Honkai Star Rail: The Archiver

[A week after the Express left Jarilo-VI]

A guardian's day starts off early where the sun has yet to rise and the bustle of the city has long been gone. 

In a simple room adorned with nothing but the necessities as a reflection of the owner's personality, a blanket of silky gray hair poked out from beneath the bed sheets. 

"....Just 3 hours."

Her eyes still trying to focus, Bronya looked at the clock near her bedside and noticed the amount of sleep she managed to get.

Being the new leader of Belobog alongside the rapid changes occurring within the city, it was a bit overwhelming. 

Papers, conferences, more papers. 

This was barely scratching the surface of what she needed to do so far. Even just a few hours ago, she delved into plans regarding the broken infrastructure that was destroyed when fighting the Stellaron.

A lot of things to do but so little time to do them.

"I could have taken another all-nighter but Pela would have given me an earful."

Fixing her appearance and changing into some light clothes, Bronya slapped her face lightly and quickly walked out of her room.

A guardian's day is yet to begin without their daily regime following the standard Silvermane routine consisting of a few exercises that have been ingrained for years.

A light jog around the training ground accompanied with a few rounds at the target range. Her steady posture while holding a rifle, it felt natural feeling pressure held against her shoulder.

It should not be forgotten, that before becoming the Supreme Guardian, she was the commander of the Silvermane Guards.

"Supreme Guardian."

"Gepard. A coincidence seeing you up early."

"I should say the same. Shouldn't you take a break after your visit to the Underworld?" Gepard asked as he wiped the sweat off his face.

Lowering her rifle, Bronya awkwardly smiled when she heard his question.

As with her, Gepard a captain of the Silvermane, also had an early morning. While he wasn't as busy as Bronya, he had his own duties that were time-consuming in their own right.

Especially after the fierce snowstorms that died down recently.

"I rested enough. By the way, how has the exploration of the areas that's been uncovered recently?"

Changing the topic, feeling like talking about her questionable sleep schedule was not the best thing to do, Gepard's face turned serious.

"After scouting the land that we finally could reach, we noticed a significant shift in topography."

Mountains that were a bit larger than what they were used to and also the presence of a frozen body of water, Bronya listened carefully.

It wasn't exactly a surprise that they would discover newer terrains after having the veil known as the Eternal Freeze happening around them. But what worried her was if they were ready to handle what was to come. 

Like unknown entities that were initially dormant coming back to life.

"I will read the report later so you can continue with your workout."

"Understood Supreme Guardian."

With a head now filled with new worries, Bronya returned to her room to freshen up and with a stomach that was now reminding her to eat. 

While it wasn't uncommon to have a few attendants to help her being the new Supreme Guardian, Bronya preferred getting the food herself. Possibly due to the nature of how she grew up, she felt more comfortable and at ease that way.

"Supreme Guardian! Just in time, I assume you want your regular order?"

"Yes, thank you again."

"No worries! I know just how hard you're working and I would like to help ease your burden just a tiny bit~"

A small smile grew on Bronya's face seeing the old cook hop around in the kitchen and she patiently waited for the meal to be placed on her tray.

"Just give me a ring if you need any more!"

"Thank you, this portion was more than enough."

With a fresh tray of food, Bronya felt her mouth water after smelling the scent that was wafting near her nose. While it was tempting to sneak a bite, she felt like it would be better if she waited.

Reaching a room that was close to her office, Bronya raised her hand but waited for a bit before knocking.

–Tock Tock

"Come in."

Hearing the woman inside, she carefully opened the door and saw Natasha sitting in a chair near a bed. One that had a woman silently sitting while she looked out the window.

"Supreme Guardian."

"You can call me informally just like before…."

"No can do. You are now the new leader so you should get used to the title that comes with it."

Natasha covered her mouth to hide the laugh that was seeping out and Bronya felt a bit resentful but she felt like she had a point.

Placing the warm tray of food near the table, Bronya had a complicated look seeing her mother still silently looking out the window without even greeting her.

Natasha seemed to notice her feelings and immediately stood up to offer her seat.

"Her physical condition is stable but her mental health may still take some time to heal."

"I anticipated it since Yuuto told me something similar before he left…"

Bronya sighed as she held onto her mother's hand which didn't flinch at all but feeling the warmth being transmitted, she felt a bit assured.

"...How long do you think it will take for her to recover even just a tiny bit? Like being able to hold a conversation…" Bronya asked while her thumb brushed Cocolia's hand.

Natasha didn't answer right away as she wasn't that versed with patients with mental conditions such as this. Packing up a few of her medical equipment, she reached some sort of conclusion.

