bacchusnovels Chapter 27 On the Eve of the Decisive Battle
Chapter 27 On the Eve of the Decisive Battle
Early the next morning.
Gui Naifen promptly started a live stream and continued to advance the plot right on time.
Nowadays, her live streams are very popular and engaging, and viewers have developed the habit of "following her in her dramas".
In order to live up to these expectations and for the sake of the live broadcast effect, Gui Naifen basically did not skip any plot points, and completely immersed the audience in the experience.
This resulted in her progress being much slower than some players who were eager to finish the game and see the ending. It was as if she was leading the entire live stream to watch the Honkai Impact 3rd series.
Gui Naifen greeted everyone with great enthusiasm: "Good morning, everyone! Changshang is still doing missions with the Cloud Cavalry today, so it'll be me, Gui Zi, continuing to accompany you through the storyline~"
She logged into the game with practiced ease, and the screen froze on a somewhat deserted street corner in the upper area.
In the game, Danheng observed the surrounding environment and calmly suggested, "Let's go find Hilva Landau first!"
March 7th immediately chimed in, "Yes! Whatever you say!"
Xing keenly noticed that Seele had been somewhat silent ever since they entered the upper area. She turned to Seele and asked, "Seele, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Seele took a deep breath, shook her head, and glanced at the clean but unfamiliar streets and the faintly visible city walls in the distance with a complicated look in her eyes: "Nothing much... it just feels quite unfamiliar."
Her voice carried a hint of barely perceptible melancholy: "The last time I came to Earth, I was just a little kid who didn't know anything. Now, I have no memory of any of this."
"...It's been so long since the upper and lower levels were separated. So long that...I've almost forgotten what the sky above looks like."
Bullet comments:
"Although this scene is indeed a bit sentimental, and Seele looks a little lonely... why can't I hold back my laughter?"
"Look closely, that silver-maned Iron Guard standing guard over there! The wanted criminal is right in front of you, lamenting his life!"
"Who would recognize the portrait of that wanted criminal that Jepard drew? That style is just too unrecognizable."
"Isn't there a wanted poster on the wall next to it?... Pfft, this drawing is indeed quite abstract. Apart from the colors matching, it doesn't have much to do with the person in question."
……
The plot continues to unfold.
The group finally bypassed the searching guards, successfully found Hiluva, and took the opportunity to hide in the machine house.
Upon seeing the train group, Silva lowered her voice and asked, "What exactly did you do wrong?!"
She pointed to the faint, dense sound of patrolling footsteps coming from outside the window: "The Iron Guard has unprecedentedly recalled a batch from the front lines, and they're patrolling the streets searching for you! The entire upper district is in a state of panic."
"We actually..." March 7 looked at Hiluva, and in her excitement, she wanted to state her purpose directly.
"Wait a minute, March." Dan Heng raised his hand, calmly stopping her.
Then, with a sharp and serious look, she looked at Silva: "Before we begin our formal conversation, we need to confirm a few things. Miss Bronya has made it clear that we can completely trust you."
Upon hearing this, Hiluva immediately understood the implied meaning. She raised an eyebrow, her tone revealing a hint of understanding: "Oh~ there's a hidden meaning in those words."
"So you mean you don't trust me yet?"
Dan Heng nodded directly and without any hesitation.
Hiluva praised her for a while, then seemed to remember something, and her tone became a little downcast.
But then a hint of self-deprecation crept in: "...Don't worry. Cocolia and I... haven't been able to talk for a long time. She was the one who kicked me out of the Builders back then."
This revelation stunned everyone present.
The live chat instantly became lively:
"Direct and honest! Teacher Danheng's emotional intelligence is still so high, I like it!"
"Want to easily gain the trust of our 'Cold Noodle Little Dragon'? Not so easy. (doge.jpg)"
"Sister Shiluwa's expression... Emma, don't be sad, sister!"
"Cocolia doesn't want you, but I do! Sister, come with me! I'll steal batteries... oh no, I mean, I'll take care of you!"
……
Reality, Bellberg, inside the mechanical house.
Cocolia, who was watching the live stream, fell silent for a moment when she saw Hilva say "We haven't been able to talk for a long time" in the game.
Then he silently stood up, went around to behind Shiluwa who was focused on watching the live stream, and without saying a word, began to reach out and massage her shoulders with a somewhat clumsy but earnest touch.
