Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

"Hm? So you're all here. I was just about to ask Mimiya to go find you."

Himeko's voice drifted in from the hallway, her gaze carrying its usual gentle warmth.

Beside her was Mimiya, her cheeks slightly flushed. She appeared momentarily surprised to see everyone gathered, but soon recovered.

"Huh? Were you all woken up by the noise outside?"

After some thought, Mimiya concluded this might be the only plausible explanation. Her shy demeanor shifted into determination as she rolled up her sleeves, ready to go out and quiet whoever was causing the disturbance.

"Ah, not at all. It's just that Stelle got curious about the commotion outside, right? Right?"

Venti pulled Stelle up from the floor with a comical grin plastered on his face.

Stelle, drained of enthusiasm, resembled a marionette in the young bard's hands, her mouth moving up and down with a faint, mechanical "clack clack" sound.

"Well then, as honored guests, we can't let everyone wait too long, can we? The banquet is calling us!"

Though Venti's smile was natural, there was an oddly puppet-like aura about him. Combined with Stelle's nodding and blinking in sync with his movements, it gave the impression of the two performing a surreal comedy act.

---

This peculiar mood lasted until everyone entered the banquet hall.

The banquet wasn't particularly crowded. Most of the notable figures had either fled with their families or returned to the heart of the kingdom under the guise of seeking reinforcements, avoiding the West's escalating conflict with the Demon King's army.

While this might seem dishonorable, it wasn't entirely unhelpful. Had they stayed until the Demon King's forces breached the borders, the monsters certainly wouldn't have bothered with ransoms or sparing prisoners.

Thus, the remaining attendees included the Border Marquis, his aides, a handful of adventurers who had earned military merits, and a suspended guild inspector.

In groups of three or five, they clustered together, most of their discussions revolving around the exploits of the Hero's party and the Elven Princess.

The Border Marquis didn't question why Venti hadn't revealed his true identity. He understood that the princess was an exalted figure, the savior of the borderlands, and that her party was possibly the strongest combat force in the coalition.

Moreover, the princess had acted on her own initiative to protect the city the night before. Concealing her appearance was likely due to unavoidable reasons. It would've been improper to demand more from her, especially since her presence at the banquet was already a gracious gesture.

"Everyone, I trust you rested well last night?"

The Marquis stepped forward with a polite smile. The other aides with their wives or daughters in tow could only watch enviously.

Of course, they too wished to curry favor with the Hero's party. If sending their wives or daughters to ingratiate themselves would help, they wouldn't hesitate.

Unfortunately, this wasn't their show. Overstepping their bounds could result in severe consequences, especially given the Marquis's iron grip on politics, which kept the city intact despite prolonged siege.

Thus, they wisely held their positions, serving as supporting characters to the protagonists.

"We appreciate your concern, Marquis. Everyone rested well," Himeko replied, maintaining her role as the spokesperson for the party.

Her response, along with nods from her companions, made it clear that she was the face of the group.

This drew even more attention to her, with the Marquis raising his expectations further.

"That's good to hear. If our kingdom's heroes had been treated poorly, I would have to personally seek the princess's forgiveness."

The Marquis joked lightly and raised his glass, formally praising the Hero's party for their military achievements.

The atmosphere became lively. After months of tension, everyone was eager to seize this opportunity to unwind.

Amid the revelry, Himeko and the Marquis moved on to more serious matters.

"Well then, Lord Marquis, we'd like to discuss some matters regarding the other battlefronts. Could we speak in private?"

The Marquis was momentarily surprised. It would've been logical for Himeko to mingle with the city's factions to build alliances and secure profits for her merchant guild.

Instead, she prioritized battlefield strategy, a choice mirrored by the party's disinterest in boasting about their recent victories.

Though surprised, the Marquis quickly recovered and gestured politely.

"Of course, please—"

As they departed, the remaining guests speculated about the discussion.

Venti, meanwhile, had been enjoying himself at the banquet, guzzling wine with an unbothered demeanor. Despite his casual attitude, no one dared look down on him.

Those present understood the Hero's party's prestigious status. Allowing Venti to indulge without interruption was considered the wisest course of action.

However, when Venti casually followed the Marquis's group, wine glass in hand, many wondered if they should try to win his favor.

In the meeting room, the Marquis was straightforward.

"The Demon King's army has lost about two-fifths of its forces along the western front. Our troops are in the midst of cleanup operations. Thanks to the Silver Branch's efforts last night, the remaining monsters should soon be reduced to scattered remnants."

"I see. That should alleviate some of the pressure on the other fronts. Still, with the Demon King's main forces entrenched on the eastern front, we can't afford to delay," Himeko replied.

The Marquis's smile froze. Were these merchants truly so insatiable that even such a victory wasn't enough?

Or was it that their moral integrity surpassed his expectations?

Before he could adjust his strategy, Himeko asked, "By the way, the Silver Branch hasn't returned since last night. I'm concerned. Do you know where he might have gone?"

Though Himeko's tone suggested concern, the Marquis suspected there was no genuine affection behind it. Was her worry merely for the party's sake?

