Although this matter was decided on the spur of the moment, thinking that St. Freya would start school in just a few days, to avoid complications, it was better to resolve things as soon as possible.
Bronya listed all the names of Cocolia's strongholds from her memory one by one. However, news of Bronya's disappearance must have already reached Cocolia's ears. It was unknown whether she would abandon those strongholds out of caution.
So she also marked out some larger strongholds that were inconvenient to move. Those strongholds were Cocolia's foundations; no matter what, she would not abandon them.
To capture the bandits, first capture their leader. As long as Cocolia was caught, her remaining forces would either be divided up by the other Anti-Entropy radical faction members or by Gray Serpent's forces within Anti-Entropy. These guys' ability to take advantage of the situation was beyond doubt; they would definitely scour Cocolia's assets clean.
This plan was quickly arranged by Shun. Bronya and Seele, carrying Shun's spatial coordinates, would head directly to the orphanage. Even if Cocolia had changed many strongholds, the orphanage's location would definitely not have changed.
Now it wasn't like the original plot where the Queen's descent triggered a great Honkai that destroyed the orphanage in the great Honkai, so Bronya and Seele's operation should go quite smoothly.
After Misteln's special training, Bronya's combat power was now equivalent to an A-rank Valkyrie. Seele's combat power was much stronger than Bronya's. With her quantumization characteristics, even an S-rank Valkyrie like Rita would be helpless against Seele.
At critical moments, she could even transform into the Black Greek armor, possessing the strength to briefly contend with a Herrscher. Therefore, Shun was still quite reassured about the two's safety. On Cocolia's side, the strongest combat power was nothing more than those Joyce clones. That kind of role, Shun
knew well, could not defeat Seele, and those clones with bad personalities were extremely difficult to control.
Cocolia also could not rest assured letting the clones know the orphanage's location. According to the plot of Haiyuan City, the orphanage losing many children in a Honkai event indicated that the defensive forces wouldn't be too strong.
Letting Bronya and Seele go to Cocolia's orphanage first, while Shun and Misteln, according to the intelligence provided by Bronya, would go fight a lightning war.
With intelligence, plus the strength to crush Cocolia, it could be said they were guaranteed to win.
"? Little aunt, are you also going with us?" After hearing the plan, Bronya asked with full curiosity.
In her impression, Misteln was the typical shut-in girl who never left her door or took a second step outside, going out very few times.
"Yes, thinking that you'll be leaving soon, me staying here alone seems to have no meaning anymore…"
Misteln had initially chosen to live in seclusion alone mainly because after Alexandra passed away, she was filled with negative and disappointed emotions toward the entire world.
But now that there were Shun and Bronya, two people who were extremely important to her, choosing to stay here was no longer appropriate.
So she decided that after resolving Cocolia, she would go to St. Freya together with Bronya. Moreover… the news of Shun getting married had really stimulated her quite a bit. If she continued to stay here alone, isolated from the world, then not to mention eating meat, she probably wouldn't even get to drink the soup.
"Little aunt means… you're also going to St. Freya with me?" Bronya asked in disbelief.
Good heavens, what on earth made this super shut-in girl change her mind and want to go out?
"Of course. After all, if I'm not there, who knows if there will still be someone who can keep you in check." Misteln patted Bronya's head. Undoubtedly this was also an important reason.
It was fine not knowing of Bronya's existence before, but now that she knew and had been together for so long, she naturally had to help Alexandra properly look after her only daughter.
Before leaving, Misteln deeply looked at this house she had lived in for over ten years. In just over half a year, this house that had not changed for fourteen years had undergone too many changes.
Her former self probably could never have imagined that such earth-shaking changes would quietly arrive in just over half a year.
Misteln slightly turned her head, her gaze gently looking at Shun beside her. In those deep eyes flickered a complex light, seeming like emotion, yet also like relief. The corners of her delicate lips unconsciously curved upward slightly, revealing a smile filled with warmth and satisfaction, like a flower blooming in spring, brilliant and moving.
Fourteen long years I wandered alone in my quest,
In darkness and solitude my heart found no rest.
Through endless long nights with no path to pursue,
Cold stars flickered over the desolate view.
Lonely, forlorn, in my isolated keep,
Longing's fine threads wound tighter, so deep.
Then one blessed day the destined guest appeared,
Light suddenly shone and my vision was cleared.
From that moment onward no cage could confine,
With you at my side, all my worries were gone.
Hand in hand we journey to the ends of the earth,
True feelings to accompany us through years of worth.
(I wrote this myself, showing my poor skills. Influenced by the Immortal Venerable, I also wanted to write some poetry, but my technique probably isn't up to par.)
"Let's go." Misteln gently extended her hand into Shun's large, warm palm. At the same time, she quietly and imperceptibly used Fenghuang Down to launch a psychological suggestion on Shun, making him feel that such intimate behavior was only natural.
As a gravity-type girl, occasionally using some not-so-upright methods wasn't unforgivable, right? After all, because of her own reasons, she had already fallen one step behind, so she absolutely couldn't fall behind step by step again.
Bronya looked at her little aunt with extreme shock. Under Misteln's seemingly kind yet somewhat irresistible gaze, she could only slowly lower her head. Forget it, the complicated relationship between them—she still shouldn't get involved.
"Mm, Bronya, are you ready to see Seele?" Hearing Shun mention herself, Bronya finally woke up as if from a dream. She took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and then answered.
"The Bronya of the past who was weak has already died. Bronya now already has enough confidence to face Seele." A brilliant smile bloomed on Bronya's face.
The former her indeed had an extremely serious self-destructive tendency, which stemmed from her long-term experiences. But now, this world had added many people and things that she found hard to let go of.
From now on, she must live strongly and bravely, not disappointing the mother who gave her a second life, the little aunt who cared for her attentively, the Shun who enthusiastically helped her, and the Seele she deeply loved.
For them, and for herself, Bronya was determined to live well.
Then, a ray of light enveloped the three of them. Under the guidance of the Cosmic Juggernaut, the three left this place that they probably would never return to again.