Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

"Look at them," March 7th whispered to Stelle as they walked side by side. "Everyone here seems so weighed down."

"Well, this is the frontlines," Stelle replied matter-of-factly, glancing briefly at their surroundings. "With the Demon Lord's army poised to launch another assault, it's not surprising."

The soldiers and adventurers lining the streets cast wary glances at the newcomers. Despite the Starbound Squad's efforts to adopt more localized attire, their air of quiet confidence and unshakable composure made them stand out.

Himeko, walking ahead alongside the knight captain, drew the most attention. Unlike the others, she hadn't bothered to disguise herself. Her regal bearing and noble attire turned heads wherever she went.

Her grace and beauty surpassed that of any woman most here had ever seen, and the respect the knight captain afforded her only reinforced her commanding presence.

This wasn't the safe, comfortable heart of the kingdom. In a place like this, a pretty face often spelled trouble. For Himeko to command such deference, especially from someone as important as the captain of the city's defenses, spoke volumes about her power—whether it came from her backing or her own abilities.

No one dared to provoke the group. Even hushed whispers died down as they passed, leaving Himeko free to gather information from the captain without interruption.

"Captain, has the evacuation of the city been completed?" she asked smoothly. "I've noticed that there are very few ordinary citizens left here."

The knight captain's face took on a bitter expression.

"You wouldn't know this, having just arrived at the frontlines," he began. "Most civilians have already fled. The only ones left are those too poor, too sick, or too bound by other circumstances to leave."

"I see. And what about supplies within the city?"

"There's almost nothing left in civilian hands. The lord's estate is barely managing to provide for the soldiers. If you'd arrived a week later, I'm afraid even they would have been out of options."

Himeko pressed her lips together, her concern evident. "Let's hope the supplies we've brought will offer some relief."

"With careful rationing, it should last until the next shipment arrives," the captain said, though his optimism was thin at best.

Their conversation carried them to the lord's manor. Two guards stood at the entrance, both armed but weary.

The knight captain paused his exchange with Himeko and approached the guards with a firm step.

"I'm the captain of the Second Defense Corps. I have urgent information to report to Lord Margrave."

The older of the two guards, a man with weathered features and deep lines etched into his face, nodded and patted his younger companion on the shoulder, motioning for him to deliver the message inside.

Once the younger guard departed, the older one straightened up and said evenly, "Please wait here, my lords and ladies."

"We don't mind," Himeko replied politely.

The wait wasn't long. Soon, the young guard returned with permission to enter. The knight captain went ahead to speak with the margrave, while the Trailblazers were escorted to a reception hall.

---

Behind a sturdy desk sat a woman with deep blue hair tied neatly back. Her features were androgynous, her expression weary.

Before her, several advisors stood engaged in a heated debate.

"We can't wait any longer!" one of them exclaimed. "I don't know why the Demon Lord's forces suddenly broke off their siege and withdrew, but it's clear they fear a desperate counterattack. We must seize this opportunity to secure the supply lines!"

"Secure the supply lines?" another advisor shot back. "And where, exactly, do you propose we pull the manpower for such an effort? The enemy may have retreated, but they're still circling us like wolves. If we spread our forces thin, they'll strike again, and then who will defend the city?"

"Besides," a third chimed in, their tone grim, "the roads are barely usable after the recent rains. Mud and debris make transporting goods nearly impossible. Add to that the intelligence leaks that exposed our defensive gaps—we're already hanging by a thread!"

The margrave massaged her temples as her advisors continued to argue.

The situation was dire. Unseasonable weather patterns—heat, cold, relentless rain—had disrupted every aspect of their operations. Keeping soldiers alive amidst these conditions was hard enough. Supplies were dwindling, and the failure of the recent assassination mission against the Demon General had further crushed morale.

It was at this tense moment that a brisk knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," the margrave called, silencing her advisors with a wave of her hand.

The knight captain stepped inside, saluting smartly.

"Lord Margrave," he began, his excitement barely contained, "Sunset City is saved!"

The room fell silent.

