Chapter 44: with translation of chapter title

"If you're not at ease, have someone stand watch." Dan Heng suggested.

"Guard, guard duty? That's so old-fashioned?! Isn't that something only adventuring parties in fantasy novels do?" San Yue Qi widened her eyes, then instantly hammed it up, deliberately yawning: "Ha… a yawn, suddenly feeling sleepy…"

"March, I see you're full of energy, how about…" Star rested his chin, giving San Yue Qi a meaningful look.

"No, I can't!" San Yue Qi said in an aggrieved tone, practically whining: "I've never pulled an all-nighter before? Do you know how bad staying up late is for your skin?"

"I'll take the watch." Bu Luo Ni Ya suddenly appeared, stepping behind the group, "... if you trust me."

She and Chief Ao Lie Ge had talked a lot just now; although they hadn't reached consensus on some points, she also learned some past events. The information overload meant she couldn't sleep that night.

After confirming that Bu Luo Ni Ya wouldn't be harmed because of her identity, the train trio felt at ease entrusting the night watch duty to her.

In the middle of the night, Star had that strange nightmare again.

Under a night as dark and thick as ink, Ke Ke Li Ya sat alone on the stern, solemn seat of the Grand Guardian. Her once-neat hair became disheveled like her collapsing emotions, her whole body trembling as if bearing an indescribable pain and pressure.

"I've lost her… my 【wish】, your so-called plan… what meaning does any of this have left?"

"Abandon decadence, abandon sorrow, abandon useless feelings…"

"Shut up!"

With a crisp "crack," Ke Ke Li Ya angrily smashed the cup on the floor, shouting: "She is my daughter, she is my only…"

"What do you know? Soulless things? You'll never understand… never!"

The Star Core's voice echoed in the spacious office: "You haven't lost her… she's waiting on the other side to reunite with you."

"... Stand up, Guardian. Fulfill your destiny… fulfill a 【mother's】 wish."

——

Na Sa Li Ke underground grand mausoleum.

Inside the Throne Hall, even though they had sensed that their creator, whom they ought to worship, had already departed, no one rose.

Only after a long while did Ya Er Bei De rise first. Though her white robe's knees had gotten some dirt, she didn't mind at all; since the Sovereign's departure, her face had remained shrouded in a gloom.

Lord An Zi watched the light curtain's images together with them, and when he saw Ke Ke Li Ya being continually lured by the Star Core, the Supreme Sovereign specially asked for her opinion.

"That woman named Ke Ke Li Ya is too weak; being influenced by the Star Core is only natural. If it were me——"

She hadn't finished speaking when Lord An Zi raised his hand to signal her to stop.

Although Lord An Zi said nothing, his attitude… as Guardian Chief, Ya Er Bei De could of course guess a bit—even though she had pondered and reflected repeatedly before answering, she still disappointed Lord An Zi.

…This was also something she could never forgive herself for.

"That such a thing could actually lure ordinary people into depravity… Lord An Zi truly places great importance on the Star Core." Ya Wu La's remark made all the guardians present exude a tense atmosphere. Perhaps their views on the Star Core were not only a test for Ya Er Bei De, but also an unseen test for the other guardians.

No one wanted to disappoint the Supreme Sovereign Lord.

"Everyone, regarding the Star Core, I have another answer." Di Mi Wu Ge Si pushed up the glasses on his face, "Our world has no Star Core that can lure humans, but we do possess magic that can lure humans."

The atmosphere on the spot changed instantly, all guardians focusing their attention on Di Mi Wu Ge Si.

"Lord An Zi wishes to preserve the labor force of all kingdoms."

"My opinion is to use means similar to the Star Core from the light curtain, employing mental or spell-like magic to influence kings, who then issue decrees, thereby eternally submitting to Lord An Zi."

Listening to Di Mi Wu Ge Si's remarks, the guardians all showed expressions of sudden realization, their stiff bodies finally relaxing.

"As expected of you, Di Mi Wu Ge Si, what an exquisitely clever plan." Ke Sai Te Si couldn't help but praise.

"Not at all, Lord An Zi had already noticed this; he was merely waiting for us guardians to bring it up." Mentioning Lord An Zi's profound foresight, Di Mi Wu Ge Si's face showed an expression of deep admiration.

Star, troubled by nightmares and unable to sleep, decided to leave the inn and take a walk.

"Who?!" Bu Luo Ni Ya, who was on watch, heard the movement behind her, instantly turned on alert, and only relaxed upon seeing Star: "Huh, it's you… you can't sleep either?"

Star nodded, his expression solemn: "I can't sleep if I don't work eight hours."

"Uh…" Although it wasn't the first time she'd encountered it, Bu Luo Ni Ya was still left somewhat speechless by Star's peculiar mental state: "... Someone needs to keep an eye on you."

Since neither of them could sleep, they might as well just chat casually.

In Bu Luo Ni Ya's view, she completely disbelieved Star's claim that "just seal the Star Core and the cold wave will be resolved." On the other hand, the Grand Guardian initially hadn't demanded their capture, but then quickly changed attitude in a short span, adding to her talk with Chief Ao Lie Ge… all of this left her feeling utterly bewildered and at a loss.

She also knew that sometimes a mother's decision could be wrong, but as a soldier, the sense of duty to fulfill obligations always took precedence.

The girl lowered her eyes: "... Perhaps it was the mother's decision that was wrong."

Star suddenly had an idea: "Why don't you just become the Grand Guardian?"

"What do you mean?" Bu Luo Ni Ya widened her eyes, quickly waved her hands, shaking her head like a rattle-drum: "No way! This idea is too terrifying! Absolutely not! Impossible… I just want the people of Belobog to live better lives…"

Within the Valkyrie Academy, Star's remark caused countless people to have a sudden realization.

For a moment, the entire forum buzzed with discussion, support for Bu Luo Ni Ya's remarks being completely one-sided.

"Exactly, what do nobles and officials amount to? Now is the time to don the yellow robe and launch a mutiny!"

"Support! Battle-hardened and unmatched, I'll bear the banner for Duck Duck!"

"Bu Luo Ni Ya, born between heaven and earth, how could she remain long subdued beneath others!"

"What? Ke Ke Li Ya surnamed Lan De, and my Duck Duck also bears the surname Lan De—she can sit in the Grand Guardian's position, but my Bu Luo Ni Ya can't? Rather than that, let's storm the upper district and seize the bird's perch…"