Chapter 79: You’re Right, Madam.

——Inside the grand hall of Qlipoth Fort.
Cocolia sat with an expressionless face, her left hand resting against her cheek, exuding an air of casual dominance and an unyielding sense of authority.
She gazed at the trembling little intelligence officer before her, her heart filled with mockery and amusement.

"...So, do you think this will earn my forgiveness, Intelligence Officer Pelageya—"
"I dare not hope for your forgiveness, Madam."
"Hehe. You can be bolder, Pelageya. You don’t mind me calling you that, do you?"
"It is my honor."

Pelageya kept her head bowed, doing her best to appear overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
After a moment of silence, Cocolia revealed an appreciative smile.
"Good. I often tell Bronya that one must learn to be tolerant, especially toward those who know their place and understand the bigger picture. I am never stingy with second chances for such people."
She shifted her posture, no longer distant, and instead clasped her hands under her chin, looking down at Pelageya with the clear demeanor of a superior.
"I trust you will make good use of this opportunity, won’t you?"
"I will spare no effort in serving you, Madam."
"A very standard answer. Pelageya, it reminds me of when I interviewed you. You were the most fitting candidate among all. Whether it was your talent, your intellect, or your keen eye for detail, you far surpassed your peers."
"You flatter me. I merely did what I was supposed to do."
Pelageya forced a strained smile.

Cocolia narrowed her eyes, studying her for a moment before speaking in a "gentle" tone.
"Good. I hope you can maintain this attitude. After all, opportunities are called opportunities precisely because they are time-sensitive and unique. Once missed, they are truly gone."
"What do you wish for me to do?"
"It’s simple. Use your talents to investigate someone named Seele."
The report submitted to Cocolia mentioned that the credit for this operation did not belong to Pelageya alone.
In fact, by this point, she should have already dismissed this shamelessly persistent intelligence officer. But when she read the self-description of this Seele, she became intrigued.

"I come from the lower district, and my goal is to become the leader of the Silvermane Guards."
Though brief, the statement revealed a lot. More importantly—
Cocolia glanced with interest at Bronya, who stood silently to the side, her expression gloomy and unreadable.
"I think she has the makings of a fine Silvermane Guard. At the very least, based on her performance, her strength is truly astonishing. Not only was she able to suppress Captain Gepard with such a simple weapon, but she wasn’t even using her full strength. It’s hard to believe she’s around the same age as you, Bronya."
"..."
Bronya did not respond, instead continuing to stare straight at Pelageya, as if completely ignoring Cocolia’s words.
This caused a flicker of displeasure in Cocolia’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it, pretending not to care as she continued.
"However, having remarkable talent and lofty ambitions is a good thing. But if she harbors ulterior motives, then we must also show her the hospitality of the Silvermane Guards."

As Pelageya pondered this, Cocolia waved her hand lightly.
"I need you to gather complete intelligence on her recent activities and present it to me. After that, I will allow you to remain here instead of sending you to prison to count stars with your dear sister."
"...Understood."
Pelageya bowed deeply, her tone grave.
"Dismissed."

After shooing Pelageya away like a fly, Cocolia turned her attention back to the despondent Bronya, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.
"It seems your so-called friends are not as reliable as you imagined. At the very least, I thought he would be able to hide a little longer, but he turned out to be so pathetic. Not even comparable to a larger insect—at least they know to hide in dark, damp corners—"
"..."
Bronya did not respond to Cocolia’s taunts, instead turning her gaze away.
This instantly soured Cocolia’s previously triumphant mood, as if a fishbone had lodged itself in her throat.
Her face turned cold, her words sharp as a blade.
"Do you think staying silent is a form of resistance?"
"I simply have nothing to say to you."
Bronya crossed her arms, turning her head to look at her mother, who now seemed so unfamiliar. Her tone carried a hint of detachment.
"If you think this will crush my will, then go ahead and do it—"
"Do you really think I won’t deal with those two? Or do you see these so-called friends as nothing more than replaceable tools?"
Cocolia almost wished Bronya were like that—at least it would mean they wouldn’t have ended up in such a rift.
Unfortunately, the only response she received was Bronya’s increasingly biting sarcasm.
"For such words to come from your mouth, I truly admire you. Should I say you’re truly my mother?"
"..."
Cocolia was momentarily at a loss for words.
However, she didn’t need to rush to argue with Bronya. It would be too easy to make her submit.
But what she truly wanted was to shatter Bronya’s resistance, to make her obedient and docile once more—the child who used to look up to her with admiration, who longed to be by her side, rather than this rebellious, arrogant version of her.

"You’re right. There is indeed a certain understanding between us as mother and daughter. That’s why I know exactly what you fear the most."
Cocolia stood up and walked over to Bronya.
She gently brushed her fingers against Bronya’s cheek. The gaze that once held依赖 (reliance) and trust was gone, replaced by a look of resentment and a stubborn determination to resist.
"Go—don’t keep your friend waiting. I’m sure he’s eager to see you and ask you what’s going on."

Bronya once again gave her that infuriating look, as if she were pitying a fool.
What exactly was she relying on?
Did she truly believe that reality would play out like a story, where people sing of love, courage, and friendship, triumphantly defeat the demon king, and achieve a happy, perfect ending?
In Belobog, even children wouldn’t read such stories.
This was a city frozen in the past by ice and snow, a pitiful place where everything was incomplete.
The meaningless persistence, the self-righteous resistance, the stupid and annoying beliefs...
No matter what Bronya was holding onto, all this resistance would ultimately amount to nothing.
Consider it a final indulgence of her daughter’s small act of rebellion. Let her see for herself how this drama will end.