Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

Outside Rivet Town, a fierce wind howled across the snow-swept plains, whipping flurries into ghostly veils as Himeko and the people of Belobog struggled through the frozen wilderness.

Bronya led the way, her gaze constantly moving, each shadow scrutinized with practiced caution.

Suddenly, her eyes locked onto a towering mechanical figure in the distance.

"Mr. Svarog!" Surprise colored Bronya's voice. "What are you doing out here? Topaz and the company… they didn't hurt you, did they?" Her tone was clearly laced with concern.

"You have arrived at last." Svarog's voice, low and steady, resonated from the mechanical figure. "I have been awaiting you. System functions are nominal. I have not engaged with the company envoy." A faint red glow flickered in his mechanical eyes.

Bronya exhaled, relief washing over her. "Good… I worried Topaz had seized control and we'd have to fight. Where is she?"

"Topaz is further ahead," Svarog responded, his mechanical body shifting slightly to indicate the factory beyond. "She possessed the means to compel my obedience, yet she refrained."

A flicker of doubt crossed Bronya's expression. "Why? Isn't she here to enforce the company's orders?"

"In her assessment, Belobog's incorporation into the company is the sole path to 'Preservation.' While I hold a differing perspective, my current processing capacity has not yielded conclusive evidence to contradict her." He paused, the red light in his eyes pulsing. "Proceed. Exercise caution; she is a formidable individual." A subtle undercurrent, something akin to complex emotion, tinged Svarog's tone.

Bronya nodded firmly. "Understood, Mr. Svarog. We will be careful."

Himeko and the Belobogians followed Svarog's guidance, reaching Topaz's location. Ascending via a creaking old elevator to a high platform, they were immediately met by the cloying, metallic stench of rust.

Dim light filtered weakly through cracks in the fractured ceiling, illuminating motes of dust that danced in the air, a sheer curtain veiling the space.

Scattered components and overturned crates littered the floor, some buried beneath thick layers of dust, others catching the faint light with a dull metallic sheen.

Rust and fissures webbed the walls, occasionally revealing fleeting glimpses of faded data text – ancient instructions, long rendered meaningless.

Topaz stood centered in the area, hands tucked into her uniform pockets, her signature smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Her gaze drifted over Bronya before settling on the red-haired woman at her side, draped in a dark windbreaker over a white dress.

"Ah? This lady accompanying Miss Bronya… she seems… familiar?" Topaz tilted her head slightly, a note of gentle probing in her voice.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Topaz." Himeko's smile was slight, her voice a blend of gentleness and strength. "I am Himeko, navigator of the Astral Express."

Topaz's eyes widened, her voice brimming with genuine delight. "Oh! Oh, I recognize you now! The renowned Ms. Himeko! Several of my colleagues are ardent admirers; they would give anything for a word with you!"

"Miss Topaz," Himeko countered, her smile unwavering, "judging by your greeting, you are likely already aware of our present circumstances, are you not?"

"Indeed. The deadline has passed, yet the Supreme Guardian's signature is absent. The resistance behind that… a moment's thought makes it quite clear." Topaz shrugged, her tone remarkably casual.

Himeko's voice remained calm, but a thread of steel entered her tone. "Please, misunderstand nothing. We harbor no animosity towards the company or its board. Our presence here is merely… a consequence of cherished friendships on Jarilo-VI."

She paused, meeting Topaz's gaze directly. "To remain passive, to remain silent, and merely observe the signing of an inequitable contract – that is not the way of the Nameless."

Bronya shifted beside Himeko, a touch of unease in her voice as she murmured, "Um… Ms. Himeko, shouldn't we try to negotiate? If we continue like this…"

Himeko gently shook her head, her voice laced with certainty. "There's no need for that, Supreme Guardian. Her decision was made ten minutes ago."

Topaz paused, a flicker of surprise followed by admiration in her eyes. "Impressive. As expected of the leading figure of the Express crew. Truly remarkable insight!"

A smile stretched across her lips, her words tinged with amusement. "You are correct. Often, differing positions signify neither right nor wrong – but to maintain progress, to avoid stagnation, there often remains only one path…"

Just as Topaz finished speaking, a deep rumble resonated from the snowfield in the distance, the very ground beginning to tremble.

"W-what's happening? What was that?!" Bronya's expression shifted to alarm, her voice strained.

"If you are so eager to know, then I shall enlighten you – the authorization for a specialized assault on the Astral Express members has been granted!" Topaz's smile chilled, replaced by an unwavering confidence that hardened her gaze.

Countless combat robots, sharp-edged and menacing, erupted from the ground, cold red lights illuminating their mechanical eyes – a pack of predators poised to strike.

Triumph resonated in Topaz's voice. "Feel it. This is company technology. Though it puzzles me, how did the ancestors of Belobog withstand the onslaught of the Antimatter Legion without this caliber of combat automatons? But their preservation… it has become my advantage. They all retain their full combat capabilities!"

"It seems you intend to condemn Belobog to destruction, Topaz!" Bronya's face paled, anger surging in her voice.

"You initially possessed a choice, but you heeded the whispers of certain individuals, missing the deadline. Regrettable. My project, too, possesses a strict timeframe." Topaz shrugged again, a feigned helplessness coloring her tone.

"In that case," Bronya declared, a spark of resolve igniting in her eyes, her voice firm, "then permit us to demonstrate how the people of Belobog weathered that catastrophe through our own resilience."

The ground in the distance shuddered once more, the force no less impactful than the advancing ranks of company robots.

A colossal mechanical giant slowly ascended, a low hum vibrating through the air.

It was a behemoth crafted from countless gears and pipes, a mobile fortress incarnate.

"This… this dilapidated behemoth…?" Topaz's eyes widened in dawning astonishment.

"Miss Topaz," Bronya stated, a hint of pride for Belobog's heritage in her voice, "I am aware of your extensive prior research – I must inquire, does your data include any records of the 'Creation Engine'?"

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