Cocolia, in the original game's setting, was a boss-level enemy, a tier above the other elite monsters.
And some elite monsters had already reached the level of Overlord-class Aether Spirits.
"..."
Daziel silently repeated in his heart, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
If he could subdue such a Cocolia as an Aether Spirit, his Aether Spirit national team would take a qualitative leap.
Starting the game with a divine beast, how could he possibly lose?
Cocolia's gaze swept over Daziel, Topaz, and Serval's mechanical soldier, finally settling on Daziel.
There was no emotional fluctuation in her eyes, as if she were merely examining an object.
Daziel felt a shiver run down his spine under that cold gaze, and he couldn't help but recall his final battle against Cocolia in the Belobog's Ancient Battlefield, where he was stabbed by Cocolia and fell from the Creation Engine.
Although he knew back then that he would obtain the Flame Lance and embark on the Path of Preservation, the pain of being stabbed was very real.
Damn it, I'll stab her back later!
The Cocolia created by this Aether code in front of him looked exactly like the real one, incredibly lifelike...
Lifelike is best!
Just as Daziel was lost in thought, Cocolia's figure suddenly became somewhat blurred, like an unstable holographic projection that could disappear at any moment.
"What's going on?" Daziel thought with a start, quickly taking a few steps back.
"Hmph!"
Topaz nervously stood in front of Daziel, warily watching Cocolia.
"Buzz... buzz... Aether data... unstable..."
A fragmented voice also came from within Serval's mechanical soldier.
At the same time, a cold and mechanical system prompt sounded in Daziel's mind.
[Scanning in progress.]
[Detected that the Aether Spirit "Cocolia" has incomplete data. Reminder to the host: more emotional stimulation is needed to perfect her Aether code.]
"Stimulation?"
Daziel was taken aback, then immediately understood what the system meant. "You mean I need to expose Cocolia to more memory information to complete her data before I can capture her?"
The system didn't respond again, but Daziel knew he was right.
"Relying solely on Serval... is no longer enough to give Cocolia more emotions..."
Daziel looked at Cocolia's dimming phantom, his brow furrowed.
A name suddenly appeared in Daziel's mind.
"That's right, Bronya..."
As Cocolia's adopted daughter and the person Cocolia was once closest to, perhaps she could help him.
"The situation has changed, we need to go somewhere first..."
Daziel made a decisive decision, using an Aether Coin to close Topaz and Serval, and turned to walk towards the exit deep within the Echoing Corridor.
"Where to?" March asked.
"Qlipoth Fort, to find Bronya," Daziel said without looking back.
"Qlipoth Fort..."
March's face flushed red, and she immediately remembered the time she had left a puddle of water under Bronya's office chair...
At that time, she had just awakened some strange things, and her whole state was worrying.
"Looking for Lady Bronya? Can she help? I remember she seems to be busy recently and hasn't had time to experience the Aether Battlefront game," Pela said with some doubt. "Perhaps... she is the key to making Cocolia 'complete'. Right now, Cocolia is incomplete and cannot be captured. Serval's appearance did make her memories clearer, but it's not enough!" There was a hint of uncertainty in Daziel's voice, but more of a resolute tone.
Topaz and Serval exchanged a glance. Although they didn't understand Daziel's plan, they chose to trust him.
The three left the Victory Amusement Park and headed towards Qlipoth Fort.
Along the way, Daziel was thinking about how to persuade Bronya to help him.
After all, for Bronya, Cocolia was her most beloved mother, and he was going to use her mother's Aether Spirit, even in front of her...
Ahem.
Although it was exciting, it was undoubtedly a form of blasphemy!
"Hopefully... Bronya will understand."
Daziel sighed, feeling a little uneasy in his heart.
Qlipoth Fort, Administrative District.
Bronya was sitting at her desk, dealing with a mountain of documents. Since becoming the new Grand Guardian of Belobog, she had endless affairs to attend to every day.
The Aether Battlefront, which had recently become popular in Belobog, was something she naturally had no chance to experience.
"Grand Guardian, Commander Pela, Miss March, and Mr. Daziel request an audience."
A guard entered the office and reported to Bronya.
"Mr. Daziel, Miss March?"
Bronya raised her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "What are they here for?"
Ever since Belobog's creditor changed from the Corporation to Daziel, she had been a little afraid to face Daziel, fearing that he would come to collect the debt. Belobog couldn't repay that debt at the moment. Although Daziel said he wasn't in a hurry and hadn't urged her to pay, Bronya still felt a little nervous upon hearing that Daziel was coming.
If he made any unreasonable demands, she seemed to have no way to refuse...
