Chapter 12: Cocolia
At that precise moment, Zhongli and Bismarck arrived together outside the Jade Chamber.
"Rex Lapis, I certainly won't be holding anything back against you!" Bismarck declared, her gaze fixed haughtily upon the man standing a short distance away.
"There is no need. Simply give it your all," Zhongli replied. As the strongest among Teyvat's Seven, he merely offered a faint smile, paying little mind to Bismarck's provocative words.
Seeing that placid smile, Bismarck felt a flash of inexplicable irritation. Without hesitation, she summoned her full array of main batteries and unleashed a thunderous opening salvo.
"Jade Shield!" Zhongli commanded. A shimmering barrier materialized instantly, absorbing the barrage. He nodded with satisfaction, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "With you here, Liyue shall be safer still. In terms of raw power, you likely possess the capability to challenge any of the other gods, save perhaps for myself and that old drunkard."
Bismarck let out a cold snort at the remark. However, she could not deny the truth; that initial volley had proven she lacked the means to even scratch him.
"Bismarck, are you alright? Here, have something to eat!" Seeing her return, Beidou hurried forward, offering a dark, mysterious beverage and a hunk of metal that shimmered with a silvery luminescence.
"Thank you, Führer… Sister Beidou!" Bismarck corrected herself quickly, catching her slip of the tongue. She offered a bright smile, took the drink and the iron block, and tossed them directly into her mouth.
"Very well, let us all head to Wanmin Restaurant. Xiangling should have the meal prepared by now," Ningguang said, approaching with a graceful smile.
"Agreed, let us eat!" No one refused the invitation. Together, the group departed the Jade Chamber and made their way toward Xiangling's establishment.
***
Meanwhile, in the world of Honkai: Star Rail, upon Jarilo-VI…
"It's so cold!" March 7th complained, rubbing her arms as she stared out at the endless, desolate snowfields.
"Enough. We should scout the area for any habitable structures or cities," Dan Heng suggested, casting a wary eye over their surroundings.
"No need. Someone is coming to meet us," Xuan Yong remarked with a knowing smile, pointing toward a contingent of Silvermane Guards led by Gepard, who were rapidly approaching.
"By order of the Supreme Guardian, you are to return with me immediately!" Gepard shouted. He stepped before the group, flanked by his soldiers, and raised his weapon in a defensive posture.
"You seem to have forgotten a few words. You should show us some respect, for you are merely the weak," Xuan Yong said smoothly. With a playful smile, he snapped his fingers. In an instant, half of the Silvermane Guards present vanished into thin air.
"What did you do?" Gepard's face paled with horror at the disappearance of his men. Then, fueled by the thought of his lost comrades, he glared at Xuan Yong with mounting fury.
"I am an Aeon, the most powerful being in this universe. If you cannot afford me basic respect, then do not blame me for being ruthless. I may not be a killer by nature, but I do have a bit of a temper when provoked," Xuan Yong said, stepping forward to pat the cheek of the frozen, immobilized Gepard.
Beside him, March 7th and the others stood dazed. It was only then that they truly recalled the identity of the man before them: the strongest of all Aeons—the Aeon of Destiny. Perhaps their recent familiarity had caused them to forget his divine status. The three of them exchanged uneasy glances.
"You…" Gepard tried to speak, but Xuan Yong cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"That's enough. Take us to see Cocolia. If she is sensible, I might grant her a way out. If not… well, do not blame me for being heartless." Having finished, Xuan Yong took the lead. With a casual flick of his wrist, the vanished Silvermane Guards reappeared. However, their eyes were hollow and vacant, as if their very souls had been stripped away.
March 7th and the others hurried to catch up as Xuan Yong strode further into the distance.
***
Inside the Office of the Supreme Guardian in Belobog…
"Mother, I truly believe that the Projection Room could be the solution to Belobog's current crisis!" Bronya pleaded, her eyes filled with anxiety as she looked up at Cocolia.
"Enough, Bronya. I have told you we do not require their assistance. I have my own ways to restore Belobog's vitality!" Cocolia rejected the proposal without a second thought. If she allowed those outsiders to intervene, the secret of the Stellaron would almost certainly be exposed.
"Quite a lively debate. But are you certain you don't need our help, Lady Cocolia?" A teasing voice suddenly echoed through the office.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Cocolia and Bronya turned in shock. Xuan Yong walked in alongside March 7th and her companions, with Gepard trailing behind them.
"Gepard, what is the meaning of this? How could you let these people barge in?" Cocolia demanded, her voice rising in anger as she noticed the captain.
"Supreme Guardian, just now…" Gepard began, quickly recounting the events that had transpired on the snowfields.
"You…" Upon hearing that Xuan Yong had nearly wiped out half of the Silvermane Guards, Bronya could no longer restrain herself. She moved to take action, but Cocolia held her back.
"Mr. Xuan Yong, Belobog does not require your assistance. We can weather this storm on our own," Cocolia said, taking a deep breath and meeting Xuan Yong's gaze with feigned resolve. The Stellaron had already whispered to her; she was no match for the man standing before her.
"Ah, I see. Very well. Since you don't want my help, I'll leave March and the others to their business while I take a stroll around Belobog. Oh, and your daughter shall serve as my guide!" Xuan Yong smiled, stood up, and took Bronya by the hand, leading her toward the exit.
As Cocolia moved to intervene, an invisible pressure slammed into her, pinning her to the spot.
"Lady Cocolia, we will speak with Lord Xuan Yong. Perhaps he will release your daughter then," Dan Heng interjected respectfully.
"Fine… then I must leave it in your hands," Cocolia replied. She had initially intended to eliminate these intruders, but with Xuan Yong taking her daughter, she had no choice but to let them stay and hope for Bronya's safe return.
"Understood, Lady Cocolia. Please await our word," Dan Heng bowed. He then led March 7th and Stelle out of the office to find Xuan Yong and Bronya.
***
"Where are you taking me?" Once they were clear of the Supreme Guardian's office, Bronya wrenched her hand free from Xuan Yong's grasp.
"To show you the dark side of Belobog," Xuan Yong replied flatly.
"The dark side of Belobog?" Bronya blinked, her expression shifting to one of bewildered curiosity.
"Lord Xuan Yong…" Dan Heng and the others finally caught up. Just as they were about to speak, Xuan Yong raised a hand to silence them.
"Since everyone is here, let us go." With a wave of his sleeve, the entire group vanished from the Administrative District of the Overworld.
***