"What must I give in return?"
Cocolia was completely serious when she asked this. She firmly believed there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. For Caelus to go through so much trouble to save Jarilo-VI, he must want something from her.
"You don't need to give anything." Caelus shook his head. He honestly hadn't thought about getting anything from Cocolia when he did all this. At most, he just wanted to prove how awesome Minecraft was. Besides, he was a Nameless now; playing the part of a Hero of the Village every now and then was fine.
But as soon as Caelus said that, Cocolia's expression changed abruptly.
"Impossible! I don't know what kind of miraculous power you used, but you must have expended a great deal of energy. How could you not require any payment from me! Just say it. No matter the price, as long as it can save Belobog, I am willing to pay it!"
If Caelus didn't ask for something from her, she would be terrified, terrified that this newfound hope would slip through her fingers once more.
Cocolia's voice took on a pleading tone. "Just say it. I can accept any condition."
Seeing Cocolia's sudden shift from her high and mighty posture to this, March 7th felt a pang of pity for her. She explained gently, "Cocolia, you don't have to be like this. We are the Nameless. We seek neither fame nor fortune."
Cocolia paid March no mind, her gaze fixed solely on Caelus, awaiting his answer.
Seek neither fame nor fortune? How could that be possible?
Caelus had intended to go along with what March said, but when he met Cocolia's eyes, he held back the words he was about to say. He feared that if he didn't ask for something now, Cocolia would never be at ease. Even if Belobog was successfully saved, she would probably live in constant fear that this prosperity would one day be taken away by him.
Caelus had no choice but to change his tune. "Alright, since you've said so, then I'll ask for something."
Hearing this, Cocolia let out a long sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly. "Please, ask away."
"Well then, I want you…"
Before Caelus could even finish his sentence, March 7th whipped her head around to face him, her voice rising several octaves.
"Huh?!"
"Only me?" Cocolia, however, replied with a hint of doubt.
"HUH?!!!!"
March 7th felt like her brain was about to explode. Even her words came out stuttering.
"Cae-Caelus, how could you ask for that?!"
How had she not noticed what a lecher this jerk was before! To actually have his eyes on Cocolia! What was so great about her? So what if she's fair-skinned, beautiful, has long legs, is curvy, and wears black stockings!
But she's already a mother! Even if he was interested, shouldn't he be interested in Bronya?
Caelus and Dan Heng saw the two women's reactions and slapped their foreheads in unison. The latter couldn't help but remind them, "Caelus isn't finished talking yet. Don't you think you're jumping to conclusions a bit too quickly?"
"Exactly."
Caelus shot a glare at March and Cocolia. Why was it that he couldn't even get half a sentence out without being branded a pervert?
Did he look like the type of person with a small appetite who would only ask for one? If he were really going to make that kind of demand, he'd obviously ask for both!
Steve never wastes food! Whether it's the big one or the small one, rotten flesh or bread, he'll eat it all!
Caelus reined in his thoughts and spoke to Cocolia again. "I want your position. I want Belobog for my use."
Caelus had expected her to show some hesitation, but to his surprise, Cocolia simply let out a sigh of relief, as if this was exactly what she had expected.
"If you can truly save Belobog and not harm its people, I can step down at any time and give you the position of Supreme Guardian."
"Of course." Caelus agreed without hesitation, then added, "And it's not like you have a choice. On one side, you have the false future promised by the Stellaron. On the other, the future I have tangibly demonstrated to you. As long as you're not an idiot, you can only choose my side."
Cocolia nodded. It was true. If Caelus hadn't shown her these things, she might have still considered the future the Stellaron had promised. But now, having witnessed the miracles Caelus had displayed, the other Stellaron no longer had a place in her heart.
March 7th watched on in a daze as the matter of succession was settled in just a few sentences. Weren't they here to save the world? How did Caelus suddenly become the leader of Belobog?
Is this plot development right? This can't be right, can it?
Dan Heng was also a bit stunned, but he said nothing. He trusted that Caelus had his reasons.
After settling the matter of transferring the title of Supreme Guardian, Cocolia became anxious to return to the Overworld.
"When do we leave? Right now?"
Caelus took out his phone to check the time. Although he wasn't sure if the time on Jarilo-VI matched his phone, he had abducted Cocolia in the evening. It was likely deep into the night on the surface by now.
"Let's go back tomorrow morning."
"Alright." Although Cocolia was anxious, she didn't object.
Caelus turned to retrieve the Corrupted Torch to prevent mobs from spawning while he slept. Besides, the Corrupted Torch would be very useful once he got back to the Overworld. He also took the opportunity to finish off the Iron Golem, which had been fighting for a while, with a swing of his baseball bat, and casually collected the three iron ingots it dropped. After that was done, he called for the others to find a place to rest.
Just as the group was about to find a place to stay, Natasha, who had been observing them from the shadows, finally emerged.
"Everyone, I have a request."
The group stopped and turned to look at Natasha. Her gaze swept over each of them before finally landing on Caelus.
"Mr. Caelus, may I accompany you to the Overworld?"
March 7th looked at Natasha, confused. "Natasha, don't you need to stay here and look after the patients?"
Natasha smiled and replied, "I'll have Seele and the others help look after them. Besides, there is something very important in the Overworld that I need to confirm."
Caelus glanced at her. He had seen Natasha lurking on the minimap from the very beginning, but he hadn't paid her any mind since she was an acquaintance of March and the others. Now, she was suddenly asking to go to the Overworld. Considering her hidden identity, she probably hoped he could help the people of the Underworld as well. After all, compared to the Overworlders, the people of the Underworld lived much harder lives. The clothes of many people here were tattered, and they all looked malnourished.
"You can."
Caelus agreed. Technical Minecraft players are very compassionate. Saving one is saving, saving two is also saving. He never complained about the number of 'villagers'.
Hearing this, Natasha let out a sigh of relief and immediately offered, "Thank you. Please allow me to arrange for your accommodations. Follow me."
Natasha led the group to a small hotel in the Underworld. She handled the check-in procedures and paid for all their rooms.
After getting everyone settled, Natasha took her leave, saying she would see them again in the morning.
After a long day, March 7th couldn't wait to get to her room and immediately ran off with her key card. Dan Heng, however, leaned in and whispered to Caelus.
"I'll keep watch tonight. Even though Cocolia is cooperating now, it's better to be safe."
Caelus nodded. Dan Heng then went into his own room, leaving only Caelus and Cocolia in the hallway.
Cocolia was holding her key card, about to enter her room, when she heard Caelus's voice from behind her.
"Cocolia, since you've chosen to believe in me, you no longer need to worry about how to save Belobog. All you need to do is watch."
Cocolia's hand on the doorknob froze. She turned her head and looked at Caelus with a somewhat dazed expression. At that exact moment, the Bewitchment buff in her status bar suddenly changed.
[Trust V: 99:99]
---