Hiluva was taken aback at first, but then, feeling the force on her shoulder, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curled up.
But she didn't turn around. She just lazily adjusted her posture and, taking advantage of the situation, commanded, "So proactive today? Hmm... the strength is alright, a little more to the left... yes, right there, it's a bit sore..."
Let the former Grand Guardian personally give you a massage...
This treatment truly brought unexpected surprises and rewards every day.
"Sister, the automatic defense device you designed at the front seems to be operating somewhat unstably..."
Just then, Jepard pushed open the door and walked in. He was halfway through his sentence when he bumped into his sister, who was sprawled in a chair like an old man.
Meanwhile, the former Grand Guardian, who has now stepped down, is standing behind her, calmly massaging her shoulders.
Cocolia's massaging hands froze almost imperceptibly for a fraction of a second, then quickly resumed their nonchalant rhythm and pressure, continuing the massage.
Anyway... it's not the first time I've encountered this kind of scene.
do not care!
Whatever!
Seeing this, Jepard's eyes twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything. His face showed a mixture of "I knew it" and a hint of helplessness.
I guess she's playing some role-playing game again... Oh well, as long as my sister is happy.
Hiluva turned around with a look of enjoyment and greeted him, "Hey, you're here, bro!"
"Is there a problem with the device? Wait a minute, I'll go check it out this afternoon after I finish watching the live stream."
Jepard put down his weapon, sat down on the old sofa next to him, and replied, "Okay. I happen to be free today, so I'll have lunch with you, and we can go together this afternoon."
Thanks to the gold-plated mechs Lin left behind before he left, plus some reliable personnel sent over by the Earthfire Organization in the lower district, much of the patrol and basic defense pressure was relieved.
Jepard, the garrison commander, was finally able to escape from his relentless work schedule and catch his breath occasionally, enjoying a brief moment of leisure.
Upon hearing this, Hiluva's eyes lit up, and she deliberately exclaimed in an exaggerated tone of surprise, "Wow! Our busy and impartial little Jie Jie actually remembered to have a meal with you, his commoner sister? Not bad, you've improved!"
Jepard: "..."
Or should I just get up and go back to the front lines now...?
Cocolia, who was standing to the side, kept moving her hands as she listened to this, but felt a little helpless: Was she teasing Jepard or implying something about me?
……
The story continues within the game.
After gaining Hilva's initial trust, Hilva decided to personally lead the train crew northward into the area she suspected the star core was most likely to be hidden.
The group traversed alleyways corrupted by the rift, bypassed patrolling iron guards, and finally arrived at a deep passage.
A massive, cross-shaped mechanical bridge spans the cliff face, serving as the only way to reach deeper into the cliffs.
However, the control terminal that started the bridge was locked.
Fortunately, this was no challenge for Silver Wolf. He used the same familiar method: select the pier control terminal and click the secret technique [Hacking In].
Data streams flashed by, followed by a soft "click," and the massive mechanical gantry emitted a muffled roar as its gears began to turn.
However, the noise from the pier was so loud that it alerted the police sirens.
Complete lockdown.
The comments section flashed by instantly:
"Toys! In Silver Wolf's eyes, these innocent ones are just toys!"
"Wow, there were so many skipped steps and puzzles in the middle!"
"Is this the true value of the Wolf Lord title? The exploration experience is incredibly smooth! I love it!"
"The result is the same, but the process is more time-saving and less labor-intensive."
……
In the scene, the group walks on the newly opened pier.
Unable to contain her curiosity, March 7th asked a question that countless viewers in the live stream were also curious about: "I never imagined that you and Jepard were siblings! You two... have such different styles!"
Hearing this, Hiluva smiled, her tone relaxed yet carrying a subtle complexity: "Yes, our personalities and hobbies are indeed completely different."
She gazed into the deep darkness below the pier, her voice softening slightly: "The Landau family has served in the military for generations; protecting Belleburg is a mission etched into our bones. But because of this, many... may sacrifice their lives on the front lines at a young age, leaving little time for their brothers and sisters to spend together."
"It seems that everyone can only seize the time and try their best to live their life well."
Just then, Danheng, who had been observing silently, spoke up again: "Miss Shiluwa, allow me to confirm one last time."
His gaze was fixed on Silva: "If we ultimately find ourselves in a situation where we cannot agree on our positions or ideologies, and even have to confront each other—"
"Would you choose to stand on our side?"
