Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

"Honorable Miss Topaz, fancy meeting you here again." Daziel's voice cut through the silence.

March 7th chimed in, waving at Topaz, "Hello again, Miss Topaz!"

Topaz, startled by the voices, whirled around. When she saw Daziel and March 7th, surprise flickered across her features.

"Heavens above! You two? Running into you again? What incredible coincidence is this!"

"Actually, we were looking for you, Miss Topaz," Daziel stated directly, getting straight to the point. "There are a few things we wanted to ask you about."

"Looking for me? Well, that is unexpected." A flicker of wariness touched Topaz's eyes, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. "May I inquire what business the esteemed Nameless has with me?"

Daziel caught the subtle shift in Topaz's expression. "Perhaps we can be a little more frank, Miss Topaz. It concerns Belobog…" He paused, then continued, "Forgive me for saying so, but I couldn't help overhearing part of your phone call just now."

Topaz's composure shifted slightly. "You… how much did you hear?" A thread of tension tightened her voice.

"Was that Mr. Aventurine on the line?" Daziel pressed gently. "He seemed to anticipate that we, the Astral Express crew, might get involved in this, and advised you to tread carefully. He also mentioned something about a three-rank demotion if things aren't handled 'properly'…"

Hearing this, March 7th quickly tugged on Daziel's sleeve, whispering urgently, "Hey! Why are you spilling everything we overheard?!"

Daziel remained silent, ignoring her. He had his own reasons, questions he needed answers to…

Topaz remained quiet for a moment, processing this. After a few seconds, she spoke slowly, a hint of resignation in her tone, "Indeed, you heard correctly. So, you really are going to intervene, just as Aventurine predicted, aren't you?"

Daziel nodded. "Miss Bronya intends to request a grace period from the Corporation for Belobog's debt repayment…"

"I'm sorry to say, but that's simply not possible…" Topaz interrupted Daziel, resting her chin on her hand and shaking her head gently. "Jarilo-VI's debt has been outstanding for far too long. I honestly don't believe further delays will allow this planet to repay the sum."

"Many… gentler approaches are likely no longer viable. But rest assured," she continued, "I will, of course, present Belobog with a special plan that will satisfy everyone… eventually."

"Special plan?" March 7th blinked, eyes wide with curiosity. "What kind of plan, specifically, Miss Topaz?"

"Regrettably, that's confidential." Topaz's eyes narrowed slightly, a touch of mystery entering her gaze. "It's a trade secret, you understand."

Daziel understood perfectly. The story was progressing as expected. His only uncertainty lay in whether the specifics of Topaz's plan would deviate at all.

To probe for answers, Daziel rubbed his temples as if deep in thought, feigning contemplation. "Miss Topaz, let me take a guess. Would your proposed plan involve something along the lines of— placing Belobog under Corporation management, writing off the debt, and then having the Corporation establish a special task force to support Belobog's reconstruction efforts? Am I close?"

"You…" Topaz's mouth fell open in genuine shock, remaining agape for a beat. "How did you possibly know that?!"

"The renowned 'Strategic Investment Department' of the Corporation," Daziel said smoothly, fabricating a plausible explanation. "I've heard of your… modus operandi. Isn't this your usual approach?" He'd simply read the script, of course. But now it was confirmed: the Corporation's core proposal remained unchanged.

Hearing Daziel's words, Topaz gave a short, humorless laugh. "It seems Mr. Daziel has done his homework on us."

March 7th, still a bit confused, chimed in, "Daziel, listening to Miss Topaz, her terms actually sound pretty good. It seems… agreeing might not be so bad?"

Daziel glanced at Topaz before replying to March 7th, "That's because Miss Topaz hasn't mentioned that among the planets the Corporation attempts to 'save,' only sixty percent actually… well, succeed."

"Sixty percent? That does sound a bit shaky. If it were me, I might hesitate too…" March 7th nodded thoughtfully.

"Mr. Daziel, since you seem so knowledgeable about our Strategic Investment Department, why don't you also inform Miss March 7th that my personal project success rate is over eighty percent? That's a rather high probability, wouldn't you agree?" As she spoke, a flicker of pride briefly illuminated Topaz's expression. Compared to the overall average, her performance was exceptional.

Daziel frowned slightly. "True, but that still leaves a twenty percent failure rate. Using an entire planet's future as collateral for an investment… that's a heavy gamble for their descendants, wouldn't you say?"

"Hmph! You underestimate the Corporation's capabilities, don't you?" Topaz turned her head away with a dismissive scoff. "If Belobog relies solely on its own efforts for reconstruction, their chances of recovery wouldn't even reach sixty percent. I trust the Supreme Guardian is a woman of wisdom, and she will understand the stakes."

Daziel paused, considering her words. "Then you're mistaken. She… she will absolutely refuse." In the original narrative, Bronya's hesitation vanished the moment Cocolia revealed the failure rate. Bronya was someone who preferred to control her own destiny. Accepting aid was one thing; becoming a speculative investment was entirely different. This fundamental principle was why Bronya would never agree to Topaz's proposition.

"What? Judging by your tone, Mr. Daziel, are you conveying the Supreme Guardian's position? Is the Astral Express determined to interfere?" Topaz's expression hardened, and a sudden wave of imposing authority radiated from her. An inexplicable gust of wind whipped through, causing the red and white ribbons of her uniform to snap and flutter wildly.

"Let me give you some friendly advice: don't meddle where you're not wanted. Because no matter what obstacles I encounter, I will see this Jarilo-VI project through to completion. I will not back down." She fixed Daziel and March 7th with a meaningful, chilling smile. "So, I suggest you two don't invest too much energy in this. You might just get burned. Why not simply enjoy the festival and then happily resume your Trailblazing journey? What do you say?"

Topaz's intense gaze sent a shiver down Daziel's spine, making the hairs on his neck stand on end.

Something's off… Something is definitely wrong! In the original story, while Topaz was firm, she didn't seem this aggressively confrontational from the outset. Had his words somehow provoked her, or was there something else at play…?

Truth be told, Daziel was hesitant to push Topaz any further right now. In the original timeline, Topaz ultimately authorized a special Corporation attack against the Astral Express. Had Bronya not intervened in time, Belobog's revitalization would have been delayed by another century, or more.

The thought flashed through his mind: if a real fight broke out, and Topaz picked up a rock and roared, "For the Amber Lord!"…

Not just March 7th and Daziel, but perhaps even the entire city of Belobog combined might not stand a chance.

Except maybe a certain uncle with cold feet…

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Hey there! I'm Wallnut-chan! 🌸 I'm translating this fanfic and restoring some +18 scenes that were cut from the original work—since explicit content isn't allowed in China. I went through everything carefully and reinserted the scenes while staying true to the story! Hope you enjoy it!

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