Chapter 27: Theresa: 0◡0?

After finishing her explanation, Theresa scrutinized Cocolia intently. As a trailblazer from her previous life, she knew Cocolia would betray them the next day. Theresa planned to create a grand spectacle, partly for her own amusement and partly to thoroughly disgust Cocolia.

Secretly activating the Oath of Judah hanging around her neck, Theresa initiated audio and video recording. She intended to show the duck later what kind of mother she truly had.

"Theresa's right! That's why the Antimatter Legion often appears alongside Stellarons. As soon as a Stellaron invades a world, it begins to corrode and assimilate the planet, helping the Legion—drawn by the Stellaron's aura—locate it. The Eternal Freeze is a catastrophic event born from the Stellaron's nature combined with the unique topography of this world!"

"How did I do, Dan Heng?" March 7th asked excitedly, turning to him.

"I never expected March to be so clever," Dan Heng nodded in approval. "Truly remarkable."

"Exactly! This is the first time I've seen March 7th this sharp," Theresa added with a smirk.

"Mhm, March 7th is so smart today!"

Stelle nodded with a smile.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? I've always been quick-witted, you know! You don't all think I'm some clueless airhead, do you?" March 7th retorted, planting her hands on her hips and glaring at the others.

Silly March 7th, always good for a laugh!

"Heh~" *3

Dan Heng, Stelle, and Theresa all secretly shared this sentiment.

Cocolia frowned, watching the sudden cheerfulness of her visitors. Was this some kind of disrespect? Were they deliberately ignoring her?

"Alright, everyone, focus. This isn't the Astral Express," Dan Heng reminded the three women. The festive atmosphere instantly dissipated, replaced by awkward glances at Cocolia, whose expression had darkened.

"Ahem, Dan Heng, you should have said something sooner! We almost forgot," March 7th stammered.

"Anyway, Supreme Guardian, you can think of us as enthusiastic interstellar do-gooders, dedicated to helping worlds plagued by the Stellaron!" March 7th explained with a bright smile.

"Exactly! We champion the Gold Standard of aiding others and can't bear to see perfectly good worlds ruined by the Stellaron. March 7th and Stelle, remember our motto for helping people?"

Theresa's words made March 7th and Stelle's eyes light up.

"Of course, but is it really appropriate to shout this out in such a solemn setting?" March 7th whispered to Theresa, glancing around the grand hall.

"I have no objections," Stelle said cheerfully.

"Ahem, very well," Theresa announced. "We are the helpful Nameless of the Astral Express, passionately dedicated to aiding worlds ravaged by the Stellaron!"

"March 7th!" March 7th struck a flamboyant JOJO pose on the left, her right hand on her hip, legs together, and left hand dramatically supporting her chin, all under the awkward gazes of Dan Heng and Cocolia.

"Stelle!" Stelle countered with a wide-legged stance, arms crossed over her chest, and an exaggerated expression on her face, positioning herself on the right as Dan Heng quickly excused himself.

"Theresa!" Theresa stood between them, her legs crossed at the thighs but knees slightly apart, her head held high and hands on her hips, adopting a smug, wise expression. The trio struck an outrageously flamboyant pose together.

"We are the Support Combo—Genshin Impact Support Combo!" March 7th, Stelle, and the "wise" Theresa shouted in unison, their voices ringing with conviction.

Roughly like this: March 7th on the left, Stelle on the right, and the utterly foolish Theresa in the middle, overflowing with "wisdom."

"..."
"..."

Cocolia and Dan Heng were so embarrassed they could have dug a three-bedroom apartment into the ground with their toes.

"Are you out of your minds?" Cocolia retorted, wiping her brow as she stared at the trio, whose antics had reached peak absurdity.

"Sorry, I don't know them," Dan Heng said hastily, distancing himself from the three women striking the "Pillar Man" pose.

"Alright, that's enough. Theresa, you're being foolish again, and you're corrupting them," Dan Heng sighed, forcibly dismantling the trio's mortifying stance before adding his critique.

"Ahem." Cocolia cleared her throat, regaining her composure. "You've analyzed the situation clearly. Yes, we've suffered these disasters, and some continue to plague us. But... what does any of this have to do with you?"

"Even if there truly is a Stellaron drawing calamity, I fail to see how it concerns you," she continued, shaking her head with a calm gaze. "I don't believe anyone would go to such lengths to help a world they have no ties to—without ulterior motives."

Her words were directed squarely at Dan Heng, having dismissed March 7th, Stelle, and Theresa entirely due to their antics.

"You're right," Dan Heng said solemnly. "Ultimately, we're seeking cooperation because our interests align. If we don't seal the Stellaron, none of us can leave this planet."

Meanwhile, inside Theresa's mind, the mischievous Homu System suddenly glitched out, as if triggered by Theresa's mention of the "Genshin Impact Support Combo." It blurted out its line, nearly making Theresa burst out laughing.

[You're right, but Genshin Impact is a brand-new open-world adventure game independently developed by Mihoyo. The game takes place in the fantasy world of Teyvat, where those chosen by the Archons are granted Visions to wield elemental power. You'll play as the mysterious Traveler, encountering diverse companions with unique abilities during your free-spirited journey. Together, you'll defeat formidable enemies, search for your lost sibling, and gradually uncover the truth behind Genshin Impact.]

Theresa nearly burst out laughing.

"Please help us," Stelle said earnestly, looking directly at Cocolia.

[ Help me, Madam Cocolia! ] the Homu System cried out in Clara's voice. Theresa dared not speak, terrified she'd laugh—her system was going haywire.

Enough! Stop acting up! I don't want to suddenly burst out laughing in front of everyone! Theresa inwardly fumed with frustration.

[Ugh, I've been playing too much Genshin Impact!]

[Ding-dong! A new, hilarious mission has arrived: Scare Cocolia! Reward: Bear Grylls's True Words of Food: "Cut off its head, and you can eat the rest!"]

The Homu System exclaimed excitedly, its words sparking an idea in Theresa's mind.

"That's right, please help us," Theresa said, her wise gaze fixed on Cocolia. "We truly want to aid this war-torn world and prevent your world from being plagued by Fragmentum monsters and the Eternal Freeze. Guardian, surely you don't want Belobog buried beneath the snow and ice?"

Cocolia's expression softened slightly. "You... do you truly have a way to seal that thing called the Stellaron?" she asked, a flicker of hope in her voice.

"We have the means," Dan Heng replied.

"I can eat it!" Theresa declared simultaneously.

"???" *4

The others turned to stare blankly at the now-enthusiastic Theresa, bewildered by her sudden outburst.

"⚆◡⚆?" Theresa looked back at them with equal confusion, her gaze radiating wisdom.