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

"Was it worth going to all this trouble?"

Jiang Ning ignored the lively atmosphere of celebrating their survival and silently watched Cocolia, who was panting heavily.

Just as Cocolia was about to speak, a mouthful of blood spurted from her mouth and splattered on the snow. After a moment, she could only let out a weak, miserable laugh.

"Speaking like a victor...it must feel good, right...?"

Jiang Ning bent down and squatted in front of Cocolia, his tone completely calm.

"There is no such thing as a 'winner.' I just don't want to see any more unnecessary casualties on this planet."

Cocolia, don't you really think your decision is too reckless, gambling the future of a planet with the ethereal "promise" of a "star core"?

"Then tell me... how should I choose!?"

Cocolia raised her head, glaring angrily at Jiang Ning, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Watching helplessly as Beloborg was invaded by rift creatures and swallowed by the blizzard?!"

Rather than doing nothing, we might as well seize the last hope and gamble on a glimmer of hope! ...cough cough cough..."

Another mouthful of blood spurted out, Cocolia's face was as pale as paper, and she looked particularly miserable in the wind and snow.

"Mother!"

Seeing this, Bronya rushed forward to help, but was stopped by Cocolia's strong will.

Jiang Ning sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Your idea is correct, but you've chosen the wrong partner."

As he spoke, Jiang Ning extended his right hand toward Cocolia, who was slumped on the ground.

Cocolia froze for a moment, looking at Jiang Ning with some surprise.

"In the past, you may have had no choice but to let the 'Star Core' control your fate, but now, we've arrived."

A choice thousands of times better than the "Star Core," one that could revitalize Belloberg and free him from the fear of survival, is now before you.

Cocolia, what is your choice?

Jiang Ning's voice pierced through the mask and the wind and snow, each word clearly reaching Cocolia's ears.

The wind and snow swept across the desolate snowfield, swirling up fine snowflakes that landed on Cocolia's disheveled hair and tattered robes.

She stared blankly at Jiang Ning's outstretched hand.

Decades have passed.

For decades.

In this snowstorm where the sun never shines, everyone is sinking into despair. The voice of the "Star Core" echoes in her ears—either accept fate and wait for death, or embrace "destruction" and welcome "rebirth".

No one ever told her that there was a third way.

No one has ever reached out to her after she was burdened with sins and abandoned by everyone, giving her a chance to turn back.

Cocolia's tense nerves suddenly relaxed at that moment.

The anger, stubbornness, and resentment in his eyes faded away, leaving only boundless weariness and bitterness.

She raised her hand with a slight tremor, her fingertips hovering in mid-air, hesitant to bring it down.

"...Do I even have a choice anymore?"

Her voice was hoarse and weak, filled with an unprecedented sense of bewilderment and frailty.

"I manipulated the star core, stirred up the upper and lower zones, nearly destroyed the entire Beloborg, harmed my people, and even my only family..."

As she spoke, Cocolia turned to look at Bronya, her eyes filled with self-blame and regret.

"My hands are stained with sin; I am already a sinner to this frozen land."

Someone like me... has committed countless sins...

Bronya stood to the side, her eyes already red.

She finally understood that all her mother's madness and obsession were never selfishness, but rather the result of carrying the despair of an entire city-state.

Jiang Ning's hand remained steadily outstretched in mid-air.

There are never any born sinners.

This world is too dangerous; many people struggle to survive, let alone make absolutely the right choices.

If you have a choice, don't let yourself have any regrets.

Cocolia stared at that hand, her nose stinging and throbbing. The shell that had been frozen in her heart for decades finally shattered completely at this moment.

Yes.

She was really exhausted.

For decades, she has single-handedly shouldered the fate of Beloborg, listening to the roar of the rift, watching the frozen earth devour life, and hearing the silent despair of the people.

Guided by the "Star Core," she gritted her teeth and became the villain in everyone's eyes, bearing the infamy, tearing apart the city-state, and personally pushing herself into the abyss of betrayal and isolation.

She thought this was the only way out.

Only now does Jiang Ning tell her—you didn't have to do this.

With her mind made up, she suddenly tightened her grip on Jiang Ning's hand, her fingertips hovering in mid-air, gently yet with unwavering determination.

Even through the cold armor, she could clearly feel the warmth emanating from the other person.

That was salvation.

It was a chance called "turning back" that was decades late. Under the eager gaze of everyone, Cocolia slowly spoke.

"I choose..."

Cocolia's brow had just relaxed, and before she could finish speaking, the previously silent "Star Core" suddenly erupted.

boom--!!

The pitch-black "destructive" energy suddenly spread out, sweeping across the entire snowfield centered on Cocolia.

The fierce wind was like a knife, suddenly stirring up a sky full of snow. Bronya, March 7th, and Xing were caught off guard and were violently pushed back several steps by the powerful energy wave, their feet carving deep tracks in the snow.

"Hmm!"

Cocolia, at the center of the energy field, struggled painfully as the erosion marks of the "star core" gradually crept up her already pale face along her neck.

"Oh no, the power of the star core has gone out of control!"

Jiang Ning! Get away from Cocolia quickly, or you'll get caught in the crossfire!

While struggling to resist the energy surge from the "Star Core," Dan Heng shouted at Jiang Ning, who was at the energy center.

Even from dozens of steps away, even with the "Expansion" power protecting him, this energy still stung his skin. But Jiang Ning was right next to Cocolia, and he hadn't moved an inch from beginning to end. You can imagine how intense the energy impact Jiang Ning was currently experiencing.

Indeed, Jiang Ning's armor was constantly being attacked, and even with this layer of protection, Jiang Ning inside was still not feeling well.

The best conclusion drawn from Zeya's analysis and prediction is to keep a distance.

If this is not done, the Zero One armor will disintegrate within 2 minutes, at which point Jiang Ning's body, now defenseless, will instantly collapse.

Cocolia seemed to notice Jiang Ning's unusual behavior as well, and the hand she was holding with Jiang Ning began to struggle and pull back.

"Don't worry about me. I started all of this, and I should end it. This is what I deserve."

As she spoke, a cold energy field began to expand from Cocolia's body, eventually condensing into a barrier in an attempt to keep Jiang Ning out.

"Jiang Ning, you're a good person, and I believe you'll give Bellberg a bright future, so you can't..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Ning raised his hand and smashed the protective shield to pieces.

Cocolia stared wide-eyed, completely unable to comprehend Jiang Ning's behavior.

"Alright, I've already played that kind of role before: wanting to sacrifice yourself to be a hero."

"Shut your mouths now. Since I said I would save everyone in Belloberg, then you and I will save them too!"

The next moment, Jiang Ning took out a bottle-shaped object from his waist that emitted a strange golden halo.

"Destruction" Energy Bottle!

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