Chapter 610

Seele had no interest in interfering in the mother and daughter's family affairs. She just found it quite novel that Annie, who was fast asleep against Cocolia's lap, looked like a well-behaved and harmless kitten, so she reached out with a smile.

"Smack!"

"Oh my god! You weren't asleep? I'm the same way even if you weren't asleep!"

"Smack!"

"Ah!"

Seele screamed and reflexively withdrew her hand, which had been scratched.

Xing opened her eyes and glared at her with the look of someone staring at a dead person. Then, as if nothing had happened, she continued to snuggle against Cocolia's lap, rubbing against her with an adorable expression. Like a clingy kitten, her harmlessness and dependence were written all over her face.

"Hiss!!!"

Seele was deeply shocked and took three steps back, taking a deep breath as she made a small contribution to helping Belobog recover from the cold wave as soon as possible.

Fortunately, their interaction did not disrupt the standoff between the Great Guardian and her daughter.

Bronya bit her lip, looking at Cocolia with a conflicted yet stubborn expression.

Cocolia gently shook her head, responding with a helpless yet gentle expression:

Bronya, you've grown up.

"Mother..."

"I still remember the day you arrived at Kriper Castle, when the entire city of Belobog whispered your name— Bronya. I watched with pride as you grew up, becoming the embodiment of justice and courage. You know that the City Builder have always protected the people with wisdom and mercy, and I believe you can use this power wisely. My mission has come to an end, and now, you will be crowned the Great Guardian."

Cocolia stood up, walked to Bronya, bent down to tidy her hair and the badge on her chest, and her words were full of recognition and expectations for Bronya.

After a gesture that seemed to be a passing down of tradition, Cocolia raised her hand and gently stroked Bronya's face, revealing a bright and gentle smile.

Bronya was overwhelmed with emotion, and tears welled up in her eyes without her realizing it.

"Mother, I am not mature enough yet, only you can..."

"Bronya, what has been done will not go away. I must take responsibility and give an account of the sacrifices of the past ten years. Why don't you ask this child in the Lower District if someone like me can really still sit in the position of Great Guardian?"

"Huh? You're asking me?"

Seele pointed to herself, looking completely bewildered. However, it seemed that she was indeed the only one truly from the lower districts present.

Faced with Bronya's tearful gaze, Seele scratched her head, her eyes darting back and forth between the mother and daughter several times, before she said unhappily:

"I roughly understand that everything that happened before was to win the final battle. If we don't destroy that Stellaron, everyone will be doomed. But even so... even so, too many people have died in the lower districts, too many to count. Those who survived by sheer luck have suffered terribly. You understand what I mean?"

Seele's attitude was one of reluctant understanding, but not complete forgiveness; she felt she had been reasonable enough.

Bronya then understood.

Is it feasible for Cocolia to continue serving as the Great Guardian?

Of course it's feasible. With the immense achievement of stopping the Fragmentum and the cold wave, most of the previous stains can be washed away, and the remaining negative voices can be suppressed.

However, that would tarnish the lofty ideals promoted by the City Builder of all dynasties.

Cocolia to withdraw from the limelight at this juncture, exiling herself to the depths of the ice plains to continue fighting for Belobog, was the best choice for everyone in maintaining the purity and authority of the Kriper Castle regime.

Bronya understood these things, yet emotionally, she still couldn't bear to part with her mother, whom she had always relied on. She wept as she hugged her departing mother, choking back tears as she said:

"But, but I don't know if I can do it well?"

"The Great Guardian is never alone. I chose solitude because I had to do so in the face of the Core of the Star Will. But you are different; you are unbound. You can trust those around you, and they will respond to you sincerely... Don't worry, you will become a better and stronger Great Guardian than me; I have always believed that."

The mother and daughter embraced in the sunlight. Bronya cried, Cocolia comforted her tenderly.

Silval wiped her eyes with emotion, genuinely happy for the two of them.

A hint of envy flashed in Seele's eyes, then she nudged the disgruntled Apricot with her elbow and grinned mischievously:

"Hey, how are you feeling right now?"

Do you want to die?

"Oh dear, my little one is threatening me because he's jealous of his beloved mom! I'm so scared!"

"Prepare to die!"

Although Xing could tell that the other person meant well in trying to cheer her up, the method was rather underhanded. So Xing decisively drew her rapier to fulfill Seele's wish.

The two were locked in a fierce battle, ready to fight anytime, anywhere – truly a match made in heaven, a pair of bickering lovers.

~~~~~

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