Chapter 118: Lady Bronya, It's Cold, You Should Put on Another Layer
All of Belobog was thrown into a state of earth-shattering turmoil.
All sorts of verbal and written attacks against Cocolia were rampant. The dozen or so years of Cocolia's rule were now being portrayed as the darkest period in Belobog's history. For the vast majority of Silvermane Guards and ordinary people, this was indeed the case.
The shortage of Geomarrow resources had caused the price of essential heating to rise again and again. Guard casualties were at an all-time high, and the Fragmentum's erosion into the city had severely affected the citizens' lives. When the situation of the sealed-off Underworld was reported, the long-simmering dissatisfaction with Cocolia among the populace exploded.
The winds of change were blowing. With the push of an invisible hand, the news from the city spread to the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone in the far north, filling the hearts of many guards stationed on the border with indignation.
Scattered snowflakes fell from the sky, landing on the shoulders and military caps of the Guards lined up in formation. The temperature here was far lower than in the city, yet no one felt the cold. A strange, oppressive feeling permeated the entire restricted zone camp. In the silence, one could vaguely feel a scorching atmosphere constantly rising, as if a volcano was on the verge of eruption.
The gazes of all the Guards were focused on the silver-haired girl at the front of the formation, her expression stern.
Pela held a notebook and a newspaper, standing beside Bronya. At Bronya's instruction, she read out some of the news to the Guards. Gepard stood on Bronya's other side, his head slightly lowered, his jaw clenched tightly, trying to suppress the churning emotions within him.
For the Silvermane Guards, the Guardian's command was supreme and absolute. But in Gepard's heart, in the oath he had once sworn, there was something of equal importance to the Supreme Guardian's command—the people of Belobog!
And now...
In this accumulating silence, a figure in a special military uniform, flanked by two Guards, walked into the camp. Everyone present could recognize him at a glance: a Palace Guard. The Palace Guard was a general term with many branches, such as the Praetorian Guard that specifically served and protected the Supreme Guardian, and the honor guard for ceremonies. This Palace Guard was from the Supreme Guardian's Praetorian Guard.
"Lady Bronya, the Supreme Guardian has an order for you."
The Praetorian Guard stood tall and straight, but being stared at by the countless Guards present, a fine cold sweat couldn't help but appear on his forehead. His attitude was extremely deferential as he spoke.
"Oh? And what order does my dear mother have?"
Bronya looked to the side, her sharp gaze, completely devoid of a smile, falling on the Praetorian Guard.
The soldier took out a signed and sealed decree and respectfully handed it to Bronya.
Bronya did not take it. "Just read it out."
"This..."
Glancing at the forest-like formation of Guards to his side, who were emitting a foreboding aura, the Praetorian Guard hesitated, as if reminding Bronya that the occasion was not suitable.
"Read it."
Bronya ignored him. Filtered through the bow-tie voice changer, the crisp voice of the Keqing of the Teyvat Branch of the Star Rail Express came out.
A drop of cold sweat slid down his face. The Praetorian Guard clenched his jaw and forced himself to read aloud with authority: "The Overworld and the Underworld have been isolated for a long time, but the Supreme Guardian has never forgotten the Underworld and has been transporting materials to maintain its stability. However, the people of the Underworld, having lost the glory of the Supreme Guardian, have fallen into depravity and heresy. United under a false name, they have organized the rebellious group Wildfire, with the intent to rebel."
"In the name of the Supreme Guardian, I command the commander of the Silvermane Guards, Bronya, to immediately organize an army to go to the Underworld and annihilate the Wildfire rebels!"
As his voice fell, the military camp was plunged into absolute, dead silence, with only the sound of heavy, rapid breathing.
"Mm."
Bronya nodded faintly, a joyful curve on her lips vanishing in an instant, unseen by anyone. Heh, sending me to annihilate Wildfire, of all things.
[Are we entering the final route and starting the final boss?] Little Duckie's voice was filled with eager anticipation. You know, I have to say, playing with Silverwing lately has really felt like playing a real-time strategy game.
[Mhm~]
Her tone was light and cheerful in their mental channel, but when she spoke in reality, her voice was clear and stern, like a master of acting who had changed her face in 0.1 seconds.
"You have all heard the Supreme Guardian's command. What is your answer?"
Bronya still did not take the decree from the personal guard's hands. Instead, she turned and faced the Guards before her, asking in a loud voice.
Her words were like lifting the lid off a pressure cooker, instantly detonating the entire camp. Countless crude but heartfelt curses exploded.
"Screw the—#Belobog curse word#—Supreme Guardian!"
"Ten years! I'm from the Underworld! My wife and children are in the Underworld! I haven't been in contact with them for over a decade! So many people starved to death in the Underworld during the resource shortages, and I don't even know if they're dead or alive now!" The speaking Guard's eyes were bloodshot. "This is all because of that—#Belobog curse word#—of a—#Belobog curse word#! She wants me to turn on my own family and friends? She's daydreaming!"
He was not the only one. Because of the isolation order, countless families had been forcefully separated for over a decade. Those Guards who had been transferred up from the Underworld, when they learned that their hometowns had been completely eroded by the Fragmentum, that their families had suffered and very likely had already died, the grief and indignation in their hearts all exploded!
