Chapter 35 - The Game and Reality Have Aligned!

Chapter 35: The Game and Reality Have Aligned!

At this moment— The entire internet was focused on the decisive battle taking place on Jarilo-VI! However, what most people did not realise was that this battle was not only unfolding in the game but also occurring simultaneously in reality! It was almost identical to a live broadcast!

“Bronya! I have no idea what exactly happened between you all. Even if you explained it to me now, I doubt I’d understand all those complicated things. But there are two things I know for certain—”

“First, these people have overcome countless hardships just to seal that thing called the [Stellaron].”

“Second, do you remember what I said before? If anything happens to you, I will come to save you.”

“So, do you get it now? Even if that woman over there has brainwashed you and made you forget our promise—I will still knock you out and take you back!”

As Seele delivered her powerful declaration, Bronya was faced with the most important decision of her life.

After a brief moment— Bronya’s gaze became resolute.

“Madam Cocolia, thank you.”

“But… I am sorry, Mother. This time, I cannot stand by your side.”

“You said that deep down, humanity is foolish and cowardly. Perhaps you are right—desperation does bring out the darkest sides of people.”

“…But you have failed to see those who strive to survive and fight in the face of despair. I have seen their light—on the Forbidden Zone’s frontlines, in the Underworld, in the corners you chose to ignore.”

“Our ancestors built this city with their own hands, struggling to preserve civilisation amid the raging snowstorms. Even if this world is doomed to collapse, the path towards the end should be paved by humanity’s own hands—”

“—not by surrendering our fate to this accursed seed!”

—

“Oh my, oh my…”

“Help! These two are amazing together!”

“Bronya’s speech was incredible!”

“This is getting intense, brothers!”

“The fight is about to begin!”

—

Having listened to Bronya’s words, Cocolia’s face was devoid of any emotion.

Guinaifen watched the scene before her with nervous anticipation. Her palms were slightly sweaty.

If this battle was truly mirroring reality…

She still hoped that Cocolia would wake up at the crucial moment.

Even if the Stellaron had eroded her reason, her love for Bronya did not seem to be an illusion.

Having endured painful experiences, Guinaifen did not want to witness another tragedy.

However, some things were inevitable.

After a moment of eerie whispers from the Stellaron, Cocolia finally spoke: “I see… so this is your choice… I understand now, Bronya.”

“What a pity… A shame you will never see the beauty of the new world. You are shackled by your limited mind… Do you realise? You were meant to be… the [Mother] of a new era.”

As soon as Cocolia finished speaking, the ground began to tremble violently.

A frost-covered spear materialised in her hands.

Then—

“Without destroying the old, the new cannot be built.”

“As the Supreme Guardian, I command you to rise—”

“—[Creation Engine]!”

A colossal mechanical claw emerged from behind Cocolia, and an enormous robot awakened from its icy slumber like a towering mountain.

Its face gleamed with a crimson glow as its steel-forged arms swung down upon the group below!

Cocolia hovered beside the Creation Engine, spear in hand, looking down upon them from above.

[Battle Start

].

Guinaifen licked her lips and sighed, “This battle is nothing like I imagined!”

“Can we even defeat this Creation Engine?”

“By the way… Cocolia, weren’t you supposed to abandon the power of Preservation and embrace the Stellaron? And yet here you are, still using the Builders’ power—you hypocritical woman!”

The livestream chat was flooded with unanimous messages of “Agreed.”

—

Meanwhile—

Aboard the Astral Express.

Himeko was extremely busy!

One screen displayed the satellite imagery of Jarilo-VI.

Starskiff, March 7th, Dan Heng, as well as Bronya and Seele—everyone was locked in an intense battle against Cocolia and the Creation Engine on that vast silver-white battlefield.

Beyond the frost and snow, explosions occasionally erupted, igniting massive fireballs in the sky.

Welt had already descended to the surface.

Thus, the responsibility of monitoring the train and advancing the game’s storyline fell entirely on Himeko’s shoulders.

Despite the differences in their battlefields, both fights had progressed to the same critical juncture!

In fact—

Just as Himeko activated the orbital cannon, the same event occurred in the game!

Her hand trembled slightly.

Her heartbeat quickened.

It felt as though she was controlling reality itself!

An indescribable strangeness filled the air!

Suddenly—

The satellite feed showed—

Starskiff was struck by Cocolia from atop the Creation Engine and sent plummeting down, enveloped in a raging snowstorm.

Himeko’s palms became clammy with sweat.

However, in the very next instant—

Starskiff reappeared at the heart of the battlefield.

Wielding a blazing spear.

Compared to just moments ago, his presence was like night and day!

“That spear… it’s a Builder’s weapon…”

“Not only has it thawed, but it is now engulfed in flames?”

“What just happened in that instant?”

Himeko shifted her gaze to the other screen.

The game had entered a cutscene, depicting the battle in stunning animation.

Her expression became extremely solemn.

“This is the pivotal moment!”

She had a feeling—

Just like when they faced the Doomsday Beast—

The game was about to show, from Starskiff’s perspective, a fantastical experience within his own mind!