The margrave leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk and steepling her fingers under her chin.

"Calm yourself," she said evenly. "Explain."

"Yes, my lord!" The knight captain took a deep breath and began recounting what he had seen and heard.

The advisors, skeptical at first, exchanged increasingly incredulous looks as his story unfolded. Even the margrave, who had remained stoic, stood abruptly upon hearing the words "Fairy Queen."

"Are you certain of this?" she asked, her voice sharp.

The knight captain lowered his head solemnly. "I swear it on the name of the Highest God. If I've spoken a single falsehood, may I be condemned to the water prisons."

Had it not been for the earlier incident with the impostor, the knight captain might not have dared to believe the truth himself. But there was no reason for such an illustrious group to deceive them. If they sought fame or wealth, they could have stayed in the kingdom's heartlands, where opportunities were plentiful. Why risk their lives on the desolate frontlines?

"I see," the margrave murmured, taking a moment to compose herself. Then, decisively, she added, "Are they in the reception hall?"

"Yes, my lord. They await your audience."

The margrave rose from her seat, her advisors hurrying to follow as she strode toward the reception hall.

---

"Come on, don't be so grumpy. Just switch back for a bit! Just a little bit!"

March 7th tugged at Nahida's hand, her voice coaxing as though she were trying to cheer up a child.

"Come on, just for a little bit! It'll be fine, I promise!"

Nahida sighed deeply, looking resigned yet oddly endearing as she cast a helpless glance upward.

Atop her head, a gentle hand was stroking her hair—it was Himeko's.

Whether it was to save them the trouble of endless explanations or simply out of curiosity, Venti had complied with Himeko's request to change back into Nahida's appearance. This way, they could fully solidify the rumor that the Fairy Queen had indeed arrived at the frontlines.

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it," Himeko said with an amused smile. "How is it that Venti can go from being such an adorable boy to such an equally adorable girl?"

Her playful tone made Nahida look away, slightly flustered.

Meanwhile, Dan Heng and Stelle were thoroughly unfazed by the group's doting behavior. Nahida, as the team's unofficial "mascot," had long grown used to being showered with affection.

If Nahida ever returned to the Express in this form, poor Pom-Pom might lose their position as the train's beloved figurehead.

March 7th, emboldened by Himeko's approval, seemed dangerously close to taking things too far—likely plotting to dress Nahida up in an assortment of cute outfits.

Even Himeko seemed tempted by the idea, though her self-restraint kept her from indulging in March's antics.

The lighthearted scene was interrupted when the knight captain returned, accompanied by the Margrave.

As the Margrave entered, her gaze landed on the Fairy Queen. Despite her expectations of the natural beauty bestowed upon the forestfolk, she couldn't help but be momentarily taken aback.

How could anyone be this pure, this radiant?

Even the current king's younger sister paled in comparison.

Taking a deep breath, the Margrave composed herself and stepped forward. Her demeanor was unexpectedly humble as she offered the Fairy Queen her most formal bow.

"Your Highness, I deeply regret being unable to provide a proper welcome for someone of your stature. Please forgive my oversight."

"It's no matter," Nahida replied, her tone gentle yet commanding. "I arrived unannounced and without a proper letter of introduction. You need not concern yourself."

Despite her youthful appearance, Nahida exuded an air of maturity as she quickly cut through the pleasantries.

"Besides," she continued, "I believe both mortals and forestfolk would agree that our current focus should be the crisis on the western front, not unnecessary formalities."

"Well said," the Margrave replied with a deferential smile, her attitude one of a respectful subordinate.

Nahida silently breathed a sigh of relief. At least she's not the suspicious or overly formal type. Explaining the situation to someone hung up on protocol would have been exhausting.

Seeing that the Margrave was both cooperative and practical, Nahida smoothly passed the conversation to Himeko.

"Himeko, I'll leave the discussions in your capable hands."

Her attempt at looking serious and authoritative made Himeko chuckle softly. Unlike March 7th, who might have teased Nahida relentlessly, Himeko simply stepped forward gracefully.

