"Next, what I can do for you is deal with Jarilo-VI's harsh climate."
"Is… something like that even possible?"
Even Natasha, usually cold and reserved, couldn't hide her surprise.
"It's not particularly difficult."
"Everything in the universe belongs to me!"
Once again—
Bankai.
Draped in golden imperial robes, Nanashi soared into the sky.
His starry eyes gazed down upon the frozen land.
"I command the cold wave to dissipate!"
His voice was cold and resolute.
And the heavens—
Responded.
Nature itself bowed before his command.
The power of the world gathered, setting in motion the retreat of the cold wave.
"It's getting warmer!"
March 7th shivered—not from the cold, but from excitement.
She could feel it. The biting chill in the air was fading.
Just hours ago, even the Trailblazers' pioneering power couldn't fully shield them from the frost.
Now, warmth spread through her body, as if bathed in sunlight.
But controlling the retreat of a cold wave wasn't a simple task.
Adjusting the weather, shifting temperatures, melting ice and snow—
And most importantly, managing the water left behind.
A process like this couldn't happen instantly.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Nanashi finally released his Bankai, descending back to the ground.
By then, much of the ice and snow in Eternal Winter Ridge had melted.
The area closest to the Star Core's core was still struggling, the damage too severe for immediate restoration.
But the rest of Jarilo-VI?
At least 70% of its frozen terrain had thawed.
Life could now flourish.
"Thank you! Mr. Nanashi, thank you for everything you've done for Jarilo-VI."
Bronya's gratitude was more than just her own—it carried the weight of an entire world.
Gepard and his team quickly returned to Belobog. Natasha and the others headed back to the Underworld.
With such an overwhelming change, someone had to ensure order in both districts.
The only ones left at the scene were Nanashi, Cocolia, Silver Wolf, March 7th and her team, Emilia, Bronya, and Seele.
"Phew… small matter."
Nanashi let out a deep breath.
This time, changing the world had actually drained him a little.
It had taken far more energy than planting a Thought Stamp in Esdeath's world.
But the reward…
Was worth it.
[Ding! The impact of the cold wave has been significantly reduced. The doomsday scenario has ended!]
[Nanashi has received an additional 500,000 Doomsday Points!]
500,000 for mitigating the cold wave.
1,000,000 for destroying the Star Core.
Another 500,000 for stopping the impending catastrophe.
A total of 2,000,000 Doomsday Points!
"Now that everything is settled… it's time for us to leave."
"Please wait!"
Bronya stepped forward.
"Tomorrow, I will officially take up my role as the new Supreme Guardian. I want you, Mother, and the Trailblazers to witness my resolve. Will you stay for one more day?"
March 7th immediately raised her hand.
"No complaints from us!"
Nanashi turned to Silver Wolf and Emilia.
Silver Wolf casually blew a bubblegum bubble, popping it with a smirk.
"No missions right now. Might as well treat it as a vacation."
Emilia hesitated, lightly poking her fingers together. Her violet eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"I… I want to see what a leader is supposed to do. I may be one of the candidates for the throne, but… I still don't know what it means to be a ruler."
She clenched her fists.
"So I want to learn from Bronya!"
"It's my first time, too." Bronya smiled wryly before glancing at Cocolia. "Mother is far more experienced than me…"
"Bronya."
Cocolia's voice was firm, almost stern—
It reminded Bronya of the way she used to teach her.
"As Supreme Guardian, you must stand firm in your decisions."
Bronya took a deep breath.
"Yes!"
Since neither Silver Wolf nor Emilia had any objections—
Neither did Nanashi.
"Alright then. We stay one more day."
Several of them were staying at the Goethe Hotel.
Due to Cocolia's unique status, Nanashi asked her to change into something less conspicuous.
Her outfit was elegant—perhaps too elegant. Too revealing.
That night, she stayed with Bronya, seemingly imparting her final lessons.
The Next Day
Bronya had become the Supreme Guardian.
