No matter how justified Bronya's reasoning had been before,
The moment the snow outside melted and green returned to Jarilo-VI,
She became, without question, the greatest "traitor."
So Gepard personally led a squad to arrest this so-called rebel.
Although Bronya looked stunned and conflicted,
She didn't feel much resentment.
Because she had seen it with her own eyes—
The snow had melted.
Which meant the outsider had truly fulfilled his promise.
That alone far surpassed anything she could have achieved through sheer perseverance.
Bronya understood very clearly—
No matter how hard she tried, she could never melt centuries of ice in an instant.
So even if she was branded a traitor now,
She had nothing to argue.
Gepard escorted her back to Qlipoth Fort.
By now, the city's heating systems had been completely shut down.
Many citizens were confused by the sudden warmth and had gathered outside, waiting for an explanation.
But when they saw Gepard escorting the commander of the Silvermane Guards in chains—
Their attention shifted immediately.
The Supreme Guardian's daughter…
Arrested?
What crime had Bronya committed?
Passing through the unusually warm streets, Bronya entered Qlipoth Fort.
The moment she stepped inside—
A refreshing coolness greeted her.
Then, upon entering the Supreme Guardian's office—
She saw Cocolia and Serval standing on either side of Su Ran.
Cocolia's presence made sense.
But Serval…
Not even half a day, and you've already defected?!
Couldn't you at least hold out a little longer?
Of course, Bronya didn't blame her.
Because she had seen the green outside.
Any dissatisfaction she had… had already disappeared.
"State your name."
Su Ran rested his chin on his hand, smiling as he looked at the detained Bronya.
A rather novel kind of roleplay.
Serval watched with interest.
After all, with the system already integrated into Belobog,
There was no way Su Ran didn't know who Bronya was.
Her entire background had been laid bare—
Including her origin from the Underworld orphanage.
"Bronya Rand. Commander of the Silvermane Guards."
Even though the man sitting in the Supreme Guardian's seat wore a somewhat sinister smile—
Bronya found it strangely acceptable.
Perhaps because he had truly saved Belobog.
The hostility she once felt had already turned into gratitude.
"You don't seem very convinced," Su Ran said.
"No… I fully accept it."
How could she not?
After seeing the outside world, she was completely convinced.
"…Are you sure you don't want to resist a bit more? If you surrender this quickly, how am I supposed to punish you properly?"
Originally, Su Ran had planned—
If Bronya resisted stubbornly, he'd give her a heavier punishment.
After all, no one would object.
But with such a good attitude…
How could he justify it?
"Even if you punish me severely now, I have no objections."
Su Ran's expression turned subtle.
Because now—
He sounded more like the villain.
He had come to play the savior,
Yet somehow ended up looking like someone bullying a young girl.
"Alright then. For now, you'll stay by my side and work for me."
Bronya blinked in surprise.
"That's… the punishment?"
Wasn't that way too light?
It didn't even count as punishment.
Su Ran was now the ruler of Jarilo-VI.
Working for him basically meant becoming his secretary.
How was that punishment?
To outsiders, that would be a prestigious position people would fight over.
Even Serval felt it was too lenient.
Might as well not punish her at all.
"Oh? How could it not be punishment?" Su Ran said casually.
"Cocolia originally planned to lock you up for a year."
And just like that—
He sold Cocolia out.
To be fair, that punishment wasn't unreasonable.
After all, Bronya hadn't actually caused any real damage.
As for the attempted coup—
It was more of a joke than a real threat.
The Supreme Guardian's authority was still far above that of a military commander.
There was no real chance of success.
Bronya looked at her mother, her expression complicated.
She hadn't expected—
That the harshest toward her would be her own mother.
Cocolia ignored the look.
In her view, this punishment was already lenient.
Since Bronya's actions hadn't caused real harm.
Otherwise—
Even execution wouldn't have been out of line.
After enduring over a decade of despair,
She had long grown numb.
Now that hope had finally arrived—
Anyone who tried to destroy it…
Would not be forgiven.
Even if that person was her daughter.
Especially if it was her daughter.
Bronya needed to learn the difference between authority and rebellion.
"In short," Su Ran concluded,
"your sentence is one year of confinement. However, while I remain in Belobog, you may act as my attendant."
"…Isn't that basically the same as no punishment?" Bronya muttered.
If Su Ran was the ruler,
Then staying by his side meant she'd effectively be free anyway.
"Ahem," Serval interjected helpfully.
"My dear niece, Boss Su Ran won't be staying in Belobog for long. Probably just a few days. After that, your mother and I will be managing things."
She gave Bronya a subtle hint.
Even though Cocolia's past actions could be considered full of crimes—
Su Ran had chosen to keep her in charge.
He wasn't from Belobog.
He didn't share the same emotional weight as its people.
And replacing a ruler was troublesome.
So he simply left things as they were.
Now, with this "cheat system"—
Even if Cocolia were a pig,
She could still run things properly.
"…Only a few days?" Bronya froze.
If that was the case—
Then hadn't nothing really changed?
The one in charge was still her mother.
Then what was the point of everything she just did?
Why didn't anyone say that earlier?!
Her attempted coup now just looked—
Like a complete joke.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer