"Ahem, while Mo Wang can be a bit of a troublemaker, I can personally guarantee that Bronya is in no danger. You have my word," Welt said, trying to calm the frantic Cocolia.
"Yeah, he likes to mess around, but he's a good kid deep down. He wouldn't do anything like that," March added.
But no matter what they said, Cocolia remained inconsolable.
"Supreme Guardian," Gepard chimed in, "while I hesitate to say this, it's true that he didn't seem to have any intention of killing anyone. Even with the Silvermane Guards, it was mostly just humiliation and torment. Commander Bronya should be safe. He did say he would give us three days, and if we didn't show up, then..."
"Then what? Spit it out!" Cocolia urged, on the verge of a breakdown.
"He said... if we don't show up in three days, the next time we see Commander Bronya, she'll have a baby in her arms."
Gepard scratched his head. He had been too angry at the time to really process the threat, but now, thinking back, the sheer absurdity of it was staggering.
"What?!" The words hit Cocolia like a physical blow, and she promptly fainted.
"Doctor! Emergency!" March yelled, already prepared for this outcome. Natasha, who had been waiting nearby, caught Cocolia in an instant.
Bronya, married? With a child? Why is my brain conjuring such strange images?! Cocolia's mind, finally free of the Stellaron, was now being invaded by visions of Bronya's wedding.
"Mother Cocolia, this is our child..."
She pictured Bronya, holding a grey-haired baby, standing next to Mo Wang, who was grinning like a classic NTR antagonist and calling her "mother-in-law." The thought made her shudder violently.
"C-Calm down! I don't think Mo Wang would actually do something like that. Right, Dan Heng? Uncle Yang?"
"Uh... probably?"
"Knowing Mo Wang... he just might," Welt admitted grimly.
Dan Heng hadn't even said anything, but Welt couldn't bring himself to lie. Mo Wang's sense of propriety was questionable at best before he became an Emanator.
Now... there was no telling what he was capable of. And considering Mo Wang's relationship with Bronya in the other world... it wasn't entirely out of the question.
"Gasp!" That was the final straw. Cocolia's eyes rolled back, and she passed out for real.
"Uncle... Yang, would he really do that?" March asked, looking horrified.
"If I said no, would you believe me?" Welt sighed. He had no idea why he had let Mo Wang take charge of the plan. And now that Mo Wang had a Path of Lust to play with... this was a life-threatening situation.
"All we can do now is resolve this within three days. Otherwise... we can only pray that Mo Wang still has some shred of decency left."
---||---
That night, in the Administrative District...
Serval awoke to the sound of pulsing music. As a musician, her instincts kicked in immediately. The rhythm and melody were top-notch, though she couldn't quite make out the lyrics.
What is that song? The music was infectious, almost hypnotic.
[When the moonlight rises, the red lanterns light up.
The festival music is a signal, a butterfly gently beckons.
Come and take a peek.
Once you get lost, you can't escape.
If you want to have fun,
Welcome to Paradise.]
Curiosity piqued, she followed the sound and stumbled upon a scene that nearly blinded her.
The administrative hall had been transformed into a concert stage, complete with lights, music, and a sea of adoring fans. (Though they all had Mo Wang's face.)
And on that stage, Bronya—the cold, aloof Bronya she knew—was dressed in a ridiculously sweet idol outfit, singing and dancing with a sickeningly cute smile on her face. If Serval hadn't known that face for years, she would never have believed it was her.
Who the hell is that girl on stage, singing about "Daisuki"?! It would take at least ten years of idol training to pull that off!
And the worst part... it was actually kind of good. The music was catchy, and the cognitive dissonance of seeing Bronya like this... was strangely captivating.
Just then, she heard two familiar voices. It was Mo Wang and Sampo, dressed in fan gear, waving glow sticks and chanting, "Bronya! Bronya! Daisuki!"
Okay, I'm definitely dreaming.
"So, Brother Sampo, what do you think? Isn't this a great bit?"
"Great? It's genius! But I have to ask, little brother, how did you come up with the 'Belobog Idol Project'? And with Bronya, of all people?"
"It wasn't my original idea," Mo Wang said modestly. "I just... adapted a plan from a certain Master Luo. A few minor tweaks, that's all."
"Master Luo? I don't think I've heard of him."
"He's not from around here. A multiversal kind of guy. Just think of him as someone whose sense of propriety is on par with Aha's."
"I see, I see. But I do have one suggestion," Sampo said. "The song is good, but you need more than one. An idol needs a solid repertoire."
"Of course, of course! I've got dozens more just like it! 'Togen Renka,' 'Senbonzakura,' 'Ifuudoudou'... all timeless classics, each with its own unique flavor!"
"Good. But what happens when Bronya wakes up and refuses to be an idol? I have a feeling she might just kill you."
"Are you kidding me?!" Mo Wang scoffed. "This is the Belobog Salvation Plan! Think about it, brother. This place is a wreck. No resources, no exports, and a mountain of debt. Even after we get rid of the Stellaron, it's still a mess.
But you know what they do have? An abundance of handsome men and beautiful women!
"We release this video with the headline, 'Ice Princess Becomes an Idol to Save Her Homeland!' Who wouldn't click on that? Once she's a hit, we'll have her compete with Robin.
Win or lose, the resources will start pouring in. Then we can start phase two, phase three... a whole idol group! The entire city becomes idols! Problem solved! And most importantly, isn't it fun?"
"Brother, you're a genius! An entire city of idols! I never would have thought of something so audacious! You were born to walk the Path of Elation."
"I learned from the best," Mo Wang said, thinking of the universally adored, Rita-chan. The ice, the royalty, the deadpan expression, the idol persona... all the elements were there. All he had to do was replicate the success.
"Well, all I can say is, you're a genius," Sampo said.
"Don't sell yourself short, brother. I'll still need your marketing expertise."
"Don't worry, I wouldn't miss this for the world."
As the two of them plotted, Serval's face turned green. The entire city, dressed in those ridiculous outfits, singing and dancing for the whole universe to see? She'd rather die. She was a rock star, for god's sake!
She began to back away slowly, trying to make herself invisible. They can't see me, they can't see me...
As for Bronya... well, good luck to her.
Mo Wang, meanwhile, was not idle. He had a camera in his hand, and he was snapping pictures at the speed of a machine gun.
"What are you doing with all those photos, little brother?"
"Just documenting a little... blackmail material. Might come in handy for some fun later." He grinned, looking at the photos of Idol Bronya. This was high-quality stuff, universally applicable across the MiHoYo multiverse. He could use it to tease Silver Wolf, or the Bronya from the other world... the possibilities were endless.
"You know," Sampo said thoughtfully, "it seems a little plain with just Bronya up there by herself."
"Oh? What do you have in mind, brother?"
"Well, you did bring someone else with you, didn't you? Why not have her be a backup dancer?"
"Excellent idea!"
The two of them turned and stared at the slowly retreating Serval.
"No, no, no! This can't be happening!"
Serval had a feeling that by the end of the day, she would have no dignity or shame left to her name.