Chapter 85: Seele's Sulk

"Mother... in the end... did you wake up from your dream?" Bronya murmured.

"She definitely did because..." Seele said softly beside her, "the way she looked at you in the end, it was very gentle."

"...Really." Bronya was silent for a moment, then wiped her tears and stood up from the ground.

Gu Tang and the others approached.

"Sorry, you all had to see me like this," Bronya said as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

Gu Tang nonchalantly replied, "I've seen you in worse states; this one doesn't make a difference."

Seele nodded, "Yeah, that's true."

"Ahem! Ahem, cough! By the way, where's Svarog?" Bronya abruptly changed the topic.

"Svarog was worried about Clara, so he went back to the Underworld first," Gu Tang explained.

Seele pouted, "He didn't even say goodbye; that cold guy. We went through thick and thin together, you know."

"We're comrades, but Clara is his family," Stelle remarked thoughtfully.

Danheng snorted disapprovingly, "I never considered that guy a comrade."

"Alright, alright, Danheng, you should be more honest," March 7th patted Danheng on the shoulder.

At that moment, she noticed a warm golden sunlight shining on the back of her hand, giving a sense of warmth.

"Look," March 7th exclaimed in surprise, raising her head.

The thick clouds in the sky had dispersed.

Bright sunlight bathed the land, bringing warmth and hope.

In the distance, the snowy mountains were shrouded in a golden glow, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Does this mean the crisis in this world is finally over?" March 7th's voice was filled with joy as she admired the beautiful scenery.

"After the Stellaron is sealed, the cold wave will gradually recede. The rift in this world won't expand violently anymore, but it won't disappear either... Jarilo-VI has a chance to be reborn, but it will take time," Danheng calmly analyzed.

"It's more than enough," Bronya said, bowing deeply to everyone, "Thank you all, you've saved this world."

"So, what's your plan now?" Gu Tang asked.

Bronya sighed, "There are still many things to do... The big commotion caused by the Engine of Creation will surely have alerted the city's residents. Many questions need answers, and many truths need to be revealed..."

For Belobog, this victory was just the beginning.

Bronya knew this well.

"Are you really going to reveal the truth?" Seele asked Bronya seriously.

"Huh?" Bronya was taken aback.

"If people find out that even the Supreme Guardian has been deceiving them, who will they trust then? Should they trust Bronya? What kind of chaos might arise from this?" Seele looked worried.

Growing up in the Underworld, she knew better than anyone how people could become desperate when their hopes were shattered.

Danheng nodded, "Indeed, at this critical juncture, everything must be handled with the utmost caution."

Bronya thought for a moment, then spoke again, "My mother sacrificed herself to protect Belobog."

"Eh?" This time, it was March 7th's turn to be confused.

"From the travelers from beyond the sky, she learned the secret of the Stellaron. She knew that the first Supreme Guardian, Alisa Rand, couldn't destroy the Stellaron..." Bronya recounted the lie, "But she still decided to challenge this power far beyond human comprehension. Supreme Guardian Cocolia sacrificed herself... to dispel the shadow over Belobog."

"I see... it makes sense, at least it's hard to disprove," Danheng commented.

Seele shrugged, "At least it sounds like something hopeful from the Preservation."

March 7th scratched her head in frustration, "Why do we have to lie... I don't know, I abstain. I still prefer telling the truth."

"I understand, March 7th. I don't like lying either, but I can see where you're coming from..." Stelle said thoughtfully, then looked at Gu Tang. "What do you think, Gu Tang?"

"It has nothing to do with us," Gu Tang waved it off indifferently. "We're just passing travelers. How this planet develops is up to its people."

"That's so cold!" March 7th looked at Gu Tang.

"But it makes sense," Stelle agreed.

"Don't worry, the lie won't last forever..." Bronya gently placed a hand on her chest, her gaze resolute. "Although we can't do it now, I believe that one day Belobog will be strong enough to bear the truth. When that time comes, I will reveal everything."

"Will that day really come..." Seele muttered.

"It will. People always have the courage to seek the truth. After overcoming difficulties and seeing hope, they will gain the strength to withstand the truth..." As she spoke, Bronya thought of her experiences in the Underworld.

She had felt lost and sorrowful but ultimately chose to stand before her mother, shattering the lies and pursuing the truth.

She patted her chest and said, "Just like me."

Gu Tang crossed his arms and nodded, "Indeed, I still remember when you fell into the Underworld. You curled up like a little princess who had been wronged."

"Pfft! Little princess..." Seele couldn't help but laugh.

"Jeez... don't bring that up now!" Bronya lightly punched Gu Tang's chest in embarrassment.

Gu Tang looked Bronya in the eye, "Bronya."

"Yeah?" Bronya blinked.

"You're stronger than I thought," Gu Tang told her.

"...Hmph, of course I am."

The girl finally showed a faint smile.

"This trailblazing journey ended pretty well, right?" March 7th stretched lazily, "What should we do next?"

"I think... it's time to lift the blockade and reconnect the Underworld with the Overworld," Bronya thought for a moment, then looked at Seele.

Seele was excited, "That's great! I'll go inform everyone in the Underworld. Haha, I can't wait to see their surprised and happy faces."

...

...

...

---------------------------------

Underworld—

The Wise Sage was meditating, receiving messages from the universe through the Great Cosmic Time Tunnel.

A group of vagrants surrounded him, looking tense.

After a while, the Sage suddenly opened his eyes and jumped up excitedly, "It worked! It worked!"

"What worked? Tell us!" the vagrants anxiously inquired.

The Sage clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly, "Gu Tang and Bronya defeated the enemy! They sealed the Stellaron... The Underworld will reconnect with the Overworld! The cold wave and monsters will lessen! Our homeland... our world is saved!"

"Ohhhhhh! Fantastic!"

A massive cheer erupted.

The entire vagrant camp was filled with joy.

Many people were moved to tears.

"We need to spread this great news to everyone!" one of the vagrants shouted.

So, everyone left the camp, eager to share the good news.

When Seele returned to the Underworld in high spirits, she found that everyone already knew.

So, she curled up in a corner, like a little princess who had been wronged.