"You took a hostage too?"
March 7th was stunned.
She had thought Felicity was just running late and would catch up soon. That they would regroup, maybe laugh about the delay.
But instead, Felicity reappeared—with a silver-haired girl bound in writhing vines.
Her eyes widened at the sight. The girl wasn't just any civilian—she was beautiful, refined, and unmistakably important.
"Why'd you bring her along? Planning to threaten the Silvermane Guards? Or is she a bargaining chip? Don't tell me you brought her back to be your concubine…"
"It's not out of the question."
Felicity placed a thoughtful finger to her chin, as if genuinely considering the idea.
"Ms. Felicity! I really misjudged you! Stop toying with me!"
Bronya's sharp voice broke out, laced with fury and humiliation.
"Anyway, let's head to the lower levels," Felicity said cheerfully, unfazed.
"You're seriously dragging me down to the Underworld? For what? What truth are you trying to erase? What system are you aiming to overturn?"
Bronya remembered Cocolia's warnings. These girls really intended to spark a rebellion—topple the Architects, dismantle Belobog's control from the ground up!
"She's too noisy. Can I knock her out?"
Stelle growled. Her hands gripped a worn bat, her glare locked on Bronya's face, itching to swing.
"…No. I'll handle it."
Felicity waved her off, fingers poised with gentle grace. She summoned a shimmer of pollen—sparkling faintly—and let it float toward Bronya's face.
"Cough! Cough…!"
Bronya tried to resist, but her lungs betrayed her. The hypnotic pollen forced its way in. Her lashes trembled. Her limbs loosened.
Moments later, she slumped into Felicity's arms, sound asleep.
"Let's go~"
Felicity's tone turned light, as if they were off on a leisurely stroll.
"Why are you so good at that…?" March 7th muttered, half impressed, half exasperated.
...
Guided by Felicity, the group carried Bronya and slipped through Belobog's back roads.
Despite being fugitives, they traveled like vacationers. Felicity's presence turned every detour into an outing. Even the atmosphere refused to feel heavy.
They joked, they bickered, they even managed to catch a duck along the way. Soon, the passage to the lower districts appeared before them—and with it, a battered, gas-lit town cloaked in frost and dust.
Felicity led them to the doorway of Natasha's clinic and knocked.
"Coming~"
A soft voice answered. The door creaked open, and Natasha appeared, her eyes widening in disbelief as she saw Felicity standing there with a whole entourage in tow.
But then her gaze locked on the bound girl in Felicity's arms. That uniform—pristine, formal—belonged unmistakably to the Silvermane Guards.
"She's…?"
"Hostage? Bargaining chip?" Felicity replied, clearly unsure. She hadn't decided what story to tell yet.
"Hostage…" Natasha echoed, frowning slightly. "You shouldn't let her wander outside. The Underworld's been sealed off for over ten years. The children here don't even remember what surface-dwellers look like. If one of them sees a Silvermane Guard down here…"
She trailed off. Her meaning was obvious.
"I'll keep her hidden," Felicity promised.
Natasha gave a small nod and let the topic slide. It was enough to know Felicity meant no harm.
"You're looking for Oleg, right? He should be in the big mining zone. Head to the mining entrance and ask around—you'll find him."
She pulled out a hand-drawn map and passed it to Felicity, who accepted it, then waved over Dan Heng.
"You're the smart one. Take a look."
Dan Heng: …
Wordless, he took the map. Their current location was marked clearly in ink.
"If you need more help, go to Seele," Natasha added.
"Got it."
Dan Heng nodded and passed the map back to Felicity.
"You brought us this far. It's better if you decide the next step."
"Eh? Me?"
Felicity tilted her head, glancing between Dan Heng and the still-unconscious Bronya in her arms.
Honestly, she didn't want to rush headfirst into the main plotline just yet.
She'd dragged Bronya down here because she wanted to show her the truth—wanted her to see how the people below suffered. Maybe then she'd realize how hollow the Supreme Guardian's promises really were.
"…What if we disband for now?"
"Great idea!"
March 7th's eyes sparkled. She'd wanted to explore the lower district for a while, but everything had happened so fast earlier that she hadn't had the chance to take in the sights.
You couldn't call it a proper adventure if you didn't explore both the upper and lower cities!
"Yeah! Trash cans!"
Stelle punched the air. She hadn't finished looting the upper city's garbage cans, and now she had a whole new zone to search.
"..."
Dan Heng stayed silent, but didn't object. He, too, had his own goals—investigating this so-called [Underground Fire] among them.
"It's settled, then. We'll regroup here in 24 hours."
Felicity declared.
"Okay." x3
One by one, the group dispersed, each chasing their own curiosity.
Left alone, Felicity untied Bronya and channeled a bit of Imaginary energy into her fingers. She pressed lightly against Bronya's forehead, waking her gently.
"…Where am I?"
Bronya blinked groggily, only to meet a striking pair of emerald green eyes.
"You're awake? Looks like the operation was a success~"
"…You."
No screaming. No struggling. No righteous fury.
Instead, Bronya took in her surroundings with quiet resignation, then lowered her head.
She had seen Felicity's power firsthand. Even Belobog's most elite guards would've fallen in just a few moves.
What hope did she have of escaping?
What could she possibly do?
Felicity's cheerful expression darkened. This wasn't the reaction she wanted. She'd risked everything to bring Bronya here, and now she just looked… defeated.
"Are you giving up already?"
Felicity's voice dropped, tinged with disappointment.
"Don't you want to know the truth? Don't you want to fight back? Is this all your ideals amount to?"
It was all pure bluff, of course. But if anime had taught her anything, it was how to stir a broken heart.
"I…"
Bronya raised her eyes slowly. She hadn't expected to be the one receiving a lecture—after being kidnapped, no less. Her thoughts tangled, and she found herself speechless.
"If your heart still beats, then don't abandon hope, Bronya. More than hope itself, it's the idea of hoping that matters. Protect that."
"…."
--+--