"So, in all these days, you haven't managed to lure a single person successfully."
"There was one, actually. But I chased those outsiders down to the lower city."
Hearing that, Cocolia couldn't help feeling a little awkward.
"Will that affect our plans?"
"Not really, I was just asking casually," Clara shook her head. "It's just... when you start thinking of your former comrades, your own children, as enemies, it leaves a bit of a bitter taste, doesn't it?"
"I see…" As Clara spoke, Cocolia pictured Bronya, Gepard, and the others stubbornly clinging to their so-called 'Preservation' and turning against her. The thought did leave a sour feeling in her heart.
And then, she would have to confront them, to show them that only the new world held a beautiful future...
But judging by Bronya and Gepard's personalities, they'd most likely refuse...
If they refused, she'd have no choice but to force them...
Thinking this far, Cocolia's face couldn't help but look weary.
Now free from the Stellaron's corrosion of her mind, Cocolia's mental state had returned to its former self. Remembering all her past experiences with Bronya, Gepard, and all the Architects of Belobog filled her with a sense of reluctance.
Clara: ...
Seriously, are you actually considering switching sides?
Taking in Cocolia's expression, Clara's mouth twitched slightly.
Ah, well. It doesn't matter anyway. With a fake Stellaron, Cocolia probably couldn't pose much of a threat to the Astral Express.
Welt will probably handle her solo...
So, her betraying us doesn't matter. It's just... a tiny bit annoying, is all.
Even though Clara felt a bit annoyed with Cocolia internally, she didn't let it show on her face at all. After all, the act still had to be convincing.
She glanced at Cocolia and spoke slowly:
"We are people meant for grand deeds. How can we be shackled by mere sentimentality?"
"What hero isn't lonely?"
"What hero doesn't bear the weight of everything?"
"So, there's no need for sorrow."
"From the moment we set foot on this path, we were destined to stand against the world."
Clara's face was filled with resolve, as if she was fully prepared to face the world as an enemy.
Hearing Clara's words, Cocolia was momentarily stunned, then nodded with great seriousness.
"You're right. Heroes are always alone."
"So, I am prepared!"
"Good." Seeing Cocolia's solemn expression, Clara nodded with a smile.
Even though she knew Cocolia would inevitably betray them, Cocolia's current attitude was still quite satisfying.
Apart from the whole 'will betray us' thing, she doesn't have any other flaws... sigh.
Firefly~ Firefly~ My dear Firefly is so much better, hehe.
Hmm... but what if Firefly betrayed me too?
Hmm...
Clara thought for a moment, then arrived at a very satisfactory conclusion:
Then I'd just catch her, bring her back, and lock her in a little dark room. That way she couldn't betray me, hehe.
...
On a certain planet brimming with a cyberpunk-Japanese aesthetic.
Our great leader, Sparkle, was humming a tune, skipping down the street, looking here and there, seemingly out for a stroll or perhaps searching for some fun.
Suddenly, Sparkle seemed to spot something. Her eyes gleamed mischievously, and a smile spread across her face as she hopped over.
"Hey boss, are your fortune-tellings accurate?"
"What if they're not?"
It turned out Sparkle had seen a fortune-telling stall. A playful urge stirred in her heart, and she decided to go pick a fight.
"Heh, you're asking the wrong question," chuckled a figure completely shrouded in a black robe behind the stall. "You should ask if my fortune-telling skills have ever been wrong."
"Oh? That confident? So, have you ever gotten anyone's fortune wrong?" Sparkle put on an exaggerated look of surprise at the robed figure's words.
"Heh, in my hundred years of fortune-telling, I have never once been mistaken," the robed figure chuckled, then asked Sparkle: "Well then, young lady, would you like to give it a try? To see if my readings are truly accurate."
"What a coincidence, I just so happen not to believe in all that mumbo jumbo," Sparkle smiled faintly. She couldn't sense any Path-related power emanating from this robed person before her.
Probably just another charlatan. Time for the great Sparkle to give you a proper 'lesson'~~~
"How about you tell my fortune, boss~"
"Heh, belief gives it power, disbelief renders it void," the robed figure didn't mind Sparkle's impudence, merely sighing before asking again: "So, young lady, what would you like me to divine?"
