Canon-consistent names and logic
Many people in the livestream stared at the contract on screen, eyes wide.
They had been happily watching the game—how did things suddenly turn into a debt collection session?
"Hey… isn't this a bad time to bring this up?"
Aventurine looked at Topaz, completely baffled. They were in the middle of a game—why dig this up now?
Even if the debt collection succeeded, wouldn't Belobog target the Company mercilessly in future games?
"Now is exactly the right time," Topaz replied calmly. "If we don't settle it now, it'll only be more troublesome later."
Ignoring Aventurine, Topaz felt that this debt could finally be resolved.
Not long ago, the Company had discovered that the people of Jarilo-VI were still alive, and the task of debt recovery had been handed directly to her.
If this were the past, collecting the debt would've been simple. But now, with everyone constantly running into each other, pushing too hard would only leave a bad impression.
So it was better to put everything on the table here… and solve it together.
[Zhongli]: Hmm… according to the contract, repayment is indeed required… but Belobog today probably can't afford it.
[Raiden Ei]: If they can't repay it, forcing them makes no sense.
[Nahida]: The debt itself is correct, but seven hundred years of interest…
[Furina]: I don't even dare imagine it…
[Valerius]: Since Bronya is clearly unqualified as Supreme Guardian, I'm staging a rebellion right now. Anyone joining me?
[Bronya]: Mr. Valerius?!
Already overwhelmed by the debt, Bronya froze in shock.
What was Valerius trying to do?!
"How did things turn out like this…?"
For a moment, Bronya felt as though the sky itself had darkened.
The Stellaron had been sealed.
She had a chance to revive her mother.
Everything had finally been moving in the right direction—
So how did it suddenly collapse like this?
[Seele]: What are you doing?
[Sampo]: I'm in! I'm rebelling with Mr. Valerius today!
[Natasha]: Wildfire is joining as well.
[Seele]: Natasha… what are you doing?!
[Pela]: On behalf of the Silvermane Guards, we're also joining Mr. Valerius.
Bronya was completely stunned.
Was she really this unpopular?
The moment Valerius spoke, everyone defected.
[Valerius]: Excellent. Belobog now belongs to me. I hereby declare a change of regime.
[Jade]: ...…
[Aventurine]: ...…
[Valerius]: Miss Topaz, the dynasty's changed. You can't collect debts from the previous regime anymore, right?
[Topaz]: Correct.
[Valerius]: Very good. But I still need to cook for the players, so I don't have time to manage Belobog. You all nominate someone to take over.
[Natasha]: I nominate Bronya.
[Seele]: I—I also nominate Bronya!
[Pela]: Same here.
[Jade]: Belobog has changed governing entities. The debt is hereby voided. I will personally report this to headquarters.
[Topaz]: Understood, Miss Jade.
[Lisa]: So this is how it was solved? That's outrageous.
[Kujou Sara]: The reason for not managing the city… is cooking for players?
[Serval]: Valerius really is a model employee.
[Sparkle]: Makes sense. If he's not Labor Model of the Year next time, I'll riot.
Only now did Bronya finally understand what had happened.
She had thought she was being abandoned—
But Valerius had planned all of this from the beginning.
It looked shameless, almost childish…
Yet it had genuinely resolved Belobog's debt crisis.
"Did Miss Topaz know this would happen from the start?"
Once she calmed down, Bronya couldn't help wondering.
And Valerius—helping her in this way.
The Company had clearly given face because of him, and he'd chosen this almost playful approach so that both sides could step down gracefully.
"Mr. Valerius… you really are someone full of surprises."
After settling Belobog's financial crisis, Valerius finally pushed his little food cart once more, heading off to deliver meals to the players.
He knocked on the door again and placed the steamed buns in front of Kafka and Himeko.
"Take only what you'll eat."
"This…"
Himeko's lips twitched violently. How could she not understand now?
She'd been completely tricked.
After eating such exquisite food yesterday, who could possibly swallow this?
Seeing them hesitate, Valerius urged them on.
"Go on. Plain water with steamed buns—what a beautiful thing."
Suppressing the urge to beat Valerius senseless, Kafka reluctantly picked up a bun.
"One bun. Enough for you?"
Valerius's teasing voice followed.
"Valerius… tell me—if the referee in a game ends up unable to get out of bed, what happens?"
Looking at Kafka's clenched fist crackling with force, Valerius showed zero fear.
"Then you'd stay here until I recover and resume meal delivery."
"…Forget it."
In the end, Kafka gave up on attacking him.
Whether she could win was one thing—but if Valerius actually stopped delivering food, she'd starve to death.
Seeing that they had taken only one bun, Valerius spoke again.
"How about… another trade?"
"What's the deal?"
Knowing full well Valerius was up to no good, Himeko still asked.
"Simple. Improved meals from now on. One point per person."
Before Himeko could reply, Kafka leaned in.
"How improved?"
"Four dishes and a soup."
"Oh—and I'll throw in a table."
The two exchanged a glance, then looked at Valerius together.
"Deal."
"A wise choice."
Giving them a thumbs-up, Valerius pushed the cart away.
Today's haul wasn't bad—eight whole points.
Every room had upgraded their meal plans.
Looks like yesterday's feast really did its job.
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