With Stelle's question, everyone decided to set off after resting for a day.
It was already afternoon, and night would fall in a while.
Seele suggested that Bronya sneak back to the Upper District at night, use her identity to get close to Cocolia, and then hold her hostage to force her to step down.
Bronya thought about it and felt this method was indeed feasible; when her mother returned to her room to rest at night, it would be easier for her to act.
Plus, with the help of the skilled Seele, it would be twice as effective, and she would surely make her mother relinquish the position of Supreme Guardian to her!
...Before nightfall, Seele accompanied Bronya for a stroll and came to the abandoned Riveting Town.
Here, because she saw familiar things, Bronya's tampered Remembrance instantly became clear, and she recalled things from her childhood.
Seele also completely remembered the name of her childhood playmate, which was exactly the same as this naive sweetheart beside her... After recognizing each other's identities, both were stunned for a long time, clearly not expecting their reunion to be like this.
After recognizing Bronya and hearing her explanation about the issues with her childhood Remembrance, Seele completely let go of the grudge in her heart and accepted Bronya.
The two stayed together in the abandoned Orphanage in Riveting Town until nightfall before reluctantly leaving.
Feeling that the time was about right, they returned to the Upper District through the exit of the Great Mine.
Seeing their immediate superior coming out, the Silvermane Guards on duty did not stop them; instead, they saluted respectfully and let them pass.
As for who the person beside Bronya was, it wasn't something for soldiers like them to question.
"Your identity is quite useful, Demoiselle Bronya. They didn't even suspect my identity."
"After all, I am the Silvermane Guard Commander. Without Mother's interference, I have absolute command over them."
Bronya, not realizing Seele was teasing her at all, nodded and responded somewhat seriously.
Seele curled her lip, feeling as if her punch had landed on cotton, soft and powerless... But after spending these few hours together, Seele had a general idea of Bronya's current personality.
She was an overly serious, naive and strong-willed Noble Demoiselle who couldn't take a joke and, having received a high-level education, couldn't utter a single swear word.
Seele shrugged and didn't continue teasing this childhood playmate she had reunited with after many years.
Relying on Bronya's status as Commander, the two returned to Bronya's home without any obstacles along the way.
Of course, this was also related to Cocolia; she hadn't taken any action or issued any orders.
The two quietly arrived at the door of Cocolia's room. Looking at the closed door, Bronya showed a hint of cowardice.
"What, scared?"
"Mother raised me for so many years. Doing something like this... she must be very disappointed in me..."
Bronya responded in a low voice.
This answer made Seele's brow furrow and her mouth twitch slightly, then she said with a look of earnestness:
"You've seen how many terrible things she's done over the years. You're just letting her enjoy retirement early and helping her clean up those messes. This is an act of filial piety."
"Is... that so?"
"That's for sure. And why don't you think about why she let you see those things down there and still isn't on guard against you?"
"..."
Bronya lowered her eyes in thought upon hearing this, then took a deep breath as if she had made up her mind:
"I understand..."
Bronya reached out, gently pressed down the door handle, and slowly pushed open her mother's door.
"Who is it?"
A slightly wary voice came from inside the room, causing Bronya's hand on the door to pause.
"It's me, Mother..."
"It's Bronya..."
The wariness in Cocolia's voice faded, replaced by a bit of weariness.
"Come in."
With Cocolia's permission, Bronya pushed the door open and entered, her gaze complicated as she looked at Cocolia with pursed lips.
"Mother, the Lower District..."
"I've been deceiving you with half-truths and half-lies all along."
Cocolia interrupted Bronya, showing a look of relief.
"And it was also me who took you out of the Riveting Town Orphanage and modified your Remembrance and perceptions."
"..."
Although she had guessed a bit, hearing her mother say it personally made Bronya feel very oppressed in her heart for some reason.
"Come here, Bronya..."
Cocolia looked at Bronya, who had her head lowered and was biting her lip, and patted the space beside her with a gentle expression.
After a slight hesitation, Bronya sat down.
Cocolia was very satisfied seeing the daughter she had raised for many years grow up to be so outstanding.
Although she didn't have children of her own, she had poured all her maternal love into Bronya.
To her, Bronya was no different from a biological daughter.
"Over these years, as the Supreme Guardian, I have been a complete failure to the people of Belobog..."
Cocolia began to talk to Bronya about the things she had done over the years, like a mother and daughter chatting.
She set aside her usual seriousness, looking like a gentle mother of an ordinary family at this moment.
Listening to Cocolia's gentle voice, Bronya felt as if these words were like a final testament.
"I've finished speaking. My heart hasn't been this comfortable for a long time. I really miss the days with Serval back then..."
After pouring out all her words to her daughter, Cocolia finally showed a look of relief.
Most of the sorrow that had been frozen between her brows for years dissipated; now she had no other ties except Bronya.
Next, she only needed to use her body and will to lock down the Stellaron, and then let the outsiders take the Stellaron away.
"Mother, please transfer the position of Supreme Guardian to me next."
Although Bronya couldn't see exactly what her mother was planning, her heart was aching.
She had to quickly seize power and control her mother, otherwise she felt she would lose something important.
"Alright, I'll notify Belobog tomorrow morning to conduct the Supreme Guardian transfer ceremony."
"Mother..."
Bronya opened her mouth, hesitating to speak.
Tomorrow morning, Kiana and the others would have the final battle with that Stellaron. At this rate, it would be too late to gather troops to help.
No... "Mother."
Bronya took a deep breath and looked at Cocolia with a determined gaze:
"I need the status of Supreme Guardian right now to gather troops. This concerns the survival of Belobog."
"As the Grand Commander, you have the right to deploy the Silvermane Guards..."
As she spoke, Cocolia seemed to realize something, her eyes widening as she suddenly looked at Bronya:
"You said it concerns the survival of Belobog. Bronya, what do you want to do?"
"Tomorrow morning is the time for the final battle with the Stellaron. I need to deploy the army to help them block the Rift Army and reduce the pressure on them to fight the Stellaron."
Since her mother had broken free from the Stellaron's influence, Bronya felt it should be fine to tell her these things.
Moreover, her mother had truly changed a lot compared to some time ago.
"Tsk..."
A sound of displeasure came from the doorway.
Seele walked in with her arms crossed, staring at Cocolia's face with disdain.
"You told her everything. What if she sabotages us?!"
Although Seele had heard quite a bit outside, she still didn't trust this Cocolia.
After all, she couldn't possibly have any good feelings or trust for the Cocolia who had ordered the blockade of the Upper and Lower Districts.
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