"So, enemy or ally? Make your choice."
"..."
Svarog stood before Felicity, his mind churning with rapid calculations. His systems, cool and precise, took mere moments to process the situation. In just this single confrontation, he had been controlled with ease, his previous methods rendered useless in the face of Felicity's overwhelming power.
Though his mind had multiple backup plans, reality hit him with sharp clarity—the gap between them was monumental.
——These vines are far from the extent of her power.
His gaze shifted to Clara, helplessly bound by the vines, protected by Bronya. A deep, conflicted thought took root.
"...Recalibrating... Reassessing... Initiating new calculations... Success. New variables applied."
Felicity's strength alone would have been enough to find the Stellaron in due time, regardless of the information she could extract. But there was more at play here—he didn't want to bring sorrow to Clara.
Svarog, an intelligence driven by adaptability, knew his only option was to submit.
"...System update complete: Authority transferred to high-priority target. Access granted to information regarding the Stellaron."
His metallic head dipped in reluctant acceptance, the faint sound of his servos grinding as his resistance melted away.
Without warning, the vines that had bound him disappeared, and the massive wooden spear above his head vanished as if it had never been there.
"...Was that... successful?"
March 7th blinked in disbelief, her voice tinged with astonishment.
"Is it really that easy?"
"All thanks to Sister Felicity!"
Stelle chimed in, swiftly assuming her role as the supportive second.
"Hehe, even if I had to hold up the entire Astral Express with one hand, Felicity would still reign supreme in Belobog!"
Felicity, oblivious to the fact that she was essentially a Max-Level Player in the Novice Village, puffed her chest with undeniable pride.
"Mr. Svarog..."
Clara, her body freed from the vines, rushed to Svarog's side, panic etched across her face.
"Don't worry, I didn't harm her," Felicity reassured, her eyes flicking to Clara before returning her focus to Svarog.
"Now, tell me everything you know."
"..."
Svarog didn't resist. His database quickly sorted through the necessary information, and soon a video flickered to life on the screen for all to see.
It told the tale of Belobog's downfall—the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, had known from the very beginning that the Stellaron was the source of the disaster. Yet, for the sake of the city's stability, she had hidden the truth, and her attempts to destroy the secret only ended in failure.
In essence, Cocolia had always known about the Stellaron, but chose betrayal—plotting against Felicity and the others, framing them as rebels in order to imprison them.
Felicity's sharp gaze locked on Bronya, her eyes observing the transformation in her expression: from nervousness, to anxiety, to the heavy weight of sorrow.
The truth, laid bare before her, was undeniable. Even Bronya, despite her loyalty, could no longer ignore the depths of the lies her mother had woven.
She finally spoke, her voice tinged with quiet melancholy.
"You knew the truth all along, didn't you?"
"...?"
Felicity tilted her head, confusion flickering for a moment before understanding settled in.
"Yeah..." Bronya's voice was soft, as if trying to convince herself. "I should have seen it. You've been showing me your ability to predict the future from the start. Yet, I kept doubting you."
She exhaled deeply, her words more to herself than anyone else.
"The truth was always right there... but my rational mind pushed it away. How could I accept that the very beliefs I followed for so long were lies?"
Her head dropped, her fists tightening with the weight of her realization.
"So, what happens now?"
Felicity raised a brow, her gaze expectant.
Bronya took a long breath, a quiet resolve settling over her.
"I'll confront her. I need answers."
The truth had been revealed, but it was the why that lingered unanswered. Cocolia had raised her, instilled in her virtues and wisdom that had guided her through life. Those memories, those lessons, could not simply be erased.
But now, with all that she had learned, Bronya needed an explanation—an understanding of how the woman who had once been her protector could fall so far from grace.
"Just barely," Felicity replied, snapping her fingers.
Everyone's pain and joy were their own to bear. She could not truly share Bronya's sorrow, but she could offer her aid.
A shimmering emerald light emerged from her hand, pulsing with the promise of something greater.
"In the name of 'Abundance,' I grant you the hope for all living things, so that life may thrive and the paradise may endure."
The green light slowly flowed into Bronya, her body lighting up with vitality. Grass sprouted beneath her, flowers bloomed at her side, and the silhouette of a great tree emerged behind her.
Bronya stared, stunned.
What was this power? It filled her, a warmth and strength like she had never known.
"...Why?" Bronya's voice was barely a whisper. She could not comprehend the reason behind Felicity's kindness.
But as she looked into Felicity's calm eyes, something clicked.
Maybe... Felicity's true desire was to heal the world, to cure its suffering.
Bronya's thoughts cleared as she realized the magnitude of her own situation. She had the truth. She had the power now.
She could change Belobog.
Felicity, however, had no such lofty notions. She had given Bronya this power not out of any deep compassion, but as a mere imitation of the Aeon of Abundance—a gesture to provoke the ire of The Hunt. It was a game, a spectacle for Felicity to watch.
And when the Stellaron was sealed, the vitality she had bestowed would help Bronya heal Jarilo-VI, a reward for being a part of Felicity's show.
With a faint smile, Felicity placed a hand on Bronya's shoulder, her voice soft, but with unwavering certainty:
"Go, Bronya. Do what you must. See the world beyond the limits. Bring smiles to those who need them."
"Transform Belobog into the place you always dreamed it could be."
--+--
T/N: Idk if it's just me, but I love God Protagonists, not like in the sense of just being overpowered, but being whimsical in some points but being merciful the next, like the unpredictibility of some God Protagonists just scratch an itch in my head.