Ironclad: How can hand-crafted knight belts not be considered genius?

Sensing the gunpowder in the tone of this "Double Flower Red Stick" from the lower district, Jiang Ning could only chuckle helplessly and defend himself.

"You're overthinking it, Miss Seele. While I haven't done anything particularly good, I'm definitely not as bad as you imagine."

Upon hearing this, Xi'er remained silent, only scrutinizing Jiang Ning from head to toe with her sharp eyes, as if trying to dissect him and see through him.

As the tension between the two grew palpable, Bronya, who had been holding back, finally couldn't help but shout out:

"The Silvermane Iron Guards never stay comfortably on the ground! They constantly fight enemies, defending Beloborg from monsters... protecting everyone above and below ground!"

Seele's cold laughter rang out again.

But before she could utter a sarcastic remark, Jiang Ning spoke first:

"Not entirely, Miss Bronya."

The sudden interruption of the conversation caused both of them to unconsciously turn their attention to Jiang Ning.

Bronya, in particular, had a sharp and scrutinizing gaze, looking at Jiang Ning as if he were an ignorant idiot.

"What do you mean by that? Is there something wrong with what I said? The Silvermane Guards clearly..."

"No, no, no, you've misunderstood me."

Jiang Ning raised his hand to interrupt Bronya's rebuttal.

"I have never denied the contributions made by the Silvermane Guards in protecting Belloberg."

Since we've come this far, I'll be blunt to avoid any misunderstandings...

What I really want to criticize is your brainless, wicked mother—Cocolia.

These words immediately seemed to touch Bronya's sore spot. Bronya instantly bristled, rushed in front of Jiang Ning, and glared at him with wide eyes.

"How dare you publicly insult the Great Guardian?!"

"Insult...? I'm just telling the truth."

Your mother wasn't as noble and perfect as you imagine, or... of all the rulers I've ever seen, your mother—Cocolia—was the most failed...

Before Jiang Ning could continue speaking, Bronya could no longer bear it. She grabbed Jiang Ning by the collar and forcefully pushed him to the ground.

Immediately afterwards, she drew her sidearm and aimed it at Jiang Ning.

The gun barrel trembled slightly; Bronya felt her emotions fluctuate so violently for the first time.

"No, you're not allowed to slander my mother..."

Seele frowned, about to stop Bronya, when she noticed Jiang Ning giving her a meaningful look.

"Take it easy." — This was the message Xi'er gleaned from Jiang Ning's eyes.

I don't understand.

Seeing Jiang Ning's calm and collected demeanor, Xi'er chose to cross her arms and observe the situation quietly.

Jiang Ning, who was pushed down, was not angry. On the contrary, he did not rush to get up. He just stared at the muzzle of the gun, and the smile on his lips became more and more exaggerated.

"...What are you laughing at?"

Bronya suppressed her anger, looked at Jiang Ning, and asked in confusion.

"I laugh at your naivety, that you've been taken advantage of to this extent without even realizing it."

"?…use?"

Bronya frowned, puzzled.

"Fine... since that's how it is, then I'll completely sever your hopes..."

Jiang Ning raised his hand and tossed a yellowed piece of paper at Bronya's feet.

Bronya paused for a moment, but still picked up the paper with a puzzled look.

At the same time, Jiang Ning, who had been keeping his head down and silent, suddenly took a deep breath, and a wild and unrestrained smile appeared on his lips.

[Do you know what I mean (ˉ▽￣)? Now, open your phone's music app and play the Exyder theme song "EXCITE" for an even better viewing experience.]

"Bronya!"

Jiang Ning looked up, slowly stretched out his hand, and pointed at Bronya.

Why were you selected as a candidate for "Great Guardian" without going through any competition?

Bronya stared at the paper document in her hand, her fingers clenching tightly, her pupils contracting violently in disbelief.

At the same time, not far behind Bronya, at the top of the stairs, Xing appeared with March 7, Danheng, and Sambo.

They were drawn here by the commotion, but they never expected to see Bronya here.

Just as the group was about to go over and say hello, they saw Jiang Ning kneeling on the ground not far away, Seele staring blankly at him, while Bronya stood there motionless as if her soul had been taken away.

"That's... Brother Jiang Ning? What's he doing? What kind of work is he up to?"

March 7th scratched his head in confusion.

Before the others could understand what was going on, Jiang Ning's smile remained unchanged as he continued to provoke them:

Why does the lower level feel familiar to you?

"Why are your memories of your childhood so vague, and why does Cocolia remain silent about them?"

As Jiang Ning posed question after question, fine beads of sweat began to appear on Bronya's forehead, and her lips trembled involuntarily.

"That guy is the Jiang Ning that Natasha was talking about...?"

Wait a minute!

What the hell are you trying to say, you living dad?!

Sangbo keenly sensed something was wrong, his expression changed, and ignoring the three pioneers beside him, he rushed towards Jiangning.

Seeing Bronya's face growing paler, Jiang Ning knew that his words had taken effect.

He took another deep breath, preparing to add the final push to the other person's fragile defenses.

There's only one answer left...

Dan Heng, who had been silently analyzing the situation, also sensed something was wrong. He noticed Bronya's unusual behavior and frowned slightly.

"Something's not right... No matter what Jiang Ning is about to say, stop him immediately!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Danheng also ran quickly towards Jiangning.

"Bronya!"

Seele, who had been watching the show, finally realized that the situation was getting out of control and immediately prepared to stop Jiang Ning from further provoking Bronya.

But Jiang Ning's role has come to an end.

"Bronya! You were personally selected by Cocolia from the orphanage in the lower district as her successor, a puppet to better control the direction of the upper and lower districts and to facilitate the exercise of her will!"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

As Jiang Ning revealed the "truth," Xi'er and Dan Heng stopped in their tracks.

The news was so explosive that everyone was momentarily stunned.

"So... Bronya is actually a child from the lower districts? That old woman Cocolia took her away and tamed her into a puppet that acts on her will?"

March 7th rubbed his temples, trying to sort out the jumbled information.

Xing was equally shocked when she heard this, but there was another aspect that shocked her as well.

"March, when did you become so smart?"

"Shut up! You didn't always think I was stupid, did you?!"

The minor disturbances here did not disrupt the progress of Bronya's worldview collapse.

The document bearing her childhood photo and clearly recording her adoption by Cocolia slipped limply from her fingertips.

"My mother... has been hiding this from me all along?"

Am I a child from the lower class...?

You must be kidding me...?

Bronya muttered to herself expressionlessly, then gradually smiled as if she had come to terms with it.

"This must be a lie, right?!"

But under Jiang Ning's provocation, the childhood memories that gradually surfaced in her mind kept confirming Jiang Ning's words.

Bronya clutched her head in anguish, then screamed and charged into the deserted depths of the lower district.

"Tsk."

Seeing that things were not going well, Seele glared at Jiang Ning and followed Bronya in pursuit.

Sangbo rushed to Jiang Ning, grabbed him by the collar and lifted him off the ground, his eyes full of incomprehension and resentment.

He spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear, pouring out his grievances:

"Dad, do you even know what you're doing? I can't escape responsibility for this either!"

Are you still not satisfied with the tension between the upper and lower levels? Don't you think "Earth Fire" has enough to deal with?

I know you have wide sources of information and a deep intelligence network, but I, old Sambo, am begging you, please, have mercy and stop your supernatural powers!

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