Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

"Before I share my thoughts, I'd like to hear some answers from all of you."

Himeko maintained her gentle smile, but the seriousness in her gaze was unmistakable.

"What do you think of this planet—or more specifically, the people living on this land?"

"Uh… that's quite the profound question to start with."

March 7 lightly tapped her cheek with her finger, her tone teasing but not entirely surprised by Himeko's inquiry.

"Haha, no need to be shy, everyone. Think of it as a reflection on our journey so far."

This wasn't the first time such a gathering had taken place. At the end of every expedition, Himeko would call a small meeting like this, encouraging the group to share their thoughts.

It was through this process that they gained a deeper understanding of each journey.

Some planets welcomed outsiders with open arms. Others were openly hostile. And many more existed where the concept of "visitors from the stars" remained purely hypothetical.

Finding the best path for exploration amid these variations was crucial.

"Hmm… I get what you're saying, but honestly, it feels like I've been the one leaning on everyone else this whole time. Ehehe~"

March 7 laughed sheepishly, looking a little embarrassed about what she was about to say.

But with everyone's encouraging and expectant gazes fixed on her, she straightened her posture slightly, speaking with a mix of bashfulness and sincerity.

"Well, I don't really get the deep stuff, but when people cheer for us, I feel happy!"

"I know it sounds a little vain and doesn't really match why we set out in the first place, but after seeing so much along the way, I don't think it's strange to feel this way, right?"

She paused, as if savoring the emotions swirling in her heart.

"Whether it's the people who need our help, or the adventures that make every stop unique, I want to keep going—one step at a time—until we reach the end."

"…"

For a moment, the room fell silent.

March 7 looked around nervously, wondering if she'd said something wrong. She let out a nervous laugh. "Uh… did I just totally overthink things?"

"No, no, it's just… surprising, is all. For someone like March 7 to say something so insightful—really impressive!"

Venti was the first to clap, and soon a ripple of applause followed.

Among them, Silver Branch's applause stood out, resounding with fervor. His gaze was full of admiration, as if March 7's seemingly simple yet genuinely kind sentiments perfectly embodied his aesthetic ideals.

Even Himeko wore an expression of parental pride, as if she were watching her child mature.

March 7 fidgeted under the sudden wave of attention. Their reactions left her at a complete loss, so much so that she didn't even bother to scold Venti for teasing her. Instead, she pointed at Stelle, who was smiling and clapping along while murmuring something like "Congratulations."

Does she think I've never seen Evangelion before?

"Anyway, I'm not the only one here! You guys need to pitch in too—hurry up! I still need to snap some pictures for the memories!"

March 7 placed Stelle in the spotlight, lifting her camera to her chest as she gestured for her to speak.

"Uh… same here?"

"What?"

"What March said just now."

"Hey! That's cheating! At least try coming up with something yourself!"

Stelle blinked, pretending to ponder for a moment. Then she turned to Himeko and asked, "Can I phone a friend?"

"Seeking help from companions is also part of the journey. Of course you can," Himeko replied warmly.

"In that case… Teacher Dan Heng?"

"...I don't have much to add. Collect the Stellaron, resolve the crisis—nothing more."

The cold-faced young man, who had earlier shown some signs of being moved, now leaned back against the wall with his eyes closed. Only when Stelle addressed him did he open them, speaking in an indifferent tone.

"Hmm, feels like something's missing," Stelle mused.

She turned her gaze to Mimiya, prompting the latter to clear her throat dramatically, all the while signaling to Stelle with exaggerated expressions.

"What about you, Mimiya?"

"Heh, I'm neither as kindhearted as little March, nor as free from worldly desires as Dan Heng, but when it comes to adventures, it's only natural to conclude with a tale of heroes and Demon Kings!"

Mimiya's eyes sparkled as if she were proclaiming an unreachable dream.

"I want to be part of the team that truly writes this epic into existence!"

"Hmm… boldly showcasing ambition. Bonus points," Stelle quipped, pretending to evaluate her response like a seasoned critic.

