"We are the guardians chosen by ordinary people, Mother! Our duty is Preservation—a world built by humanity. We are not gods, nor are we judges!"
"You want to trample human nature underfoot while playing both god and judge—I won't allow it!"
Bronya snapped, raising her gun and firing a shot at Cocolia.
"Ha…" Cocolia let out a sigh. Watching the attack come, she simply blocked it with a casual motion.
"It's alright, Bronya."
"Children always go through a rebellious phase. I won't blame you."
"If I must blame anyone…" Cocolia paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone except Bronya.
"…it will be them."
"Who knows what poison they've fed you, twisting my dear child into this state."
"Mother, I am perfectly clear-headed!"
"Sigh." Cocolia shook her head, ignoring Bronya's words.
Her feet slowly left the ground as she rose into the air. At the same time, the earth began to tremble.
"Without breaking the old, there is no way to establish the new."
"In the name of the Supreme Guardian, I command you to rise!"
A firearm of the Architects appeared in Cocolia's hand, and she swung it toward the sky.
"Engine of Creation!"
As her words fell, a massive mechanical arm materialized behind her, sweeping down toward the group.
"Watch out! It's an ancient machine of the Architects!" Bronya recognized it immediately and hurriedly called out a warning.
A grand, enormous steel machine now loomed before them.
"Whoa… that's one big boy!" Seeing the Engine of Creation, March 7th was instantly stunned.
"Oh? The Engine of Creation?" Unlike March 7th, Welt Yang's eyes gleamed with a light, a trace of barely detectable excitement crossing his face.
He dearly wanted to go examine it, but with unknown dangers still lurking in the shadows, he didn't dare act recklessly. He remained vigilant, constantly scanning the surroundings.
He had to prevent that person behind Cocolia from suddenly appearing…
"Hey, Himeko."
If not for this Engine of Creation, everyone working together would probably be enough to defeat Cocolia.
But with this Engine of Creation in play…
Welt thought for a moment, then dialed Himeko's number.
"I'm aware of what's happening on your end. Leave that big machine to me."
"Good." Hearing that, Welt let out a sigh of relief. With that, the only unstable factor left was that hidden individual in the shadows…
Truthfully, Welt himself wasn't even sure if this person actually existed.
But if even Miss Sparkle, an Emanator, was so wary of them, Welt doubted it was just Cocolia wielding the power of a Stellaron…
Therefore, he had to prepare for the worst.
…
"Hmph, Engine of Creation—crush them!" Cocolia snorted coldly, commanding the Engine of Creation to attack.
The Engine of Creation emitted a red glow, then lifted its colossal steel arm and swung it down at the group.
"Aaaaah, what do we do?!" Watching that fist thousands of times larger than herself, March 7th's face was full of panic.
But the moment her words left her mouth, a streak of red light flashed across the sky.
The next second, a crimson beam descended squarely on the raised arm of the Engine of Creation.
The power of the red light was immense, blasting the Engine of Creation's arm into paralysis and sending it crashing to the ground.
"Ah, it's Himeko!" Seeing the red light, the first image that popped into March 7th's mind was Himeko's smile.
"Focus on dealing with Cocolia. I'll handle the Engine of Creation."
The gentle voice of Himeko echoed in the ears of everyone from the Astral Express.
Hearing her voice, their hearts lifted with relief.
Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle nodded, exchanging a look with Seele and Bronya.
Seeing this, Seele and Bronya understood instantly and nodded back.
They then escorted Stelle all the way, delivering her right before Cocolia, who stood atop the Engine of Creation.
"Ah… why must it come to this?" Watching Stelle come up alone, Cocolia felt deeply perplexed.
"Humans… always overestimate their strength."
As Cocolia's words fell, a light enveloped her. The next moment, Cocolia vanished, and in Stelle's place stood a monster radiating the aura of Destruction.
"I never intended to harm any of you."
"But your actions keep pushing against my limits."
"Well then, farewell."
Cocolia gave a light wave toward Stelle.
Instantly, an ice spear shot toward Stelle at tremendous speed, aiming to pierce right through her.
"!"
Sensing the power Cocolia was now radiating, Welt's heart lurched. He could no longer afford to stay vigilant about the hidden unknown.
In a flash, he appeared before Stelle, his cane sweeping out to shatter the ice spear.
"!" Cocolia was shocked, her gaze turning sharply wary toward this man she had previously overlooked.
Welt gave a push with his cane, and the next moment, a massive black hole materialized right before Cocolia.
"Survive or be destroyed—you have no other choice."
To prevent the hidden individual from acting, Welt needed to end this quickly. He went all out from the start, holding nothing back, ready to finish Cocolia off directly.
"Urk…" Under the tearing force of the black hole, Cocolia had no power to resist. She could only watch as the black hole "swallowed" her.
"Mother!"
Seeing this, Bronya cried out in desperate alarm.
Hearing her, Welt gave her a slight nod.
As the black hole dissipated, Cocolia, reverted to her normal form, reappeared before the group.
Welt brought Stelle and the unconscious Cocolia back to the ground, delivering Cocolia into Bronya's arms.
"Th… thank you…" Feeling Cocolia's breath, tears streamed down Bronya's face as she thanked Welt.
"Hehe, see? With Mr. Yang here, who would dare mess with us!" Seeing Welt demonstrate his power, March 7th instantly became boastful.
Welt: …
"Enough talk. We need to leave this place now!"
Despite the victory, Welt's face showed no joy—only a deep grimness. The sense of crisis in his heart was growing stronger and stronger…
Hearing him, though confused, everyone complied with Welt's instruction.
Tap… tap… tap…
But just as they prepared to leave, the sound of footsteps reached their ears.
"Everyone, the battle isn't over yet. Could you please stop right there?"
"Cla… Clara!" Recognizing the figure before them, March 7th covered her mouth in surprise.
"Hello there~ Miss March 7th~"
In response, Clara gave her an incredibly adorable smile.
…
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