While Bronya headed toward Qlipoth Fort, Pei Guang couldn't just sit still. As she made her way, and everyone waited, he strolled out of the workshop.
With him were Stelle, March 7th, Dan Heng, and Seele.
Meanwhile, Oleg, Clara, Svarog, and the others, led by Serval, headed to the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone.
They had all agreed: once Bronya lured Cocolia away from the restricted zone, Pei Guang and his crew would bring the machines in to help defend the Silvermane Guards against the upcoming invasion of Fragmentum creatures.
Before that, though, Serval needed to convince her brother to ensure that the Silvermane Guards wouldn't attack Pei Guang's group on sight.
Serval's team also played a secondary role of surveillance. Anyone leaving the city would have to pass through the restricted zone. If Pei Guang and the others lost track of someone, her team would step in, ensuring Bronya's movements were monitored, preventing any fatal errors.
At the fountain opposite Qlipoth Fort, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th sat near the water, watching the fortress in the distance.
March 7th, resting her head on her hand, looked toward the fortress: "Are we sure it's okay for us to just sit here? Won't we get caught?"
Stelle reassured her, "It's fine! If Pei Guang says it's okay, then it's okay. Hey, Pei Guang? Pei Guang??"
She glanced over to see Pei Guang, crouched beside the fountain, stretching his hand into the water, feeling around.
March 7th turned to him curiously: "Pei Guang! Is there treasure down there?"
Pei Guang replied confidently, "Of course there is. I just saw something sparkle at the bottom. Look! Green glow!"
He pulled out a Silvermane Guard badge emitting a faint green light. Stelle and March 7th lit up with excitement.
Stelle exclaimed, "Treasure? Let me try!"
March 7th chimed in, "Count me in! Hey, Dan Heng, you've got sharp eyes—monitoring is all on you now!"
With that, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th began fishing around the fountain's bottom, confident that there was more treasure to be found based on Pei Guang's words.
While they hunted for hidden gems, Bronya had already entered Qlipoth Fort.
Inside, her eyes fell upon a pained Cocolia.
"Mother, I've returned," Bronya announced.
She had no intention of revealing her true purpose just yet. For now, she planned to report everything according to protocol.
At the sound of her daughter's voice, Cocolia lifted her head sharply, her tone filled with sorrow and anguish: "Bronya, I thought… I thought I had lost you. Where have you been? Are you hurt?"
Facing her mother's concern, Bronya responded calmly as always: "I'm fine, Mother. I was captured by assassins and taken to the Underworld. But once I reached the Underworld, the assassins disappeared. I've been through several battles, but overall, I managed well."
As Bronya finished her report, Cocolia's expression darkened, and her voice grew colder: "The Underworld?"
Bronya's journey through the Underworld meant she was now aware of the situation there. Any lingering doubts Cocolia had were gone—her mind was made up.
"The Underworld? I see. Well then, report your findings to me, Captain Bronya."
"Yes, ma'am!" Bronya responded with no hint of hesitation. Pei Guang had already approved her plan to meet the Stellaron alone, even believing it would lead her to the Stellaron's core. So, at this moment, she felt no need for any drastic measures—simply maintaining her composure while dealing with Cocolia as she always had.
With this in mind, Bronya began her detailed report: "The Underworld has nearly been consumed by Fragmentum. I encountered an ancient machine there named Svarog, and through it, I learned some truths about the Stellaron…"
Bronya spoke with her head held high, subtly aiming the camera in her chestplate towards Cocolia.
Cocolia still had no idea what Bronya had been through, and knew even less about what Pei Guang and the others had been up to. For days now, Pela, under the guise of protecting Cocolia, had assigned specially trained Silvermane Guards to guard her.
Pela had also been blocking any outside visitors.
"Protecting the Supreme Guardian" was the reason given for these actions. Cocolia didn't question it, and neither did others, who were none the wiser to the real situation.
Cocolia looked at Bronya, her tone firm: "Oh? I'm listening. Continue."
Bronya placed her right hand on her chest, using the motion to partially block Cocolia's view of the camera: "I can confirm that the 'Stellaron' is the source of the destruction in our world. Mother… you… have known the truth about the Stellaron all along, haven't you? The price of being a Guardian is carrying these secrets forever."
Taking a deep breath, Bronya gazed at Cocolia, still holding onto a shred of hope.
