Sparkle and Seele's Little Feet Are So Cute!

In Kliperburg, inside the Supreme Guardian's study.

The air was so heavy it felt as though water could be wrung from it.

Outside the window, the ceaseless wind and snow wailed, lending a chill to the deathly silence within.

Cocolia sat upright behind her spacious desk, pressing her knuckles hard against her temples.

Perhaps from pressing too hard, her knuckles had turned slightly white.

Wave after wave of tearing pain exploded inside her skull, and blurry black spots appeared at the edges of her vision.

Cocolia forced herself to maintain an outward calm, but deep down, she had realized beyond any doubt that something was wrong with her—and it was no small problem!

The walls of reason were being worn away.

On one hand, a cold voice echoed incessantly in her mind.

The Stellaron's whispers were not without reason: that mysterious man named Lin Hai—

His power and the unknowns he had brought were indeed the greatest source of instability.

If he could be dealt with, many of their troubles might resolve themselves.

Bronya's light footsteps drew closer.

She came to the desk, her eyes full of concern. "Mother, are you... all right?"

Cocolia did not answer directly. She raised her eyes, her gaze sharp as a blade, as though it would pierce her adopted daughter's heart.

"Have you grown close to that Lin Hai?"

A blush crept onto Bronya's cheeks, and she lowered her eyes slightly.

"...Yes."

"Do you like him?" Cocolia pressed more directly.

Bronya took a deep breath and looked up to meet her mother's gaze. "Whether I like him is not the issue at hand."

"He is the source of the instability!"

Cocolia's voice rose sharply, a note of agitation in it. "By growing close to him, you're allowing yourself to be drawn into that instability as well!"

"He has helped countless people and saved countless lives. I saw it all with my own eyes! The Underworld has come back to life because of his help. That is an undeniable fact!"

"Are you saying that everything I've done... was wrong?" Cocolia's voice turned cold.

Bronya was silent for a moment before choosing to be honest. "I think... you shouldn't have treated him that way, a person who brought us hope."

"Hope?" Cocolia laughed. "You've all been blinded by him! There must be some hidden purpose behind his seemingly selfless aid!"

Bronya did not argue further and simply stood there in silence.

But deep in her heart, her conviction was unshakable: everyone could see the truth. The changes Lin Hai had brought were real, not a false deception.

Just then, the ever-present whispers of the Stellaron burrowed into Cocolia's mind again, clearer and more seductive than ever.

"Lin Hai must be eliminated! Otherwise, even Bronya will be completely corrupted by his influence!"

"If necessary, you could even... imprison Bronya first and cut off contact between them!"

"You can't hesitate any longer! Things are spiraling out of control! You must take decisive action!"

The malicious murmurs acted like a catalyst, igniting the anxiety and suspicion that had built up in Cocolia's heart.

An irresistible surge of agitation rushed to her head. Her pupils contracted sharply, and her breathing grew heavy.

With a sharp crack, the teacup beside her shattered in her grip.

Shards and tea splattered across the luxurious carpet.

The sudden loss of composure lasted only a moment. With tremendous willpower, Cocolia forced down the urge to destroy, but her chest was still heaving.

The scene confirmed Bronya's judgment beyond any doubt.

She looked at her mother's twisted face, her heart sinking.

Something was indeed seriously wrong with her mother.

It was not merely a political disagreement or excessive pressure. Something deeper and darker was eating away at the mother she knew.

Bronya took a deep breath. The air around her was cold.

Her heart was colder still, but her resolve had only grown stronger.

The mother she had revered for so many years, the Supreme Guardian who was supposed to protect Belobog, had become the most dangerous, unstable core of this planet!

Staying here any longer, whether she kept silent out of family loyalty or tried to persuade her, would be futile...

It might even aid the Stellaron's corrosion.

A thought rose in Bronya's mind, more powerful than ever: she had to leave.

She recalled the power Lin Hai had displayed, a power beyond all reason.

The hope of breaking the impasse rested with that mysterious outsider!

Bronya concealed the struggle in her eyes, and her usual composure returned.

Using the need to inspect the city's defenses as an excuse, she calmly took her leave of her mother.

Cocolia was so deeply immersed in her own turbulent thoughts that she failed to notice the resolve beneath Bronya's calm exterior.

As Bronya stepped through Kliperburg's heavy gates, the biting wind and snow enveloped her at once.

She paused on the steps and looked back one last time at the fortress that bore seven hundred years of the Landau family's duty and glory.

Her gaze was complicated, full of pain and reluctance, but in the end, it all became unshakable determination.

Bronya knew that by leaving, she was turning her back on everything in her past and setting out on a road full of unknowns.

But she knew even better that this was for true Preservation, to seek a glimmer of hope for Belobog's survival.

Then Bronya turned resolutely and descended the long steps alone. Her figure vanished into the vast curtain of snow as she walked away without looking back.

A luxurious midsize SUV was driving along the roads of the Overworld.

Outside the windows lay Belobog's endless snow. Snowflakes silently brushed against the glass, dyeing the world a pure white.

Inside, the heater was on, creating a warm environment.

Soothing music played softly.

It was utterly comfortable, a world apart from the biting wind outside.

Lin Hai's mood improved even further, and a relaxed smile played on his lips.

He rested one hand casually on the steering wheel, feeling the vehicle's steady grip on the snow in snow mode.

His other arm was wrapped around Sparkle's slender waist beside him, his fingertips feeling the warmth beneath her clothes.

Sparkle curled up in the comfortable seat like a languid, contented cat.

She turned and opened the small car refrigerator, taking out a bunch of translucent chilled grapes.

She carefully peeled one and held the plump flesh to Lin Hai's lips.

"Open up. I'll feed you the fruit."

"Ah."

Lin Hai opened his mouth and gladly accepted it. Sweet juice burst in his mouth, and with the snow flying before him and the beauty at his side, he felt utterly comfortable and content.

On impulse, Lin Hai gently moved his hand down and took hold of Sparkle's slightly curled foot, a touch of indulgence in his gesture.

Far from resisting, Sparkle giggled and playfully scratched his palm with her toes.

Seele, sitting in the back seat, watched it all.

She pursed her lips, a blush rising on her face. After a brief internal struggle, she shyly worked up some courage and quietly stretched her own foot toward the front seat.

She said nothing, but the meaning of the gesture was especially clear in the quiet car.

Lin Hai noticed the silent invitation and smiled. He released Sparkle's foot and reached back, gently taking Seele's slightly cool, fair and delicate foot in his warm hand.

Seele's face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she abruptly lowered her head. But the corners of her lips rose despite herself, and her heart filled with the sweetness of being accepted.

The intimate atmosphere prompted Lin Hai to make a bolder decision.

He slowly pulled the car over beside a snowbank and set the parking brake.

Then Lin Hai swiftly unbuckled his seat belt, climbed into the back seat, and sat down close beside Seele.