"We are the Silvermane Guards who protect Belobog! We will never raise our weapons against our own people!"
Even the Guards from the Overworld were just as angry. They had only just learned that the Fragmentum erosion in the Underworld was even more severe than in the Overworld. Their compatriots were struggling to survive in that harsh environment, and now they were being ordered to turn their blades on these sufferers.
"And she has the nerve to call herself the Supreme Guardian? #Belobog curse word#!"
The roars of anger and frustration filled the air. Even Gepard, who had always held the Supreme Guardian in the highest regard, couldn't remain calm at this moment. Forcing the Silvermane Guards to attack their own compatriots, even their wives and families—was the Supreme Guardian not even pretending anymore?
Amidst the roars that shattered the wind and snow, stared at by countless bloodshot eyes, the Praetorian Guard was drenched in sweat, afraid that in the next second, someone blinded by rage would run over and bite him to death.
Bronya did not stop the Guards from venting their emotions. She raised a hand to her chest, which to outsiders looked like she was calming herself. In reality, the bow-tie voice changer disappeared from her hand.
The next second, amidst the uproar in the camp, a particularly clear and passionate shout suddenly rang out: "That Cocolia is incompetent and immoral! She's thrown all of Belobog into chaos! She should have been thrown out long ago! Why don't we just rebel!"
Raven, dressed in a Guard's uniform and holding the bow-tie voice changer, weaved through the ranks of the Guards.
"The position of Supreme Guardian belongs to the capable! What right does that madwoman Cocolia have to be it? We should choose someone more benevolent, who cares more about us, who is more diligent in serving the people, and who has more vision to be the Supreme Guardian!"
After saying this, Raven twisted the bow tie, changing to a middle-aged voice. "I think he's right!"
Adjusting the bow tie again, she switched to a slightly foolish-sounding voice. "I choose Lady Bronya!"
Then switching to a female voice. "She is the one the people want!"
After saying this, the bow-tie voice changer disappeared from Raven's hand, returning to Bronya's chest via the system's equipment space.
There was no need to say any more. By the time Raven had spoken her second sentence, many Guards had already started shouting along.
"Yeah! We have Lady Bronya! Why do we still need that madwoman Cocolia!"
"Yeah! Yeah!" ×n
"Lady Bronya, you should lead us brothers to take up arms and storm Qlipoth Fort right now and seize that bitch Cocolia's bird-throne!"
"Lady Bronya, let's rebel against her!"
Among the Guard units, the few captains who had been the first to pledge allegiance to Bronya exchanged glances, then brought out a silver robe and crown that had been prepared long ago from the logistics guards. Usually, the silver robe and crown were only worn for the Supreme Guardian's succession ceremony.
"It's cold, Lady Bronya. You should put on another layer."
The several Guard captains directly draped the silver robe, bearing the Supreme Guardian's insignia, over Bronya's shoulders. Even Pela helped hold Bronya, preventing her from shrugging it off.
Raven, disguised as a Guard, smiled joyfully. She raised her arms and shouted, "Overthrow Cocolia's tyranny! Swear loyalty to Supreme Guardian Bronya!"
Her voice wasn't particularly loud and should have been drowned out by the roar of the crowd, but it was like a spark landing on a fuse, igniting the Guards' emotional bomb.
"Overthrow Cocolia's tyranny! Swear loyalty to Supreme Guardian Bronya!" ×n
The Guards were in a frenzy, their shouts deafening, shaking the heavens.
"Sigh!"
With Pela and several captains holding the silver robe on her, Bronya let out a long sigh. "You are all trying to force me into an unfilial position!"
"No, Lady Bronya!" Pela held Bronya's hand comfortingly. "Stopping a mother who has gone astray is what a daughter should do."
"...You're right."
Under the watchful eyes of all, Bronya took a deep breath and raised her right fist high.
"In the name of Preservation, all soldiers, hear my command!"
"Ma'am!"
Including Pela and Gepard, all the Silvermane Guards stood up straight in unison.
Rebellion. For the Gepard of the past, these two words would have been absolutely unimaginable. But the Supreme Guardian was born to protect Belobog. Can a Supreme Guardian who has betrayed Belobog and its people still be called the Supreme Guardian? If he rigidly obeyed Cocolia's orders and put Belobog and its people in danger, that would undoubtedly be missing the forest for the trees.
Fulfilling the oath of the Silvermane Guards, remembering the precepts of his ancestors, and practicing the teachings of the Landau family, Gepard would always stand with the people of Belobog.
"As the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia is cruel and incompetent. The city is in a state of chaos, and the people are full of grievances. Her actions have violated the oath of the Supreme Guardian passed down through the generations of Belobog."
"To protect the people in the city, to protect Belobog, to eliminate the Fragmentum and reclaim our homes."
A stern and resolute look flashed in Bronya's eyes.
"Everyone, let's kill the traitor Cocolia!"
She raised the long-handled rifle in her hand high, then swung it down. "Raise the banners—march on the city!"
"YES!!!!!!!!!!"
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