"What do you think I should have divined, boss?" Sparkle observed the robe the figure wore, seemingly contemplating just yanking it off.
"Young lady, I observe a darkness over your brow. This is an ill omen, I'm afraid you may encounter mortal peril today," the robed figure 'carefully' studied Sparkle's facial features and sighed regretfully. "Judging by the signs, this peril likely cannot be avoided."
"Oh? Mortal peril? Me?" Sparkle couldn't help but find this amusing upon hearing it.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."
"Care to elaborate, boss?" Sparkle pulled out a large handful of Credit Points and slapped them on the table before the vendor, her face full of derision. "What kind of mortal peril could possibly befall me, Sparkle?"
"Alas, heavenly secrets cannot be divulged, cannot be divulged," the robed figure first sighed and shook their head.
Sparkle didn't speak, simply pulling out another handful of Credit Points and placing them before the vendor.
"Well... there is one thread of heavenly insight that could be revealed."
Seeing the pile of Credit Points on the table, the robed figure immediately broke into a smile. With a wave of their hand, all the Credit Points vanished from the table.
"Hmm?"
Watching this move, Sparkle narrowed her eyes, realizing this robed figure wasn't the ordinary person she had assumed.
But the great Sparkle wasn't concerned. At most, they were just a slightly more capable mortal.
"Young lady, extend your hand. Let me read your palm."
Hearing this, Sparkle cooperatively held out her hand.
The robed figure gently took Sparkle's hand, examining it carefully.
Hmm... Fingers like tender shoots, skin like congealed cream... it would likely be a most delicious morsel...
"?"
"Hey, hey, hey. Are you thinking something inappropriate?" Sensing the somewhat off look in the robed figure's eyes, Sparkle narrowed her own. The moment they made any move, Sparkle would instantly pounce and grind them into the dirt.
"Alas..." The robed figure ignored Sparkle's words, slowly setting the jade-like hand down with another sigh. "A predicament with no solution. Truly, a predicament with no solution."
"Heh, sure." Watching the robed figure's act, Sparkle understood—this fraud didn't know a thing about fortune-telling. It was pure nonsense.
"Since you aren't saying anything, boss, just give me back my Credit Points."
Sparkle slammed her hand on the table. After all that 'divination,' she got nothing. Even a Masked Fool has her limits, you know.
And besides, she still owed Clara a ton of money...
All the people she knew, the moment they heard the debt was to Clara, didn't dare lend her a single cent.
Really, what's so scary about that little black-haired, flat-chested loli?
"Hmm?" The robed figure seemed to sense something, their arm trembling slightly for a moment before quickly returning to normal.
"Heh, young lady, one does not return payment for a fortune told," the robed figure flatly refused Sparkle's request for a refund upon hearing it.
"Then what exactly did you divine?"
"I already told you. You have mortal peril today," the robed figure sighed, shaking their head as if troubled by Sparkle's inability to understand plain speech.
"Heh. Mortal peril." Hearing this, Sparkle casually pulled over a chair and sat down. "I'll just sit here today and see exactly where this mortal peril of mine is supposed to come from."
"Alas, there are always those who doubt my skills," the robed figure observed Sparkle's posture, not the least bit flustered, and sighed yet again. "I told you, to this day, my fortune-telling has never once been wrong."
"Heh, well you're about to be wrong today."
Sparkle crossed her legs, folded her arms, and simply stared at the robed figure.
"Alas..." The robed figure sighed, then stood up. Under Sparkle's gaze, they slowly began to approach.
Watching their movement, Sparkle paid it no mind. Just a mortal. Couldn't pose much danger.
And then...
THWACK!
With a solid THWACK, the previously arrogant Sparkle was now face-down on the ground, posterior skyward.
Eyes shut tight, she was out like a light.
"Tsk, why wouldn't you believe you were in mortal peril?" Standing behind the unconscious Sparkle was Clara, holding a baseball bat. She looked at Sparkle's peaceful expression and shook her head. "See? Out cold the moment you hit the ground."
…
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. Advanced chapters available on patreon.
patreon.com/intraneer
Give power stones please I survive solely off of number go up.