She knew she owed the people of Belobog an explanation—even if, for now, it had to be a carefully constructed lie.
The speech was set to take place before the Eternal Winter Monument.
"It's so lively!"
Emilia's violet eyes sparkled as she took in the massive crowd gathering in the square.
Not only had the citizens of the Overworld assembled, but people from the Underworld had also come.
Bronya had lifted the blockade separating the two regions.
A voice rang out over the square, amplified by loudspeakers:
"Lady Bronya Rand's speech is about to begin. Citizens, please remain quiet and help maintain order."
The once-buzzing crowd fell silent.
Under the protection of the Silvermane Guards, Bronya stepped onto the podium.
Standing tall before the Monument of Eternal Winter, she took a slow, deep breath.
She steadied herself.
And then, she spoke—
Not from duty, but from the heart.
"Citizens of Belobog, hear me."
The crowd listened intently.
"We stand together today to mark the beginning of a new era."
"Because a Supreme Guardian made the ultimate sacrifice to rid our city of the evil that plagued us for 700 years."
"Cocolia Rand's sacrifice has turned a new page in our history."
Her voice remained steady.
"The snow beyond our walls will gradually retreat. The Rift's expansion in the far north will be held back by the Iron Guard's relentless advance. I witnessed, with my own eyes, the battle between our former Supreme Guardian and an indescribable force."
She paused for a brief moment.
Then, she spoke clearly, allowing her words to resonate:
"At the end of her life, she confessed her deepest regret."
The people of Belobog held their breath.
Bronya raised her chin and declared:
"That regret was the lockdown order—an isolation that divided the Overworld and the Underworld for over a decade."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"As time passed, she came to understand the weight of her decision. She felt guilt, but by then, it was too late to turn back."
"And so, before she passed, she made one final request: that when the influence of the Star Core was gone, Belobog be made whole once more. That the people of the Overworld and the Underworld should stand together to welcome the dawn."
It was a lie.
But Bronya had no choice.
Belobog needed hope.
Jarilo-VI needed hope.
Lifting her gaze, she turned to face the people of the Underworld.
"To those in the Underworld—I cannot ask for your forgiveness."
Her voice softened, but it did not waver.
"Because I, too, have lived through those painful years. I know the scars they have left behind."
"But I ask for your cooperation."
She stepped forward.
"Because we all understand this truth: without your perseverance, without your labor and sacrifice, there is no revival of Belobog. There is no future for civilization itself."
A hush fell over the crowd.
The people of the Underworld looked shaken.
They could feel it.
Bronya's sincerity.
Among them, Natasha, Seele, and the others exchanged glances.
They smiled—relieved.
This was the message the people of the Underworld had been waiting for.
Having addressed Cocolia's sacrifice and the lifting of the lockdown—
Bronya now turned her attention to Nanashi, the Trailblazers, and their allies.
"There is something else I must say."
She gestured toward them.
"I wish to express my gratitude to our guests in Belobog."
Her voice carried across the square.
"Most of you may not know who they are."
"But it was their arrival that brought hope to our dying world."
"It was their arrival that made me realize—while we devote ourselves to protecting the land beneath our feet, we must never forget to look toward the stars."
She clenched her fist over her chest.
"I firmly believe this."
"That through our combined efforts, our world—known to the Trailblazers as Jarilo-VI—will one day return to the embrace of the cosmos."
"But before that day comes, I ask you all to allow me to lead you forward for just a little while longer."
Her voice rose, clear and unwavering.
"I, Bronya Rand, 19th Supreme Guardian of Belobog—
—swear this oath!"
A moment of stunned silence.
Then—
A thunderous cheer erupted across the square!
"Lady Bronya! Lady Bronya! Stand firm!!!"
Nanashi glanced at Cocolia, who wore a faint, contented smile.
"How do you feel? Relieved?"
Cocolia's gaze remained fixed on Bronya, who stood radiantly on the podium. Unable to suppress her pride, she smiled warmly.
