Chapter 59 - Afterwards

Five hours later, Wende, who had finally returned to his normal form, could at last breathe a sigh of relief.

During his transformation, Stelle had reached out for him nine times, drooled four times, and had two unhinged fits. Even little March had walked ahead of the group the entire time, not daring to look at him.

He had no choice but to walk alongside Dan Heng.

Thankfully, he had Seele take Serval and Bronya back to Belobog first. If they had seen him in that state...

It would have been social suicide, most likely.

Damn it. He used to think miHoYo's characters were perfectly tailored to his tastes; how did he himself become someone else's taste?!

He could only hope the players in the real world would behave themselves!

As for Cocolia, just like in the original story, she chose "self-liberation." They could only watch as she dissipated into motes of light. It was her own choice, and her final "dignity."

Under Himeko and Welt's remote control, the Stellaron on Jarilo-VI had been suppressed. According to current knowledge, there was no way to destroy such a thing; the best the Astral Express could do was suppress it.

Although the Cold Wave and the Fragmentum would not recede immediately, and would even persist for a long time, the people of Belobog could now see hope—something they hadn't seen in seven hundred years...

"Now the people of Belobog can finally relax a little, right?"

Walking down the mountain path of Everwinter Hill, March 7th spoke with deep satisfaction. The fulfillment that came from completing a Trailblaze Mission was more delightful than eating an entire cream cake!

"They can relax for a short while... but the situation they face next is still very grim."

Dan Heng crossed his arms and shook his head.

This was the trauma left by a Stellaron. Even with it suppressed, the people here would need hundreds, if not thousands, of years to lick their wounds.

"Wende... transform back! Please? Pretty please~"

Stelle was still hovering around Wende, pestering him playfully.

"......" x3

Seeing the utterly dead look in Wende's eyes, March 7th and Dan Heng silently turned their heads away.

"By the way... why did Wende unlock a transformation skill too? And after he transformed, he..."

Remembering Wende's transformed appearance, March's face flushed beet red and she quickly stopped the thought.

What was wrong with her! She was a beautiful young maiden in the prime of her youth! How could she withstand something like that...

"If he wants to tell us, we'll know eventually. It's better not to pry."

Dan Heng recalled the swordsmanship Wende had used, and the information revealed in every move and stance. He simply shook his head again.

"Oh... right. Everyone has a mysterious past... Geez, what could my past be?"

Little March scratched her head in frustration, but then, as if nothing had happened, she began hopping down the steps again.

"March, be careful, the ground is slippery," Dan Heng kindly reminded her. This was a snow-covered mountain, and the steps were carved from rock.

"Don't worry, I won't easily... whoa whoa whoa!! Oof!"

Thump...

Watching March 7th lose her footing and tumble down the stairs, the other three couldn't help but facepalm in unison.

"Sigh, why didn't you just listen to Dan Heng."

Wende chuckled helplessly. Though he said that, if she were actually that obedient, she wouldn't be their little March.

He walked gently to March's side, patting the dust and snow off her clothes. Wende condensed a lightning needle and infused the power of [Abundance] into her body.

"Ow... I'm not doing that again... Is this what they mean by 'easy to go up the mountain, hard to come down'..." March grumbled to herself, rubbing her head, which was ringing from the fall.

Wende hadn't expected to use up the power he had just recovered so quickly. He could only sigh, pat little March's head, and smile at her.

"...Ngh."

Looking at Wende's "kindly" face, March subconsciously blushed and pouted... This feeling... was so strange...

Could this be the legendary "lethal headpat"? But why didn't she feel that heart-pounding sensation??

"Thanks, I wasn't really hurt anyway..."

March stood up, holding onto Wende's arm, still feeling a bit awkward. It felt like a child who had done something wrong and been caught by a parent.

"......"

Watching this scene, Dan Heng decided to keep some distance from Wende in the future... Was this some kind of blessing from an Aeon...? How terrifying!

"Alright, let's head back to Belobog. Although the Stellaron is sealed, there are still many things in Belobog that need us to bear witness to," Wende said with a smile.

"Mhm, I wonder how Bronya is doing," March agreed, nodding.

"Bronya... Bronya... Wake up!"

Inside Qlipoth Fort, an anxious Serval saw Bronya's finger twitch slightly. She immediately moved closer and called out softly to her.

"Ser... Serval..."

Bronya opened her eyes and saw Serval's excited face, looking completely bewildered.

"This is... Qlipoth Fort... How did I get here?"

With Serval's help, Bronya sat up. Her mind was still a chaotic mess, and her memories stopped at the moment "Mother"... no, "Cocolia," was hypnotizing her.

"No... it's alright now, Bronya..." Serval squeezed Bronya's hand tightly, her expression complex as she looked at the still-confused girl.

"It's alright... It's all over..."

Yes, it was all over.

Cocolia... the Stellaron... the Cold Wave... the Fragmentum corrosion...

The Sword of Damocles that had hung over the heads of Belobog's people had slowly begun to rise, but it was still there.

"It's all over..." Bronya murmured, the confusion and chaos in her eyes gradually clearing.

"That's right. It's all over."

Serval stroked Bronya's grey hair, pulling her into an embrace.

Belobog might still be in crisis, but their predetermined fate of destruction had taken a completely different turn.

"My mother, she..."

Bronya looked at Serval hesitantly. Although she knew it was presumptuous, that woman was her mother, after all. Even though she had committed a monstrous crime, but...

"......"

Hearing Cocolia's name, Serval's expression became hesitant. She opened her mouth, but didn't know how to begin.

Seeing Serval's hesitation, Bronya understood.

She closed her eyes and gazed out the window.

"Was this... your choice..."