Then, she turned to Venti, her gray eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Venti. Tell me your answer—"

"While I'd love to say your question is way too predictable, I suppose it's only fair since we're companions~"

The bard-like boy adopted a poetic tone, as though narrating a story.

"I'm the chronicler. Naturally, I need to stay with the adventurers, so I can spread our tale far and wide. Hehe!"

Stelle seemed to ponder his answer, her expression distant. It was as if a set of options had materialized in her mind, with a blank space waiting for her to input her final "choice."

"To help others with pure kindness; to hold steadfast to one's beliefs; to seek progress through ambition; to champion freedom through song. I want to do all of them."

Her gaze met Himeko's, resolute and brimming with determination as she conveyed her thoughts.

Yet her greedy answer did not displease Himeko. Instead, Himeko returned her gaze with a warm, approving smile.

"That's wonderful. Having goals that keep you from losing your way is a blessing."

In the past, Stelle had often lingered on the edges of the Astral Express, unable to find her place even after being accepted aboard. She had been plagued by uncertainty about her future.

Now, seeing her overcome that doubt and find a purpose to strive for, Himeko, as her senior, felt an immense sense of pride and relief.

"All of you have answered splendidly. I imagine even Welt will be surprised by how much you've grown when we return."

She acknowledged their answers, though it was evident her goal had already been accomplished the moment March 7 had given her heartfelt response.

"In that case, there's no need for me to maintain an air of mystery. I can tell you the hidden truths I've observed."

No longer keeping them in suspense, Himeko began sharing the insights she had pieced together during their time on the planet.

"First, have you noticed how the sky above us is different from that of other planets?"

"Hmm… different star systems mean different satellites, right? Isn't that normal?"

March 7 tilted her head, puzzled. Sure, the green and red moons in the sky were unusual, but she didn't find them that strange.

"No, March. What Himeko refers to as the 'sky' isn't simply the celestial bodies we see but a broader concept," Dan Heng interjected, aligning his thoughts with Himeko's explanation.

"If I'm not mistaken, Himeko is suggesting that the sky seen by the people of this planet isn't the real sky."

"Uh, hold on a second. Let me wrap my head around this…" Mimiya murmured, scratching her head. "Are you saying the moon, the sun, and even the stars are all fake?"

"Well… let me explain this in a way that's easier to grasp."

Himeko turned to Mimiya with a gentle smile.

"Do the Forestfolk have a tradition of watching plays? Or have you seen those stage performances they put on during festivals?"

"Oh, of course! Every year, our village hosts these plays during celebrations. They mostly retell old legends of heroes fighting monsters."

At the mention of this, Mimiya's eyes lit up with understanding.

"Think of the sky we're discussing as the backdrop of a stage play," Himeko explained. "The sun, the sky, and everything else up there—just scenery painted onto the set."

Her straightforward analogy clicked instantly with Mimiya.

"So… you're saying those old stories about gods drawing the curtain to change day into night and shift the seasons—those were true?"

Her imagination, nurtured by years of reading idle books in the Forestfolk's libraries, spiraled into overdrive as she posed the question.

"Well… it's not quite like that, but on this planet, what you're suggesting might just be part of the truth," Himeko said cryptically.

"But regardless of how it works, now that you understand this, you should also grasp the implication."

"Yeah… If even the sky above us is fake, then what are we, the people living in this world? Puppets? Pawns of the gods?"

Mimiya frowned, falling into a mental rabbit hole.

"No," Venti interjected, his voice unusually serious. "Even if this is a drama being played on repeat, I can guarantee the people here aren't fictional. They're real beings, living in a real world. And besides—"

He paused, his expression uncharacteristically complex, a blend of thoughtfulness and doubt that rarely appeared on his carefree face.

"The gods veiling the true sky beyond with a false one might not necessarily be an act of malice or amusement."

"If they were truly that wicked, this world would be far more chaotic than it is now. Instead of cyclical disasters and tales of heroes defeating monsters, the fabric of existence would likely be unraveling entirely."

This perspective, Venti admitted, was one he had arrived at only after years of wandering, gaining a deeper understanding of the gods and the rules they imposed.

