Chapter 13: The Hardships of Life in the Underworld
"What is this place?" March 7th asked, her eyes darting around the suffocating darkness of the Underworld, her voice tinged with irrepressible curiosity.
"This is Belobog's Underworld—the place where the impoverished congregate," Xuan Yong replied with a flat expression, gesturing toward a cluster of dilapidated dwellings in the distance.
"How… how can this be? This is impossible! Mother clearly said the people of the Underworld lived well, that there was no difference between here and the Overworld. Why? Why is it like this?" Bronya stammered, her face a mask of shock and disbelief as she took in the ruinous squalor of her surroundings.
"How could Cocolia, long since corrupted and ensnared by the Stellaron, ever tell you the truth? She trusts nothing now but the Stellaron itself. She believes no one—except you, of course!" Xuan Yong gave Bronya's cheek a playful, grinning pinch as he chuckled.
"The Stellaron?" At the mention of the word, Dan Heng and the others immediately fixed their gazes upon Xuan Yong.
"Indeed. I detected the lingering resonance of the Stellaron on Cocolia just moments ago. I suspect she has long since become its puppet," Xuan Yong remarked with a casual shrug. Turning back to Bronya, he continued, "Come along, Big Bronya. I'll take you to meet the leader of the Underworld's 'Wildfire.'"
"Big Bronya? What sort of strange nickname is that?" Bronya's lips twitched at the address, yet she quickly followed. She was desperate to understand the truth of the Underworld.
As they ventured deeper into the settlement, the eyes of the Underworlders fell upon them. Their glares were particularly sharp when they landed on Bronya; countless gazes were filled with such venomous resentment that it seemed they might fall upon her and tear her limb from limb at any moment.
"What… what is happening?" Bronya whispered, recoiling slightly from the palpable hostility.
"Don't be shocked. It's only natural," Xuan Yong said, his tone understanding. "After all, you are the Commander of the Silvermane Guards—one of the primary culprits responsible for trapping them down here." He knew all too well that resources in the Underworld were scarce. Though the records might not explicitly state it, people had undoubtedly starved to death here, and in no small numbers. To those watching, Bronya represented the regime that had stolen their families and friends.
"You mean…" As the future Supreme Guardian of Belobog, Bronya's intellect was peerless. She grasped his meaning instantly and fell into a somber silence.
"Exactly what you're thinking. Oh, look at that—we've arrived. That was quick!" Xuan Yong patted Bronya's head with a smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Oleg, the leader of Wildfire, and Seele, a member of the resistance, hurrying toward them.
"What are you Overworld bastards doing down here? Shouldn't you be busy living your lives of luxury up there?" Seele spat, her expression sour as she glared at Bronya with blatant irritation.
"Now, Seele, let's not be hasty! My apologies—Seele isn't usually like this. She just has a bit of a chip on her shoulder regarding Overworlders, so she can be a little blunt. But tell me, friends, what brings you to the Underworld? I am Oleg, leader of Wildfire. If you need anything, you can talk to me." Oleg stepped forward to intercede, offering Xuan Yong and his companions a diplomatic smile.
"Mr. Oleg, I won't beat around the bush. Take us to the true leader of Wildfire—Dr. Natasha," Xuan Yong said, nonchalantly wiping a smudge of dirt from his hand.
"Er… so you already know. Very well then. Please, follow me!" Oleg blinked, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow at Xuan Yong's insight. He made a polite gesture for them to follow.
"Come then. Let us go meet the true heart of Wildfire—Dr. Natasha," Xuan Yong said, heading toward the clinic without a moment's hesitation.
Before long, the group arrived at Natasha's clinic. They pushed the door open to find Natasha busy at a desk, meticulously preparing various medications.
Seeing Oleg enter with a large entourage—including a high-ranking officer of the Silvermane Guards—Natasha paused her work. She looked at the newcomers with keen curiosity. "Oleg, what is the meaning of this?"
"Nat, they're here to see you," Oleg stammered. Natasha understood the gravity of the situation instantly.
"I wonder what business such distinguished guests from the Overworld have with a mere doctor like myself?" Natasha asked, stepping forward and resting a hand over her heart as she offered a polite smile.
"I've brought Bronya here to witness life in the Underworld firsthand. As the leader of Wildfire, you know the state of things better than anyone. I'd like you to give her a proper introduction," Xuan Yong explained, gesturing broadly.
"I see…" Natasha hesitated, her brow furrowing as she weighed her words.
"Is it inconvenient?" Xuan Yong asked, waving a hand in front of her face with an inquisitive look.
"Not at all. Please, follow me," Natasha replied, regaining her composure. She gestured toward the exit and led the group out of the clinic.
Under Natasha's guidance, they toured the Underworld. The sight of the freezing, starving populace, living from one meager meal to the next, left both Bronya and March 7th utterly devastated.
"Well? Bronya, do you see now what your mother has done?" Xuan Yong asked plainly, standing upon a high vantage point as he looked down at the miners below, their rhythmic strikes of pickaxes against ore echoing through the cavern.
"Please, sir… take me back to the Overworld. I must speak with my mother personally. I will make her lift the blockade on the Underworld. Please, believe me!" Bronya took a deep breath, her voice trembling with sincerity.
"I believe you. But your mother has long been seduced by the Stellaron. She is no longer the Cocolia you once knew. The only way forward is to defeat her… or rather, to kill her," Xuan Yong said, his gaze turning cold and fierce.
"Sir, please! I know I can convince my mother to return to the right path!" Bronya cried out, her composure crumbling into frantic desperation.
"Bronya, in your heart of hearts, you've likely known for a long time that she is not your mother anymore. You simply refuse to accept the truth," Xuan Yong remarked, ruthlessly exposing the fragility of her resolve.
"I…" Bronya fell silent, unable to find the words. She truly could not bear the thought of eliminating her own mother.
"Please… give me time to think," she whispered. Turning away, she wandered off in a daze.
"The game is afoot," Xuan Yong murmured with a faint smile as he watched her depart.
…