[The fragile girl's tears ceased within the shelter of his broad embrace. From that moment, beneath the stormy skies, they vowed to carry the flame of rebellion to the very ends of this planet!]
--+--
[Bronya Land's affinity with Bai Heng has increased by 10 points. Current affinity level: 75]
--+--
As the system's notification appeared, the livestream's picture froze on this very scene.
The two stood facing each other in the dark night. Though a blizzard raged around them, the blazing conviction kindled in their hearts never wavered—not even for a moment. This fervor seemed to transcend the screen, reaching straight into the hearts of every viewer in the live stream.
--+--
Stelle: 「I'm so freaking pumped now!」
Elysia: 「My, my~ Affinity's already reached 75? It seems no matter which world he's in, Mr. Bai Heng is quite popular with the ladies~」
Yae Miko: 「What a sinful man~」
Stelle: 「Come on! A guy with 16-pack abs and an unshakable will? How could anyone not fall for that!」
March 7th: 「Pretty sure you only care about the first part!」
Sparkle: 「I'm more curious about how that little Firefly will react when she sees this.」
Silver Wolf: 「Firefly: "I will—set the seas ablaze!" That's probably what she'd say, right?」
--+--
[You've persuaded Bronya to initiate a coup. Perhaps, deep down, she still harbored a flicker of doubt. But thinking of Belobog's shattered state, she agreed in the end.]
--+--
[Bronya's affinity with you +10. Current affinity level: 75]
[75: Comrades in a dying world. In this broken land, you've resolved to raise the banner of rebellion and walk the path of salvation together.]
--+--
[A coup is far different from a protest. There are countless preparations to be made—uniting the military, winning public support, gradually eroding Cocolia's control over the army, securing the geolithium resources. To start, you decide to focus on the most fundamental task: rallying the troops.]
[Just then, frontline guard captain Gepard Landau returns home gravely wounded after a battle against the Fragmentum creatures to recuperate. Seizing this opportunity, Bronya applies to take command at the front. As her personal guard, you naturally accompany her.]
[The arrival of the next-in-line Supreme Guardian boosts the morale of the Silvermane Guards at the front. Here, your leadership skills shine brighter than ever.]
[With precise commands, you repel wave after wave of Fragmentum creatures, even organizing a counteroffensive that pushes all the way to the city's outskirts. This marks Belobog's first major victory against the Fragmentum in history!]
[With your aid, Bronya's prestige within the military grows significantly. Your efforts have begun to bear fruit.]
[Unbeknownst to you, the principle that extreme pressure begets rebellion applies not only to people but to the Fragmentum as well. prolonged resistance has provoked its wrath. On that stormy night, lost particles of light twisted into form, merging with grains of memory to take shape as terrifying phantoms.]
[They have come.]
"Teacher..." Bronya called out softly, her brow furrowed as she tightened her grip on the rifle. A foul odor hung in the air—that unique, nauseating blend of blood and rust that clung to the Fragmentum creatures. Once smelled, its lung-piercing vileness was unforgettable.
"Mmm... Fragmentum creatures." Bai Heng's gaze was fixed intently in one direction, his expression grave.
Stepping out of the camping tent, he grew even more solemn as he saw the approaching threat.
At the edge of the snowy outskirts, a torrent of monsters—manifestations of the Fragmentum—surged toward the camp like a ruptured dam. Their overwhelming numbers seemed ready to devour everything in Belobog.
The terrifying scene struck fear into the hearts of every Silvermane Guard.
Even after years stationed at the front, this was the first time they had witnessed something so horrifying.
Despair permeated every inch of the camp. Some guards wore dazed expressions, some wept openly, while others discarded their armor and fled.
It wasn't that they lacked courage.
Having long guarded the front lines, these soldiers knew better than anyone the horror of the Fragmentum creatures and the vast gap between ordinary humans like themselves and those monsters.
Faced with a flood of such creatures—ones they usually only overcame with elaborate tactics and defensive structures—they saw no hope of victory.
Taking it all in, Bronya pressed her lips together tightly.
She knew, as the next Supreme Guardian, she ought to say or do something in this moment.
But her mind was in turmoil, and she struggled to find the right course of action.
Even outside the live stream, those watching wore solemn expressions.
Though most of them possessed extraordinary powers, the earlier footage had given them some understanding of this planet.
Belobog—the last bastion in this frozen wasteland—was defended only by ordinary humans.
Forget powerful Emanators; even those who had embarked on a Path were few and far between.
A heavy silence fell over the live stream. For a time, no one knew what to say to break it.
But then...
Crunch.
A pair of military boots crushed a brittle branch in the snow. While Bronya remained lost in uncertainty, Bai Heng stepped forward.
"Bronya, if we request reinforcements from Belobog now, how long until they arrive?"
His firm voice pulled the bewildered girl from her thoughts. She looked up, her eyes tracing the lines of his steadfast figure.
Realizing what he meant, she replied with a complicated expression, "At least three days... And Mother... she wouldn't agree to it."
"Three days... that's dreadfully long." Bai Heng didn't turn, his gaze still fixed on the terrifying horde at the horizon. He murmured, almost as if speaking to himself, sounding less than confident.
But then, his tone shifted abruptly.
"But... let's give it a shot anyway~"
His casual, almost offhand words carried an unexpected firmness.
Bronya stared at him in stunned silence, her delicate features etched with disbelief.
"Teacher Bai Heng... it's impossible. Even for you—"
"Oh? Are you underestimating me? I don't recall ever showing you my true capabilities." He turned and flashed her a bright, reassuring grin.
"Don't worry. I value my life far too much."
"I have no intention of dying before I see Belobog embrace the light. So, Bronya..." His dark eyes met her silver-gray ones, his expression turning serious. "I promise you: I won't fall until you return."
"But in return, you must promise me this: No matter how foolishly your mother acts, no matter how obsessed with destruction she becomes, you will make her see reason—or shove your rifle right up her nose. Then, bring back reinforcements."
"I'm counting on you. I'm entrusting my life to you."
--+--
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.