Thousand-Person Ruler's Personal Views

Raiden Mei: "I just passed by and saw the door wasn't locked. Plus, Bronya's behavior tonight really worried me, so..."

Himeko: "Don't worry, I only left after making sure Anqi was fast asleep. That kid won't come looking for us."

Raiden Mei looked a bit embarrassed, while Himeko wore a nonchalant smile. The two explained themselves to Bronya.

"ξ+(? _ ?)+ξ!"

But regardless, Himeko's words at least allowed Bronya's heart, which had been pounding with worry, to finally settle.

They couldn't explain what happened in Changkong City to Anqi. None of them were prepared for it.

"Bronya, are those your roommates?"

"That's not important, Mama Cocolia. What's important is that the Leader has told me the entire truth about Changkong City."

Bronya decisively changed the subject, not wanting Cocolia to pry further into the roommate issue, especially since one of them was Raiden Mei—who, according to Welt, was Cocolia's current target.

However, the phrase "the truth about Changkong City" caused Raiden Mei and Kiana to freeze simultaneously, instinctively wanting to ask about it.

Fortunately, Himeko put her hands on both their heads, covering their mouths.

"Continue the conversation."

Himeko mouthed to Bronya, glancing at Raiden Mei and Kiana on either side, signaling them to calm down for now.

Bronya met Himeko's gaze, took a deep breath, and continued:

"The Leader said..."

"Wait, the Leader? Welt Yang, your history teacher?"

"How does Mom know even that!?"

Bronya was truly astonished that Cocolia had casually revealed the Leader's identity. According to Welt, only the conservative Dr. Tesla and Dr. Einstein were supposed to know about his presence at St. Freya!

Was Cocolia's intelligence network truly that terrifying?

I guess I really don't know Mom at all.

Bronya thought with a wry smile, her expression blank.

At the same time, this made Welt's earlier words even more plausible.

Indeed, she knew so little about Mama Cocolia, how could she presumptuously determine her mother's motives and thoughts?

As for Cocolia, she saw it as an opportunity to show off her intelligence and ignored Bronya's astonishment, instead musing:

"Hmph, they're really quick to act. I haven't seen them show this much efficiency when dealing with Herrschers. So, after all this time, you're contacting me for the first time in over half a year just to be persuaded by the Leader to give up on killing the Herrscher of Thunder?"

Upon saying this, Cocolia sighed deeply, looking at Bronya with a hint of sadness, but ultimately offered a gentle smile.

It was the reaction of a mother whose heart had been broken by her child, but who, when facing her beloved child, ultimately offered forgiveness and understanding.

"No! I... I also... I missed you too, Mama Cocolia..."

Bronya's heart was in turmoil. Her blank expression couldn't convey her inner anxiety and emotion, so she could only explain with hurried words.

Cocolia's eyebrows relaxed. Without addressing whether she believed Bronya or not, she continued to smile with tolerance and gentleness.

"It's cold in Siberia this season, but it's not much better in the Far East, so remember to dress warmly. Speaking of which, your exoskeleton leg armor hasn't been maintained for over half a year. I've already crafted a new set. Tachibana Yuki will deliver it to you soon. If there are any problems, remember to give feedback promptly, and I'll have the technical department adjust it."

The familiar care, like the tenderness Cocolia occasionally showed in past memories, was now even more direct.

Bronya's eyes began to glisten with tears. The experiment had only damaged her ability to express emotions, not her capacity for them. These words, after more than half a year, made Bronya's heart tremble.

"Hiss!"

Bronya took a deep breath, stabilizing her surging emotions, and then calmly said:

"Mom, thank you, but Bronya's stance won't change. Stop, Mom."

"I know you're as stubborn as ever. Who could understand your personality better than me, your mother? But Bronya, no."

Cocolia slowly shook her head, her tone calm yet resolute.

Bronya's heart tightened. "Mom, you don't understand Mei at all! She's not a monster, give her a chance!"

"How can I give her a chance?"

"Mei is a good person!"

"Fine, go tell that to the three million souls in Changkong City! See if they'll let her be a good person?"

"So, you're determined to make Mei die?"

"Yes! The Herrscher of Thunder is a monster I accidentally unleashed. I've got Raiden Mei, and even Otto can't stop me, I'm telling you!"

The mother-daughter conversation quickly escalated from tender affection to a direct confrontation.

It's back, that feeling of being so angry from disagreement is back!

Bronya's breathing quickened, and she gritted her teeth, saying:

"Mom, why don't you understand!"

"Bronya, you're the one who's been fooled by her! Have you forgotten what happened to everyone at the orphanage? Have you forgotten why you were taken to be a child soldier? Because of Herrschers! Herrschers are humanity's enemies! No matter what she was like before, once she becomes a Herrscher, eliminating her is the only option!"

Cocolia, the Herrscher of the Thousand People, rebuked sternly.

"Mom, you really haven't changed at all! Still the same as before, stubborn, cold, and heartless!"

"Say whatever you want! I have to eliminate her before she creates another Changkong City!"

"If you want to hurt Mei-senpai, you'll have to step over Bronya's corpse first!"

"Bronya!!!"

Amidst Cocolia's suddenly sharp shout, the screen abruptly cut off.

Before the communicator went dark, Bronya only heard a sound like the communicator being crushed from the other side, and at the same time, she saw Cocolia's tear-streaked, frantic expression.

'Ah, I've hurt her again...'

Bronya stared blankly at the communicator in her hand, belatedly realizing that after more than half a year of misunderstanding and unilateral cold war, today, she had once again broken Cocolia's heart.

Talking about stepping over a child's corpse, the impact of such words on a mother was perhaps no different from a real dagger.

Then, the same tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why are you doing this, Mom? Bronya doesn't want this."

