"Welcome back, Lynelle, Stelle."
As soon as the two descended from the sky, they were met with an enthusiastic welcome from everyone.
After all, looking at the outcome, these two were truly the ones who deserved the most credit.
One had masterminded nearly the entire operation's trajectory, even achieving a perfect resolution with zero casualties, while the other was the key damage-dealer in the team fight, plus she secured the critical breakthrough point for victory.
"Theoretically, I should return immediately to plan the award ceremony for our heroes. But right now, it seems we have a more important matter to decide."
"Award Ceremony?"
Stelle's attention always snagged on the oddest details. "Is it the kind with a bunch of medals pinned to your chest and then you take photos?"
"Well, not exactly a bunch... but if you want that, it could be arranged."
Bronya smiled and shook her head. "Among the past Supreme Guardians, there was indeed one who was an avid medal enthusiast. Because of that, during their term, the variety of medals in Belobog literally doubled."
"What a surprising coincidence..."
Lynelle couldn't help but mutter. 'Forget it, let's get to the main issue. Bronya, what was that important matter you mentioned needing a decision?'
"It's... concerning my mother."
Bronya fell silent for a second, then spoke hesitantly.
"I went to speak with her earlier. Freed from the Stellaron's influence, she seems to have returned to the mother I knew from back then…"
"However, regarding how to handle her situation, she and I have... differing views. So, I wanted to ask for your opinions."
"Differing views?"
Dan Heng looked puzzled. "At this point, what disagreement could you possibly have? Though this might sound blunt, given the current situation, Cocolia's life or death rests entirely on your word. I can't see any room for disagreement."
"Ah... it's like this."
Bronya sighed. "According to my thinking, since Mother has returned to normal, during such turbulent times, it's best for Belobog not to undergo any drastic changes."
"Having Mother step forward to stabilize the situation first, before formally passing the title of Supreme Guardian to me, would be the method with the least impact on Belobog."
"After all, among the Silvermane Guards who participated in the pursuit against Mother, they are all close guards that Gepard and I can fully trust. Containing the information wouldn't be difficult."
"But Mother... she proposed the complete opposite. She wants me to ascend to the throne immediately, and for her to take the majority of the blame upon herself, to become a 'common enemy'."
"Regarding this point, allow me to explain it myself."
At that moment, Cocolia walked over slowly from behind the group, accompanied by Seele, who wore a wary expression.
"First, let me apologize to everyone of the Astral Express... I won't use the Stellaron as an excuse to shirk responsibility for my actions against you."
"While I was influenced by it, the orders against you were indeed given by me. But now, Bronya has proven through her actions that you were right. I have nothing more to say."
"As for my daughter... perhaps because I've always had you training with the Guards, Bronya, your view of Belobog's situation is still a bit too optimistic."
"My decision to side with the Stellaron was, to a large extent, born out of genuine desperation."
"Putting the issue of Geomarrow aside, over these past few centuries, Belobog's defensive lines have been continuously shrinking."
"By our generation, the Fragmentum has eroded into the city itself. But the Fragmentum's corrosion doesn't just bring the threat of destructive creatures; it also brings the problem of living space."
"As our living space has been constantly compressed, all of Belobog has actually fallen into a state of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'."
"Resisting the Fragmentum's erosion requires the Guards. The Silvermane Guards need sufficient weapons, food, and pay. And logistics require enough viable land for production and processing. The Fragmentum's erosion has essentially dragged Belobog into a vicious cycle."
"In the years I sealed off the Underworld, with the 'burden' of the lower section removed, the Overworld managed to maintain a semblance of peace on the surface."
"But now, the Eternal Freeze has receded, the upper and lower cities are reconnected, and all these contradictions and flaws accumulated over centuries will erupt in a very short time."
"But I've reached agreements with all the major forces in the Underworld, like Wildfire and the Robot Settlement. With everyone's restraint and coordination, these conflicts can be resolved."
Bronya frowned. "Mother, do you really distrust my ability so much?"
"I do trust you, and I'm willing to trust your friends, Bronya."
Cocolia shook her head slightly. "But, my daughter, you said it yourself: 'restraint and coordination', not command. Reform takes time, and time is precisely what you lack the most."
"Do I need to remind you how many latent crises currently lie dormant in Belobog, any one of which could drag us back into the abyss?"
"This..."
Bronya instantly recalled what Lynelle had said to her that night.
The true threat to Belobog was still lying beneath the ice, quietly waiting for the day it would break free.
"Therefore, what you need isn't a reform that takes years or decades, step by step. You need to race against time, to prepare as thoroughly as possible before the disaster arrives."
"And what can temporarily conceal these contradictions is a public enemy, one that inspires class hatred."
Cocolia gave a faint smile. "I know perfectly well how many things I've done over the years that have wronged everyone. And the popular resentment built up over the years the Underworld was sealed can legitimately be transferred onto me."
"Putting me on trial, preferably executing me, would allow you to consolidate the scattered hearts of the people from both worlds in the shortest time possible."
"Tch, political creatures..."
Seele turned her head away with a displeased expression. "I'm not interested in this stuff, Bronya. Your decision."
"I... I'm sorry, Mother."
Bronya bit her lip hard. "I know what you're saying might be right, but... I can't do it. I can't possibly kill you. If you ask me to do that, I'd rather..."
"Heh... I know your character. In fact, your reaction now is exactly what I expected."
Watching Bronya turn her head away in protest, Cocolia suddenly chuckled softly and reached out to pat Bronya's head.
