CHIH 431-440 (Patreon)

Chapter 431: The Familiar Drill

According to the star map records provided by Herta, Jarilo VI was originally a lush and verdant world.

Its unique ecosystem, unlike that of other planets, and the Architects who descended at the behest of the Amber Lord were all distinctive features of Jarilo VI.

Unfortunately, looking at the swirling snow, Ellie sensed that this planet must be facing some terrible crisis.

“Bronie, raise the temperature a bit more. The child can't stand this freezing weather. And hold her tight!”

Ellie had wrapped the child up like a dumpling and was still holding her in her arms.

However, seeing the freezing weather and realizing that Bronie was the most suitable source of warmth, Ellie simply handed the child to Bronie.

“Hehe~” The child giggled.

Bronie was speechless.

“Is this how you use the power of Finality?” Welt couldn't help but complain.

“So what do you consider the power of Finality and Honkai energy to be? Bombs that could explode at any moment? Shouldn't this kind of power be used in daily life, integrated into one's life, and honed with precision?”

Is that even possible?!

Welt was taken aback, but he still hesitated.

“But when a Herrscher releases their power, Honkai energy always leaks out uncontrollably. This Honkai energy isn't good for others, is it?”

“That's how it is when your proficiency isn't high. That's the difference in skill level between you and me, Old Yang. As a Herrscher, your desire to become stronger isn't strong enough. As a strong person in most people's eyes, your purity is too low!”

Old Yang, subway, phone.jpg

I'm not in some shonen anime. What the hell does "too low purity" mean?!

Although Welt really wanted to say that, seeing Bronie holding the child and the child giving him a thumbs-down, he knew Bronie was just playing around.

At this moment, Bronie was like a little sun, constantly radiating heat and making the two of them unconsciously move closer to her.

Outside, in the desolate wilderness, strange monsters roamed. These were quantum beings, normally found only in the Sea of Quanta, so their appearance in such a desolate place was clearly very strange.

A black hole easily swallowed the monsters. Welt frowned, pondering what had happened to this world.

“Why are the monsters from the Sea of Quanta invading this world?”

“Quantum erosion. That is, someone has opened the gate to the Sea of Quanta, and it's continuously opening, constantly disrupting the stability of the current imaginary space. From the perspective of the Imaginary Tree, it's like a termite constantly gnawing at it. This is also why the TARDIS teleportation process was affected. Also, Welt, your question is rather basic. Next time, you should ask whether the appearance of these monsters and whatever is blocking our teleportation are related.”

The answers to Welt's questions were quite obvious.

Since the material world was being eroded by the Sea of Quanta, it meant that the imaginary space had been affected. This was a conclusion that could be reached with a little thought.

Hearing Bronie's criticism, Welt felt a slight pang of disappointment but quickly regained his composure.

Yes, asking the right questions is crucial for success on the road to adventure. While his mind wasn't as sharp as Bronie's, careful consideration was certainly the right thing to do.

It seemed his overly comfortable life had truly rusted his old bones.

He'd almost forgotten what questions to ask.

After adjusting his mindset, Welt felt even more excited.

This is what adventure should be like.

A journey full of unknowns requires adventurers' wisdom and strength to explore everything, and wisdom is, of course, the most important factor.

“The snow here is really thick. It looks like it's been accumulating for many years. Bronie, can you tell how old it is?”

“Judging from the ice sculptures of the Antimatter Legion, it should be around seven hundred years old. That's quite a long process. To persist for seven hundred years in a world where the ecosystem has completely collapsed, I wonder how much longer this civilization can last.”

“That's incredible!”

Ellie followed Bronie to the Antimatter Legion members frozen solid, tapped the ice, and its hardness reminded her of the times she and Bronie had visited glaciers.

Long-frozen ice looks just like this.

“I’m starting to get curious about the history of civilization on this planet. I have to say, a struggle that lasts seven hundred years—just how epic must it be?”

“Like realizing their sun was about to explode, so they installed engines on their planet and left the solar system?”

“It can’t be that far-fetched…”

Welt chuckled at Elysia’s comment. Escaping with a planet sounded romantic, but there were many technical problems to solve.

If they could solve all those problems, couldn’t they at least build an ark?

“People are coming!”

Elysia’s gaze pierced through the vast snowfield, spotting armored soldiers wielding halberds in the distance. She was slightly surprised.

Wait, if they could withstand this cold and defeat the monsters of the Sea of Quanta, why were they still using melee weapons?!

While Elysia was still pondering why things had developed this way, the soldiers in the snowfield also spotted the three people.

In their eyes, the three were dressed rather lightly, and given the freezing weather outside, ordinary citizens would never normally venture out of Belobog, humanity's last remaining city.

However, the three didn't seem particularly threatening.

A lame man with a cane, a mother who looked quite young, and a beautiful young girl.

“Hey! You citizens over there! What are you doing in this freezing weather? Don't you know the Fragmentum Creatures outside are extremely dangerous?!”

For some reason, as they approached the three, the surrounding snow and wind seemed to soften slightly.

“Hello, everyone. I'm a traveler from beyond Jarilo VI. During my jump, I encountered an unknown obstacle, so I've come to investigate your planet. I'm Bronie, the 86th member of the Genius Society. This is my wife, Elysia, my friend Welt Yang, and my daughter, Labyrnth, or Lily!”

“Hoo-hoo, everyone!”

Lily excitedly introduced herself, raising her hands.

At the same time, Bronie projected a cosmic view of Jarilo VI. The entrance to the TARDIS was monitored, and Bronie could access any footage from the entrance at any time.

Of course, the image of Welt stepping into space with a single step also appeared on the screen.

The soldiers exchanged glances, confirming the unbelievable nature of the scene.

They briefly ignored the question of how two girls could be husband and wife. Then, the Silvermane Guards immediately stood at attention and replied.

“We're very sorry, but this matter is of great importance. We need to report this to our superiors. Please wait a moment!”

Seeing that the three didn't pose much of a threat, the soldiers chose to believe them.

Judging from their attire, the three didn't seem like residents of Belobog.

Then Elysia approached.

“Hi I'm Elysia My name means paradise! That's my wife, Bronie.”

“Uh... hello, I'm Private Dunn of the Silvermane Guards. I just graduated from officer school.”

Dunn's gaze then fell on Bronie, his expression behind the mask carrying a very subtle feeling.

Aside from their appearance, Bronie had also referred to Elysia as her wife when introducing her.

“Haha, you're curious why we call each other wives, aren't you?”

“If this involves privacy, I'm sorry…”

“No. Lily is my daughter, so of course she's the wife! But Bronie feels she bears more responsibility and should fulfill the duties of a husband, so she publicly identifies as the husband! Isn't that amazing?”

“Are all aliens like this?”

“A rare special case! The universe is so vast, with so many people, that nothing is surprising! Before your superiors arrive, could you tell us about your city?”

“Belobog was built before the cold wave hit. Our pre-built home is humanity's last bastion. Seven hundred years ago, extraterrestrial monsters ignited the planet. The land was scorched, filled with burning molten metal and billowing smoke. At the brink of death, a sudden cold wave descended. The sweeping winds came without warning, the invading army was buried by blizzards, and only Belobog survived. Greetings, travelers from beyond the heavens. I am Gepard Landau, the prospective garrison commander.”

“Hi~ Hello! I'm Elysia!”

Elysia didn't feel she was doing anything improper. They greeted each other and got to know one another; her gentle smile could make countless teenage boys lose their composure.

However, Gepard was a very principled knight, utterly loyal to the Supreme Guardian of Belobog.

Therefore, he kept out anything that might harm Belobog.

“Hello.”

Gepard responded politely, his gaze lingering briefly on Bronie and Welt.

Hiss—

The familiar drill...

“Hello, I’m Welt Yang, traveling through space with Ms. Bronie... um, as a guard, this is Ms. Bronie, the eighty-sixth member of the Genius Society, a genius renowned throughout the universe.”

Hearing Bronie’s self-introduction, Welt immediately thought of many things.

How could a genius travel without guards?

Only then did the soldier realize that the cane in Welt’s hand was merely decorative, not because he had difficulty walking.

“Judging from his speech, it sounds like he’s borrowing some kind of ancient text... Why would he say that?”

Ellie listened to Gepard’s words. Initially, they were very formal, but later his self-introduction seemed more natural.

“Because you asked. Welcome to Jarilo. Only the Supreme Guardian can decide how to treat you. So please cooperate with us and meet the Supreme Guardian. Come with us; Belobog is behind this snow curtain.”

Passing through the vast snowfield, Bronie would occasionally pick up a clump of snow and give it to Lily to play with. The icy snow stung Lily's delicate hands, startling her and causing her to cry out in surprise.

Seeing this intimate interaction between parent and child, Gepard's wooden expression softened slightly.

And Ellie was ready to pry open Gepard's mouth.

“Wow, that's impressive! The people of Belobog have endured so long under this snowstorm and the onslaught of these monsters. My homeland suffered similar calamities, but we persevered, defeated them, and overcame the difficulties. Could you tell us about your situation? Perhaps we can find some common ground!”

“Are you telling the truth?!”

“Dunn!”

Gepard knew the significance of this matter, but many things weren't his responsibility, so he quickly stopped Dunn, urging him not to act impulsively.

In fact, Gepard himself was also very excited.

“As I said before, the extraterrestrial enemies turned Jarilo into scorched earth, and the sudden cold wave saved Jarilo. But after that, countless Fragmentums appeared, constantly spreading and eroding the land, giving birth to more Fragmentum Creatures that invade our last city. That's all I know. More details will require communication with our Supreme Guardian.”

It seemed this junior garrison officer didn't know much; he appeared to spend most of his time fighting on the battlefield.

“So the Fragmentum is still expanding, right?”

“Yes?”

“Have you tried relocating the city? I mean, the farther away from Belobog, the less the Fragmentum might have spread there, and perhaps that area would be more habitable?”

Ellie's perspective on the Fragmentum Creatures was quite novel, but Gepard rejected her suggestion without hesitation.

“I'm sorry. Only the city protected by the Preservation can withstand the cold outside. Relocating would mean losing the Preservation's protection, making it even harder for us to withstand the cold waves. We'd rather face the Fragmentum monsters than the cold winds, since only in a relatively warm environment can we grow food.”

“I see... the power of the Preservation—”

“Hmm? Is there a problem? The power of the Preservation, the Amber Lord, protects us, and our will for Preservation is unwavering!”

“When our homeland faced disaster, no Aeon came to our aid~”

“Ah, is that so!”

Hearing Ellie's explanation, Gepard looked at the group with even more admiration.

Welt gazed subtly at the distant city. The colossal gears seemed to almost obscure the sky above it, while the densely packed buildings intertwined to form a complex transportation network.

Is this all the power of an Aeon?

Or is it merely some Pathstrider proclaiming the Aeon's faith?

Everything was still unknown, but there was an anticipation in their eyes as they looked into the distance, a light shining as they gaze in Belobog.

“Welt, don't stop me when I'm having some fun later, okay? You noticed the way Gepard was looking at me, didn't you?”

“Uh... similar to the Bubble Worlds in the Sea of Quanta?”

“Yes, very, very similar. Hehehe, I can't wait~”

====

Chapter 432: The Mysterious Mountain Range

In the world influenced by Bronie,

Cocolia has virtually no opportunity to cause trouble on Earth.

Even now, she's still in prison, working on a sewing machine.

However, after hearing that the Honkai has been resolved, Cocolia's sewing-machine work has sped up, and with Sin's various interventions, she'll soon be released.

The reason Cocolia on Earth is so insane is the Honkai's power—its invincibility.

Now there is nothing to fear. Once Cocolia's intelligence regains its footing, and after various examinations by psychologists and experts, if her condition is assessed as acceptable, Bronie wouldn't mind releasing her.

However, Cocolia's story on Earth wasn't extensive so she had almost no interaction with Welt.

When Gepard said that the Supreme Guardian chosen by the Architects was now Cocolia Rand, Welt didn't think much of it.

But Elysia did realize what was going on.

The previous foster mother of the Golden Courtyard children, the warlord of Siberia, a victim of the Second Eruption, and also the decision-maker behind the insane human experiments.

Bronie had heard many stories about Cocolia. Although, at the time, she only occasionally drank with Eden in the Elysian Realm, Bronie constantly expressed her worries when she first took in these children.

She had no experience raising children and didn't know what was best for them. They were very sensible from a young age, and she felt sorry for them, but she wanted them to be more lively and free.

Later, Bronie used a somewhat clumsy method: educating them slowly through games.

While playing, she could also tell them interesting stories, helping them understand some life lessons so that when they faced real choices, they could connect those stories to their own experiences.

As it turned out, Bronie's approach wasn't entirely wrong.

However, Cocolia hadn't achieved anything significant on Earth, yet here she was, a Supreme Guardian on this icy planet.

Elysia felt the universe was truly wondrous. Bronie had so quickly grasped the strangeness of this world.

She really needed to learn more about her.

However, Elysia's guess was ultimately a bit too conservative.

As everyone followed Gepard into the Supreme Guardian's office, Elysia saw a familiar back.

No, it should be called a drill.

"But Mother, the Fragmentum has begun to spread and erode again. It's almost completely swallowing up the entire shopping district—"

"You can leave now, Bronya. The visitor... has arrived."

After seeing Gepard, Cocolia intended to end her conversation with her daughter, but when she saw Bronie, she hesitated.

Then she looked at Bronya.

Then she looked at the visitor, and the child in the visitor's arms.

"What the hell!"

Bronya noticed the visitor and instinctively turned around, seeing a face with a dangerously styled hairstyle—a drill-like version of a married woman's hairstyle—cascading down her chest.

Bronya's mind instantly went blank.