"Interesting," Himeko remarked, clearly intrigued. "What makes you think that?"

"To prove it definitively, we'd have to confront the gods themselves," Venti replied. "But this theory? It comes from something I've 'seen' or perhaps even 'experienced' before."

In the fragments of Barbatos's memories, Teyvat's false sky had served a similar purpose: a barrier to keep out intrusions from beyond. The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had done much to preserve the integrity of that world.

Even the Seven Archons, despite their ties to humanity and their own desires, had been forced to act as "gardeners," pruning away the ominous "blighted leaves" of human ambition that might draw calamity from outside.

"So, we're back to this: the gods aren't all good, but they're not entirely bad either."

"Ugh, wouldn't it be great if we could just ask them ourselves?"

March 7 scratched her head in frustration. Her pink hair swayed as she turned toward Silver Branch, who had been silently observing the conversation.

"Speaking of which, we haven't asked—why did you come to this planet, Sir Silver Branch?"

"I came in pursuit of the sacred relics of Idreila the Pure," he answered without hesitation. His response was unguarded, as this was common knowledge among the factions across the galaxy.

Though the Pure Beauty Knights had long splintered, their remnants continued to traverse the worlds, seeking Idreila's sacred artifacts. Despite all signs pointing to her fall, the records maintained by the Learned Society suggested that if her relics could be fully recovered, her unparalleled beauty might be restored.

Whether this referred to the resurrection of the Aeon of Beauty herself or merely the restoration of certain perfect artifacts remained a hotly debated topic within the Society. Either way, it was sufficient justification for his mission.

"And? Did you find it?" March 7 pressed.

"Regrettably, while the reports of a pure beauty statue were true, this world lacks any widespread faith in Idreila. I suspect it may be a remnant left behind by some of her followers from the past."

Silver Branch elaborated further, his tone calm but thoughtful.

"However, based on what you've said earlier, it's possible that the local gods resist the spread of foreign Aeon worship."

As a knight, he refrained from casting undue suspicion on others. However, his observations during his time here were telling. The divine name he invoked upon entering the city had been automatically suppressed, and even now, Mimiya, a native, remained oblivious to its significance.

It was a clear indication of some unseen "rules" at work in this world.

"So… how are we supposed to meet them?" Stelle asked, voicing her uncertainty.

"We won't need to look for them. They'll come to us."

Venti's mischievous grin returned as he looked at March 7. His gaze drew everyone's attention to her, leaving the pink-haired girl flustered.

"What's going on?"

"Did you forget what Fina called you when you used your power earlier?"

"Oh! Right!" March 7 exclaimed as the memory returned. "She called me something like… a bishop? And earlier, she even had me recite a prayer with her, and it actually worked! A miracle happened!"

Her sudden recollection left her momentarily stunned.

"Wait, does that mean we can already contact the Earth Mother?"

"It's worth a try, isn't it?" Venti said, his tone lighthearted but serious. "If we can clear things up, it'll save us a lot of trouble—even with the Demon King."

"So, should we try now?" Stelle asked eagerly.

"Do you still remember the prayer?"

"Uh… um…"

March 7 began racking her brain, recalling the events that had unfolded when they first arrived in Gretel Town. Their debut mission had been to deal with the Heretic Cult, which had threatened the town's safety and slain the great, ominous "Eyeball" beast.

During that mission, they had followed the priest's instructions and invoked a miracle of revelation.

If she wasn't mistaken, it went something like this:

"O merciful Earth Mother, grant us your guidance through the power of your great land, and lead us who are lost back to the right path—Revelation!"

As the white light of the Revelation miracle filled the room, March 7 found herself gazing into a heavenly radiance.

---

Reader, your presence signifies commitment.

To walk this path is to contribute to the pursuit of eternity.

If you wish to strengthen our resolve further, step forward:

[patreon.com/WiseTL].

Each action adds to the unyielding foundation of what we create. Together, we leave a mark that transcends the fleeting nature of time.

— Raiden Shogun