Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

After completing the mission at the ancient ruins, the elf archer returned to the Forest of the Elves to report, temporarily pausing her adventures.

Meanwhile, Goblin Slayer, the dwarf shaman, the lizardman monk, the human priestess, as well as Zaryus and Fina, returned to the border town to await further updates.

Although the elves' village wasn't entirely closed to outsiders, entry required approval and adherence to the long-lived race's strict rules. To avoid unnecessary trouble, the group readily agreed to temporarily part ways.

As the Astral Express crew were regarded as bodyguards and friends of Nahida, they were naturally welcomed by the elves, being recognized as early companions of their princess.

The journey bore little difference from their usual adventures, except for the increasing density of plants along the path. By the time they crossed into the elves' territory, the Forest of the Elves emerged in full view.

It was like stepping into a tropical rainforest, with towering trees stretching into the sky. Various plants and animals became more abundant, and some trees hosted upwards of fifty different small creatures, forming micro-ecosystems on their own.

Vines twisted and tangled, ancient trees blocked the way, and narrow paths unsuitable even for wild animals were overgrown with grass dense enough to trip the unwary.

Even for seasoned Trailblazers, such a journey was unusual.

"Wow—"

March 7 let out a heartfelt exclamation.

"So tall!"

"Perhaps you should read more during your breaks, March," Dan Heng said, pinching the bridge of his nose at her awestruck expression.

"Teacher Dan Heng is so strict! I was just expressing amazement, and now I get a lecture?" March 7 pouted, looking aggrieved.

"Look at Stelle," she pointed at the gray-haired girl, "isn't she just as awestruck?"

Indeed, Stelle stood nearby, deep in thought as if contemplating the mysteries of the universe.

Noticing their gazes, she broke into a confident, enigmatic smile but said nothing.

"…"

"Uh, could you say something?" March 7 asked, her expression growing odd.

"We are now within nature's food chain. Whether we occupy the arrogant pinnacle or the humble bottom rung of this cycle—only by stepping further into this ocean of forest will we find the answer," Stelle intoned philosophically.

As Stelle finished speaking, March 7 made a big "X" motion in front of her chest, quickly steering the conversation away.

"Alright, stop right there! That scholar vibe totally doesn't suit you. Let's leave the intellectual stuff to Nahida, shall we?"

"Face it, March," Dan Heng interjected naturally, "you're probably the only one in our crew who doesn't study."

March 7's smile froze at this jab, but fortunately, Nahida came to her rescue.

"Youthful ignorance doesn't define one's future. With time and effort, even March 7 could become a renowned scholar," Nahida said gently.

"No, no! I prefer my current life over burning the midnight oil," March 7 retorted quickly before realizing, "Wait, when did this turn into a roast session about me? Aren't we here because we were invited?"

She crossed her arms indignantly. "Also, picking on your teammates right away is a bit much!"

"Alright, everyone—just a little further, and we'll officially be in the Forest of the Elves. Watch your step," the elf archer chimed in, cutting into the banter.

Mimiya immediately pushed her away from Nahida, muttering, "How about you watch your own step first?"

"Humph!" The elf archer puffed her cheeks in a sulk, glaring at Mimiya.

As everyone chuckled, a sudden breeze rustled through the air.

The refreshing wind carried the scent of leaves and grass, along with a call from the distance.

"Stop right there! You're entering the Forest of the Elves. Unrelated persons are not permitted... Wait! The Daughter of Starwind, and Her Highness the Princess!?"

The voice was elegant yet tinged with joyous surprise and deep respect, though its owner was still unseen.

A moment later, an elf wearing a gleaming silver helmet emerged from the foliage. Despite the difficult terrain, his rhythmic movements seemed to make the forest itself yield to his steps.

He was accompanied by a dozen young and beautiful elves, all of whom wore expressions of delight.

"So, it's you—" the elf archer muttered, looking bored, but her nonchalance was swiftly interrupted by a smack to the head.

"What kind of greeting is that? Show proper respect to your older brother!" the silver-helmed elf chided her like a stern elder.

After this, he turned to Nahida and performed a formal elven salute.

