After returning to Qlipoth Fort, Bronya still couldn't calm her racing heart.
She hadn't held much hope when she asked—but the answer had been real.
Resurrection existed.
Although Cocolia had been thoroughly tricked by the Stellaron, to the point of losing her way entirely…
she was still Bronya's mother.
And Bronya missed her.
"This is something I have to do myself."
She made her decision silently.
She would obtain a resurrection item—and revive her mother.
But this was not something she could involve others in.
Those who knew the truth would never forgive Cocolia so easily.
Convincing them to revive her would be impossible.
So Bronya could only rely on herself.
Meanwhile, Valerius—after waiting in the wardrobe for far too long without anyone showing up—finally gave up.
Disappointed, he climbed out, pulled out a pillow, and leaned back on the bed.
In a vast, majestic palace—gold and jade glittering everywhere—
Valerius sat high upon a dragon throne, gazing down arrogantly at the graceful figures surrounding him.
"Your Majesty~~~ have some grapes."
A grape was offered to his lips.
This was Consort Bronya.
"Your Majesty, try mine instead."
A banana appeared next—Consort Ruan Mei.
Looking further around, Himeko, Natasha, Ningguang, Keqing, and others all looked at him expectantly.
Valerius felt a surge of heroic pride.
"Good… good… all of you are good."
At that moment, someone entered the hall.
"Your Majesty, the Stellaron Hunters have been annihilated. Kafka, Firefly, and Silver Wolf have been captured. How shall they be dealt with?"
"Well done," Valerius declared grandly.
"As expected of my General Feixiao. Send them to the rear palace—I will interrogate them personally later."
"General Feixiao has rendered great service. Come… let me—let this emperor—reward you properly."
He pulled Feixiao close, his hand already reaching—
—
"Your Majesty! This is bad~~~~ The rebels have breached the palace!"
"What?!"
Valerius was horrified.
He'd been ruling just fine—where did rebels come from?!
Clatter—clang—crash!
A violent commotion erupted outside.
A figure wielding a scythe burst into the hall, murderous intent filling the air.
Seele.
She dashed forward in a few strides, stopping right in front of him.
"Die, you dog emperor~~~!"
The scythe rose.
Cold light flashed—
—
"WHAT THE—!"
Valerius jolted upright in bed, heart pounding wildly.
"…A dream?"
He gasped, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
"That scared the hell out of me."
Once his breathing steadied, he glanced at the pillow beside him.
"Tch… so much for a 'Sweet Dream Pillow.' Nearly scared me into cardiac arrest."
He put it away decisively.
Sweet Dream Pillow—dogs won't even use this.
This was something he'd found in Doraemon's pocket the day before.
Supposedly guaranteed beautiful dreams.
Valerius had only one thing to say—
That wasn't a sweet dream.
That was a nightmare.
Looking outside, he saw daylight flooding the room.
Morning already.
After washing up, he opened the livestream.
[Yae Miko]: No game to watch… so boring.
[Lisa]: Indeed, I've been waiting anxiously.
[Seele]: Relax. Valerius said the game opens today.
Seeing Seele, Valerius's mood instantly soured.
It was YOU who rushed in swinging a scythe!
Couldn't you have waited just a little longer?
My hand was this close—this close!
Pain. Emotional pain.
[Seele]: Valerius, are you there…? It's morning already. Game time?
[Valerius]: Fine. Let me eat breakfast first, then I'll open it.
You want to play games, huh?
If you get selected this time—
I'll remember this.
After getting dressed and grabbing a quick meal downstairs, Valerius gave the command internally.
"System, open the Game Arena."
In an instant, his figure vanished from Belobog.
He reappeared in a clean, orderly room.
Outside the window stretched open plains, dotted with four small white houses.
Valerius nodded to himself.
This must be the arena for this round.
"System, begin player selection and teleportation."
[Game Arena activated. Selecting players for this round.]
Under the eager gazes of countless viewers, the names appeared one by one.
[Selected players:
Himeko,
Gepard,
Kafka,
Sunday,
Lyney,
Kuki Shinobu,
Kamisato Ayato,
Jean]
As the list was announced, many viewers sighed in disappointment.
Looks like they'd be spectators again.
[Himeko]: Me? Not bad luck, then.
[Welt]: Himeko, good luck.
[Robin]: My brother got picked… looking forward to it.
[Lynette]: Sigh… I hope my brother behaves this time.
[Lynx]: My brother got picked too.
[Kamisato Ayaka]: My elder brother as well.
Only now did everyone realize—
This round had a lot of brothers.
[Kaeya]: Wow~~~ so many brothers this time. Then what are the other four?
[Valerius]: Moms.
[Lisa]: Pfft—really?
[Himeko]: ?????
[Kafka]: !!!!!
[Jean]: Mr. Valerius?
[Kuki Shinobu]: Explain yourself. What do you mean?
Instant uproar.
Excuse me???
Some of us are still pure, unmarried young women, thank you very much!
You're just assigning us the "mom" role like that?!
If this rumor spreads, how are we supposed to get married?!
Are you taking responsibility for that?!
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