Xingtie, started with a guitar, and made a living by singing

She clutched her chest tightly, her lips trembling, her eyes blank.

The transformation was so great that it was like a complete replacement of one's inner personality.

Bronya also silently lowered her hand, leaving a bright red palm print on the girl's delicate cheek. However, compared to the physical pain, the trauma that pierced her heart made her even more sad.

But the tears will no longer flow.

The tears she could shed for her mother should have dried up.

Her mother was reflected in the girl's silver eyes, and her cherry-like lips were tightly pursed together, her will was so firm.

"...I will not go back with you. Whether you intend to deprive me of my acting leadership or depose me as the Guardian's successor, I will return all that you have given me.

But there is only one thing, if you still have any feelings for the past in your heart, please return what you took from me -"

Bronya tore off the Earth Marrow Medal, a symbol of honor and the past, like a rebellious knight who wanted to break with the arrogant queen.

She spoke loudly and forcefully.

"Freedom. Please give back the life that belongs to me and Bronya!"

This "unrepentant" attitude made Cocolia so angry, but she was no longer prepared to take any action to hurt Bronya, contrary to that.

She already understood that these so-called punishments were completely useless to the determined Bronya.

Only by starting from that soft spot can we truly make her repent.

She walked up to Bronya and watched the girl who used to only be able to follow behind her grow into the graceful lady she is today.

Although the bright red palm print destroyed the cool and gorgeous beauty, it also gave rise to a kind of enchanting temptation that could break a gentian flower.

Cocolia reached out and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at her.

"You want freedom? As my daughter, do you really think you're entitled to such a luxury?"

Her disdainful and contemptuous expression undoubtedly intensified the girl's sense of humiliation, but she could only stare at her unwillingly.

"Don't worry, Bronya. I won't take away your status as the Guardian's heir, nor will I let you escape back into the mire like a stray dog."

Cocolia lowered her head, brushed her daughter's cheek, and whispered softly in her ear.

"You are the child I raised and my most beloved daughter. Even if you can't break free from the shackles of your thoughts, I will not give up on you..."

"You're just lying to me—!"

Bronya struggled harder, but Cocolia's hands were as if made of ice and rock, and did not move at all.

She jokingly said, "Remember? I once told you to learn to be tolerant... Just like I choose to forgive you now, even if I do something painful to you in the future, you will forgive mother, right?"

"What are you going to do to my friends!?"

Bronya's expression darkened in vain, and Cocolia was able to confirm something from this change.

She was so heartbroken, and she never expected that her daughter's rebellious period would be mixed with things that she shouldn't have.

"…What? Nothing. As your mother, I should have the right to judge for my daughter whether a friend is worth making friends with, right?"

When Bronya heard her mother say Wendy's name, her heart trembled and she realized that she had been under surveillance.

And Wendy's information must have been presented to her mother long ago.

Although Wendy was very strong and there was no need for her to worry, Bronya was very scared, afraid that her mother would choose to deal with Wendy in the same way she dealt with her.

If that happens, once the mother is completely enraged, the wind dragon that has a close relationship with Wendy will definitely appear.

She is still unclear about the relationship between the other party and the dragon, but if she guessed correctly, it should be similar to the relationship between a master and his followers?

If the mother were to harm the dragon without caring about the consequences, Beloberg might be angered. If the dragon were to run rampant in the city, it would definitely cause many casualties.

Perhaps mistaking her silence for fear, Cocolia gave a wicked smile.

"Hmm? What's wrong? Did I hit the nail on the head with your reaction? Or, in your heart, he's more than just a friend?"

This unexpected remark made Bronya retort subconsciously.

“This has nothing to do with you!”

"Nothing? Will you let your children associate with questionable people in the future?"

Cocolia teased like a cat catching a mouse.

"Wendy is not a bad person!"

"If that's not the case, then why are you so resistant to answering?"

Like a black widow slowly approaching her prey, Cocolia gradually entangled Bronya in a spider web woven with words.

"If I remember correctly, you first met at a banquet, right? You stood up for him, but he showed no appreciation and ended up in jail with the troublemakers."

"You're saying all this just to prove how many watchers you've planted around me? I used to trust you so much!"

Bronya retorted.

"Surveillance...ridiculous. Without my watchful eye, do you really think you can maintain your position as the Guardian's successor amidst the wolves?"

Cocolia shook her head, as if feeling sorry for Bronya for not understanding her good intentions.

"Alright. Bronya, I'm already exhausted... I don't want to argue with you anymore. From now on, I will just use all my means to make your 'friend' tell me what the relationship between you two is, and then-"

There was a chilling coldness in her eyes that was unfamiliar to Bronya.

"I will issue a wanted order. I will make him a criminal, a criminal who brought the dragon into the city, caused people's families to fall apart, and deserves to be hated and cursed by everyone.

And you, in the meantime, will just stay in the best position and watch how the poet, pushed to the forefront by public outrage, will die miserably."

I don't know whether to say I'm helpless or I can't help but want to say some vulgar words.

Finally, Bronya had no choice but to look up and emphasize.

"...You will definitely regret this...!"

Chapter 75: Neither Hate nor Like

——At this time, Wendy, who was still in the inner city, was not aware that Cocolia had issued an order to arrest him.

He had just returned from Clara and Swarovski's room. After the previous briefing, both of them agreed to stay in the upper area for a while.

As for what to do during this period of time, it is naturally to visit Wendy’s “nest” developed in the upper area, and Shiluwa who is responsible for the research and development of equipment.