"Your Highness, my younger sister must have caused you much trouble during your journey. Please forgive her," he said gravely, holding her head down with one hand while placing the other over his chest.

"When we return, I'll ensure her elder sister disciplines her thoroughly."

"Wha—!? What's with that 'future brother-in-law' attitude? And my sister would—"

"What are you talking about? Didn't I already send a letter informing you that your sister and I are getting married?" the silver-helmed elf said, blinking in confusion at her gaping expression.

"No way! This is the first I've heard of it!"

March 7, overhearing the mention of a wedding, could barely contain her excitement. She had always held a soft spot for the elegant and handsome elves, especially their attire. If there was going to be a wedding, there would surely be gorgeous ceremonial garments—and countless photo opportunities!

"It's likely the messenger missed you while you were out on a mission," the silver-helmed elf said dismissively, moving on.

"And you've interrupted my conversation with Her Highness for long enough. Mind the occasion."

"Humph!" Though frustrated, the elf archer's attention quickly shifted to the upcoming wedding. After all, it was quite a rare event—her sister, at over 8,000 years old, was finally getting married. It felt almost unbelievable.

After some polite exchanges, Nahida got straight to the point.

"I'm here to visit the Forest of the Elves. Would you mind acting as our guide and introducing us to the area?"

"Not at all. Please, follow me," the silver-helmed elf replied, leading the way for Nahida while also sparing a glance at the crew members.

Perhaps due to their striking appearances, he gave them a rare, friendly smile.

This left the Trailblazers slightly flustered—until they overheard nearby elves whispering about whether they might be half-elves.

Wait, were they being mistaken for half-elves?

As they walked, the silver-helmed elf introduced the forest's geography and its history. The Forest of the Elves derived its name from the presence of the Fairy Princess—a direct descendant of the royal bloodline of ancient fairy kings.

She was, of course, the elf archer's elder sister and the silver-helmed elf's bride-to-be.

During their conversation, Nahida noticed several elves hurrying off with serious expressions.

Noticing her gaze, the silver-helmed elf explained, "They're rangers, tasked with handling magical creatures that intrude upon our home. Judging by their haste, they're likely off to deal with the recent surge in goblins."

These troublesome creatures became especially active from early spring to summer. Only recently, one of their kin had been abducted to a goblin lair in the ancient ruins.

Naturally, the elves had responded swiftly, increasing their patrols and reinforcing their defenses.

"Do you know the cause of the goblin surge?" Nahida asked thoughtfully.

"Hmm, isn't it just their nature? When the weather heats up, they multiply like summer flies."

"Perhaps it's more than that," Nahida remarked, her tone a mix of caution and insight.

"To reproduce, a species needs the right environment, favorable conditions, and an individual to act as the 'mother.' But goblins have no females. It would be best to investigate where all these goblins are suddenly coming from."

"I'll pay closer attention to that."

Hearing Nahida's words, the silver-helmed elf's previously dismissive demeanor grew serious. However, he soon appeared troubled, prompting Nahida to ask:

"What's wrong?"

"Though I agreed to deal with them, the truth is, these creatures have proliferated alongside the spread of the Demon Calamity."

The silver-helmed elf's long ears twitched slightly as he considered his words.

"When that Demon God incident occurred on the continent not long ago, these creatures started appearing out of nowhere. The investigators couldn't find any clues and assumed it was just goblins—nothing worth fretting over—so they left it alone."

"So, that's what led to the elves disappearing..." Nahida murmured, a sense of urgency flickering in her eyes.

Uncle Yang had been right. While they could take their time exploring this Trailblazing journey, the long-term effects of the Stellarons on a planet were profound. If these magical creatures were recorded into the Echo System, their continual reappearance could lead to casualties far worse than those caused by the native goblin populations.

"My deepest apologies for troubling you with such trivial matters," the elf leader said earnestly, mistaking Nahida's contemplative silence for dissatisfaction with their negligence.

Though his words didn't imply that the disappearance of their kin was a minor issue, it was clear he was trying to downplay their oversight. Even so, Nahida couldn't help but frown slightly.

Noticing her expression, the elf archer jabbed her brother in the side with her elbow, causing him to pale.

