[You have successfully trained a batch of Pioneers.]
[They have joined Wildfire's First Pioneer Group. Wildfire's First Pioneer Group is now at full strength.]
Looking at the text on the light screen, Ron nodded with satisfaction.
Over the past year, although Ron had focused most of his energy on developing the Underworld, he hadn't neglected the expansion of the Pioneer Group.
To him, the Pioneer Group was not just a team to reclaim the Fragmentum for the people; it was also his trump card against the Silvermane Guards of the Overworld.
The physical conditioning of the Pioneers who had consumed "Snowstorm Immunity" far surpassed that of ordinary people. After training, each of them delved deep into the Fragmentum to fight its creations, accumulating a wealth of combat experience. They were far more effective fighters than the average Silvermane Guard, who typically only defended the front lines.
Now, Wildfire's First Pioneer Group had become a full legion of fifteen hundred members. If they were to march on the Overworld and clash with the Silvermane Guards, Ron felt that these fifteen hundred would be more than enough.
The Pioneer Group would act as a razor-sharp blade, piercing through the Silvermane Guards without resistance. Under his command, they would seize Qlipoth Fort and ultimately capture Cocolia, heralding the beginning of a new chapter.
Theoretically, Cocolia should have no knowledge of the Underworld's current situation. She had likely already sent the bulk of the Silvermane Guards to their deaths on the front lines and would be completely unprepared. As long as he could keep Bronya placated, he could repeat the military coup from the last simulation and succeed...
However, for the entire year, Ron had received no news of Sampo. The man had vanished as if he had evaporated from the face of the earth, disappearing from the Underworld without a trace.
While it was true that with Sampo's skills, Ron would have no way of finding him if he chose to hide in the Underworld, there was another, more plausible possibility—
Sampo had already gone to the Overworld and begun to direct the "play."
One must always prepare for the worst-case scenario to have a chance. Ron felt it was entirely possible that Sampo had already informed Cocolia of the situation in the Underworld. He might even be greeted by a Stellaron-empowered Cocolia blocking the gate upon his arrival...
But now, there was nothing left to fear.
He had countermeasures for every potential risk. Even a Stellaron-empowered Cocolia posed little threat to him now. The Underworld's development had hit a bottleneck. The time to unify the Overworld and Underworld had come...
Lost in thought, Ron tapped the light screen before him, allowing the simulation to continue.
[The Pioneer Group has reclaimed every inch of the Underworld. New geomarrow machinery hums to life in the towns, and standardized goods circulate in the markets... The Underworld's development is flourishing, but you are no longer satisfied with this.]
[The future of the Underworld has reached its bottleneck. The total amount of resources within the Fragmentum is finite. Once these resources are depleted, the Underworld will shatter its glamorous, false exterior and revert to its former state of poverty and backwardness.]
[You decide to personally carve out a new future for the Underworld... even if this future must be accompanied by blood.]
[Please choose—]
[1. Invade the Overworld! You know that the conflict between the Overworld and the Underworld cannot be resolved. Now is the time to make those high-and-mighty masters of the Overworld pay the price! You will lead the Wildfire legions and the First Pioneer Group to storm the Overworld, resolving the conflict... all conflicts, with force. Selecting this option will trigger the event "Battle of Two Cities," and your faction will gain a new trait: Returned from the Mire.]
[Returned from the Mire (Gold): Those masters who exiled us to the Underworld never imagined we would stand under the blue sky again... We are wretched, we are poor, like vagrants covered in mire, with no home to return to. But now... we will use blood and fire to clear all obstacles on our path home and return triumphant as victors! Faction: "Underworld" combat effectiveness +20%. When facing enemies belonging to the faction "Overworld," combat effectiveness receives an additional +100%.]
[2. Stage a coup. You understand that conflicts can be resolved gradually. Belobog needs manpower for development, and this is absolutely not the time for internal strife. You will attempt to persuade Bronya Rand to use her status to stage a coup, supporting her ascension to power. Selecting this option will attempt to persuade Bronya, leading to branch options based on success or failure.]
Looking at the options on the screen, Ron couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
So it's finally time to rebel... Normally, there's an option to just keep developing in the Underworld, but this time, it's gone. Only two options for rebellion.
The only difference was that one involved immediate slaughter, while the other was more tactful...
With this thought, Ron didn't hesitate and chose the second option.
Although the golden trait from the first option was tempting, he knew that choosing it would set him on a path of no return.
