[You had a pleasant conversation with Captain Jepard, increasing his favorability and trust in you.]
[Your reputation among the Belobog Silvermane Guards rose to Revered.]
[The rift at the edge passage was drained of its imaginary energy by the Stellaron and thus completely dissipated, with the Belobog commercial district reclaimed.]
[The next day, High Guardian Cocolia Rand left Klipperfort and came to the logistics area alone.]
Cocolia came out?
Lying lazily on his bed, Ron suddenly sat up, a gleam of mischief in his eyes as he looked at the screen.
Finally, she's here... Cocolia.
He rubbed his hands together, suppressing a hint of excitement.
In this simulation, he had focused on maximizing his combat prowess, and it had indeed led to a different outcome.
The Stellaron had been severely weakened in one strike, and even the rift at the edge passage had dissipated due to the depletion of its imaginary energy.
Based on the last simulation, once the front line achieved a significant victory, Cocolia couldn't contain her ambitions and would come out to cause trouble—
Last time, she directly charged into the rift, was assimilated by the Stellaron, and came back to blow up Belobog, essentially becoming a self-destructing truck.
But this time, Ron was well-prepared. Now, he was strong enough to fight Cocolia on equal footing... even if she were assimilated by the Stellaron.
If Cocolia tried to charge into the rift again, Ron could easily stop her and hang her in the barracks for a spanking.
Given Ron's current prowess as the top Silvermane Guard, taking down Cocolia without anyone noticing would be a piece of cake...
With this anticipation, Ron watched as the text on the screen began to change:
[The High Guardian arrived at the barracks, greeted by the assembled Guards who showed her great respect.]
[Cocolia ordered the Guards to assemble on the training ground, where she planned to give a speech celebrating the recent victory.]
The screen displayed a new scene:
Cocolia stood on a carefully constructed platform on the training ground, with the Guards assembled neatly below, their ranks like a dense forest of steel.
The officers saluted Cocolia solemnly from the front of the platform.
The Guards saluted in unison, like waves rolling across a calm sea.
"You've done well in this battle to defend Belobog."
Cocolia smiled, her tone filled with encouragement and firmness, acknowledging the Guards' achievements:
"Eradicating the rift creatures, reclaiming the old Belobog commercial district, consolidating the defense... This is the first successful counterattack against the rift since the founding of the Builder Era!"
Her tone was fervent, but a cold glint flickered in her purple eyes as she changed her tone.
"However, even though we've achieved victory, it is now in the past. We must not dwell on past glories but look forward to a new future."
She grabbed the Builder's badge on her chest and tore it off, raising it high as she exclaimed:
"The decision to counterattack the rift was the right one. A bright future is beckoning us!"
"We can reclaim not only the commercial district but also the outskirts, and more... The rift creatures are but defeated foes. Belobog will usher in an even more glorious future!"
"The children of Belobog will sing freely in a broader world!"
Cocolia's words painted a beautiful future, causing the Guards to erupt in cheers.
[Cocolia provided various useless guidance and empty praises to the Guards before issuing several military orders.]
[She ordered Captain Jepard to lead the troops back to the front line immediately, without delay.]
[She commanded all your Guards to be reorganized into the front-line troops and temporarily recruited new soldiers to guard the armory in the logistics area.]
[Dazed by victory and fantasy, the Guards obediently accepted the orders and began preparations in an orderly manner, ready to head to the front line at any moment.]
[Please choose—]
[1. Accept Cocolia's orders.]
[2. Refute Cocolia's orders.]
Seeing the text on the screen, Bronya found herself in a dilemma.
Had it been the old her, she would have undoubtedly followed Cocolia's orders without question. But after experiencing a simulation...
She looked at the Guards, who had lost their rationality due to Cocolia's agitation, and made up her mind, choosing the second option.
One must not be blinded by victory; every decision should be carefully considered—this was something her mother had taught her.
Although Bronya didn't understand why Cocolia was acting so impulsively, she couldn't watch her mother continue to make mistakes in the simulation.
The Silvermane Guards were the foundation for Belobog's survival, the last line of defense for the civilization's spark in the harsh winter.
This defense battle, although a great victory, was not without cost—
In Bronya's panoramic view, the Guards who had become Pathstriders were no longer enough to form four full squads.
