At this moment, the entire internet was focused on the decisive battle taking place on Jarilo-VI!
What most people didn't know was that this battle wasn't just happening within the game; the war in reality was progressing at the exact same pace. It was almost equivalent to a live broadcast of the front lines!
"Bronya! I don't know exactly what's going on between you two. Even if you explained it right now, I probably wouldn't understand all that mysterious stuff. But there are two things I'm damn sure of"
"First, these guys went through hell to get here just to seal that thing they call the Stellaron."
"Second, remember what I said? If anything happens to you, I'm coming to save you."
"So, do you get it? Even if you've been brainwashed by that woman over there and forgotten our promise entirelyI'll just knock you out and drag you back myself!"
Following Seele's aggressive declaration, Bronya faced the most important choice of her life.
After a long moment, Bronya's gaze turned resolute.
"Lady Cocolia, thank you."
"But... I'm sorry, Mother. For this last time, I cannot stand by your side."
"You say that at the core of humanity lies stupidity and cowardice. Perhaps that is true; desperation can indeed bring out the darkest sides of a person's heart."
"...But you missed those who strive to survive and fight in the midst of that desperation. I have seen the light within themat the front lines of the Restricted Zone, in the Underworld, and in the corners you chose to ignore."
"Our ancestors built this city with their own hands, struggling to preserve civilization amidst the howling snow. Even if this world is destined to fall apart, the path to the end should be paved by human hands"
"And not handed over to this seed of disaster!"
...
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Save me! I ship these two so hard!"
"Bronya's speech was incredible!"
"I'm fired up, brothers!"
"Finally, the fight begins!"
...
Hearing Bronya's speech, Cocolia's face became a mask of absolute void.
Guinaifen watched the screen nervously, her palms slick with sweat.
If this truly corresponded to what was happening in reality... she still hoped Cocolia would wake up at the critical moment. Even if her mind had been eroded by the Stellaron, her love for Bronya didn't seem like an act.
Having experienced her own share of tragedy, Guinaifen didn't want to see a scene like this again.
However, some things were inevitable.
After a series of whispers from the Stellaron, Cocolia spoke. "Is that so... that is your choice. I understand, Bronya."
"What a pity... a pity you won't live to see the beautiful new world. You couldn't break the shackles of your own thoughts... Do you know? You were meant to be the 'Mother' of the new world."
As Cocolia finished speaking, the ground began to tremble violently.
A frost-cloud appeared in her hand, condensing into a spear of ice.
"To build the new, the old must be razed."
"As the Supreme Guardian, I command you: Rise"
"Engine of Creation!"
A massive mechanical claw erupted from behind Cocolia as a mountain-sized robot stirred from beneath the ice and snow. Red lights flared in its face, and a steel-forged arm swept toward the group below!
Cocolia hovered beside the Engine of Creation, ice spear in hand, looking down upon them.
[Battle Start]
Guinaifen licked her lips, murmuring, "This fight is a lot different than I imagined!"
"Can we really beat that Engine of Creation?"
"By the way... Cocolia, didn't you say you were going to abandon the power of Preservation to embrace the Stellaron? You're still using the power of the Architects! You hypocritical woman!"
The live chat was flooded with "Facts."
Meanwhile, aboard the Astral Express.
Himeko was incredibly busy!
One screen showed a satellite map of Jarilo-VI. Stelle, March 7th, Dan Heng, Bronya, and Seele were currently locked in a fierce struggle against Cocolia and the Engine of Creation on the Silver-clad Snow Plains.
Amidst the frost and blizzard, explosions frequently erupted, lighting up the sky with fire.
Welt had already headed down to the surface, leaving the task of guarding the train and pushing the game's plot entirely to Himeko.
Though the combat choreography differed slightly, both battles reached the same progress at that exact moment!
Even more startling, the moment Himeko activated the Orbital Cannon, the same event triggered in the game!
This caused Himeko's hand to tremble slightly. Her heart raced. It felt as if she were manually controlling reality itself! It was beyond bizarre!
Suddenly, the satellite map showed Stelle being knocked off the top of the Engine of Creation by Cocolia, her body engulfed in a violent blizzard.
Himeko's palms broke into a cold sweat.
However, in the next instant, Stelle reappeared in the center of the battlefield. She was wielding a long spear that blazed with intense flames.
Compared to her previous aura, she was like a completely different person!
"That spear... it's a weapon of the Architects..."
"It's not just thawed out; it's actually burning?"
"What exactly happened in that split second?"
Himeko turned her gaze to the other screen. The game had entered a cutscene, transitioning into a cinematic battle sequence.
Himeko's expression became grim.
"It's happening at this exact turning point!"
She had a premonition. Much like the encounter with the Doomsday Beast, she was about to witness a fantastical experience from Stelle's perspective, originating from her internal mental world!
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