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Cocolia hasn't been as sober as today for a long time.
The price of being sober was so heavy that when she accepted Sora's invitation, which was not even an invitation from a colleague, regret came like a tide, almost drowning her.
She knew very well that seeking death or escaping into self-exile could not erase the mistakes she had made, even if they were sins she had committed when her mind was manipulated and bewitched.
Her spirit was stripped from the star core, but she could not forget all the related memories. She recalled how she commanded the Iron Guards to rush into the Rift to seek death, and how she wasted the remaining blessings of protection in the battles with the creatures of the Rift. She remembered her daughter's trusting but painful gaze, and Jeppard's questioning but loyal and patient face...
Relieved? No, she decided to live on with the guilt, find her daughter, and confirm her life or death. The snowstorm in Yalilo started biting her bones again, as if whipping her soul, making her constantly recall the city she was supposed to protect... and all the suffering she had experienced.
If an ordinary person were weighed down by such a heavy burden, they would have suffered a mental breakdown long ago. However, perhaps the character of the former Great Guardian was still worthy of the glory she once enjoyed, or perhaps her love for her daughter surpassed everything else. She followed Kong and Haiya step by step, stumbling on the endless snowfield that looked like the road of martyrs.
In silence, she had already thought about how to give Bronya an explanation after finding her, how to accept the trial and let her kill to establish her authority, so that her rule would be completely over -
She also hoped that the external star core had not been destroyed and sealed, and secretly expected that if her meager strength was still needed on the battlefield, she would have a chance to atone for her sins. If she died in battle, it would at least be a kind of fate that would not be criticized by others.
"... Stop looking so sad. I suggest you stay alive, and live as long as possible, so that you can make up for the damage caused by your manipulation by the star core."
But as if he could read her mind, Sora used an unexpectedly relaxed tone to refute her lucky idea that could still be considered an escape.
"…Is it because of Bronya's request? She wants you to forgive me? As an outsider, I didn't realize you are such a naive person."
Cocolia found it difficult to maintain her original emotions when communicating with Kong.
So far, apart from being tricked by the Star God, he accepted all the hints and requests for help from the Star Core after he briefly regained consciousness, and let Yaya escape in advance to leave Beloberg with the spark of resistance.
It could be said that Kong was the smartest and most politically savvy person Cocolia had ever met.
But this person... had no disgust towards herself for causing him so much trouble, but also did not show her the proper respect just because she was Yaya's mother. It was very subtle.
She was unsure of Sora's attitude towards her, and because of the fake duck's explosive words, she still had some subtle impressions. Once the time for thinking was over, she recalled her previous heartfelt roar at Sora, and the embarrassment continued to hammer at the soft flesh of her heart.
Being in a high position, Cocolia has never had the opportunity to live a normal female life except for the experience of being a mother, whether before or after being controlled by the Star Core. She wants to save her daughter from Kong's "claws", but she also knows that Banya may really have to live with him in order to have a better way out - this makes her more entangled.
In fact, compared to some old-fashioned mothers, Cocolia, due to her background and experience, understands the importance of political marriage, knows how to exchange bargaining chips, how to use emotions to kidnap others, and can accept her daughter's pursuit of universal happiness. She is even mentally prepared that the cabbage will one day break away from her protection and be eaten by the pig. She has thought about what to do if Yaya runs away with a man and cannot officially take over the position of the Great Guardian - but when these costs really fall on Banya, and might even fall on herself, she is still a little at a loss.
...As an old maid, Cocolia is no different from her classmate who loves rock music in this regard.
"Naive? I'm giving you advice from the perspective of someone who has experienced it. The bad influence you caused to Beloberg can be attributed to the Star Core, or it can be said that you are not worthy of the position of the Great Guardian, but at least it was not a choice you made with your own will when you were sober, so the sentence can be a little lighter."
"Sentencing?"
"I was forced to participate in a two-hundred-year-long crusade of atonement. Believe me, in the eyes of some people, the sins I committed were much more serious than yours, but I did pay for them and proved that my will and actions were innocent."
Kong wasn't simply trying to excuse Cocolia. To be really heartless, it could also be understood as - dying like this would be too easy for you.
Whether it was to make up for Beloberg's loss or to give an explanation for the sins she had unconsciously committed, she should not have died like this.