"Yes, Mother..." Between the situation at the Jarilo VI front and Bronie's face, Bronya couldn't decide which was more important. But when she looked at Bronie's face again, Bronie winked at her.

"Guardian, I've brought four outsiders to pay my respects." Gepard glanced at Bronya, inwardly appreciating her concern for everyone, but the young Bronya couldn't yet grasp the deeper meaning behind Cocolia's decisions.

Although he himself sometimes couldn't understand them either.

"The messenger has already informed me of the situation. You've done well, Gepard. You may leave now." Cocolia dismissed the other staff, leaving only herself and Bronie's group in the office.

After Gepard closed the door, Cocolia began to speak.

"Welcome, visitors from beyond the heavens. Is that right? In the past, every member of the Genius Society has been among the top geniuses in the entire universe. Ms. Bronie, I am Cocolia Rand, the guardian of Belobog, and I am here to hear your purpose."

Cocolia immediately placed herself in a very high position and made it clear that she knew what membership in the Genius Society represented.

Even so, she did it anyway.

Was it arrogance?

Was it disdain for others?

Or was she rejecting Bronie's offer of assistance?

Welt sensed something was off about Cocolia's speech.

Bronie raised an eyebrow, then nodded and replied, "Give me a plot of land outside the city. I want to build a resort there. It's been a long time since I've seen this snowy, icy atmosphere. I occasionally want to come here to reminisce. I can trade you some food-production technology. This technology guarantees that the entire city of Belobog won't have to worry about food."

Bronie could see Belobog's Achilles' heel at a glance.

Resources, food, energy—these things had been consumed countless times during the seven hundred years of fighting against the cold waves and were always in short supply.

The protective power enveloped the area, and the minerals called Geomarrow within the Everwinter Monument standing outside the Supreme Guardian's office in Qlipoth Fort were Belobog's last line of defense.

Hearing Bronie's words, Welt was also quite shocked, but he quickly controlled his expression and considered whether he had missed any information.

Bronya Rand is beautiful, that's fine.

The city is large and still somewhat prosperous, with heating facilities everywhere maintaining Belobog's temperature. That's also fine.

Cultivating crops is indeed difficult, but they've persevered for seven hundred years. Is there still a need to worry about food?

Perhaps there really is.

So, when the Fragmentum encountered problems, the daughter sought advice from her mother. This means that Cocolia's decisions to combat the Fragmentum always resulted in many deaths.

In other words, this is population control!

Resource production is finite, and population growth won't easily slow down!

"A resort estate? But the previous travelers didn't tell me that."

"The spaceship can't jump for the time being, but that doesn't mean this problem is unsolvable.

Perhaps you don't even realize what so-called Genius Society members truly represent, just as buoyancy doesn't perceive the changing seasons.

This land outside is mine. In the future, I will transform it into a tourist city and an experimental site. Of course, I won't accidentally blow up your planet or sun. You don't need to worry about that. So, what do you say?"

Bronie's words didn't sound like a question; they sounded more like a threat or an announcement.

Showing off in front of geniuses?

Does she even know the value of a genius?

Do you know why this genius dared to come to the Supreme Guardian's office so casually?

Nothing could threaten a genius's safety, as long as the genius genuinely prioritized their own security.

Cocolia noticed that Bronie had no intention of engaging in deeper conversation. Instead, she marked off a piece of land outside the city—a desolate, historically unremarkable area.

The only problem was that, if this area were viewed on a world map of Jarilo VI, it would appear as a strange rabbit-like creature's head stamp.

Mountains upon mountains—an unknown force had left a mark on the planet, and this region seemed to have caught the genius's eye.

Cocolia couldn't comprehend her thought process.

Then Bronie demonstrated her supposedly new food-production technology, which included many other novel features besides collecting carbon dioxide and converting it into starch.

Bronie didn't provide specific details, but she did offer some production data.

The technology was based entirely on the specifications provided by the Arc Gurren Gurran Lagann, capable of continuously producing sufficient food even in the most extreme environments. In the extreme environments Bronie envisioned, Belobog was considered relatively favorable.

The erosion from the Fragmentum could even be converted into food resources.

This technology held a fatal allure for the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia.

Of course, all of this was predicated on Cocolia genuinely wanting to protect Belobog.

Cocolia's eyes narrowed slightly, then she noticed Bronie glancing at her hands.

Yes, her hands.

Compared to normal people, her hands appeared colder. While this didn't hinder movement or use, it gave off a subtle feeling.

These weren't any special gloves.

A hint of regret flashed in Bronie's eyes, then she quietly awaited Cocolia's answer.

"All right. If you have the ability to build your own manor outside the city, then go ahead and do it. I won't send anyone to stop you. Until then, I will do my best to entertain you all, and you will have the highest authority."

"I'm glad you accepted my deal! I hope the Will of Preservation will continue to accompany you. This information will also help you overcome many difficulties and understand the essence of the Fragmentum. I will enjoy your story, and I hope you will carefully record the past, find the power to break free from the shackles of adversity as soon as possible, and recognize what an enemy is and what a true friend is."

Bronie projected countless paper documents. Considering that she also kept countless paper documents in her office, Bronie delivered knowledge to Cocolia in paper form.

Among this pile of documents was a red feather used as a bookmark.

"What do you mean by this?"

Looking at the books containing explanations that even a fool could understand about how Fragmentum Creatures could be transformed into food, along with various other books beginning with "Even a Fool Could Understand," Cocolia knew that wasn't the key point.

The key point was Bronie's final statement.

Coming to understand what constitutes an enemy and what constitutes an ally?

"Different people have different understandings, and language cannot fully express what they perceive. Therefore, many things can only be truly understood through personal experience. Finally, I wish you success in creating the future you truly desire. My friends and I will be going to explore Belobog for now, so there's no need for you to see us off!"

With that, Bronie pulled Ellie away from the Supreme Guardian's office.

Looking at the feather Bronie had given her, Cocolia felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of guilt.

Immediately afterward, Cocolia instinctively wanted to ask about the Stellaron within her, but found she couldn't hear its voice at all.

Is this a good thing?

This... perhaps it is a good thing.

... 

"Her understanding... has Cocolia's understanding encountered some problem?"

After leaving Qlipoth Fort with Bronie, Welt, who had been waiting outside for some time, bid farewell to Gepard and shared his conjecture.

"The destruction that Stellarons bring to civilizations isn't just simple destruction. They embody different forms of destructive will, thus manifesting different forms of catastrophe. Generally, the Antimatter Legion and Stellarons are closely linked, but the chilling wave from the Stellaron's eruption gave the people here hope, only for that hope to be gradually eroded by time."

"So, the destruction of Stellarons is methodical, and the core ideology is either the destruction of hope or the will to preserve it?" Elysia never expected Bronie to think this way, but upon closer reflection on the concept of The Destruction, it might indeed be doing just that.

"The will to preserve this world's existence has been protected, but the erosion of the Stellaron is constantly destroying this power. The most obvious phenomenon is the erosion of the Fragmentum. Is that what you're trying to say, Bronie?"

"Welt, I finally don't have to consider going to Dr. Ratio from the Academy of Veritas for a private consultation!"

"I just haven't used my brain in a long time!"

Welt, of course, knew who the so-called Munedite is. Although he didn't know Dr. Ratio, he understood from the literal meaning that Bronie was teasing him about being stupid.

"So Bronie's planning to build a manor outside of Belobog?"

"Yes. It'll serve as a testing ground and also help me understand what the Aeon of Trailblaze is doing. After all, look at the pattern these mountains eventually form—the Aeon left Their mark on it. I plan to examine what the Aeon did from the perspective of the Imaginary Tree's records."

"I see. But let's not talk about that now! Bronie, look over there! There are so many children gathered around! Take Lily over to see them too!"

"Then I'll go check out the Belobog museum. Let's meet at the Goethe Grand Hotel."

Welt, as always, loved exploring history, especially the history of different civilizations. Therefore, after gaining the highest level of access, he couldn't wait to visit the museum.

"Then you must take good care of yourself, Welt! Don't eat anything given to you by strangers!"

"Um... I'll be careful!"

---(

Chapter 433: This City Needs an Enema

"Let me introduce myself. I'm a student volunteer from the Belobog Military Academy and also a temporary guide for the Belobog History Tour. My name is Pela Sergeyevna. You can just call me Pela."

A group of children were gathered in front of the huge sculpture at the entrance of Qlipoth Fortress. Bronie remembered that Lily hadn't interacted or played much with children her age, so she brought Lily over to join in the fun.

Seeing a little girl of about ten years old acting as a guide so seriously, Bronie found it quite unusual.

“Pela Sister Sister~” the children greeted Pela.

“Pela Sister Sister~” Lily did the same.

“Pela Sister Sister Sister” Bronie cheerfully mimicked the children's speech.

“Could some adults please refrain from... so casually... imitating children?”

Seeing Bronie's face, Miss Pela was immediately thrown into confusion.

She even began to wonder if she had traveled through time.

She had just graduated from school, so how could Lady Bronya already be married with children and even be bringing them to an outdoor activity?

Pela quickly pinched her stocking-clad thigh hard with her gloved hand.

The pain instantly cleared Pela's head, but Bronie's figure didn't disappear.

Elysia, standing beside her, gave her an apologetic look; clearly, the Bronya before her wasn't the Bronya she knew.

"How strange. Could Bronya have an older sister or something?"

After calming herself down, Pela continued to introduce the monument behind her to the children.

"...Okay, children, look—this is the Everwinter Monument. It was erected to commemorate the great Architects, followers of the Aeon Qlipoth. They foresaw the crisis and built a fortified city, establishing Belobog and preserving the spark of human civilization. Even now, they still govern this city."

"Could the Architects really foresee disaster?" Ellie couldn't help but whisper in Bronie's ear.

"Just as death is inevitable, disaster will one day arrive. Therefore, building cities to preserve the seeds of civilization is never wrong, just like our Earth civilization has seed banks for all species and various pre-civilization relics, right?"

Hearing Bronie say this, Ellie suddenly understood.

The Architects didn't have any ability to foresee the future; they simply prepared umbrellas before the rain.

No one could predict when it would actually rain.

So hearing Pela say that the city builders were farsighted and foresaw the impending disaster sounded rather unsettling.

After giving the children a brief introduction to the history of the Everlasting Winter Monument, Pela continued, "Does anyone have any questions?"

Bronie stepped forward to stand before Pela.

Pela was a bit short, so she had to look up at Bronie as she approached.

"Do you know how cold waves are formed?"

"Cold waves don't seem to be simple natural disasters. Meteorological records from a hundred years ago can't explain their cause. Simply put, it's a problem that has puzzled Belobog scientists for centuries."

"Is the answer that you don't know, or that it's been kept secret? After all, when the Antimatter Legion invaded, the entire civilization of Jarilo VI was on the verge of collapse. If something could cause cold waves, the beneficiary would naturally be the Supreme Guardian at the time."

"Are you saying that something got out of control in the hands of the Supreme Guardian and was then hidden away by some unscrupulous individuals over the centuries?"

"A very reasonable speculation, isn't it? So what kind of people wanted to hide it, and what kind of people wanted Belobog destroyed? What are the Antimatter Legion's demands?"

"What exactly are you trying to say? And who exactly are you!?"

"I'm just a passing-by Doctor. You don't need to remember me!" She held Lily while striking a pose, but a married woman striking a pose always has a uniquely cute quality.

"We're travelers from outer space! This is Bronie, my wife. I'm Elysia, and here's our daughter, Labyrnth!"

"Huh?" Elysia enjoyed the surprised looks on people's faces and loved introducing herself and Bronie.

Then Elysia kissed Bronie's cheek.

"The universe is vast, and the Creator God always wants to be lazy, so it's very possible to encounter individuals in the universe who are similar to but different from themselves!"

"Elysia, why did you say my lines?!"

"Hehe, I've wanted to try saying that for a while! But Bronie, you should change your way of having fun. Don't you get tired of it?"

"No!"

Listening to their conversation, Pela realized that the two were actually visitors from outer space. Fortunately, there were relevant records from hundreds of years ago, and Pela quickly accepted their identities.

She just didn't know what these two wanted from her.

“Do any of you children have any questions? We have plenty of time.”

Pela tried to shift her attention to the other children, and Bronie decided not to bother Pela for the time being, instead heading to the Neverwinter Shop that Gepard had recommended.

“Belobog’s fashion sense... They seem to really like stockings. Onesies, hand-covering ones—is it because the material is special and keeps them warm?”

“Probably?” Ellie glanced at Pela again; she was small and adorable, and her focused work was quite charming.

The pink fairy, like a butterfly, wanted to get close and admire beautiful flowers. Bronie understood Ellie’s appreciation for beauty.

“We’ll have plenty of time to deal with Pela later. Let’s not disturb her work now.”

“That’s true~”

Ellie nodded. Looking at Belobog’s situation, Ellie didn’t think Bronie would stand idly by in this matter.

As for why she had this attitude toward Cocolia, Ellie guessed that Cocolia's situation was rather bad, perhaps even brainwashed; otherwise, why would Bronie have given her a feather?

Following Bronie in investigating Belobog would also help Bronie understand the overall situation in Belobog.

The Neverwinter Shop was actually quite a nice place, a spot recommended by Gepard. She'd heard that concerts were occasionally held there.

From a technological and cultural perspective, one could gain a deeper understanding of the current state of Belobog.

"Welcome to the Neverwinter Shop. Is something broken that needs fixing...?"

"Something broken? Of course! Of course something's broken! We need to give this city an enema. Otherwise, this deep-seated necrosis will eventually destroy the city~"

"Enema!"

Lily hadn't heard this term before, so she immediately repeated it after hearing her mother say it.

This made Bronie's words suddenly seem strange.

