Chapter 43 - Return to the Surface (Trash Can Syndrome)

"By the way, where did Bronya go? Why don't I see her?"

Looking around, Stelle suddenly realized someone was missing.

"Bronya… she chose to return to the surface by herself first. She seemed to be in a real hurry and wouldn't let me go with her, no matter what I said."

Seele threw her hands up, looking a bit helpless.

"What? She went back to the surface on her own? Isn't that really dangerous?" March asked in surprise.

"There was nothing I could do. She said she had a reason she absolutely had to go back for. I couldn't stop her."

Seele glanced back at the furnace core behind her, her heart filled with worry.

"Is that so…"

Wende lowered his head in thought. This part matched the original story again… Should he call it… damn fate?

"Oh, right. She also left a letter for you all."

Seele produced a letter from somewhere and handed it to Wende.

Opening the envelope, the elegant handwriting conveyed Bronya's determination to them all. In the letter, Bronya also recommended the Landau siblings to them, stating that this handwritten letter would be enough to secure their help.

Due to the Express crew's delayed arrival and Wende's influence, the team had not yet met the Landau siblings, making Bronya's personal letter especially important now.

"Let's go. The more we delay, the more variables there will be," Dan Heng stated bluntly.

And so, under Sampo's guidance, the group set off on the path to the Overworld.

Along the way, Sampo made a point of emphasizing one person in particular: the sister of the current Silvermane Guards Commander, the former best friend of the Great Guardian, a scientist of Belobog, and the owner of the mechanics workshop, Serval Landau.

"You little rascal, you're at it again, aren't you?" Wende thought, rolling his eyes internally at Sampo's constant hints.

With Bronya pulling the strings and Sampo providing the hints, it seemed their only option now was to seek out the Landau siblings.

Watching the "guards" she had stirred up with her words, "Cocolia" descended from the podium with a smile.

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, "Cocolia" returned to Qlipoth Fort, where a familiar figure had been waiting for a long time.

"Mother…"

Looking at the familiar yet strange Cocolia, Bronya's eyes were filled with a mix of hesitation and resolve.

"Bronya… my daughter, you've finally returned."

"Cocolia" looked at Bronya with a blank expression and slowly walked toward the desk on the upper platform.

"You… You are not Lady Cocolia! Who are you!"

Staring at the emotionless "stranger" before her, Bronya instantly raised her rifle and aimed it at Cocolia, but her finger rested behind the trigger.

"Who am I?"

"Cocolia" smiled down at Bronya.

"I… am your mother…"

"!"

"Clang…"

The rifle fell to the floor. Bronya's pupils trembled, and her gaze gradually became dazed.

"Bronya… don't you want to witness the truth? Come… come…"

The bewitching voice echoed in Bronya's mind. "Cocolia's" eyes were so profound… "It's" voice whispered in Bronya's ear…

The moment they entered the Overworld, Wende and March 7th exchanged a look of perfect understanding.

"Err… Wende? March? What are you two doing?"

Stelle looked confusedly at the two of them, who had each grabbed one of her arms.

"Obviously, we're afraid you'll lose control of your hands again and go rummaging through the trash cans!" March said with great seriousness.

"And flipping through mailboxes, shaking streetlights, picking up papers people dropped on the ground, randomly eating things off the street, and so on and so forth."

Wende counted off Stelle's greatest sins on his fingers.

"Huh? I did not!"

Stelle tried to argue, but was promptly treated to two of Wende's lightning needles. A jolt shot through her body, and her eyes suddenly cleared up. Her entire demeanor changed, as if she had attained some kind of enlightenment.

"It really works! Xianzhou medical arts are truly as amazing as the legends say!" March exclaimed, looking in amazement at the now listless Stelle.

"But of course. This technique was specifically invented to deal with certain brats who have far too much energy," Wende said with a sigh, recalling how his Master often used this trick on him to make him sit down and read his medical texts.

"Ah… so boring. Let's just go. I wanna go to the pier and get some fries," Stelle said, her eyes dull and gray, looking for all the world like she had given up on life.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Where would Belobog have a pier?" Seele looked in confusion at Stelle, who had entered Sage Mode.

"Err… this pier isn't a pier in the traditional sense, but rather…"

Dan Heng tried to explain Stelle's current state, but after thinking it over, he gave up.

"So what is it! Finish your sentence!"

Seeing Dan Heng's hesitant look, Seele was about to burst from impatience.

"Err… rather than focusing on that, there's actually something more worthy of our attention," Wende said, looking around and stroking his chin as he reminded the group.

"Indeed. That matter does seem more noteworthy," Dan Heng nodded in agreement.

"Ooh~ If I'm not mistaken…"

Seeing the look on their faces, March nodded with understanding.

"As expected… that scoundrel Sampo has run off again," Seele said, palming her forehead in resignation. Although she was used to it by now… how should she put it? He really was an expert at running away.

[Ahhh♂~ I got zapped by Wende! It feels so good! Tingly and numb!]

[I no longer have any worldly desires (sad).]

[Nooo! My trash cans! Why… why must you separate us so cruelly! The pain! It's too much!]

[How could this happen? I can no longer dote on my 'Consort Trash' and 'Noble Lady Mailbox'!]

[Your Majesty, the imperial cart is ready!]

[So this is… forced Sage Mode! How terrifying!]

[This is just Dad not wanting you to overindulge. It's for your own good, kiddo!]

[Why is rummaging through trash cans considered overindulgence?!]

Fanyin silently watched the cutscene end, then moved her character toward the nearest trash can.

[This is a trash can. You have no desire to open it.]

[It's over! I'm impotent!]

[So why were you getting horny for a trash can in the first place!!]

[Huh? Horny for who? Oh right, for Wende! Hehe! My Wende! Rail me!]

[You know what, maybe it's better if you stick to getting horny for trash cans…]

[Aaaah! This is the worst my trash can addiction has ever been! Please! Just let me open one! I feel… I feel like there are ants crawling all over me!!!]

"Oh no, I really can't open them!"

Staring at the untouchable trash cans, Fanyin suddenly felt an itch deep in her bones, like she was experiencing withdrawal from something…

"This is bad! It's Trash Can Syndrome!"