Honkai: Star Rail – Banner Character, Delivering Knives to the Player [27]

"Sampo already has that shady vibe. He ditched us without hesitation when trouble came."

"According to narrative logic, the first character you meet in a new area usually has hidden significance."

"Lingzhou specifically mentioned tasting Belobog's prison meals. Why would he say that?"

"Clearly, there's someone important he'd meet in jail—Sampo."

"If not for another legitimate reason to meet Sampo, there's no need to get arrested."

"To be blunt, Belobog is practically primitive. If Lingzhou wanted, he could easily escape by flying. Could the Silvermane Guards even catch him?"

"So, I bet Sampo still has a role to play. My guess is, he's the guide Lingzhou mentioned."

"It's fine if you don't believe me. It's just speculation. Let's wait and see."

Feeling thirsty, Lao Xiong gulped down some water, then moved his mouse around, searching for more interactions.

Hmm?

A wardrobe by the window sparkled with interaction prompts.

After pressing F, his laughter gradually grew louder.

What on earth is this wardrobe literature?

The Star Rail writing team must be insane. What percentage of them are actually human?

---

Lingzhou picked up the listening-device pen, eyes turning mischievously thoughtful.

Temporarily placing the pen into the isolation box, he spoke casually.

"Aha, you've been peeking again, haven't you?"

"Oh, how embarrassing! Aha totally didn’t mean to get caught~!"

A bizarre orange-red mask suddenly appeared, transforming into a petite, white-haired girl with bright red eyes and a mischievous grin.

"My darling~ Were you looking for Aha for some fun—or maybe to make some fun out of Aha?"

"Give me some Edo Star action movie audio."

Lingzhou removed his headpiece, casually setting it aside.

"Well, Aha’s got a better idea~~!"

"I refuse your 'better idea.'"

"So cold-hearted! Whatever shape, moves, or voices you want—Aha can provide it all~!"

Lingzhou said nothing, only smiling indulgently.

Aha probably wasn't bluffing.

But no one could foresee exactly what madness Aha would conjure up.

Everything involving Aha could be summed up in one phrase—

"Believe His nonsense and you’re the fool."

"Enough talk. Give me the stuff, and I'll consider rewarding you."

"Right away~!"

Overjoyed, Aha giggled as Lingzhou's phone buzzed with a notification.

A ten-hour audio file arrived.

With a pleased smile, Lingzhou began playing the recording, placing the phone back into the isolation box before sealing it gently and leaving it aside.

Whoever’s eavesdropping, let them listen to their heart’s content.

"So—darling, how about my reward now?"

"Wasn’t that already your reward? Go find the original source if you want more fun."

Lingzhou lay back, preparing to rest.

Aha widened her eyes, leaping toward him playfully—only to get kicked aside.

"What kind of reward was that? You're cheating, darling!"

Rubbing her sore backside, she looked pitifully wronged.

"You're right, I am cheating. But isn’t getting tricked by me your greatest pleasure?"

"Ah, you're right! Getting tricked by you is my honor—love you!"

Aha vanished, turning back into a mask and leaving behind only her reward for Lingzhou—

A surge of joyful Elation energy.

Accustomed to this, Lingzhou checked his status briefly, then closed the panel.

Without a progress bar, higher numbers were meaningless.

Better to relax and conserve strength.

Rest wasn't really possible—not if he wanted to stay alert in case an enraged listener decided to pay him a late-night visit.

Who exactly was listening, he wondered?

I'm genuinely curious about their reaction. I hope they're alone—or at least, not around someone they care about.

Otherwise, they'd be in for social annihilation.

---

Cocolia sat quietly in her study, an elegant yet compact speaker-like device on her desk.

Her usually poised expression was dark with suspicion and anger.

Interstellar merchants, huh? Of course, they're after the Stellaron.

They spoke grandly of righteousness but secretly desired the Stellaron’s power.

And they wanted to go to the Underworld?

Ridiculous.

Tomorrow noon, she'd sincerely invite these treacherous outsiders to a banquet—and give them her highest form of "hospitality."

Having heard what she needed, Cocolia rose to leave—until new sounds emerged from the device.

Her hand paused on the doorknob. With narrowed eyes, she returned to her seat, calmly waiting.

After a brief silence, an ungodly shriek erupted abruptly:

[Anata-sama~ Iiyo~ Koi yo~ Hayaku~ Watashi wo—o(╥﹏╥)o…]

Cocolia's mind went blank instantly.

She didn't understand this language at all, not one word!

But it was painfully clear what was happening on the other side.

They were having a very intimate "music lesson," clearly passing down humanity's heritage—in rather explicit detail.

"Mother, what are you listen—eh?"

In her pajamas, Bronya stood frozen at the door, staring blankly, utterly stunned by the embarrassing noises.

The teacup slipped from her fingers, smashing on the floor.

The crash snapped Cocolia from her shock. She slapped desperately at the speaker, trying to smash it—but it remained stubbornly intact, the volume increasing instead.

Bronya's face flushed bright crimson, heat rising rapidly up her neck.

"Go back to your room!" Cocolia roared, enraged and humiliated.

"Y-yes…"

Bronya fled in embarrassment, shaken by her mother's ferocious expression.

But echoes of the scandalous audio lingered throughout the mansion.

Face dark with fury, Cocolia encased the speaker in several thick layers of ice, finally muting most of the sounds.

Two women and one man…

Damn it!

She’d spent so long fixated on creating a new world and future, she'd nearly forgotten humans had such base desires.

She could’ve handled overhearing it herself.

But now her daughter had witnessed it too.

What would Bronya think of her now?

If she hadn’t clung to the last shred of rationality, she'd have immediately sent guards to arrest those depraved outsiders.

But wait—

What if they revealed important information?

People at their most ecstatic were often careless, easily revealing secrets.

If she walked away now, she might miss something vital.

Gritting her teeth, Cocolia thawed two layers of ice, forcing herself to keep listening.

She listened unwillingly, through sheer endurance, until dawn.

Unable to stand it any longer, she finally slammed her fist onto the speaker, pulverizing it to dust.

"BRONYA! Arrest those infiltrators immediately! They fabricated their identities and seek to incite rebellion—dead or alive!"

Her enraged scream practically shook the entire mansion.

---

Lingzhou opened his eyes, lips curling into a knowing smile.

Retrieving his phone from the isolation box, he rose lazily and stretched comfortably.

They’re coming first thing in the morning? They must've listened all night.

He chuckled softly.

Ha, someone got impatient.

---

T/N: omggggggg bonus points for someone who translates the noises

This is a fan translation of 崩铁：卡池角色，给玩家发刀 by 三十度幻. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!