"While she doesn't show signs of PTSD from what I've seen treating patients back in the Underworld, it might take another week or maybe a few. I got a few instructions from Yuuto but other than that, we just need to patiently nurse her."

Expecting this answer, Bronya sighed but she managed to hold herself together and bowed her head.

"Thank you for checking up on her so early in the morning. You should go to the kitchen and grab breakfast before you return."

"You don't need to thank me all the time, I'm only doing my job as a doctor."

Humble as she was, Natasha was certainly feeling a bit hungry so she took Bronya's advice and left the mother-and-daughter duo without another word.

Left alone in silence, Bronya took her plate of food and left the other portion in front of Cocolia. Savoring the warm food, Bronya began to talk to Cocolia about her experience so far as Supreme Guardian.

Some were about her struggles with the amount of paperwork or about her time communicating with individuals from outside Jarilo-VI. She told her everything that came to mind.

The time quickly passed and with a cold empty bowl now in her hands, Bronya took her mother's plate and stood up.

"Mother, I'm going to go back to work. I have a meeting with the people of the Underworld so I need to prepare early."

"...."

"I will be back for dinner so just ring the attendants if you need any help."

Softly saying a few things, Bronya looked at her mother one last time before leaving the room and shutting the door.

With the warm sun now peeking through the window, Cocolia eventually turned her head to look at the spot where Bronya once was and her eyes blinked slowly.

"So…lar, is it true….?"

***

"I'm going to kill that guy!!"

"Wait, calm down Seele…."

"You expect to leave me in an area where I know nothing about the culture? I almost agreed to be a poster girl for a restaurant!!?"

"But Sampo gave each of us a list that we should—-"

"Screw him—!? I'm itching to give him a list of what my fist feels like once I get a hold of him…."

Hearing the angry voices seeping through the door, Bronya adjusted herself before entering. As soon as she stepped in a couple of stares immensely landed on her with one being especially intense.

"You… where is that scoundrel…?"

"Mr. Sampo is currently unavailable so I'm not about to reach him right now."

"That guy…."

Seele clenched her teeth thinking about the man who left her alone in a foreign land but she held it in. 

A smile crept along her face thinking about the things she would do once he returned and the people around her felt sorry for Sampo.

Well, maybe not.

Bronya sat at the head of the table and waited for rest to quiet down before finally opening her mouth.

"So how was your first escort trip?"

"Well, you may have already guessed from Seele's reaction but it was quite eventful."

"Eventful my foot."

Luka chuckled hearing Seele's sarcastic grumble but he continued to tell Bronya about their journey.

"It was already amazing seeing the many things in the Overworld but compared to another world it was a whole new experience!"

He began to talk about the people, the atmosphere, and the food he tried for the first time. Compared to the dark underground and the snowy terrain he was used to.

This trip was a true eye-opener for him of what was beyond their small little planet.

Bronya listened as she imagined the scenes Luka tried to describe and couldn't help but feel a bit envious. While she was stuck in an office battling documents, the others were battling what type of food they should have for dinner.

A very envious situation.

"Has Pela also returned?" Before her thoughts get replaced by the food Luka mentioned, she asked about Pela who also went on their trip.

Luka understood right away what she was trying to get at and handed her a device that looked similar to the ones seen on Herta's Space Station. Compared to the papers she was used to, this looked way better in her eyes.

"She said she managed to strike a deal with a person based on Yuuto's recommendation. It will take them a while to get here but she said it would be worth it."

A modern server, an improved power system, and building resources. These were just a few things that Bronya wanted to secure after opening their planet up and Pela's news brought a smile to her face.

After fighting the Stellaron, Jarilo-VI have found themselves facing three new adversaries. 

Lack of manpower, outdated technology, and insufficient funds.

Luckily for the last two Pela has managed to do her part and with a generous 'sponsor' from a certain person they didn't need to worry too much for now.

So all they needed was additional hands.

"With these, we can start recovering some of our losses and even start having visitors but that's still ways off…"

"Uhm…I have some news about that last part."

Interrupting her, Bronya looked at the white-haired girl timidly raising her hand as she felt the gazes of everyone landing on her. Her eyes trembled but she swallowed her nerves and spoke.

"Mr. Svarog and I managed to find the Old Weapon Testing Grounds that Brother Yuuto and Sampo talked about…"

Clara described the zone where rogue automatons swarmed but after a bit of assistance from Svarog and Wildfire, they managed to secure the area.

"Based on the dairy that the 3rd Supreme Guardian left behind, it has an automaton factory left behind by the Old World. Have you tried accessing it?"