This question instantly made the atmosphere a bit more tense.
Hiluva paused for a moment. She didn't answer immediately, her gaze drifting into the distance before returning to the present, as if she were engaged in a brief but intense internal struggle.
A few seconds later, she took a deep breath, turned her head, and nodded firmly to the train crew:
"...Of course, I keep my word."
"Since I promised to accompany you to the end and witness the star core with my own eyes."
"I will absolutely not break my promise."
In reality, it's Bellberg, the mechanical house.
The in-game storyline happened to be playing when Hilva faced Danheng's question and made a firm promise: "Sister, I keep my word."
Jepard, having nothing better to do, also sat down to watch the live stream.
Hiluva glanced at her younger brother, who was sitting upright beside her, and gave him a mischievous grin. She nudged him lightly with her elbow and said, "Hey bro, see? In the game, I'm going to 'sacrifice family for the greater good.'"
"Do you think we'll actually end up fighting, given how this storyline is going?"
Jepard: "..."
Jepard remained expressionless, but the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
He was silent for two seconds, then suddenly stood up, his tone flat and indifferent: "Sis, it's almost noon, I'll go cook."
After saying that, she walked steadily but slightly faster towards the kitchen, perfectly avoiding this "life-or-death question".
"Tch! That's boring!"
……
The story continues within the game.
Following Hiluva, the group broke through obstacles and finally arrived at the front line, which was designated as a restricted area.
A biting wind howled, and the air was filled with unsettling energy fluctuations unique to the Rift Realm.
Perhaps sensing the subtle tension within the group, Hilva eased the atmosphere with a relaxed tone:
"Speaking of which... I haven't laid a hand on my brother since he officially enlisted."
A nostalgic smile played on her lips: "When we were little, he couldn't beat me. Now..."
She didn't finish her sentence; she just shrugged.
The live chat immediately erupted into a hilarious meme-filled mode:
"I could beat them when I was younger, but I can't anymore (in a physical sense)."
"Now he's a five-star, and you're a four-star. (doge)"
"Jepard: Forged by ice and snow, this will never end! Sister, times have changed!"
"As the old saying goes: 'You should discipline your younger brother while he's young!' It'll be too late once he's grown into a five-star guardian!"
……
Sure enough, the group hadn't gone far when they saw that figure—which was both expected and unsettling—at a narrow pass.
Jepard, the Silvermane Iron Guard's garrison commander, was leading a squad of elite guards, standing like an iron wall on the only path leading deeper into the territory.
He stood tall and straight, his face stern, but when his gaze fell upon Shiluva, his hard expression instantly filled with incredulous astonishment:
"Sister...is it really you?"
When Shiluwa saw him, her heart tightened, and she hurriedly stepped forward, trying to explain, "Wait, Jepard! Listen to me—"
Jepard abruptly raised his hand, interrupting her, his voice filled with suppressed anger: "Sister! Get away from these intruders and slowly walk behind me!"
His gaze swept over the train crew members, finally settling on Silva's face, and he said in a heavy tone, "You are different from them."
Looking at the stubbornness and misunderstanding in her brother's eyes, Hiluva sighed deeply, but her tone became even more resolute: "I'm sorry, little brother—we agreed to stand on their side."
She made a final effort, her eyes pleading: "Give me a few minutes, just a few minutes, and I'll explain everything..."
"Stop talking, Silva!" Jepard interrupted her sharply, a rare occurrence for him.
Hiluva was clearly taken aback by her younger brother, who had never lost his temper with her before, and the words she was about to say got stuck in her throat.
……
In reality, it's Bellberg, the mechanical house.
Seeing that Jepard dared to be aggressive towards her in the game, Hilva immediately raised an eyebrow and shouted towards the kitchen:
"Well, bro, you think you're all grown up now?!"
"Stop talking, Shiluva!" Tsk tsk, listen to that! She dares to yell at me, and even dares to call me by my full name!
She deliberately raised her voice, making sure everyone in the kitchen could hear her: "I'm having eight dishes and a soup for lunch today. You figure it out yourself!"
In the kitchen, Jepard, who was cooking, paused.
Jepard: "..."
What a tragedy...
I shouldn't have come back today.
……
The story continues within the game.
The conflict between the siblings escalated rapidly in the cold wind.
Finally, Hiluva seemed to have run out of patience.
