Chapter 69: Let Me Rub Your Back

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Himeko scanned the room; no one spoke up.

Thus, the redheaded woman departed hurriedly to handle the Stellaron aboard the Astral Express.

Next... The Trailblazer squad decided to take a well-deserved rest in Belobog.

To locate the Stellaron, Bochang and his team had rushed tirelessly, setting out early in the morning, and it was now past noon. They hadn't even eaten lunch yet...

March 7th felt so famished that her stomach seemed to cave in on itself. Fortunately, Dan Heng carried some food with him, and Bronya, as usual, brought along dry provisions, which they could share at this moment.

Bochang had packed delicious crab roe buns and salted fish.

After hesitating briefly, he chose not to bring them out. There was already enough food for everyone; adding Bochang's contribution wouldn't make much difference.

After their customary journey through the rift and several battles along the way, Bochang's group finally returned to Belobog.

Understanding the situation well, Bronya graciously offered to treat everyone to a proper meal—a proposal no one could refuse.

When they left, Bochang and his companions were wanted fugitives. Upon returning, they were hailed as great heroes.

However, there was no grand reception from the citizens, as most were unaware of Bochang's team sealing Stellaron. Neither Cocolia nor Bronya intended to make a big announcement before entering the city.

Upon seeing his sister return from her expedition, Gepard's expression was priceless. When he heard that Serval wished to join Bochang's group for future adventures, he scratched his head in utter bewilderment, feeling incredibly torn.

He found himself at a loss over what to do.

The Landau Family's affairs had nothing to do with Bochang and his companions; it was something they needed to resolve themselves.

There was also another intriguing matter...

Upon entering Belobog, Cocolia immediately relinquished her position as Great Guardian to Bronya in front of numerous Silvermane Guards and citizens, catching everyone off guard.

The two women engaged in a dramatic display of mutual deference, each insisting on declining the role three times before finally accepting it.

Watching this unfold, March 7th muttered, "As soon as she returned to Belobog, her spirit seems to have revived."

She was referring to Cocolia, naturally.

In the wilderness, Cocolia had appeared disheveled, with lifeless eyes, almost like a ghostly apparition.

However, as they drew closer to Belobog, the blonde woman's demeanor steadily improved. Now, her hair was neatly combed, and her clothes were tidied up.

Dan Heng shook his head. "She's merely holding on by sheer will... After such a devastating blow, I wouldn't be surprised if she succumbed to despair tonight."

"You're right..." March 7th nodded thoughtfully. "Teacher Dan Heng always knows so much."

Their hushed conversation was overheard by nearby Silvermane Guards.

However...

No one said anything.

Bronya had emphasized that these were esteemed guests from afar, and under no circumstances should they be offended.

Anyone daring to speak up at this moment would either be recklessly impulsive or outright foolish.

In her announcement of stepping down, Cocolia attributed the credit for destroying Stellaron to the Trailblazer squad and Bronya, without mentioning herself.

But observing the faint scars on her body,

the Silvermane Guards and citizens could sense just how much Cocolia had truly sacrificed.

"Cocolia-sama didn't mention her own contributions at all. She really... it's overwhelming." An unidentified bystander, unaware of the full story, expressed their emotions.

The truth was, the greatest adversary against Stellaron had been Cocolia herself.

If people knew this, the Great Guardian's authority would plummet instantly.

Thus...

this secret must remain hidden.

Even before leaving, Sampo swore not to reveal this secret, though it's uncertain how effective that promise would be.

Nevertheless, Bronya couldn't really do anything to Sampo; after all...he had come forward to assist them, and she wouldn't turn on him abruptly.

After resolving the situation with Cocolia...

Under the escort of Bronya and the Silvermane Guards, the Trailblazer squad entered the Goethe Grand Hotel.

This was Belobog's most luxurious accommodation in the Overworld, where spending just one night required a hefty sum of Shields.

Previously, Bochang and his team could never have afforded such luxury due to their limited funds.

But now, it didn't matter.

The Architects were footing the bill.

In Bochang's room, March 7th visited and sat on a chair like a child, facing its backrest while rocking it vigorously back and forth. She exclaimed, "When Bronya left just now, she mentioned throwing us a grand banquet... Can you guess what delicious treats might be there?"

"What's the point in guessing..." Bochang shrugged, somewhat puzzled by her train of thought.

March 7th's eyes widened slightly. "Aren't you even a little excited? It's going to be a feast! Back when Dan Heng, Uncle Yang, and I were on other planets, we attended victory banquets a few times—the food was absolutely amazing."

Bochang paused for a moment before responding, "There's nothing much to anticipate; it's just fine dining. Personally, I think I have some resistance to such indulgences. If all you wanted to share with me is this excitement... I'd rather see the photos you took earlier instead."

"What photos?" March 7th looked taken aback.

Bochang held out his hand expectantly.

"Of course I'm talking about the photo where my blast took down the Creation Engine!"

"Oh... you mean that one? Actually, I already deleted it on the way here."

March 7th shook her head.

Now it was Bochang's turn to be taken aback.

"Why did you delete it?"

"It didn't come out well, so naturally, I had to delete it. You should have warned me beforehand; your Dragon Blast has become even more powerful again. Not only did it make me stumble and fall, but it also ruined the photo."

Bringing up this incident seemed to upset March 7th further. She turned away, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Bochang.

Bochang sighed, placing his hand on his forehead.

"The situation was urgent, March... please understand," he pleaded gently.

"I don't care! It's all your fault!" March 7th grumbled, rocking her chair back and forth like a child.

Her ample chest bounced along with her movements.

"You're already an adult, can't you act a bit more mature..." Bochang's gaze briefly flickered over March 7th's figure before turning away.

Although her figure wasn't as curvaceous as Serval's, it was undeniably still pleasing to the eye.

[Dating Options activated.]

[Option 1: Opportunity knocks but once; seize this moment of solitude wisely. Say, "March, your buttocks hurt, right? Come here... let me massage them and the pain will go away." - Completion Reward: March 7th's Big Biodou.]

[Option 2: As a gentleman, teasing girls is absolutely unacceptable! Respond with, "Alright... March, what would it take for you to forgive me?" - Completion Reward: Obtain a random item, ranging from small as a matchstick to large as a star destroyer. Note: Such items will...]

[Option 3: I'm wrong? How am I wrong? Can't stand when girls throw tantrums. Gently pinch March 7th's cheeks and say, "I haven't done anything wrong, you're the one at fault!" - Completion Reward: Unlock the Destruction fate path and receive a random attribute boost.]