Regardless, given the Silver Branch's role as a key ally and his remarkable appearance, the Marquis couldn't help but wonder about their connection. Could they be relatives?

As he mulled over this, the sound of boots echoed from the hallway. The Silver Branch entered, his pristine silver-and-gold armor gleaming, unscathed despite a night of relentless combat.

"Himeko, I have returned," he said, bowing gracefully. Rose petals seemed to drift from nowhere, his movements exuding ritualistic beauty.

"Ugh, where did this overly dramatic guy come from?" March 7 muttered, rubbing her arms as though warding off chills.

Dan Heng, standing beside her, whispered, "Did you forget? Venti mentioned yesterday that Himeko brought a guest."

"Oh… oh! Now I remember! He's the guy who single-handedly shredded an entire battlefront, right?"

March 7 squinted at the knight, sizing him up. The knight, catching her whispered commentary, turned and responded with a warm, gentle smile that lacked any hint of offense. If anything, his smile grew even brighter, as though pleased to have earned her acknowledgment.

What a strange man, she thought, utterly unable to put him into words.

As March 7 searched for validation from her companions, she noticed Venti staring at the knight with an intensity she rarely saw, muttering under his breath, "Too similar… far too similar."

Meanwhile, Stelle had become Venti's silent accessory, almost as if she'd been unplugged entirely.

Noticing the group's blatant behavior, Himeko sighed in exasperation, speaking as if chiding children.

"March, I don't recall ever teaching you such 'proper' manners for a lady."

March 7 immediately put on her best guilty face. "Sorry, Himeko…" But her eyes continued darting toward the knight in thinly veiled curiosity.

The way she only "sort of" apologized left Himeko at a loss. Turning to the knight, Himeko addressed him with sincerity.

"I must apologize for their behavior, Silver Branch. This is their first time meeting a knight of legend. Please forgive their rudeness."

"There's no need for apologies," Silver Branch replied, shaking his head lightly. His gaze was earnest, his smile as dazzling as sunlight on snow.

"Indeed, if anyone has been rude, it is I, for failing to introduce myself properly until now."

Straightening his posture, the knight glanced at everyone, his every move deliberate and poised.

"I am Silver Branch, a proud member of the Pure Beauty Knights in service to Idreila the Pure. It is my honor to meet you, brave Trailblazers."

The Border Marquis, though unable to understand all of the knight's peculiar terminology, could sense that both sides had much to discuss. Recognizing the need to adjust her approach, she excused herself politely, leaving the group to their deliberations.

For the Marquis, personal ambition came second to making the most of this opportunity. Earlier, she'd observed Venti drinking like a fish—despite appearing as a youthful girl, no less. As someone privy to his true identity, she concluded this form might be why he'd chosen not to show his true face at the banquet.

Satisfied with her reasoning, the Marquis departed quickly, determined to secure favor and turn it into future opportunities.

With her exit, the remaining group was free to turn their attention to other matters.

---

"It seems I wasn't imagining it. This planet indeed operates under something akin to provisional systems."

Himeko gazed at the empty seat left by the Marquis, her expression thoughtful.

March 7 scratched her head, looking puzzled. "What's a provisional system?"

"They're rules enforced under specific circumstances or in designated areas," Dan Heng explained. "While they're as omnipresent as air, they subtly influence people at all times."

March 7 blinked at him, her face blank.

With a resigned sigh, Dan Heng ceded the explanation to Himeko. She smiled warmly and elaborated.

"Put simply, provisional systems are like the unspoken rules we follow on the Astral Express. They can also manifest as societal taboos or topics 'not to be mentioned.' In some cases, their influence extends to entire planets."

"Ohhh… I think I get it?" March 7 tried to keep up, eager not to seem completely lost.

"Exactly. Though these rules only apply in specific contexts, they undeniably exist. If my guess is correct, the people of this planet's lack of reaction to the concept of 'Aeons' likely stems from divine interference."

Himeko's tone was patient, but the implications were unsettling.

"Huh? Is that so? I didn't notice anything…"

"No, March. This phenomenon was apparent from the moment we arrived."

Dan Heng recalled when March 7 had used her abilities after their arrival. The locals had unanimously attributed it to the miracles of the Earth Mother's faith.

Even when Silver Branch had introduced himself earlier, the Marquis's reaction wasn't one of ignorance but genuine incomprehension, as though the terms he used didn't exist in her frame of reference.

Even Mimiya, who had quietly listened throughout the conversation, wore a perplexed expression. It was clear she didn't grasp what was being discussed, yet she refrained from asking questions.

Despite the fact that some inhabitants weren't entirely unaware of the cosmos beyond their world, when it came to the concept of Aeons, their understanding seemed stunted—reduced to associations with their existing pantheon.

This extended even to figures like the Elven Queen, who should have had some knowledge of the Abundance, yet never referred to it in terms typically associated with the Aeons.

The phenomenon was undeniably peculiar. What exactly had those chess-playing deities done? And why?

Himeko, at least, felt she was beginning to unravel the mystery.

---

T/N: (morax millionaire has been reuploaded under the title of Contracts Beyond Realms: The Geo Archon's Journey id appreciate it if you can put it in your collections again pwetty please)

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