Chapter 44:Bronya lives between heaven and earth. How can she be content to live under others for long?
「 "If you're worried, let's have someone stand watch," Dan Heng suggested.
"Stand, stand watch? That's so old-fashioned! Isn't that something only adventure parties in fantasy novels do?" March 7th's eyes widened, and the next second she was full of drama, deliberately yawning, "Heh... yawn, suddenly feeling sleepy..."
"March, you look pretty energetic, how about..." Stelle propped her chin, looking meaningfully at March 7th.
"N-no way!" March 7th said in a wronged tone, almost like she was acting spoiled, "I've never pulled an all-nighter, okay? Do you know how bad staying up late is for your skin?"
"I'll stand watch," Bronya suddenly appeared, coming up behind them. "...If you trust me."
She had just talked a lot with Commander Oleg. Although they didn't reach a consensus on some points, she did learn about some past events. The amount of information was too much, so she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight anyway.
After confirming that Bronya wouldn't be harmed because of her identity, the train trio felt relieved, handing over the watch duty to her.
In the middle of the night, Stelle had that strange nightmare again.
Under the thick, ink-like night, Cocolia sat alone on the solemn and majestic seat of the Supreme Guardian.
Her usually neat hair was now as messy as her collapsing emotions, and she was trembling all over, as if enduring unspeakable pain and pressure.
"I lost her... my [ wish ], your so-called plan... what's the point of all this?"
"Abandon despair, abandon sorrow, abandon useless emotions..."
"Shut up!"
With a crisp "snap," Cocolia angrily smashed the cup on the ground, roaring,
"She's my daughter, she's my only..."
"What do you understand? Things without souls? You'll never understand... never!"
The voice of the Stellaron echoed in the empty office: "You haven't lost her... she's waiting on the other side to reunite with you."
"...Stand up, Guardian. Fulfill your destiny... fulfill a [ mother ] 's wish." 」
「 .....」
~Overlord World~
~Nazarick Underground Great Tomb~
In the Throne Hall, even though they had sensed that their creator, whom they should worship, had left, no one got up.
It wasn't until a long time passed that Albedo was the first to rise. Although the knees of her white dress were stained with some dirt, she didn't care at all.
Since the Supreme Being left, a shadow had always hung over her face.
Lord Ainz was watching the image in the light curtain with them. When he saw Cocolia being further tempted by the Stellaron, the Supreme Being specifically asked for her opinion.
"This woman named Cocolia is too weak. It's only natural that she would be affected by the Stellaron. If it were me—"
She didn't finish her sentence before Ainz raised his hand to interrupt her.
Although Lord Ainz didn't say anything, his attitude... Albedo, as the Overseer of the Guardians, could certainly guess a little. Even after carefully considering and thinking for a long time before answering, she had still disappointed Lord Ainz.
...This was also something she could never forgive herself for.
"That kind of thing can actually tempt ordinary people to fall... Lord Ainz really attaches great importance to the Stellaron."
Aura's remark made all the Guardians present tense. Their views on the Stellaron might not just be a test for Albedo, but also an invisible test for the other Guardians.
No one wanted to disappoint the Supreme Being.
"Everyone, regarding the Stellaron, I have another explanation,"
Demiurge pushed up his glasses.
"Our world doesn't have a Stellaron that can tempt humans, but we do have magic that can tempt humans."
The atmosphere instantly changed, and all the Guardians focused their attention on Demiurge.
"Lord Ainz wants to preserve the labor force in the various kingdoms."
"My idea is to use methods similar to the Stellaron in the light curtain, use spiritual or spell-like magic to influence the kings, and then have the kings issue decrees, thus forever submitting to Lord Ainz."
Listening to Demiurge's words, the Guardians all showed expressions of sudden understanding, and their stiff bodies finally relaxed.
"As expected of you, Demiurge, truly an exquisitely brilliant plan,"
Cocytus couldn't help but praise.
"Not at all, Lord Ainz has already noticed this point, he was just waiting for us, the Guardians, to bring it up."
Mentioning Lord Ainz's foresight, Demiurge's face showed an expression of extreme admiration.
—
「 Troubled by nightmares and unable to sleep, Stelle decided to leave the hotel and go for a walk.
"Who?!" Bronya, who was standing watch, heard the movement behind her and immediately turned around in alarm. After seeing Stelle, she relaxed her guard.
"Phew, it was you... Can't you sleep either?"
Stelle nodded, looking righteous and awe-inspiring: "I can't sleep if I don't work eight hours."
"Uh..." Although it wasn't her first time experiencing it, Bronya was still a bit speechless by Stelle's peculiar mental state. "...Someone needs to manage you."
Since neither of them could sleep, they simply chatted casually together.
In Bronya's opinion, she completely disbelieved what Stelle and the others said about "sealing the Stellaron will solve the cold wave." But on the other hand, the Supreme Guardian initially didn't demand their capture, but then changed her attitude in a very short time, plus her conversation with Oleg...
All of this made her feel incredibly lost and helpless.
She also knew that sometimes her mother's decisions were wrong, but as a soldier, the sense of responsibility to fulfill her duty would always take precedence.
The girl lowered her eyes: "...Perhaps, Mother's decision was wrong."
Stelle suddenly had an idea: "Why don't you become the Supreme Guardian?"
"You mean..." Bronya's eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands, shaking her head like a rattling drum.
"No! That thought is too terrifying! Absolutely not! Impossible... I just hope the people of Belobog can live a better life..." 」
「 .....」
~Honkai: Impact 3rd World~
At St. Freya High, Stelle's words enlightened countless people.
For a time, the entire forum was buzzing with discussion, and the support for Bronya was completely one-sided.
"Yeah, how can kings and generals be born with privilege! At this time, they should put on the yellow robe and stage a coup directly!"
"Support! Invincible on the battlefield, I'll carry the banner for Triple Turbo Duck!"
"Bronya lives between heaven and earth. How can she be content to live under others for long?"
"What? Cocolia's last name is Rand, and my Triple Turbo Duck's last name is also Rand. If she can sit on the Supreme Guardian's throne, why can't my Bronya? Why not kill our way to the Upper District and seize the bird throne..."
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