Chapter 603
"What? What do we do then?"
"... There is no other way. Our mission is to hold this line of defense and protect the people behind us. As for the rest, the Iron Guard is powerless to intervene."
Gepard longed to follow the Great Guardian and fight to the death against the so-called Root of Despair.
But the Great Guardian has already made arrangements.
As the garrison commander and commander of the Silvermane Guards, his duty at this moment was to fight with everything in his power to create a human shield for the people behind him. If he chose to abandon the defenses and break through to pursue them, what would happen to the people in the shelter?
All he could do was trust, trust the Great Guardian who had led Belobog for over a decade.
"Lieutenant Silval, concentrate and hold your line!"
"Yes!"
Silval glanced at her military uniform, decisively casting aside all distractions to focus on the enemy. She still knew exactly what to do at what time.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The burning mechs fell one after another like meteorites, crashing heavily onto the edge of the platform.
At this moment, in the center of the platform, Cocolia had lost her human form—or rather, she resembled an enlarged female giant, slender and fiery, but made of solid ice, covered with exquisite scales like those of a demon, standing seven or eight meters tall.
It's probably the kind of thing that would be ranked high in "Interspecies O-Guide".
As the power of the Stellaron gradually unfolds, its voice has reached into reality, resonating with the wind and snow:
[Cocolia! What's going on? Where did these mechs come from?]
How would I know?
[You... Oh, right, I almost forgot, seven hundred years is a very long time for you humans, so it's not surprising that you made some secret arrangements targeting me during that time.]
"That should be the case. Judging from the direction, it's possible that it flew in from the lower zone, and since we abandoned the lower zone a long time ago, it's normal that we didn't notice it."
One person and one Stellaron gradually realized the truth and convinced each other.
"It doesn't matter, it's just a futile struggle! The progress of the new world won't be affected by this little setback!"
Cocolia Rand and the Core of the Star Will were full of confidence as they raised their massive ice spears toward the landing machines.
Then, not only the mechs fell from the sky, but also Bronya, the Pioneers, and others who landed one after another.
Cocolia Rand paused. Although the power of the Stellaron had completely invaded her body and even changed her life form, for some reason, Cocolia Rand remained perfectly conscious and still remembered the person she cared about most.
The Core of the Star Will believed that Cocolia Rand's personal will was too strong, which was why it resisted its erosion. It admired Cocolia more and more, and longed to completely merge with Cocolia.
Cocolia Rand, completely unaware of the nature of the Stellaron, didn't give it much thought. She simply saw Bronya's tearful eyes, and her heart softened; she said:
"Bronya, my daughter, you've actually come here? Very well, come forward and step into the new world with me."
"Mother Cocolia!"
"What mother? Who are you?"
Cocolia Rand's thoughts were disrupted by this inexplicable shout, and her gaze involuntarily shifted to Xing, whose eyes were also filled with tears.
Then, even more inexplicably...
What's with this presumptuous girl? Why is she suddenly calling me "Mom"? I only have Bronya as my daughter!
"Mother Cocolia, you..."
"Don't be impulsive, Xing! There are two mothers, this is the other one!"
"I know!!!"
If it were just Bronya alone, she would be in great pain facing her mother who had transformed into an alien, and might even stand still, unable to think.
However, because of the more agitated and unstable Anne, Bronya's sense of responsibility as the eldest sister forced her to calm down and hug Anne tightly to prevent her younger sister from acting impulsively.
Thus, the person who became confused became Cocolia Rand.
"What do you mean you have two mothers? Bronya, what are you and this ill-mannered child up to? Come here right now, I will take you away from your past despair and lead you to a better new world!"
"..."
Bronya bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears yet looking at Cocolia with unwavering determination.
'Everything is clear now. Mother split into two personalities to fight the Stellaron, one to deceive its will... and the other, I suspect, is still lurking in the shadows, preparing some kind of deadly move against the Stellaron. I can't act impulsively; I can't expose the existence of the other Mother to the Stellaron. I must protect Anzu for that Mother!'
Cocolia Rand was even more confused, but also gradually became impatient.
"Bronya, what are you still hesitating for? Your mother will not hurt you, she will never hurt you, believe me!"
"Mother, I know. You've worked so hard all this time, but Belobog must not be devoured by the Stellaron!"
"What do you know? You have no idea about the power of the Stellaron. It is not destruction, it is hope!"
"..."
Bronya fell silent again.
There's really no way I can answer that.
She believed that this Mother was just a pitiful personality used to deal with the Stellaron, unaware of the truth. Although she was also part of the Mother, she was not the same as the radiant and flawless Mother in her heart.
"So, what's the situation now, in March?"
"Hey (°Д°)! Teacher Dan Heng, when did you arrive?"
"I just arrived and saw you here with... Could this be the Great Guardian Cocolia?"
The Trail Blazers team reunited and saw Bronya and Cocolia, one with teary eyes and the other full of confusion, so they didn't disturb them. Instead, they huddled together and shared their experiences.
Then, Seele, the only one left alone, impatiently picked up her scythe.
"In short, this thing in front is the culprit behind the cold wave and the Fragmentum. Destroying it will make everyone safe, right?"
"Ah, yes, yes, yes!"
Xing's eyes lit up, and she excitedly raised her hand.
Seele's lips curled into a dangerous, murderous grin.
Impatient Seele charged forward decisively. "Then what are you waiting for? I'm going first!"
The exhilarated Galaxy Bat Man swung his bat and followed up. "Great! Fighting is awesome!"
March 7th reached out to grab someone but missed, and could only cover her face. "Xing, don't... Ah, I can't stop you."
Dan Heng remained calm. Based on years of experience, the unusual power before him was indeed the true form of the Stellaron, so fighting was the most straightforward solution.
" In March, things have come to this point; prepare for battle."
"There's no other way, just watch my performance!"
"A futile struggle; your defeat was already predetermined!"
Cocolia Rand had long been impatient with her nonsensical conversation with Bronya. Since she couldn't reason with her, she figured she could force her daughter into the new world.
The inherently evil Core of the Star Will also stirred:
Yes, yes, that's it! Let these ants see our power!
Tremble before my might!
Conflict is imminent.
The power of several Pathwalker clashed with the Stellar Core power in a cataclysmic collision.
Meanwhile, the Burning Legion, having already assembled, did not delay any longer.
"Target Stellaron, initiate annihilation procedure!" ×N.
"Boom boom boom!"
Dense and terrifying firepower poured down on the center of the platform, mercilessly striking Cocolia Rand's alien body, sending chilling air and solid ice flying everywhere.
Bronya placed her hands on Apricot's shoulders, facing her directly, and said:
"The other Mother hasn't intervened, which likely means she's tacitly approving of this conflict. Perhaps this depletion of the Stellaron's power is also part of her plan. Our mission isn't over yet, do you understand, Anzu?"
"..."
Seemingly encouraged by Bronya, Xing hastily wiped away her tears and silently drew her rapier.
Bronya breathed a sigh of relief and forced a reassuring smile:
"Mother's plan will definitely be completed. We will return to Kriper Castle together, back home. I promise you."
"Hmph! You'd better save your own life first!"
The two sisters stood side by side, and then strode into the battlefield.
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