"Um... if you have any complaints about the Supreme Guardian's policies, please fill out a complaint or suggestion form elsewhere instead of complaining to me..."

Serval had been looking at this face, so similar to Bronya's, and worrying that the Supreme Guardian's daughter might have been tricked into having a child by some scumbag.

But then Bronie uttered this cryptic remark, and Serval immediately concluded that the other person couldn't possibly be Bronya.

"So, in your mechanical shop, you can basically repair everything in Belobog, right? Even automatons?"

"Hey, Bronie, what are automatons?"

Ellie, suddenly hearing the strange term, couldn't help but be curious.

“The Silvermane Guards were able to fight the Fragmentum creatures for so long partly because of the help of the automatons. Belobog's technology is quite advanced; it has a steampunk feel to it.”

“Yeah, the gears and stuff are quite unique!”

“Automatons can be repaired, but whether I fix them or not depends entirely on my mood. However, if it's a normally damaged automaton, the Silvermane Guards usually commission me to fix it. So, are you going through the proper channels or something else? By the way, I'm the owner of this mechanical shop. My name is Serval.”

“I'm Bronie, and this is my wife, Elysia. We heard from Gepard that there might be a concert here, so we were curious and came to check it out. After all, you know, music is always an essential part of understanding a city's culture.”

“I see. I heard from some of the loose-lipped Silvermane Guards that some outsiders went to meet the Supreme Guardian. So, it was you?”

“Yes!”

Elysia answered immediately, which made Serval's eyes light up.

"Alright, alright. Then I'll tell you all about this city. For example, this Geomarrow Heating Device sustains the entire city of Belobog; you can see it everywhere in Belobog."

The emphasis was on "upper and lower"—Bronie understood the implication.

"That's why I said we need to give this city an enema. Do you know the history of medicine in my homeland? The earliest treatments, besides bloodletting, were enemas because they could expel impurities. I guess your Supreme Guardian ordered the severing of all communication between the upper and lower levels, leaving only a supply route, and the supplies sent each year are getting fewer and fewer."

"Shh! Is this something you can just say? Are you really extraterrestrials? How can you see something like this?"

"So the blocked subway I saw when I entered the city was because it blocked both the upper and lower levels! I didn't even notice..."

Ellie was also somewhat surprised. When she first entered Belobog, she thought the city was quite beautiful. The streets were clean, and the city seemed very prosperous.

She just didn't expect there to be so much hidden underground.

"Isn't it similar to Penacony?"

From Bronie's tone, Elysia sensed absurdity.

Even though Bronie wasn't wearing a mask, she could still feel the mockery of a Masked Fool.

What was the Supreme Guardian protecting?

This thought inexplicably appeared in Serval's mind, and her previous question was answered.

Then she felt a wave of sorrow.

It was as if a clown was laughing and telling her:

'This city needs an enema.'

While she didn't know if it would have any healing effect, it would certainly expel some of the filth.

She recalled the moment after graduation when Cocolia kicked her out of the research institute.

A hint of resentment welled up in Serval's heart.

Should she take a gamble?

Looking at the child in Bronie's arms, curiously observing everything around, Serval shook her head inwardly.

How much fighting power could a mother have?

Would she abandon her child?

“Well, it seems your observation skills are quite impressive, even noticing something like this. But don't let the Supreme Guardian hear what you're saying. I have a concert with some friends in two hours. Do you want to come?”

“Sure!”

Ellie was quickly drawn to Serval's concert invitation.

Bronie projected a simple recording device.

“You don't mind if I record on vinyl?”

“Oh? So you're a music lover?”

“Yes! Bronie loves rock music. Many of the games she makes use rock soundtracks! They always get a lot of players excited!”

“Would you like to come up on stage and sing one?”

Seemingly forgetting the frustration she had just felt, upon hearing that Bronie was also a composer and shared her love of rock music, Serval felt a desire to exchange ideas.

“Then I’m going to share some of my hometown’s classic hits with everyone! Rock and roll isn’t just about intense emotional expression.”

“Eh—”

Bronie knew that Belobog’s rock music largely originated from exchanges with the IPC during the prosperous period seven hundred years ago.

The most mainstream rock music uses strong beats and intense emotional expression to convey inner struggle and rebellion through music.

This also resonated with many of Serval’s traits.

“Hotel California is a classic song with a relatively long history. Money and hedonism were common labels attached to rock singers, a consensus shared by mainstream society at that time. Singers who noticed this phenomenon created this song to express their own powerlessness.”

“That song... Eden also gave it high praise!”

Ellie also remembered that song. It sounded very soothing, yet it was surprisingly considered a rock song.

"Emotions aren't limited to excitement; helplessness, acceptance, and decadence are all valid expressions in rock music. But the most important thing is sincerity. Faced with societal criticism, they responded with resignation. This song also hints at the passing of the rock spirit, which is quite fitting given Belobog's situation."

The facts cannot be changed; the decline of rock musicians is a foregone conclusion. Yet even in their weariness, they still write songs that are heartfelt and continue to yearn for beauty.

After the exhaustion of chasing temptations and the rock spirit, a faint spirit of resistance remains—whether it is a rebellion against past experiences or against contemporary society is unclear.

The spirit of the Supreme Guardian has long since dissipated, leaving behind Cocolia, who is about to abandon her will to protect and is desperately seeking a last straw. But isn't her heart also weary?

“Belobog... it’s not that bad, is it?”

“The position of Supreme Guardian has become this bad... I hope my song can actually bring about some change for that Supreme Guardian!”

 - - - -

Chapter 434: Unescapable

"Why did you suddenly want to go to a concert?"

Welt was enjoying himself at the museum when Bronie suddenly found him and dragged him back to the mechanical house.

Bronie, holding a child, had told him she wanted to go to a concert and perform a song, and Welt, somewhat bewildered, had followed along.

"The atmosphere's already set! Aren't you interested? Can you play guitar or bass? Even drums are fine, or even a shaker if you really can't!"

"I can play bass!"

Welt's answer surprised Bronie.

"That's surprising! I didn't expect the Anti-Entropy Alliance Leader to have time to play bass amidst his busy schedule."

"I actually really love rock music! Even in Homu's Bizarre Adventure, I occasionally use rock song titles! I've learned both guitar and bass, so why am I playing bass instead of electric guitar?"

"That's because—" Bronie conjured a giant double-headed guitar out of thin air.

"Showing off should be left to me! And can you do the final solo in Hotel California?"

"Hotel California... you really picked a good song. The final solo is a bit too difficult; I can't do it. So I'll just be an invisible bassist."

The bass's low notes are always barely noticeable in music. Since they were going to perform rock music, and it was Hotel California again, there wasn't much else to say. Welt decided to participate.

The so-called pioneering spirit, huh? It's about daring to participate in all activities, integrating into this civilization, and fully understanding its situation! To be honest, Welt was also curious about how rock music would develop in this near-apocalyptic city of Belobog.

"Looks like I'll have to leave the guitar to Ellie. As for the drums, should we use a computer synthesizer or just borrow the drummer from the Serval band?"

"How about I lend you Pela?" Serval appeared with an electric guitar, while Pela looked blankly at the group behind her.

That's it!

The one who looks so much like Bronya, the one who picked a fight with her in front of the Everwinter Monument!

"While the drums in Hotel California aren't particularly difficult, is it okay to start playing from scratch without any formal training?"

If it were Bronie, it would definitely be fine. After all, due to her passion and the need for game soundtracks, Bronie had learned quite a few instruments. Even on her first try, with her genius brain, wouldn't she be able to play it with ease?

However, Pela was different.

Bronie sensed that while the other girl had indeed practiced drums for a while, her physical abilities were probably at the level of an average child.

A child still in school, after all.

She was surprised to see her standing next to Serval; she was at least a gifted student.

"Don't let Pela's small size fool you. She's incredibly quick-witted, and she's one of the few prehistoric floating cannon operators. Her coordination between mind and body far surpasses others!"

"I'm still growing, so my small size is normal! Besides, this is a university extracurricular activity, the Belobog Prehistoric Music Research Project, a research project approved by the Supreme Guardian."

"Hahahaha! Prehistoric Music Research? Did Mother Cocolia even care about this?"

Serval seemed to be hearing about this for the first time. Prehistoric Music Research sounded incredibly absurd. If someone could earn a degree from this, Serval just thought Mother Cocolia was becoming increasingly ridiculous.

"Please call her Lady Cocolia, Serval. Lady Cocolia must know I work as your assistant in your band. But since Dunn left, have you decided who to hire as the keyboardist?"

"Not yet, but once my sister grows up, I'll definitely train her to be a keyboardist little by little. Until then, I'm quite interested in the music production software Bronie suggested!"

"Interested? Good! When I don't have any help, I often use that software to compose and release my own music. I also use it frequently when making games. Although it lacks a bit of soul, it was my best companion until I learned most instruments."

"But are all you extraterrestrials like this? Carrying instruments with you everywhere? And your electric guitar is a bit different from mine."

"Perhaps it's a difference in customs. At least our electric guitars aren't modified into arc generators or anything like that. After all, we never expect our enemies to appreciate our music." Bronie retorted, leaving Serval somewhat embarrassed.

Indeed, modifying her electric guitar like this was entirely Serval's personal quirk.

Besides, sometimes you encounter monsters from other realms when you're out and about; what's wrong with having a weapon for self-defense?

One was a double-headed electric guitar with two different pickups, allowing for different tones.

The other was Serval's arc guitar, capable of producing amazing special effects during concerts, one of Serval's main methods for attracting audiences.

The songs were one aspect, but the special effects at the concert also rapidly increased Serval's fame in the Upper District.

"Hahahaha, don't you think an electric guitar really needs to produce arcs to be interesting? Alright, it's getting late. The concert is about to start, so you should prepare the sheet music for Pela!"

"Then you'd better prepare well, lest I steal your thunder."

Serval went to prepare the stage, while Bronie sent the sheet music to Ellie and Pela.

She also started projecting a scene from a 1977 concert.

The video's vintage style, complete with Miami-inspired neon lighting, set against a snow-covered world, featured people in short-sleeved T-shirts playing music, with one of the singers also appearing to be a drummer.

It was undeniably a powerful experience for Pela.

Was this a concert from the history of an alien civilization?

"Although 1977 is quite a long time from 2020, classic songs are classics. No matter how much time has passed, they still maintain a very high level of popularity, and many people have even learned guitar because of this song."

The bass and drums created a rhythmic background, while the overall song conveyed a sense of weariness mixed with a sincere confession.

Even without a language barrier, Pela could feel the emotions the singers wanted to convey, which is the core of rock music.

"Although it's different from Serval's mainstream style, I can still feel the strong emotional expression in it. Sincerity in a song is what truly touches the heart; I finally understand what that means."

Perhaps the culture of Belobog did indeed suffer a certain disruption due to the disaster, resulting in a noticeable scarcity of rock music.

Bronie could understand. Survival comes first, then entertainment. The people in the Upper District lived quite well; they had enough to eat and drink, and newspapers and novels were readily available.

She wondered how bad life was in the Lower District. She'd go down and check it out sometime, and maybe see if Mother Cocolia was planning anything.

If she was, Bronie wouldn't hesitate to burn the entire Belobog to ashes.

"The concert venue is all set up! Pela, come quick!" Serval called Pela and also dragged Welt along.

How could she miss out on a readily available bassist?

"How old is Pela? She's already performing on stage!"

"She got into Belobog University at twelve. She's practically a genius, so performing on stage shouldn't be a problem for her, right? I remember around that time I became a mercenary and earned my first pot of gold."

"At my age, I was still wandering the streets..." Ellie couldn't help but complain. Are all geniuses like this?

They learn everything instantly, master it quickly, and immediately grasp anything they like.

It's safe to say that, apart from Lily, Ellie probably has the lowest level of education in the entire TARDIS.

Perhaps even among the Thirteen Flamechasers, Ellie is the second lowest, after Kosma.

Bronie didn't point this out, and Ellie didn't realize it either.

Serval and Pela put on a passionate performance, but the lack of a keyboardist made the song seem a little less flavorful.

However, overall, the song was still very good.

Even with the synesthetic beacon turned off, Bronie could still sense a surge of anger.

Yes, anger.

Based on Bronie's recent understanding of Serval's abilities, someone with such talent should normally be working in a research institute in Belobog, and even the Belobog government wouldn't allow someone with such abilities to be wasted here.

The arc generator and such would be excellent for fighting the Fragmentum Creatures, wouldn't they?

But Serval just runs a repair shop right outside Qlipoth Fortress. Her only connection to the authorities is perhaps the repair of automatons.

From her singing, Bronie could hear the anger in Serval's voice, and within that anger, a questioning of someone.

Undoubtedly, Cocolia and Serval must know each other, and there must be some grudge between them that led to Serval's complete lack of respect for this Supreme Guardian.

Based on the analysis Bronie had made after her previous meeting with Cocolia, she easily drew many conclusions.

"Ms. Bronie, the stage is yours now!"

After igniting the atmosphere with a powerful song, Serval sang several more.

She had assigned Bronie the final, headlining role.

"Where did Cocolia hide the Stellaron?"

"What—"

"Cocolia has designated an area outside the city for me. I can build a manor there. If you've decided to place your hopes for saving the world on me, you can try looking for me there. I'm a member of the Genius Society; nothing can stump me, not even having a child."

"Uh..."

Serval was speechless at Bronie's words, but seeing Bronie take out her double-headed electric guitar and stand on stage, she began to ponder the true meaning behind Bronie's words.

"Welt, having fun?"

"I never imagined I'd be holding a concert, but my Herrscher constitution pulled me through. Playing bass is actually quite fun."

"Then if you ever want to play that song again, don't refuse!"

"Of course!"

