That was a voice Bronya knew all too well.
On that snow-swept night, this voice had joined hers in swearing an oath.
To ignite the flames of rebellion until they reached the very ends of this planet.
On that life-and-death frontline, this voice, filled with resolve, had entrusted its very life to her.
But.
Bronya knew it was all an illusion. Every bit of it was fabricated and manipulated by that man, nothing more than a fake construct! Even the beautiful memories he'd left her with were the same!
His true goal was to seize control of Belobog, to turn this city of wind and snow into a symbol of his own power!
Even now, a year later, Bronya could still vividly recall the words that man had spoken to her in front of the Qlipoth Fort!
And she remembered even more clearly the bone-chilling cold she felt from the smile on his face as he stood before the Everwinter Monument and told her to celebrate the birth of his empire.
But why…?
Why would you, the one who did all this…
Be here now?!
Staring blankly at the figure emerging from the snowstorm, shock and disbelief washed over Bronya's face.
But Bai Heng paid no mind to any of it. He simply smiled faintly and offered a simple greeting, saying:
"Long time no see, Bronya."
His tone was as gentle as it had been a year ago, but his smile was etched with deep exhaustion. He gave off the feeling of someone who'd been trekking through an endless desert for a full year—his body withered from malnutrition, his eyes sunken from the relentless sun, even his pupils grown cloudy and dull.
That was the impression Bai Heng gave Bronya now.
But it made no sense.
He was the emperor of Belobog's First Empire, the sole ruler. The entire city moved or stilled at his command. So what could possibly exhaust him? Who could have reduced him to this state?
Bronya found no answers. From the moment the man appeared, questions swirled in her mind, each one a tangled knot with no clear logic to unravel.
"Are you just going to sit there? The Stellaron won't give you another chance."
His chiding tone was like a teacher lecturing a student, snapping Bronya out of her daze.
She rose to her feet, her eyes regaining their earlier sharpness, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Bai Heng, her rifle aimed at the steel giant not far away.
"I don't know why you're here, but since you've shown up, it means the Stellaron is your enemy too. Am I right?"
"Heh, a year apart, and you've become quite the talker," Bai Heng replied with a light laugh.
"I have you to thank for that," Bronya shot back without mercy.
"What an honor."
"Enough chatter. What's your answer to my question?"
"Since the Wildfire from the Underworld aided the Silvermane Guards on the front lines, it's only fitting that I, the emperor of this empire, return the favor by helping the leader of Wildfire. Consider it repaying a debt. Just try not to hold me back, Bronya."
As he spoke, Bai Heng took a step forward, his hand outstretched. The fiery lance of 'Preservation' seemed to respond to his call, flying back into his grasp, where he gripped it tightly.
"That's my line! With only one arm, do you really think you can still handle that lance?!"
A verdant wind swirled around the young woman, mingled with the light of Preservation. Bronya stepped forward as well, standing once again side-by-side with Bai Heng.
After a year apart, the former companions—though their roles had shifted from teacher and student to emperor and leader of Wildfire—were finally fighting shoulder-to-shoulder once more!
The sight moved some viewers in the livestream to tears.
Over the past year, they had witnessed their falling out, seen Bai Heng shoulder all the blame alone, and watched as Bronya cast aside her past weakness and grew stronger bit by bit in the underworld.
Those days had been nothing short of agonizing to watch.
But now, a year later, faced with a common enemy, they finally saw the two standing together again in battle.
Yet there was a slight difference this time: the young woman was no longer the girl who needed the man's protection. After a year of growth, she could now keep pace with him!
--+--
Lumine: 「Stellaron! The real MVP here!」
Kiana: 「Sob This is so touching! They're back! Everyone's back!」
Stelle: 「Doubt the Stellaron, understand the Stellaron, surpass the Stellaron, become the Stellaron!」
March 7th: 「Hey, gotta say, you actually did it~」
Elysia: 「Even though they're bickering because Bronya hasn't fully resolved her feelings, there's still something kinda sweet about their banter!」
Paimon: 「Hehe, gives off that old married couple squabbling vibe.」
--+--
The long-suppressed tension finally released, everyone in the livestream felt exhilarated.
And on screen, the battle had already begun!
A dark golden amber coalesced around Bai Heng's empty right sleeve, forming into a solid arm. He flexed the fist experimentally, then switched the fiery lance to his right hand.
The next moment.
His figure shot forward like a lance breaking through enemy lines!
As if sensing the impending threat, the golden core atop the Engine of Creation flared with a blinding light. Countless phantom images materialized in front of Bai Heng, solidifying into barriers to block his path.
But before they could react, wind-guided bullets pierced through them, one after another.
Behind Bai Heng, the young woman pulling the trigger was clearing every obstacle from his path!
Seele, Natasha, and Svarog weren't idle either.
Though the emperor of the empire was their enemy, Bronya, as the leader of Wildfire, had made her decision. Until the Stellaron was defeated, they were allies on the same front.
Seele tapped lightly mid-air, vanishing into a streak of light before reappearing beside Bai Heng like a butterfly.
With a slight nod, the butterfly conveyed her message. Then, she gripped Bai Heng's wrist and hurled him forcefully toward the head of the Engine of Creation.
Facing the incoming threat, the mountainous steel giant raised its iron fist high and brought it crashing down with overwhelming force.
But before the blow could land, Svarog, the ancient weapon, unleashed a full volley of missiles from its back, striking the joints of the massive arm with pinpoint accuracy and robbing it of momentum!
Natasha's weapon clicked as she switched to grenade mode. A grenade exploded precisely above the Engine of Creation's head, the scattered dust not only obscuring its vision but also providing perfect cover for Bai Heng.
The next moment—!
Thud!
A dark golden figure burst through the smoke, the Preservation light glowing from the fiery lance in his hand blazing at its brightest.
"Let end the strife that's lasted over 700 years, Stellaron!"
As his voice rang out, a dazzling light erupted above the Engine of Creation's head!
--+--
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.