Star Iron: The Past and Present Life of the Gender-Swapped Dragon Lord

"That's enough brainwashing, you witch!"

Seeing her best friend looking uncomfortable after being bewitched, Seele interrupted Cocolia with a sharp shout.

"Xie'er..."

Bronya looked up at Seele, who was coming from behind, her voice trembling with a hint of tears.

Protecting Bronya behind him, Danheng took the pale-faced Bronya from Seele's back and gently placed his slender hand, radiating a blue light, on Bronya's forehead.

A few specks of green light filtered into her stray hairs, and Bronya's complexion noticeably improved.

"...It's finally here. I thought this storm would bury you all..."

Cocolia glanced at Bronya in the crowd, paused for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"Dream on! We won't fall until we've taken you down!"

“Bronya, I don’t know what exactly happened between you two. Even if you explained it to me right now, I probably wouldn’t understand any of the cryptic stuff. But there are two things I know very well—”

Seele completely ignored Cocolia beside her, her eyes were only on Bronya.

Cocolia: Why do I have this feeling that the cabbage is about to be picked?

"First, these guys went through all sorts of hardships to get here, all for the sake of sealing that thing called the 'Star Core.'"

"Secondly, do you remember what I said? If anything happens to you, I will definitely come to save you."

While Seele was unleashing her full power, the expressions on the faces of Danheng and the others behind her grew increasingly interesting.

Even the silly child Qiong noticed something was wrong.

These two women... there's something fishy about their relationship.

These are perfectly normal words, so why do they sound so different coming from these two people?

"So, do you understand now? Even if you've been brainwashed by that woman and have completely forgotten our agreement—I'm still going to knock you out and take you back!"

"Ahem... That's right, Belloberg needs you too."

Qiong also spoke, attempting to interrupt the spellcasting.

"Seele, and everyone else..."

Bronya looked at Seele, her face filled with emotion.

Cocolia stood there watching until her patience was worn away by the wind and snow.

"Is that alright? I've given you plenty of time... time to say goodbye."

"There's another reason I brought you here, and it's time to tell you, Bronya."

"..."

"I want to witness your choice."

Cocolia's eyes no longer held the fervor and madness of before; instead, they held only the tenderness and understanding a mother should possess.

It was as if she hadn't been the one who said those words before.

“I’ve told you the whole truth; the deal with the star core, the wish I made to it. There are no more secrets between us…”

Looking into Cocolia's eyes, Bronya felt as if she had returned to the past.

My mother used to sit with her like this, reading storybooks and telling her stories of the great guardians of the past.

The stories that inspired her faith.

but now……

"Many years ago, the voice of the 'Star Core' first rang in my ears, and like all the Great Guardians of the past, I closed my eyes and shut my ears. Back then, I was you, desperately guarding what the Builders called 'preservation'..."

Bronya's eyes gradually cleared, but she still waited for her mother's answer.

“My belief was once unwavering… until a sudden variable disrupted everything; another option appeared before me, which meant overthrowing the old order and welcoming the arrival of a new world.”

"But compared to the ethereal and increasingly distant 'preservation,' it is so real..."

"I've been racking my brains trying to figure out how to tell you all this. The promised tomorrow will come, but if you can't be by my side to watch over that new world with me..."

"Then I will be plunged into agony—Bronya, an indelible agony!"

The conversation between mother and daughter gradually came to an end, and her rare gentle voice, carrying a sense of calm, floated in the somber scene.

Everyone... is waiting for their choice.

"Perhaps I should thank you, outsiders. Under the pressure you brought... I was finally able to confront my final weakness."

“Bronya, from childhood to adulthood, I have never forced you to obey my will. In any case, you have always had a choice—this was true in the past, and it remains true now.”

Cocolia stared at Bronya in front of her, saying nothing more.

"Lady Cocolia... Thank you for raising me, thank you for leaving me the right to choose."

"But... I'm sorry, Mother. This is the last time I can't stand by your side."

Cocolia closed her eyes, as if she had already anticipated this outcome.

"You say that the depths of human nature are folly and cowardice, and perhaps that's true; dire straits will reveal the darkest side of the human heart."

noodle."

"...But you missed those who struggled to survive and fight in dire circumstances. I saw the light in them,"

In front of the penalty area, in the lower zone, in the corners you've overlooked.

"Our ancestors built this city with their own hands, striving to persevere and continue civilization amidst the swaying winds and snow. Even if this world is destined to fall apart, the path to its end should be paved by humankind—"

"—Instead of leaving our fate to this scourge!"

"We are guardians chosen by ordinary people, Mother! Our duty is to protect the world built by humankind! We are not gods, nor judges!"

"You want to trample humanity underfoot while playing the roles of judge and god—I cannot tolerate this!"

The girl's tone was filled with unparalleled determination, and Cocolia was somewhat lost in thought.

I wonder if the version of myself who hadn't given up hope would feel gratified to see such a successor.

Maybe, perhaps... she's right?

Defeat me... prove to me that you are on the right path!

Bronya, my dearest…daughter.

A series of violent fluctuations surged through her mind, and Cocolia's last remaining will was swallowed up by the star core, the light in her eyes completely fading away.

"I see. Your choice is... I see. I understand, Bronya."

"It's a pity...it's a pity you won't see this beautiful world. You can't break free from the shackles of your mind. Do you know that? You should have been...the 'Mother' of the new world."

After these words, Star Core finally took complete control of this loving mother, this cold and ruthless great guardian.

The power of destruction is surging, gradually eroding the last vestiges of "preservation".

The ground began to shake violently, and the cold voice of the former Great Guardian echoed through the air.

"You... will become the cornerstone of this new world!"

With a light touch of her feet, her graceful figure slowly floated into the air, and the tremors grew stronger.

The lance in his hand, representing protection, was completely frozen, and with the Great Guardian's movement, it pointed straight at the sky.

“You can’t build a new one without destroying the old!”

"As the Great Guardian, I command you to rise—"

"Creation Engine!"