Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

Bonus chapters are like surprise blossoms—unexpected, yet full of joy! 🌱

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Following the earlier commotion, Welt finally steered the conversation toward the real purpose of his arrival. However, such private matters concerning the Astral Express weren't suitable for discussion in the bustling guild hall.

By now, the area was surrounded by elven onlookers, their expressions ranging from wary to outright hostile. Some were there to ensure the safety of the supposed "Fairy Royal," while others hoped to secure her allegiance to their faction.

The elves were far from monolithic; their society was divided into numerous factions representing different forest regions, collectively known as the Fairy Court. Each Fairy Queen was elected rather than inheriting the title, making the position both prestigious and politically charged.

Though their motivations varied, the elves presented a united front against outsiders, creating a tense atmosphere. The guild had dispatched additional security, but even they tread lightly. Intervening might be perceived as interference in elven internal affairs—something that could fracture the fragile alliances among the various races.

As such, when the Astral Squad requested a private meeting room, the receptionist practically beamed with relief. She quickly arranged for the team to use the second-floor conference room typically reserved for high-ranking guests.

On their way upstairs, the elf archer team that had been observing from the sidelines exchanged glances, clearly eager to follow.

But before they could ascend, they were blocked by their fellow elves. The dwarf sorcerer, meanwhile, wisely chose to stay behind, grumbling into his mug of ale. Though he often traded barbs with his elf teammate, the interspecies tension between dwarves and elves made joining the group more trouble than it was worth.

The lizardman monk, too, refrained, as he was intercepted by Zaryus. The two shared a brief but meaningful exchange, their past acquaintance evident, before finding a quiet corner to talk.

In the end, only the elf archer, whose lineage boasted considerable purity, managed to slip through. Her credentials granted her an audience with Mimiya, who greeted her with a scowl.

"What are you doing here?" Mimiya asked sharply.

"Isn't it obvious?" the archer retorted, indignant. "Who among us could remain indifferent to the future heir of our people's kingdom?"

Though the archer was a self-proclaimed recluse, her love for her homeland ran deep. Encountering someone of such historical significance as the "Fairy Princess" was an opportunity she couldn't ignore. The thought of walking away without learning more was unthinkable.

"I've already told you," Mimiya said with a frown. "That esteemed individual isn't what you imagine. No—she's far nobler than you could ever comprehend. While I understand your enthusiasm, presumptuous actions cannot be tolerated."

Her tone left no room for argument.

"Fine, fine! Can I at least speak to her when she's done? I promise I won't overstep!"

"Wait outside," Mimiya ordered curtly, shoving the archer's eager face away. "You can stand guard if you want, but nothing more."

Left with no choice, the archer reluctantly joined the other elves stationed at the door.

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Meanwhile, Nahida—still maintaining her childlike appearance—was experiencing a far more mundane struggle.

Having drastically shrunk her height, she now found herself needing to crane her neck to look at anyone. Welt, already taller than her in her original form, now loomed over her like a giant, creating a comically exaggerated "father-daughter" height gap.

As Nahida sighed internally, Stelle scooped her up like a mascot, cradling her with unreserved affection.

Welt, satisfied with the group's well-being, spoke warmly. "Seeing you all in good spirits puts my mind at ease."

"So why the sudden visit, Uncle Welt?" March 7th asked, her curiosity piqued.

Before Welt could answer, Dan Heng stepped in.

"It was my idea," the stoic young man said, arms crossed. "I informed Welt and Himeko that your mental state might require evaluation."

"Wow, way to sugarcoat it," March muttered, puffing her cheeks. "You could at least try to phrase it more nicely—like Nahida! She's adorable, soft-spoken, and a delight to chat with!"

Dan Heng remained unmoved. "Unfortunately, I lack the ability to alter my form or mannerisms. My responsibilities don't include providing emotional comfort."

March pouted, swinging her fists playfully in frustration.

"Ugh, fine! I get it! But seriously, Dan Heng, you're such a buzzkill. You're young—why do you sound like such a grumpy old man? Loosen up!"

Her casual remark struck a nerve, Dan Heng's gaze clouding with a subtle melancholy.

Sensing the tension, Welt stepped in to diffuse the situation.

"That's enough, March. You know Dan Heng means well."

"Y-Yeah," March murmured, twirling a strand of her hair as guilt flickered across her face.

Dan Heng turned his attention elsewhere, but the sadness lingering in his eyes didn't escape March's notice. She bit her lip, silently regretting her thoughtless words.

Welt, ever the peacemaker, spoke gently.

"Why don't you two take some time to talk things over later? For now, let's focus on the matter at hand."

Adjusting his glasses, he continued, "When Dan Heng contacted me, I initially thought Himeko would be better suited to come down. She has strengths in areas I lack. But considering the possibility of force being required, Himeko agreed to remain on standby aboard the Express."

"Force? Wait, Uncle Welt, you're not thinking of blasting the Demon King's castle to bits, are you?" March exclaimed, eyes wide.

"If the situation truly escalates to that extent, then yes, my answer would be: 'We will.'"

Welt's voice was calm but resolute as he addressed the group.

"You're all important members of the Astral Express crew. Himeko and I see you as our younger companions to guide and protect. Especially you, March—Himeko has been worried about you ever since she heard about what happened. Can I ask you to have a private talk with her soon?"

"I will!"