A destiny walker... No, now she is a blessed woman who shares the treatment of the Star Core Envoy. She can make many contributions to her city. If she makes good use of this power and experience, she may be able to make up for the losses in Beicheng under her rule, and she can also become Banya's shadow consultant -
Of course, these were all Kong's idealistic thoughts. From her look, which seemed quite scheming at first glance, but actually showed she had no plan for the life she had picked up, Kong knew that she had not yet adjusted her mindset.
"...Two hundred years?"
When Kokolia heard this frightening number, she couldn't help but look up and down at the man in front of her, and she couldn't avoid Horhaiya's tail that deliberately slid into the empty trouser leg, squeezing his trousers a little bloated.
The memory of the deal with Bu Liren remained in her mind. She knew that the immortal species above the starry sky had a terrifying concept of time, but serving a sentence would take two hundred years...
If it were me, would I have the willpower to atone for two hundred years?
She fell into self-doubt again.
...After a brief moment of self-doubt, she began to have some opinions about the woman in front of her with a snake's tail, who was so charming that she even envied her. When she thought that her daughter would be handed over to such a philandering guy in the future, and that her daughter would be so shy and would have to compete with her for "business", Cocolia felt inexplicably anxious.
She was becoming increasingly confused as she tossed between multiple identities: mother, sinner, and loser. Sora had no choice but to sigh and take the initiative to guide her:
"Deceiving the people, delaying the war, and colluding with foreign enemies, these are punishable by exile in Beloberg, right?"
"Yes, it is equivalent to the death penalty, the most dishonorable way to die."
Those exiled outside of Bay City would definitely not be able to survive. Without equipment and the gift of the Amber King, it would be considered a rare achievement for a human to survive in the snow for an hour.
"Rather than being exiled, I would rather die in battle and not drag down Bronya."
"Then you should come with me."
"?"
A question mark appeared above Cocolia's head again.
"Exiled to a place outside of Beloberg, but it doesn't mean you have to stay on the surface of Yalilo. At worst, we can throw you to another planet. Or, you can choose to follow the train and stay away from home."
"The Star Train is actually willing to take in exiles?"
"There is a little brother who was exiled from the Immortal Boat on the bus... Well, now that I think about it, it makes sense to take you away?"
Kong kept looking for excuses and he almost believed it.
It was those two words he muttered that made Cocolia's heavy mood relax a lot, and the drooping corners of her lips calmed down.
"Since you have contributed to the opposition's cause and made amends after regaining your sanity, the current Grand Guardian should not mind turning a blind eye and ignoring your place of exile - provided that you cut ties with the Star Core -" Kong even helped Banya find an excuse for Cocolia in advance.
"…But if I live on, I will be exposed. If the garrison officers knew that I, the culprit, was at large…"
"You just have to ask me to help you find some meaning in living, right?"
Kong Tudi frowned and said, "Ask yourself, Cocolia, do you really want to live?"
"..."
When Cocolia heard the harsh question, she was stunned.
The "young man" in front of her had a kind of majesty that didn't match his appearance... The moment that question entered her ears, Cocolia seemed to understand why Banya was so attracted to him - and why there were rumors in the market that a daughter had found her "biological father".
"……I think."
Some people wanted her to live, even if there were only a few of them, it was enough to arouse her desire - she laughed at herself in her heart, Cocolia, you are indeed a weak guy, no wonder the star core can control you...
"Bronya is not ready yet. Her preparations to become the Great Guardian were too hasty and her skills are a bit immature. Without external help, I am really worried about whether she can manage Beloberg well."
Although she would most likely be controlled by the man in front of her in the future, as he wished, as long as what he was going to do would not harm the interests of Bay City, she had no reason not to be qualified to refuse.
In a sense... he was the savior of himself, his daughter, and even all the residents of Bay City. He had offended him many times when he was complaining about himself just now.
"...If you and Bronya use the privileges of the city builders together, or even take it away, it might be a good future...You are a meticulous person, and you will definitely help my children and people live better."
Seeing that Cocolia finally began to actively analyze the future trend, Sora's brows softened again:
"Just don't seek death. In my opinion, you are at best a small character who was dragged into this disaster. Don't take yourself too seriously. Just calm down and admit that you are incapable and insignificant, and even not worthy of being liquidated... It will be much better this way."
"...Sir, you are so humorous. I will atone my sins and am willing to work for you to repay you for your efforts for Beloberg and my daughter - but before that, let me ask you a personal question. This is my request as a mother, please don't feel offended."