"Don't worry. There are many ways to atone. Choosing death is the coward's way out... Besides, you all went to such great lengths to save me. Killing me now would just waste your efforts."
"I was just giving an extreme example earlier. However, whether it's criticism or a trial, using me as a negative banner to unite people's hearts is indeed the optimal choice for you right now... Otherwise, you'll be bogged down by many pointless matters."
"So, a life sentence might be a good alternative... That way, when you need my advice, this guilty self of mine might still be of some use."
"After all... the Stellaron only influenced my position and thoughts. The experience and knowledge I've accumulated over all these years weren't gathered for nothing."
"Think it over carefully, Bronya... But don't think for too long."
"Wow..."
March 7th stared blankly for a moment, then tilted her head towards Stelle. "I didn't really get most of that, but it sounds pretty impressive..."
"Me neither. She's changed so much after being freed from the Stellaron's control... Haaah..."
"That's actually quite normal. It's not hard to see from Bronya and Serval's memories what an exceptional person Cocolia used to be."
Dan Heng, who had been listening the whole time, let out a complex sigh.
"Cocolia simply chose the wrong path. But being able to seize the moment when a choice is needed and make a firm decision is already a rare and valuable quality... Even if that choice was wrong, at least she wouldn't regret missing the opportunity."
"Just like... Never mind."
"It's fine, it's normal you didn't understand."
Seeing the still confused duo and the pensive Dan Heng, Lynelle could guess that Dan Heng was probably reminded of some important choice he himself had made once.
So, Lynelle simply placed a hand on each of their heads, pressing down. "You two, your only job is to stay happy every day."
"Hey! Do you think I'm an idiot or something?!"
"Not at all~"
"You've already written the answer all over your face!"
--+--
After the battle against the Stellaron concluded, with Bronya's help, Lynelle and the others were once again accommodated at the Goethe Hotel.
Though March 7th expressed having some reservations about the place, considering there were no other decent lodgings in all of Belobog, the group settled in.
Bronya returned to Qlipoth Fort. She needed time to consider and digest Cocolia's proposal, hoping to find a solution that balanced both sides.
After an afternoon of sightseeing, as night fell, Lynelle opened the door to her room, ready to get a good night's sleep.
Then... her eyes locked onto the wardrobe in the room.
If her guess was right, there was probably a big Stellaron inside.
So, after locking the door, Lynelle walked over to the wardrobe. Listening to the increasingly tense breathing coming from within, she yanked the doors open.
"Boo!"
The Stellaron spirit, who had hidden in the wardrobe three times, then three times more, had finally gotten her wish – someone had actually opened the wardrobe.
"Ah—I'm dead."
Lynelle immediately struck a pose, mouth agape and eyes shut, and fell backwards.
Unexpectedly, she didn't land on the bed behind her, but fell into a familiar, soft embrace.
Lynelle opened her eyes to find Stelle's slightly flushed, pretty face above her. Though, given the circumstances, the flush was likely from excitement.
"Lynelle, Lynelle!"
Stelle hugged the girl lying in her arms, her voice tinged with excitement.
"Before, you said that making mistakes means getting spanked as punishment, right?"
"Uh... Did I?"
Lynelle averted her gaze uncomfortably. Her previous words were just meant to mildly punish an overly 'energetic' Stelle, but now it seemed... she'd dug her own grave?
'Damn you, past me.'
"Yep!"
Stelle put her hands on her hips, looking immensely pleased with herself. "Lynelle wasn't good during the fight! You made everyone worry about you for so long. So, Lynelle has to be punished too!"
With that, not giving Lynelle a chance to resist (not that the girl had any intention to), Stelle flipped the soft, girly form in her arms over.
Then, imitating Lynelle's actions from last time, she brought her slender hand down gently on Lynelle's snow-white, silk-clad bottom.
"Eeek?~"
As the palm landed softly, a sound that would make anyone's imagination run wild echoed in the room.
Stelle blinked, startled. Hearing Lynelle's voice, she felt a strange restlessness in her body, but she didn't know what to do about it.
So, the ignorant Stelle decided to finish the spanking first.
The room was soon filled with the sound of successive pats against soft flesh.
A few minutes later, looking down at Lynelle's flushed face, who was on her lap, breathing heavily, Stelle felt as if some strange new attribute had awakened within her.
Lynelle looked so cute...
She suddenly found herself looking forward to the next time Lynelle made a mistake.
And perhaps... because Lynelle's face had been pressed right against her thighs earlier, the warm puffs of breath hitting that sensitive area made Stelle feel a series of strange sensations coursing through her body.
However, as a Stellaron who hadn't been 'alive' for long, and lacking Kiana-chan's extensive 'Lynelle user manual', while she instinctively felt this 'punishment activity' should have a follow-up, Stelle once again found herself stuck, not knowing what to do next.
So, under the circumstances...
Stelle hugged Lynelle tightly.
Let's just sleep.
Lynelle, who had been put into a strange state by the spanking: ?
Watching Stelle, who couldn't sleep due to her own bodily restlessness but had closed her eyes trying to force herself, Lynelle blushed slightly, nibbled on Stelle's cheek, then flipped over, pinning the somewhat unprepared Stelle beneath her.
"Silly Stelle..."
Imitating Kiana-chan's actions from last time, Lynelle's fingers began to wander mischievously, tracing downward along the perfect curve of Stelle's waist.
"Let me teach you the rest~"
That night, Stelle entered a whole new world.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.