[The maiden bathed in moonlight reaches out to you in the darkness, inviting you to save this land once more. But this time, she will walk alongside you! Faced with this, your choice is—]
--+--
[A: If it will save this land, then I must!]
While it's unclear why the heir of the Supreme Guardian would extend a helping hand to you, there's no doubt this is a perfect chance to escape this prison. Selecting this option will trigger 'Walking Together Through the Snowstorm.'
[B: Reject her proposal.]
This seems like a tremendous opportunity. You'll pretend to agree, then seize the moment to ambush her when she opens the cell, taking Bronya Rand hostage. In your next negotiation with Cocolia, this hostage might prove quite useful.
[C: Ignore her proposal.]
In your eyes, Bronya is far too inexperienced and offers no value as an ally. Even if you joined forces, she would likely restrict your actions in the future.
--+--
Glancing at the options provided by the system, Bai Heng frowned and without hesitation selected choice A.
This round of choices was clearly a single-select question.
Option B might seem appealing, but it carried significant hidden risks.
Putting aside how to successfully escape after ambushing Bronya, Bai Heng found the idea of using her as a bargaining chip in negotiations rather unreliable.
He truly didn't believe someone as ruthless as Cocolia would let emotions influence her decisions on matters of greater importance.
Option C was even more infuriating. Trapped in a prison cell, instead of figuring out how to escape, one would rather put on airs? With that mindset, how could they possibly hope to save Belobog? They might as well let their ideals drown them!
So, only A was the correct choice.
"If Belobog still needs me."
Without any hesitation, Bai Heng grasped the hand extended toward him.
In the darkness, his eyes burned with determination, much like when he confronted Cocolia in front of the Qlipoth Fort four years ago, the fire of conviction blazing fiercely within him.
Seeing him like this, Bronya felt a sense of relief.
She knew that four years in prison had not extinguished the ideals in this man's heart.
"Of course!"
The girl nodded in response, offering a bright smile.
--+--
Watching this incredibly warm scene unfold, the live chat was equally cheerful.
--+--
Stelle: 「Congratulations to the gentleman and lady on successfully holding hands! Clap clap clap~」
Lumine: 「The two joining hands to save the world? See! This is a story of love and hope~ So good! Love it!」
Elysia: 「But I feel... the elements are becoming more and more fitting....」
Pela: 「Still... I'm quite surprised to see Lady Bronya here, collaborating with Mr. Bai Heng, who is considered a 'rebel.' After all, the Bronya I know follows the Supreme Guardian's orders without question.」
Stelle: 「Bronya Rand: Huh? What did you say about my mom?」
March 7th: 「What kind of nonsense have you been watching all day? Hey!」
Himeko: 「It's not really that strange. It's just that the seed Mr. Bai Heng planted in the girl's heart four years ago has now taken root and sprouted.」
Fu Xuan: 「Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise. This can indeed be considered good fortune.」
--+--
While everyone was discussing, the simulation on Bai Heng's side continued uninterrupted.
[Temporary Trait 'Walking Together Through the Snowstorm' has been unlocked.]
[Walking Together Through the Snowstorm: How heavy is the task of saving this desolate land? You will step into the snowstorm alongside this maiden, walking together all the way!]
[When the crisis in Belobog is successfully resolved, the simulation point rewards for this run will be doubled.]
Seeing the system notification, Bai Heng's eyes immediately lit up.
He hadn't expected to trigger such a quest. Double simulation points meant all point rewards earned in this simulation would be doubled!
In that case...
Sorry, Bronya.
This next strike is going to hurt.
--+--
[Due to shared beliefs, you and Bronya have formed a partnership. To avoid exposing your identity as a 'rebel,' you conceal yourself behind an iron mask, becoming one of Bronya's personal guards.]
[Over the next few days of interaction, you learn why this maiden chose to rescue you.]
[On that night four years ago, during the turmoil you incited, your relentless questioning shattered the perfect image of Cocolia in the girl's heart. Bronya realized her mother had flaws, and as she grew older and gained more understanding, the seed you planted in her heart began to sprout.]
[She eventually determined who was right and who was wrong between you and Cocolia that night.]
[This is precisely why Bronya wants to change Belobog's current situation. She thought of you—the person who, four years ago, once shook the century-old unchanging structure of Belobog.]
[This is the reason Bronya sought you out.]
[With your doubts resolved, you fully trust each other.]
[During an exchange of information, you accidentally trigger the secret bookshelf in Bronya's room, revealing a small secret of the maiden.]
"This is...."
Staring at the sheer number of books enough to fill an entire wall, Bai Heng was momentarily stunned.
It wasn't the quantity that surprised him, but rather because these books...
He knew them all too well!
That's right—each and every one of these was an article he had fervently written four years ago, pouring out his worries for Belobog's fate.
Now, for some reason, they had been collected, bound together, and placed on this secret bookshelf.
Turning to look at Bronya, Bai Heng saw a hint of embarrassment on the girl's face. She avoided his gaze, unwilling to meet the eyes behind his iron mask.
--+--
March 7th: 「What's going on? Why has the atmosphere suddenly become so… subtle?」
Stelle: 「I smell the sour stench of romance!」
Elysia: 「My, my, isn't the progress between these two a bit too fast? A few days together have already surpassed the progress Firefly made in a whole month~」
Silver Wolf: 「@Firefly, care to refute?」
Firefly: 「Currently in Do Not Disturb mode. Please contact me later for any matters.」
Lumine: 「There's such a function?」
Kiana: 「Wait, they're just books. Why are you all reading so much into this?」
Bronya Zaychik: 「Silly Kiana, if you like someone, you'll unconsciously collect things related to them.」
Keqing: 「Judging by the number of books here... I almost suspect Miss Bronya Rand's affection for Mr. Bai Heng has already surpassed 90.」
--+--
Amid the chatter, Bronya in the scene took a deep breath, as if finally making up her mind.
She looked directly at Bai Heng and spoke with utmost seriousness:
"Actually, all along, I've really..."
As she reached the difficult part, a blush crept onto the girl's cheeks.
"Really... really liked... Mr. Bai Heng's..."
"Books!"
To the bewilderment of everyone in the live chat, as if in resigned frustration, the Rand Duck shouted those words.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.