Chapter 36 Gone Again

"What? You didn't stop him?"

Cocolia shouted as she stared at the letter on her desk, her hands shaking slightly.

Orion had left, and just as the battle report came in from the front lines, she got this shocking news.

The assistant standing nearby trembled, holding onto his glasses nervously. "Lord Cocolia, it's not that we didn't want to, but we couldn't stop Lord Orion!"

Cocolia, feeling defeated, sat down, and her purple eyes looked sad. She waved her hand. "Everyone, leave me. Go home and take a break."

The assistant slowly headed for the door. Just as he was about to exit, Cocolia's voice softened. "I'm sorry I lost my temper. Go home and enjoy your holiday.

After a quick reply, the assistant left, closing the door behind him.

Cocolia sighed, resting her head in her hands, her mind full of worry. Orion hadn't just gone anywhere; he had gone to Everwinter Hill, a place they always avoided because it was too dangerous.

Even though they knew there was a stellaron there, they were cautious. They wouldn't go near it unless they were completely sure they could destroy it. But now Orion Astra had gone alone without telling anyone. How could she not be worried?

"Orion, what are you thinking?" She wondered aloud as she opened the letter he had left behind.

The letter, written on slightly yellowed paper, seemed old, which made Cocolia even more curious about what it said.

The writing was sharp and clear, showing that Orion had put a lot of thought and determination into it.

The letter read:

"Cocolia, when you read this, I believe the Silvermane Guard must have had some success in the war, at least for a while. I still have hope for that.

The power of the stellaron is troubling, even overwhelming. I've told you about my past many times, and I believe you understand why I'm doing this.

There's no denying the power of the stellaron. Over 700 years ago, it wiped out the Antimatter Legion in an instant and turned the whole planet into a frozen wasteland. But I have a question.

If the stellaron was meant to destroy this planet, why does Belobog still exist? You've said that this power comes from a wish made by your ancestors. The Supreme Guardian at that time must have hoped that the stellaron would help eliminate the Antimatter Legion.

But its power was so strong that it blurred the line between saving and destroying.

Over the years, the stellaron has tempted every Supreme Guardian, but it never acted directly. Why is that? Here's my guess:

After fulfilling the wish of your ancestors, the stellaron's power didn't fade, but it became unable to act on its own. This reminds me of an Aeon bound by their path!

So, I think the stellaron wasn't being evil; it simply needed something:

"A host."

It needed someone to make a wish again, to give it purpose.

I've been on this planet for three years. In my hometown, three years can change a lot, and that's true here too.

Together, we've united the upper and lower areas of Belobog. People's lives are better, children are smiling again, and everything seems to be going well.

Maybe this made you forget who I really am: a traveler, a wanderer across the stars.

Some citizens of Belobog asked me, "Lord Orion, will you stay here forever?" I didn't answer at the time because I might have been thinking about staying without realizing it.

But when I have these thoughts, the power of [Trailblaze] starts to slip away from me. Just like how you lost your power of [Preservation], am I changing, becoming someone else? Where is my true path?

The monsters outside the city walls grow stronger every day, and even the Silvermane Guard is improving. But I worry, no, I'm sure that one day the rift that once invaded the city will return."

Now that the new area is filled with the people of Belobog, what will happen when the rift grows again? How many lives will be lost because of me? The monster getting stronger is because I tried to keep the world from splitting.

During my time here, I've visited almost every part of Belobog. Natasha, who you met in the lower district—her kids in the shelter have grown up. (Little Bronya, who misses you, but you're always busy.) Natasha started a group called "Wildfire." Even though it faced a lot of challenges, it has grown strong, like a kid who learned to walk through stumbling.

Three years ago, I walked with you because of a promise. Now, it seems the time has come to keep that promise.

If the stellaron needs a container, why can't it be me? If my plan works, I... may never drink coffee in your office again. (Actually, the coffee was good, and I will miss your smile.)

Best wishes to Belobog and you.

Orion, traveler, Belobog officer, the one who kept the promise—Orion Astra.

Silent tears fell on the letter, smudging the old writing. A pair of hands clenched tightly, even as nails dug into flesh and blood flowed. The tears and blood became the same—frozen ice, a cold heart.

"Carry it alone..." Cocolia's mind flashed back to what Orion said to her under the moonlight three years ago.

She slammed her hand down on the hard table, the pain in her heart overwhelming. She kept smashing until everything in front of her was shattered. Cocolia, bruised and beaten, finally collapsed on the ruins of the table. The guards outside arrived too late.

"You don't have to carry it all on your own." Cocolia lay on the ground, her eyes full of endless sadness.

"Why... couldn't you take me with you?"

Her hand fell silently to the floor.