Welt felt like he'd rediscovered his youth. As a child, he'd spent all his time playing Joyce Welt, lacking a complete childhood, and there were many things he'd never experienced.

But after this outing with Bronie, Welt realized his mindset was still young, and there were still many things he hadn't experienced.

All the performers were in position.

Bronie looked at Pela behind her and Ellie beside her.

Ellie nodded slightly.

Then, starting with the guitar in Ellie's hands, a folk-style intro immediately began.

The low bass in Welt's hands brought the rhythm, captivating the audience.

The opening folk melody on the guitar seemed to take the audience on a journey.

Then the drums appeared alongside the vocals.

"On a dark desert highway—"

The crisp vocals shattered the nearly fifty seconds of tranquil darkness created by the folk melody, like the sudden light of dawn awakening the audience.

Early rock music evolved from pop, jazz, and country music, and what Bronie presented to Serval was, of course, one of the pinnacles of rock's development from Earth's civilization.

The guitar melody, the lyrics carrying a certain story, and the moving vocals combined to instantly captivate the entire audience.

Everyone listened in silence, absorbing the story conveyed through the rhythmic song.

Even with synesthetic beacons, many of the culturally specific allusions embedded in the lyrics couldn't be fully conveyed to Belobog's audience.

But certain feelings and emotions within the song were transmitted in a more subtle way.

"You can check out anytime you like,

But you can never leave."

With the final line, Bronie lifted her electric guitar for a final solo.

Her incredible physical abilities and memory, combined with perfect coordination, showcased an almost unparalleled skill.

Centered on the stage, Bronie, wielding her double-headed electric guitar, exuded swagger, as if she were the sole protagonist among everyone present.

The music carried a subtle power, gradually spreading outward, piercing cultural barriers and reaching the ears of all listeners.

Bronya, observing Bronie from afar, had a gleam in her eyes.

And Cocolia, seated atop Qlipoth Fortress, was also intently listening to Bronie's song.

"Imprisoned by your own desires, able to leave at any time but never able to escape... What do you, outsider, know about us? The Preservation is already rotten... I also made a promise for it... a promise..."

Cocolia's eyes wavered slightly, and the icy marks on her arm rapidly faded, but stopped abruptly after reaching her fingertips.

"Unable to escape... is that it..."

 - - -

Chapter 435: Bronya Rand Yearns for Freedom

"My God! That final solo was so cool! You have to teach me how to play it!"

"Hahaha, back where I'm from, countless people have been inspired to learn guitar because of that piece, and it's even become a must-play once they've learned the instrument. I'll send you the sheet music later. I'm sure you'll be able to play at that level someday."

Seeing Serval's excitement, Bronie quickly put down her double-headed electric guitar to calm her down.

Then, she suddenly showed off a little.

"What an incredible song! The weariness revealed in a life of extravagance and pleasure, the profound realization after facing temptation and desire—you can hear the feeling of a golden age ending just from the lyrics!"

"Without this background, it would be difficult for Belobog to write such a piece, right? Environmental factors do have a significant impact on the development of music."

"To be honest, I think this song suits Penacony better. The Penacony video Elysia posted earlier had that old American feel, and it felt like she was at her peak." Welt naturally knew the background of the song's creation, and seeing Bronie choose this song, he was quite curious about the reasons behind it.

"Different people have different understandings of the song's meaning, especially in special states of mind and circumstances. But that's not important for our journey. I'm just fulfilling my mission of exploration."

"Okay... whatever makes you happy."

Hearing Bronie say this, Welt was the first to disbelieve it.

Although Welt and Bronie hadn't been on many adventures together, every action they took seemed to have some deeper meaning behind it.

Therefore, even though the concert seemed unremarkable, Welt still didn't think Bronie was wasting her time showing off on stage and then simply fooling around.

...

It was already quite late in Belobog, and Cocolia had arranged the highest level of hospitality at the Goethe Hotel for her. She would be assigned a room immediately upon arrival.

So, after saying goodbye to Serval, Bronie wanted to try some of Belobog's local specialties.

But before doing that,

Bronie looked behind her at the drill-haired girl whom she thought was hiding well.

"You've been following me for so long. Want to come eat with me, Bronya?"

Bronya hesitated for a moment, but seeing the child Bronie was holding wave at her, and Ellie greet her with a very kind expression, Bronya mustered her courage and approached Bronie.

"Um... although I've always thought it was impossible..."

"I know what you want to ask, but unfortunately, I'm not your mother, sister, or anything like that. There are countless individuals in the universe with similar experiences and appearances. There's some kind of connection between us, but we're fundamentally different. Let's have dinner together. I can tell you about my Bronya."

"Your... Bronya?"

"Bronya Zaychik. In Russian, it also means 'Project Bunny 9c' or 'Armored Bunny.' She experienced a disaster when she was young, lost her parents, and then worked hard and bravely as a mercenary to make a living. Then I met her~ I adopted her before I was even an adult!"

Bronie spoke with pride, entered the Goethe Hotel, ordered some black tea, found a table in the lobby, and sat down with Bronya.

The current Bronya looked smaller than the Bronya on Earth, but fortunately, her daily diet seemed quite good, and her physical development was very promising. Then there was the classic black bodysuit. Bronie had to admit that Belobog's fashion style was quite distinctive, especially the way the black bodysuit subtly revealed her figure.

Bronie definitely wanted Ellie to wear it for her when they got back!

"As far back as I can remember, I've lived with Mother Cocolia. She loves me very much, but she's extremely strict about my upbringing. I know how heavy the responsibility of becoming the future Supreme Guardian truly is, and I'm working hard to become stronger in preparation for that day."

"It's a tough job. You have to hide your feelings from everyone, always maintaining your elegance and nobility, using your outward appearance to uphold the legitimacy and status of the Supreme Guardian."

Hearing Bronya Rand recount her experiences in Belobog, Bronie knew that under a different educational environment, young Bronya had indeed been influenced and developed along a different path.

But even Bronya's inherent yearning for freedom had been changed by Cocolia, which was somewhat unexpected for Bronie.

Was this really Bronya?

The drill hair, the appearance, the clothing—it unmistakably looked like Bronya.

But the essence was different. Earth's Bronya, like Bronie of Cyber Arc City, fundamentally disdained rules and was a free spirit. This Bronya, however, was completely devoted to Belobog and was preparing to take over the city as a pampered heiress.

Naive, full of a sense of justice, but far too well protected.

"Why do I feel like there's something behind your words?"

"Have you ever been to a battlefield?"

"Of course!"

"Do you know who the enemy is?"

"The Fragmentum Creatures, of course..."

"That's all?"

"But the Silvermane Guards are already giving their all just to deal with the Fragmentum Creatures. They can't possibly handle the Eternal Freeze, and we don't even know where the Fragmentum comes from!"

"I see. Blindly following the crowd, fighting alongside those people, plus those boring etiquette lessons and packed daily schedules—are you almost forgetting how to think critically? It seems you're still just a child. Let me tell you about my childhood."

"How to think critically? What do you mean? I'm an adult now, not a child!"

Seeing Bronie's disappointed expression, Bronya Rand felt a surge of anger.

Although her daily schedule was very full, Bronya rarely lost her temper. What was even more infuriating was Bronie saying she was immature.

Immature meant that if she became the Supreme Guardian, she would be an unqualified one.

Bronya had always strived to become a qualified Supreme Guardian, silently enduring even the most oppressive schedules. If all her efforts went unrecognized, she naturally felt as though all her hard work had been in vain.

"Arc City is a city shrouded in a strange dome. It's said that terrifying enemies and insurmountable disasters lurk outside. The city is humanity's last bastion."

Isn't this describing Belobog?

"But guess what this last bastion is like?"

"What..."

"A world where people eat each other alive. The upper class lives a glamorous life, while the lower class lives in a crazy world where everyone is constantly exploiting everyone else. The upper class gets the resources they want by exploiting the lower class, and the lower class gets what they want by fighting each other."

"Belobog wouldn't be like that..."

"Don't say that if you haven't been to the lower class. How could a high-class lady like you know the hardships of ordinary people? Let me tell you two good things. First, I was born in the lower class. Second, I've started to think about the root of this cannibalistic system."

"What's so good about that?"

"Just like the origin of the Fragmentum Creatures, the root of the cannibalistic system lies in the unequal distribution of resources. The upper class uses the sky...this cage confines everyone together, constantly exploiting the value of others under the lie of 'for everyone's good.' In reality, none of the documents explicitly state whether a calamity truly exists beyond the heavens. So what benefit do those who conceal the existence of this calamity gain?"

"Power?"

"Looks like you're not so stupid after all! Bronya, some people are just born that way. They'd rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. Even in this small city, their word is law, and they can get whatever they want. The temptation of that kind of power isn't something most people can resist."

"So you mean that Mother Cocolia and I, being part of a privileged class, concealed the fundamental reason for the Fragmentum's formation, all for this meaningless power?" Bronya quickly connected this to the song Bronie had sung at the concert.

Malicious!

They were actually doubting her and her mother's determination to protect Belobog!

And they had even used a song to subtly sow seeds in everyone's hearts!

"Who knows what Cocolia was thinking? It's a pity she chose to completely isolate the upper and lower levels, leaving only a supply route. This is far worse than what Arc City did. With this kind of separation, do you still consider the people in the lower levels part of Belobog? What has their life been like since you last saw them? Do they drink black tea every day? Do they have these seemingly insignificant snacks every day?"

"Bronie, Bronya is just too well taken care of by her mother. She lacks experience, and her social environment limits the information she can observe. There's no need to be so harsh on her. Besides, she's not your Bronya."

Welt knew that the Bronya before him was not the same person as the Bronya on Earth, but he also understood why Bronie was being so harsh.

Perhaps it was because Bronya was too naive, to the point of being foolish. Bronie didn't want someone with that face to do something annoyingly stupid.

"That's true. I only have one suggestion: put aside all prejudice and observe little by little what the future Supreme Guardian you inherit is actually protecting, or what you want to protect. Also, the snacks in Belobog are quite delicious. They remind me of Siberian cuisine."

Bronya Rand left the Goethe Hotel with mixed feelings. Watching young Bronya's retreating figure, Welt also felt conflicted.

"She's still just a child."

"Yes, but she's been constantly confused in her camel-like state. If Cocolia continues to spoil her, she'll never become a lion."

"The Three Metamorphoses of the Spirit? A very interesting theory. So you want to use Bronya to influence Cocolia, and you even plan to plant seeds in Belobog through rock music... Good heavens, you're doing what the Joker does, but this will kill many people."

Welt immediately understood what Bronie was doing. This kind of thing was really a bit much.

And for Belobog right now, could it withstand this level of internal strife?

"It's just awakening a portion of those lost in false protection. It hasn't reached that point. Besides, no matter how big the impact is, it only affects the people in the upper districts. Their daily lives aren't so dire. If I really wanted to cause trouble, I would start in the lower districts."

"This is a test. I understand. A test of Cocolia's attitude toward all of Belobog and Bronya."

"And the state of the Stellaron."

"Oh right, and the state of the Stellaron."

At this moment, Ellie snapped out of her reverie and looked at Bronie strangely.

"Why don't I understand anything?"

"Next time you see Bronya, Ellie, make her a cup of milk tea. I was too harsh. Go and comfort that child for me. After all, she's so young and has to face this kind of pressure. It's making her feel overwhelmed..."

"I think Bronya is quite smart! And her daily life seems pretty happy!"

Ellie and Bronie had different opinions, but Bronie didn't argue with her.

"In fact, most Bronyas have a heart that yearns for freedom. No matter what rules they follow, they won't easily let those rules bind them. But since the Bronya of Belobog is willing to choose Preservation, that's her freedom. I just feel that this kind of life is a bit too heavy."

"As the God of the Earth, don't you often consider Earth's civilization in every aspect? Nothing is easily given up! Bronie, aren't you that kind of person?" Ellie said, causing Bronie to raise an eyebrow.

"The responsibility for the development of Earth's civilization isn't entirely mine to bear, and I can walk away at any time. But this Bronya doesn't have that ability, unless she can become the God of Jarilo VI."

"So, after confirming the state of the Stellaron and Cocolia's condition, what do you plan to do?"

Welt felt that if they continued talking, the two would definitely veer into a display of affection, so he quickly interrupted them, mentioning that he was a little tired and wanted to rest.

"Move the people from the Underworld to the surface, repair the mechs below and send them to mine, and find an opportunity to capture the Stellaron. After all, that thing is still very valuable for research."

 - - - - 

Chapter 436: Cocolia's Choice

"Reporting, Guardian! Unidentified mechs have suddenly appeared outside the city. They're swarming everywhere and can even withstand the blizzard outside!"

"Reporting, Guardian! The outsiders met with Serval and held a concert together!"

"Reporting, Guardian! Lady Bronya canceled all her classes today and disappeared, only returning around dinner time. She always seemed so preoccupied!"

"Reporting, Guardian! We've unearthed a loan contract related to the Interastral Peace Corporation in the historical files—a contract binding the entire Architect regime! That's an astronomical sum! If the outsiders reopen our connection to the outside world, wouldn't the Interastral Peace Corporation become our death knell?"

"Reporting, Guardian! The cold wave is intensifying, and the Fragmentum Creatures seem to be gathering. The front lines are in dire need of attention!"

One message after another piled onto her desk, and Cocolia felt utterly exhausted.

What could be so strange about rock music?

But for Bronie to be playing rock music at a concert while having drones build cities outside was truly absurd.

Cocolia had anticipated Bronya's curiosity about Bronie. After all, the similar face and motherly aura made it hard for Bronya not to wonder whether this person was her biological mother.

Although she had tried to obscure Bronya's childhood memories, Bronya was still very aware of her adopted status.

"Enough! I understand everything you've done. I'll handle these matters properly from now on. Don't panic!"

