Before them stood a massive circular three-way turntable bridge.
High walls surrounded the four exits, and beneath the bridge was an abyss too deep to see the bottom.
Leon: "A common stack bridge. Usually, one path is sealed off."
"During tense conflicts, you can block a direction and cut the main control link from the rear to eliminate risks."
Seele: "What risks?"
Leon's tone carried a hint of mystery: "To prevent deserters—or enemies."
"If the frontline falls, enemies can't cross the bridge to threaten the rear."
Stelle: "Wouldn't those who don't retreat in time be doomed? It's basically a no-way-out, do-or-die choice, right?"
"Exactly."
As Leon nodded, Seele fell silent.
"Bronya didn't lie. The Silvermane Guards really risk their lives to protect Belobog."
March 7th: "Why talk about lies now? Which way do we go?"
Leon didn't even glance at the directions, answering confidently.
"North."
"…How's that the sealed-off one?"
"Pela's doing."
"Is that the device controlling bridge access?" March 7th pointed at a polygonal mechanical structure below.
"Yes."
"Can you operate it?"
Leon: "I could, but there's no need."
"…Ugh, don't be cryptic at a time like this," March 7th grumbled.
Leon: "Hacking it takes time, which is fine, but operating it leaves a record in the main system."
"We're here unofficially, without proper clearance."
"If someone checks and notices, we could face a swarm of Silvermane Guards."
March 7th scratched her head sheepishly.
"You're right, but we still need a way past."
Leon: "That's up to you."
Wind elements nearly solidified, forming giant hands that built a staircase under the high walls.
"Option one: I hack the bridge's operating system."
"Option two: Take the special staircase over the stack bridge walls."
"Which do you want?"
Normally, he'd just fly over.
But in the story, players need freedom of choice.
The access device was likely a puzzle from the player's perspective, and escape options are rarely offered.
But no matter—he could provide one.
For players who dislike puzzles, his approach would surely win favor.
March 7th: "…I'll pass on picking."
Seele: "Natasha told me to follow your lead."
Ah Xian, having experienced the bridge puzzle before, had zero interest and picked option two.
Stelle: "What's the risk of the shortcut? I want the shortcut."
Leon: "The risk is it's not friendly to acrophobics. Anyone afraid of heights?"
"Me—not afraid." Stelle squinted with a playful grin.
Seele shook her head. "I'm fine."
March 7th: "…I-I'm not scared of heights, haha… but can those wind hands turn into proper stairs?"
Stelle: "Your face doesn't scream 'not afraid.'"
Leon: "Possible, but it'd drain more energy."
"Forget it then. Doctors don't heal themselves—you need to conserve energy."
March 7th turned boldly, her tone resolute.
"A Trailblazer who faces challenges head-on won't be beaten by heights. Let's go!"
Her words triggered a cutscene.
Leon led the way, stepping onto the wind hands, scaling the wall, and forming a downward staircase.
Seele followed nimbly.
Stelle was third, landing on the ground just as March 7th's yelp rang out behind her.
"Wah—catch me!"
Almost instinctively, Stelle turned and reached out, only to see a figure loom large in her face.
A muffled thud.
"Oof, March, you need to lose weight—you nearly crushed me."
"Huh? I'm not fat!"
"Then get off me…"
"Oh, oh, sor—wait, crushed, my foot!"
March 7th realized the issue.
Their fall's force had been entirely absorbed by Leon's broad wings.
"Leon hasn't said a word, and you're teasing me? Been too long without a beating, missing my elbow strike?"
① "Please elbow me."
② "No way, don't talk nonsense."
③ "Just a joke to ease your scared little heart."
[Yes, yes, yes, love the clingy vibes!]
[More of this!]
[March is the perfect girlfriend choice.]
[You're all seeing Stelle and March's clingy moment, but I see a dad's meticulous care for his kids.]
[Report: I happily accept Father Leon's oranges!]
[Question: Besides oranges, what else did Leon give you?]
[Answer: Security, security, and more damn security!]
[Is this the value of having an elder in the family? Love it.]
[Though… Leon's not old, at least not in looks.]
March 7th ultimately gave Stelle her familiar elbow tap.
Just on the arm—painless.
Before March could comment on her elbow strike, a piercing alarm blared through the restricted zone.
Stelle: "We've been spotted?"
Seele instinctively shifted to a defensive stance.
March 7th: "But how? Did Leon's hallucination drug fail?"
The sudden shift yanked players from the joyful mood.
Leon didn't speak, his senses stretching further to probe the situation.
"Calm down. It's likely not aimed at us. A ton of Guards are heading deeper inside."
"Could be an urgent battle needing heavy reinforcements."
"Serval's moving faster now. We need to speed up too. Follow me."
Leon summoned a wind cluster to wrap around the girls' feet, then sped forward.
The speed stunned Seele.
Way faster than her—how could she keep up?
But as she ran, she realized her worry was unnecessary. Her speed surged, her body light.
They navigated complex terrain and passed urgent Guard squads until Serval's figure appeared in view.
The cutscene ended.
Players expected a talk with Serval, but to their shock, after the loading screen, the scene shifted back to the Express.
Himeko, Welt, and Dan Heng stood by the window, gazing at Jarilo-VI.
Welt: "The Fragmentum's activity is intensifying—some unknown change is happening."
Himeko, calm: "With Leon there, they should manage… no, wait!"
She cut herself off, her pupils trembling, expression grave.
"I think I sensed an Emanator-level Imaginary reaction! How is that possible?"
"Huh???"
All beta players were stunned.
Whether on Leon's route or Dan Heng's, this plot point was consistent.
The difference lay in who stayed on the Express.