Chapter 83: The Eve
“Bronya, Seele, we’ve found the Stellar Core. Let’s go to the ground and deal with it first,” Hoshang and March 7th said goodbye to the purple-haired girl with a scythe they had just met in the Lower City.
“I’m coming too. I want to see what the culprit who has been plaguing our world for over seven hundred years looks like!” Seele said through gritted teeth, shouldering her giant scythe.
“We’re not just facing the Stellar Core now; the Stellar Core Hunters are also likely to make a move. They are very dangerous. You’d best wait inside the city,” Hoshang said tactfully, not directly stating that their strength was somewhat lacking.
“Are you kidding me? Finally, there’s hope to end this damn Cold Wave and Realm Splitting. What’s a little danger compared to that?” Seele said carelessly, believing that any price, even her life, was worth it if it meant ending the apocalypse.
“Exactly. The Stellar Core is the root of our seven hundred years of suffering. For all intents and purposes, we cannot stand by and let you fight alone. If other forces are interfering to stop you, we should do our utmost to help, rather than enjoy the fruits of your labor,” Bronya said resolutely.
Although Bronya had only been in the Lower City for two short days, she had a clear understanding of its current state.
Cocolia had completely abandoned the Lower City, leaving them to their fate, rather than for the sake of “better Preservation.”
She had betrayed Preservation!
“Alright, let’s go,” Hoshang said, seeing the determination in their eyes and no longer trying to dissuade them.
The four of them followed the path Sampo had led them on back to the Upper City.
Bronya did not choose to question Cocolia. The location of the Stellar Core was clear, and there was no need to waste time with her. The immediate priority was to deal with the Stellar Core.
Once the Stellar Core was dealt with, Cocolia would naturally come to her senses, and they could consider how to handle her then.
…
Belobog Realm Splitting Zone.
“Hey, Mr. Stoic, was that commotion just now Welt fighting the Stellar Core? Is the Stellar Core that powerful?” Serval asked Jing Yuan as she looked at the half-reddened sky outside the city.
Judging by the spectacle, no one in Belobog’s history could have achieved this. It was no wonder they had always been helpless against the Stellar Core.
But if the Stellar Core was so strong, why had it never made a direct move, instead slowly eroding their living space with the Cold Wave and Realm Splitting?
“Come on, give me some kind of reaction,” Serval said, looking at Jing Yuan with dissatisfaction.
When Meng Huaifeng was not personally controlling the True Game character, Jing Yuan’s actions were controlled by a mobile phone AI, which generally just followed the main group silently.
Thus, he appeared dull and never spoke a word.
Meng Huaifeng was trapped by Silver Wolf, and besides studying Hacker Technology, he would occasionally check messages or sense Jing Yuan’s situation.
Any action Meng Huaifeng took would transmit data, which Silver Wolf was fully aware of. However, Silver Wolf paid it no mind. The most critical information had already been learned by Hoshang, and there was nothing else that couldn’t be revealed to Hoshang.
Having pioneered a new world, the Train Crew’s strength had increased too much. Even without Welt, the other three combined wouldn’t stand a chance against the Stellar Core of this world. How could this allow Hoshang to feel pressure?
Therefore, the Stellar Core Hunters had to separate the members of the Pioneer Squad.
Silver Wolf was responsible for stalling Meng Huaifeng. As long as he couldn’t teleport over to fight alongside Hoshang, nothing else mattered.
The AI’s remote control was canceled, and Meng Huaifeng personally controlled Jing Yuan.
“That’s not the Stellar Core, it’s a Stellar Core Hunter. Let’s go,” Jing Yuan suddenly said.
“Huh? You can talk? Where are we going?” Serval asked Jing Yuan in surprise.
“To meet up with Hoshang, March 7th, and Bronya,” Jing Yuan said as he walked out the door. Serval quickly followed, slinging her electric guitar over her shoulder.
…
Iron Guard Restricted Area.
Hoshang and the others headed straight for the Silvermane Guards’ main camp.
“Soldier, tell me, is Guard Officer Gepard here?” Bronya asked the Silvermane Guard on duty at the entrance.
“Commander Bronya, you’re back? Officer Gepard has been looking for you for two days and two nights. He just returned to the camp,” the Silvermane Guard said happily.
“Good, I’ll go find him,” Bronya said, walking directly into the camp.
“Wait, Commander Bronya, they are… wanted criminals? Commander, you should go, I’ll hold them back.” The Silvermane Guard finally noticed the people behind Bronya and immediately stepped forward to shield Bronya, his spear firmly pointed at Hoshang and March 7th.
Bronya grabbed the Silvermane Guard’s weapon and said sternly, “They are not wanted criminals; they are our saviors.”
“But… the Supreme Guardian personally issued the order…” the Silvermane Guard said, confused.
“Trust me, soldier. I guarantee it in the name of Bronya Land. They are absolutely not wanted criminals trying to overthrow Belobog. If any problems arise, I will bear all the consequences,” Bronya said with utmost sincerity.
In recent years, Cocolia had issued many absurd orders, and the Silvermane Guards had long been grumbling, their prestige plummeting.
In contrast, Bronya had always led from the front lines in every battle, her tactical deployments efficient, earning everyone’s respect and solidifying her position as Commander.
After a moment of hesitation, the Silvermane Guard chose to believe Bronya: “Yes, Commander Bronya. However, I must first inform Officer Gepard.”
“Alright,” Bronya replied, not wanting to make things difficult for him, and waited quietly in front of the camp.
Perhaps the Supreme Guardian misunderstood. Her decision-making wasn’t always flawless, the Silvermane Guard thought as he sent someone to notify Gepard.
Soon, Gepard emerged from the camp. His resolute face bore traces of fatigue, and his pupils were bloodshot.
Bronya explained concisely, informing Gepard of the Stellar Core’s existence and their mission.
“Guard Officer, now, as Commander of the Silvermane Guards and heir to the Supreme Guardian, I order you: apart from maintaining the basic defensive forces on the front line, gather all Silvermane Guards and follow me out of the city to defeat the Stellar Core and save this world on the brink of death!” Bronya said, looking at Gepard with unwavering resolve.
“Does the Supreme Guardian know about such an important matter? If a large portion of the Silvermane Guards are moved out of the city, and something unexpected happens, Belobog will completely lose its ability to resist,” Gepard said gravely.
Their eyes met. Gepard could clearly sense Bronya’s determination, but he also understood that Bronya was likely acting without Cocolia’s authorization.
“I need to request instructions from the Supreme Guardian,” Gepard said, taking a deep breath.
“Mother… she cannot be trusted!” Bronya gritted out, veins bulging on her hand gripping her spear.
Gepard’s pupils contracted sharply. He wouldn’t have believed anyone else saying this, not even his sister, but Bronya’s words made him waver.