I have to say that although Big Sister Shiluwa acted very rashly, her knowledge and terrifying resume were enough to prove that her so-called "perpetual motion mechanical house" was just a rhetoric to satisfy her business interests, and it was really just a joke.

If she was really treated as an ordinary mechanic shop owner, I'm afraid there would be a bloody storm in the mechanic circle of Beloberg.

Therefore, whether it was Clara who decided to stay and take a closer look out of curiosity, or Swarovski who regarded Shiluwa as a potential partner, they both had sufficient reasons.

Since Wendy succeeded in retaining her, she naturally had to go back and report to her dear Miss Xier.

The second-in-command of the Dihuo faction, who also had some stalker tendencies, was staring at him with suspicion, and only asked the question after a while.

"That Swarovski who always keeps saying 'staying in the lower districts is the best option for survival,' really came all the way here just for this reason?"

"Of course it's true, would I lie to you?"

Wendy nodded, opened the free drink and poured herself a glass.

"Heh. I used to believe you wouldn't lie, but now it's hard to say. After all, I don't know who tricked that young lady from the upper class district into doing things the other day."

Hmm, why does this wine taste like vinegar?

Wendy shuddered.

The purple-haired girl opposite still had that dashing yet somewhat pretentious expression, and Wendy spoke in a sincere tone.

"This is a huge misunderstanding. At this critical moment, I am extremely anxious and in pain.

Every time I lie down on the bed and close my eyes at night, it’s as if someone is telling me, ‘You can’t rest yet, there’s still a lot of work to be done.’”

"Then why don't you put your glass down first and stop looking so relaxed..."

Xier looked at Wendy, who said "anxious and painful" but still looked comfortable, and couldn't help but complain.

"After all, isn't your job just to sing for money? Everyone's been hiding out these past few days, so how could they have the time to watch a performance? And you've been sitting around with nothing to do, right?"

"That's not true. The more tense the situation is, the more people need music to relax."

Wendy drank the rye in one gulp, then took out the Fehling from her waist and gently played the strings.

"After all, there's a little singer inside everyone. When you hear a good song, you can't help but sing along. You must feel relaxed and at ease at that moment, right?"

Looking at this poet who always seemed somewhat romantic, even naive, Xi'er just hummed softly, and her expression, which seemed to be entangled in something, seemed to be relieved a little.

"...Humph. You always have a lot of reasons, and I can't argue with you, but what should we do next?"

"Wait for the right moment. I believe that the tyrant will not sit idly by and watch the current situation. Besides—"

Wendy raised the corners of her mouth, her smile looking a little cunning.

"Even if she doesn't intend to take the initiative, I won't wait any longer. This time, let's go to a place a little closer and give her a little surprise, okay?"

"Are you going to have the wind... uh, Tevalin hover directly over Fort Kripple?"

"Don't worry about my thoughts. Just call him by the name that comes most easily to you. Although I call him Tevarin, he is ultimately just a reproduction of the friend in my memory, using his own power to create a fake effect that is indistinguishable from the real thing."

Wendy propped up his cheek, feeling somewhat touched by Xier's thoughtfulness, and therefore he continued.

"Also, let me tell you a secret. If that guy were really here, he'd probably berate me for not doing my job properly, right?"

"It sounds a bit like a friend, but not quite."

"Really? I consider him a dear friend. Just like you, Seele, both are treasures that I cherish very much—"

"Hey—don't say such sentimental things all of a sudden! I'm almost getting goosebumps!"

Although she said this and kept rubbing her arms, the fulfillment in the girl's heart was silent, and she was very happy to be recognized in this way.

only……

If they are just friends, or close friends, according to common sense, everyone would hope to maintain such an eternal and unchanging virtue in their relationship.

And doesn't her desire to get close to Wendy seem strange?

Especially when facing such an opponent, he would definitely be very unwilling to lose to the eldest lady whom he looked down upon.

No, it's not just unwillingness, it's anger that makes me want to beat someone up...

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at Wendy who was pouring another glass of wine and was about to drink it.

Then he grabbed the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Under Wendy's somewhat surprised gaze, the girl's face gradually turned red.

"Huh? Don't you dislike drinking?"

"Who, who said I don't like it."

Dissatisfied with drinking from a wine glass being too slow, Xier simply lifted the entire bottle and gulped it down. She wiped the corner of her mouth and her eyes became somewhat gentle.

"I don't like it, but I don't hate it either. I just think... it's pitiful to see someone like the boss getting drunk all alone."

"Ah, sometimes children have such thoughts when they see their parents drinking."

Wendy didn't care about the drinks being taken away from her. Instead, she was more curious about Xier's behavior.

This girl who always appears cool and cool in front of others actually has a soft side in her heart that matches her appearance. So what kind of interesting behavior will she show when she is drunk?

The other party was holding the bottle of wine, pouting, and said with an indifferent look.

"Don't take advantage of me. You're obviously not older than me, but you always talk like the boss and the others."

"That's what they call experience. Even though I haven't personally experienced much, having experienced this 'even if I haven't eaten pork, I've seen pigs run', so it definitely gives me some different perspectives."

Wendy said soothingly.

"What about pigs? Running? You really like to give some weird examples. And what about apples that you often mentioned before? What is that crispy and sweet fruit?"

"—It's probably like a dream you don't want to wake up from. After eating one, I still want more. When I think about it, I miss the days when I had apple wine."

"Hmph. If you keep dwelling on the past, you might end up becoming a coward too afraid to even move forward."

Xier made a face at him.