Cocolia had already been captured by him and handed over to Gray Serpent for imprisonment. It could be confirmed that there was no safer place in this world than the World Serpent's prison. Cocolia's remaining party members probably couldn't even find its location.
He still couldn't forget the look of shock on Cocolia's face when she saw Gray Serpent — she had almost rushed up to question whether Gray Serpent had betrayed her. After all, from a certain perspective, Cocolia had been supported by the World Serpent.
Whether it was the Joyce clones, the X-10 experiment, or the twins' super transformation factor, all were World Serpent technology.
However, Cocolia was ultimately just a puppet. In Gray Serpent's eyes, Shun's importance was definitely far greater than Cocolia's. Moreover, Gray Serpent himself knew very well that because of the Misteln matter, he had already developed a rift with Shun.
At this time, he naturally had to perform well. Even if he couldn't regain trust again, he had to ensure he wouldn't be abandoned.
In less than a year, the forces around Shun had expanded like a snowball. Now it was truly the World Serpent that needed Shun, not Shun who needed the World Serpent.
Not to mention anything else, the core figure of the Stigmata Project, Misteln, had been taken away. Misteln's ability was the key to realizing the initial version of the Stigmata Project designed by Mobius. Without her, the Stigmata Project would inevitably have flaws.
This was intolerable for Gray Serpent. After all, the Stigmata Project was designed by Mobius. If it was to be done, it had to be done to perfection.
And when night fell, under the starry, vast and boundless night sky of Siberia, Shun arrived at the orphanage he was loyal to.
Seele had been waiting outside the house early. At this moment, in the early morning of Siberia, the cold wind was biting, blowing the snow on the ground with rustling sounds. The moment she saw Shun, she quickly came forward to greet him.
"Brother, you've worked hard for so long. You probably haven't eaten anything tonight, right?" Seele's voice sounded especially clear in the cold air, and the white breath she exhaled instantly dissipated. "These are roasted potatoes that the orphanage eats at night. Brother, eat some first to fill your stomach?"
Indeed, continuously activating the Cosmic Juggernaut and sweeping through Cocolia's bases had consumed a large amount of Shun's physical strength. At this moment, the trees around were swaying nonstop from the cold wind, as if sighing for Shun's fatigue. Coupled with Siberia's severe cold, eating a roasted potato at this time was truly comforting, especially since it was brought by Seele.
"Seele, where is Bronya? How is she handling things?" Shun looked at the snow-covered mountains in the distance, his brows slightly furrowed. After all, making these children leave the place they had lived since childhood would inevitably leave some reluctant. This was also the most normal thing.
To be honest, the facilities and other aspects of the orphanage were quite good. The insulation was excellent, and supplies were quite abundant. However, on this icy and snowy wasteland, the biting cold wind still penetrated everywhere, and there was no defensive force.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been broken through by Honkai Beasts due to the Great Honkai in the plot.
So to ensure the children's safety, Shun would definitely arrange for them to be placed in St. Freya or other safe places.
"Don't worry, Brother. The children have always listened to Bronya sister very much. Moreover, the children in the orphanage are all very sensible. No one raised any objections."
"I have objections!" At this moment, an untimely voice came from behind. It was Sin Mal, who had woken up midway.
Strangely, after waking up she seemed to have accepted her fate. She didn't resist and just followed behind Shun the whole time.
Even Rozaliya felt it was very strange. This thorn Sin Mal was actually so obedient.
"Hmph, why say that everyone in the orphanage listens to that Bronya guy? This lord doesn't accept it." Sin Mal's performance was just short of writing "I can replace her" on her face.
In fact, it was like that. After Bronya left, it was Sin Mal who acted as the proxy boss managing the orphanage children.
"So, Sin Mal, you're planning not to listen to me?" Shun asked back.
"N-not at all. This lord just doesn't accept Bronya. As for your words, Shun, I can still listen to them discretionarily."
Heh, this tsundere brat. Shun looked at Sin Mal's performance and couldn't help but feel amused. Although he didn't know why, the other party suddenly listened to him. But being able to make Sin Mal obedient so easily was also a good thing. He had originally planned to teach this bratty girl a lesson, but now it seemed there was no need at all.
"Girls shouldn't always say 'this lord, this lord.' And you make your hair look like a boy's."
"Don't mind me! This lord likes it!" Looking at Sin Mal's reaction, it seemed not everything was listened to.
"Then, Seele, Misteln and I will go find Bronya first. You have a good chat with your three little companions and catch up, okay?"
Shun rubbed Seele's head and then said.
"Hmm." Seele nodded. There was still plenty of time ahead, so she wasn't in a hurry. Moreover, sticking to her brother all day every day didn't seem good either.
"Seele, you really came back!" After Shun left, Rozaliya excitedly stepped forward and hugged Seele.
"Hmm. After falling into the Quantum Sea back then, I was very scared every day. Until I met Brother. It was Brother who brought me back from there."
Liliya nodded silently. No wonder Bronya and Seele both trusted Shun so much. So that was why. Although subjective factors might account for more, things had already come to this. Shun couldn't possibly be worse than Cocolia mom, right?
"Che, you crybaby really have a strong life. You didn't die in the Quantum Sea and even met Shun who saved you. Your luck is pretty good."
Sin Mal's unique way of showing concern immediately made the atmosphere on the scene stiffen.
Seele's eyes, which had been like sea-blue gems, were instantly dyed blood-red all over.
"Sin Mal, I see your teeth have been a bit loose lately. Do you want me to help check if they've grown properly?"
Dark Seele's appearance and bringing up that night's events awakened Sin Mal's PTSD. She was instantly scared pale, not daring to breathe loudly.
Rozaliya and Liliya exchanged a glance. It seemed there were some secrets between Seele and Sin Mal that they didn't know about.
At this time, Shun and Misteln had already returned to the warm interior of the orphanage. Under the heat brought by the large boiler in the center of the orphanage burning coal 24 hours nonstop, the inside of the orphanage was still very warm.
The arrival of the two strangers, Shun and Misteln, immediately attracted the attention of the orphanage children. But because they had come openly, everyone couldn't help but speculate about Shun's identity.
These two were probably the people Bronya mentioned who bought the orphanage from Cocolia.
Cocolia: Yes, children, I sold the orphanage.