Bronya's eyes were serious but her voice contained a bit of expectation hearing about Clara's discovery. Imagining the potential increase in manpower was always welcomed but Clara's face looked a bit down.

"Sorry, but we haven't been able to access it…"

"It's alright you don't need to feel down about it. It's been hundreds of years since its last activation so it's no surprise." 

Bronya said in a gentle tone which made Clara feel a bit better.

With the atmosphere of the meeting going in an unexpected direction, Bronya moved the topic back on track and handled a few more things before dismissing them.

Giving them each a new mission before they leave.

"Seele and Luka, I want you to prepare for exploration of the abandoned factory with Clara and see if anything left behind is still usable. Contact Serval to see if she can also come along."

"Right away!"

"Sure whatever you say."

"Y-Yes, Big sister–I mean Supreme Guardian."

Bronya was satisfied and waited for everyone to leave before pulling out the tablet she got from Luka and handing it over to her left side.

And just as she expected, a hand immediately took the tablet and a frivolous laugh followed behind.

"You can always join normally."

"Non non~~! It would have been a danger to my life if I joined you know! Seele was prepared to skin me alive!!"

"Then why did you leave her alone?"

"It was just an accident. I noticed some goods were on sale so I had to bargain before some other merchant stole it right under me."

Bronya let out a heavy sigh and watched how Sampo casually sat on the table to look at the tablet. 

Humming to himself, he scrolled through the information Pela put together while Bronya closed her eyes. Keeping to herself.

"As expected from him, he predicted the IPC's gaze on this planet the moment it resumed contact with the outside world. Well, it wasn't a surprise considering their greedy nature."

Sampo whistled and turned the tablet off. His expression didn't change in the slightest but there was a hint of seriousness in his words.

"How long until they come forward?"

"It might be today or maybe a few days at the latest. Those Stonehearts act fast but that also depends on the individual coming."

Not liking the news, Bronya looked at the tablet one last time and saw a long number she wished she hadn't. A deeper sigh was the only thing she could give.

"Don't worry little guardian, we made a plan so you don't need to sigh so much. You'll only get wrinkles if you continue."

"Stop before I send Seele your location."

"Rude! I was only trying to lighten the mood…"

Sampo wiped a tear off his face but Bronya already knew that this was just one of his acts.

However, it did alleviate the atmosphere a bit which she didn't want to admit.

"Bringing it back I will be in the shadows if anything goes wrong but it will be up to you to be at the forefront of negotiations."

"I was already prepared to do so."

"Then it's perfect!"

Feeling like their conversation had reached a mutual end, Sampo walked into the shadows and disappeared. Leaving behind only a single sentence.

"The reputation behind that guy is bigger than what he leads on so don't be too nervous~~."

Bronya closed her eyes and sat in silence for a minute. Collecting her thoughts, she finally stood up with a steady gaze and left. 

"I already know that…."

Leaving that room, time continued to pass without rest and the bright morning sky eventually returned to its dim tone that Bronya remembers.

An empty office with a single lamp burning off geomarrow, Bronya prepared herself for the long battle that she left behind the previous day and lifted her pen.

In the office where the sounds of a pen were the only thing audible, she alone continued her vendetta with the dreaded papers.

Like a trance, her pen moved without stopping to the point where she didn't notice that the light on her lamp was getting dimmer and dimmer.

"It's too dark…"

Finally noticing that she was now squirting to see the letters on her desk, she figured that it was time to stop before she drained herself out.

Not like this was the last time she did so anyway. Checking that it was already way past midnight, Bronya looked out the window of her office and just stared at the sky.

Looking at the stars or trying to see past the sky that bounds her, only she knew where her thoughts were leading her.

—BZZT BZZT

"Hmm?"

Her phone that was hidden in her pocket rang which surprised her but after checking what was sent. Her fist clenched tightly and she closed her eyes.

With one tap, she called the person who sent her a message and cleaned up her desk.

[Hello.]

"Is the message true?"

[Yes. We received a transmission from an organization called the IPC. A person named Topaz wishes to meet you in the coming days.]

"I will be there in a few minutes. Let me listen to the message personally just in case we miss something."

[Understood.]

Bronya tucked her phone away after closing the call and she opened the drawer located securely by her desk. Within them was a single binder alongside a small diamond-shaped crystal.

Feeling the subtle coldness and the hue it radiated, Bronya brought the two items with her and walked out of her office.

With only her in the empty hallways, the soft light that came off the moon peered through the large windows and she couldn't help but stare at it. 

"How beautiful…."

Even if the sky turns dark signifying the coming of night, the Supreme Guardian's day has yet to fully end.

***

Bonus~ Bonus~ Bonus~