Honkai Star Rail: A Ben Across Space

Chapter 4

"Under-Ben"

As Stelle blacked out, she saw another vision. This time, Young Cocolia is talking to a weird glowing thing hooked to a machine

Young Cocolia: ...They will suffer, sacrifice, and die because of my order

Stellaron: It is not death which greets them... They will be swept into the infancy of a new world

Young Cocolia: What about the Underworlders? They will lose the protection of the Architects. They will see me... as a tyrant

Stellaron: You have witnessed... the world we have promised. A temporary misunderstanding... for an eternity of prosperity. We will honor... your decision

Cocolia went silent

Young Cocolia: I understand

As Stelle's vision blurred, she slowly started to blink her eyes as she could hear the voices of two people. One she recognises and the other... Not so much. The other voice, the one she doesn't recognise, sighs

???:... Come on, those toys of yours aren't that dangerous

The other, Sampo, chuckled nervously

Sampo: Uh, then why hasn't she woken up yet?

The woman smiled at Sampo

???: Because she's sound asleep — didn't you hear her sleep talking? ...Poor child, sounded like a bad nightmare

Then her face became serious

???: Tell me the truth Sampo — what are you gonna do about the Overworld girl?

Sampo opens his voice and closed it, thinking carefully on what he wants to say. Pondering for a few seconds, he decided to give his answer

Sampo: What am I gonna do about her? Why, wait for the opportunity and send her back together with the rest of them of course, I... Hey come on, what's with the—

The woman sighed

???: You're a bad liar, Sampo Koski

Sampo jokingly looked offended

Sampo: Wha— ...I didn't mean to bring her along! The smoke was too dense, I was in a daze! Before I knew it, I'd somehow dragged her down here too

The woman raises an eyebrow

???: What are you up to, Sampo? Why do you insist on getting caught up in Overworld affairs that have nothing to do with you? If it's a whole lot more attention from Wildfire you want, you're going about it the right way

Sampo shook his head and gave his usual smile

Sampo: Hey now! Sampo Koski's primary concern is taking care of his friends. These guys scratched my back. How could I live with myself if I didn't scratch theirs?

He slowly turned his gaze to Stelle

Sampo: And another thing! Where does Wildfire get off... assuming that these fine folks won't come in useful to them, huh? I mean, you never know

The woman puts her hands on her hips

???: Which is why you've set them loose in the underground?

However, Sampo didn't quite react much and just passed it off as his usual joke

Sampo: Come on, accidents happen! I'll have them rounded up in no time