Many are anxious, but it's no use.
Even the King of Haste can't surpass the laws of time, especially since we're only at the launch version.
The big stuff is still to come.
No matter how much Ah Xian screams or scratches, she can only return to the story quest for now.
Leaving the Machine Shop for Qlipoth Fort, they reach the entrance just as Serval descends the long staircase, holding a guitar, looking somewhat dejected and distracted.
Gepard steps forward: "Sis, you've talked with Lady Bronya. What's the outcome?"
Serval snaps back to reality, gently strumming the guitar strings.
"Didn't say much. She respects my choice and left it to me."
"Didn't expect that after all these years, I'd see this guitar touched by Cocolia's hands again. Talk about a cursed fate."
Stelle: "Cocolia liked rock? Wouldn't have guessed."
Serval: "She didn't. Back when we were at the officers' academy, we both loved tinkering with all sorts of weird stuff."
"We called it 'exploring the infinite possibilities of new technology'…"
"This guitar was one of the things we cooked up back then. Its name is… Super Electromagnetic Stream Performer, or electric guitar for short."
"Forget it, let's not talk about this. Let's head back."
"I'll pack my things first. Once Bronya officially takes over as Supreme Guardian, I'll set off."
The word "farewell" carries a sense of sadness, better left unsaid. "Set off" is a nicer substitute.
That's what Serval thinks.
Gepard's expression is complex: "You haven't told our little sister about this, have you?"
"Uh, no. If I told Lynx and she gave me that look, I'm afraid I'd go soft."
Serval gives an awkward smile.
Gepard, downcast: "What about me, Sis?"
Serval: "You're not a kid anymore. You're the model officer of the Silvermane Guards."
"…"
Gepard falls silent.
Child or not, it's still a farewell between siblings, age be damned.
The siblings walk side by side, slipping back into silence.
Stelle tilts her head toward Leon, who's… uh, eating fruit.
She sends a team voice chat request.
(Looks to me like Serval hasn't untied her emotional knot, yet she's already decided to board the train.)
(Still early. Keep observing.)
(Oh, got it. We're nowhere near needing to intervene, right? I get it.)
"By the way, little bro, Bronya gave me a task to pass on to you."
Serval recalls what Bronya entrusted her with before leaving.
"She's too busy to come herself, so she asked you to lead a team to the Underworld tomorrow to survey the situation around Boulder Town and negotiate with the Wildfire organization."
When it comes to business, Gepard's demeanor turns serious.
"What's the tone of the negotiation?"
As for surveying the surroundings, he already knows what needs to be done.
"She only said to reach a consensus with Wildfire. Didn't get into details."
Gepard ponders for a moment, then nods slowly.
"I understand. Sis, since you're leaving anyway, do me one last favor… as a final act of looking out for your little brother."
At this, Serval's gaze turns to Gepard with considerable surprise.
"Little bro, you're reminding me of something from when we were kids."
"Go on."
"When you were six and started school, you made some friends and hung out with them every day, listening to their stories."
Serval's face flickers with nostalgia.
"When Dad found out, he didn't hesitate to scold you—"
"'No more hanging out there tomorrow. What good can you learn from mingling with commoners?!'"
Hearing his sister mimic that tone, Gepard recalls the incident too.
"Back then, I was stubborn and talked back, nearly earning a slap. You pulled me behind you to protect me, but that got you scolded too."
"Even so, you weren't scared or backed down."
Youthful days pass swiftly, never to return.
After growing up and becoming a Silvermane Guard, he no longer needed his sister's protection.
The Landau family creed: a man must never show cowardice or hide behind others, even if they're family.
But…
That was the sturdy bridge of their sibling bond…
Serval can't help but reach out to pat Gepard's head, her smile radiant.
"You don't know, but after Dad stormed off glaring, I was sulking all day."
"That's when I secretly vowed that when I grew up, I'd make my own choices."
"Like now. Sure enough, I'm still drawn to the sea of stars."
"But as your big sister, of course I'll take responsibility for looking out for my little brother. Whatever help you need, just say it—I won't refuse."
Stelle: (Is this what sibling bonds are like? I'm jealous… Hey, Leon, I've got a bold idea!)
Leon: (How bold?)
Stelle: (I've drifted half my life, searching bitterly for a kindred spirit. Today, after sifting through the sands, I've finally found true gold!)
(Heaven has taken pity and granted me a hero. I wish to burn yellow paper and swear brotherhood with this hero. What say you, hero?)
Leon freezes, then flashes a gentle smile, placing his slender hand on Stelle's head to ruffle it.
(It won't do.)
(Huh? Why not?) Stelle doesn't get it.
(I'll tell you another time. For now, it just won't do.)
A head-pat image suddenly pops up, and Ah Xian nearly loses it, buzzing with excitement.
"So wholesome, so much CP energy!"
[This… this isn't right, is it? With the male protagonist, wouldn't it be super gay?]
[Leon's lived how many years? He could be your great-great-grandfather times a hundred. What's wrong with patting a junior's head?]
[You're the one who's gay, seeing everything as gay. I look at the male protagonist's scene and just see Leon as a big brother.]
[Sure, the protagonist's line is obviously riffing on the Peach Garden Oath, pure meme fuel, but Leon seems to take it seriously and flat-out refuses. Why so absolute?]
[Why else? Guess why he was guarding those tombstones alone?]
[The classic curse of being the last sibling left…?]
[Shut up! We were enjoying the story, and you just stabbed us fans in the heart. How cruel!]
[Sorry, my bad this time.]
Gepard: "The task Lady Bronya assigned—come with me."
Serval agrees without hesitation.
"Alright, alright~ My little bro wants to cherish the time with his big sister by his side. Of course, your big sis will make it happen~~"
"…"
Gepard's face looks uneasy, and he counters with forced calm.
"No, it's not… I just thought, with the Underworld sealed for years, many energy hubs have lost maintenance from the Silvermane Guards' technical department."
"Across all of Belobog, you're probably the only one who can thoroughly inspect those devices."
"Do it as your final service to the people before you leave."
Staring at Gepard's back, Stelle is a bit speechless.
You, with your big brows and eyes, are actually a little tsundere.
Would it kill you to admit it? It'd make Serval more reluctant to leave and help her see her heart clearly.
Saying it's for… ugh!
But fair's fair—this deserves a thumbs-up.
Never forgetting the duty represented by the badge on his chest. Respect.