If the conflict between the Overworld and Underworld couldn't be resolved peacefully, the animosity would only deepen, turning into an unresolvable blood feud...
Ron didn't want the future of this simulation to be spent in the flames of civil war. While some citizens of the Overworld were indeed rotten, he couldn't condemn all the other innocent people to death because of them...
Besides, he had been deceiving Bronya for so long precisely to use her status for a coup. How could he not squeeze every last drop of value out of his Duckling and see a return on his efforts?
The option box on the screen faded, and new text began to appear:
[You have decided to seek a more peaceful unification. You approach the Supreme Guardian's heir, Bronya Rand.]
---o---
[Your guard, Ron, has approached you, telling you that now is the perfect time.]
[It is time to unify the Overworld and the Underworld.]
Staring at the text, Bronya was slightly taken aback, a sense of disbelief washing over her.
Has the time to unify the Overworld and Underworld really arrived so quickly this time...?
To be honest, she hadn't had much to do in this simulation. After her initial attempts to rally the Underworld were met with failure at every turn, she had mostly been idle ever since Ron told her he had become the leader of Wildfire to take control of the region.
Other than using her status as Wildfire's special envoy to convince Svarog to bring the robot settlement under Wildfire's banner, she had spent the rest of her time waiting for Ron, waiting for the moment he needed her support.
She hadn't wasted that time, however. Besides helping Wildfire with grassroots work, she had spent most of her time training to improve her combat prowess.
Whenever the Pioneer Group entered the Fragmentum to fight, Bronya would join them, moving along the periphery of the main force to clean up scattered Fragmentum monsters.
Her efforts had paid off handsomely. Over the past year, her combat effectiveness had undergone a dramatic transformation. Compared to the version of her from the last simulation who was just along for the ride, she was now leagues stronger.
Thinking about it now, Bronya was confident that if she were to go to Qlipoth Fort to confront Cocolia with Ron and Seele again, she would absolutely not be the one holding them back... She had finally caught up.
As Bronya looked forward to the future with anticipation, a new set of options appeared on her screen:
[Faced with Ron's request, please choose—]
[1. Trust Ron. You are certain that now is the best time. You trust that Ron will never betray you. He will use the power of Wildfire and the Underworld to push you into power and completely unify the Overworld and Underworld.]
[2. Is this really right? Everything that has happened over the past year has left you with doubts, and now those questions are about to erupt—after serving as Wildfire's leader for so long, is Ron still truly loyal to you? You have no desire to use your own status just to pave the way for someone else. You will get to the bottom of this and find out what Ron is truly thinking.]
What a joke. How could Ron betray me?
Bronya couldn't help but purse her lips. Ron's character card clearly stated that he was bound to her faction. How could he possibly betray her?
She had nothing but trust for Ron!
Holding onto her faith in him, Bronya unhesitatingly clicked the first option.
The option box faded, and a new scene materialized on the screen:
The dark, narrow alley had been deserted for a long time, making it the perfect place for a secret discussion.
Bronya and Ron stood there, their conversation about to forge a new future for Belobog.
"Alright, I agree."
Bronya nodded seriously. "It is indeed time to unify the Overworld and the Underworld..."
"Mother has made too many mistakes... After I take power, I will correct all of them."
As she spoke, Bronya clenched her fists, her eyes filled with determination. She was clearly ready.
She looked expectantly at Ron, who stood beside her.
"You'll help me, right, Ron?"
Standing in the alley's shadows, Ron's face was obscured, his expression unreadable. Only the gentle smile playing on his lips was visible.
"That's right, Duckling. To correct all these mistakes, I will definitely support you in becoming the new Supreme Guardian..."
"For the future of Belobog, I can do anything..."
The image on the screen faded, and new text appeared:
[You have successfully persuaded Bronya Rand.]
[You have entered a branch option. Please choose—]
[1. Depart immediately! You will announce your decision to Wildfire and begin mobilizing the troops at once. You will proceed to the Overworld with maximum speed and launch a military coup.]
[2. Not so fast, wait a moment... You will spend one month reorganizing the Underworld. Once the work is complete, you will lead the army to the Overworld in peak condition and launch a military coup.]
Looking at the text, Ron felt a momentary sense of helplessness.
He had actually been prepared to use more forceful means to coerce Bronya... He never expected that his lies from before would actually deceive her for so long.
The Duckling trusts me too much. It's making my conscience ache a little, like I'm tricking an idiot...
A faint sense of guilt pricked at Ron's heart, but he clicked the first option without a moment's hesitation and let the simulation proceed.
