Chapter 54: Wait, None of You Have Watched Cyberangel?!

Chapter 54: Wait, None of You Have Watched Cyberangel?!

 Hokuto watched Otto's message float across the screen.

 So, he finally realized Bronya is defecting to Anti-Entropy…

 But honestly? He was late to the party.

 This revelation didn't change anything anymore.

 Because by the end of this stage…

 Everyone would know the truth.

—

 [Give Mei back to me!!]

 As the final enemy collapsed, the entire screen turned white—a brilliant, almost blinding light engulfing everything.

 Before the brightness faded, a single voice cut through the silence.

 Kiana's desperate cry.

 The chat fell silent, eyes locked on the screen as the next cutscene unfolded.

 The once unbreakable trio—Kiana, Mei, and Bronya—

 Now stood on opposite sides.

 [Hmph. You people have no idea of a Herrscher's true worth. If we can understand how they control the forces of nature, humanity's technology will advance exponentially. Bronya, stop them!]

 Bronya's battlesuit darkened, shifting to red and black.

 A familiar sight.

 The same colors as the last two times she betrayed them.

 The same moment of doubt.

 The same Kiana, still choosing to trust her.

—

 『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Oh? Are we doing this again?"

 A blood-red message drifted by.

 Hokuto didn't even need to look—Dark Seele was enjoying this.

 But this time…

 Something was different.

—

 [Bronya, don't let her control you! Wake up!]

 The camera shifted, framing Kiana and Bronya on opposite sides of the screen.

 Guns raised.

 But…

 Cocolia's control… had already begun to wane.

 This time—

 Bronya was making a choice.

 [When Bronya was young, she lost both of her parents. Cocolia became like a mother to her… but then, Bronya met Mei.]

 **As she spoke, the camera shifted to Mei—**bound, helpless.

 Bronya's fist clenched.

 Her voice remained calm, but her words carried weight, emotions bubbling beneath the surface.

 [Mei has always been kind to Bronya. Bronya does not want to hurt her.]

 [So, Bronya will not fight.]

 [Kiana, take Mei and leave.]

 The camera cut to Kiana, her expression filled with confusion.

 [Bronya has already burned her biochip.]

 [What?! That chip is inside your brain—burning it will… Are you trying to kill yourself?!]

 Cocolia's voice rang out, sharp and alarmed.

 The camera pulled back, revealing the cold, artificial gaze of a surveillance camera overhead.

 [To Bronya, Mei is more important than her own life.]

 Bronya turned back, finally facing Mei.

 [Bronya will no longer follow orders that hurt Mei.]

 Her voice—so calm before—

 Finally cracked with raw anger.

 [Kiana, take Mei and go.]

 The red glow spread across her face, her breathing slowed, and then—

 Darkness.

—

 CG End.

 The screen froze on the mission complete screen.

 The chat was dead silent.

 No messages. No comments.

 Not even Otto was saying anything.

 Hokuto stared at the four viewers in the list.

 Then, without a word—he pressed on to the next stage.

—

 『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Wow. She actually did it. What an idiot."

 A blood-red message appeared.

 Hokuto sighed.

 Of course, Dark Seele would say that.

 But before he could respond—

 Her username disappeared from the chat.

 Instead—

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Wahhh! Bronya-nee… Bronya-nee won't die, right?!"

 A bright blue message.

 Seele had finally returned.

 The chat felt… lighter somehow.

 Yeah. This is more like it.

 Compared to the scheming Otto and the stoic Durandal, Seele's open emotions were honestly refreshing.

 『Hokuto:』 "Don't worry. If she couldn't survive this, she wouldn't become Herrscher Bronya."

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Really?! You're not lying, right, big brother?!"

 『Hokuto:』 "Of course not."

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Okay! Then I believe you!"

 『System Notification:』 "Because of your heartfelt interaction, 'my favorite sister Bronya' is overjoyed! You've earned 740 Crystals!"

 Oh? A surprise reward?

 Hokuto grinned.

 Guess comforting viewers actually pays off!

 But before he could enjoy the moment—

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "You seem remarkably confident that Bronya will recover. Why is that?"

 Damn it, Otto. Can't you let me have this?

 Hokuto hesitated for a split second—then tried to deflect.

 『Hokuto:』 "Huh? Is that really the important question here?"

 『Hard Work Always Pays Off:』 "Ahem. Apologies for interrupting. But… I also want to know."

 Oh, come on.

 Hokuto groaned internally.

 These two—Otto and Durandal—were totally ganging up on him.

 How do I explain Herrscher Bronya without sounding suspicious…?

 Wait—!

 Got it.

 『Hokuto:』 "Oh, that's easy. I saw it in the in-game animated short: Cyberangel."

 …Silence.

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "What?"

 For the first time, even Otto sounded confused.

 Hokuto smirked.

 Heh.

 They have no idea what I'm talking about.

End of Chapter 54