In Xiao Guizi's live stream room.
After a fierce battle, with the support of Himeko's orbital cannon, the Engine of Creation finally ceased its activity—for now.
But this was only the first hurdle.
Cocolia was still atop the Engine of Creation. The real enemy was her!
At that moment.
Stelle exchanged glances with the group and then began to charge forward.
Climbing up the arm of the Engine of Creation, which resembled a massive steel bridge.
"I'll cover you!"
The monsters blocking the path were swiftly taken down by Bronya, one shot at a time.
Suddenly, the Engine of Creation reactivated, its arm tilting to a vertical angle, causing Star to inevitably slip and fall.
A few ethereal blue butterflies fluttered past the group.
Seele transformed into a phantom and dashed forward.
"Grab my hand!"
The two clasped hands, performing a massive pendulum swing in mid-air, using the momentum to propel Stelle up to the next level of the Engine of Creation.
Finally, at the highest peak.
Dan Heng's spear lodged into a crevice, acting as a crucial lever!
The entire sequence was executed with seamless precision.
Leaving Guinaifen utterly stunned!
She was so excited she couldn't help but clap.
...
[Chat]
"Our Star Rail protagonist is just too cool!"
"The teamwork is incredible!"
"Where do you think you're running to now, Cocolia?"
"This combo is insane, it's got me pumped!"
...
On the shoulder of the Engine of Creation.
Stelle finally stood face-to-face with Cocolia.
Without wasting any words, Cocolia, now enveloped in ice and snow, transformed into a new form.
Her body was covered in icy thorns, her skin turned a dark, starry void, almost losing any semblance of humanity.
Her voice echoed from within this new form: "Listen... to the power surging... singing..."
"The promise granted to me by the Stellaron is the only hope for this world..."
"Seven hundred years ago, it drove away the Antimatter Legion—today, it will erase your existence as well!"
Guinaifen was left in awe.
She had expected this final battle to be a clash between humans.
But instead, it turned into a fight between humans and a giant robot.
Now, after finally reaching Cocolia, she had transformed again!
This form alone exuded an overwhelming pressure, almost suffocating.
It felt like humanity challenging a god!
The background music grew intense, paired with the howling wind, creating a sense of tension and despair for all the viewers.
And indeed, the situation was dire!
At this point, only the protagonist was left fighting.
No teammates, no support, no survival roles.
[Cocolia, Mother of Deception] was a boss with Fire, Lightning, and Quantum weaknesses.
Each of the protagonist's attacks only dealt a few hundred damage, barely scratching the weakness shield.
"How are we supposed to win this!?"
With her health bar steadily dropping, and Cocolia having more phases to come!
Guinaifen was on the verge of tears.
...
[Chat]
"This is impossible!"
"Is this a scripted loss?"
"Will the Trailblazers' journey end here? Is this why the game's story is written this way?"
"This is so frustrating! Is anyone going to come and save the day?"
...
Cocolia had finished charging her attack.
A shimmering frost ring appeared before her, fully formed.
She began her execution declaration!
"Humans... always weak, always foolish, always overestimating themselves."
"—I shall grant you despair!"
In the next moment.
Guinaifen and all the viewers held their breath!
Their hearts skipped a beat!
The ice spear shot from Cocolia's hand.
Piercing straight through Stelle's chest.
Stelle closed her eyes in resignation, her indestructible bat slipping from her hand as she fell from the shoulder of the Engine of Creation.
Guinaifen was stunned.
Tears glistened in her eyes.
The live stream room fell completely silent!
No one had expected such a turn of events!
However.
The next second.
Stelle's closed eyes opened again.
She found herself in a strange, otherworldly space.
Guinaifen was taken aback.
Her sorrowful expression vanished!
Replaced by shock and awe!
The battle wasn't over yet!
The viewers knew.
What followed would be the climax of the story!
The pivotal turning point of this battle.
No one dared to blink.
The howling wind, Cocolia's declaration, the tense music—all faded into silence.
A serene, empty space where even the heartbeat could be heard.
"Is this... the universe?"
Stelle looked around.
She saw nebulae, asteroids, and a belt of small planets.
At the center, ahead, something resembling tree roots coiled around a crimson light that pierced the sky, impossible to miss.
"Wasn't I just fighting Cocolia? Why am I here...?"
"...The last time I was here, Nanook glanced at me. Could it be...?"
Instinctively, she walked toward the light.
Just moments ago, it was a life-and-death battle. Now, she was walking through this fantastical, ethereal space.
The stark contrast in tone sent shivers down Guinaifen's spine, as if electric currents were running through her body.
As she walked, visions of Belobog's past events appeared like phantoms.
Whether it was her own guards, former friends, or even her daughter, Cocolia had chosen coldness and secrecy.
Step by step, it had led to this moment.
Unconsciously, she arrived at the spiral tree roots.
There stood a little girl.
"This city is crying... the power of [Preservation] is fading."
"In the end... we couldn't resist the will of the [Stellaron]."
The little girl's name was [Will of the Guardian].
She seemed to be a manifestation of some kind of spirit or will.
Her voice echoed softly: "...But we have no right to blame."
"For the past seven hundred years, the Fragmentum has been expanding every second. What we left for our successors... was not faith or wealth, but endless despair."
"Watching the home we vowed to [Preserve] slowly disappear before our eyes... is torture, coupled with that incessant, seductive whisper..."
"Even the strongest will would waver. This day was destined to come. His protection... was destined to leave us."
[—There will always be those who remain unshaken.]
Guinaifen decisively chose this option.
"You—"
"A mere passerby, yet you insist on bearing the fate of an entire world..."
"Very well. What more is there to lose... what more is there to try?"
"Touch the amber light, Trailblazer. See if your will to [Preserve] is strong enough... strong enough to draw His gaze."
The little girl's eyes turned toward the central light.
At the base of the light was the lance.
But now, the lance was no longer covered in ice, revealing its true form—
A body forged from amber, with a hilt of black basalt.
Red light swirled around it like flames.
Stelle approached the lance.
Her gaze grew resolute.
She reached out and grasped the hilt.
At that moment, players across the universe held their breath!
Guinaifen gripped her controller tightly.
So tightly it felt like it might crack.
As if she wasn't holding a controller, but the unruly lance of heavenly fire!
At the Herta Space Station.
Players watching the live stream on the big screen.
Asta had arranged ample seating, ensuring everyone could comfortably enjoy the story.
But at this moment.
All the staff stood up, rising to their feet!
Their eyes glued to the screen!
Wishing they could dive into the scene and witness this fantastical moment firsthand!
On the train.
Himeko's gaze was deep.
Her slender fingers rested on her chest, momentarily frozen!
Her eyes reflected this otherworldly scene!
This was something unimaginable in reality!
In that brief moment.
Such a bizarre and grand experience had unfolded in Stelle's mind!
How could anyone truly grasp this without experiencing the game's story?
To be continued…
Advance 100 Chapters are up on my Patreon!
pat reon.com/AlphaSenatus