This defense battle had resulted in a 40% casualty rate, and it was only Ron's surprise attack that had ultimately dismantled the rift creatures' offensive.
After that, it was the return of the front-line army that had encircled the rear, killing the seemingly endless rift creatures and turning them into dust.
Although the front-line army was in much better shape than in the last simulation, they had also suffered some casualties.
Pushing into the rift wouldn't necessarily reclaim more territory but would certainly cause greater losses among the Guards.
Reclaiming the commercial district was already an unprecedented achievement since the founding of the Builder Era. The remaining time should be spent repairing the commercial district, establishing a new defense line, and recuperating...
With this thought in mind, Bronya watched as new text appeared on the screen:
[You refuted Cocolia's orders in front of the army.]
[You explained your thoughts clearly and logically, analyzing why recuperating was better than a forced advance.]
[The Guards began to murmur after hearing your words, their quiet discussions interrupted by Captain Jepard.]
[Cocolia angrily accused you of lacking ambition and courage.]
[She dismissed your suggestions as demoralizing nonsense, expressing disappointment in you.]
[You felt flustered under your mother's scolding, turning to see the various expressions on the faces of the officers and Guards, finding no one speaking up for you, only silence.]
[You began to doubt yourself, wondering if you were truly unambitious and foolish.]
[Cocolia was deeply disappointed in you, quietly telling you to return and rest, not to disgrace Klipperfort in such an important setting.]
[You, disheartened, prepared to leave the training ground, but someone blocked your way.]
[Your personal guard Ron disobeyed orders and left the Guards' formation, standing in front of you.]
**The snow kept falling.**
The cold wind wrapped around Bronya, just like everyone's icy stares, penetrating to the bone.
Heavy snowflakes fell on her, mixed with Cocolia's scolding and the gaze of the Silvermane Guards, pressing down on her with unbearable weight.
Bronya possessed all the qualities of an excellent High Guardian, except confidence.
Cocolia's control over her life was pervasive, gradually trapping her in a cage of her own making.
To rebut her mother's military orders in front of the Guards and explain her opinions logically, Bronya had already exhausted her strength.
But the cold wind and Cocolia's words, along with the Guards' gazes, were even harsher than the snow—
Not only did her mother dismiss her opinions, but the entire Guard force remained silent, with no one supporting her.
I really can't become a competent High Guardian...
Bronya tightened her coat around her, her once-proud grey eyes dimming, lifeless.
She turned to leave the training ground but felt her legs weaken, her head spinning, about to collapse.
After all, she was still just a teenage girl.
She couldn't withstand such pressure.
"Are you alright?"
A steady voice came from behind, and Bronya felt herself falling into a cold embrace, the steel armor digging into her painfully—
But she felt warmth from it, her pride shattering as she leaned into Ron.
Bronya's proud and aloof facade crumbled, revealing the vulnerability of a young girl beneath.
Her mother's misunderstanding, her confusion about the future, the shame of being rebuked... all the pressure flowed out through the torrents of tears in her silver-grey eyes.
But Bronya stubbornly buried her face in the shadows, back to everyone, letting the tears silently fall.
"Don't cry, Bronya... Stand firm, you're not the one who should leave today."
Ron's gentle voice came, but Bronya stubbornly responded in a trembling tone:
"I'm not crying."
She sniffled, lowering her voice:
"…It's just the snow melting, running down my hair."
"A High Guardian protects Belobog. A High Guardian has no tears."
"But a High Guardian isn't an automaton, and there's no oil running through their body."
Ron spoke plainly: "Whether it's snow or tears... the emotions you stubbornly try to discard are, in my eyes, an indispensable part of you."
"I am your guard, Bronya. Until you dismiss me, I will always be your protector."
"Would you want to see Belobog incomplete, to see Belobog cry?"
Bronya was silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head.
"Neither do I."
Ron helped Bronya to her feet and guided her to sit on a nearby ammunition box.
After settling her, he carefully put on the Builder's badge she had given him, then turned towards the now chaotic training ground due to his defiance of orders.
Amid the stunned and confused stares, he walked steadily up to the platform.
"Cocolia, have you been to the market in Belobog? Do you know how much a bottle of Roger's Bread-flavored Soda costs now?"
"How dare you—?! Guards, take him..."
