"The plan seems to be proceeding smoothly."
From her office high above, Cocolia crossed her arms and gazed down at the trap unfolding below, the corners of her lips curling into a confident, knowing smile.
She wasn't someone easily deceived. Only a fool would think the title of Supreme Guardian was earned without effort. And Bronya—Bronya was her dearest daughter.
That girl's heart was too soft. Cocolia knew Bronya far too well to believe she would sit quietly and accept her fate. So, she'd told Gepard to make preparations in advance.
As expected, Bronya had made contact with a woman Cocolia had never seen before. And the moment the Stellaron reacted to that woman, a flood of dread surged from within it.
[Must…eradicate…]
That woman. A variable. A threat large enough to trigger the Stellaron itself. If she could be eliminated, nothing else could stand in the way of the plan.
"Hmph. Everything is under control."
Cocolia let out a soft scoff and smiled again.
Then her pupils contracted sharply.
From the distance, the unfamiliar woman who had just met Bronya was now looking up—directly at Cocolia. And then, casually, she waved.
Elsewhere, March 7th and her group had already broken through the encirclement. Only Felicity stood behind, waving aimlessly toward Qlipoth Fort.
"Sister Felicity, what are you doing?!"
March 7th's voice trembled with urgency.
She raised her hand, summoning an ice bow of Six-Phased Ice. The bowstring shimmered in the air as she drew it back and unleashed a volley of brilliantly colored ice sculptures, aiming to help Felicity break free.
"Tch."
Gepard stepped forward, lifting his right arm. His armguard, forged from dense Geomarrow, lit up—and with a heavy thud, a strange shield, oddly shaped like a guitar case, settled in front of him.
An almost invisible force field rippled out and formed a wall, completely absorbing the impact of the ice attack.
"Woah, that's one thick shield!"
March 7th groaned, readying her bow again—only for Dan Heng to stop her with a hand on her shoulder.
"March. Don't waste your energy. Felicity has her reasons."
Dan Heng's voice was calm as he explained, eyes narrowed in observation.
"With her strength, these guards wouldn't be able to contain her. She's using me—no, us—as bait. She plans to regroup with us inside the Fragmentum."
"Huh? Sister Felicity's that amazing?"
"Run."
Dan Heng didn't waste another word. His spear flashed into his hand, and in a blink, his figure blurred into an afterimage as he tore through the Silvermane Guards blocking their escape.
Understanding instantly, Stelle sprinted after him, and March 7th followed without hesitation. The three vanished toward the Rift.
Felicity remained behind, still waving, her head tilted in confusion.
"Eh? Did they… leave me behind?"
"Sir, they've entered the Fragmentum. What are your orders?"
A Silvermane Guard hurried back to Gepard's side, panting.
"No matter. We still have their companion. We know the Fragmentum better than they do. Regroup the troops—surround the entire perimeter."
Gepard issued his command with a sharp tone, then turned toward Felicity with a cold glare.
"You should surrender now…"
"Captain Gepard, don't underestimate her. She's not as harmless as she looks."
The icy voice cut through the tense air. Bronya stood at the edge of the teahouse, gun resting on her shoulder. A round-faced girl trailed closely behind.
Their eyes met for just a second. Felicity's lips twitched with a smile, but Bronya's expression froze. She quickly composed herself.
As the future Supreme Guardian of Belobog, Bronya knew she couldn't afford to waver. Suspicion led to arrogance. Arrogance bred destruction.
Her warning brought immediate tension to Gepard's face.
Without hesitation, he reached for Felicity, determined to restrain her before she made another move—but it was already too late.
"Wood Release—Rich Tree."
The ground cracked. A sprout surged up unnaturally fast, maturing into a slender tree within moments. Then, like vipers, two branches lashed out and stopped Gepard in his tracks.
"Fire!"
Dozens of guns turned toward Felicity. Gunfire erupted—only to scatter harmlessly as soon as the bullets touched her skin.
She might have been careless, even clumsy, but Felicity was still an Emanator of the Path of Abundance. Ordinary weapons were meaningless against her.
"Fortify the perimeter!"
Gepard barked out the order.
His force field was already showing signs of collapse beneath the relentless assault of the vines, and he needed time to recharge before reactivating it.
"…Don't overdo it."
Felicity muttered, almost to herself. Her gaze slid toward Bronya—and in that instant, an idea crossed her mind.
Among everyone present, this girl who had dared to "talk" with her even before Cocolia's trap closed in… she stood out.
It might be amusing to drag Bronya down to the lower levels, to show her the true face of Belobog.
No reason beyond that. Felicity simply wanted to see what kind of face Bronya would make.
Would she really draw a gun on her own mother and say something dramatic like, "Farewell, Mother… and my cowardice."
Without further hesitation, Felicity acted. A thin vine coiled through the air, unnoticed, and wrapped itself around Bronya's waist.
"Protect Lady Bronya!"
Gepard reacted immediately, slamming his foot into the ground to counter the vines. With a burst of strength, he grabbed hold of one.
But Felicity was faster. She appeared beside Bronya in a flash—and in the next moment, scooped her up in full view of Pela.
"Y-You villain! Let Lady Bronya go!"
Pela shrieked, panic overwhelming her.
But she was just an Intelligence Officer. Planning strategies, reading data—that was her forte. Facing someone like Felicity? She wouldn't survive even a single blow.
She could only stand there, helpless, as Felicity vanished into the mist with Bronya.
"W-What do you want…?"
Bronya struggled in Felicity's grasp, her voice trembling. She had expected resistance—but not complete domination. Even Gepard, Belobog's immovable shield, couldn't hold his ground.
She didn't even know why she was being taken.
"You'll see soon enough."
Felicity chuckled softly, voice full of mischief. Carrying Bronya as if she weighed nothing, she vanished into the depths of the Rift.
--+--