With everyone's teamwork, the remaining Fragmentum creatures were eliminated one by one.
Cocolia cursed under her breath, "Useless," and immediately activated the Engine of Creation to attack them.
A laser shot from the Engine of Creation's head, sweeping toward the group.
Stelle swung her sword, and flames engulfed the laser. Explosions echoed where the two forces collided.
Meanwhile, aboard the train, Welt saw Stelle wielding the Judgment of Shamash, and an image of a certain man kept surfacing in his mind.
Ye Yun, noticing Welt's constipated expression, chuckled and leaned in.
"Welt, that sword's pretty cool, right?"
Welt nodded stiffly. "Cool."
Himeko noticed and became curious. "Welt, are you okay? You don't look so good."
Welt took a deep breath. "I'm fine. Just… remembering some things from the past."
Himeko more or less understood what was going on from that.
Ye Yun, watching Stelle and the others go all out on the screen, thought just watching felt a bit dull. So, he bought a tea set and a tea cake from the system.
"Zhongli, Welt—come, come. Let's have some tea."
Zhongli looked at the tea set in Ye Yun's hand. "Nicely made. The carving on this… only a master artisan could've done that."
Ye Yun smiled. "I don't really know much. As long as it works."
He rinsed the tea set with hot water, placed the tea leaves into the pot, and poured cups for himself, Welt, and Zhongli.
"Here, try it."
The three of them sipped tea while watching the projection.
Back at Everwinter Hill—
After a few breaths, Stelle took advantage of a gap in the Creation Engine's attacks and charged up, racing toward Cocolia.
On the way, more Fragmentum creatures spawned to stop her.
But Bronya and March 7th sniped them all before they could get close.
A few minutes later, Stelle reached Cocolia safely.
Cocolia, furious, pulled out her Ice Lance and launched an attack.
Stelle quickly raised the Judgment of Shamash to block. The force of the attack almost knocked her over.
Before she could recover, Cocolia launched a second attack.
With no choice, Stelle dodged to the side.
Cocolia kept attacking relentlessly, giving Stelle no room to fight back.
And since Cocolia hovered in the air, Stelle struggled to get close.
As they say: there's no perfect defense.
Seeing an opening, Cocolia hurled a Ice Lance.
Stelle was thrown back, and her vision began to blur.
When she came to, she found herself in the starry sky.
She looked around and saw a Flame Lance stabbed into the ground some distance away.
Since there was nothing else around, Stelle decided to check it out.
As she walked, illusions began to form around her.
They were the memories of Belobog's past Guardians, including Cocolia.
By viewing these memories, Stelle learned why Cocolia had made a deal with the Stellaron.
She had been desperate, unable to see a way forward. All paths were darkness.
Eventually, Stelle reached the Flame Lance. A little girl was standing in front of it.
"You've come," the girl said.
Stelle nodded, looking curiously at her. "And you are?"
"I? I am the collective consciousness of all the Guardians throughout history."
She looked at Stelle and continued.
"This city weeps. The power of Preservation is fading.
In the end... even we could not resist the will of the Stellaron."
Stelle looked at her with sympathy.
"If you couldn't preserve it... then let someone else take over."
The girl was stunned by Stelle's words, but quickly regained her composure and pointed at the nearby Flame Lance.
"In that case, go. Embrace the light of Amber."
Stelle walked up to the Lance. As she touched it, flames erupted from it, forcing her to pull back instinctively.
She stared at the weapon, then clenched her jaw with determination.
"Hyaaah!!"
With a powerful shout, Stelle pulled the Lance from the ground.
She returned to reality—
Now holding both the Flame Lance and the Judgment of Shamash, she spun and landed on the Engine of Creation's hand.
March 7th, Dan Heng, Seele, and Bronya were overjoyed to see her safe.
"Stelle!" March 7th waved excitedly.
Stelle nodded, full of fighting spirit, then raised her lance.
"Everyone—let's go!"
Cocolia looked at the relit Flame Lance in disbelief.
"No! No! Impossible! Why would Preservation choose you?!"
She unleashed her full power, fusing completely with the Stellaron.
Raising her right hand, she summoned a massive icicle and hurled it down at the group.
Stelle lifted her Flame Lance, casting a shield over everyone.
Then she raised the Judgment of Shamash and slashed upward.
Blazing fire collided with the icy spear mid-air, the clash exploding into red and blue light.
