Chapter 60: The Stelleron is actually a universal wish-granting device? Illya: I know it!
~Frieren: Beyond Journey's End World~
"As expected, it was detected. The Stellaron also possesses abilities similar to detection magic."
Zenze said calmly,
"Since a message has already been sent to Cocolia, Bronya is likely bait.... Continuing to advance along the phantom is undoubtedly a dangerous act."
"Yes, it is."
Sitting by the flowerbed pond, Serie reached out and plucked a petal, asking without looking up,
"Zenze, what would you do if you were them?"
"Serie-sama, I would continue."
A strand of Zenze's hair slowly floated up, landing in her soft palm:
"I would follow the phantom to find Cocolia, kill her, and then destroy the Stellaron."
—
「 Through the resonance between the Trailblazer and the Stellaron, Dan Heng also analyzed that Cocolia might be lying in ambush ahead. The four were quite cautious on their way forward.
After clearing several mechanical passages, the group saw the phantoms of Cocolia and Bronya again. The Fracture here seemed to have a special connection with Cocolia, repeatedly recreating her image.
When the group walked over, the phantom recreated their conversation.
Bronya: "I don't understand... If the truth is as you say, every Supreme Guardian in the past few hundred years has resisted the Stellaron's call... Were they all wrong, Mother?"
Cocolia: "There is no right or wrong here, only humanity's arrogance and shortsightedness. Our ancestors burned their lives to continue this civilization, and then fell into silence. They spent their lives compiling eulogies praising human courage, but couldn't spare time to look up at the stars."
Cocolia: "To the magnificent existence in the starry sky, a thousand years is but a grain of sand. The achievements of a tiny race are not worth noting."
Bronya: "But, Preservation's Qlipoth - isn't He one of the 'magnificent existences' you speak of? Isn't it His power that has been protecting Belobog...?"
Cocolia sneered: "Preservation? Has Preservation ever looked at humanity? That's just the Builders' wishful thinking. You will hear the true, magnificent voice, Bronya... You will understand my choice." 」
「 .....」
~Genshin Impact World~
"Oh? So it seems this Preservation Aeon isn't very reliable."
In Mondstadt's tavern called "Angel's Share," Sister Rosaria was holding a glass of beer, quietly smoking in the deepest seat of the tavern:
"Not as reliable as our Mondstadt's Anemo Archon Barbatos."
Diluc and Venti were sitting opposite her. They were used to this rarely seen, chain-smoking nun.
"Perhaps I should remind you... The Anemo Archon is called Bartobas."
Glancing at Venti beside him, Diluc cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Sorry, but it doesn't matter. Anyway, God doesn't often visit Mondstadt."
Rosaria flicked her cigarette, lazily saying,
"Maybe he's hiding in another country, drinking right now. A God symbolizing freedom... of course, must be a little free."
"He's much more responsible than Barbatos. It seems like He's been building walls non-stop since a long, long time ago... fulfilling the duty of Preservation, right? Sigh, I feel tired just thinking about it... It's easier to be a bard."
Venti completely didn't notice the helpless and speechless expression on Diluc's face. He said lightly,
"You can't use your poems to pay for drinks this time."
"Eh - Master Diluc, don't be so stingy? It's just a glass of Dandelion Wine..."
Venti smiled and leaned closer,
"How about I owe this glass first, and I'll pay it all at once next time I come, how about it? Master Diluc?"
"Hmm..."
Looking at this Anemo Archon, who couldn't even afford to pay for his drinks, Diluc lowered his head and fell into thought.
Perhaps... Preservation's Qlipoth is more reliable?
—
「 The group passed through a spacious area. After defeating a humanoid Fracture monster, they soon saw the phantoms of Bronya and Cocolia again.
This time, the phantom's voice was clearer than before. Dan Heng predicted that they were quite close to the Northern Snowplains.
Cocolia spoke again about the past of the previous Supreme Guardians.
Cocolia: "The first Supreme Guardian commanded the Silvermane Guards to fight here, exchanging great sacrifices for a brief respite. But the legion from another world was tireless. She soon realized that flesh and blood could not compete with such a terrifying enemy."
Cocolia: "In near despair... she chose to turn her gaze to the [ Stellaron ] , and made the first wish. You know what happened next -"
Bronya: "So... the [ Eternal Freeze ] is actually a disaster caused by human desire..."
Cocolia: "Ironic, isn't it? The Stellaron simply fulfilled humanity's long-cherished wish, but we have been secretive about its existence for the next few hundred years."」
「 .....」
~Type-Moon World, Carnival Phantasm Worldline~
"This 'Stellaron' concept sounds awfully familiar..."
Emiya Shirou mused aloud.
Artoria tilted her head, her ever-present regal composure intact.
"Shirou, if the 'Stellaron' grants human wishes absolutely, is it not fundamentally identical to the Holy Grail?"
"At least in the execution method,"
Illya interjected between sips of her drink.
"The Stellaron did respond to wishes by eliminating the Antimatter Legion—but its interpretation of 'help' diverges sharply from human expectations."
She held up a finger, adopting a lecturing tone.
"Think of the Grail: wish to be the world's richest person, and instead of gold, it murders everyone wealthier than you. Similarly, the Stellaron operates through 'destruction' and 'negation' to fulfill desires. Twisted? Yes. Effective? Unfortunately."
Shirou's hands clenched on his knees.
"So from the first Guardian's wish... Belobog's people have been paying the price ever since?"
His voice thickened with disgust.
"That's just—"
"Yet without the Stellaron,"
Artoria countered calmly,
"Belobog would have fallen to the Legion centuries ago. Its civilization survives precisely because of this cursed bargain."
A heavy silence fell.
"..So there was never a 'right' choice,"
Shirou concluded bitterly.
—
「 The group continued to delve deeper and soon saw Cocolia's phantom again, but this time, Bronya was not by her side.
"I feel like... It's a little different from the previous afterimages?" March 7th took the initiative to get closer, strangely saying.
Suddenly, the afterimage slowly turned its body in full view, facing the group.
"Intruders... must not... approach..."
Seele's eyes sharpened: "Not good - March! Get out of the way!" 」
「 .....」