"...Huh?"
Ron stared at the text on the light screen, feeling completely lost for a moment.
How did Cocolia actually track me down to my doorstep? You're the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia. Is there really a need to pay this much attention to a minor researcher who just draws blueprints?
A sense of helplessness washed over Ron. He had thought his actions were cautious enough. To avoid Cocolia, he had been expending a certain amount of energy on counter-surveillance every day, like a spy...
He had kept this up for a whole month and thought things had become much safer. So, he had relaxed his efforts, redirecting his energy from counter-surveillance to researching new technology. He never expected that just two days after slacking off, Cocolia would show up in person...
Why did Cocolia care so much about him?
Ron was utterly baffled.
He knew that despite his best efforts to stay hidden, he was starting to make a name for himself in this simulation. Anyone with a modicum of skill who saw the anti-gravity module blueprint would understand what a genius design it was. It was normal for him to attract attention, but Cocolia's level of interest was far too intense...
More than a month had passed in the simulation, yet Cocolia had been tirelessly trying to find him. After finding him, she was even willing to take the risk of coming to his door, alone and late at night, just to see him in person...
This brought him back to the same question—why?
Why did Cocolia place such importance on him?
Ron's brow furrowed tightly. He stroked his chin, feeling that something was very wrong.
Although he knew that Cocolia coming alone at night wasn't that great of a risk for her.
After all, as the Supreme Guardian of Belobog, the complete power of the "Miracle" responded to her. Even if the Lance of Preservation no longer burned with the same intensity as it did in Alisa Rand's era, just by raising it, the divine blessing bestowed by the Amber Lord could tear the sky asunder. Cocolia still possessed a mighty power that few could match, enough to destroy any enemy who stood in her way.
But as the Supreme Guardian, she was far too important to come in person... The guards of Qlipoth Fort were incredibly loyal to her. They would have gladly tied up a mere researcher like him and carried him directly to the Guardian's residence. Why would she condescend to come herself?
And... Cocolia actually remembered that he was her Guard Captain?
Qlipoth Fort, aside from the Fragmentum-eroded Commercial District, was the most heavily guarded place in all of Belobog. The number of guards under Cocolia's command was at least eight hundred, if not a thousand. A standard squad was twenty men. Although Ron was a "Guard Captain," to put it bluntly, he was just a glorified old gatekeeper with a slightly higher rank.
There were six other men with his exact same rank. He was completely inconspicuous among them. When Cocolia entered or left Qlipoth Fort, she had never once given Ron a second glance. Theoretically, the only time she would see his name was on the guard roster, and her eyes would have just flicked past it without a second thought for a minor guard like him.
Yet now, Cocolia's tone was so familiar, as if he hadn't been her gatekeeper but her personal guard captain...
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
While Ron admitted that the anti-gravity module design was indeed a Miracle, a technology that brought a new turning point for this world—otherwise he wouldn't be frantically climbing this tech tree to see what decisive impact it could ultimately have...
But its potential was just that—potential. At present, it was far from having any powerful effect. It should not have warranted this level of attention from Cocolia.
Furthermore, even if the design was so brilliant that the farsighted Cocolia knew at first glance it could save Belobog, she still shouldn't have cared so much.
Right now, she was still in her Stellaron-bewitched phase. This simulation didn't have the "Panacea" from him and Natasha to act as an antidote. She was still pursuing the destruction brought by the Stellaron and the "rebirth" that would follow. How could she possibly be so concerned with a technological design that could clearly lead Belobog to a better future?
The most likely response would be to ignore it. A crueler Cocolia might have had the researcher assassinated to bury the technology for good. There was no reason she should be reopening the Belobog Academy of Sciences and persistently searching for him to join, acting as if she'd suddenly woken up and wanted to continue protecting Belobog...
Ron pondered for a long time. The image on the light screen gradually faded, and new text appeared:
[Perhaps because you relaxed your counter-surveillance, your peaceful days have been shattered tonight.]
[On this night with a bright moon and few stars, Supreme Guardian Cocolia Rand has knocked on your door and greeted you with extreme friendliness.]
[This event has stirred up a storm in your heart—who turned Cocolia into this person, and what is she thinking?]
The text on the screen faded, and new options appeared:
[Countless questions echo in your mind, but now is not the time to think about them.]
[You have a pressing problem to solve—do you invite Cocolia into your home for a proper chat, or do you immediately shut the door, leaving her to be cloaked in the lonely starlight?]
[You must make a choice—]
[1. Invite Cocolia.
Cocolia is so persistent that you can't help but have doubts about her condition.
Is a Cocolia like this really still bewitched by the Stellaron? Is she a fool deceived by the Stellaron, or is she the brilliant mind who once took first place at the Belobog Officer School with an absolute advantage, the most intelligent person in the entire city?
You decide to give Cocolia a chance... to have a good talk with her and see what she is truly thinking.
Choosing this option, you will invite Cocolia into your home. May trigger events: "Academy Secret Talk," "Rebuilding the Academy." ]
[2. Refuse Cocolia.
Cocolia's persistence makes you wonder what she is truly up to...
You do not trust Cocolia. Theoretically, she has no ability to resist the Stellaron's influence right now, nor any reason to have escaped it. You believe she must be harboring malicious intent.
You decide to refuse Cocolia immediately, shutting the door on her to avoid any contact.
Choosing this option, you will refuse to invite Cocolia into your home. Will trigger event: "Forcible Entry."