"He said... he has something to discuss with you regarding the life and death crisis of Belobog," the guard replied truthfully.
Bronya's pupils contracted slightly. She was silent for a moment, then said, "Let him in."
"Yes," the guard retreated.
Soon, Daziel, March, and Pela walked into the office.
"Miss Bronya, long time no see."
Daziel spoke first, offering a simple greeting.
Bronya looked at Daziel, her expression complex. She nodded and gestured for them to sit down.
"You just said... you have something to tell me about the Belobog crisis?" Bronya's voice was somewhat low.
"Yes."
Daziel took a deep breath, deciding to get straight to the point. "I... I saw Cocolia."
"What?!" Bronya stood up abruptly, the pen in her hand falling to the ground.
"Don't get excited, Bronya."
Daziel gestured for Bronya to calm down. "What I saw... was Cocolia's Aether Spirit."
"Aether Spirit..."
5596854
Bronya's body trembled slightly. She slowly sat back down in her chair, her eyes filled with a complex expression.
Daziel told Bronya about the Belobog's Memetic Crisis, his own special abilities, and the current situation of Cocolia's Aether Spirit.
Of course, some key details were not mentioned.
"...So, I need your help, Bronya," Daziel said sincerely. "Perhaps only you can complete Cocolia's Aether Spirit data."
Bronya was silent for a long time, her fingers clenched tightly together, her knuckles turning white.
"I... what should I do?" Bronya's voice was a little hoarse.
"You just need to stand in front of Cocolia's Aether Spirit, just like Serval. She stood in front of Cocolia for a while, and the Aether code automatically loaded," Daziel explained his plan. "Through your presence, we can perfect her deeper Aether data."
"Bronya, you said that the women of Belobog... are all affected by that... module, and only after losing an Aether duel with you, doing that kind of thing... can they...
be cured?"
Bronya's voice was very soft, with a hint of disbelief and... shyness.
Daziel nodded, his tone certain, "That's right, although you were also affected by the Memetic, but..."
He didn't continue, because the following words were really hard to say.
Bronya looked at Intelligence Officer Pela.
Pela also nodded, confirming Daziel's statement with a determined look.
Seeing Pela's certainty, Bronya sighed, took out an Aether Coin from her drawer, its silver luster shimmering in the sunlight.
"The Aether Battlefront is so popular in Belobog now. As the Grand Guardian, with the idea of Go deep into the masses, I also got a coin, but I haven't had time to play it yet. It only has an initial Aether Spirit inside."
She held the coin in her hand, playing with it slightly between her fingers.
"Since Mr. Daziel is here, perhaps you could also help me get rid of the Memetic. As the Grand Guardian of Belobog, I must always maintain a clear mind and not be eroded," Bronya's tone was firm, but a hint of imperceptible panic flashed in her eyes.
"But Seele..." Daziel said with some concern.
After all, he had warned his system a long time ago not to do anything that involved NTR, and this had always been his code of conduct.
Was he going to break his own principles with his own hands now?
Even if it was...
For the sake of justice in his heart.
Bronya looked at Daziel strangely, her eyes full of doubt.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Daziel? Seele and I are just good friends, what does it have to do with her?"
"...?"
Daziel was stunned for a moment. He had never expected Bronya to say that.
"What 'ah'? What did you think our relationship was?" Bronya rolled her eyes at Daziel, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.
Daziel patted his chest, relieved. He really had overthought things.
That's right, this wasn't Honkai Impact 3rd after all. This was just a 12+ Star Rail, how could there be that kind of relationship that only appeared in H-games?
The original plot never explicitly stated that they were together.
He felt relieved. It seemed that he had been influenced by the system from the reverse world, and his thoughts had become impure.
Daziel composed himself and took out his Aether Coin from his pocket.
"In that case, let the duel begin, Miss Bronya."
Bronya also nodded, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes.
The two threw their Aether Coins into the air, and the Aether Battlefront duel began between them.
The battle lasted only a few seconds. After all, Bronya only had one initial Aether Spirit and hadn't really understood how to play the game, while Daziel's Aether Spirits were Topaz and Serval, both inheriting the combat power of their original bodies.
Bronya put away her Aether Coin, a blush appearing on her face. She said to Daziel somewhat shyly, "I lost, Mr. Daziel."
Daziel looked at Bronya. Today, she was wearing a smart, dark blue uniform, and the tailored cut outlined her graceful figure.
Especially those long legs wearing black stockings, which gleamed alluringly under the light, and the black high-heeled boots on her feet made her legs look even longer and straighter.
