Absolutely legitimate Star Iron, I've awakened the Underworld System?

　Bronya glanced at Himeko somewhat uneasily and whispered, "Um... Ms. Himeko, shouldn't we try to negotiate with her? If we keep talking like this..."

　Himeko gently shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of certainty: "There's no need to bother, High Guardian. She decided what to do ten minutes ago."

　Toppa paused for a moment, then showed an expression of admiration: "As expected of the head of the train crew, your insight is truly extraordinary!"

　A smile crept across her lips, a hint of mockery in her voice: "You're right. Often, differing viewpoints don't necessarily mean one is right or wrong—but in order to keep the work moving forward and prevent it from stalling, there's usually only one way..."

　As soon as Topa finished speaking, a deep rumble suddenly came from the distant snowfield, and even the earth began to tremble.

　"W-what happened? What's going on?!"

　Bronya's expression suddenly changed, and her voice became tense.

　"If you're so eager to know, then I'll tell you—the request for permission to launch a special attack on the Starry Sky Train members has been approved!"

　Topa's smile gradually turned cold, his eyes filled with undisguised confidence.

　Countless sharp-edged mechs rose from the ground, their cold mechanical eyes flashing red, like a pack of ferocious beasts poised to pounce.

　Topa's voice carried a hint of smugness, "Take a feel for it, this is the company's technology. Although I'm curious how Bellober's ancestors resisted the antimatter legion's attacks without these mechs, the fact that they were completely preserved is a bargain for me; they all possess full combat capability!"

　"Looks like you're pushing Belloberg to his doom, Toppa!"

　Bronya's face turned ashen, her voice filled with anger.

　“You originally had the right to choose, but you listened to the slander of some people and missed the deadline. There’s nothing I can do; my project also has a time limit.”

　Topa shrugged, his tone tinged with helplessness.

　"Since that's the case, then let me show you how we, the people of Beloborg, survived that disaster through our own efforts."

　A resolute glint flashed in Bronya's eyes, and her voice was firm.

　The ground in the distance suddenly began to shake, and the sound was no less powerful than the company's massive mechs.

　A colossal mechanical giant slowly rose, emitting a deep hum.

　It was a colossal structure made up of countless gears and pipes, resembling a mobile fortress.

　"What is this huge, fragmented thing...?"

　Topa's eyes gradually widened in surprise.

　“Miss Topa, I know you’ve done a lot of research—I’d like to know if your materials contain any information about the ‘Creation Engine’?”

　Bronya's voice carried a sense of pride in Belloberg's past.

Chapter Twenty-One: What were you two doing?

　null

Chapter Twenty-Two: What kind of mess will this make of people?

　Bronya did not back down because of Topa's threats, nor was she swayed by her actions.

　She took a deep breath, the cold air filling her chest, as if infusing her resolve with strength.

　Bronya's gaze was fixed on Topa as she began her final admonition, her tone tinged with sorrow yet also with a glimmer of hope.

　“Miss Topa, perhaps you don’t know, but the biggest difference between our company and yours is that… the Creation Engine was designed not just as a weapon of war…”

　Bronya's voice echoed across the snowfield, as if etching every word into the land.

　"Moreover, it is the guarantee for the future reconstruction of Belleburg! It carries the hopes of all of us and is the foundation for our survival on this cold land!"

　She turned to face the assembled people of Belloberg behind her, her gaze sweeping over every face: Seele, Jepard, Pera…

　Those faces, weathered by wind and snow, were etched with determination and anticipation.

　Her voice became louder, with an irresistible infectiousness.

　“I have gathered you all here not only to fight against external enemies, but also to tell Miss Toppa, and to those who are skeptical! We, the people of Belloberg, want to protect this freedom! We must act and prove to everyone that we have the will and the ability to control our own destiny!”

　Bronya's voice was like a fire, igniting the hearts of everyone present.

　The Beloborg soldiers stood tall, gripped their weapons tightly, and burned with fierce determination.

　Their breaths condensed into white mist in the cold air, as if adding a thin veil to the snowfield.

　Toppa listened quietly to Bronya's speech, his expression gradually becoming complicated.

　"Miss Great Guardian, you don't really understand me either."

　Topa's voice was low, tinged with a barely perceptible hint of envy, "You are an outstanding leader. If my homeland had such a leader... perhaps the outcome would have been different."

