It's time to fight

[You agreed to Ron's request.]

[The wheels of history are turning, and the closed-off history of Belobog's upper and lower districts is about to end.]

The text on the screen faded, and a new scene emerged:

Over the past year, the lower district had undergone a tremendous transformation. The once decrepit city had been cleaned up, becoming as pristine as new. Abandoned mines, once left for dead, had been cleared out, with a large training ground set up in one of the vast caverns, filled with disciplined troops.

Amidst the sea of people, spots of bright red stood out conspicuously. Each person wore a red armband, signifying their identity. Ron stood before them, his arm also adorned with a red armband, his presence overshadowing the entire army.

A year had passed, and perhaps due to frequently reprimanding his soldiers, his voice had become hoarse and had taken on a menacing tone. Even so, he now used this hoarse and menacing voice to proclaim to the Underground Fire's army:

"It's time to reclaim the sky that is rightfully ours..."

"Target: the upper district, for victory!"

The screen faded again, and new text appeared.

[The Underground Fire's army, ready and eager, roared with enthusiasm.]

[You saw Ron donning a military uniform, which, though more basic than the Silvermane Guard's, had a red ribbon on his arm that stood out, giving him an air of iron-blooded resolve.]

Bronya read the text on the screen, feeling a bit curious about Ron's situation, but she quickly understood. Though she didn't know exactly how the AI controlled it, Ron becoming the general of the Underground Fire and the leader of the army made sense. His ability to lead troops had been proven in the previous simulations, and making him the leader of the army for a military coup was the best choice. Her primary goal was a military coup, and the AI must have had Ron help the Underground Fire lead their troops to achieve this goal.

Although she understood, Bronya couldn't help but feel a bit... jealous. She didn't want to share Ron with anyone else, even in the simulation. AI control was still too poor; she couldn't rely on it in the future.

With this in mind, Bronya watched as new text appeared on the screen:

[Inspired by Ron, the Underground Fire's troops received a morale boost, and their combat effectiveness in the upcoming war will increase by 10%.]

[The passage between the upper and lower districts was fully opened, and the pre-prepared large lift platforms began to operate, allowing the Underground Fire's troops to move to the upper district undetected.]

[You felt confident in the success of the military coup.]

[In the dead of night, the upper district's silence was shattered in an instant.]

[The upper district's guards were captured by Ron's troops before they could raise an alarm.]

[The Underground Fire's disciplined army split into several squads, under Ron's command, to take control of Belobog's city gates.]

[Ron himself, along with Seele, led an elite squad to the Qlipoth Fort.]

[You followed them, feeling a mix of emotions as you approached the home you hadn't seen in a year.]

[However, these emotions quickly dissipated as your focus shifted to the defense of the Qlipoth Fort.]

[You discovered that the Qlipoth Fort had already been sealed off, with Silvermane Guard elites holding the line, as if they had anticipated your arrival.]

[But their defense was futile.]

[The defensive line of the elite Silvermane Guards crumbled under the onslaught of Ron's squad.]

[The squad poured into the Qlipoth Fort, and you followed Ron and Seele to the Guardian's Residence.]

[Upon entering the residence, you quickly encountered the fully armored and armed Supreme Guardian, Cocolia Rand.]

The text faded again, and a new scene emerged:

In the brightly lit Guardian's Residence, the three of you quickly reached Cocolia's room under Bronya's guidance. Opening the door, you saw the Supreme Guardian of Belobog already dressed in full regalia. Cocolia wore the traditional military uniform of the Supreme Guardians, adorned with medals of the city's founders, each symbolizing her unique honors, gleaming in the light.

She held the Lance of Preservation, encased in ice, standing calmly in the room, as if she had anticipated everything that was about to happen today.

"Hmph, treacherous villains plotting a coup..." 

Cocolia sneered as she looked at the three of you, her legs wrapped in shiny black stockings standing straight, her head held high without a hint of fear. She coldly rebuked, then disregarded Ron and Seele, her gaze fixed solely on Bronya, her eyes filled with complex emotions:

"I expected this to happen, but... until I saw you, I didn't believe it."

"But now... I have to believe it." 

Cocolia sighed, her expression softening as she spoke gently to Bronya:

"But my daughter, as long as you correct your mistakes, they are not unforgivable..."

"Come back to me, my daughter."

At this moment, Ron also turned his head:

"Cocolia is not to be underestimated. Please wait while we make some preparations..." 

As he spoke, dark golden crystal began to grow over his hand, enveloping it completely, transforming into a heavy crystal armor.

Ron took a combat stance, his tone calm:

"Bronya, it's time."

The screen paused, and new text appeared:

[Faced with this situation, you felt a moment of inner conflict—]

[1. Choose your mother. Return to your predetermined path in life, using all your abilities to deal with these villains defying your mother's will!]

[2. Choose Ron. Belobog needs change, and you know you are on the right path... You are determined to see it through to the end.]

Finally... the moment had arrived.

Bronya's heart raced as she looked at the text on the screen. After a brief moment of silence, she selected the second option.

The text faded, and the scene continued:

Bronya's expression appeared conflicted. Seeing her hesitation, Cocolia's tone became more persuasive:

"Come back, Bronya... Let us continue to uphold the founders' oath and do our part to protect Belobog—these usurpers don't care about the people of Belobog. We cannot let this happen!"

After a moment of silence, the conflict on Bronya's face vanished. 

She smiled, her expression serene:

"I'm sorry, Mother."

She raised her firearm, pointing it at Cocolia—

"He said it's time to fight."