Ruan Mei begged me to go back? I can't go back anymore

But wait until the heated mind gradually cools down.

They also realized that as the best among the Silver Mane Guards, Bronya would never be able to escape defense again unless she encountered the same unexpected situation as she did just now.

Otherwise, in a head-on combat, they would most likely become the enemy's losers.

Not to mention that young man and that fiery red giant sword...

He had obviously let it go.

Otherwise, if Zao Wu had any murderous intention, the fate of the wanderers would be to be killed by the blade.

Even though the wanderers were unwilling to give in, they had no choice but to give up.

After all, in this underground world, nothing is more important than survival.

Hayami, Bronya and the others walked through the abandoned residential buildings and came to a secluded corner. They stopped only after noticing that the wanderers were not chasing them.

"Woo, Sparks is so tired~"

The girl's tongue was slightly sticking out, and she hugged Zao Wu's arm breathlessly, leaning against him as if she had no bones.

Hayami knew that Huohua was weak and clingy, so she didn't take it seriously.

Sparks took this opportunity to get close to Bronya and gave her a victorious look.

However, Bronya seemed to be preoccupied with something and ignored the girl's unauthorized competition.

Bronya leaned against the gray wall behind her.

She raised her eyes to the "sky".

Provided that it can really be called the sky.

In reality, it is just an underground rock wall.

In the days when the upper and lower areas were not separated, people living in the lower area could come to the ground, feel the breeze and sunshine, and witness the clear and blue sky.

But now, every time they look up, all they see is this dome that will not change and has no hope.

Bronya only took a brief glance and felt an indescribable depression in her heart.

So what about the people who have been living underground for more than ten years?

In the past, Bronya had only known about the lower class district and its people on paper.

But it was not until today that she experienced it personally.

The lower level area is not an insignificant term, nor are they just a string of cold numbers!

They are real people!

The decision to abandon the lower-level districts does not mean that it is only a one-time decision.

And it means...being abandoned happened countless times to countless people in the lower level area at the same time!

"Mother, you always say 'think about the bigger picture'."

"But what exactly is the 'big picture'..."

Bronya murmured, her voice fragile and helpless.

At this moment, she felt her cold fingertips being touched and wrapped by something warm.

It was Hayami's hands that held Bronya's slender hands in their palms.

He is still the same, sensitive to the emotions of those around him.

“Maybe, what matters is not what others say, but what you see.”

"And use your own judgment to make decisions you won't regret."

Hayami has always done this, even though no one has ever taught him.

"..."

Looking at Hayami's innocent white face, Bronya was silent for a long time.

When Zao Wu felt a little embarrassed, she suddenly smiled.

"I see."

"Thank you, Hayami."

I didn't expect that after growing so many years, I still haven't seen through a child.

Or maybe it was because my mother had protected me too well in the past, and my life was smooth sailing.

He became the leader of the Silvermane Guards without making any special efforts.

Obviously Jeppard did a better job than me and protected more people...

But now, it is an opportunity to completely let myself leave her arms and her control.

Use your own feet to measure this underground world, a land that you have never deeply understood.

"I plan to spend some time to understand the underground situation and find a way to change my mother's mind. Are you willing to accompany me?"

Bronya asked anxiously.

Hayami smiled and nodded.

"It just so happens that I am also looking for the star core that caused the disaster. Maybe there will be clues to its existence in the lower area."

He did not forget his pioneering mission at all.

"Star core..." Bronya recited this term that seemed somehow familiar to her.

I always feel like I've heard it somewhere before.

In a trance, a picture flashed through her mind.

It was a scene of a fierce quarrel between Aunt Shiluwa and her mother Cocolia.

Later, Aunt Sylva left the Silver Mane Guard.

And the mother became increasingly cruel and arbitrary...

Sparks blinked her beautiful cherry eyes and expressed her wish.

"As for me, I just want to regain my memory."

"Then just stay by Hayamiri's side~"

Although Bronya still felt that there was a suspicious aura coming from Sparks.

But at the moment, she was not opposed to traveling with this delicate young lady who loved to act coquettishly towards Hayami.

Learning to get along with people from different regions and different classes is a basic quality of a leader.

The three of them had their own plans, but without exception they were determined to start by understanding this underground city.

"The town is probably not far ahead. Let's set off now."

Bronya naturally demonstrated her leadership abilities and played a decision-making role in the three-person team.

"Wait, please wait a moment."

However, Hayami raised an objection.

"What's wrong? Morning Mist."

Bronya raised her hand and lifted a strand of hair that was messy from running just now and put it behind her ear.

Sparks followed suit, but was unable to display the same dignified temperament as Bronya.

The girl immediately revealed a regretful expression.

"What I want to say is, Sister Bronya, are you really planning to wear this set of Silver Mane Guards' uniform... and go to the town?"

Bronya understood Hayami's concerns, but she also had her own persistence.

The silver-haired girl took a deep breath and nodded seriously.

"I know that there is a lot of misunderstanding about the Silver Mane Iron Guards in the lower districts nowadays, but it is precisely because of this that we need someone like this to take on the responsibility of breaking the ice between the upper and lower districts."

“I hope I can become that person and rebuild the bridge of trust between upper and lower classes.”

Hayami was moved by Bronya's words and stopped trying to dissuade her.

Sparks shrugged, looking noncommittal.

Even if he has lost his memory, Sparks naturally prefers interesting things and beautiful young people rather than boring politics.

Her personality is completely opposite to that of the honest and serious Bronya.

If it weren't for Hayami's important role in mediating between the two, it would be hard to imagine that these two people would appear in the same team at the same time.

The three of them walked towards the road leading to Panyan Town.

However, they had not noticed that, from high up in the abandoned building, there was a pair of sharp eyes following them closely.

No - Hayami noticed it for a moment!

He just couldn't be sure.

Because when he suddenly looked up at the tall building.

The boy gained nothing.

All I saw was a purple butterfly that looked like an illusion.

Dancing in the air.

And then quietly disappeared in the quantum ripples.

"..."

"What are you looking at, Hayami~"

Sparks asked curiously, grabbing the boy's neck from behind.

Hayami shook her head.

"Maybe it's an illusion."

"Hmm~"

Sparks didn't care about those things.

I just wanted to be close to Hayami.

………………

"Oh, what's on the other side of the iron fence?"

Today’s Lord Dark, oh no, it’s Lord Dark Hook!

She was also thinking about this question which was extremely important to her as a child.

If possible, she really wished that all the iron bars in the world could be opened.

That way, she can explore this gray world freely!

Just when the young blond girl was letting her imagination run wild in front of the fence.

Hayami and his group happened to come to this place, which is one of the entrances to Panyan Town, from the abandoned old building area.

It's just that because this area borders a large and dangerous mining area full of rifts, it is blocked off with iron fences.

Of course, the iron fence cannot block those people trapped in the lower areas, who often take risks to go deep into the rift to find any available resources in order to survive, that is, the wanderers.

The only one who could block it was a well-behaved and sensible kid like Hook.

Although she doesn't like being called a "little one", she believes that she can stand on her own without relying on adults.

When Hayami and others noticed Little Hook behind the fence.

Hook also noticed these brightly dressed and beautiful brothers and sisters.

Especially that little brother!

It was so beautiful that Hook's eyes lit up and he exclaimed in amazement.

"Whoa!"

A child’s perception of beauty is the purest, without any impurities.

The last time Hook saw someone so beautiful was the last time...