Cocolia's command silenced everyone present.

Looking at the mountain of documents, Cocolia temporarily put down her pen and then threw on her coat, indicating that she was about to leave.

"Everyone, disperse. I need to go out and investigate some things. You don't need to follow me. Put aside the matter of the outsiders for now and just treat them well. As for Bronya, confine her for a day. Let her calm down and understand what it means to be my daughter."

The orders were issued methodically, and then Cocolia left Belobog, heading toward the outskirts of the city.

That was the front line of the battle between Belobog and the Fragmentum Creatures. After Cocolia ordered the cessation of research on the Stellaron, the Fragmentum's erosion began spreading throughout the city.

This was a process that the world promised by the Stellaron had to go through.

It was after the Stellaron influenced her body that Cocolia realized her body had changed, and she saw a new world where everyone could survive in a different form.

Cocolia accepted that future, agreed to the deal with the Stellaron, and slowly began preparing for it.

Perhaps a sliver of her will to survive still struggled within her. Cocolia wasn't in a hurry to cooperate further with the Stellaron. Instead, she quietly observed the new world revealed by the Fragmentum as it eroded part of Belobog and was shaped by the Stellaron.

In a sense, the world eroded by the Fragmentum still existed, but the lifeforms there had undergone some change—an evolution, a sublimation.

Cocolia had always thought this way.

But after meeting Bronie, the feather Bronie gave her allowed her to see the true state of the Fragmentum Creatures more comprehensively.

Or rather, Cocolia's understanding expanded. She no longer saw only one side of the new world the Stellaron presented to her, but the entirety of this so-called new world.

Then Cocolia began to wonder whether the only way out for Belobog was truly the path prescribed by the Stellaron.

The previous Supreme Guardian had committed suicide. Cocolia assumed the position shortly after graduating, and since then, the influence of the Stellaron had remained with her.

The Stellaron's influence had grown increasingly stronger, to the point where Cocolia could feel her humanity diminishing and herself drifting further away from the human race.

Because of this altered physical structure, even her understanding of humanity had changed. This semi-quantum state made Cocolia realize the vulnerability of her human side.

That was what Cocolia initially believed.

Walking through the blizzard and temporarily severing her connection with the Stellaron, Cocolia pondered many things.

The Stellaron was difficult to deal with, but wasn't Bronie the same?

'Cocolia...'

As she looked at the Stellaron bound within the machine and drifting through the snowstorm, seemingly unharmed, its voice resonated deep within her heart the moment she saw it.

“Bronie, an outsider and a member of the Genius Society, has severed our communication. I can't figure out what she's up to.”

‘Don't you want the New World anymore?’

“No, it's not that I don't want the New World. The other party is simply very troublesome. Judging from historical records, every member of the Genius Society is a top genius in the universe. If we anger her, not only the New World but all of Jarilo VI could be destroyed.”

Fortunately, Belobog still possessed a great deal of data, including information about the so-called members of the Genius Society.

Every member of the Genius Society was a formidable opponent.

As for how Cocolia was certain of this, it was mainly because she had sent someone to inspect Bronie's spaceship.

Although they didn't go inside, the igloo-like camouflage and the seemingly small spaceship didn't look like ordinary technology at all.

So what else was there to say?

The Stellaron, hearing Cocolia's assessment, was completely baffled.

‘Why don't you just go and kill her? Even the most brilliant genius is still just a weakling. There's no place for her in the new world.’

"Me? Me, deal with Bronie?"

Cocolia pointed at herself and asked the Stellaron incredulously.

‘Besides that woman, what fighting power does she have in Belobog?’

Cocolia finally realized that the Stellaron was treating Bronie as an ordinary person, while Elysia, Welt, and the child beside them were seen as completely powerless.

No, the Stellaron still showed some respect for Welt.

But Bronie...

She had given Cocolia a completely new perspective, allowing her to observe a substantial amount of information about the Stellaron and the Fragmentum.

How could someone possessing such power possibly be a pushover?

To avoid the Stellaron's power erupting, Cocolia nodded solemnly and agreed to its conditions.

“I will do it. For the new world you promised, I will eliminate any enemy, no matter what.”

‘That's good...’

Cocolia returned to her office from the Stellaron's seal.

Sitting in the warm room, she saw that night had already enveloped the entire city of Belobog. Looking out through the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office in Qlipoth Fortress, she saw scattered lights flickering across the city and creating a tranquil scene.

Cocolia had seen this view countless times, but today it felt different.

She was supposed to deal with Bronie?

What a joke!

Only after returning to her office did she realize that her connection with the Stellaron had been severed, yet the Stellaron was still unaware of it.

Is this what it calls having little combat power?

Perhaps ordinary geniuses are only outstanding in their research fields, but a genius among geniuses in the universe is something else entirely.

For such a person to travel freely through the universe, self-defense capabilities are essential.

A brilliant idea suddenly emerged, but then a wave of sorrow washed over Cocolia.

Although she had temporarily escaped the Stellaron's influence, she could never truly escape it.

Just look at her arms.

The frozen marks on her fingertips existed only because the symptoms were being suppressed. Under normal circumstances, if they spread to her elbows, she would be utterly beyond redemption.

Why had the previous Supreme Guardian chosen suicide?

Because the power of the Stellaron was constantly eroding the Supreme Guardians, and their resistance was nearly exhausted.

Then why hadn't she chosen suicide?

Because the rate of the Stellaron's erosion had exceeded the rate at which the next generation of Supreme Guardians could be nurtured. Bronya was still incredibly naive and completely incapable of becoming a qualified Supreme Guardian.

No, more accurately, because she herself had been corrupted, she had never intended to cultivate Bronya into a qualified Supreme Guardian from the very beginning.

She had even left countless pitfalls within Belobog.

The conflict between the Upper and Lower Districts.

The greedy nobles.

The depletion of basic resources and the pointless deaths of the Silvermane Guards.

Reflecting on her past actions, Cocolia considered how she could truly persuade this genius to help.

Then Cocolia came up with a plan.

Perhaps Bronie had effectively submitted an application from the very beginning. She could simply allocate that area to Bronie in the name of the Supreme Guardian and ensure Bronie's legitimate ownership under the Architects' regime.

Would that be suitable?

Cocolia felt that, given the current state of civilization on Jarilo VI, it might take several generations before the city expanded to that location, making it quite appropriate.

Cocolia spent a sleepless night.

Meanwhile, the robots Bronie had prepared were also busy throughout the night without any opportunity to rest.

"According to estimates, Snow Castle will take about a week to build and decorate."

When morning arrived, perhaps due to the environment, all the residents of Belobog were already awake and working.

In terms of diligence, Belobog had done a decent job. After all, disaster could strike at any moment. If they couldn't even manage their own affairs, the city would never have survived seven hundred years of snowstorms.

Bronie woke up relatively late. Ellie had already taken the child to enjoy a distinctive local breakfast and had prepared two cups of coffee for Bronie.

"A week is fairly quick, but Belobog is a bit small. There's not much to see. Most people are either operating production machinery or doing clerical work. The atmosphere throughout society is quite tense."

Ellie couldn't help but think of the social environment during the Fire Moth era, where everything revolved around fighting the apocalypse—a similarly efficient and ruthless system.

This might mean less human warmth, but everything was geared toward survival, and everyone worked diligently.

Daily entertainment had become scarce.

No wonder so many people attended Serval's concerts, and the variety of novels sold at newsstands was pitifully limited.

Even the cultural sphere had gradually begun to decline.

This was an outcome Elysia had long foreseen.

"Actually, the first Supreme Guardian prepared quite a lot. The machines in the production facilities were highly automated, freeing up manpower for development in other fields. It's just a pity that the decline of this civilization was gradual, and Cocolia's generation is practically the last."

"Why did it turn out like this?"

"It's a struggle between the Paths of Preservation and The Destruction. Following the will of The Destruction isn't about completely annihilating everything but about the process of destruction itself. Otherwise, it would simply become nothingness. The goal is to force those on the Path of Preservation to collapse from within. That's crucial for followers of The Destruction."

"That's quite meaningful."

"The struggle of the Aeons? Wow, that sounds a bit strange. I thought conflicts between Aeons took place in outer space with actual hand-to-hand combat!"

"The Aeon of Destruction, Nanook, isn't much different from the Path of Propagation. Both bring terrible disasters to the universe, from small-scale catastrophes affecting civilizations to large-scale conflicts between Emanators. It really does feel as though the Aeons are fighting one another."

After tasting Belobog's specialty coffee, Bronie thought it tasted almost identical to coffee on Earth. Many things could be traced back to corresponding species through data from Herta Space Station.

Bronie could only conclude that the Interastral Peace Corporation's influence on this civilization in the past had been quite substantial.

Looking at the child in Ellie's arms, Bronie sighed and spoke, "Today we're going to the Lower District. From now on, my territory will be open to the Lower District. I'll use my power to completely halt the effects of the Fragmentum and the blizzard. Once the people of Belobog truly possess the power to fight against the Stellaron, I'll withdraw all protection. That's my plan."

"Looks like you still dislike Cocolia quite a bit."

"Because Bronya in this world has become very boring under her guidance. Even when Bronya grows up in the future, she'll only become a document-processing machine. It's a shame that her true talents won't be fully utilized."

"It's not that bad, is it? I think Bronya would be quite adorable as a serious Supreme Guardian. Sometimes serious, sometimes goofy—isn't that kind of contrast the most common thing in anime?"

"That's true. I'll go find Bronya later and see whether she wants to come to the Lower District. Maybe beneath that rigid personality, she still has a rebellious heart... rebelling against her glamorous mother or something... Hehehe, that would be hilarious!"

---(

Chapter 437: Tsundere

“It’s terrible! Bronya… she’s run away from home!”

Early in the morning in Belobog, Cocolia had finished most of the paperwork and planned to rest, quietly await Bronie’s next move, and find an opportunity to complete the Stellaron mission.

However, before Cocolia had even changed her clothes and was about to lie down, another alarming message arrived from her subordinates.

Bronya had run away from home!

And Belobog was only so big. With so many people sent out to search, where could Bronya have gone?

Then Cocolia thought about what Bronya had been telling her about the lower districts.

Years ago, after expelling Serval from the research institute, Cocolia completely separated the Upper and Lower Districts. She told Bronya at the time that this was to allow the people in the Lower District to focus on their work.

Furthermore, she had always assured Bronya that the people in the Lower District were doing well and that there was no need to worry about them. The Upper District was primarily responsible for combating the Fragmentum invasion and the invading monsters.

Cocolia knew Bronya trusted her implicitly, so her words had prevented Bronya from ever considering the Lower District.

So what exactly changed Bronya’s mind?

Bronie!

Bronya skipped class yesterday and had undoubtedly contacted Bronie. But how could an outsider immediately know about the Lower District?

Even though her subordinates were constantly monitoring Bronie’s actions, Bronie had already begun construction outside the city without anyone noticing. Therefore, Cocolia instantly deduced that Bronie possessed, to some extent, the ability to conceal herself and deceive the surveillance personnel.

After figuring things out, Cocolia felt even more absurd about what the Stellaron was asking her to do.

The power manifested so silently. Sometimes, if someone finds a cockroach in one corner, it means the rest of the area is already teeming with them.

Realizing this, Cocolia reluctantly gave her orders to her subordinates.

“Leave Bronya’s matter for now. Leave the frontline work to that kid from the Landau family. If Bronya doesn’t return in three days, issue a city-wide warrant for the arrest of any outsiders.”

As for Cocolia herself, after giving the orders, she immediately ran to her equipment room to retrieve her gear.

After all, every Supreme Guardian undergoes combat training, and the equipment left behind by the Architects contains a trace of the Aeon’s power.

This power might be surprisingly effective against Bronie!

...

There weren’t many passages leading to the lower districts.

The supply transport passage was one, but it was unmanned, with machinery operating inside. One wrong move and you could get stuck.

Fortunately, it was regularly maintained, making it a kind of hidden passage, but the problem was that it was quite dirty.

The second passage was for people.

This passage was completely sealed off by Cocolia. The trams had stopped running, and even maintenance had been halted.

Normally, this kind of place wouldn’t be suitable as a passage to the lower levels.

However, Bronie wasn’t normal from the start.

“Are all aliens this powerful? Garbage seems to just move around us, and it’s so easily separated...”

Bronya Rand followed closely behind Elysia. She couldn’t help it; Bronie’s scolding had made her a little afraid of this person who looked even younger than her.

She gave her the feeling of a very strict mother.

Bronya had thought carefully about Bronie’s behavior. Although she didn’t understand what Bronie’s pursuit of freedom really meant, her blindness and limited access to information were undeniably real.

“This is Bronie’s power. Didn’t we mention before that our homeland was struck by a similar disaster? Without the warning from any Architects, and without the help of other Aeons’, Bronie, through her own efforts, resolved the source of the disaster and mastered its power. And a tiny fraction of that power is now before us.”

Every time Welt spoke of this, his heart was filled not with jealousy, but with admiration.

Finding the passage, establishing the link, and then seizing access—these things sound incredibly simple and follow the conventional hacker’s logic.

But what the Previous Era couldn’t do, and what the Current Era can’t detect, only Bronie accomplished.

“So, does our planet’s disaster also have a source?”

“Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction. While there’s no direct evidence, many planets suffering from Stellaron disasters are largely related to Them. These Stellarons are hidden within civilizations, destroying them in various ways. Afterward, something called a Fragmentum is created. Fragmentum Creatures are reborn from destruction and continuously destroy everything visible outside the Fragmentum.”

“Fragmentums… so there must be a Stellaron causing this on our planet!”

Bronya wasn’t afraid of Bronie anymore. When it came to her homeland, she was indeed more proactive and showed great courage and integrity.

