Chapter 22 Paradox Problems

"The year I became the Supreme Guardian, I saw my teacher sitting on a chair, crying. I'll never forget that scene. I swore then that if I became the Supreme Guardian, I would do anything to solve the eternal winter."

"When I met Orion in Rivet Town, I had to consider if this was my only chance. The reason Belobog has survived this long is because of the city's architects."

Cocolia's eyes showed a seriousness that Serval hadn't seen in a long time. Even at his most passionate and sincere, she'd never felt such confidence from him.

"It is our duty to restore the light of the city, architects."

"Uh…"

Looking at Cocolia, who had unknowingly quoted a famous line, Orion couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly, unsure of how to respond.

Serval sat nearby, puzzled. She was happy to see her old friend opening up, but ever since Cocolia started reminiscing, she began saying things Serval didn't understand.

"So, what am I here for?"

"Your research is important too, Serval."

Cocolia turned to her, a complicated expression on her face. "I may have doubted you before or even had some negative thoughts."

"You really did, didn't you?"

"Let me finish." Cocolia raised a hand to stop Serval from speaking. "But now, I see hope in him."

Serval was even more confused. From the start, she hadn't understood why Orion Astra was so crucial to Cocolia.

"Orion, please show her. Serval's research is also vital for our next collaboration." Cocolia raised her hand, her eyes filled with expectation, as if she, too, wanted to witness the power of hope once more.

"Alright…"

In the silver-white pupils, red and black slowly edged into the Milky Way.

Orion Astra slowly raised a hand, and the world around them began to tremble as if obeying his will.

"What's this?"

Serval's eyes widened. Many parts of the machinery, usually stored in heavy tool boxes, were floating.

Even with her strength, she sometimes needed help from her brother. But now, these once-heavy objects felt oddly light in her hands.

All the parts in the machine room floated slightly, and the gears, which had run continuously, began to slow.

The weightless environment spread in the small shop.

And Cocolia and Serval felt a deep shock.

with the snap of his fingers.

The world returned to its proper order, and gravity returned to normal.

"Ah!"

Caught off guard, Serval suddenly fell from low altitude to the ground, almost spraining her ankle in her high heels.

But Cocolia acted quickly and caught her old friend.

"Cocolia…" Lying in Cocolia's arms, Serval's face flushed with excitement.

"Serval…"

Watching the two look at each other with love in their eyes, Orion refreshed his understanding once again.

Cocolia seemed to be beyond what he originally knew.

In a world he knew, Cocolia appeared as an early-stage villain.

But here, she wasn't the villain he remembered, not by a long shot.

And unconsciously, he felt that he had changed something.

Some things in the space station—Natasha in the lower area, the mother and daughter he just saved, and now Cocolia—all gave him this feeling.

"Change…"

Returning to the topic, Cocolia shared her plan with them.

First, study the erosion law of the rift boundary to reverse-engineer the sealing method for the stellaron.

Second, have Orion Astra join Serval's research to find a way to destroy the stellaron.

Third, head to the source of the disaster on this planet where the stellaron is located and resolve everything.

Orion Astra considered Cocolia's plan. While it sounded ideal, the actual execution would involve many details.

From Cocolia's words, it's clear that the Supreme Guardians and researchers here have been searching for ways to destroy the Stellaron, but even as the 18th Supreme Guaridan, Cocolia has only wasted resources and caused more problems. The attempts have been futile.

This failure made Cocolia consider giving up.

There are also many factors beyond control—like the mystery of why Orion was separated from his group.

"Why did he show up at this time?"

That's right, time.

When Orion first met Bronya and Seele in Rivet Town, he sensed something was off.

Later, during a conversation with Cocolia, he asked about the Astral Express crew in the upper area. The answer? There were no such people.

Given the nature of the crew, Orion couldn't understand why they had disappeared without a trace. Even if they were far from Belobog, five days should have been enough to reach the city. Plus, Cocolia was younger than he expected, which gave Orion a disturbing thought.

The time of him and the Astral Express crew intersected, and his arrival didn't match when he got off the train.

Judging by Bronya and Cocolia's ages, Orion concluded that he had arrived in Belobog at least ten years ago.

As for why this happened, Orion couldn't say. But if the Stellaron caused this, Orion knew he didn't have the power to destroy or even seal it.

At this time, Welt and Himeko, who could influence or seal the Stellaron's power, hadn't arrived on Jarilo-VI. He also hadn't boarded the Astral Express yet, despite reconnecting with the crew after their arrival.

The adventures and precious memories he experienced before might be lost. Worse, if he sealed the stellaron here, he wouldn't appear at the Herta Space Station during the attack later.

Without showing up there, he wouldn't board the train, and if he didn't board the Astral Express, he would have never come to this planet.

Does this mean the logic of his "existence" is now distorted? If he seals the Stellaron, the train will never have stopped at Jarilo-VI. If so, then he would have never been able to get off and seal the stelleron, creating a paradox.

Though Orion didn't know how this would end, he felt deeply uneasy. 

So, he reached a conclusion: He cannot seal the Stellaron.