When the light faded, a cloud of black smoke lingered.
Suddenly—
Stelle burst from the smoke, Flame Lance aimed at the airborne Cocolia.
As Cocolia tried to summon another icicle, Dan Heng and Seele attacked her from above.
She quickly blocked and knocked them away.
But it was too late.
Stelle's Flame Lance pierced through her, dealing a devastating blow.
Cocolia crashed to the ground, a deep crater forming from the impact.
She struggled to her feet, but Stelle was already upon her, swinging the Judgment of Shamash down.
Cocolia was utterly defeated.
"No... impossible…"
Lying weakly on the ground, light began to leak from her body.
The others arrived. Bronya knelt beside her, eyes filled with pain.
"Mother!"
Cocolia weakly raised her head to look at Bronya. Now that her mind was clear, she felt a deep sense of relief.
Her daughter had grown strong—capable of protecting Belobog.
How wonderful.
Suddenly, pain shot through her chest. The Stellaron tried to flee.
Cocolia clutched her chest, determined to drag it down with her.
"Don't come any closer, Bronya!"
Bronya cried out in agony. "No! Don't do this, Mother!"
Then, a completely unfitting voice chimed in.
"Jeez, why so dramatic? You're about to make me cry over here."
Everyone turned—
Ye Yun approached with Rios in tow.
The Fire Monkey and Bub Seed on Rios's back saw their trainers and ran over happily.
Stelle and March 7th had left them behind, fearing they might get hurt in the coming battle.
March 7th lit up when she saw Ye Yun. "Ye Yun! You're here?!"
Ye Yun picked at his ear. "Yeah, I couldn't just sit up there watching. Thought I'd help out."
He glanced at Cocolia, then at Bronya.
"You're Bronya, right?"
Bronya nodded.
Ye Yun continued, "Great. Later, remember to give me 100 Stellar Jade, yeah?"
Then he reached toward Cocolia and yanked the Stellaron right out of her, suppressing it with ease.
He tossed a glowing white potion at her.
As the liquid touched her, Cocolia's body—barely clinging to life—was instantly restored.
Stelle watched the scene in disbelief and ran up to Ye Yun.
"Ye Yun, what was that potion?! That's incredible! Can I get two bottles?"
Ye Yun smirked. "Elven Water of Life. Just one bottle left. 10,000 credits each. You sure?"
Stelle went silent.
Ten thousand?! That's enough for ten scratch cards from Trash Can Brand! No way! Not buying!
***
A day had passed since the battle at Everwinter Hill.
Although Cocolia had regained consciousness, her memories from the time she was under the influence of the Stellaron were completely gone.
She only remembered things from a few years ago, before she had chosen to cooperate with the Stellaron.
After hearing Bronya's recount of everything, Cocolia realized the magnitude of the crimes she had committed.
Thus, she chose to step down as the Supreme Guardian, letting Bronya take over.
She felt too ashamed to remain in the position—after all, she had nearly destroyed Belobog's future with her own hands.
In the Administrative District Square of Belobog...
After a night's rest, Stelle and March 7th were strolling around the streets, each holding a cup of milk tea.
As they passed by a flower shop, Stelle rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"No way!"
March 7th saw Stelle's eyes nearly bulging out of her head.
"What now?"
Stelle tugged on March 7th's clothes and pointed toward a bench.
"March! Look over there!"
Following Stelle's finger, March 7th saw a sparkly wooden treasure chest placed under the bench.
"A treasure chest? Why is there still one here?"
The two walked up and opened it.
Inside were 5 Stellar Jades! As for the additional materials, they were nowhere to be found—probably already taken by someone.
Stelle took the Stellar Jades out.
"Whoa! There are still treasure chests in the city?"
Looking out over the vast city, an idea suddenly popped into Stelle's head.
She turned to March 7th, who was already looking at her.
Their eyes met—confirmation achieved!
"Let's go! Treasure hunting time!"
The two began searching every alley for treasure chests. Most of the ones in the administrative district were wooden chests, but each contained 5 Stellar Jades!
They went on a wild spree, unable to stop themselves.
As they searched, they arrived at the blocked-off commercial street.
Just as they entered, they spotted a deluxe treasure chest behind an iron gate!
Stelle's eyes sparkled. Without hesitation, she drew her Judgment of Shamash and sliced through the gate, rushing in.
As they approached the deluxe chest, three Flamespawn Shadows suddenly appeared.
