Chapter 80: An Inevitable Meeting

Under the cover of the deepening night, Cocolia took Bronya to the prison in Belobog, ready to "inspect" the results of the day's efforts.

To be honest, the fact that the two had been captured so quickly had disrupted her plans. She had originally thought the cat-and-mouse game could last a few more days, giving her time to stir up public sentiment. This would have maximized the impact, especially by making Bronya witness how the people she wanted to protect were so ignorant and foolish. Cocolia believed this would make Bronya abandon her narrow-minded ideals and realize that everything she, Cocolia, had done was unquestionably right.

But unexpectedly, the two were arrested on the very day the warrant was issued. While this was satisfying, it lacked the buildup of tension and the eventual explosion of emotions she had hoped for. Neither the public discussion nor the emotional response had reached the level she desired.

To make matters worse, Bronya remained aloof and indifferent, making Cocolia wonder if she had misjudged something. Still, this was an opportunity to remove obstacles on the city's path to a new world, so it wasn’t a complete waste. After all, she had plenty of time to slowly mold Bronya, using this as a chance to temper her character.

However, as she approached the prison guarded by the Silvermane Guards, she saw someone who shouldn’t have been there at this time—Captain Gepard.

Cocolia instinctively raised her head arrogantly, her tone tinged with displeasure.
"Captain Gepard, I believe you should be somewhere more important at this time, rather than standing in such a sensitive and unpleasant place."

"...My deepest apologies, Supreme Guardian. As you said, I should be at my post. However, after an urgent discussion within the family, the elders hope that I can clarify any misunderstandings with you as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary internal conflicts—"

The blond young man remained calm and composed in the face of Cocolia's questioning.

"Oh? Are you trying to defend your sister? For someone who has already betrayed Belobog, I think it would be wise for you and the Landau family to cut ties with her as soon as possible. Otherwise, this 'misunderstanding' (emphasized) might grow larger than the hole in the sky."

Cocolia stared straight into his azure eyes, ready to make a decisive move if he showed any sign of fear or hesitation.

She had kept him around because, among all the Silvermane Guards, Gepard was the most outstanding warrior—a so-called "key piece" in the game of chess. If used properly, he could easily accomplish many things.

But now, things were different. He was no longer indispensable. A new "pawn" had appeared, one who was easier to control and no less capable than him. This person had no connections to the complex web of relationships among the noble families, no foothold in the upper district, and her ambitions could only be fulfilled by Cocolia herself.

Was there a more perfect tool to use than this?

"..."

Gepard's silence made Cocolia feel she had control of the conversation. She slowly closed the distance between them, her cold gaze pressing down on him with psychological intensity.

"You seem to still be hesitating, still questioning whether my actions are correct, thinking there might still be room for negotiation. But have you ever considered how desperate the people are, trembling in shelters under the threat of the dragon?"

Like a devil toying with human hearts, her voice carried a hint of "magic" that could unsettle the mind.

"Think carefully. As an excellent and honorable captain, shouldn’t your duty be to protect the people? If someone threatens their safety, shouldn’t you eliminate that threat at all costs? Isn’t that the oath of the Landau family?"

"...You are not wrong."

"Remember, Captain Gepard—doubt breeds arrogance, doubt breeds evil thoughts."

As she brushed past him, Cocolia gently patted the Aurora Gauntlet he treasured so much.

"As a model of Belobog, you shouldn’t have unnecessary thoughts. Just follow orders and execute them. Don’t let idle gossip cloud your judgment, and don’t disappoint me—"

After saying this, Cocolia led Bronya straight into the prison, while the young captain respectfully waited for them to leave.

Only after their figures disappeared did he raise his head, looking toward the distant city walls under the night sky, sighing deeply in his heart.

He no longer intended to blindly follow Cocolia's orders, nor did he plan to aid the poet who had stirred up the dragon's chaos.

As a Silvermane Guard and a warrior bearing the Landau name, he would defend Belobog and its people at all costs—

Even if, this time, he had to stand against the tide of fate.

He would stand on the side that truly ensured the survival of the people.

...

Stepping into the cold, desolate prison, the echoing sound of Cocolia's high-heeled boots reverberated like the footsteps of an ice storm witch, instilling fear in those who heard it.

She deliberately slowed her pace, prolonging this "punishment" as much as possible, hoping to see expressions of anger, helplessness, and even desperate pleas for mercy when she finally met the two prisoners.

In the shadows of the darkness, her swelling desire for control and judgment grew, and the human part of her demeanor grew increasingly faint.

It was as if the one walking here was not the Supreme Guardian of Belobog, but a destroyer who had let the demon in her heart run rampant.

This sent a chill through Bronya's heart, making her increasingly resistant to the being before her who wore the guise of her "mother."

At this moment, Cocolia seemed to sense something and turned to look at her.

Even in the pitch-black darkness, Bronya felt as if Cocolia's gaze could pierce through her thoughts, and a buzzing noise filled her ears.

This caused her to momentarily lose focus, followed by a wave of intense dizziness.

Cocolia took this opportunity to grab her hand, looking at her with the doting and triumphant gaze of a mother comforting her frightened child.

Only after walking the not-too-long corridor did Bronya realize she had been led the entire way. She hurriedly tried to break free from Cocolia's grip.

Cocolia let her go, but Bronya's timid, rabbit-like demeanor proved that her mind had already been imprinted with an indelible shadow of Cocolia's influence.

From now on, it wouldn’t be so easy for her to resist.

In this state of mind, Cocolia's darker thoughts grew even deeper.

However, the next moment—

"Well, well. Look who’s here. Isn’t this our lofty, overbearing Supreme Guardian? What brings you here in person? Could it be that you’ve run out of people to use?"

An untimely voice belonging to Serval came from the other side of the cell, making Cocolia frown.

At the same time, another sarcastic voice chimed in.

"Now, now, we can’t say that. Everyone knows the Supreme Guardian is the most considerate of her subordinates, always putting the nation and its people first. Such a wise ruler could never be in a position where she has no one to use. Someone must be spreading rumors!"

Venti, gripping the bars of his cell, had tidied up his disheveled appearance slightly, making him look less pathetic and more like someone who had just returned from a night of mischief.

When he saw Bronya, he casually greeted her.

"Hey, isn’t this Bronya? You’re here too. Make yourself at home, no need to stand on ceremony."

The sarcasm in his words made Cocolia’s face darken completely.