The Reverie Hotel.
Lobby.
As Guinaifen's voice echoed.
Many guests in the venue showed expressions of disbelief!
Looking towards the big screen.
No one expected that Little Gui would step forward at this moment and deliver such a speech!
For a moment, it left many people feeling somewhat stunned!
"Little Gui... is she okay?"
"This background story, could it be made up on the spot?"
"No! I unlocked Guinaifen's backstory, I've seen it! Everything she said is true!"
"Suddenly, I feel a bit teary-eyed, what's going on..."
"Once you're immersed in this Dreamscape, do you lose the right to choose?"
"According to the previous plot, that seems to be the case..."
"Once you fall into the dream of Order, you won't even realize you're dreaming until the end of your life..."
"Wait a minute... I got a bit carried away just now! I think it's better to calm down and think this through!"
"Yeah, yeah! This matter is more important than I imagined, I need to consider it more carefully!"
...
Astral Express Crew.
March 7th looked at Little Gui on the screen.
She couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
The situation was already extremely unfavorable for the Astral Express.
But who could have expected!
At this critical moment...
Little Gui was actually willing to step forward...
March 7th was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes!
"Wuwuwu..."
"I knew it! I didn't follow the wrong streamer..."
"Although Little Gui usually loves to mess around, she never disappoints at crucial times like this!"
"This 648 was originally meant for pulling Robin..."
"Now, I've decided to donate it to her!"
Stelle looked shocked.
It seems that March 7th was genuinely deeply moved this time!
She's really going all out!
Of course.
Guinaifen's words also stirred something within her!
However, being short on funds, she could only show her support by typing in the chat.
...
"This Galaxy Bat Hero supports Little Gui!!"
"If you're the Galaxy Bat Hero, then who am I?"
"I, the Gray Peony, agree!"
""My Approval""
"There is no Trailblazer, or rather... everyone is a Trailblazer～"
...
Outside Penacony.
A spaceship, like a star.
Flickered in and out of view amidst the galaxy.
Inside the cabin.
Firefly was watching the live stream of the story.
Seeing her own words in the plot, she couldn't help but let out a soft "Ah."
Perhaps, only she herself understood.
How heavy the phrase "living for oneself" truly was.
The words she spoke were not just as Firefly, but also as a Glamoth Knight.
The experiences of both had shaped who she was now.
And the heartfelt words from Guinaifen that followed...
Also resonated deeply with Firefly.
Both of them had risen from their lowest points.
Living out their new lives.
Firefly was considering whether to donate as a show of support when Kafka, beside her, tapped lightly on the screen!
Directly sending the highest-tier donation!
Meeting her gaze.
Kafka smiled gently.
"Let's consider it the Stellaron Hunters' acknowledgment of her～"
"Reaching the end with one's own will..
"If it's just a Dreamscape, then life would be too dull."
...
Inside the live stream.
Guinaifen had expected to face a barrage of criticism and accusations.
Instead, what followed was an overwhelming wave of gifts and donations!
[Galaxy Ranger Old Jing gifted Little Gui a [Cosmic Star]...]
[Firefly-flavored Oak Cake gifted Little Gui a [Universal Light]...]
[Fireworks March Descends to Xianzhou gifted Little Gui a [Cosmic Star]...]
[The Suited Beauty gifted Little Gui a [Universal Light]...]
Guinaifen was momentarily overwhelmed.
However.
What came next was even more shocking!
[Ding! The creator you follow, [Yu Ling], has released a new video. Come and check it out～]
["Honkai: Star Rail"Short Film: The Embers of Glamoth]
...
"What the hell?"
"Little Gui actually managed to summon Yu Ling!?"
"The Embers of Glamoth? Could it be related to Firefly's past!?"
"Great! I was just wondering why Firefly would say something like 'I live for myself.' It must be closely tied to her past!"
"Releasing a video at this moment, Yu Ling must have some deeper meaning, right?"
"Is the secret of the Glamoth Iron Cavalry about to be revealed?"
"Quick, take a look! I'm in a hurry!"
...
Guinaifen didn't hesitate at all.
She clicked on the link directly.
Based on her experience,
She first looked at the description below the video.
[Glamoth Military Regulation Article 22: A knight shall dedicate everything to Her Majesty the Empress—including death.]
That was the only brief piece of information.
She then turned her attention to the cover.
Guinaifen was instantly stunned!
The protagonist of the video cover was Firefly, which wasn't a problem.
But,
This Firefly was completely different from the one she remembered!
The background was a hazy, dim gray.
Firefly's figure was shrouded in the gloom.
Her eyes were open.
Tears streamed from her eyes.
Rolling down her cheeks.
"This sorrowful expression feels somewhat familiar…?"
"It was when she was pierced through the chest by death… no, by Mianmian!"
"At the time, I thought it was the sudden pain and her guilt for not being able to continue the journey…"
"But the later plot confirmed that neither of these was the case!"
"Could it be… the real answer lies in this video!?"
Even before opening the video, Guinaifen sensed a foreboding feeling!
This video might very well contain a knife!
Calm down,
Calm down!
These are all things that happened in the past…
Guinaifen mentally prepared herself to avoid the same emotional breakdown she had during the main storyline when Firefly was "knifed."
Then,
She took a deep breath,
And clicked on the video.
...
"Command, Firefly Squad Four has located the Mother Insect!"
"Requesting backup!"
"Advance! Advance!"
"Repeat! Requesting backup…"
"Firefly Squad Two has lost signal."
"We're under attack in the Rift Zone."
The video began with a tense battlefield report!
Instantly pulling all the viewers into the intense atmosphere!
If you listened carefully,
You could even hear the sound of exhausted breathing in the background!
A face drained of energy appeared on the screen.
Sweat covered her face.
The girl… it was Firefly!
But it was unclear what period this was…
Or what exactly had happened.
To make Firefly look so utterly exhausted!!
The girl's face was slowly replaced by a mech.
She had already activated Sam.
As the perspective widened, the environment she was in gradually came into view—
Black shadows flashed by continuously in the background.
Interspersed with relentless beams of light!
"Boom!!"
Violent explosions occurred intermittently in the air!
"Buzz... buzz..."
The sound of The Swarm's wings echoed in her ears.
And beneath Sam's feet...
Was a mountain of corpses!!
Broken limbs, insect antennae...
These remains...
All belonged to The Swarm!
And the shadows constantly darting in the background were also The Swarm!
...
"???"
"What's going on!?"
"A sky-obscuring swarm of insects..."
"Where have I been brought to? A disaster zone?"
"Her face is drenched in sweat, her eyes are weary, and there are piles of corpses... How long has Firefly been fighting continuously?"
"Damn! When did this happen?"