March's reply was immediate, her voice carrying genuine warmth. She wouldn't brush off such familial concern with flippant words.

"That's good to hear," Welt said with a nod. "I doubt she'll keep you waiting too long. Who knows, you might even see her when I return to the Express."

Leaving that little teaser, Welt shifted the conversation to another pressing matter.

"Now, that's one of the reasons I came down. The other concerns the Stellaron. Do you have any leads on its whereabouts?"

"We've been working on a strategy," Dan Heng replied, his posture straightening as he spoke. "The plan is to take on commissions, build our reputation as top-tier adventurers, and eventually gain the trust of this world's nations. Once we've secured their cooperation, we'll leverage their resources to locate the Stellaron.

"The nations here could also serve as a check against the Demon King's army, reducing the need for us to split our focus."

March, ever eager to contribute, pointed at Nahida—currently nestled against Stelle's shoulder. "It was Nahida's idea! She's not just cute; she's also brilliant!"

Welt glanced at Nahida with a flicker of amusement. "The approach is sound," he affirmed. "But remember, time is still a factor. A Stellaron might take a while to fully corrupt a planet, but the longer it remains active, the more suffering it brings. If you need Himeko's or my help, don't hesitate to ask."

With his main points addressed, Welt leaned back slightly, his tone inviting. "That's everything I needed to say. Do any of you have questions for me?"

Nahida immediately raised a hand, her childlike enthusiasm lighting up the room. "I have a question! What do you think of this world's gods, Uncle Welt?"

Her innocent curiosity stirred a nostalgic smile on Welt's face. It reminded him of his days as a teacher. But Nahida's question wasn't just a casual inquiry—it struck at the heart of the team's mission and the broader implications of their presence on this world.

After a moment of thought, Welt gave a measured answer.

"That depends on what you believe they are."

He paused, looking around the room to encourage reflection.

"Probably not 'good gods,'" March muttered, shaking her head. "I mean, they're leaving people's fates to a roll of the dice. How's that fair?"

"But they're not entirely malevolent either," Dan Heng countered.

Welt nodded at Dan Heng's observation. "Indeed. Good and evil are human concepts, shaped by our values. For the gods of this world—primordial beings who existed long before humanity—those terms likely hold little meaning.

"Some gods may cherish their creations, while others see them as mere playthings. For these deities, the mortals of this world are pieces in a game—sometimes cherished, often expendable.

"If the Astral Express intervenes to depose such gods, we must consider what comes next. What standard will we use to determine which gods should be removed? And who will fill the void they leave behind?"

His words hung heavily in the air.

"When the balance of this world's eternal game shatters, the resulting backlash could plunge it into chaos. Is the destruction of these gods truly in the world's best interest? Or will it simply leave its people worse off?"

The room grew quiet as the team mulled over these questions. Welt's gaze shifted to Stelle and Nahida, inviting their input.

"I'm not great with thinking," Stelle admitted, her voice steady. "But if it's something like those goblins, then whether it's their rules or the gods themselves, I'll break them."

Her blunt determination drew a slight smile from Welt. Her perspective was straightforward, perhaps reckless—but not without merit.

Nahida, by contrast, took a more methodical approach.

"There's a saying where I come from: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. Maybe we could establish something here, like a Hall of Wisdom?

"It could guide people to uncover the world's hidden truths for themselves, achieving what was once considered 'divine authority.' That might be a better solution in the long run."

Her idea was ambitious, yet practical, and Welt couldn't help but feel heartened by her insight.

"You all make valid points," he said warmly. "Himeko and I share a similar outlook. Ultimately, our priority is recovering the Stellaron. As for interfering with this world's gods, let's tread lightly. A subtle touch often works better than brute force."

After leaving his parting advice, Welt rose to take his leave.

March let out a small sigh of disappointment. "I was hoping we could show you around town, Uncle Welt! There's so much cool stuff to see!"

"Perhaps next time," Welt replied with a chuckle.

Dan Heng remained unbothered, confident the Express's star charts would ensure they could return whenever necessary.

But as Welt departed, a new group entered the conference room.

At the forefront was the elf archer from earlier, accompanied by a dwarf and a lizardman. Their group represented an allied task force, assigned to handle missions too minor to warrant full state intervention but too significant to ignore.

The elf archer wasted no time.

"We've discovered a large ancient ruin near the border," she began. "Normally, this wouldn't require your attention—our original candidate for the job was Orcbolg.

"But when we arrived in town, we heard your exploits being sung in taverns. Out of curiosity and efficiency, we decided to investigate your group instead. My apologies for intruding."

Her gaze lingered on the Astral Squad, her expression skeptical as she surveyed the non-elven members.

"These are my friends and protectors," Nahida interjected smoothly. "Please extend them the same trust you have in me."

Using her assumed status as "Fairy Royalty," Nahida deftly defused the situation.

Relieved, the archer nodded respectfully before returning to her original proposal.

"In that case, would you consider accompanying us to the Elven Forest? We can offer you greater protection, and the Fairy Court is prepared to arrange your coronation ceremony as soon as possible."

Nahida blinked in confusion. "Coronation? For what reason?"

The elf archer's voice filled with reverence.

"Because every elf who lays eyes on you instinctively knows—you are destined to be the next Guardian of the World Tree!"

"...Eh?"

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T/N: I wonder how long Venti will take Nahida's form (also i made it so that they just refer to him as Nahida :o)

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-With love, Nahida 🌱