"Bronya has truly grown. I'm so proud of her."
Nanashi chuckled in agreement. "Haha, she'll make an excellent guardian."
"Then, it's time for us to go."
With that, Nanashi and his group quietly slipped away, unnoticed by the crowd.
Stellaron Hunters Base
"You're back?"
A voice, smooth as silk, carried warmth to the heart. Kafka greeted her with a charming smile.
Her gaze shifted toward Silver Wolf, who had just appeared beside her.
Silver Wolf remained silent for a moment, scanning herself as if confirming that she was unharmed.
Then, with a glimmer in her eyes, she smirked.
"I'm back. That was an incredible game."
Roswaal Manor
"Emilia-sama, what's on your mind?"
Rem, the short-haired maid, noticed Emilia lost in thought and asked with concern.
Emilia blinked, snapping back to reality. She smiled softly.
"Oh, nothing… I was just thinking about something happy."
Main World
As Nanashi took Cocolia's hand, her vision blurred for a brief moment.
Then, stability returned.
What lay before her was a room—one completely different from Belobog's signature architecture.
The decor was unfamiliar, and around her stood several women, all dressed in the same peculiar style as Nanashi.
Time, for a moment, had stood still.
Then, it began to flow again.
Cocolia had appeared out of nowhere.
Kanae remained calm.
For her, time had never stopped.
Back on Jarilo-VI, she had existed within Nanashi's spiritual space.
The others, however, were on high alert.
But as soon as they saw Cocolia's hand in Nanashi's, they understood.
Eriri, her small canine tooth biting into her lip, pouted—half indignant, half intrigued.
"How did you do that? You just snapped and brought back a woman!"
Even Yukino was taken aback.
Though she had seen Nanashi travel between worlds before, that had been different.
It had not been a doomsday escape.
And time had never stood still.
For a beautiful, mature woman to appear out of thin air—it was enough to leave anyone bewildered.
Nanashi, unfazed, introduced her.
"This is Cocolia Rand. You can just call her Cocolia."
Cocolia, ever poised, gracefully offered a formal greeting.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am here at my master's side."
The moment she spoke, the atmosphere shifted.
It became clear—Cocolia was no ordinary woman in her original world.
Still, everyone followed suit, exchanging introductions, including Yukino.
For now, they could set aside familiarity.
The more pressing concern was arranging accommodations.
Nanashi stroked his chin in thought.
There was an empty apartment in the building.
But it had three bedrooms—far too much space for just one person.
As he pondered, he realized he still had two unoccupied rooms.
"Why don't you take one of my spare rooms for now? When we move into a bigger place, I'll make sure you have a room of your own."
The others easily agreed to his suggestion.
Except for Eriri, who crossed her arms and pouted.
"Hmph! I want to live with you too, Nanashi!"
Nanashi flicked her nose playfully, his tone exasperated.
"And what about Sayuri? Who's going to keep her company if you stay with me?"
Eriri huffed, placing her hands on her hips.
"Duh! Of course, mom will come with me!"
"…"
Nanashi was momentarily speechless.
Eriri had gotten bolder.
Across the room, Nezuko stole a quiet glance at Kie.
Kie, catching the look, gave her a reassuring smile.
Nezuko let out a soft "Hmm!" and quickly lowered her head, cheeks flushed.
Kie sighed lightly.
She understood.
Nezuko's shy personality made things… difficult.
Personally, Kie wanted to fulfill Nanashi's wishes. That was what a good wife should do—at least, in her own view.
But Nezuko…
She would need time.
For now, all Kie could do was slowly ease her into the idea.
Meanwhile, Eriri—ever the bold one—leaned in, her bright blue eyes glinting with mischief.
Her words, her teasing gaze—Nanashi nearly caved.
But in the end, he resisted.
For now, he wanted to keep his personal space intact.
And besides—he didn't want to take up all of Sayuri's time.
If this went on every single day…
When would she even have time to tend to the fields?