【"Look upon the future they promised, Bronya! A world without poverty, cold, or pain; a world where people no longer have to plead for survival like prisoners; a world we can protect forever."】

"It seems she has completely become Nanook's puppet," Ryomen Sukuna said, shaking his head.

"Indeed. Even if such a perfect world she speaks of truly existed, one could never pin their hopes on the promises of others," Kenjaku said, spreading his hands. "Let alone when the object of that hope is a Stellaron."

"None of that matters to me. If it's meant to be destroyed, let it be destroyed; I couldn't care less."

"My only regret is that she can't come to Japan. If she were a Jujutsu Sorcerer, I think I would... like her very much." As he spoke, Sukuna narrowed his long, sharp eyes slightly, a blood-red light glinting in his pupils. The corners of his mouth curved up, revealing a smile that could draw a Chilling Scream.

"Do you call that liking someone? More like you'd like cutting her into pieces, wouldn't you?" Kenjaku was hardly surprised by his expression.

Sukuna had always enjoyed brutally murdering women and children, as well as fighting against the strong... In short, whatever piqued his interest, he would destroy with great relish.

And Cocolia, as a woman, satisfied both Sukuna's desire for cruel slaughter and his inclination to clash with the powerful. She was simply the perfect target.

As for her forsaking Preservation to turn to Destruction, or her so-called ideals of Salvation... Sukuna neither cared nor had any interest.

"You're quite interested in this woman?" Sukuna asked suddenly.

"Yes, somewhat," Kenjaku replied, watching with keen interest as Cocolia appeared on the screen, looking haughty and thoroughly confident.

"I want to see what kind of despairing expression she'll wear when her ideals shatter and she is abandoned by all... Hehe, it must be utterly delectable."

【"For seven hundred years, we have continually tried, continually struggled, believing that the radiance of humanity would guide us toward resurgence. And the result? We have suffered utter defeat!"】

【"Why is it that, when confronted with an undeniable force, the first thing we think of is always to resist, to plug our ears, rather than to listen to its call?"】

【"That is the ineradicable folly and cowardice entrenched deep within human nature. Cast them aside and unbind the shackles that restrain you! The Stellaron will lead humanity toward evolution; it will..."】

【Cocolia grew more and more impassioned as she spoke, her soaring voice like the grand climax of an opera where all the instruments resounded in unison. But suddenly, a discordant note rang out within this opera, interrupting her train of thought.】

【"Save the brainwashing for someone else, witch!" Seele stepped out slowly from behind Bronya.】

【Cocolia was not surprised by the group's arrival, merely showing a hint of regret in her expression.】

【"Bronya! I don't know what on earth happened between you two. Even if you explained it right here, I probably wouldn't understand all that cryptic nonsense. But there are two things I know for sure—"】

【Seele's voice served as a warm support, standing firm behind Bronya. Under the witness of everyone's gazes, she spoke solemnly, word by word.】

【"First, these guys went through hell and high water to come all the way here just to seal that thing called a Stellaron."】

【"Second, remember what I said? If anything happens to you, I will definitely come to save you."】

【"So, do you understand? Even if you've been brainwashed by that woman over there and completely forgotten our promise—I'll knock you out cold and drag you back!"】

【"Seele..." Bronya's pupils dilated instantly, a glimmer trembling slightly in her eyes.】

"Well said... Seele."

Inside the Valkyrie Academy, watching the fearless bravery of Seele's counterpart, Bronya could not help but sigh softly.

When she heard the Seele on the light screen say, "I will definitely come to save you," not even the Seele beside her realized that Sister Bronya was holding her hand very, very tightly—so tightly, as though she were afraid of losing something.

Back when Seele was converted into a quantum state during the X-10 Experiment, Bronya had made the very same promise to Seele.

No matter what, she would bring Seele back to reality from the Sea of Quanta—and now, feeling the warmth of the young girl's palm, she felt both immensely grateful and overwhelmingly happy. She had successfully fulfilled her promise from back then, finally holding this hard-won happiness in her hands.

"Sister Bronya..." As if sensing something, the Seele beside her smiled softly.

"The promise Sister made to me back then is now being spoken by another me from a different world. It's such a wondrous feeling." Sitting on the bench, Seele gently swung her fair legs. "She said the very words I wanted to say to you, Sister."

"Oh?" Bronya showed a sly smile. "What, does Seele want to knock me out and carry me back to the dorm?"

"Ah, that... Sister..."

Teased by Bronya like this, a blush immediately flushed Seele's delicate, tender face.

【"Have you had enough? I have given you plenty of time... time to say your farewells," the previously silent Cocolia suddenly spoke up.】

【Cocolia revealed the second purpose of her trip to Bronya: to witness her choice. Now there were no secrets left between her and Bronya; she had laid bare all of her thoughts, and as a watcher of her ideal world, she wanted to know Bronya's decision.】

【"Bronya, I have been pondering agonizingly over how to convey all of this to you. The promised tomorrow will inevitably arrive, but if you cannot remain by my side and watch over that New World together with me... then I shall fall into agony—Bronya, an indelible agony!"】

【"Perhaps I should even thank you, outsiders. Forced by the pressure you brought... I was finally able to confront my final weakness."】

【Cocolia's stern gaze suddenly softened a little as she looked at the young girl before her. "Bronya, from childhood until now, I have never forced you to obey my will. Whatever happened, you always had a choice—it was so in the past, and it remains so today."】

【"Make your choice, my daughter."】

"It seems this Supreme Guardian wants to play the emotional card at the last moment," Ningguang said, putting down the pipe in her hand and slowly exhaling a plume of blue smoke. "Quite understandable, human nature being what it is."

"Lady Ningguang, but I don't think Miss Bronya will agree," the young secretary beside Ningguang spoke up.

"Indeed. While Bronya may seem gentle, she can become remarkably firm when it counts, and the girl is clever to boot. In business, you can't fool someone like that with petty schemes; your only option is to play the card of'sincerity.'"

"Still, this can be considered a genuine revelation of Cocolia's true feelings. After all... no mother wishes to see her daughter stand in opposition to her."

【Bronya took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes. As if having made up her mind, her gaze turned calm and steady.】