Chapter 61 - Reunion in the Overworld

"Welcome back, heroes who saved Belobog."

Bronya smiled as she walked up to greet the group, then inadvertently glanced at the lightning needle stuck in the back of Stelle's neck...

"Uh... this..."

Looking at Stelle, who was waving at her as if nothing was wrong, Bronya was at a loss and turned to Serval for help.

"Er..."

Serval looked at the seemingly painless Stelle with a dark expression, then stepped forward to help Bronya out of the awkward situation.

"You're finally back! We've prepared a banquet for you in Qlipoth Fort, a little something to welcome our great heroes and wash away the dust of their journey!" Serval said to the Trailblaze party with a smile.

"Yay! We can finally eat something! That black bread was making me waste away!"

Recalling the black bread from the Underworld, March 7th shook her head frantically. It was simply too terrifying!

"March... never mind."

Seeing March's cheerful expression, Dan Heng wanted to tell her not to get her hopes up too high. But seeing the little stars in her eyes, he decided it was better not to say anything...

"Er..."

Seeing March 7th's excitement, Serval could only offer an awkward smile.

It should be... better than black bread, right? Serval thought, somewhat uncertainly.

"Everyone, it's been a while."

Just then, Natasha and Seele walked over, followed by Clara and Hook. Since these two children had also grown up underground and had never seen the blue sky, Natasha had brought them along.

"Big Sister March 7th! And... Trash Can Big Sis!"

"Eh? Trash Can Big Sis?"

Feeling March's pointed stare, Stelle gave an awkward laugh.

Hook energetically ran between March 7th and Stelle, linking her arms with theirs.

"Look! The sky is blue!" Hook pointed up at the sky, as if sharing a precious treasure.

"Hook..."

Watching the scampering Hook, Natasha's face was filled with a warm smile.

This child really tugged at your heartstrings without even trying. Today, she would let her play to her heart's content. And as for herself... she should also relax a little.

(Meanwhile, Oleg, still handling work in the Underworld: Achoo!)

"How are things in the Underworld now?"

Watching the three girls playing around, Wende asked Natasha with a smile.

"Mm, the situation in the Underworld has improved a lot. We came this time to discuss the future development plans for the Underworld with the next Great Guardian," Natasha replied with a smile, her gaze shifting to Bronya.

"Miss Natasha... I..."

Bronya hesitated. Was she... was she truly ready?

"Bronya, you are the only candidate to be the Great Guardian. Although this is a heavy burden for you... the fate of the Overworld and Underworld, the fate of all of Belobog, is now in your hands."

Natasha's voice was gentle. This child was the Architects' only hope.

"Don't worry, you still have us, right?" Serval patted Bronya's shoulder.

"Clara also thinks Big Sister Bronya can do it. Mr. Svarog has already analyzed it; Big Sister Bronya is Belobog's hope!" Clara's small face was full of earnestness as she looked at Bronya.

"Commander Bronya... no, Great Guardian, the Silvermane Guards will always be your shield!" Pela gave Bronya a solemn military salute. If it was Lady Bronya, she would definitely lead Belobog to a brighter future!

"Everyone..."

Bronya's eyes glistened. Seeing everyone believe in her so firmly, what reason did she have to refuse?

"Don't worry, I'll help you run errands between the Overworld and Underworld. Looks like we'll be arguing a lot in the future," Seele joked coolly at Bronya.

Reality

In Sister Guoguo's livestream:

[Belobog should stabilize now, right? The passage between the Overworld and Underworld is open, and the problems with the Cold Wave and the Fragmentum have been solved.]

[No, there are still many problems, but for them, they are no longer insurmountable.]

[It's a good ending!]

[Happy ending!]

[Hey, hey, hey! This is only the first chapter! Don't get too excited!]

[Yeah, yeah! According to the miHoYo Law, the first few chapters are always nice and heartwarming, but there's bound to be a big tragic twist later!]

[Hah, is that all? What else could possibly hurt me! I am a Captain, forged in a thousand fires, with bones of steel!]

["Mei-senpai... I don't want to..."]

[Hello, it's me, I spoke too loudly. Please, I beg you, don't do this!]

[Is that all? (sunglasses)]

["Lift their veils!" (tears in eyes)]

While the viewers were chattering about this and that, our Sister Guoguo had already started frantically writing a script, preparing for her next big project!

"Bros, that's all for today's stream. I've been struck by inspiration!"

[???]

[Huh?? You're not done streaming!]

[Don't! Don't end it here! Finish the story, hey!]

"The stream has been disconnected"

[????]

The Next Day

The famous "upright" analysis streamer, Sister Guoguo, released a new video.

"On Wende"

Yes, it was a video that sounded very serious by its title, but was in fact an unhinged rant about Wende from start to finish...

However, even the most outrageous script, when delivered in Sister Guoguo's "upright" voice and impassioned tone, became both "serious" and "not-so-serious."

After analyzing the origins of 5-star Wende's outfit and the designer's "painstaking effort," Sister Guoguo began to reveal her true colors.

"Ah~ Wende! How I long to roam across your broad pectoral muscles, to gently caress your muscles with my hand, to test whether they are hard or soft!"

"Ah! I am a devout believer in the Church of Wende! I will proclaim Wende's supremacy to the world!"

"His every move is filled with a father's love, like a deity descended to earth to heal all our pain. He is the merciful Father! He is my one and only Lord!"

The deep and fervent female voice held a hidden, primal urge. Paired with the song "In the Name of the Father," the entire video's comment section and live chat were flooded with two words.

"Wende-men."

We who believe in Wende, all convince others with virtue (Wende)!

[Ding, received 500 Player Favorability. Progress to unlocking 5-star level: 8010/10000]

Wende, who was currently eating in Qlipoth Fort, was completely baffled.

Who! Who was doing what in the real world now? Why did it suddenly go up?!

And you, system, are you squeezing toothpaste over there?! Squeeze out a little more for me!!

Wende roared internally, but his expression remained calm as he forked a piece of bread he could actually pierce and put it in his mouth.

Mm... sour and bitter.