belobog and informed Gepard about the Stellaron, he was forced to make a decision.”

”We had already discovered the Stellaron’s existence and conducted in-depth research on it, reaching two conclusions: first, the Stellaron we found was incomplete; second, the Stellaron has the power to alter Belobog’s climate and ecosystem.”

”Originally, Gepard was hesitant about using this unknown power, but then you showed up, claiming you’d seal the Stellaron.”

”So he decided to take us out?” March 7th frowned slightly. ”Why? This didn’t have to be resolved like that.”

”It wasn’t Gepard who decided to take you out. He wouldn’t do something like that,” Cocolia said. ”Making you wanted criminals was likely the personal idea of Tarorov, the Minister of Military Affairs. Before this, he had been urging Gepard to use the Stellaron’s power to change the world.”

”Now that you’re here, Tarorov used his own life as leverage to force Gepard to make this choice.”

”What a disaster out of nowhere...” Stelle sighed helplessly. ”There was no need for this. If the Stellaron is sealed, the world would return to normal.”

”Unfortunately, things have already come to this, and we can only accept it,” Cocolia said. ”The other half of the Stellaron was sent to Gepard earlier. My original mission was to deliver this remaining half to him as well, but I’ve decided against it now.”

”The Stellaron’s power is too dangerous. One misstep, and Belobog is finished. So, the only thing we can do now is find Gepard, take the Stellaron from him, and prevent a tragedy.”

...

The group crossed the city boundary via the tram. When they set foot in the Overworld again, a group of Silvermane Guards immediately surrounded them.

”The three wanted criminals are here! Call for backup!”

The wanted posters for Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng had already spread across the Overworld’s streets and alleys. Combined with their conspicuous group, they attracted a large number of Silvermane Guards the moment they appeared.

Thud, thud, thud!

Shields were slammed down around them, forming an encirclement. The guards’ spears were poised, ready to strike at any moment.

”Drop your weapons and surrender!” the lead Silvermane Lieutenant shouted.

Cocolia didn’t bother with them, casually tossing out a token. ”By order of the Great Guardian, I’m in charge of the suspects. You can stand down.”

Whether the news of the ”Great Guardian’s assassination” was true or false, the ministers would never allow it to spread to the lower ranks. Otherwise, the resulting public unrest would be uncontrollable.

The Silvermane Lieutenant froze for a moment before stowing his weapon. ”All of these people are suspects?”

His gaze landed on Svarog, wondering when such a mech-soldier had been developed.

”That’s none of your concern. Order your men to let us pass,” Cocolia said.

Seeing the Great Guardian’s token, the lieutenant didn’t press further and ordered the guards to clear a path. Just as the group thought they were in the clear, the lieutenant suddenly reached out, staring at Seele. ”This colleague... she looks familiar. Isn’t she that radical from the Underworld...?”

Cocolia snapped, ”You’re mistaken. She’s one of mine.”

The group hurriedly left the station. Cocolia pulled out her old-fashioned phone and dialed a number. ”...Serval, where are you right now? ...Sorry, I can’t explain now. I need to ask—where is that off-world visitor who stayed behind voluntarily?”

On the other end, Serval stood anxiously outside the interrogation room. ”He’s in the interrogation room at Qlipoth Fort. Mr. Welt has been in there for over a day, and I’m being kept outside. The guards won’t let me get close.”

Cocolia took a deep breath. ”Serval, I’m sorry for only telling you the truth now. If I’m not mistaken, the person who’s been confronting Mr. Welt for so long is likely your brother, Gepard.”

”Please evacuate the civilians there as quickly as possible. I’m bringing people to you right away.”

”Until then, please stay safe and don’t get into trouble.”