“It’s not confirmed yet. Although Bronie is almost omniscient, there are always things that can’t be determined until they are observed. But I think Bronie must have her own ideas. If she intervened directly, she could easily solve the source of the disaster.”

Elysia also didn’t quite understand why Bronie hadn’t intervened directly. Now she realized it must be closely related to her research on the Aeon of Destruction.

Was Bronie simply following her own path, which was why she didn’t directly destroy the Stellaron?

Or was she trying to research the path of the Aeon of Destruction and thus seeking other methods to deal with the Stellaron?

People with different powers have different perceptions of the world, and different perceptions lead to different observations. Elysia didn’t quite understand Bronie’s perception in her research state, but if she grabbed Bronie’s hand and placed it against her chest, forcibly transforming her into a lewd state, Elysia guaranteed that their perceptions would be very similar.

At that moment, Bronie would speak properly.

Unfortunately, Lily was currently in her arms, making it inappropriate to do such a thing.

“Are all geniuses in the universe, members of the Genius Society, like this? Able to easily resolve these disasters?”

“After all, compared to the rest of the universe, your Jarilo civilization’s technological and cultural development is relatively backward, so it’s understandable that you can’t handle this kind of thing.”

Welt had read many books Bronie brought back to Earth, along with the history of the IPC selected by Dr. Mei. He had to admit that, with the help of the IPC, the development speed of most civilizations had indeed improved.

Jarilo was one of them, but unfortunately, seven hundred years ago, the IPC felt that there was no future here after the invasion of the Antimatter Legion, so they resolutely abandoned the planet.

Perhaps they left some technology and production lines behind as a form of humanitarian aid.

Ordinary people always seem so powerless before an Aeon. After fully understanding this, Welt realized that Bronie might confront an Aeon in the future.

Is this right?

It feels a bit off, but plotting against an Aeon is indeed something Bronie might be doing.

“Forget it. There’s no point in thinking about it now, and frankly, with my strength, I can’t be of much help to Bronie’s plans.”

“Are we actually considered one of the less developed civilizations...? It seems we’ll have to consider the possibility of alien invasions in the future...” Bronya, thinking from the perspective of the Supreme Guardian, inevitably felt a certain wariness toward alien civilizations.

Seeing Bronya’s state, Welt couldn’t help but think of his own side.

Historical events always repeat themselves, and different civilizations often encounter similar situations.

Welt thought that recording these events could be used as a reference for everyone back on Earth.

To see whether the IPC’s attitude toward weaker civilizations was truly as protective as they claimed.

Passing through the dark tunnel, behind the long-abandoned tram, the abandoned train station seemed to have been cleaned and maintained.

It seemed the people of the lower district still held some hope for the future, hoping that one day the upper district would reopen the passageway.

Bronya could sense that the air in the lower levels had become somewhat murky, with a faint smell of machine exhaust lingering in the air.

This caused Bronya to frown.

“Hmm, while it’s not quite as clean as Arc City, it has its own unique charm.”

“Bronie, Arc City has become quite clean under Natasha’s rule.”

Welt emphasized.

“But in my heart, the dirty Arc City is the Arc City I grew up in, not the Arc City decorated with drill bits everywhere, with people blindly worshipping their Arc City.”

“People are always nostalgic.”

“You’re right, Welt. People are always so sentimental.”

The lower levels were mostly dark.

However, this darkness didn’t completely envelop the streets. Geomarrow, acting as an energy source, provided electricity to illuminate the entire lower level, the scattered lights resembling stars in the night sky.

But upon closer inspection, the piles of garbage and the people’s demeanor seemed utterly wretched. An atmosphere of exhaustion and despair permeated the scene—a truly appalling sight.

“Complex feelings? Or does this seem familiar? Scenes like this play out everywhere in the universe and could happen at any moment in the Upper District.”

“Join the Jedi Lurkers!” Lily picked up on Bronie’s joke and stated the conclusion directly, which made Bronie laugh.

“Jedi Lurkers? What’s that?”

“A game, a game I made! I like making games in my spare time. If you’re interested, I’ll give you a Switch. It has a synesthesia beacon that records language data from our Earth civilization, so you should be able to play it easily.”

“By the way, where do you usually keep these things? Is technology this convenient outside?”

“I have the ability to create objects at will. Yang used to have it too. As long as you know the structure, you can easily create them. That’s why we usually carry less luggage when we travel. If we’re missing something, we can just create it.”

“That’s really...”

Outrageous...

No matter what, creating something out of thin air was indeed beyond Bronya’s imagination. But creating things that ordinary people couldn’t imagine was indeed the right of geniuses.

Now, Bronya completely believed in Bronie’s talent.

Could it be that she also had this potential, which was why Bronie had such a disappointed attitude toward her?

Bronya Rand felt a little strange.

But she still took the game console and put it away for the time being.

Perhaps Bronie’s game could help Bronya understand this extraterrestrial visitor better.

Bronya thought this, but Bronie’s next action left her bewildered.

First, she projected a huge sign with local Jarilo script on it.

Then Bronie projected a chair and placed it by the roadside before simply sitting down.

“What are you doing?”

“Hiring, hiring! I see everyone on the street looks really listless, probably tired of mining all the time, so I’m planning to hire some unemployed workers and desperate folks to work outside the city.”

Huh?

Is this even possible?

Soon, many things flashed through Bronya’s mind.

Population loss, declining productivity, civil war, and regime change.

It all started with this recruitment.

“No!”

“Oh? So, you Upper District people still have claims to the Lower District? Even in simple resource trade, and even when conflicts arise in the Lower District, the Upper District has never mediated?”

“This... the Silvermane Guards are still fighting outside. If they weren’t continuously fighting in the Upper District, the Fragmentum and the catastrophe would probably have already spread to the Lower District!”

“From your perspective, the Lower District was a relatively peaceful rear area. Then go to the Great Mine and see the Fragmentum Creatures roaming there. See the cries of children longing in the streets eroded by the Fragmentum. After you’ve seen all this, think carefully about whether you want to stop my recruitment, or how to stop it.”

Bronie stepped aside, clearing the street behind her.

The passing miners looked at Bronya with strange expressions.

Was it curiosity?

Was it greed?

Or both...?

These gazes were like whips, constantly torturing Bronya’s heart and urging her to understand, to find the truth for herself.

Young Bronya had never experienced anything like this before.

But in the end, she gritted her teeth and decided to venture deeper into the Lower District.

The truth was there, and she was determined to find a suitable future for everything in Belobog!

This was what the future Supreme Guardian should do.

Watching Bronya’s resolute back, Welt couldn’t help but ask, “Bronie, aren’t you pushing that kid too hard?”

“Why didn’t you blame yourself when you were giving Bronya her driver’s license test?”

“Uh... it’s different...”

“It’s the end of the world anyway. What’s the difference? Cocolia isn’t human anymore. I can suppress her for a while, but when the Stellaron reacts, she won’t play along.”

“But if it were you...”

“What I want to do isn’t do everything myself, but leave behind an ideal. Only Belobog can save itself. I only want to provide an opportunity; after all, a sudden deus ex machina is meaningless.”

“That would kill a lot of people.”

“But these are their own choices. I’m providing them with sufficient possibilities, not impolitely putting their lives on the line.”

Bronie’s words convinced Welt.

The most important point was that Belobog’s savior could only be itself, and Bronie’s assistance merely offered a choice of future.

The final decision rested with them.

Looking at the job posting Bronie had written—recruiting plantation gardeners and livestock managers—many of the positions would be quite useful to Belobog.

“I’ll go check out the situation in the lower districts, and then I’ll make a decision.”

“And while you’re at it, find some local delicacies. Local specialties are like the condensed essence of an entire civilization; don’t miss out. Also, take care of Bronya for me. Don’t let her get hurt.”

Welt nodded silently and followed closely behind Bronya.

Meanwhile, Elysia, holding Lily, teased Bronie.

“Today, Bronie’s being a tsundere~”

“Shut up!”

---

 Chapter 438: The Bet

A group of well-dressed people arrived in the Lower District.

This news quickly spread by word of mouth.

The big boss from the Upper District has come down?

But what does this have to do with me?

If I don't mine hard today, I won't have food to eat tomorrow, so this news is just a topic of conversation after dinner.

However, this was true for most miners. For others who held positions of power in the Lower District, these outsiders might foreshadow something different.

Perhaps a turning point?

Or perhaps a disaster for the Lower District.

"Um... what are you guys doing here? Most of the miners in the lower levels can't read, so just putting up a sign won't get anyone's attention."

"Well, you're here paying attention..."

Bronie was still playing on her phone, organizing data and waiting for Bronya to take a good look at the lower levels, when she didn't expect someone to become curious and strike up a conversation with her so quickly.

"It's you! That space merchant named Sampo! What are you doing here?" Elysia recognized him instantly.

"Oh my! Sister, the universe is so vast, yet we've met again in such a wonderful way. This is a blessing that takes thousands or tens of thousands of years to cultivate!" Seeing Elysia here, and Bronie beside her, Sampo immediately beamed and came over.

It was as if they were old friends.

"Want to apply? Farmer, carpenter, butler, male servant, or maid?"

"Hey—ladies, what are you doing? You even brought down the young lady from the Upper District! She's so young. She probably won't be able to adapt to this dirty environment!"

"She is indeed a bit young, but youth has its advantages. After all, she hasn't fully matured, which helps avoid some negative influences. Besides, that child has learned a lot of theoretical knowledge; she just lacks a practical opportunity."

"Uh... are you playing some kind of riddle game...?" Ellie found their conversation strange, as if there were hidden meanings.

"Nothing. This Mr. Sampo the Masked Fool complained that I brought the child to such a smoky place, which isn't good for her development. I personally think that flowers in a greenhouse are too delicate. It's good for her to adapt to the outside environment early."

"So Mr. Sampo is a Masked Fool!"

Hearing Ellie's words, Sampo immediately felt embarrassed.

"No, you only listened to one of the Masked Fools after all that... But since Miss Haxxor has revealed my identity, I'll drop the pretense! What brings you to this little hockey puck? You can't really be here to... farm, can you?"

Sampo kept scrutinizing Bronie.

The mask at her waist seemed to confirm Bronie's identity as a Masked Fool, but Sampo also knew Bronie possessed another identity: a genius.

Coming to this little hockey puck with different identities carried different meanings.

Using disaster as a stage to showcase oneself was something only a Masked Fool would do.

Using disaster as a problem to analyze the root of everything was something a genius would do.

And the result?

Bronie did neither. Instead, she came to the lower levels to recruit workers.

Was that appropriate?

Sampo couldn't yet discern Bronie's true nature, so he was incredibly nervous in her presence.

Like a mouse seeing a cat.

"Of course, it's not just about farming! I'm going to build a completely new Belobog!"

"A new... Belobog?"

"Want to get involved in building this new family? With your connections, old Sampo, even though you might be universally hated in the Lower District, your persuasive skills are pretty good. Leading everyone in the Lower District to start anew, away from the Fragmentum, wouldn't that be great!"

Bronie projected a world map of Jarilo VI.

"Sis, the way you're saying it, I can't even tell if it's true or not. Will getting away from here really solve the problem? Do you think the people in the Upper District will just ignore it? Let alone with that thing..."

"Isn't this great?"

"Huh?"

"I'll give them a paradise of freedom, then use both protection and destruction to ruin it. Then everyone will realize the value of freedom and take up their weapons to defend their paradise. Isn't that amazing! This drama will be a bloodbath. Families will turn against each other—all the elements are there. Wouldn't you be interested in such a grand performance?"

Damn it, this Haxxor Bunny is a rather wicked type of Masked Fool...

"No way, sis, I love it here! If it's a bloodbath, won't there be nothing left? That's not in line with the Path of The Elation, is it?"

"But when did I ever tell you that I'm on the Path of The Elation?"

"Huh?" Sampo's gaze fell on the mask clipped to Bronie's waist.

The power he could clearly feel on it was specially protected by The Elation; Sampo could guarantee that.

But how could someone so closely watched by The Elation not be on the Path of The Elation?

No, perhaps she might even become an Aeon?

"I'm just asking if you're coming for the interview or not? If not, don't block my way from hiring others!"

Bronie waved impatiently, trying to shoo Sampo away. Sampo simply smiled at her and quickly disappeared from her sight.

After all, in Sampo's eyes, Bronie possessed hidden power, the kind of hidden power he couldn't defeat.

"Will there really be rivers of blood?"

"There's bound to be family feuds!"

Bronie wasn't sure if there would be rivers of blood, but if family feuds occurred, rivers of blood were inevitable.

Ellie came up behind Bronie, gesturing for Lily to punch Bronie in the head.

"Oh no! Bronie! This is terrible!"

"I'll try my best to avoid this! Even in that blizzard-covered manor over there, I won't leave any lethal weapons."

"But will that prevent bloodshed?"

"You should trust Bronya. Even if family members turn against each other, she knows how to minimize bloodshed."

"Bronya... that's true!"

Elysia carefully considered Bronie's words. Based on Elysia's understanding of Bronya in this world, Bronya would never do anything too drastic.

Therefore, if Bronya could integrate well with the people of the Lower District, perhaps the divide between the Upper and Lower Districts would completely disappear.

Elysia knew her thinking speed couldn't keep up with Bronie's, but after Bronie's reminder, she immediately understood the situation.

However, Elysia also knew she didn't have Bronie's almost predictive analytical abilities, so she would still prepare for the possibility of things getting out of control.

"Look, look! Brand-new jobs, right on the surface! If you're tired of the hectic life underground and the unbearable mine dust, why not try working on the surface with the amazing Ms. Bronie! The pay is negotiable!" Sampo had mentioned that the literacy rate here wasn't very high, so Bronie didn't hesitate to start advertising.

