Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

While enjoying a biscuit, Dan Heng's thoughts wandered to a peculiar possibility.

Could this biscuit also contain some kind of insect-derived ingredient?

It wouldn't be too surprising. During a prior adventure, Mimiah had shared similar treats with him—sweet and reminiscent of honey. In these times, sweet foods were a rarity, making such delicacies highly valued and rarely shared beyond the elves.

As he finished the last bite of his biscuit, Dan Heng's mind turned to the elven princess they were set to meet later. Out of consideration for his companions and a desire to gather more information, he decided to ask:

"Is there anything we should be mindful of when meeting the elven princess?"

"Hm, there are many things one could say on this topic. I could probably talk for months and still not cover everything. But she specifically asked me to keep it simple: as long as you follow basic etiquette, you'll be fine. Even as a princess, she wouldn't presume to act arrogantly before Her Highness."

The elf leader smirked lightly.

"Besides, she's already acknowledged you. In truth, the moment you stepped into this forest, you had already met her."

"Is that so? I'll let my companions know."

Dan Heng narrowed his eyes, gazing toward the towering structure nestled in the heart of the forest. The upcoming meeting could yield unexpected insights. Even if the princess had spent her entire 8,000 years within this forest, she might possess knowledge of secrets far beyond the reach of ordinary beings.

That reminded him of another question.

"Earlier, I heard your hunters—or perhaps it was the one you call the Daughter of Starwind—mention that elves have extraordinarily long lifespans, nearly immortal. Is this true?"

"She wasn't wrong. Unless by choice or through violence, an elf's life does not end," the elf leader replied earnestly, though a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes.

"I see."

Dan Heng, of course, noticed the omission. While the elves' inability to leave the forest was already a known limitation, he suspected there was more to their longevity. Pressing further would be impolite, though, especially since the elf leader had entertained his questions thus far, likely out of respect for Her Highness.

The elf leader made a reverent gesture, a motion resembling a sacred ritual.

"Regardless of how we pass, we always return to the forest, to nature, to the great cycle. We become one with it, moving ever onward."

Dan Heng was momentarily struck by the profoundness of the elves' philosophy. Out of respect, he performed a similar gesture from his homeland, acknowledging their beliefs.

Though their forms of reverence differed, the concept of returning to the cycle of nature resonated with Dan Heng.

His observations of the elves also revealed other fascinating aspects. The race not only thrived and reproduced normally, but their culture seemed open to relationships with other species. The murals along the corridor suggested that unions between elves and outsiders were not taboo.

The fact that such relationships could produce offspring was a significant distinction from some other "near-immortal" races he had encountered.

As his questions paused, Dan Heng noticed the decorations in the hall, likely prepared for the wedding. Delicate woven crafts adorned the space, and a harp with spider silk strings stood ready to be played.

But beyond a few maids bringing dishes to the table, the hall was eerily quiet. No musicians, no additional staff—just an empty, serene space.

"Do you need help with the wedding preparations?"

Though he knew the offer might sound odd, Dan Heng felt it was appropriate. The elf leader had been forthcoming with answers and kindness, and lending a hand seemed a reasonable way to reciprocate.

The elf leader chuckled. "I appreciate your offer, but the forest has been restless lately, and most have gone to watch the commotion. That's why it's so quiet here."

"Because of the River Severer?"

"Exactly."

A hint of concern crossed the elf leader's face.

"I told Her Highness not to worry, but truthfully, we're not entirely certain of the creature's movements. If it were to intrude upon Her Highness's path or threaten our territory, handling it would be no small task."

"We'll assist if the need arises."

Dan Heng's tone was steady and resolute. While he couldn't promise solutions for everything, if the forest was attacked by a magical beast, he wouldn't stand idly by.

Hearing his assurance, the elf leader was momentarily taken aback before his expression softened into one of satisfaction.

"You're a man of honor. I see now why Her Highness entrusted you with the role of captain of the guard."

"...Mm."

The mention of that green feathered orb's true form caused Dan Heng's gaze to momentarily drift.

"By the way, I hope this isn't too forward, but now that we're seated as companions, may I ask—do you have someone you're fond of?"

The elf leader's expression unexpectedly shifted into one of curiosity, almost mischievous.

"Someone I'm fond of? Could you clarify?"

Dan Heng hadn't anticipated such a personal topic. With his aloof demeanor and seemingly emotionless nature, romantic matters rarely crossed his mind.

But from the elf leader's perspective, Dan Heng seemed the perfect candidate: handsome, capable, and brimming with potential. To the elves, who valued centuries of companionship, having someone like Dan Heng as a partner would undoubtedly bring joy for generations.

"Do you have someone you wish to marry?" the elf leader clarified bluntly.

Nearby maids perked up, clearly eavesdropping. Whether they admitted it or not, everyone who had reached the age of marriage—and endured endless questions from their elders—couldn't help but hold onto the faint hope of finding the perfect match.

Dan Heng, however, was visibly taken aback. Though his expression remained stoic, his heart stirred slightly.

Marriage wasn't something he had ever seriously considered. While he valued his friendships aboard the Express and the bonds he shared with his companions, he couldn't envision anyone as a lifelong partner.

His mind briefly conjured images of his fellow Trailblazers, but he dismissed them as fleeting thoughts. Though he appreciated and respected them deeply, he knew those relationships were rooted in camaraderie, not romance.

After a long moment of contemplation, Dan Heng shook his head. "I haven't given it much thought."

The elf leader, patient as ever, simply smiled.