May trigger events: "Academy Secret Talk," "Rebuilding the Academy." ]
Looking at the options, Ron temporarily suppressed his countless questions and felt a bit speechless.
"So, whether I invite her or refuse her, Cocolia is going to barge into my house, talk to me about the Academy, and start rebuilding it anyway?"
"Forcible Entry... you're the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia! Can't you be a little more polite and act like one?"
Ron rubbed his temples helplessly, but he wasn't particularly annoyed by it.
Although both choices led to the same outcome, it was an outcome Ron wanted to see. He didn't feel like he was being forced into a corner.
Even if the second option didn't result in her breaking down the door, Ron would have chosen the first one anyway to ensure he could trigger the secret talk with her.
The reason was simple. Not only did the potential events from the first option seem harmless, but even if he chose it, Ron would still have the chance to refuse her after their chat. This interaction was purely for information gathering.
Even if accepting her offer meant he had to become a researcher at the Academy, Ron felt it might be worth a try.
If asked why, he could only say that Cocolia's performance in the last simulation had completely redeemed her reputation... She was just that reliable.
Seeing her performance in the last simulation, and seeing how she had searched for him for a whole month in this one, even coming in person to show her sincerity, Ron felt he could give it a shot this time.
With these thoughts, Ron tapped the first option. The choices on the screen faded, and new text appeared:
[After much thought, you decide to place a little trust in the Supreme Guardian.]
[You open the door, silently make a gesture of invitation, and lead Cocolia into the room, seating her in the narrow living room of the apartment.]
[You pour her a glass of the energy drink you usually drink, sit down in front of her, and watch her quietly, waiting for her to speak.]
[Cocolia is decisive and does not delay. She takes a small sip of the drink you poured, then sets it aside completely and looks at you seriously.]
[Event: "Academy Secret Talk" has been triggered—]
The text on the screen faded, and a new scene appeared:
Cocolia was sitting on the old sofa in Ron's apartment, looking at him seriously.
"I won't waste time with pleasantries... I intend to restart the Belobog Academy of Sciences and relaunch Belobog's cutting-edge technology research. As the developer of the anti-gravity module, you are clearly at the forefront of mechanical design."
As Cocolia spoke, a look of anticipation appeared on her face.
"I sent people to find you some time ago. Although a month has passed, that invitation is still valid—"
"Ron, are you willing to join the Belobog Academy of Sciences and devote your efforts to the research of cutting-edge technology?"
The scene on the screen paused, and new options appeared:
[Just as you expected, Cocolia simply wants to restart the Belobog Academy of Sciences and has come to invite you to join and contribute to research.]
[Do you agree to Cocolia's request and join the Belobog Academy of Sciences?]
[You fall into deep thought and must make a choice—]
[1. Agree to Cocolia's request.
Researching alone does not feel good. Although you have Serval's help, the income from the "Perpetual Motion" Mechanical House is barely enough to cover living expenses. While your income has been steadily increasing thanks to the profit-sharing from the anti-gravity module, it is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of various experimental instruments.
You know that continuing like this is just a waste of time. Your recent lack of research progress is partly due to the lack of proper equipment.
But all this will be solved by joining the Belobog Academy of Sciences. The most complete laboratory facilities will solve all these problems. Cocolia has been friendly enough. You don't need to hesitate any longer.
You decide to agree to Cocolia's request and join the Belobog Academy of Sciences.
Choosing this option will trigger the fixed event: "Rebuilding the Academy." ]
[2. Refuse Cocolia's request.
Although the experimental equipment at the Belobog Academy of Sciences is very attractive to you, you still do not trust Cocolia.
To avoid walking into the lion's den, you decide to refuse her request and continue to overcome difficulties with your current conditions, carrying out your research work bit by bit.
Choosing this option, you will return to your normal life as if nothing happened. Cocolia will not force you to join the Belobog Academy of Sciences.]
Looking at the options, Ron scratched his head, hesitating for a moment.
Cocolia's behavior showed no signs of being influenced by the Stellaron. She was so enthusiastic about rebuilding the Academy... he didn't know if she'd hit her head on a door, but if she had, it had clearly done some good...
Ron was indeed running short on funds. The lack of money couldn't support better research tools, and his progress was stagnating. If he could enter the Academy, his research would surely benefit from its equipment.
Besides, more than a month had passed. The Astral Express should be arriving in Jarilo-VI's orbit soon. Ron had kept a low profile for so long, not showing his face at all. Even if Sampo noticed him now, he probably wouldn't be able to easily reset his script and shove Ron into it, replacing the Express Crew as the main characters.
Contacting Cocolia now wasn't too dangerous, especially since it was just this once. Afterward, he would be spending all his time at the Academy...
Ron thought for a long time, finally gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and unhesitatingly tapped the first option.
The options on the screen faded, and the scene continued to play:
Ron considered for a long time. Looking at Cocolia, who was waiting with eyes full of anticipation, he said solemnly:
"I agree to join the Academy, Your Excellency, the Supreme Guardian."
Hearing this, a joyful smile blossomed on Cocolia's face.
"Belobog has been lost for too long. It needs a lamp-bearer like you to clear the fog and guide the way forward..."
She stood up and gave Ron a slight bow.
"I look forward to your research injecting new vitality into Belobog."
---o---
And at the same time, on the other side—
Cocolia looked at the scene playing out on the light screen before her, let out a long sigh of relief, and whispered softly:
"Finally... I succeeded."