Chapter 56: with translation of chapter title

Kekeliya's sudden change made Bronya's heart sink.

But she still, following Kekeliya's request, detailed what she had seen and heard in the lower districts, including the truth about the Star Core.

Kekeliya's expression turned cold: 'I'm listening… go on.'

'Lady Kekeliya, I guarantee with my integrity that those 【Extraterrestrials】 are absolutely not the villains we previously imagined.'

Bronya placed her hand on her chest and solemnly said: 'I saw them draw their guns for justice, risk their lives for others' ideals. I can confirm they truly came for the Star Core, to free Belobog from the disaster it brought.'

'Mother… you have always known the truth of the Star Core, right? One day I will also come into contact with that knowledge; becoming a guardian's required price includes forever bearing these secrets.'

'So… please forgive my offense. I believe ordering the extermination of outsiders was the wrong choice. To resolve the Star Core issue, the Builders may have waited hundreds of years, and they are——'

'Enough!'

Like a thunderbolt, Kekeliya angrily interrupted Bronya's words.

'Arrogant, ignorant… you disappoint me, Bronya.'

'You've only glimpsed a corner of the snow mountain and think you've seen the truth. Just because you got a little mud on you in the lower districts, you dare question my orders?'

It seems this Grand Guardian looks down on the civilians of the lower districts.

Yae Miko narrowed her purple eyes, sighing incessantly, 'Mud… what an arrogant term.'

I acknowledge her sense of duty as Grand Guardian. But as the ruler of a nation, her attitude toward her subjects' counsel is like this… Raiden Ei gently shook the steamed bun milk in her hand, and upon finding the can empty, instantly showed a disappointed expression.

'Ying, you can't say that…… As your attendant, don't you often brush off my counsel too?' Yae Miko suddenly turned her head, playfully winking at Ying.

'"……" Ying instinctively turned her face away, struggling to keep herself from looking at her.'

Every time Yae Miko puts on that expression, no one can refuse her—not even she herself as a deity.

'Are you also counting 'swapping identities, letting the General go to Narukami Shrine to become a shrine maiden' as counsel?' Ying said impatiently, 'Do you just want to see me wearing your shrine maiden outfit?'

'Eh——can't we?' Yae Miko widened her eyes, her rosy lips playfully forming a small circle.

'Because Ying, you're really cute, I'm curious what your expression would be like when you wear the shrine maiden outfit…… would it still be this serious look?'

She braced both hands on the table, leaning forward, her face drawing ever closer. That warm, damp breath brushed Ying's neck, and she would instinctively shudder all over, feeling a tingling, electric sensation.

Strange…… she is actually the Electro Archon.

To the other shrine maidens, this pose is almost an overly affectionate embrace, like a pink and purple butterfly hugging each other——if the General would cooperate, willing to stretch out her arms to embrace the shrine maiden's waist.

A passing shrine maiden glanced up, quickly lowered her head, and began cleaning absentmindedly.

'It seems…… every time it's the General underneath.'

——

'Iron Guard, take Bronya——'

'——They're not mud!'

Like breaking free of shackles, Bronya finally mustered the courage to meet Kekeliya's gaze: 'My origins, those things you never told me… I've now remembered them all. I won't run away anymore, Guardian! Please stop using vague excuses to placate me!'

'Tell me what you saw—what are you really hiding? Why send the Iron Guard to die in the rift? Why abandon the lower-district people? Why change your mind at that critical moment?'

'…I understand.' Kekeliya, as if finally making up her mind, let out a relieved long sigh: 'This moment was bound to come… but I didn't expect it to come so soon.'

'Then come with me, Bronya. This dying world…… it's time for you to hear its voice.'

Kekeliya slowly descended from the platform, and as she passed Bronya…… countless voices seemingly from the void suddenly appeared, drilling into Bronya's ears; she clutched her forehead in pain, seeming to struggle against the sound's influence.

'Could Bronya also be affected?' Xiutaerke looked worried.

'Could the Star Core's voice also have mind‑control‑like magical effects?' Filien gazed at Bronya's pained expression; if even she were dominated by the Star Core, the situation would likely take a turn for the worse.

'If the Star Core could truly achieve mind control, Belobog would already have become a wasteland.' Furilien analyzed, 'Do you still remember in the Star's dream, when Kekeliya flew into a rage over Bronya's disappearance?'

We must trust Bronya; she won't be lured by the Star Core, but even if she were…… her little girlfriend from the lower districts would immediately come to snap her out of it.

Meanwhile, Xing and the others finally returned to the upper districts under Sangbo's leadership.

'But as soon as they reached the surface, Sangbo vanished outright, fleeing at a speed akin to instantaneous movement.'

Considering the psychological shadow the Goethe Inn cast on everyone, the group decided first to find a suitable place to settle; as for where exactly, the all‑knowing Teacher Dan Heng gave some guidance.

'In my opinion, we should first visit Xiluwa·Langdao.' Dan Heng analyzed, 'Jiepade is a high‑ranking officer of the Silvermane Iron Guard; contacting him won't be easy. Moreover… if he isn't swayed by Bronya's handwritten letter, we'll be walking into a tiger's den.'

Dan Heng's analysis was accepted by all, and the party carefully avoided the Silvermane Iron Guard, soon arriving at the machinery house.

After a brief greeting, Xiluwa hastily led this group of fugitives into the house, she firmly believed in their identities and couldn't help but ask anxiously: 'What exactly have you done? The Iron Guard has unprecedentedly recalled a unit from the front lines; the whole city is patrolling, arresting you, and the entire upper district is filled with panic.'

Xiao San Yue was about to speak when Dan Heng interrupted him; Dan Heng gave Xiluwa a once‑over, then solemnly said: 'Bronya said we can completely trust you.'

Xiluwa burst out laughing upon hearing that: 'Your words have hidden meaning. Bronya trusting me means you still haven't trusted me, right?'