Chapter 190: Topaz: What Do You Mean Preservation Has Never Glanced at Us?
"Phew... So this is the story of Belobog?"
Within the city of Belobog, Topaz leaned back in her chair, a rare, genuine smile touching her lips as she handled the world of Honkai: Star Rail. Her main story quest had just led her to the dramatic heights of Everwinter Peak.
Overnight, the game's popularity had fermented, exploding across the cosmos once more, rivaling the grand spectacle of its initial launch.
"Seele is just too strong!"
"My E0 Seele carved a path from the Underworld to the Overworld without even blinking!"
"Then aren't your eyes dry?"
"Dude, I said my E0 Seele carved a path from the Underworld to the Overworld without blinking! And you're asking if my eyes are dry?"
"Are you guys talking about turn-based or real-time mode?"
"It doesn't matter; Seele's a beast in either mode. Her strength is completely reliable."
"I still prefer using Himeko..."
"Am I the only one who likes using Dan Heng?"
Unsurprisingly, Honkai: Star Rail had once again become an interstellar sensation. Countless players found themselves moved by the poignant story of Belobog. Many even felt a deep sense of longing because of the game, a yearning to set out on their own path of "Trailblaze."
Topaz followed the game's progress while keeping a professional eye on the online reviews. After all, maintaining communication with Leon and the Astral Express was one of her current assignments. Besides, she had to admit, Honkai: Star Rail was genuinely fascinating. Turning a real Trailblazing journey into a game... just how did Leon come up with such an idea?
It was truly inspired. At the very least, Topaz herself was thoroughly enjoying it.
She continued following the quest markers, her other screen displaying a scrolling feed of netizen comments.
"At first, I thought Bronya and Seele were enemies, but as the story went on, the atmosphere between them got more and more... subtle."
"What's subtle about it? They're just kindergarten classmates reconnecting!"
"I don't really get it either, but they definitely have that 'true feelings forged through hardship' vibe."
"The two of you above are too green... Can't you smell the lily-scented romance?"
"'Lily-scented romance'? They don't really count. One is from Wildfire, the other is a Silvermane Guard... Of course, if you consider them both Belobogians, then I guess they're colleagues."
"The person above is far too naive. That 'romance'isn't about being'colleagues'..."
Seeing these trending discussions, Topaz didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Lily-scented romance? Bronya and Seele?
She had seen them interact firsthand. They were indeed the closest of friends, but she hadn't detected... that kind of atmosphere, had she? Topaz naturally understood the hidden meaning behind the slang—a clever bit of wordplay to bypass censorship filters.
Recalling their interactions, they were inseparable, but that "special" tension just didn't seem to be there. Why was this generation of netizens always so focused on such strange things? Shouldn't they be thinking more about the rare and powerful spirit of resistance shown by the people of Jarilo-VI?
Topaz shook her head gently. That kind of spirit was already a rare sight among the many planets the Interastral Peace Corporation had acquired.
Belobog was indeed fortunate to have so many people willing to stand up for it. Otherwise, the first to arrive on this planet probably wouldn't have been her Strategic Investment Department, but the far more ruthless Market Development Department.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Topaz followed the quest all the way to Everwinter Peak.
Even before reaching the summit, the atmosphere of the final battle practically leaped off the screen, thick with anticipation. Topaz smiled faintly. After all, Leon had pulled her directly onto the scene back then; she had witnessed this story unfold with her own eyes.
A dialogue box appeared.
[Does a Trailblaze journey always end like this?]
[They should be used to this kind of adventure by now.]
[Being able to rest in peace in the snowfields... is also quite nice.]
With a light and pleasant mood, Topaz chose the third option. After playing this far, she had long grown accustomed to the Trailblazer's penchant for mischief. Both Stelle and Caelus would frequently offer some utterly nonsensical dialogue choices, though there was no shortage of serious ones, either.
But it was just a game. Why be so serious?
"Hey, what kind of discouraging things are you saying now?" March 7th's voice immediately piped up, full of dissatisfaction.
"The Express passes through world after world. We are but travelers, witnesses to a story," Dan Heng countered, ever the steady one. "We always try our best to avoid being swept into the waves that decide a world's fate... but there are times when we have no choice."
"Hehe, in other words..." March 7th's eyes curved into bright crescents. "Stelle, for your first Trailblaze journey, your luck is simply off the charts!"
Seele shook her head slightly, her gaze sharpening once more. "I wanted to say something discouraging... but forget it. Adventuring with you guys, I feel like no matter how big the challenge is, it's nothing we can't handle."
"Exactly! A proper adventure shouldn't have so many rules and regulations," March 7th declared, her smile brilliant. "Helping those who need help, making trustworthy partners, and saving the world a few times along the way..."
"...That is the spirit of Trailblaze!"
With that, they entered Everwinter Peak.
Walking along the frozen mountain path, they passed Voidrangers flash-frozen into grotesque ice sculptures. Finally, beneath a massive, dormant mechanical creation, Cocolia appeared.
She revealed the terrible truth of the Eternal Freeze to the Astral Express crew: the first Supreme Guardian, unable to defeat the Antimatter Legion, had made a desperate wish to the Stellaron. The endless winter was the disaster born from that wish.
Cocolia mockingly pointed out the hypocrisy of humanity, being wary of the Stellaron while simultaneously trying to control it with inhibitors built from old-world technology.
"But Qlipoth of Preservation... isn't He exactly one of those 'grand existences' you spoke of?" Bronya's voice trembled, laced with disbelief and hurt. "Isn't it His power that has been protecting Belobog all this time?"
"Preservation?"
A cold, mocking laugh escaped Cocolia's lips, the sound dripping with frigid derision. "When has Preservation ever even glanced at humanity?"
"That was nothing more than the... self-righteous delusion of this city's founders."
Topaz, who had just taken a sip of water, choked, spraying a fine mist across her terminal.
No way! she thought, frantically wiping the screen. Damn it, Leon... when you were making this game, couldn't you have edited this part out?
With Cocolia slandering the Aeon of Preservation so openly, the fanatical believers within the Corporation would never stand for it. While the IPC was filled with those who strove for power and profit, there were also many who were true, devout followers of Preservation.
Even though the plot had already revealed that Cocolia and Bronya were putting on an act for a greater purpose, the steadfast adherents of Preservation would inevitably be offended.
also, as the firmest supporter of Preservation in the known universe, the Corporation would be forced to make a public statement, even if the higher-ups understood that Cocolia's words were spoken under duress.
Otherwise, wouldn't the Corporation's reputation as the "Orthodoxy of Preservation" be tarnished?
Topaz shook her head, her brow furrowed, and continued the story.
And then she discovered... she herself had appeared in the game.
In the cutscene, Leon's fingers moved slightly, and a shimmering ring of light materialized from the void. Then, her own game avatar fell straight from the sky, landing on the battlefield of Belobog just as she had in reality.
"Eh? I've actually become a playable character, too?"
Curiosity piqued, Topaz clicked the mouse and found that the character 'Topaz' could indeed be added to the party.
Her professional concern immediately evaporated, replaced by a spark of genuine interest.
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