"Really? Take your time. There's no rush to answer me."

"I'm certain," Dan Heng replied firmly.

"I see. I suppose I've been overly concerned. Watching you interact so harmoniously with your companions, I worried I might offend by bringing it up. But now I see there's no risk of jealous ladies sneaking into the night to exact revenge," the elf leader joked lightly.

He smiled warmly, leaning back in his chair.

"In that case, I'll take it upon myself to introduce you to some of the eligible women in our village—"

"...?"

As Dan Heng was still processing the conversation, the elf leader, behaving like a "fatherly" figure anxious about his "daughter's" marriage prospects, began introducing potential matches with great enthusiasm.

To Dan Heng's surprise, this list even included the leader's own younger sister. It became apparent that the elf leader's attention to his rebellious sister might have been fueled by a pinch of jealousy, prompting his enthusiastic matchmaking.

The leader's anecdotes flowed freely, finally ending with a muttered, "I don't even know who that long-eared troublemaker takes after."

Realizing that his wife was the very sister of the mentioned younger elf, his statement seemed suspiciously close to a backhanded insult. Quickly, he clarified, "No, no, it's just me. She's stubborn like me."

"From what I've seen, you're a commendable brother—and husband."

"You think so? I'd like to believe that's true... though lately, I've been wondering when to bring up having children. We'll need to have at least one in the next few centuries, but maybe that's rushing it..."

While the men discussed family and relationships, the women had their own lively gathering elsewhere.

---

The Bathing Cavern

Water flowed with a steady rhythm, splashing down like white petals of foam. It coursed from subterranean rivers, bypassing sunlight, and emerged through the roots of towering trees, cascading into a large underground pool.

After descending a spiral staircase carved from blue limestone, the group arrived in a grotto shaped by millennia of flowing water.

Stalactites hung like petrified leaves from the ceiling, while stalagmites rose like stone trunks from the cavern floor. The entire space resembled a forest crafted from stone.

The water pooled into a lake—deep and shadowy, its surface glowing faintly gold and green.

The glow wasn't from the water itself but from the carpet of luminous moss covering the lakebed.

For March 7, the sight was so enchanting that she was rendered speechless.

Stelle, too, gazed at the magical scenery, feeling an almost irresistible urge to dive in and touch the glowing moss beneath.

However, most of her attention was drawn to Nahida, who was cradled in the elf archer's arms like a small child.

Despite the group maintaining a modest level of coverage with towels, the water's soft outline against their bodies created a faint allure. Stelle, who was already uneasy about the intimate setting, felt her face heat up.

To compose herself, she followed the others into the water, dipping her toes in first.

The spring's coldness shocked her skin, but the sensation quickly turned refreshing, cooling the flush rising to her cheeks.

"It's warmer than I expected," Stelle murmured softly.

"Well, it is meant for bathing. If it were freezing, it wouldn't be very popular, would it?" March 7 teased as she splashed into the lake with playful enthusiasm.

Though her antics might have breached some unspoken rule of decorum, the space was filled only with close companions, making it an ideal moment to relax without restraint.

March 7 even stomped her feet experimentally on the moss, finding it surprisingly firm despite its soft appearance.

Contrary to its seemingly bottomless surface, the lake's depth allowed even someone of March 7's height to stand with her head above the water.

For Nahida, whose petite frame necessitated more caution, the elf archer ensured she remained in shallow waters, holding her protectively.

"While this is warmer than well water, I still think I'll pass on cold baths in the future," Nahida muttered as she let herself sink deeper into the water until only her eyes and nose remained visible.

With her hair tied up in two neat buns atop her head to keep it dry, she resembled an adorable goldfish blowing bubbles.

The elf archer couldn't help but burst into melodic laughter at the sight, though her amusement quickly ended when Nahida pinched her waist in protest.

This set off a chain reaction of playful chaos. March 7, emboldened by the mood, began splashing Nahida mischievously, only to be ambushed by Stelle, who joined the fray with a grin.

Soon, everyone was engaged in a spirited water fight, laughter echoing through the cavern.

By the end of the playful skirmish, Nahida was left sprawled across Stelle, her energy thoroughly drained. With her cheek resting against Stelle's shoulder, she looked utterly defeated, like a "goldfish out of water."

As the group settled into the calm, March 7 leaned back with a nostalgic sigh.

"You know, we've been through quite a lot of adventures here."

"Thinking about Uncle Yang and Himeko?" Stelle asked.

"Well... yeah, I guess. It'd be a lie to say I don't miss them. But we can't rely on them forever, right?"

Mimicking Nahida's earlier behavior, March 7 dunked her face into the water, blowing bubbles as if expelling her worries.

The tranquility was short-lived.

Nahida, who had been quietly listening to the low rumble of the subterranean river, suddenly noticed something unusual.

While it wasn't uncommon for the water to ripple slightly, the frequency of the tremors felt... wrong.

A faint thud-thud reverberated through the cavern walls, growing louder.

"What's that noise?" March 7 asked nervously, clutching Stelle's arm. "Don't tell me this place is going to collapse!"

"Whatever it is, we're leaving—now," Stelle said firmly.

She scooped Nahida into her arms in a swift motion and began moving toward the exit. The elf archer, maintaining her composure, grabbed a towel to cover herself before pulling March 7 along.

---

Meanwhile, above the cavern...

A massive creature lumbered across the upper level, its movements shaking the ground and disturbing the air.

Its roar echoed through the forest, a sound that could only be described as primal and earth-shaking.

"MOOOOKKEEEEEL!"

---

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