Under the worried and helpless gazes of Himeko, Kiana, and Raiden Mei, Bronya couldn't suppress her collapsing emotions. Clutching the communicator, she lowered her head deeply, emitting trembling sobs.

Chapter 54: The Night of Revealing the "Truth"

Deep night, Snow Mountain Base.

Rosaliya and Liliya hugged Cocolia's waist tightly, one on each side.

An sat in a kneeling position in front of Cocolia, bandaging her bleeding hands.

Cocolia sat stiffly in place. Her usually sharp and imposing purple eyes were now exceptionally hollow, revealing a vulnerability that was hard to look at.

"Honestly, if you want to break something, come to me. Why are you trying so hard? You're just a weak ordinary person, you silly mom!"

An muttered as she carefully wrapped the wound.

An didn't know much about the argument between Cocolia and Bronya, only that she disliked seeing Cocolia so sad.

"That Herrscher of Thunder, right? Fine, I'll go take care of her in a couple of days, and then you won't have to argue anymore."

"Don't joke around. That's a Herrscher. Mom has to use all her strength to be confident. At least we need to build the East Sea Base first..."

Cocolia forced a smile and said absentmindedly.

'Ah, this move must have really gotten to Bronya, right?'

'Even though it's just to establish my persona and gain the approval of the conservatives, surprisingly... I don't feel much guilt.'

'I like her, but the me in this world couldn't possibly not have any resentment, right?'

'That's true. Regarding the Changkong City incident, Bronya wasn't entirely innocent.'

The Ans conversed, quickly and tacitly ignoring Bronya's situation, and began calculating their gains and losses.

'In short, Cocolia's persona has been re-established as a good person with the dream of 'saving her children,' a decisive hawk. Hmph, with someone like this, I don't believe the conservatives will nitpick about the past anymore.'

'After all, Anti-Entropy's strongest fist is still with the conservatives, with Welt Yang. If we're not accepted by this core circle, no matter how much we operate among the radicals, it won't compare to their decisiveness.'

'Now that Cocolia and Ninti are also bound together, the favorability gained by both sides can be mutually amplified. Let's continue to work hard, aiming for Cocolia to truly take charge and Ninti to be recognized as the next Welt!'

The Ans calculated shrewdly, their plans for the future becoming increasingly clear.

Creating different personas, striving for various powers, first taking down Otto, the hidden threat, then calmly facing Kevin. As for what comes after, perhaps they would have the ability to lead humanity against the Finality?

Well, let's not fantasize about things too far away. For now, let's just follow this path. They had finally found the correct way to handle the Herrscher of the Thousand People!

"Bro... Bronya?"

St. Freya, Bronya's room. Amidst the girl's suppressed crying, Kiana finally mustered the courage and tentatively reached out to Bronya.

Kiana gently lifted Bronya's head.

She saw Bronya biting her lip, her small nose tip flushed red. Tears slowly flowed from the edges of her red-rimmed eyes, and her long, damp eyelashes trembled slightly from crying.

She looked truly pitiful and moving.

Especially since her past image was that of a silent, emotionless loli. This sudden display of vulnerability made her even more endearing.

"Doki!"

"So cute~~"

Although the timing was wrong, Kiana's intelligence, which never understood timing, caused her to blurt out her evaluation subconsciously.

"Slap!"

In her embarrassment and anger, Bronya slapped the white-haired worm in front of her off the bed.

No one sympathized with Kiana's fate.

Only Raiden Mei tentatively offered a box of tissues.

Bronya snatched the tissue, sobbing as she wiped the tears from her face.

After a long while, Himeko, Raiden Mei, and Kiana, with a slap mark on her face, sat on the bed in a row, facing Bronya and quietly listening to her recount the "truth" about Changkong City.

Even compared to Welt's objective stance, Bronya, out of guilt towards Cocolia, unconsciously emphasized many aspects of Cocolia's position and motivations as a mother.

In short, after hearing the whole story, the three listeners felt their understanding of the entire affair in Changkong City suddenly became clear. As for Cocolia, besides a few sighs, they found themselves unable to truly hate her.

This was why the Angies had secretly lamented more than once how fortunate it was that all the characters playing opposing roles were good people!

"So, this Gem of Conquest was actually placed inside me by Dad. Does... does he also bear unavoidable responsibility?"

Raiden Mei said with a bitter smile. She had been upset about her father being framed by Cocolia, but now it seemed Raiden Ryoma wasn't framed at all, nor was he innocent.

Everyone fell silent, unsure how to comfort her.

After all, when tracing the entire storyline, the root of it all truly stemmed from Raiden Ryoma's selfishness back then.

Himeko rubbed her temples. After fully digesting the information, she suddenly frowned.

"Wait, I almost forgot a crucial question—Teacher Yang is the leader of Anti-Entropy? The First Herrscher? He's been hiding in St. Freya Academy for many years, what does he want?"

"I first saw Archbishop Otto send Headmaster Theresa to the Far East to establish a base and academy here. I was worried there was some conspiracy, so I came to investigate. I was supposed to leave recently, but Mei-sister enrolled, so he had to continue observing for a while... it's more or less the situation."

"Damn it, they're playing us for fools!"

"The Leader's information is supposed to be extremely confidential, and very few people actually know his appearance, so it's not fair to blame the academy's investigative capabilities for not discovering him."

Bronya hugged her beloved Homonculus Doll and explained blankly.

Although, in her heart of hearts, Bronya also felt that compared to Mother Cocolia, who had instantly revealed Welt's true identity, St. Freya's intelligence capabilities were truly pathetic.

Mom is really amazing...

As a daughter who had reaccepted her mother, Bronya couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

Himeko scratched her head and let out a frustrated sigh, not knowing what else to say.