Cocolia's face darkened, about to reprimand Ron, but he interrupted her with a booming voice.
He held up five fingers:
"A whopping 5200 credits! 5200 credits! That number can only be casually stored in those ancient personal terminals!"
The guards, who were about to pull Ron down from the platform, gradually slowed their steps.
Ron's words echoed like thunder, awakening everyone from their illusions, their gaze shifting to reality—to the 3200 credit sausages, 5200 credit sodas, and 500 credit instant meals.
Compared to those fantasies, this was their life.
Ron paused, his voice sighing:
"I used to think Belobog's greatest enemy was the unending cold wave."
"But relying on geothermics to get through the cold wave, I found the rift eroding the city, turning the familiar world into a twisted illusion. The rift became Belobog's bane."
"I led the troops to repel the rift army, dispel the rift's erosion, reclaim the Belobog commercial district. It should have been a complete victory, but the Silvermane Guards still need to shed blood and fight."
"Now I understand more and more, the true bane of Belobog isn't outside, it's within Belobog, right here in Klipperfort!"
Ron pointed at Cocolia—
"Right on High Guardian Cocolia!"
"As long as the High Guardian's orders are corrupt, Belobog will rot piece by piece."
"If the High Guardian's orders are entirely corrupt, Belobog will be lost to the wind and snow, and we will all die without a burial place!"
"Think about it! How long has it been since High Guardian Herta died in an old ammunition box? Have you all forgotten?"
"That old ammunition box is still watching you from the cliff outside the city!"
The screen faded, replaced by two prompt messages:
[Your personal guard Ron consoled you, reducing your stress and significantly increasing your favorability towards him.]
[Your favorability towards Ron is now—82]
The two messages faded, and new text appeared:
[Your personal guard Ron refuted all of Cocolia Rand's military orders.]
[He described Cocolia's orders as inhumane and like the ravings of a madman.]
[He criticized High Guardian Cocolia Rand for inciting the guards with ill intentions.]
[He praised your suggestions highly, stating they were infinitely superior to Cocolia's orders.]
[On the training ground, Ron made a more profound analysis, helping everyone understand your ideas better.]
[Many guards gradually woke from Cocolia's incitement, seeming to come to their senses.]
[Cocolia's orders were temporarily halted due to Ron's influence.]
[Cocolia, furious, scolded your personal guard Ron for insubordination and defying orders.]
[Ron was taken to the front-line military prison to await judgment.]
[According to procedure, the Belobog Military Court will prosecute Ron and put him on trial.]
Looking at the text on the screen, Bronya's expression became complex.
No one understood herself better than she did.
She knew her pride better than anyone and was therefore particularly troubled by whether she could become a qualified High Guardian to protect Belobog.
Reflecting on it, if she encountered the same situation in reality, voicing her thoughts in front of the guards and her mother, only to be rebuked by her mother and coldly eyed by everyone...
She would likely collapse from her expectations of the future, unable to piece her confidence back together.
Thankfully... Ron was there.
He seemed to believe he was the guardian of the High Guardian...
Pondering this, Bronya looked at the new options on the screen with mixed emotions:
[Because Ron was imprisoned in the front-line military prison, you had a sleepless night, with many thoughts running through your mind.]
[Please choose—]
[1. Go to Klipperfort. Seek out your mother, Cocolia Rand, and ask her to release Ron.
Due to Cocolia's hatred for Ron, the likelihood of her agreeing to release him is 25%.]
[2. Go to the Military Court. Wait for Ron to be brought to trial, where you will act as his lawyer to argue for his acquittal.
Due to Ron's clear violation of Belobog military law, the likelihood of you securing his acquittal is 0%.]
[3. Go to the front-line prison. You will disregard any rules to free your personal guard Ron.
Due to your reputation among the Silvermane Guards and Ron's influence, the likelihood of successfully freeing Ron is 100%.]
As the princess of Belobog, the High Guardian's heir, and acting commander of the Silvermane Guards, Bronya had always been strict and unyielding.
Facing lawbreakers, she had always been firm and just, without exception.
She would undoubtedly choose the second option, or at the very least the first option, never violating Belobog's laws...
But looking at the options on the screen, Bronya didn't hesitate.
She clicked on the third option.
For the first time, Bronya made an exception.
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