　Her voice carried a faint sadness, like an echo from a distant memory. (Novel Group 6; 4)

　Her gaze lowered slightly, as if she were recalling something, but quickly she raised her head again, the vulnerability in her eyes replaced by determination.

　"But now, I have become the hope of countless people on our home planet. I bear their expectations, and I have reasons not to back down."

　Toppa's voice regained its firmness, as if he had been infused with strength.

　She raised her head, her gaze sharp as she looked at Bronya, then at Shirakami and Himeko, her tone carrying a hint of apology, yet also a resolute air.

　"I'm sorry, everyone. But I must persevere for the sake of my mission."

　Looking at the determination in Toppa's eyes, Bai Qiong felt a sense of powerlessness.

　He knew that Topa and Bronya each had their own positions and reasons, and neither of them was wrong, but their different positions destined the conflict to be inevitable.

　He wanted to stop the fight, but he felt as if he were in the center of a vortex, unable to escape.

　Just when he was at his wit's end, a cold voice suddenly rang in his mind—a notification from the Inner World System.

　"Ding!"

　Why doesn't the host consider the amazing system? You have no other choice.

　[Why not make a small sacrifice to ensure peace on two planets?]

　A mere 50% corruption threshold is already a very low requirement for my mission...

　It's that otherworld system again! Bai Qiong felt a surge of annoyance.

　He originally thought that the system would quiet down for a while after the last mission, but he didn't expect it to reappear so quickly.

　The delicate and lovely Clara, and the silly March 7th could all be overlooked, but Toppa…

　Is it really that easy for him to accumulate corruption points?

　Looking at the woman before him, who appeared strong on the outside but seemed to harbor vulnerability and responsibility on the inside, he felt a complex mix of emotions.

　He did not want to force anyone to "fall" according to the system's instructions, especially someone like Toppa who also had his own difficulties.

　Would she like this? If I did such a thing, how would I be any different from a villain?

　Bai Qiong never imagined that one day he would face such an important matter without having to think so much, but at this moment, he clearly couldn't do that at all. Nevertheless, the system's task prompts were like an invisible whip, lashing at his nerves and making him feel a strange pressure.

　He gradually convinced himself that the system was right.

　This is the only solution!

　No, I can't hesitate any longer!

　The stable worldline I seek must not be altered, and this conflict must be stopped!

　Thoughts raced through Bai Qiong's mind, and his gaze lingered on Topa for a moment.

　Finally, he made up his mind!

　"System, could you... advance half the amount?"

　Bai Qiong asked tentatively in his heart, his tone tinged with trepidation and anticipation.

　He knew this request might be outrageous; after all, who would negotiate with the system?

　But the current situation forces him to take the risk. Bai Qiong needs more leverage in negotiations with Topa to convince Topa of his strength.

　The system remained silent for a moment, as if performing complex calculations.

　This brief silence felt exceptionally long to Bai Qiong, each second feeling like an eternity.

　Finally, that cold voice rang out again, breaking the suffocating silence.

　This is not allowed according to the regulations.

　The system's tone remained as cold and devoid of humanity as ever.

　However, considering what the host might need to do, this system believes it's acceptable to set this precedent.

　Bai Qiong's heart skipped a beat, as if she had seen a glimmer of hope.

　[If the host can get Toppa to reach a 70% corruption level before sunrise tomorrow, half the money can be deposited into your Interstellar Peace Bank account now, and the other half will be paid out upon achieving the goal.]

　Conversely, if the host fails to complete the mission, the system will activate annihilation mode, causing the host to self-destruct and ending your journey in this other world.

　Have you thought this through?

　In just one day... 70% of my corruption points?!

　Bai Qiong gasped. This condition was even more stringent than he had imagined. March 7th's mere 39% corruption level was already insane; if Toppa's reached 70%...

　What kind of mess would this make of people?

　But now that things have come to this, he has no way out.

　"Okay, I agree." Bai Qiong gritted her teeth and answered firmly in her heart.

　"Ding!"

　The money has been received. Please check your account.

　The system notification sounded again, and Bai Qiong knew that the transaction had taken effect. He had to do his best to complete this absurd task.

　He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and then turned to face the crowd.

　“I have a way to help Belloberg pay off his debts!” Bai Qiong said.

　Although the sound was not loud, it was exceptionally clear on the silent snowfield.

　His words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.