Topaz raised an eyebrow as she watched Stelle wielding the [Flaming Lance] so effortlessly. Her lips curved into an intrigued smile, and she murmured softly, "Interesting."
Before coming to Belobog, she had naturally done her homework.
She knew they also worshipped Qlipoth, but the universe was vast, and Qlipoth was among the foremost Aeons. Countless people across the stars followed the Path of Preservation—surely the IPC wouldn't let a mere believer of Qlipoth dodge their debts.
But what truly intrigued her wasn't Belobog itself; rather, it was the fact that Stelle had drawn Qlipoth's gaze.
Moreover, she felt the Keystone—"Debt Retrieval Amber"—in her arms tremble slightly, and not just once, but twice. Had Qlipoth's attention fallen twice?
Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!
The aircraft above relentlessly bombarded Cocolia, pelting her position as if ammunition grew on trees.
Then again, snow shells indeed cost nothing.
The earth trembled violently, never ceasing for even a moment.
Topaz lightly shook her head.
"Perhaps it's my imagination, mistaking the ground shaking for the Keystone's reaction."
She glanced toward Belobog from above. Half of the sky was covered by storm clouds, lightning flashing majestically as if a monarch commanding its subjects, relentlessly striking down True Stings.
Yet the purple-haired young woman merely stood atop the city walls, hands unmoving.
With her aid, supported by factory machinery, the city's defenses, and the united people of Belobog, they managed to hold their ground despite the swarm's overwhelming numbers.
"Such combat power… Though not quite at an Emanator's level, she's definitely among the top-tier Pathstriders. To think the IPC's intelligence network has nothing on her."
"But then again… we don't have records of those two cats either."
Topaz's thoughts returned briefly to the second Astral Express parked silently among the stars near Jarilo-VI. Her instincts told her it had something to do with this new development.
Was there a new shift along the Trailblaze Path?
Either way, it was time she prepared her escape plan.
Her subordinates had already confirmed Himeko's warning: an entity approaching Emanator-level power was indeed real. If it truly was a Swarm Mother nearing—or perhaps even at—that tier…
Even with the Keystone's power, she might hold out for a short while, but she certainly couldn't match it.
Still, there was a bit of time yet. She wanted to see firsthand what resolve the people of Belobog and these Nameless travelers truly possessed.
"It seems the curtain's about to fall."
"Urgh—!"
Cocolia knelt half-collapsed, the singer-form of ice gradually fracturing away to reveal glimpses of her true self—part of her face and body exposed again.
Under the combined assault of artillery shells, the Flaming Spear, and the Engine of Creation, she could barely stand. Yet the violet light within her eyes still burned fiercely.
But when her gaze fell on Bronya, the violet glow weakened slightly.
"Bronya…" she whispered softly.
Yet, a second later, the violet intensified again as she shouted in frenzied resolve,
"The Stellaron promised me a future—it's all for that new world!"
Cocolia raised her hands skyward. Immense Imaginary energy surged forth, gathering between her palms into a dark-golden sphere.
Just then, a photograph drifted out from Cocolia's pocket, fluttering gently before her eyes.
It was the humiliating photo Yevenko had left her.
The image dragged her mind back to those moments when destructive impulses and insidious whispers had consumed her. Embarrassment briefly filled her heart, causing her to falter.
A heartbeat later, the photo shattered into flecks of light, and a strand of Trailblaze power slipped into Cocolia's eyes.
One of Cocolia's eyes remained flooded with purple, but the other returned to its original gray hue, bewilderment filling her gaze.
"I…"
The Stellaron's will immediately intensified its corruption, turning the gray back toward violet.
But that brief moment of clarity was enough for Cocolia to realize the truth: from the very first step on this path, there had been no turning back.
Yet… Belobog could still turn back. Bronya could still turn back!
Bronya wasn't like her younger self—she wasn't hopeless. The outsiders had brought new hope!
The IPC's arrival complicated matters. Clinging desperately to this fleeting moment of lucidity, she abandoned the gathered Imaginary energy.
With a tremendous effort, she reached into herself, grasping the Stellaron's power and wrenching it free. Her voice became shrill and hoarse as she cried,
"Bronya!"
"I'll carry the Belobog of the old world into death with me. Go forth, and create a new world of your own!"
Not far away, Topaz heard clearly and instantly understood—those words weren't just meant for Bronya; they were also a message to the IPC.
Cocolia intended to sever ties between the old Belobog, centered around herself, and whatever future Bronya would build. Perhaps if Bronya's new government didn't even retain the name Belobog, it would be easier still.
All to dodge the IPC's debts.
This might fool ordinary cosmic factions, but against the IPC? Topaz shook her head lightly in dismissal.
Meanwhile, Cocolia pressed both hands upon the Stellaron's power. She gathered all her strength, clearly intent on self-destruction. As her aura rapidly deteriorated, memories flooded her mind, and she murmured quietly,
"The Stellaron promised me a future…"
Bronya's eyes widened, filling with tears as she desperately ran toward Cocolia.
"No—! Don't take her away! Mother, please stop!"
March 7th and Stelle quickly restrained Bronya. Cocolia, with a final surge of strength, cried out loudly:
"A false future!"
BOOM———!
An enormous blast erupted from Cocolia, causing the ground around her to sink and fracture into a massive web of cracks.
The violet light vanished entirely from Cocolia's eyes, leaving only her original gray gaze. Bronya's figure reflected within her pupils, bringing back memories of the little girl from long ago—filled with dreams and hopes for Belobog's future.
She smiled softly in relief as she faded into the blinding light.
Seeing this, Bronya sank to her knees, eyes dim with grief.
Yet, there was no time to mourn, as a colossal shadow eclipsed the skies—a Giant Bug, far larger than any previously seen, appeared above, blotting out mountain peaks. Accompanied by a massive wave of True Stings, it surged relentlessly toward Belobog.
Bronya's pupils constricted sharply. Her sorrow had to wait—Belobog's people still needed her.
At that moment, March 7th's phone vibrated urgently. She quickly answered, and Himeko's holographic projection instantly appeared.
Without hesitation, Himeko delivered terrible news:
"March, we've confirmed the presence of the Swarm Mother approaching Emanator-level strength."
"It's already left that planet, leading the entire swarm toward Jarilo-VI."
"A vanguard Giant Sting has already arrived."