The deeper Cocolia's dependence on him became, the greater the influence he could exert.
He neither agreed immediately nor refused.
He merely withdrew his hand politely.
"Allow me to think it over..."
"Lady Cocolia, it's getting late. I should be leaving."
Cocolia's hand fell short, and a trace of disappointment flashed through her eyes.
But she quickly reined in her emotions and nodded.
"Go on."
Jiang Mo turned and left the office, his steps unhurried.
He did not look back, yet he could clearly sense that Cocolia's gaze continued to follow him.
As he walked down the corridor, Jiang Mo's thoughts raced.
He had successfully made Cocolia take an interest in him.
This was only the first step.
Next, he needed to infiltrate further and uncover more secrets about the Stellaron and Cocolia.
He needed to understand how the Stellaron had corrupted Cocolia, and whether he could use it to achieve his own goals.
A year later.
Class 7-A at Belobog Academy had become Jiang Mo's territory.
He was no longer the transfer student who had just arrived.
Now, Jiang Mo excelled academically, held firm at the top of the grade rankings, and enjoyed immense prestige among his classmates.
Both boys and girls trusted him greatly.
Bronya still refused to attend those noble gatherings, but her relationship with Jiang Mo was the best in the class.
As a result, other students, including those from neighboring classes and higher grades, all came to befriend Jiang Mo and invite him to various noble social events.
Jiang Mo accepted every invitation.
He had become a well-known figure among those students and their families.
Some students' parents even came to Jiang Mo when they wanted the Supreme Guardian to handle something, hoping he could pull strings through Bronya.
Jiang Mo hinted that he would not do it for free.
Those people understood as well. Without saying it aloud, they offered Jiang Mo some compensation, and Jiang Mo accepted all of it.
However, Jiang Mo never once helped any of them get their affairs done.
He merely told them that the Supreme Guardian had agreed and that they only needed to wait.
Though some were suspicious, Jiang Mo had an excellent relationship with Bronya. Some had even seen Jiang Mo, Cocolia, and Bronya attending operas together and entering high-end restaurants.
They knew that Jiang Mo was close not only to Bronya, but also to Supreme Guardian Cocolia.
Thus, no one dared say anything and could only wait obediently.
Quite a few nobles' children received ordinary promotions in their posts, and their parents, who had asked Jiang Mo for help, assumed Jiang Mo had pulled some strings. They were grateful that he had kept his word.
The compensation Jiang Mo collected allowed him to buy a house directly in the Upper District.
He even invited Bronya over for the night.
That day.
Bronya had originally thought her mother would not allow her to stay overnight outside.
To her surprise, Cocolia said that she was worried about her and wanted to go to Jiang Mo's house with her.
Bronya felt that her mother had become much gentler and more tolerant toward her lately. Without thinking much of it, she went with her.
That evening, Cocolia's arrival surprised Jiang Mo slightly.
He prepared a lavish dinner for the mother and daughter.
Though he made it himself, it tasted quite good.
Both Cocolia and Bronya praised it endlessly.
While Bronya went to take a bath, Cocolia took the initiative to speak to Jiang Mo.
"Jiang Mo, it's been a month since you last came to Clipper Fort, hasn't it?"
There was a faint note of resentment in her voice.
Jiang Mo thought for a moment before answering, "My studies have been busy lately. Is there something you need from me, Lady Cocolia?"
A faint sorrow appeared between Cocolia's brows.
"Without you around lately, my old problem has acted up again. The headaches have been terrible."
"And... I heard that whisper again."
Jiang Mo's heart stirred.
"What whisper?"
Cocolia suddenly froze, realizing she had let something slip.
She hurriedly waved her hand. "It's nothing. Just hallucinations caused by overwork."
She avoided Jiang Mo's gaze, looking somewhat flustered.
Jiang Mo did not let this chance pass.
He slowly stepped forward, his tone softening with a hint of persuasion.
"Lady Cocolia, I feel that your long-standing headaches may be caused by some external force."
"That whisper... could it be related? Is someone trying to harm you?"
Cocolia's body trembled.
