[After Fortification Era 727, June 4th: Bronya Rand, the former heir to the Supreme Guardian who had been missing for an entire year, returned to the Overworld during a massive counterattack by creatures from the Fragmentum.]
[The Wildfire organization she led provided support on the front lines, saving Belobog from the brink of destruction. In an instant, calls for her to assume power echoed throughout the city. As for where the vanished Emperor had gone, no one bothered to ask.]
[Two months later, Bronya restored the 'Supreme Guardian system' that had defined Belobog for centuries and assumed the role of the 21st Supreme Guardian before the Monument in the Everwinter Hill. She vowed to the people: 'Belobog's dawn has arrived! I will lead the way into the unknown future! I will bring light, I will bring prosperity, I will bring everything!']
[However, after her inauguration, Bronya revealed the truth of what had happened on the Everwinter Hill two months prior.]
[She told everyone that it was the Emperor who had transformed his own body into a barrier protecting Belobog, containing the eruption of the Stellaron and saving the city from destruction.]
[Though most of the public remained skeptical of this claim, they fell silent upon seeing the towering golden barrier atop the Everwinter Hill.]
[That same month, the lockdown on the Underworld was lifted, geomarrow mining efficiency improved dramatically, and Belobog entered an era of unprecedented development.]
[Two months later, Bai Heng, the Emperor who had once brought harm to Belobog but ultimately transformed himself into a barrier to protect it in its darkest hour, was posthumously recognized by the acting Supreme Guardian, Bronya Rand, as the 20th Supreme Guardian.]
[Five months later, to commemorate Belobog's long history of struggle, the Belobog History and Culture Museum was renovated. On the exhibit tag for the 20th Supreme Guardian, Bai Heng, the following was recorded:]
He rebelled three times: once for the people, once for Belobog's dawn, and once to protect someone dear to his heart.
Undoubtedly, his transformation of Belobog into an Empire brought suffering to the city. Yet it cannot be denied that during his reign, the deep-rooted flaws of Belobog were thoroughly eradicated, paving the way for greater possibilities in the city's future.
During the Stellaron eruption, he summoned the light of Preservation, transforming himself into a golden barrier to shield Belobog from disaster — The 'Traitor,' Bai Heng.
Reading the description on the exhibit tag and glancing at the familiar face in the portrait, Bronya, dressed in the full regalia of the Supreme Guardian, allowed a faint smile to touch her lips.
'If you saw me doing this, you'd probably scold me again.'
'But just as you said.'
'The hand I need to hold is no longer yours.'
'So, Teacher Bai Heng, I won't just blindly follow your teachings anymore.'
'I will shape Belobog into the city I envision, according to my own will.'
'This is my little act of rebellion against you.'
Her soliloquy complete, the young woman walked out of the History and Culture Museum with resolute steps.
Bathed in the sunlight, a tarnished Silvermane Guard badge gleamed brightly on her chest.
It was the symbol of life — entrusted to her by that man long ago.
--+--
[Simulation Complete]
[Bronya's Affinity towards you has increased. Current Affinity: 100]
[Your Affinity towards Bronya: 80/80]
[Triggering a Vow of Connection will yield additional rewards.]
[Achievement Unlocked: Master of the Empire (You held the entire Empire in your grasp. Your words were the symbol of authority, your blade the will of the Empire.) Reward Points: 1000]
[Achievement Unlocked: The Gaze of the Amber Lord (In this simulation, you embodied the will of Preservation. Your flawless light of Protection even drew the gaze of that golden giant.) Reward Points: 1000]
[Achievement Unlocked: Teaching and Nurturing (You were a qualified instructor. Your teaching methods were unique and left a profound impact. However, for safety reasons, a career change is advised.) Reward Points: 1000]
[Simulation Rating: A+ Reward Simulation Points: 3000]
[For completing 'Walking Together Through the Snowstorm,' reward points for this simulation are doubled.]
[Current total Simulation Points: 12000]
[Reward obtained from this simulation: The Gaze of the Amber Lord (⭐⭐⭐⭐)]
--+--
Looking at the rewards from the simulation system, Bai Heng let out a helpless sigh.
He wasn't entirely satisfied with how this simulation had gone.
A standard run should have unfolded like this: he'd have built a strong bond with the young Bronya at the orphanage, witnessed her growth every step of the way, helped her overcome various challenges, cared for her, loved her, and finally had Cocolia dismember him and toss the pieces right in front of her.
Well... though that was a bit twisted, the rating and rewards would probably have been much higher, right?
There was also another point that bothered him.
Because he'd played a sort of anti-hero role in this simulation, Bronya's Affinity towards him had once dropped to 50. Even though it had maxed out again in the end, the simulation was already nearing its conclusion, making it difficult to trigger the so-called Vow of Connection. Because of that, he'd missed out on getting that 'marriage certificate' with Bronya.
As a completionist, Bai Heng felt a slight pang of regret over this.
But still...
Seeing the Vow of Connection prompt that had only just now popped up in the system notification bar, Bai Heng frowned.
The simulation was already over. Why was the system notifying him now? Did it have some special meaning?
Could it be that there was a chance for a 'Yang Lie-down-get-up-again' situation in this simulation? (T/N: 'Yang Lie-down-get-up-again' is a fandom meme about Welt Yang's repeated 'deaths' and returns.)
After a moment's thought, Bai Heng decided it seemed pretty unrealistic.
In this simulation, he'd been blown to bits by the Stellaron. Without that trick of Welt's, the Herrscher of Reason's ability to preserve consciousness, he should be thoroughly, completely dead.
Pushing the question aside, Bai Heng stretched lazily, not bothering to dwell on it further.
He saw things clearly.
As the saying goes, no matter how powerful you are in a simulation, it's all fake.
Bai Heng strongly agreed with that.
In the simulation, he was an Emperor who'd raised rebellion thrice, a man whose power shadowed the heavens.
But in reality, he was just a Xianzhou native, gradually growing stronger, getting by selling Great Snow King Tea beverages.
Rather than worrying about that, he'd be better off thinking about how to market the Fu Xuan White-Sock-Flavored collaboration beverage... cough... I mean, the Lady Fu Xuan Collaboration White Chocolate Milk Pudding beverage!
--+--
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.