Although Cocolia wanted to stop and think for a while, Kong and Haiya did not stop for a moment. Even the lazy Paimon was floating in the sky to keep watch for them. The urgency of their progress forced her to speak a little faster.
Judging from their itinerary, maybe it was just like what Sora said, that he just picked her up casually - but it was this casual act of kindness, like the habit of rescuing kittens and puppies casually, that made her uneasy.
"You ask."
"Is Yaya paying off her debt, or is she with you because she really likes you..." Cocolia tried her best to suppress her discomfort.
"...Because she lost you, she transferred some of her expectations of maternal love to me. Of course, if you ask me if I like her, I like her, not just physically, but also her will. But this is only human nature."
Sora's sincerity made Kokolia ashamed:
"...What the fake guy said, you want me and Bronya to be your collections--"
"… Let's not talk about this. You and I have no emotional foundation. Besides, I'm a very normal person with moral bottom line. Don't think of me as a monster."
Facing Cocolia's question, which had already cost her all, Sora once again showed his "too normal" side.
Cocolia was worried that her daughter would be played around with, while Kong was worried that he would be thrown out of the car by Ji Zi or stared at by Lao Yang as if he were trash.
After seeing the future that Hu presented to him, he had to be more careful in handling his private life.
"...Then how are you going to treat my daughter? All the great guardians of previous generations never married and never had a lover - if you want to marry her, you need to change the legal principles of Beloberg, which is quite difficult. If you just regard her as one of your 'collections', please give her some freedom and don't advertise that you have obtained her - let her maintain basic decency. If you want to control millions of people in Kburg through her... you still have to give her this little respect."
"I haven't touched her yet."
This woman is indeed a stupid mother in some ways.
Hollow bottom complaints.
"Ok?"
Cocolia's brain was in a state of panic for a long time.
"That child has some special needs for me... When you meet later, help me enlighten her and let her understand that sexual preferences and family relationships must be handled separately... I can't explain this clearly. Only a mother can help her understand that this is a necessary step towards maturity."
"..."
Kong generously admitted it, which made Cocolia even more worried:
"So, what that fake guy said... was true...?"
"...Hmm...But it's a bit strange. Bronya has never shown any special hobbies to outsiders. Who leaked the news?"
Kong rubbed his chin in pain and said, "Forget it, I'll put it on Aha's account. If I meet his incarnation, I will kill him."
"...Huh, sir, should I call you Lei or Kong?"
Cocolia had no idea about the love-hate relationship between Huanyue and Kong. After mustering the courage to live, she began to worry about the fate of herself and her daughter.
If possible, she hopes to take on more of the "debt" for YaYa.
"null."
"Mr. Kong, you are so noble... Could you please not take my daughter away?"
A powerful woman begged him not to take her daughter away, and she was just short of saying "I'm willing to do anything for you". If it were an ordinary man, he would probably not be able to bear it and his desire to conquer would be satisfied.
"Sure, as long as she doesn't do anything to me." But Kong, who had already foreseen this development, looked increasingly gloomy.
"She is still young and inexperienced, and this is her first time. If you want a 'collection' of a former noble, I can totally..."
"No, you're being too arrogant! Cocolia, do you think I'm an asshole? I really can't stand you guys anymore. You keep talking to each other as if you have nothing else to pay the price except your body! I don't want anything from you in the first place!"
But this time, Sora, who had been misunderstood for a long time, was like a tinderbox that had been lit, and almost jumped up with Haiya's tail:
"I don't need any of you to serve me!! I don't like mother and daughter together! I don't like teacher and student. These are all your imaginations imposed on me! It's slander! I'm just pure and innocent and like pretty things! I don't care about actual age! There's no need for so many twists and turns, thank you so much!!"
This unreasonable anger made Cocolia a little confused again.
But his genuine rage made her, who was used to restraining her temper and hiding her thoughts in the political arena and high positions, feel a lot more relaxed. Even the idea of atonement was diluted a little. It seemed that Kong's anxious and pale face was the way people should be "alive". She couldn't help but smile and continue to provoke Kong:
"...Please consider this, Mr. Kong...You mentioned age. In terms of age, I am more suitable than Yaya--"
"What the hell is suitable for this place!! I can't even find the exit. If I can't get out, I'll just rot here - you're thinking ahead!"
Haiya looked at Kong with veins popping out... His tail, which scraped against his trouser leg, quietly slipped out and patted his back gently as if stroking his fur: