In the archive room of Qlipoth Fort, Bronya, holding a lamp, restlessly flipped through various classified files. Normally, even as Cocolia's daughter, she would not be permitted to view these documents.
But today was different. With Cocolia, the Supreme Guardian, captured, and Bronya, as her adopted daughter, being the next in line according to Belobog tradition, these classified archives were now open to her at this critical juncture.
Bronya had been prepared for a full day's search, assuming that information regarding the Stellaron would be scarce. To her surprise, upon entering the archive room, she found three entire cabinets filled with various records about the Stellaron.
It started with the handwritten records of the first Supreme Guardian to discover the Stellaron and continued through the research conducted by each successive Guardian, including Cocolia's own studies. The most recent entry, however, was from ten years ago.
Bronya quickly skimmed through the records, and only then did she understand the full extent of the calamity that had befallen Jarilo-VI.
Initially, the apocalyptic crisis that Jarilo-VI faced was not the Eternal Freeze, but the Antimatter Legion. Under the Legion's ferocious assault, Belobog's armies were in constant retreat. Then, one day, a certain Supreme Guardian made a deal with the Stellaron. The Stellaron brought down the Eternal Freeze, repelling the Antimatter Legion.
Belobog thought the crisis was averted. But unexpectedly, after the Antimatter Legion was repelled, the Eternal Freeze did not subside. Instead, it intensified. One by one, many cities fell due to energy depletion and the Fragmentum phenomena caused by the Stellaron. Today, only the lone city of Belobog remained, barely surviving in the snowstorm.
Upon learning of this, a subsequent Supreme Guardian, perhaps to save the face of their predecessors or to avoid causing a panic, chose to bury the truth. The word "Stellaron" became taboo, its knowledge confined to the Supreme Guardian and a circle of researchers.
After that, generation after generation of Supreme Guardians had their people relentlessly study the Stellaron, attempting to find a solution, but all of them failed. Even by Cocolia's time, no method to save Belobog had been found.
Finally, several years ago, the research station dedicated to studying the Stellaron was completely buried by a sudden avalanche. After that, her mother, Cocolia, had completely halted all research on the Stellaron.
Bronya's fingertips, gripping the files, turned white. Her face was a mask of disbelief. She never thought the truth of the matter would be like this. The Nameless weren't lying. The Stellaron was indeed the cause of all this!
So, why would her mother, who knew the truth about the Stellaron, issue a warrant for the Nameless? And why didn't she tell her the truth?
Bronya was lost. Who was right?
She flipped through the files faster and faster, desperate to find an answer. But even as the blinding sunlight shone through the window, she couldn't find one.
However, she did find a clue regarding the Stellaron's whereabouts. The records of the Stellaron ended at the research station buried under the snow. Although most of the researchers stationed there had passed away due to old age, a few were still alive. Among them, she saw a familiar name.
[Serval Landau]
She was Gepard's sister, and one of her own friends.
Perhaps she could find out from Serval whether the Stellaron was still at that research station.
With this thought, Bronya placed the stacks of files back where they belonged and walked out of the archive room. Due to sitting for so long, she swayed unsteadily as she stepped out, luckily managing to steady herself against the wall.
Just as she regained her footing, a Silvermane Guard came rushing towards her.
"Lady Bronya, Lady Cocolia is back!"
"What?"
Bronya was both shocked and overjoyed. Joyful that her mother had returned safely, but shocked as to why Caelus would release her. He had gone to so much trouble, breaking into Qlipoth Fort, taking down a host of Silvermane Guards, and knocking Cocolia unconscious. Why would he let her go after just half a day?
"Where is she? Is she alright? Take me to her!"
"Lady Cocolia has already reached the central plaza. She seems to be in good condition, it's just that…"
The Silvermane Guard's words trailed off into hesitation. This strange behavior made Bronya frown.
"What's wrong with Lady Cocolia?"
The guard stammered, "Those three kidnappers are with her… and Lady Cocolia seems… very strange."
"Take me there."
"Yes."
---o---
Bronya followed the Silvermane Guard out of Qlipoth Fort and saw Caelus's group walking towards them from the edge of the central plaza. They were surrounded by over a hundred Silvermane Guards and a crowd of gawking onlookers, forming an impenetrable circle.
Caelus, who had procured a pair of sunglasses from who-knows-where, had his left hand behind his back and his right hand raised high, waving to the confused crowd with a smile that he couldn't seem to wipe off his face.
"My, my, the people of Belobog are so warm! We've only been gone a short while, and so many have come to give us a grand welcome upon our return."
"Are they welcoming you?" March 7th felt like she was losing her mind. She covered half her face and grumbled, "They're obviously on guard against you!"
If not for their apprehension of Caelus's power and Cocolia's presence, the armed Silvermane Guards surrounding them would have likely swarmed them already.
Hearing Caelus's words, Cocolia seemed to ponder for a moment. She walked up beside him, falling back just half a step, and tilted her head to ask, "Do you prefer this kind of reception? Do I need to order them to arrange a welcoming ceremony?"
"That won't be necessary. Just make it a grand affair when you transfer the position to me."
"Understood."
The two's conversation wasn't loud, but Bronya, who had just drawn near, heard it loud and clear. She stared in utter astonishment at her own mother, who was acting incomparably docile standing next to Caelus.
Bronya had never thought the word "docile" could ever be used to describe Cocolia. But today, that was precisely the feeling her mother gave her! She was acting even more docile than when she was facing Bronya herself!
No! It hasn't even been half a day! What in the world did Caelus do to her mother in one night to "tune" her like this?!
Could he have given her some sort of incredibly vicious drug?!
At that thought, Bronya angrily stomped forward in her high heels and came before Caelus. Caelus saw her coming and stopped, about to greet her, but Bronya spoke first.
"What did you do to my mother!"
Seeing Bronya acting so aggressively, Cocolia couldn't help but frown.
"Bronya, that's no way to speak!"
Bronya: ?
Mom! What have you been tuned into?!
---