A conscience can't be eaten. To bring a new future to Belobog, one's conscience is the first thing that needs to be discarded.
The Underworld didn't need a month of reorganization. Now was the perfect time; there could be no more delays.
New text continued to scroll on the screen:
[You presented your decision to head to the Overworld at a Wildfire meeting, and the entire assembly erupted.]
[No one objected to your choice. Everyone cheered, the faint hatred and overflowing anticipation in their eyes turning into fuel, becoming the driving force that propelled them forward.]
[After the meeting, Seele, the acting commander of Wildfire's First Pioneer Group, approached you.]
The text faded, and a new scene appeared:
Seele, dressed in her Pioneer Group uniform, strode quickly to stand before Ron.
Once the group's numbers exceeded a hundred, Ron had activated the Underworld's factories to produce durable uniforms for them.
Although the design of the uniforms wasn't particularly stylish, Seele had worn hers everywhere since receiving it, setting an example for the rest of the group.
The plain and simple uniform on Seele possessed a sharp, military beauty unique to her.
She looked at Ron with a hint of excitement, her eyes shimmering with anticipation.
"Ron... I didn't think you'd actually take my earlier suggestion."
"Although, I think we could have gone to the Overworld long ago. You still dragged it out for a whole year... but that doesn't matter."
She suddenly stood at attention, gave Ron a crisp salute, and spoke with a solemn expression:
"Wildfire's First Pioneer Group will clear away all obstacles for the Underworld! Whether it was a year ago or now, we will succeed in unifying the Overworld and Underworld!"
"I believe in you!"
The image on the screen faded away.
Ron scratched his head. Seele is so earnest, always looking forward to marching on the Overworld...
She even came to give him a pep talk before the advance. It was just a shame the Pioneer Group might not even be needed this time.
As Ron thought this, new text appeared on the screen:
[You went to Natasha's clinic and informed her of your decision to go to the Overworld.]
---o---
[Ron has decided to unify the Overworld and the Underworld.]
[He has persuaded Bronya. Bronya, still oblivious to the deception from the two of you, has agreed to Ron's request.]
Looking at the words on her screen, Natasha was slightly surprised.
Bronya still hasn't seen through our deception...?
How strange... but it's not a big problem.
Natasha wasn't concerned about it. She tapped her screen and let the simulation continue.
The text faded, replaced by a new scene:
"So, the time has finally come..."
Natasha set down the test tube of medicine she was mixing and looked up at Ron, her gaze soft.
"Then go and do what you must."
"I will always support you, Ron."
The image on the screen disappeared, and new text jumped out:
[Natasha approves of your actions. She will support you with everything she has.]
[Due to the trait [Symbiosis of Light and Shadow], the Favorability between you and Natasha has increased slightly.]
[As your Favorability is already at its maximum, it cannot be increased further.]
[The excess Favorability has been converted into Bonding Progress. Your current Bonding Progress is: 19/20]
It's already at 19... Looks like I'll hit 20 soon and trigger the Vow of Matrimony event.
This Bonding Progress was surprisingly easy to raise. A year was all it took. It probably wouldn't be this easy to win someone over in reality...
Ron mused silently, not paying the matter too much mind.
He tapped the screen, and the simulation pressed on.
[You have mobilized the Wildfire legions and the First Pioneer Group. All preparations are complete.]
[You wait for an opportunity like a lurking scorpion. As time passes, night falls...]
[A surprise coup in the dead of night has always been the classic choice. You unhesitatingly open the passage to the Engine of Creation's core and lead your army toward the Overworld.]
[But as you lead your great army into the Overworld and set foot on the surface, you are met with a dense array of gun barrels aimed at the entrance.]
[The Silvermane Guards await your invasion in full formation. The Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, stands at the exit of the train station, her long spear in hand, cutting an imposing figure.]
Cocolia knew... Is Sampo really in the Overworld?
Ron stared at the text with a sense of resignation. Just as he was about to order the Pioneer Group to crush the guards as he had anticipated, the text on the screen faded and was replaced by a new image:
In the scene, Cocolia stood before her army, her expression cold as she faced Ron, the opposing commander.
She raised the Lance of Preservation in her hand, pointed it at Ron, and spoke suddenly:
"You are... Ron? Correct?"
"There should be no bloodshed between the Overworld and the Underworld... This war is not unavoidable."
"Come with me, Ron... Just the two of us. I want to talk to you."
Cocolia's tone was sincere.
"To talk... about the future of Belobog."