She took a deep breath of the cold air, no longer trying to persuade, but instead declaring with a touch of willfulness:
"That's all I have to explain!"
Whether you believe it or not is your business!
"Anyway, your older sister has always been this willful."
"When you encounter something or someone you dislike, you must stand up and fight back... And when it comes to things you should stand up for, you must absolutely stand up for them to the end!"
"Well said, sister!" Xing, who had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly spoke up, praising sincerely.
This unexpected "support" created a strange crack in the previously tense atmosphere.
Hiluva paused for a moment, then turned to look at Xing. Their eyes met, and they both smiled in unison.
Of course, unsurprisingly, this brief moment of joy was quickly shattered by reality.
The conflict of ideas is irreconcilable.
Finally, the familiar battle interface appeared again.
The barrage of comments flew by:
"Sister is absolutely right!!"
"To be able to laugh at a time like this, you must have a very strong heart."
"Xing can be a mood killer, but well done!"
"Jepard, who has been a mini-boss twice... this kind of treatment is probably unique in the entire Star Iron."
……
The battle was still easy for Gui Naifen's team, but after the victory, the injured Jepard, kneeling on the ground, showed no intention of backing down.
Most of the guards behind him had also lost their fighting ability, but none of them retreated.
In the end, it was only thanks to Bronya's letter that he reluctantly agreed to let them go.
The group was able to continue their journey and take a short rest in a relatively safe corner not far away.
Gui Naifen controls the protagonist star to walk to Xiluwa's side and trigger a dialogue.
Xing: "Sorry... I dragged you into this too."
Hiluva skillfully plucked a string, producing a clear, soft sound: "Don't say that. If you keep apologizing like that, my ears will really get calluses."
Xing nodded: "Next, we should go find the star core."
Hiluva: "That's right. Although I've never seen that thing before, I lost my secure job as a city builder because of it."
"It's time to settle the score with them."
Then, her tone became somewhat uncertain, mixed with a hidden expectation: "Actually... I have another selfish motive."
"I want to prove to Cocolia... that I was right."
"Once we resolve the issue of the star core... maybe she'll be able to return to her former self?"
The live chat was instantly flooded with emotion:
"I'm so upset! My sister is so passionate and decisive!"
"Sister! You can't make such a prediction before the competition! It's bad luck!"
"Just a wild guess: Once we've dealt with the star core, we'll take care of the enemy as well."
"If the planner dares to do this, he can expect to receive razor blades!"
……
The story continues.
After a short rest, the group prepared to head towards the core of the final restricted area.
However, just as the gates to the core area opened...
The dark, monstrous creations of the rift, like a black tide bursting its banks, surged wildly from the surrounding fissures, instantly engaging the group in a fierce battle!
Hiluva looked at Jepard beside her with slight shock: "Do you face an offensive of this scale every day?!"
Jepard's face remained largely unchanged; he simply replied, "It's commonplace."
After a hard-fought battle, this sudden wave of Rift monsters was finally temporarily wiped out.
However, everyone was also exhausted, especially Jepard and his Iron Guards, who had just been injured in the "internal strife" and immediately thrown into a high-intensity defensive battle. Many of them were already showing signs of exhaustion.
Hiluva looked at her brother's pale profile, her heart filled with intense struggle.
Finally, she gritted her teeth, made a decision, and quickly said to the train crew:
"Outsiders, Seele—break through before the next wave of Rift monsters surges up!"
March 7th looked at her in confusion: "Huh? Hilva, aren't you coming with us to find the Star Core?"
Hiluva looked at Jepard: "Brother, you can't handle this alone. I taught him a lesson earlier, so I'm responsible for that. Besides..."
"I really want to go with you guys. The Star Core is so close, so near to me. I've always wanted to see it with my own eyes—"
"But I can't just abandon my brother and the guards, can I? I'm a daughter of the Landau family!"
Xing looked at Xiluwa sadly and said, "Sister, that's not what we said just now."
Bullet comments:
"The older sister still cares about her younger brother!"
"Indeed, judging from the condition of Jepard and those Iron Guards, that 'civil war' just now took a huge toll on them, and they may not be able to hold on."
"It breaks my heart... This is like giving up on a long-held dream that was so close to me..."
"Actually, sister, there is a Star Core Spirit standing in front of you."
"Little Grey, why don't you dig out the star core inside your body and let people take a look?"
"The girl upstairs doesn't seem like a good person!"