This startled Ellie a little.

But when Lily heard Bronie's call, she quickly climbed onto Ellie's lap and grabbed Bronie's skirt.

"Ah!"

"Lily!" Seeing the child cuddling up to her, Bronie picked Lily up in her arms.

But at that moment, a little girl walked over and stared intently at Bronie.

"Hey! What do you mean by 'work on the surface'? The upper and lower levels have been disconnected for over ten years. The core has long been just a supply transport route. How did you get down here?!"

"Hehehe, little sister, you might not believe it, but I'm from outer space! I'm incredibly capable! Forget about the passage between the upper and lower levels—even traveling to other planets or plucking the sun from the sky and sending it to the lower level is no problem!"

"Hmph! I'm going to report you to Wildfire right now! What you're saying is too fake!"

Watching the girl run away without looking back, and the passersby avoiding her gaze, Bronie knew that recruiting workers might face some obstacles.

"These days, nobody believes the truth anymore~"

"It's Bronie, and what you said yourself isn't very credible, is it? And that kid just now..."

"Looks exactly like Seele, right? Just a bit boyish and with some scars from fighting."

"Seele and Bronya, huh~"

"Just like there's some kind of attraction between you and me, maybe there's some kind of attraction between Seele and Bronya too. Their relationship might even take off after that! Want to bet with me?"

"Sure, sure! Let's bet thirty rounds of dominance in QQ Space!"

"Okay!" With Ellie betting so much, Bronie had no reason to refuse.

"So, which side are you betting on?"

"I'm betting on Seele to win the contest!"

"Then I'll choose Bronya. Ellie, don't let Bronya's seemingly soft and indecisive appearance fool you. She received elite education and learned something like the art of rulership, so she can be incredibly tough when necessary!" Bronie placed her bet on Bronya.

"But Seele looks like she grew up on the streets and got into a lot of fights. I think her defiant personality will definitely beat Bronya!"

"It's precisely because of that toughness that she's so adorable when she's shy!" Bronie said, arms crossed, instantly convincing Ellie.

"Oh no! Did I bet on the wrong person!?" Ellie began to doubt herself.

"You'd better be prepared~ But it looks like we have guests!"

The little girl who had just run away walked over with an old man.

If you had to say what the two had in common...

It was probably the red bandages tied around their arms.

"It's them! Leader, these outsiders suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Even Sampo got wrecked by her, and she's been talking about surface work and farming to escape the constraints of the Upper District!" Seele pointed directly at Bronie.

As if Bronie had committed some heinous crime.

"Oh, looking for work? I guarantee you won't regret it!"

"A new face? I'm Oleg, the leader of the Wildfire organization. Wildfire is a self-organized management organization formed by the people of the Lower District, responsible for the distribution and transportation of supplies, as well as mediating personnel conflicts. Seele said you guys are very suspicious, and I think I've figured it out too. In the entire Lower District, where are there any girls dressed as smartly and beautifully as you?"

The person Seele brought over was an elderly man who still looked energetic. The scars on his face looked like they had a story to tell, and his brisk gait gave him the air of someone who had served in the military.

"Hmm~ I'll take that as a compliment! I already introduced myself to Seele. I'm Bronie, this is Elysia, and this is our child, Labyrnth. We're from outer space, along with a young lady from the Upper District and a friend who's traveling elsewhere.

"My primary purpose, of course, is humanitarian aid. I want to give everyone a chance to fight for freedom. After all, how many resources the Upper District gives to the Lower District depends entirely on its mood, unless you can provide enough Geomarrow to please them."

"It's not pleasing them! It's an exchange! How can you say such awful things!" Seele clenched her fists at Bronie's words, looking like she wanted to punch her, but little Seele's outstretched arms only made her look cute.

"If you were the boss of the Upper District, possessing so many resources, wouldn't you try to negotiate a lower price for Geomarrow?"

"Uh..." Seele started thinking, but after thinking for a long time, she couldn't come up with anything.

Then she simply gave up thinking.

Fine, this Seele is an instinctive girl.

Perhaps it's because she hasn't read much.

"Haha, Seele, don't overcomplicate things. The Upper District won't fare well without our Geomarrow either, so extraterrestrial visitors, please don't worry too much and continue to sow discord between the Upper and Lower Districts! Although Cocolia severed ties between the Upper and Lower Districts over a decade ago, even after so much time, we've never doubted that the other side would diminish the value of Geomarrow."

The old man was completely convinced of the extraterrestrial visitors' claim. After all, many details about the Upper and Lower Districts were known only to the locals; outsiders easily overlooked many common-sense issues.

Geomarrow exists only in the Lower District, so the connection between the Upper and Lower Districts will never truly be severed. In fact, both sides have a say to some extent.

Perhaps the Lower District is somewhat more vulnerable?

At least the status of workers isn't looked down upon. On the contrary, it's a highly respected profession in Belobog, something only seen in this city.

"How can this be called provocation! Staying underground all the time will make you forget the beauty of the sky. If the disasters outside have been resolved, then wouldn't this blockade become a bridle that enslaves your future?

"Besides, Cocolia did indeed allocate me an area outside the city as my territory, and I genuinely want to build a city no less impressive than Belobog. I certainly have the ability, but without people, the entire Blizzard Manor will feel very desolate."

In fact, the resentment of the Lower District toward the Upper District had been accumulating over the years, and it was on the verge of exploding.

Unfortunately, no one could find a way up, so they couldn't protest to Cocolia.

Some even claimed that the Supreme Guardian didn't care about the lives of the people in the Lower District; as long as the dogs were hungry, they would wag their tails and beg for food, so Geomarrow and such would naturally be sent up continuously.

"Territory? Could you tell me about this territory?"

Then Bronie projected a world map of Jarilo VI.

"This entire mountain range, from here to here, is my territory. Of course, the future Supreme Guardian will definitely collect taxes from me. Following the principle that all money comes from the people, there will definitely be production!"

"It's unbelievable that Cocolia would do something so incomprehensible! I need to discuss this with my fellow Wildfire members. Perhaps we do have a chance to cooperate and seek a better future for the people of the Lower District."

---

Chapter 439: Natasha, Why Can the Island Fly?

Cocolia had offered no explanation in the past, leaving Bronya with lingering doubts. Seeing the situation in the Lower District only fueled her suspicions.

When exactly did her mother's problems begin?

Bronya didn't know, but as she prepared to venture deeper into the mine to check for Fragmentum intrusion, she was blocked by a group of wanderers.

"Hey, look where this young lady came from! How did this grandpa from the Upper District end up in the Lower District? But it's alright, come with me, uncle. I have some pretty crystal gem lizards here. I think you'd be very interested, right?"

Welt observed Bronya from afar, watching her surrounded by five wanderers, and felt a strong urge to intervene.

But then Welt remembered Bronie saying Bronya actually possessed fighting abilities, so he decided to wait until it was necessary to step in.

Meanwhile, he finished eating his Belobog sausage skewers first.

"Outrageous! Aren't you ashamed of your behavior? As members of Belobog, shouldn't you all be contributing to Belobog's survival instead of doing this absurd thing that harms your own people?"

Hearing Bronya's reprimand, the crowd exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

"Hahahaha! Who the hell hurt us Lower District people first and then withdrew the Silvermane Guards, letting the Fragmentum erode our underground? Forget it, why bother talking to you? As expected of a young lady from the Upper District, always so high and mighty~"

Two guns were pointed directly at the girl. In Bronya's mind, gun barrels should never be aimed at the residents of Belobog.

"That's because Lady Cocolia has her own—"

"You've said all sorts of nice things. 'Lady Cocolia,' 'Guardian,' screw you! Come with us! Tell us everything you know!"

Perhaps it was because Bronya was young.

As a result, the group didn't keep a particularly strict watch on her. They simply assumed she must know something about the Upper District. Given Bronya's guard badge, the wanderers were also somewhat aware of her identity as a Silvermane Guard.

"To be honest, I also have some doubts about Supreme Guardian Cocolia's decisions, and I've repeatedly advised her to lift the seal, but unfortunately, it hasn't worked. Let me see what's going on in the Fragmentum. Don't you all want a living environment where you can eat and stay warm?"

Bronya thought for a long time, finally realizing how these wanderers had come to exist.

The Fragmentum was very likely real. Even if she continued refusing to believe it, the facts were undeniable.

Those whose homes had been invaded naturally became wanderers. They struggled to find work, lacked proper tools, and possessed only weapons. By plundering their fellow citizens, they could gain a better chance of survival.

Reason prevailed. After Bronie's reprimand, Bronya, for some reason, felt less prone to acting impulsively. Driven by a desire to understand the wanderers' situation, she directly proposed a trade.

A brilliant idea flashed through Bronya's mind. She now had a glimmer of hope for resolving the divide between the Upper and Lower Districts.

"Let's go find out about the situation of the wanderers first."

Welt followed furtively behind, somewhat surprised to see Bronya so easily intimidate the other party.

This child...

Are all the Bronyas in the universe geniuses?

...

"Miss Natasha, may I ask why birds can fly?"

Oleg, as the apparent leader of Wildfire, naturally sought the opinions of the others.

If it could improve the environment of the Lower District, why not?

After all, it had been more than ten years since Cocolia severed ties between the Upper and Lower Districts. The resources provided by the Upper District had been dwindling, meaning the gap between them was widening.

Eventually, a complete breakdown would be impossible to conceal. It was only a matter of who would lose patience and ignite the flames of war first.

Generally speaking, this could be considered a concept of destruction.

The people of Belobog were resilient. The concept of preservation had always been deeply ingrained in the hearts of both the Upper and Lower Districts, and few problems had arisen so far.

Even with the passage between the Upper and Lower Districts severed for over a decade, this remained true. However, the concept of preservation had begun to crack, and no one knew how long it would take before it completely collapsed.

But for Oleg, the leader of Wildfire, that timeframe certainly wouldn't exceed five years.

So he sought out Natasha, who brought everyone to this recruitment point.

Before they could even introduce themselves, Bronie asked Natasha a cryptic question.

"Uh... birds are born to fly, right? But whether in the Upper District or the Lower District, no one has seen a real bird for a very long time. How birds fly is also unknown. Of course, if I had to give an answer, I think birds can only survive if they can fly, right? But where have we seen them before?"

Seeing Bronie with the child, Natasha's expression softened slightly.

After all, Natasha had once run an orphanage and was currently caring for many homeless children. Seeing Bronie with a child made her feel they would have a lot in common.

Although they started with what seemed like a nonsensical topic, Natasha could sense that Bronie was trying to convey a message.

"The reason birds fly, in my opinion, is because they want to fly. Before that, let me tell you the story of a man named Icarus who longed to embrace the sun..."

Holding the child, Bronie recounted the story of Icarus in the style of a fairy tale.

In ancient mythology, there was a man named Icarus.

He and his father made a pair of enormous wings from wax, attempting to escape the vast island that imprisoned them.

But Icarus ignored his father's warnings and flew to heights he should never have reached.

The sun melted the wax holding his feathers together, causing him to fall into the sea and drown.

"Many people think Icarus was too arrogant, which led to his unfortunate death. But what if this was something he had wanted to do for many years?"

Elysia listened quietly, while Lily tilted her head in confusion, unable to understand Bronie's meaning.

"'I will fly to the heavens and meet my victory with a fall.' Icarus's philosophy was completely opposite to that of ordinary people. He flew toward the sun to tell everyone that perhaps someone could surpass him. So, do you understand what I'm saying? Why do birds fly?"

"Because they have seen the first birds soaring through the sky only to fall to their deaths. They have also seen later birds make the same attempt and fly higher and higher. So, which kind of bird are you? Or are you merely pheasants who have given up flying?"

Faced with Bronie's question, Natasha, Oleg, and the still somewhat bewildered Seele all froze.

Natasha looked at the job posting beside her and sensed something different.

There were heroes like the Supreme Guardians in this world. There were also heroes in the underground who worked silently to protect Belobog.

However, these heroes, under the banner of protection, were unprepared for change. Instead, they erected a barrier in the sky, warning everyone not to cross it because it would lead to death.

Below that barrier, destructive forces compelled birds to fly ever higher, while the world beyond it represented a height no one had ever reached.

At that height, if everyone rushed upward, it would result in spectacular destruction.

Preservation had become an obstacle. Destruction was approaching. If no change was made, everything would be ruined.

Bronie's message reached Natasha's mind, and a question arose in her heart.

"May I ask who you are?"

"There is a group of people in the universe who are geniuses absolutely unattainable by ordinary mortals. Under the recognition of Nous, who stands above countless beings, these geniuses gathered together to form an organization called the Genius Society, and I am one of them!"

Bronie puffed out her chest proudly, while Ellie clapped enthusiastically.

"An extraterrestrial visitor, and a genius among geniuses at that? But why did you come here, and why did you choose to do something like this?"

Natasha was somewhat puzzled. She knew far too little about the girl before her, and a question about why birds could fly sounded more like something a philosopher would ask than a genius.

Of course, the people of the underground were barely surviving. They didn't have time to ponder such complexities. Just look at Seele beside her—her eyes had become clear.

She was cleansing her mind, which had just been contaminated by knowledge.

"Solving the cold wave isn't too difficult, but unfortunately, I always require an equal exchange. I don't care about your money, so I need something that can actually help me."

"Something that can actually help?"

Natasha looked at the job posting again. The listed jobs mainly involved farming and ranch management. Such industries existed in the Lower District, but ranches still depended on resources from the Upper District.

Otherwise, they couldn't operate.

Many things were restricted by the Upper District, and farming was something only the Upper District could truly support. A large portion of the Geomarrow was used for greenhouse crop cultivation.

"Help me conduct an experiment. Of course, you won't understand it, so just follow my instructions. Don't overthink it; it won't cause you much harm."

