March was a bit dumbfounded and couldn't help but say, "So… we did it?"
Stelle, with a silly grin on her face, replied, "Clara did a good job."
Dan Heng crossed his arms and explained, "It seems that only Clara is able to break through Svarog's cold logic. It's a good thing she was here. I just hope his memory contains data on the Stellaron… but since Phanes said he knows about it, then…" He sighed and shook his head, clearly unsure of how Phanes knew about it.
"Is this it? Did we win? Has the Underworld won?" Seele murmured, her eyes wide in shock as if searching for an answer.
"No… it has only just begun."
An old voice cut through the moment, making Seele turn around. Her expression shifted from uncertainty to relief.
"Chief Oleg!" she exclaimed happily.
Oleg nodded, his expression proud yet serious. "Nice work, Seele."
After a brief conversation, Oleg turned to Bronya. "I want to have a word with you after this."
Bronya simply nodded, clearly not in the mood to argue, and then everyone moved toward Svarog.
Looking at him, Bronya couldn't help but feel a dull ache in her chest. She had only ever heard terrible things about her mother—the Supreme Guardian. Although she didn't always agree with her on certain matters, she was still her mother.
Seele noticed Bronya's expression and frowned. "What is it? Finally starting to see the truth?"
Bronya ignored Seele's remark and focused on Svarog, wanting to listen.
Seeing this, Seele huffed but also turned her attention toward Svarog. The others followed, eager to hear the truth.
Svarog began to display a recorded memory.
A Distant Memory
An old man stood in a dimly lit study, holding a thick catalog in his hands. Across from him, a woman with her back turned listened intently. She was one of Belobog's many Guardians.
"This is the result of years of research, Madam Guardian. The evidence is irrefutable: this so-called Stellaron is the source of all destruction."
The Guardian remained silent for a long moment before responding. "The people will struggle to accept this conclusion, Doctor. If we were to tell them that the almighty Alisa Rand, activated this thing and triggered the Eternal Freeze…"
The researcher's face twisted in disbelief. That she would even consider lying… But he pressed on, his voice firm.
"It is the truth, Madam. The truth won't change based on the opinions of the people. The reports before you are the result of the greatest scholars of Belobog's painstaking efforts. You must trust the weight of their conclusion."
The old Guardian responded to him, "... I never doubted you, Doctor. On the contrary, I am resolute in the face of this conclusion. From the moment I took up this mantle, their voices… their whispers have made a home in my mind. I cannot shake them.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I shouldn't be telling you this… but let's return to your research, Doctor. I am afraid I cannot make these reports known to the public. Unless…"
The doctor looked at her, a trace of unwillingness in his eyes, but still asked, "Unless? Unless what? Please, proceed, Madam."
The old Guardian turned to face him fully, her gaze firm. "Unless you have found a way to completely destroy the Stellaron."
The doctor's face paled slightly, his hands clenching the catalog. After a heavy pause, he took a deep breath and said, "I understand. In the name of Preservation… I will fulfill this mission."
The recording stopped, and Svarog's voice came through. "Cache number 13175, transmission complete. Next transmission: Cache number 24830."
The record resumed.
An even older doctor appeared, standing beside a young researcher.
She looked at him, frustration in her voice. "... I don't understand, Doctor. Why must we hide such valuable findings? This is the work of a lifetime..."
The doctor turned his weary eyes to the young girl, seeing the same unwillingness in her gaze that he himself once had—and still carried. He coughed weakly before responding, "Y-you are still young, child… There will come a day… a day when you do understand… The Supreme Guardian… sh-she sees further than you or I. All her decisions are for the security of Belobog."
The young girl lowered her gaze to the ground. "I just think it's a shame… Our research has hit an obstacle. Meanwhile, your life's work will be buried in the snow."
The old doctor placed a trembling hand on her head and coughed weakly. "Don't be upset, child… You still have a long road ahead of you. When you find a way to destroy the Stellaron… our efforts will have been worth it." His voice grew weaker with each word.
The recording cut off.
Svarog's voice came through once more. "Cache number 24830, transmission complete. Next transmission: Cache number 57614."
The recording resumed.
Two people appeared—a young woman inspecting Svarog and a man holding a gun.
As she examined the robot, the young woman muttered, "This… why is there a robot here?"
The man, gripping his weapon, explained, "During his life, this was Dr. Mearcheimer's personal robotic bodyguard. I heard it's a prototype from the Great War. Ever since the doctor and his assistants passed away, it's remained here… It hasn't moved an inch."
The young woman nodded in understanding. "I see… Let's begin. We must unearth the doctor's research conclusions—all of them."
The man holding the gun scanned the area and found something. "Madam Guardian, I've found them… all the documents are here."
The young Guardian, her attention still on the scene, nodded at her bodyguard. "Mm… good. That'll do."
The bodyguard then glanced at the Guardian. "Madam, what should we do with the robot?"
The young Guardian thought for a moment before responding. "Ah... It would be a great waste to destroy it. Find someone to reset its system, then arrange for it to be sent to the Underworld. I hear the development group is in need of a robot with defense capabilities."
"Yes, Madam."
The young Guardian sighed and looked at the work of the doctor."I m sorry, Doctor but these results must be take care by the architects, one day somebody will be able to carry out your behest."
The record screen turned black, and Svarog's voice echoed. "Cache number 571614, transmission complete. Conclusion: Data transmission."
March and the others exchanged looks. March finally spoke. "So, the truth is clear now, right?"
Stelle nodded and added, "They were looking for a way to destroy the Stellaron..."
Dan Heng sighed, crossing his arms. "And it would appear that they never succeeded. Now, only one question remains... why would Cocolia exhibit such a sudden change in her attitude toward us?"
Phanes, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Just like the Guardian in the record said... the Stellaron is in her mind. It's corrupted her, whispers to her."
Dan Heng placed his hand on his chin. "Now that you mention it, it was mentioned before, and it makes sense. I felt that she was listening to something else when we were talking."
The group began to discuss the matter further. Elysia walked over to Phanes and nudged him to lean in, which he did. She whispered in his ear, "You already know that im right, don't you? Because I felt it too. It was there."
Phanes nodded slightly and replied, "Indeed. It's their fate to do this... I just made it happen faster."
She wanted to say something else but simply sighed and looked down at his black hand. She pointed at it. "Is it because of that thing?"
Phanes nodded again. "Indeed. How do you know about it?"
Elysia smiled, her smile a bit off as she placed her hands behind her back. "It's very familiar to what I have in my world."
----
Author: I deleted the info chapter as I got better now
----
Chapter Question: Why is Alice a bit off when Phanes mentions 'fate'?
----
[ Continue.... Find out what happens next in the upcoming chapter!]