"Stop acting all proper. Just admit you were too busy with wedding preparations to deal with this! Her Highness wouldn't misunderstand—"

Revealing the truth left the silver-helmed elf both embarrassed and ashamed, but he straightened up and retorted sternly, "Children shouldn't interrupt."

"I'm not a child!" the elf archer pouted, clearly irritated, though her long ears twitched as she met Nahida's gaze.

This girl's thoughts are written all over her face, Nahida mused.

"So, the elves don't take goblins seriously either, huh?" March 7 sighed, her mood inexplicably deflated as she watched the interaction.

Dan Heng, noting her focus, understood that the previous incident still weighed heavily on her, especially since they'd encountered another victim not long ago. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Stelle gently nudged him and shook her head.

Mimiya, who had been quietly observing, sighed. "I'm sorry. Even among us elves, only a few recognize how dangerous they can be. Most don't take it to heart."

Even elven adventurers, when first leaving their village, tended to underestimate the threat. For those who had never left, the issue was even less significant.

This wasn't due to a lack of awareness but a matter of perspective.

Goblins, with the intelligence and strength of mere children, were undeniably the weakest of monsters—a plain fact. To the elves, greater dangers came from more powerful and terrifying creatures that lurked in their vast forest.

In a tree-sea of this magnitude, elves weren't the only residents. And some elders had witnessed calamities far graver than a goblin infestation. Compared to those, goblins were nothing more than pests.

For the elves, the death of short-lived creatures was merely a statistical inevitability, something they regarded with detachment.

Still, the fact that the silver-helmed elf had taken Nahida's words seriously and promised action was evidence that he was more progressive than many of his peers.

"Ah, blame my little sister's interruption—I forgot to mention something important to Your Highness," the silver-helmed elf said after a brief pause.

"More important than the wedding?" Nahida asked, sensing the need to ease the tension.

"Strictly speaking, yes," he replied with a wry smile.

"After learning of your visit, we decided to clear out the surrounding magical creatures. During the process, we discovered traces of the River Severer."

"What is that?"

"An ancient deity-like being that lurks within the jungle. The elders warn us not to provoke it."

"Can you describe its appearance?" Nahida asked, her vibrant eyes sparkling with curiosity.

The elf leader seemed momentarily nostalgic, recalling the days when he had taught his sister archery. Despite his reverie, he dutifully explained:

"It's said to have legs like pillars, a tail like a rope, ears like fans, a body like a wall, tusks like spears, a back like a throne, and a nose like a vine."

After a moment, he added, "Oh, and it's gray in color. It's rarely seen, given that it resides in a different part of the jungle. Recently, though, we've spotted more tracks."

The crew exchanged subtle glances, their expressions growing increasingly peculiar.

"Are you curious about it?" the elf leader asked.

"A little," Nahida admitted, already suspecting it might be an otherworldly elephant.

Given the forest's environment, such a colossal creature could easily thrive here.

"Unfortunately, that's all I know," the elf leader said regretfully. "It's an ancient matter, after all."

The elf archer had already skipped ahead, her movements light and birdlike. When everyone's attention shifted, they saw the source of the perpetual wind blowing through the trees.

It was a vast clearing that stretched from the forest floor to the sky above.

At first glance, it was hard to tell whether this was a forest shaped like a city or a city shaped like a forest.

Tree hollows jutted into the massive vertical space, serving as homes for the elves. Branches and vines intertwined, forming countless aerial walkways.

Walking these pathways were numerous beautiful elves, dressed in refined garments.

The intricate bark patterns on the trees added to the vibrant hues, and the rustling leaves created a symphony that filled the air.

This layered, sky-piercing settlement resembled a skyscraper—not one crafted by human hands but a natural marvel.

The elf archer spread her arms wide, speaking in the melodic language of the elves:

"Under fair skies and endless nights, beneath one sun and two moons, the Daughter of Starwind greets her kin!"

She turned, her tied-back hair sweeping like a comet's tail.

"Welcome to my home!"

Her smile was as radiant as a field of blooming flowers.

---

T/N: im actually so tilted rn, i made an alt account on marvel rivals and holy shit are people in lower ranks so fucking stupid

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