"Could you elaborate?"

"An experiment in which the concept of freedom is born from the clash between the ideologies of preservation and destruction. Do you understand that?"

"Uh... alright. It sounds related to the Aeons, but unfortunately, I don't really understand."

Natasha backed down, but she continued pondering the connection between this experiment and what Bronie had said about birds flying.

The concept of freedom?

It was difficult to understand, but it seemed related to another kind of hero.

"That's right. These experiments may seem sophisticated, but many are actually closely related to your lives. When you're standing at a crossroads in life, what drives you to choose a particular path is what interests me most. But to be honest, I don't have high expectations for the choices you'll make."

Bronie slowly stood up and pointed to the positions beside her.

"So, do you want to be farmers, mechanics, or livestock herders? The workplace is on the land Cocolia gave me outside Belobog. There's a hospital inside Blizzard Manor. There's also a school, and a tram line connecting the Lower District to Blizzard Manor will be built in the future."

"But there's a blizzard outside the city, and it's extremely cold. Fragmentum Creatures could emerge at any time."

"The Fragmentum hasn't spread to that area yet. I can handle the blizzard and cold myself. What I can guarantee is a safe living and working environment."

"And then?"

"That's it. Injecting some vitality into this stagnant world as it gradually crumbles. After that, I won't interfere too much."

This genius was surprisingly cold-blooded...

Was she planning to simply ignore the suffering before her?

Or would the disaster truly end only after she achieved the results she desired?

Natasha was a little confused, but these job opportunities could address the long-standing wanderer problem, and the resources produced afterward seemed capable of benefiting the Lower District.

Such a good opportunity was almost unimaginable in the Lower District.

"We at Wildfire will help you advertise these positions throughout the Lower District. However, if we discover any behavior that endangers the lives of applicants, we will absolutely not allow those jobs to continue."

Hearing Oleg's words, Bronie nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry. Blizzard Manor's employee medical benefits are excellent. Even occupational diseases commonly suffered by miners can be treated without any problems."

"That must require a huge investment!"

Natasha exclaimed in surprise. As a doctor, she knew how difficult those diseases were to treat, but her limited knowledge also restricted her perspective.

Bronie didn't explain. Instead, she replied mysteriously,

"In my opinion, this level of experimental investment is worthwhile. So just focus on yourselves. While you're at it, go read my book at the school. It's about the ideals of freedom, explaining my understanding of freedom and my expectations for a society where everyone can live carefree lives."

No one knew what kind of changes Blizzard Manor would bring to Jarilo VI in the future.

From Natasha's perspective, the Lower District stood to benefit greatly: resource shortages would be alleviated, homelessness would be addressed, and future housing problems might also be solved.

Bronie, on the other hand, appeared to be reaping enormous profits.

Thus, Oleg, under the banner of Wildfire, partnered with Bronie and began introducing these new employment opportunities to the homeless.

====

Chapter 440: A Magnificent Rebellion Against Cocolia

Having observed the Fragmentum Creatures, she personally eliminated them.

Then she saw the streets corrupted by the Fragmentum and the shabby tents of the homeless.

Bronya fully realized the hardships of life for the people in the Lower District.

Based on reports she had previously seen regarding the amount of Geomarrow transported from the Lower District, Bronya quickly analyzed the reason for the sudden drop in Geomarrow production.

Although the streets of the Lower District were piled high with Geomarrow that had not yet been transported, there was no doubt that even if this Geomarrow were transported up, it would not yield much in return.

The population of the Lower District was decreasing, productivity was decreasing, habitable areas were decreasing, and the value of the Geomarrow was also decreasing.

In this harsh environment, frankly speaking, the way these wanderers treated others was actually quite kind and simple.

"I fully understand what you've said. Supreme Guardian Cocolia may have been affected by some unspeakable enemy, and this enemy is definitely the culprit behind the Eternal Freeze. I wasn't sure when I first heard this news, but now, to save my mother, I have to believe it."

Bronie had told Bronya many things, such as the erosion of Cocolia's arm and the problem of Ether fluctuations. All of these were happening to Cocolia simultaneously, so even if Bronya did not want to believe it, she had to accept the facts.

And then, the thought of saving her mother naturally arose.

This was also the effect of Bronie's deliberate guidance.

After confirming the situation in the Lower District, Bronya completely abandoned all illusions. Although this was extremely painful for her, as the future heir to the unknown Supreme Guardian, bearing such pain without being crushed was only natural.

Bronie gave Bronya ample time to think and grieve. Even though she had prepared herself mentally, seeing the wanderers' plight still moved her.

She then took out the few Wintershields she possessed and gave them to the wanderers.

Fortunately, transactions in the Lower District could still be conducted using Winterhold Shields and Credits, so there were not many problems.

"This is all I have. Use it for now. When I return, I will find a way to resolve the problems in the Lower District, even if it means hiding it from the Supreme Guardian."

The wanderers exchanged glances. Seeing Bronya's sincere gaze, they immediately lowered their weapons.

As the saying goes, sincerity is the ultimate weapon, and the wanderers in the Lower District of Belobog did not choose to become wanderers.

If they were not desperate to survive, who would willingly harm their fellow citizens?

After all, Belobog was currently shrouded in the Eternal Freeze. Harming their fellow citizens would only hasten their own demise.

This belief remained ingrained in the hearts of all Belobog people, so after Bronya explained the situation in the Upper District, the wanderers' expressions softened slightly.

However, even though they said that, they still took the money.

They simply would not cause Bronya Rand any more trouble.

Watching the wanderers leave, Bronya shook her head helplessly, mocking her past naivety and her mother Cocolia's overindulgence before resolving to prepare herself to bear everything.

Turning back, she saw Welt not far away.

“Mr. Welt...”

“A very good speech. It seems Bronya possesses extraordinary talent in every world. In terms of leadership, you are among the best.”

“Mr. Welt flatters me. To be honest, I don't have much confidence myself. After all, even in the Upper District, I don't have much power. Most of the Silvermane Guards are loyal to the Supreme Guardian.”

The nobles of Belobog did not have private armies. At most, they controlled some means of production. They could not cause much trouble; at most, they might embezzle funds.

Even if this power were utilized, Bronya would not feel secure.

“Bronie is preparing support for you, but it will take time to accumulate. Moreover, Belobog is very fragile and basically unable to withstand a civil war. Therefore, finding a perfect solution to these problems is something you need to think about carefully. Fortunately, you still have a lot of time. Cocolia seems to have recovered somewhat.”

Welt did not know much, but he understood that Bronie did not intend to directly solve the Stellaron issue.

Otherwise, relying on the powerful technology of TARDIS, finding a mere Stellaron would certainly not be a problem.

Why would Bronie do this?

Perhaps by destroying the Stellaron once and for all, Jarilo VI would be reintegrated into the Interastral Peace Corporation's economic system, leading to even worse problems.

Or perhaps only a civilization that personally eliminates the Stellaron can be considered mature enough to face the challenges posed by the Interastral Peace Corporation.

Welt was not sure, but his understanding of Stellarons was limited. The Interastral Peace Corporation's data almost universally assumed that civilizations corrupted by Stellarons were utterly doomed.

Therefore, Welt could not expect to eliminate the Stellaron himself.

The chill that enveloped the entire planet instantly froze the illusory soldiers of the Antimatter Legion. The power of the Stellaron was far more terrifying than the Herrscher of Ice had displayed.

"Mom has recovered a lot...? I understand. I will study hard and find the answers! Preservation is no longer a shield, but a cage. I will find a way to break through this cage and find a new path!"

Hearing Bronya's answer, Welt was somewhat moved.

What exactly had Bronie said to the child?

Why was the Path of Preservation, so deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of Belobog, so easily abandoned?

"Are you asking me why I suddenly abandoned the will of Preservation?"

"Uh... was my expression that obvious?"

"No, I didn't abandon the will of Preservation. I keep it in my heart, genuinely wanting to protect all of Belobog. But now, clinging to the past is no longer practicing the Will of Preservation; it's just waiting to die. Taking the initiative is also practicing the will of Preservation. The Preservation I mentioned before is no longer a shield; it's merely a rigid concept left in the hearts of everyone in Belobog today."

Now Welt understood.

Bronya intended to bring about change.

A good idea, but very difficult to execute. Under Cocolia's surveillance, many things would be hard to do.

If it were Serval, perhaps she could help Bronya.

And then that extended to Gepard Landau...

Welt's mind raced with ideas, but he did not voice them directly. Instead, he nodded in agreement with Bronya's thoughts.

"Sometimes, children just suddenly grow up. Bronie talked to me about this before, and now I truly understand that feeling. I wonder if my future child will be like that too."

Welt was naturally referring to his adopted son.

Welt had never really witnessed this before, and when he heard Bronie say that children sometimes grow up unexpectedly, he had not truly grasped the feeling.

But Bronya's transformation was so drastic that Welt realized just how accurate Bronie's words had been.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, no, no. It's not a bad thing, just a little sentimental. Let's go. Bronie might already be ready."

With that, Welt led Bronya back to the recruitment booth.

At this time, the recruitment booth was crowded with homeless people, all of whom had lost their homes due to the Fragmentum's erosion and were now unemployed and homeless.

"Work is expected to begin in about a week. Until then, please be patient. Blizzard Manor is under construction, and the subway is also under construction. A week is already incredibly fast."

TARDIS had industrial machine tools. As long as raw materials were available, the construction speed could increase exponentially. A single drone operation could potentially transform the entire planet into something resembling a Death Star in less than a year.

So when Bronie said this, many wanderers did not yet realize the gravity of the situation. The more astute ones began to question the safety of the work.

The even more astute, considering the guarantee from Wildfire, began to marvel at the extraordinary abilities of these extraterrestrial visitors.

“Bronie.”

“Welt, how was your time in the Lower District? What did you think?”

“The overall environment was rather oppressive, but you could also feel the resilience and courage of the residents of Belobog. Only by seeing both the Upper and Lower Districts can you truly see the full picture of the people of Belobog. It has to be said, it's a very resilient civilization.”

“Yes, I quite admire that resilience. But look at the number of homeless people applying for jobs in the Lower District—it's incredible!”

Bronie pulled out a thick stack of résumés, each page representing a person. This number was far beyond what ordinary farms and ranches could provide.

“Looks like we'll have to wait a while longer in Jarilo VI. And what about...?”

“Seele, a lovely child, isn't she? She just doesn't like studying much and is prone to impulsive fights. Her guardian, Natasha, allowed me to take her to a school, even if it's just to learn about law enforcement.”

Looking at the familiar face, Welt was somewhat speechless.

Seele, seeing Welt scrutinizing her, glared back fiercely, startling Welt, who had never seen Seele so arrogant.

"Whatever makes you happy."

At that moment, Bronie glanced at Bronya, who was still looking at résumés. Noticing Bronie's gaze, Bronya quickly put down her résumé and waited for Bronie to speak.

“Cocolia has almost abandoned the Lower District, but you can't. The Lower District is also part of Belobog. If you can find a way to resolve this and turn it to your advantage, there is still hope for Cocolia to step down peacefully.”

“However, Belobog as a whole cannot withstand a civil war. Once a civil war breaks out, with no one to resist the Fragmentum Creatures, the entire Belobog will be destroyed.”

“You've become smarter! You've considered this aspect. Good, good. So, you need to find someone to help you with the development of the Lower District, while in the Upper District you also need to expand your influence and strip Cocolia of her power.”

“How do I do that?”

“Gepard Landau's sister, Serval, and Gepard's side. Once they have control of the military, everything else will become easier. You can start with Serval. As for why Serval, think about that yourself first.”

After tidying up her résumé, Bronie took Ellie to explore the Lower District a bit more and experience its cultural atmosphere.

Bronya Rand stood frozen, watching the wanderers disperse behind her as she pondered how Serval could become the breakthrough point.

Bronya had heard of Serval. The owner of the Neverwinter Shop, she occasionally held concerts, and it was said there was no machine she could not repair—a truly talented individual.

Yet this same person had chosen to open a shop in the Upper District of Belobog instead of joining the research institute.

This was indeed a question worth investigating.

Now that she thought about it carefully, her mother, Cocolia, had far too many problems—so many that if left unchecked, Cocolia might truly become the last Supreme Guardian of Belobog.

Was that appropriate?

Bronya certainly could not accept it.

So now, she truly had no choice but to do as Bronie said.

Launch a magnificent rebellion against her mother!

But now was the time to accumulate power, maintain the flow of Geomarrow from the Lower District to the Upper District, and ensure that while the power of the Upper District increased, the power Cocolia could control was weakened.

With the general direction determined, Bronya's eyes sharpened slightly.

Give Bronya a nuclear-powered phone, give Natasha a nuclear-powered phone, and give Oleg a nuclear-powered phone.

Bronya then proactively sought out Wildfire to discuss cooperation.

Fighting the Stellaron was something all the people of Belobog should do. Unfortunately, Bronya did not know much, and neither did Wildfire. So after some discussion, Wildfire decided to try to find information about the Stellaron first.

Unfortunately, so far, the people of the Lower District had not uncovered many leads.

Bronya returned to the Upper District early to deal with Cocolia, following her instructions while simultaneously investigating the Stellaron.

Bronie, meanwhile, focused on the construction of Blizzard Manor and the subway.

Cocolia's attention was entirely focused on Blizzard Manor, as was the Stellaron's, giving Bronya ample opportunity to lay the groundwork, such as making contact with Serval.

However, a week later, after Blizzard Manor was completed, the Stellaron and Cocolia completely lost sight of it, as though an impenetrable fog of war had suddenly appeared.

All long-range detection methods vanished.

Then the Stellaron suddenly realized that everything on this planet was beyond its control.