Even in the presence of Nahida's childlike beauty, Himeko's fiery red hair and elegant demeanor ensured she remained a striking presence.

When she displayed the Thorned Rose emblem of the Commerce Guild, the Margrave's attitude shifted further, recognizing Himeko as someone to be treated with the utmost respect.

The Margrave smiled warmly, extending her hand in a gesture of goodwill.

"I've long heard of the Commerce Guild's influence. To think they could even enlist the Fairy Queen herself... I'm truly impressed."

Himeko returned the smile with practiced ease.

"You flatter us. The guild simply adheres to the teachings of the God of Trade, ensuring that wealth flows where it is most needed and effective."

Her wit drew a few chuckles from the Margrave's advisors, though they quickly straightened their expressions, resuming their serious demeanors.

With pleasantries exchanged, the two sides began discussing the current state of Sunset City: troop casualties, supply shortages, and the precarious situation on other battlefronts.

Inevitably, the subject of compensation arose.

The Margrave wasn't naive enough to believe the Fairy Queen and the Commerce Guild were here out of sheer altruism. She knew the cost of enlisting such powerful allies would not be cheap.

Feigning a heavy sigh, the Margrave turned to Nahida and Himeko, her expression tinged with guilt.

"Forgive me for my candor, but I must confess that I have failed in my duties as the steward of this city. My people are scattered, many reduced to refugees. Even my soldiers barely have enough to eat."

"Your resilience in the face of such dire circumstances is admirable," Himeko replied smoothly. "There's no need for self-reproach."

"I appreciate your kindness," the Margrave said, lowering her gaze. "Still... might I share my concerns with you openly?"

Himeko and Nahida exchanged a brief glance before nodding in unison.

"Of course," Nahida said. "Speak freely."

Abandoning the roundabout tactics favored in courtly politics, the Margrave laid everything bare.

"By now, you've likely heard about the Demon Lord's forces pulling back from the frontlines. While this retreat may seem like an opportunity, our intelligence suggests they've relocated to an ancient ruin that once served as the prison for a great demon."

The Margrave gestured to a map spread across the table, pointing to a marked location.

"If the Demon General succeeds in breaking the seal, we will face not just one, but two catastrophic threats. The demon imprisoned there possesses curses capable of decimating entire armies. Combined with the Demon General's might, our defenses would crumble within days."

The room grew somber as the weight of her words settled.

---

Within a shadowy temple, the three-eyed Troll King stood before a massive demonic statue. His violet eyes glowed faintly as his guttural voice echoed through the chamber.

"Bring the sacrifices. The ritual begins now."

Hooded figures in black robes began dragging their victims forward—humans, forestfolk, even halflings—all bound and trembling.

A young human woman was the first to be pushed onto the altar. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled, but the skeletal hands of her captors held her firmly in place.

The gleam of a curved blade reflected her terrified expression as it drew closer. Her muffled screams ended with a sharp, wet sound as her throat was slit, her lifeblood spilling into the growing pool below.

Sacrifice after sacrifice was cast into the pit, the stench of blood thick in the air.

As the pile of corpses grew, the statue of the Hundred-Armed Demon began to radiate a sickly purple light. A deep, guttural roar reverberated through the temple, as if the abyss itself were awakening.

"Good," the Troll King rumbled, his lips curling into a grim smile. "Soon, the Demon Lord will gain another loyal servant."

Beside him stood a grotesque, one-eyed raven demon. Its swollen, decaying form exuded a putrid stench, its malevolent aura unmistakably on par with the Demon Generals.

"You must hurry," the raven demon croaked, its rasping voice tinged with urgency. "The humans have brought in a wild card—the Fairy Queen. If she disrupts the Demon Lord's resurrection, we will both pay the price."

"Don't rush me," the Troll King growled. "If not for your interference yesterday, Sunset City would already be a graveyard."

The raven demon's single eye stared back coldly.

"And if you had died outside their gates, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

The tense exchange continued, their sinister voices blending with the temple's dark, oppressive atmosphere.

---

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