"I believe we should unite everyone. I saw so many people in the Underworld struggling to survive. They know their time is running out, but they still fight to live. I think we should unite everyone. Even if the future holds inevitable destruction, we should still…"
Bronya's words were abruptly cut off by Cocolia's harsh voice: "Arrogant and ignorant… You've disappointed me, Bronya. You've barely glimpsed the tip of the iceberg and think you understand the whole truth. Just because you got a little dirt from the Underworld on yourself, you now dare question my orders? Guards! Take Bronya away."
But Bronya took a step forward, her voice challenging: "Why? What are you hiding? Why are you sending Silvermane Guards to their deaths in the Fragmentum? Why have you abandoned the people of the Underworld? Why have you changed your beliefs? Are you still my mother? Are you still Belobog's Supreme Guardian?"
Cocolia's face turned expressionless, and she closed her eyes: "I knew this moment would come eventually, but I didn't expect it so soon. You want to know what drove me to make these decisions, don't you? You think you're ready to learn the truth?"
At that moment, Bronya couldn't help but admire Pei Guang's foresight. She hadn't tried to outwit Cocolia or lead her on. She had merely stated what she'd seen and asked a few questions, and somehow, Cocolia was now leading her to the Stellaron?
As Cocolia turned and walked past her, Bronya released a breath and replied: "I'm ready."
At that moment, Bronya knew for certain: the person before her was not her mother—it was the Stellaron! It was using the guise of revealing the truth to take control of her mind and destroy Belobog. But Bronya had also steeled herself. She was ready to face whatever came!
Cocolia glanced back at Bronya: "Then follow me, Bronya. It's time for you to hear the voice of this dying world."
At that moment, Bronya heard a strange voice: "Come… come…"
Bronya emptied her mind. She wasn't sure if the voice could read her thoughts or the group's plan. For the sake of the plan—and in the hope of seeing her real mother—Bronya let her mind go blank, resisting the Stellaron's voice with pure willpower.
She didn't know how long she could hold out, but she trusted that Pei Guang and the others would come.
Cocolia intended to show Bronya the truth of the world, to reveal her grand plan to rebuild Belobog in a new world. In this new world, no one would have to face destruction. Everyone could live happily together forever.
But just as Cocolia stepped out, turning to head towards the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone, she suddenly stopped. What she saw was absurd.
Far off by the fountain, three figures were bent over, digging around in the water. Bronya noticed it too. Moments ago, she had been focused on fighting the Stellaron's voice. But seeing this scene made her brain instantly shut down. It was something she had trained herself to do in the Underground—let go and stop thinking.
In that instant, Bronya felt like her mind was soaring in the sky. She felt the wind on her face and saw animals in deep thought. Bronya had completely emptied her mind.
A soft smile appeared on her face.
Cocolia, on the other hand, wasn't amused. After being argued with by Bronya, her anger had already been simmering. She planned to show Bronya the truth of the world, and naturally couldn't take it out on her. But taking her frustration out on those three near the fountain seemed like a good option.
Yes, that was okay. She could make up for the loss of those three in the new world she envisioned!
Cocolia shouted: "Silvermane Guards!"
"Yes!"
She pointed toward the fountain: "Arrest those people digging around the fountain and throw them in jail. I suspect they're assassins!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
In that moment, Cocolia felt a brief sense of satisfaction. This might be the last time she'd experience giving an order as the Supreme Guardian, before Belobog would enter a new era.
The Silvermane Guards wasted no time moving to carry out Cocolia's order.
Was Bronya worried? Not at all. Who were they? They were the Trailblazer squad! No need to overthink this. Bronya emptied her mind again—everything would be fine.
Meanwhile, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th had actually managed to fish out a few items from the fountain. Over 200 coins, a Silvermane Guard badge, a glowing purple disposable energy cannon, and a glowing purple ancient engine.
For those three, pulling impossible items out of the fountain was nothing out of the ordinary anymore. Dan Heng, who had been keeping watch from the shadows, was unsurprised, but his attention was now on Bronya and Cocolia, who had emerged from the monument.
He gave a quiet warning: "Bronya's out."
Pei Guang: "Alright! We can come back and fish for more later. Let's focus on the main quest first!"
Stelle stood up: "Got it!"
March 7th: "I'm ready to go!"
Just as the three were getting ready, Sampo strolled over to the fountain: "Hey there, folks! My name is Sampo, and I—"
As Sampo introduced himself, the group immediately recognized him. This was an elite enemy, a hidden unit that could drop loot. How could they pass up the chance?
Pei Guang and Dan Heng exchanged a glance. As Sampo took another step forward, Dan Heng extended his spear, and mid-speech, Sampo was sent flying, half of his body landing in the fountain.