"Ah, you're both awake."
Clara and Firefly straightened their clothes and left the room, heading to the hotel lobby where they found Cocolia, who had clearly been waiting for some time.
Upon seeing Clara and Firefly, a smile spread across her face. She walked over and greeted them.
"Your Honor the Supreme Guardian, there's no need to be so formal." Both Clara and Firefly returned polite smiles.
"As partners, you needn't address me as Your Honor the Supreme Guardian anymore. Just Cocolia will do." Cocolia raised a hand, her smile gentle. "We stand on the same side now. There's no need for such cumbersome formalities."
"Very well, Miss Cocolia."
Hearing her say that, Clara and Firefly naturally had no objections.
"Please, have some breakfast first. Afterwards, I'll take you to a certain place." Cocolia gestured to the hotel owner standing not far away.
When the owner approached, Cocolia asked Clara and Firefly, "What would you like to eat? Although Belobog is locked in ice and snow, under the Amber Lord's protection, we still have a quite complete variety of foodstuffs."
"Just anything is fine, we're not picky."
"Alright." Hearing this, Cocolia nodded, then turned to the hotel owner beside her. "Bring one portion of every type of breakfast your hotel serves."
Clara, Firefly: …?
…
"My apologies."
After breakfast, as they left the hotel and were on their way to their destination, Cocolia suddenly offered an apology.
"I deceived you."
Cocolia turned to look at Clara and Firefly, a trace of remorse on her face.
"Huh? Deceived us about what?"
Hearing the apology, Firefly was confused. Recalling yesterday's events, it didn't seem Cocolia had said anything misleading.
In stark contrast to Firefly, Clara beside her merely let out a careless yawn upon hearing Cocolia's apology.
Just what Cocolia had deceived them about, Clara knew perfectly well in her heart.
Holding the script, Clara felt terrifyingly powerful!
"Follow me. Since you too have been affected by the Stellaron, I will tell you everything." Cocolia didn't answer Firefly's question immediately, instead speaking in riddles.
"We're almost there. I hope we can still be partners by then." Gazing at a glimmer of light in the distance, Cocolia said something rather cryptic.
Firefly: …?
…
"This is… the Stellaron."
Upon reaching their destination, Firefly, as a Stellaron Hunter, recognized the object before them at a glance.
"Yes." Cocolia nodded, making no attempt to hide it. "I've known of the Stellaron's existence for a long time."
Cocolia laid out the whole truth:
"Many years ago, the Stellaron's voice first whispered in my ear. Like all the Supreme Guardians before me, I chose to ignore it. I had just become Guardian, having received the Architects' legacy—how could I possibly turn to the will of Destruction?"
"But under the Stellaron's relentless murmurs, the ideals of Preservation in my heart gradually faded, replaced by those of Destruction… Destruction promised a future—a world without cold, without suffering, without poverty…"
Cocolia's voice grew louder, her emotions rising.
"A world where people wouldn't have to pray like prisoners for the world's continuation… a world where everyone could preserve!"
Having said this, Cocolia calmed herself, then continued, "I've now told you everything. I wonder what your answer will be? Will you join me in embracing Destruction, to create an ideal new world? Or will you continue to practice Preservation, guarding this broken world!"
Cocolia extended her hand to Clara and Firefly, awaiting their answer.
Seeing Cocolia like this, Firefly turned her gaze to Clara, unsure how to respond.
"I think you may have misunderstood something." Hearing Cocolia's words, Clara shook her head, a smile appearing on her face.
Cocolia: …?
"Our Snow Elf clan, from beginning to end, has never believed in so-called Preservation, much less would we guard this shattered world. All we care about is ourselves. So, from the very start, what we believe in is Destruction."
Clara reached out and took Cocolia's hand, stating her stance clearly.
"What you gave us wasn't a choice at all."
Hearing this, Cocolia was momentarily stunned. Feeling the warmth from Clara's hand in her own, a smile returned to her face. "You're right."
"Then… let us create a brand new world!"
…
"Hmm?"
Within the Stellaron Hunter family home, Elio, who had been slumped over the table in deep sleep, suddenly sensed something. He opened his eyes, focusing on the script within his mind.
Under Elio's watch, a segment of the plot slowly began to change.
The original content was:
The Astral Express crew arrives on Jarilo-VI and, with the help of the Architects, learns the truth about Cocolia and the Stellaron. In the final battle, Stelle receives a glimpse from the Amber Lord, awakens the power of Preservation, and ultimately defeats Cocolia, who has been completely corrupted by the Stellaron…
Now it had changed to:
The Astral Express crew arrives on Jarilo-VI and, with the help of the Architects, learns the truth about Cocolia and the Stellaron. In the final battle, facing Cocolia, who has fully mastered the Stellaron's power, and Firefly, at the moment of everyone's despair, Stelle's protective will receives the Amber Lord's favor. He turns His gaze upon her, and she awakens to the Path of Preservation.
Yet she is still defeated by Cocolia and Firefly…
The Astral Express and all the Architects of Belobog fail to stop Cocolia and Firefly.
With Firefly's assistance, Cocolia creates a brand new world!
Elio: …???
Hold on, buddy, you…
Elio was instantly baffled. Why would Firefly be there? But he quickly realized.
Even Cocolia, having fully mastered the Stellaron's power, plus Firefly, should absolutely not be a match for the Astral Express crew.
(Note: The script writes 'Firefly,' not 'Sam.')
Then the matter became clear. There was someone, absent from the script, who had helped Cocolia and Firefly defeat the Astral Express.
So, who was this person?
So hard to guess.
"CLARA!!!!!"
Instantly, Elio's furious voice rang out through the Stellaron Hunter family home.
…
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. Advanced chapters available on patreon.
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Give power stones please I survive solely off of number go up.