Stelle gripped the ice spear firmly, instantly refining it. Her consciousness drifted into a boundless universe.
Experiencing firsthand the actions Cocolia had committed, Stelle now found herself at the convergence of countless protectors' wills…
The ice covering the spear began to melt, releasing faint wisps of vapor that rose gently, unveiling its true form—the [Flaming Lance].
Meanwhile, Cocolia crashed violently to the ground from the immense explosion. Blood slowly trickled down from her forehead, and the layers of ice encasing her body gradually crumbled away.
Shock filled her gaze as disbelief flickered in her eyes. She had clearly sensed that the missile was merely sculpted from snow—how could it wield such terrifying destructive force?
Unthinkable! Impossible!
Everything those two cats did defied logic and expectation!
But…
"I won't fail!"
"I will create a new world—my own world!!"
Cocolia cried out, rising shakily from a half-kneeling stance. Madness filled her eyes, violet light flickering wildly within her irises.
In the next instant, boundless frost surged from her body, bursting forth with infinite blue radiance. This overwhelming ice resonated inexplicably with the nearby Stellaron.
Her body rapidly crystallized into ice.
A vast freezing tempest erupted from her, spiraling violently like a hurricane, only to suddenly collapse inward.
Cocolia's human form vanished, replaced by a dazzlingly crystalline figure composed entirely of ice—a beautiful, ethereal singer shimmering with Imaginary energy.
Feeling her strength surge dramatically, Cocolia's voice echoed softly, yet firmly:
"Listen! This power surges and sings within me…"
"This is the power granted by the Stellaron! This is the promise it bestowed upon me—the only hope for a new world!"
"Anyone who dares obstruct my creation of this world—I will erase your very existence!"
Just as Cocolia finished her dramatic proclamation—
—the Engine of Creation, now converted from ice to flame, raised a massive fist and ruthlessly swung toward her!
Detecting the imminent threat, Cocolia hastily summoned layers upon layers of ice barriers above her head.
BOOM—!
A thunderous crash reverberated through the battlefield. Cocolia stared in disbelief at the Engine of Creation that had suddenly turned against her.
"How… How can this be? Why is it attacking me?!"
Her only answer came in the form of Stelle's fierce, triumphant shout, accompanied by blazing heat:
"[Flaming Lance—Unleashed]!"
A torrent of flames swept toward Cocolia, enveloping her in searing pain. She let out a suppressed groan, but the agony inside her heart far surpassed the burns on her body.
She stared blankly at the spear in Stelle's grasp, unwilling to believe what was happening.
"This… cannot be…"
"The Preservation has made its choice. You know nothing of this world's plight—you know nothing of the fate awaiting it!"
"Only I—only the Stellaron's power—can save it!"
Bronya, raising her firearm, continued shooting down the ice shards Cocolia hurled at Stelle. Hearing Cocolia's words, she firmly retorted,
"Even if we are destined for destruction, we'll still hold hands and step bravely into the darkness together…"
Hearing this, March 7th quickly interjected with determination,
"No way! With us around, we won't let that happen!"
How did all the cool lines get stolen by the people down there?
Even from high above, Yevenko—thanks to his comedic prowess—had clearly heard every word Bronya and March 7th had said.
Unable to suppress his desire to grandstand, Yevenko quickly sculpted a snow megaphone aboard the plane and shouted enthusiastically downward:
"Whether it's the Stellaron or the Swarm, we Nameless trailblazers are just like the Astral Express, forging onward through the universe and dispelling the darkness before us!"
"To protect all that is beautiful in this world—we accept this duty without hesitation!"
However, right after uttering the word "protect," Yevenko suddenly felt a strange shift in his consciousness.
An incomparably massive stone elemental giant radiating brilliant golden light appeared vividly in his sea of consciousness, fixing him with a penetrating gaze. Yevenko's eyes widened in disbelief, and he murmured aloud, "Oh, crap—I was just quoting it as a meme…"
Is this the power of Tom's comedy? Just casually quoting lines can attract Qlipoth's attention?
Or perhaps… Qlipoth's gaze hadn't fully left this place yet, and mentioning 'protection' caught its attention easily? Maybe it's a bit of both…?
While Yevenko stood frozen in confusion, Tom suddenly realized his companion had stopped moving.
Turning back in concern, Tom saw Yevenko's head drooping to one side, seemingly asleep, with a bubble above his head projecting a dream.
Tom peered curiously into the dream bubble and noticed a massive golden stone giant within.
Scratching his head, Tom climbed over and stepped directly into Yevenko's dream bubble, wandering around curiously. Approaching the hammer-wielding stone giant, Tom instinctively pulled a tiny hammer from behind himself.
With a casual tap on the ground—
—a glittering, gilded stone instantly popped out.
Qlipoth: "..."
Qlipoth immediately withdrew its gaze.
The dream bubble abruptly vanished, leaving Tom suspended mid-air before plopping back down into his seat on the plane.
Tom glanced around blankly, gripping the golden stone tightly in his paws.
Seeing Yevenko awaken, Tom eagerly presented the pretty gilded stone to him like a treasured prize.
Still confused, Yevenko shook his empty hands and muttered sarcastically,
"So, I got noticed. But then what?"
"Where's my reward, you stingy old Qlipoth!"
When he finally noticed Tom handing him the stone, Yevenko reflexively complained,
"What's this worthless rock? Wait…"
"It seems to carry Qlip—our beloved Amber Lord's aura. Looks like the Amber Lord delivered the reward to you by mistake, Tom."
Yevenko took the golden stone casually and tossed it into his inventory without a second thought.
Tom scratched his head sheepishly—actually, that stone hadn't been given by the giant at all. He'd knocked it out himself.
Still, seeing Yevenko's nonchalant reaction, Tom figured it probably wasn't anything important.
Quickly returning to piloting the plane, Tom moved on, and Yevenko put the matter aside. It had merely been a fleeting glance from Qlipoth, anyway—just a novelty, nothing particularly useful.
Excitedly, Yevenko built a cannon atop their aircraft, loading snow-shells one by one, aiming directly at the ground below where Cocolia stood.
He roared out enthusiastically,
"Fire! Open fire!!"