Daziel's Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed, and he swallowed his saliva.
He forced himself to look away, trying to make his voice sound steady.
"Then please take off your boots, Lady Bronya."
"Boots?"
Bronya was taken aback, obviously not expecting Daziel to make such a request.
A hint of shyness flashed across her face, but soon, she understood.
"I see, Mr. Daziel, you are such a gentle person..."
Bronya murmured softly.
March suddenly understood. She put her hands on her hips, her almond-shaped eyes wide, and questioned Daziel:
"Good heavens! So that's what you were doing when you sneaked Commander Pela and Miss Serval into the corner! I was wondering why their stockings suddenly disappeared!"
"That's right, Little March, I didn't mean to hide it from you."
Daziel admitted frankly, his tone carrying a hint of coaxing, "Wasn't it because I was afraid you'd get jealous?"
"I... I won't get jealous!"
March
Her pretty face was slightly red, but she stubbornly retorted, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"I... I just wanted to say, if you like this kind of play, I'll wear a dress with suspender white stockings every day from now on."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Daziel's eyes instantly lit up, and his originally slightly awkward expression became excited.
"Yeah! What's the big deal? Actually, you've been secretly staring at my feet, haven't you?"
March looked at Daziel with a hint of teasing and an almost imperceptible shyness, her eyes full of interest.
"It really is..."
Daziel scratched his head a little embarrassedly and admitted it generously.
After all...
Jade feet, I really love them!
"So, would you two like to step aside for a moment?"
Daziel turned around, looking at March and Pela with a gentle gaze and an inquiring tone.
Although they had both experienced similar things, asking them to witness it firsthand would probably still make them a little shy.
March grabbed Pela's hand, a hint of unnaturalness on her pretty face, and said casually, "Who wants to watch? We're not interested. We'll wait for you outside."
After speaking, she pulled Pela, whose cheeks were slightly flushed, and quickly walked out of the room.
Bronya sat on the desk, raised one leg, and held the top of her right boot with both hands, gently pulling it down.
As the boot came off, a slender jade foot wearing black stockings was presented before Daziel's eyes.
The black stockings tightly wrapped around her calves and ankles, outlining perfect curves.
At the visible part of her foot, the shape of her fair toes was faintly discernible, adding a touch of hazy beauty.
Daziel felt his heart beat faster, and his breathing became a little rapid.
"Is... is there... anything else?" Bronya's voice was very soft, with a hint of tremor.
She had already mentally prepared herself, but when she actually faced it, she still felt incredibly shy.
"..."
Daziel's voice was a little hoarse, and he felt his mouth was dry.
"Take... off... your... socks... too..."
These words were almost squeezed out of his throat.
Although keeping the socks on was good, these socks would serve another purpose later.
Bronya's body trembled slightly, her face already so red it looked like it was about to drip blood.
She took a deep breath and slowly squatted down, using trembling fingers to pinch the edge of her stockings.
Then, little by little, she peeled the stockings down her legs.
As the stockings were removed, Bronya's fair skin was completely exposed to the air.
Her legs were very beautiful, slender and straight, without any flaws.
Her ankles were slender, her feet were small, her toes were round, and her nails were neatly trimmed and painted with light blue nail polish.
Daziel felt his mind go blank, and he was completely unable to think.
He could only stare blankly at Bronya, at her pair of perfect jade feet.
"Is... is this... okay?" Bronya's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and she was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head.
Daziel
Only then did he come back to his senses. He quickly looked away, not daring to look at Bronya anymore.
"...Yes... that's... fine..." he stammered.
It was done.
Daziel put away Bronya's socks, keeping them as a memento.
In a sense, this was also a Gym Badge.
Even more valuable than that so-called qualification badge!
"Then... about Belobog, and Mother..." Bronya asked softly.
"Ah, right, Cocolia..."
Daziel finally remembered the main business. He tried to return to his sage state, "Next, let's go see Cocolia's Aether Spirit."
"Mmm."
Bronya responded softly, then sat on the desk and began to put on her boots.
Now the soles of Bronya's feet were also sticky.
Daziel looked at Bronya's movements, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
However, he didn't think he had done anything wrong.
He knew that this was already the gentlest approach.
He had neither violated his own principles nor failed to try to protect this 12+ world.
After Bronya put on her boots, she stood up.
"Let's go, Mr. Daziel."
Her voice had returned to its usual tone, as if nothing had just happened.
Daziel nodded and followed behind Bronya, walking out of the office.
________
I'll only add the lemon if there's a spicy scene. Writing an 18+ scene about finishing inside a sock seems kinda meh... lol
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