"Not just the people of the Underworld, the Guards who fought to the death, your family, your friends…"
"Including you, you're all part of the fight against fate."
Serval stares at Leon, dazed: "…What have I done to deserve that?"
"From the moment you left the Machine Shop and stepped into the restricted zone, you were part of it."
"Don't quantify your efforts. To put it even more bluntly—"
"Even if you just slept in the restricted zone, it would've contributed to Gepard's efforts. Know why?"
"Because you're the sister he cares about most. If he fell, you wouldn't escape either."
"Even if only for you, he'd hold the line to his last breath, because that's one of the beliefs driving him to fight."
"I'm saying this to make you understand:"
"It's exactly because people have things they want to protect that humanity can unleash the potential and will to overcome towering obstacles."
"Me, Leon? I don't waste time on hopeless people or worlds."
"Belobog has endured to this day because of the glow of humanity. Even if Cocolia fell into darkness, there were still those who gave everything for the light."
"Fundamentally, Belobog was saved because of the brilliance each of you radiated while fighting fate."
"Without that brilliance, this world couldn't have lasted seven hundred years."
"Belobog was redeemed by offworlders, but if it had fallen into darkness from the start, how could we have arrived to bring about that 'result'?"
Leon speaks quickly, without a trace of emotional fluctuation, as if reading from a script.
Serval says nothing, her eyes unblinking, like a statue.
"Here it comes, reliable-mode Leon unleashing his ultimate: verbal therapy."
"Last patient was Bronya, now it's Serval's turn."
"Gotta say, that MVP metaphor is kinda funny but impossible to argue with."
"When you're fighting a boss and see a 0-15 top-lane Teemo or a 0-21 mid-lane Yasuo, don't you just wish they'd AFK?"
"But as long as they're not intentionally feeding, even pushing a side lane and applying pressure counts as contributing."
"As long as you don't give up, there's always a carry who can win you the game."
"If not, it means your freeloading skills aren't up to par, no different from deliberate feeding."
"Leon's words are rough but true. If Belobog was full of useless freeloaders who couldn't be helped, saving it would've been a waste of time."
"Serval's got a serious heart condition. What she said earlier is dangerous—she doesn't even want to be a freeloader. That's just giving up."
"Someone sinking into the deep sea without the resolve to grab the lifeline can't be pulled aboard, no matter how many hands try."
"What? You say jump in to save them?"
"Brother, saving a stranger is a favor, not an obligation. Even throwing a rope risks getting dragged down. You want to jump into the sea yourself?"
"Leon's Character Story II hints at it: the Nameless do good deeds everywhere, but they follow one principle—"
"Let go of the savior complex and respect others' fates."
"Ahh~~ I'm so sick. I want Leon, my hubby, to give me verbal therapy too~"
"Or, I could give him therapy…"
[Insane.]
[Therapy, my word.]
[As expected of you, spouting shippy nonsense without hesitation.]
"Look at your lustful faces. What's wrong with honest-to-goodness soul-soothing therapy? Where's the shipping?"
Ah Xian flashes a disdainful smirk at the camera, then instantly switches to a husky-pointing expression.
"Youngsters, you should learn from a positive-energy streamer like me."
Even knowing Ah Xian's shamelessness when she's in gremlin mode, many in the livestream can't help but laugh in exasperation.
But—
You can't really argue with her vibe.
This generous woman who never puts on airs has always had a clear sense of self.
Drawing refined art is her main gig, yet she sticks to positive values, maxing out the contrast.
When she's shipping, it's jaw-droppingly bold, but when she's not, she'll occasionally hit you with some hard truths.
Many viewers know watching Ah Xian's stream isn't just about catching her slip-ups.
It's because, beneath her glamorous exterior, she's got substance.
Like how her initial thirst for Leon might've been pure attraction, but as she learned more about him, it turned into genuine fondness.
"Snap out of it, Serval."
Leon waves his hand in front of her face, calling again.
"Miss Serval?"
"I just fed you a big bowl of chicken soup. Whether it tastes good or bad, at least give me a response."
This time, Leon speaks with emotion.
Perfectly channeling March 7th's signature skill—speechless eye-roll.
"Ah, sorry…"
Serval vigorously rubs her face with both hands, letting out a long breath.
The flavor is sobering.
She seems to have realized something, her face regaining a smile tinged with relief.
"Overthinking just adds to the misery, and I haven't even dealt with the troubles in front of me. Thanks, Leon."
"Your chicken soup's a bit scalding, but it tastes pretty good."
"I promised to help my little brother with official business down here, yet I'm wallowing in self-pity. I'm off—gotta lend a hand."
"And of course, that includes us… no, me."
Stelle remembers Himeko's warning that Leon's injuries make fighting unwise and corrects herself.
Leon smiles: "Go for it. I'll hang back as a speed buff support."
He could fight—those Fragmentum critters are small fry.
But there's no need.
Players, with their god's-eye view, know his injuries are far worse than Stelle can see beneath his facade.
His wounds are real, no exaggeration. What's wrong with coasting as a freeloader for a bit?
Heal up, and he can shine later.
Pity the healer can't heal himself.
Every Sky Haven Clan member masters the healing winds, but it's never used on themselves or their kin.
With the fastest recovery method off the table, he can only heal the old-fashioned way.
On the road to the Great Mine, the three press deeper and soon encounter retreating miners.
A quick inquiry reveals the rough location of Gepard's team.
Thanks to Leon's senses, they quickly catch up to Gepard.
The situation looks grim—two kids are trapped in a circle of Fragmentum monsters.
Gepard is charging full-speed to save them.
But he's not fast enough.
The kids' terrified cries are like a perfect taunt skill, drawing a swarm of Fragmentum monsters toward them.
At this rate, they'll be devoured before Gepard can reach them.
Seeing this, Leon makes a snap decision.
"You've been buffed, Stelle. Go save them."
"No fear, your hero's here!"
Stelle feels her body suddenly wrapped in gentle winds, becoming lighter.
Her feet kick off the edges of the mine cart tracks, launching her forward, her bat glowing with arcs of blue lightning.
As she passes Gepard's position, she lets out a chuunibyou shout mid-air without warning.
"Lightning Whirlwind Strike!"