["Lady Cocolia... Thank you for raising me, thank you for leaving me the right to choose."]
["But... I'm sorry, Mother. This one last time, I cannot stand by your side."]
["..." Cocolia's brows furrowed tightly as she slowly closed her eyes.]
["You said the depths of human nature are foolishness and cowardice—perhaps that's not wrong. Desperation reflects the darkest aspects of the human heart."]
["...But you overlooked those who strive to survive and fight in the face of despair. I've seen the light within them—on the frontlines of the Restricted Zone, in the Underworld, in the corners you've neglected."]
["Our ancestors built this city with their own hands, preserving civilization amidst the howling snowstorms. Even if this world is destined to collapse, the path to its end should be paved by human hands—not by entrusting fate to this cursed seed!"]
"...This child speaks well indeed."
At Night Raid's headquarters, Najenda listened intently to Bronya's speech and couldn't help but voice sincere admiration.
As a future leader, Bronya had not only undergone rigorous military training but also possessed unshakable composure in crisis. Though raised in aristocratic privilege, she empathized with the common people and won their hearts. Compared to her, the young emperor of their own empire...
Watching the blizzard-filled screen, Najenda felt a tinge of envy.
Though their empire lacked Belobog's extreme and perilous environment, its people suffered under the exploitation and brutal rule of those in power. Their plight was likely as dire as that of the Underworld's residents.
"If Bronya were to replace the emperor and rule the empire, Night Raid would probably be out of a job," Najenda mused with a bitter smile.
The future of Belobog was certain to usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Yet for their revolutionary army, there was no telling how many more would have to die...
Najenda flicked the ash from her cigarette and fell into deep thought.
["We are guardians chosen by ordinary people, Mother! Our duty is to [Preserve] the world built by humanity! We are not gods, nor judges!"]
[Bronya's gaze remained firm. "You seek to trample human nature beneath your feet while playing both god and judge—such a thing, I cannot allow!"]
[The hope in Cocolia's eyes gradually faded, that rare trace of warmth dissipating into the endless snowstorm. Her voice turned icy. "I see... So this is your choice... I understand, Bronya."]
[As if relieved, Cocolia raised her head and sighed. "What a pity... What a pity you won't live to see the glorious new world. You cannot break free from the shackles of your thoughts... Do you know? You were meant to be... the [Mother] of this new world."]
[No sooner had she spoken than the ground began to tremble. The earth cracked inch by inch as the roar of machinery reverberated like a war hymn spanning seven centuries, resonating across the frozen wasteland.]
[A faint smile finally appeared on Cocolia's face.]
[Her elegance, composure, and calm—all seemed to return to her in that moment of seismic upheaval.]
["The fate of this city... Belobog was decided long ago. Its future shall unfold in our hands. And you... shall become the foundation of this new world!"]
[Cocolia raised her right hand high, a glimmer of cold light rapidly coalescing in her grasp, ultimately forming a lance forged of ice.]
["Without breaking the old, there can be no new! By the authority of the Supreme Guardian, I command you to rise—Creation Engine!"]
[With an earth-shattering roar, an enormous mechanical hand—so vast it seemed to blot out the sky—burst through the ice. The giant hand reached toward the heavens, slowly clenching into a fist. The grinding of gears distorted the surrounding air, producing a shrill, piercing screech.]
["Look out! It's an ancient machine of the Architects! Everyone, be careful!"]
[Before Bronya could finish speaking, the colossal hand descended like a meteor, crashing down upon Stelle and the others with overwhelming force!]
——
"So, Yujiro? Didn't you say you wanted to challenge the strongest things in this world?" Musashi Miyamoto laughed heartily. "Care to try your luck with that?"
Faced with such a monstrous construct, Musashi knew he stood no chance.
The essence of swordsmanship lay in killing techniques. Even at the pinnacle of his craft, he could not cut down something inhuman. A single finger of the Creation Engine was thicker than his entire body.
At this moment, Yujiro's hair stood on end, his face twisting grotesquely into the visage of a demon from hell.
Musashi understood—this was the sign of his battle frenzy reaching its peak.
Seems he really wants to fight the Creation Engine... Too bad...
"Hey, come take a look at this!" The voice of Elder Tokugawa suddenly called out from behind them.
Tokugawa turned on the television, revealing footage of Tokyo's streets. A towering, muscular man—over 2 meters tall—was sprinting wildly through the city. Disheveled and nearly naked, wearing only a simple white fundoshi, he stared up at the screen displaying the Creation Engine's massive fist while desperately dodging.
He plowed through countless vehicles along the way, emerging completely unscathed. Only when locking eyes with the Creation Engine did his face betray the terror of prey cornered by a predator.
"Pickle... Does he think the Creation Engine is some beast hunting him?"
"In his Cretaceous era, there were no dinosaurs on the level of the Creation Engine. Pickle may have hunted Tyrannosaurs, but against this steel monstrosity, he's powerless."
"Because of the screen, Pickle can't escape the Creation Engine's gaze. That's why he's panicking and fleeing blindly." Tokugawa sighed. "Let me make some arrangements to bring him here."
As the most powerful man in Japan—one who commanded reverence even from former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe—Tokugawa could easily ensure Pickle's safety.
——
Meanwhile, in the Demon Slayer world...
The moment the Creation Engine's fist slammed into the ground, Muzan's entire body shuddered involuntarily.
A drop of cold sweat trickled down his cheek...
The Upper Moons gathered around him fell into an equally stunned silence.
While it was true that demons could regenerate endlessly unless decapitated... being pulverized into paste by this technological iron fist would leave even the Upper Moons incapable of twitching!
After a long pause, Muzan's icy voice finally echoed through the Infinity Castle:
"Gyokko... What do you make of this ancient machine?"
"Uh... well..." Gyokko instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
What could he say? That he'd rather watch from inside his pot?!
Against a punch like that, no Blood Demon Art would make a difference!