Before Stelle and March 7th could act, their companions—Little Fire Monkey and Bubu Seed—stepped in.
"Roar! Roar!"
"Bubu!"
A burst of flame and a vine shot out of nowhere, instantly taking down two of the Flamespawn Shadows.
Spending time with Lios yesterday wasn't just for fun—Little Fire Monkey and Bub Seed had been learning.
Under Rios's guidance, they had each learned a new skill:
[Ember Spark] and [Drain]
The remaining Flamespawn Shadow was quickly taken out by a single slash from Stelle.
After defeating the guardians, Stelle eagerly opened the deluxe treasure chest, revealing 10 fresh Stellar Jades.
Stelle licked her lips and rubbed her hands.
"Stellar Jades~ Sweet little Stellar Jades~ Here I come~"
She picked up the Jades and gave 5 to March 7th.
Stelle glanced at March 7th, who was busily typing on her phone.
"March, who are you chatting with?"
Hearing her name, March 7th looked up and replied:
"Dan Heng's asking where we are."
Stelle snatched the phone and tucked it into March 7th's pocket, throwing an arm around her shoulder.
"Let's go! Forget him for now—Stellar Jades come first! We're rich! Hahaha!"
March 7th nodded in agreement and continued treasure hunting with Stelle.
Little Fire Monkey and Bub Seed also joined in the battles, gaining tons of experience.
Meanwhile, in the Mechanical House of the Administrative District…
Serval and Seele were with Dan Heng.
Dan Heng put away his phone.
"They're collecting Stellar Jades."
He had originally come to visit Serval, but Seele had shown up with a message from Bronya—
She invited the three of them to attend her inauguration ceremony.
That's why Dan Heng had been asking where Stelle and March were.
When Seele heard they were out collecting Stellar Jades, she panicked and rushed out the door to find Bronya.
Serval and Dan Heng watched Seele dash off, confused by her reaction.
After a moment, they decided to continue their discussion about machinery.
Over on Seele's side…
She ran from the Mechanical House straight to the Supreme Guardian's office.
This used to be Cocolia's domain, but it now belonged to Bronya.
The guards at the door recognized Seele as a friend of the new Guardian and didn't stop her.
Inside, Bronya was discussing details of the inauguration with an official.
"Something terrible's happened, Bronya!"
Bronya looked at Seele—her expression seemed genuinely serious.
She dismissed the official and asked,
"What's going on, Seele?"
Seele took a few deep breaths.
"Hurry! Send people to collect Stellar Jades!"
Bronya was puzzled. Why collect Stellar Jades? Weren't they worthless?
Oh right, Star and the others seemed to really like those.
Maybe Seele wanted to gather some as a gift?
If Stelle heard this, she'd probably grab Bronya's hand with tears in her eyes and give her a "Nice Person" card.
"Seele, is this a gift for them?"
Seele shook her head.
"No! It's Stellar Jades we're talking about!"
She then remembered Bronya didn't know about Ye Yun.
Seele quickly explained everything about Ye Yun, and Bronya fell into deep thought—it was a lot to process all at once.
Stellar Jades could be exchanged for Stellar Coins, and those could buy anything from Ye Yun.
No wonder Ye Yun had asked for 100 Stellar Jades as payment for saving her mother yesterday—now it all made sense.
Bronya finally pieced it together and then froze in place as she realized what Seele had just said.
"Oh no! The Stellar Jades! Guards! Assemble the troops!"
Bronya immediately mobilized troops to collect Stellar Jades.
Inside Ye Yun's shop…
Ye Yun and Zhongli were enjoying tea.
At the booth to their right, Welt had set up a chalkboard and was tutoring Clara, who was taking diligent notes.
Clara now studied on the Astral Express every morning and returned home every evening.
At the booth to the left, Paimon, Amber, and Lumine were devouring their meals. Today had been exhausting for Lumine.
She'd gone with Kaeya, Lisa, and the others to clear the Four Winds Temple and temporarily resolved Mondstadt's crisis.
By the time they returned to the city, it was already evening. All three were starving, so they came to Ye Yun's for food.
Having earned 200 Primogems today, Lumine was feeling generous—she treated everyone to a meal.
She spent 100 Stellar Coins on a deluxe seafood platter, which they were now devouring.
Paimon held a small hammer, which she used to crack open shells and crab legs.
She didn't have the strength to pry them open otherwise—so hammer it was.