HSR: Getting Chased! [24]

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Seeing Cocolia's demeanor, Cava immediately sensed trouble.

The woman before them seemed to have lost part of her sanity under the influence of the Stellaron. Otherwise, as the Supreme Guardian, she would never speak so harshly to her daughter in front of outsiders. This situation was more complicated than he had anticipated.

Subtly touching the container in his jacket, Cava thought to himself.

"I—"

Bronya tried to speak, but Cocolia cut her off sharply.

"Enough! Do you really want to embarrass yourself in front of strangers?"

Cocolia's gaze turned toward the Trailblazer team, her expression filled with disdain.

"Outsiders, visitors from beyond the stars, correct?"

Before Cava or anyone else could respond, she continued speaking on her own.

"I am Cocolia Rand, Supreme Guardian of Belobog. It has been seven hundred years since visitors like you set foot here. Tell me, why have you come? I am listening."

"Tsk, this is a far cry from the original story. She’s not even pretending anymore, huh?" Cava muttered to himself, but outwardly, he maintained a polite smile, bowing slightly to the haughty Cocolia.

"Esteemed Supreme Guardian, we are representatives of the Interastral Peace Corporation. Our purpose in coming to your city is to offer you a fine new product. We hope to reopen trade routes with Jarilo-VI."

In the stunned silence of his teammates, Cava spoke with utmost respect.

"Cava, what are you—" March 7th began, but before she could finish, Dan Heng quickly covered her mouth, his expression serious as he stared at the Supreme Guardian.

"Oh? Merchants... Heh, show me your product. If it passes my test, I might allow you to sell it in Belobog," Cocolia said, her expression even more condescending at the mention of "merchants." The fingers of her blue-tinted, corrupted hand drummed lightly on the desk as she looked at Cava with disdain.

"As you wish, Your Excellency."

Cava reached into his jacket and pulled out a metal container, seemingly filled with some kind of liquid.

"Leave it there. I'll evaluate it once you've left," Cocolia said, glancing briefly at the container in Cava's hand. Her face twisted into a mocking smile.

"Bronya, see to it that our visitors are taken care of. As for your crimes, I won’t punish you this time. However, your position as acting commander of the Silvermane Guards will be temporarily assigned to someone else. Reflect on your actions during this time."

Toying with the metal container Cava had presented, Cocolia spoke coldly, her gaze fixed on the furious expression on Bronya's face.

Cava gave a slight nod, then turned and motioned to the rest of the group, signaling them to leave immediately.

"In that case, Supreme Guardian, we shall take our leave," Cava said, leading the team out of Krepost Fortress with quick steps.

"You—" Bronya began to protest as soon as they exited the palace doors, but Cava cut her off by raising a finger to his lips.

"I know you have questions, but this place is no longer safe. We need to find somewhere more secure to talk," Cava said urgently, ignoring Bronya’s anger as he hurried toward the main city.

The rest of the team, though confused, had no choice but to follow him.

"…"

Bronya hesitated for a moment, then, resolutely, she chased after them.

…

Inside Goethe Grand Hotel, Cava barely had a chance to sit down for a drink of water before he was surrounded by March 7th, Stelle, and Bronya, who had just rushed into the room.

"Cava! What were you doing back there? How did we suddenly become part of an intergalactic company? And why are we selling household appliances of all things?" March 7th asked, her lips pouting in frustration.

"Yeah, why didn’t we just tell the Supreme Guardian who we really are?" Stelle added, equally perplexed.

Bronya stood silently nearby, her face cold, clearly waiting for an explanation.

Only Dan Heng seemed to understand Cava’s intentions. He calmly sipped his tea, choosing not to engage.

"Sigh… haven’t you noticed yet? The Supreme Guardian is already corrupted by the Stellaron," Cava said, rubbing his temples as he addressed the three women.

"Stellaron? That thing that caused the Eternal Freeze in Belobog? How could it possibly corrupt my mother?!" Bronya asked, her eyes wide with shock. On the way to Krepost Fortress, she had learned about the Stellaron’s dangers from the Trailblazers, which had strengthened her resolve to confront the Supreme Guardian. But Cava's actions had taken her by surprise.

"Yes. And the corruption is severe. Your mother… she may no longer be the person she once was," Cava said gravely, his expression serious.

"But... why would she—"

Bronya’s voice faltered as she lowered her gaze, struggling to accept that the powerful figure she knew as her mother had become so unhinged under the Stellaron’s influence.

"It’s possible your mother made a wish to the Stellaron," Dan Heng interjected, rising from his seat.

"A wish?"

"Yes. According to research from Herta, the Stellaron is a sentient entity, connected to certain paths or Aeons’ powers. It responds to the desires of a civilization but always fulfills those desires through calamity," Dan Heng explained.

"Calamity..."

Bronya's brow furrowed as she listened. Then, as if struck by a revelation, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"It seems you understand now," Cava said softly, watching Bronya’s realization unfold.

"The Eternal Freeze… it might have been caused by someone making a wish to the Stellaron. And while we don’t know exactly what your mother wished for, it’s clear that whatever it was, it’s leading Belobog down a dangerous path."

Bronya fell into deep thought, clearly shaken by the implications. Cava shook his head slightly, feeling sympathy for her.

Though he wanted to offer comforting words, he knew there wasn’t enough time.

"We need to move quickly. Soon, the Silvermane Guards will come to apprehend us. We don’t have much time," Cava said urgently.

"If that’s the case, why didn’t we just detain her earlier and force her to reveal the Stellaron’s location?" March 7th asked, confused.

"Because… we’re outsiders. Public opinion won’t be on our side," Dan Heng explained, shrugging.

"And no one knows what kind of deal she made with the Stellaron. Engaging her recklessly could result in unnecessary casualties."

"But… where can we go now? To the outskirts? Or maybe the Underworld?" Bronya said with a bitter smile. As Cocolia’s adopted daughter, she had sensed her mother’s changes, but she never imagined the Supreme Guardian could be swayed by something like the Stellaron.

And now, aside from Belobog, where else could they seek refuge?

Knock, knock, knock.

"Hey? Anybody home? Need to buy some local Belobog specialties? My uncle’s frostleg meat is the best in the city!"

A familiar voice called from outside the door, interrupting their conversation.

"Look, the person who can help us find shelter has arrived," Cava said, a sly smile forming at the corner of his mouth.