Chapter 38 Chapter 38: What Are You Doing Behind My Back, Little Elysia?!
Chapter 38: What Are You Doing Behind My Back, Little Elysia?!
"Sigh... That uncle is really so pitiful. If I don't help him, I'll feel completely uneasy in my heart."
There really wasn't much scenery to see on the cable car heading to the Underworld. At this moment, March 7th had no mind to pay attention to the surroundings that were nothing but rocks and more rocks. Her head was completely filled with thoughts on how to help that uncle solve the problem of not being able to go home for over a decade.
Then she realized the problem seemed to be that she didn't even know why the 'Supreme Guardian' had sealed off the Underworld, nor how to solve the issue of the Underworld being sealed off.
Hmm, that's a really good question...
"There will never be a shortage of people in need of help in this world; you can't possibly help them all." Dan Heng, who rarely spoke, surprisingly opened his mouth, but it was to refute March 7th's words.
"So what? We can't just stand by and watch when we see it, can we? The Trailblaze journey is all about constantly helping others. You didn't refuse just now either, did you?"
March 7th immediately retorted. Little Elysia, standing nearby, chimed in agreement: "Hmm, I think Sister March is absolutely right!"
"Hehe, I knew you'd understand me best, little Elysia~"
In a way, their personalities were indeed somewhat similar. No matter what difficulties or dangers lay ahead, they could always smile and bring a bit of joy to their companions.
No matter how you think about it, that's a pretty good quality, right?
As time slowly passed, the cable car, creaking from years of disrepair, gradually emerged from the narrow, dark tunnel and entered a strange, vast space.
Although this place lacked a light source like the sun or moon to illuminate the land, standing at what was currently the 'highest point' in the entire Underworld, one could still clearly see towns lit up with lights, mining areas glowing with the light of Earthspur, and in the far distance, clusters of strange plants shimmering with faint light.
This was probably the only moment where one could sensually perceive this place as beautiful. Because once they truly understood the reality of the Underworld, they would likely never again find it novel or beautiful.
Distance creates beauty—this saying fits quite aptly here.
And as they descended lower and lower, everyone gradually realized this: those seemingly towering rock walls were actually covered in man-made mining traces and piled high with abandoned structures; and those seemingly brightly lit towns were far from the imagined ideal; from this distance, they looked simply like 'storage rooms' formed by countless buildings stacked together.
This so-called Underworld was indeed just as little Elysia had guessed back then—not some uniquely characteristic underground city, but rather completely and utterly more like a slum.
"Th-this... the contrast between above and below is just too great?!"
The rift between fantasy and reality is just that cruel. After truly realizing what kind of place the Underworld was, March 7th couldn't suppress her indignation at all: "The above looks so luxurious, yet they only give people below such an environment?!"
Judging from the situation in the Overworld, they clearly weren't lacking in basic resources at all. Even if they shared just a little bit, the Underworld wouldn't be in such a state, right?
"Where there are rich people, there will be poor people. Isn't that perfectly normal?" Stelle suddenly tilted her head and looked at March 7th. Although she also felt such disparity was bad, after waking from her amnesia, the common sense in her mind indeed told her just that.
"But, but..."
But for normal planets like that it's one thing; in a place where even survival is difficult, shouldn't they be completely united instead?!
Strangely, little Elysia seemed to see through March 7th's inner thoughts. Standing on her seat and gazing down at the city below, she said softly: "When the disaster first descended upon this world, its people must have experienced a period of being united as one, very cohesive and strong. But as time passed, the faith and sense of fear in people's hearts would slowly weaken until that dazzling spark completely disappeared."
Perhaps the swift and despairing oppression brought by Honkai for humanity was actually fortunate. If that timeline had been infinitely stretched out like this world's, it's possible they too would have ended up like this.
"Why do I suddenly feel like she seems deeply moved?" Stelle quietly leaned closer to Dan Heng and whispered.
"That's normal. Everyone has their own story. March does too. You do too."
Even Dan Heng himself did.
"So as long as we can solve the Stellaron problem, these people can return to the surface too!"
In fact, such reality not only failed to defeat March 7th; it instead made her even more motivated.
Soon, the cable car got closer and closer to the ground. Its final destination was right in front of the Central Furnace Core, which was roughly... a bit behind the Vagrant Camp?
Standing on the cable car, everyone could not only see the camp formed by tents in the distance but even Svarog's mansion was currently not far directly below the cable car.
Not only could everyone inside the cable car see inside the mansion clearly, but people in the courtyard could also see them just by looking up...
"Huh... Why does that person down there look somewhat familiar?"
Peering down with immense curiosity, March 7th saw a little girl and a man in the courtyard. Judging by their almost identical white hair, there was a high probability they were father and daughter.
But why did she feel that the father's face looking up seemed familiar?
"Think carefully. Isn't that exactly who the 'Supreme Guardian' told us about—that wanted criminal related to the Stellaron?" Hearing March 7th's confusion, Stelle also leaned forward slightly but quickly realized.
"Hearing you say that, it really does seem like the same person... Wait?!" March 7th suddenly exclaimed: "So that means they aren't father and daughter after all?!"
The originally heartwarming scene below suddenly transformed in March 7th's vision into a terrifying picture of a vile wanted criminal persecuting a cute little girl.
"You beast! How can you lay hands on such an adorable little girl?! Let her go right now!!!"
Before Dan Heng could even react to stop her, he saw March 7th already pull out her longbow from her pocket and jump down. While still mid-air, she aimed an arrow straight at the wanted criminal's hand and shot it fiercely.
As an archer, March 7th's eyesight was naturally top-notch. She could see at a glance how frightening the thing that guy was holding in his hand was—it must be poison for sure!
Compared to March 7th who directly assumed the other party was a bad guy, the remaining few still had their own doubts. But among them, the most furious was naturally little Elysia, whose eyes revealed anger.
Look at Kevin thoughtfully holding food. Look at the little girl on the other side who's about her current age.
She had never felt any negative emotions towards cute girls before. This was the first time.
But... after all... but... She had said it so many times before, yet this stupid block of ice had never made anything delicious for her.
So infuriating! Why?!
(There is an illustration here; it can be viewed after updating to a newer version.)
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