Once everyone had gathered,
Oleg smiled and said:
"Haha, now that we're all here, I'll get straight to the point."
He looked at Zeig, Dan Heng, and March 7th:
"Mr. Zeig, regarding what you mentioned last time about the Stellaron and your experiences in the Overworld—while you were away, these two young people went over it with me again."
Oleg recalled the encounters Dan Heng and March 7th had described, feeling deeply emotional:
"Sigh, the last time I saw Cocolia, she was still a strong-willed little girl… I never imagined after becoming the Guardian…"
When he noticed Bronya was also listening, he immediately toned down his words:
"Um… let's just say, I sympathize with what you went through. Rest assured—Wildfire doesn't stab people in the back."
Dan Heng and March 7th nodded subtly in response.
While Zeig was heading to Rivet Town,
the two of them had woken up shortly after and spent the whole time talking with Oleg. From his words, both felt he was extremely sincere.
Oleg said frankly:
"Though your plan sounds about as realistic as a drunk miner's ramblings, at least it points a direction. The people of the Underworld have long had nowhere to go. Things have reached this point—I'd rather take a gamble on you!"
March 7th said confidently:
"Don't worry, uncle—we'll prove you didn't put your faith in the wrong people!"
("Uh, what time does the meeting end? I'm so sleepy…" Zeig's voice came from the crowd.)
Oleg's lips curved upward as he said solemnly:
"Good! Then let's think long-term. You want to know the Stellaron's whereabouts, and we in Wildfire want to lift the Underworld's lockdown!"
"In other words, our target is the same—Svarog! Without dealing with that 'big shot,' everything else is just talk!"
(Bronya said softly: "Executor, I'm sleepy too, but it seems we're setting off right after the meeting. We won't have time to nap.")
Dan Heng touched his chin and nodded in agreement:
"Exactly. We need him on our side."
Seele laughed as if she'd heard something hilarious:
"Heh, he's just a robot—a lump of iron. What would he understand? Just smash that scrap metal and be done with it!"
("Commander… help… My eyelids are fighting each other…!" Zeig's voice was hoarse.)
Oleg's gaze grew resolute:
"That's right—we need to prepare for both possibilities! Peaceful resolution is best, of course, but if things change, we must always be ready to use force!"
"Wildfire has tried contacting Svarog multiple times, but we've been shut out every time. That guy has no intention of talking to us!"
"With our strength, going hard carries huge risks. Svarog's robots aren't afraid of sacrifice, but I don't want to gamble with the lives of Underworld citizens."
("Executor, hey… don't sleep here—wake up…!" Bronya nudged him, but to no avail.)
("zzzZZZ…")
Oleg looked at everyone and suddenly smiled:
"But now it's different. Your arrival made even Svarog acknowledge the 'emergence of external variables.' Things have changed. I don't know the details, but maybe you have a chance to convince him!"
In an instant, everyone's hearts surged.
For Dan Heng and March 7th, they felt Wildfire's sincerity—at last, they weren't fighting alone like in the Overworld.
For Wildfire, the appearance of these outsiders was also an opportunity.
Whether it was Cocolia's lockdown order or Svarog's firm refusal to let them go to the Overworld, both weighed heavily on them.
Now, they finally saw hope of breaking the deadlock.
("zzzZZZ…")
("Executor, wake up! People are already looking this way…")
("…")
Oleg suddenly laughed loudly:
"Hahahaha! Look at us scheming? Thinking so beautifully! Sigh—once you actually reach Svarog's territory, you'll understand. Nothing ever goes that smoothly down here."
Under everyone's gazes,
Oleg's eyes turned to the soundly sleeping Zeig…
and to Bronya beside him.
His voice remained hearty:
"So, Silvermane girl? Among everyone here, you're the only one without a personal reason to fight Svarog to the bitter end. I'd like to hear your thoughts."
"Uh…"
Bronya glanced at the dead-asleep Zeig, then met Oleg's clear gaze with her own and said seriously:
"The Underworld is also part of Belobog. If Svarog's existence threatens the residents here, then naturally I stand with you."
"Hahahaha, excellent! Worthy of the girl who will shoulder the Guardian's mantle—such high awareness!"
Oleg was very satisfied with Bronya's answer. It reminded him of his own days as a Silvermane Guard.
Sigh, that felt so long ago.
("zzzZZZ…")
He looked at everyone and said excitedly: "Since we've united our front, there's no need to delay! Let's go—I've arranged a guide to take you to Svarog! Good luck, everyone!"
March 7th asked curiously:
"Aren't you coming?"
("zzzZZZ…")
Oleg smiled and shook his head:
"Wildfire has always been at odds with Svarog. If I go with you, it might cause misunderstandings and backfire. We'll stay on standby nearby! If things go wrong, Wildfire will charge in immediately!"
He looked at Seele:
"Seele, guide our off-world friends one more time!"
("zzzZZZ…")
"Leave it to me, chief."
"But Mr. Zeig seems to have no energy left." Oleg gazed at Zeig, who was sprawled asleep on the chair, feeling deeply helpless.
"zzzZZZ…"
March 7th immediately said:
"He's fine—just kick him and he'll wake up! Back when he was an OP, he could grind five days and nights straight no problem!"
With that, March 7th ran to Zeig's side and shook him vigorously.
"Wake up already—it's time to log in and clear stamina!" March 7th drew out her voice like coaxing a child.
Zeig still didn't wake. Under everyone's gazes, he only slowly mumbled:
"…Clear what… so grindy and stingy… I've been slacking for ages…"
March 7th: "…"
Seeing that didn't work, the girl continued tempting him:
"Then grind Honkai: Star Rail! Are both your teams built yet? Did you clear Forgotten Hall? How many Stellar Jades have you saved—aren't you pulling for Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae? You really have the face to sleep?"
Dan Heng: "…"
Zeig merely rolled over and continued mumbling:
"…Grind what… I've been in the grass for ages… That little content isn't enough for anyone…"
Seeing no success, March 7th's expression grew darker.
…
On the streets of Boulder Town,
March 7th pushed Zeig, seated in a wheelchair, forcibly setting out.
("zzzZZZ…")
He remained completely oblivious.
Traveling with them were Dan Heng, Bronya, and Seele.
Upon seeing the short figure of their contact, Seele froze: "Huh? Hook? I didn't expect the guide to be you!"
March 7th gripped the wheelchair handles in surprise:
"Hook, huh—this I really didn't see coming!"
Dan Heng glanced meaningfully at Hook, who was eating a lollipop:
"So that's it… the Moles are part of Wildfire too…"
Hearing the trio's exclamations, Hook immediately puffed up proudly:
"Y-yes, it's Pitch-Dark Hook the Great! Got business with me?!"
At that moment, the blue-haired man beside Hook grew unhappy.
Sampo said incredulously: "Wait? Clearly I'm the contact! Why are you all staring at the kid next to me?!"
"Wait—big bro? Big bro! Big bro, what's wrong big bro!!"
Seeing Zeig motionless in the wheelchair, Sampo hurriedly stepped forward to check.
But all he got was an emotionless response.
(zzzZZZ…)
Sampo: "…"
…