She seemed caught in some kind of struggle. A faint pain throbbed in her forehead, as if Jiang Mo's words had touched the deepest fear in her heart.
"No... it isn't."
She forced out the words, her voice trembling slightly.
Jiang Mo's expression became even more sincere. "Lady Cocolia, you are Belobog's Supreme Guardian. Your health concerns the safety of all Belobog."
"If there is something troubling you that is difficult to speak of, please tell me."
"Perhaps I can help shoulder some of it."
His words brushed across Cocolia's heart like a spring breeze, carrying an irresistible power.
Cocolia's defenses began to loosen.
She raised her head. In those exhausted eyes flowed pain and helplessness she had suppressed for far too long.
"I... I don't know what it is either..."
"It always appears when I am at my most exhausted, like some kind of... temptation."
"It says the Geode Veins are nearly exhausted, and Belobog's end is approaching."
"It also says... humanity's resistance is futile, and that we should embrace the gift of the Eternal Freeze."
Cocolia's voice grew softer and softer, fear filling her eyes.
"It tells me to give up resisting and withdraw the Silvermane Guards from their posts..."
"It says only then can a new world arrive."
Jiang Mo merely asked in a low voice, "Then... do you believe it?"
"I... I don't know."
"Sometimes, what it says feels so real, so tempting... that one cannot help wanting to obey."
"But I... I am the Supreme Guardian. I cannot!"
Cocolia's voice carried a sob, as though she were confiding in Jiang Mo while also trying to justify herself.
Jiang Mo's heart was cold.
He knew that Cocolia's will was still being corrupted by the Stellaron. Whenever it had the chance, it would exploit every opening.
"Lady Cocolia, please believe me."
Jiang Mo reached out and gently took Cocolia's cold hand.
"I will do my best to help you free yourself from its torment."
"You are Belobog's hope. You must never be controlled by such an evil force."
Cocolia's body trembled slightly as she felt the warmth of Jiang Mo's palm and the strength contained in his words.
It was a long-lost feeling of being understood and supported.
She tightly clasped Jiang Mo's hand in return, as though she had seized her final lifeline.
"You... can you really help me?"
"I can."
Jiang Mo gave her an affirmative answer.
He knew this was the crucial moment to solidify Cocolia's trust in him.
"You only need to trust me and listen to me. Everything will get better."
Cocolia stared at Jiang Mo. In those eyes, usually full of authority, there was now only dependence and vulnerability.
At that moment, Bronya's voice came from the bathroom:
"Jiang Mo, Mother, what are you talking about? I'm done bathing!"
Cocolia abruptly released Jiang Mo's hand and swiftly regained her usual dignity.
"Nothing. We were discussing your academic performance, and Jiang Mo was giving me a massage while we talked."
Jiang Mo chimed in as well:
"Yes, Bronya. Lady Cocolia has been busy with official affairs lately, so I was helping her relieve some fatigue."
"Really? Jiang Mo's massages are that effective? Give me one next time too."
Bronya pushed open the door. Seeing that both of them appeared normal, she did not think much of it.
She only felt that her mother's complexion seemed much better than before.
After dinner, Jiang Mo gave Cocolia a massage as usual.
As the power of Destruction was absorbed, Cocolia's mental state visibly improved.
She felt more relaxed than she had in months, as though the massive stone weighing on her heart had been moved away.
"Jiang Mo... you truly are my... savior."
Cocolia sighed softly, satisfaction in her voice.
Jiang Mo merely smiled and said nothing more.
Late at night, Cocolia and Bronya stayed at Jiang Mo's house.
Bronya slept soundly, but Cocolia could not fall asleep for a long time.
Lying on the soft bed, Jiang Mo's words—"I will help you"—echoed over and over in her mind.
As did those expressive eyes of his.
She had never told anyone about the Stellaron's whispers. As the Supreme Guardian, it was her greatest secret and burden.
But now, a young man knew that secret.
And this young man seemed to truly have a way to help her.
Hope rose within Cocolia's heart.
She decided to trust Jiang Mo.
Before you continue