Chapter 60: with translation of chapter title

As expected, they were detected. The Star Core also possesses a capability similar to detection magic." Jian Ze said lightly, "Since we've already sent a message to Cocolia, Bronya is likely the bait."

... If we continue forward following the illusion, there's no doubt it's a dangerous act.

Mm, yeah." Sitting by the flowerbed pool, Selesia reached out and plucked a petal, not lifting her head as she asked, "Jian Ze, what would you do if it were you?"

Lady Selesia, I will continue.

A strand of Jian Ze's hair slowly floated up and landed in her soft palm: 'I will follow the illusion to find Cocolia, kill her, then destroy the Star Core.'

Through the resonance between the stars and the Star Core, Dan Heng also analyzed that there is likely an ambush by Cocolia ahead, so the four proceeded with great caution.

After breaking through several mechanism passages, the group again saw the illusions of Cocolia and Bronya. The rift here seems to have a special connection with Cocolia, repeatedly reproducing her image.

When the group walked past, the illusion replayed their conversation.

Bronya: 'I don't understand… If the truth is really as you say, over the past few centuries, every Grand Guardian has resisted the Star Core's call… Did they all get it wrong? Mother?'

Cocolia: 'Here there is no right or wrong, only human arrogance and shortsightedness. Our ancestors burned their lives to prolong this civilization, then fell into silence; they spent their lives composing hymns praising human bravery, yet had no time to gaze at the stars.'

Cocolia: 'To the mighty existence in the starry sky, a thousand years is but a grain of sand; the achievements of this tiny race hold no noteworthy value.'

Bronya: 'But the Protector, the Crip— isn't He one of the 'mighty existences' you spoke of? The one who has been protecting Belobog… isn't that His power?'

Cocolia scoffed: 'Protector? The Protector has never once looked humanity in the eye; it's merely the delusion of the city-builders. You will hear the true voice of the mighty, Bronya… you will understand my choice.'

Oh? It seems this Protector Star God isn't very reliable either.

In the City of Mondstadt, inside the tavern called 'Angel's Share,' Sister Rosalia was holding a cup of beer, quietly smoking in the deepest seat: 'Not even our Mondstadt's wind god Basbas is reliable.'

Diluc and Venti sat opposite her, facing this smoke-ghost sister whom they rarely see, but they were already used to it.

Perhaps I should remind you… the Wind God's lord is called Barbatos." Glancing at Venti beside him, Diluc cleared his throat embarrassedly.

Sorry, but it doesn't matter; after all, the great gods don't often visit Mondstadt." Rosalia flicked her ash, lazily saying, "Maybe he's currently hiding in another country drinking, the god symbolizing freedom… Of course he should be free.

She's far more responsible than Barbatos, it seems He has been building walls nonstop since ages ago… fulfilling the Protector's duty, huh? Sigh, just thinking about it makes me tired… I'd rather be a carefree bard.

Venti completely missed Diluc's helpless, speechless expression, and he said lightly, 'This time you can't pay for your drink with your poetry.'

Eh—Sir Diluc, don't be so stingy?

It's just a glass of dandelion wine…" Venti laughed, leaning his face closer, "How about I put this on tab for now, and I'll pay it all off next time I come? Sir Diluc?

Hmm…

Looking at this wind god lord who can't even afford a drink, Diluc lowered his head and fell into thought.

Perhaps… the Protector, the Crip, is more reliable after all?

The group passed through a spacious area, and after defeating a humanoid rift monster, they soon saw the illusions of Bronya and Cocolia again.

This time the illusion's voice was clearer than before; Dan Heng sensed they were now quite close to the northern snowfields.

Cocolia once again began recounting the past deeds of the former Grand Guardians.

Cocolia: 'The first Grand Guardian commanded the Silvermane Iron Guard here in battle, exchanging massive sacrifice for a brief respite. But the legion from another world, tireless, she quickly realized that flesh and blood could never stand against such a terrifying foe.'

Cocolia: 'On the verge of utter despair… she turned her gaze toward the Star Core and made the original wish. As for what happened afterward, you already know——'

Bronya: 'So… the Chill is actually a disaster born from humanity's wish……'

Cocolia: 'Ironic, isn't it? The Star Core merely fulfilled humanity's ancient wish, yet we have avoided speaking of its existence for the past few centuries.'

Shirou Emiya: 'Why does this Star Core sound so familiar to me?'

Artoria: 'Shirou, if the Star Core fully realizes humanity's wish, isn't it just like the Holy Grail?'

At least the method is similar." Ilya, sipping her drink, explained: "The Star Core indeed responded to humanity's wish, annihilating the antimatter army on the ground, but the Star Core's understanding of 'help' may differ from ours……

Just like the Holy Grail: if you wish to become the richest person in the world, the Grail won't give you a pile of money—it will eliminate those richer than you.

Likewise, the Star Core's way of fulfilling wishes is surely through 'destruction, negativity' or the like. Although it deviates from humanity's original imagination, the wish is indeed fulfilled.

Shirou Emiya lowered his gaze slowly, feeling unwilling: 'So from the moment the first Grand Guardian made the wish, has humanity in this world been constantly paying the price for that wish? This is too……'

Artoria shook her head and said: 'But Shirou, if there were no Star Core, Belobog might have been wiped out by the antimatter army centuries ago. The spark of civilization could not have endured to now without the Star Core.'

So from the start, this has been a dead end……

The group continued deeper, and not long after they saw Cocolia's illusion again, but this time Bronya was not beside her.

'I somehow feel… it's a bit different from those previous remnants,' March 7th said, stepping closer curiously.

Suddenly, the remnant slowly turned its body before everyone's eyes, facing the group.

'Intruder…… must not…… approach……'

Herta's eyes narrowed: 'Not good—March! Get out of the way!'