The people in the collapsing iron gave the immortal ship a small shock from the Holy Lord.

Page 47

The little girl in front of you probably just wants those cards with pretty pictures that kids like.

"It's this kind of card that Lord Black Hook discovered is very magical."

Hook took out a silver card from his small bag. Bronya took it and saw that the card had a picture of a chicken floating in the air, but the surrounding pattern was not the same color as the one on her card with a dog, but a common silver color, which made it look much simpler.

Similarly, after receiving the card, Bronya clearly received the message that she should pray to the creator of magical girls—the Dragon Girl of the Divine Capital—that the user could gain the ability to levitate and fly for 5 minutes, and that the card would be automatically destroyed after 10 uses.

With a strange feeling in her heart, Bronya asked Hook, "Lord Hook, have you used this card?"

"Hmm, of course I've used it! Lord Hook can demonstrate it for you again!"

Hook pulled another card from her purse. Bronya could see it clearly this time as well. It was a card with a dragon head with its mouth wide open and making a bursting motion. However, unlike the silver card in her hand, this card was gold.

"Great creator of magical girls—the Dragon Girl of the Divine Palace, grant Lord Hook power!"

Hook stretched out his hand, and a huge, hot fireball formed in his palm. Not only that, Bronya could also see a faint dragon-shaped phantom behind Hook. This phantom made even the short child Hook feel a little bit of pressure.

"Who created this card? And who exactly is the Dragon Girl from the Divine Capital?"

The thought popped into Bronya's mind.

"I really don't know where Aha scattered those cards."

"But you really want to see a magical girl fight against a Star Core Corruptor and even win? And you insist that I advertise myself as a creator of magical girls in the cards...."

Inside the cave, Bai Zhi pouted helplessly. She had originally intended to give away the cards herself, but it seemed that Aha had other ideas and helped her distribute the cards throughout the entire Beloborg.

Originally, she only wanted to create some simple power cards, such as the most basic fire attacks, but later she felt it was too boring, so she infused some of the power of talismans into the cards.

However, this kind of magic, which comes from Marvel and is essentially made from magic scrolls, doesn't have a high power limit, so the power of the talismans she stuffed in were all super weakened versions.

Even so, these cards are still quite powerful, and can sometimes play a decisive role in actual battles.

Inside the cave, a playing card with a smiley face on it slowly floated down in front of Bai Zhi, seemingly agreeing with what she said.

"You really have a twisted sense of humor. The artifact that Nanook dropped on the planet, causing the planet and civilization to perish, was actually defeated and subdued by a magical girl who only appears in shoujo manga. It has a rather... strange sense of incongruity."

Bai Zhi roughly understood what Aha was pursuing. To be fair, this guy was indeed a qualified entertainer. Even Bai Zhi was a little looking forward to seeing what the scene would be like.

95 Cocolia senses something is wrong

"What's going on lately? It seems like the entire budget for Belleburg has increased significantly, and the infrastructure costs have increased by almost 40%. Are you rebuilding Belleburg?"

In the spacious office, Cocolia frowned, looking at the report that Pera had brought her, her mind filled with confusion.

These past few days, she had been feeling very strange. After her daughter Bronya went missing, Garrison Commander Jepard had come to Cripper Fort several times to ask her about the various follow-up measures taken by the Silvermane Iron Guard and to report on the recent number of casualties.

Faced with this situation, she naturally used the excuse that Belloberg was currently facing a severe shortage of resources to send him away.

As usual, Jepard didn't say anything, but clasped his hands in a fist salute and then decisively stepped back.

But Cocolia felt something was off, because when she usually used this excuse to brush off the other person, the other person's emotions were more inclined to helplessness, rather than the calmness of that time, and there was even a hint of disappointment in their eyes.

"The Silvermane Iron Guards...could they be planning a coup...?"

Looking at the terrifyingly high budget approval, a thought popped into Cocolia's mind.

Once the thought entered her mind, Cocolia's thoughts became unrestrained, because she knew that although the Great Guardian could be said to be supreme in Beloborg, it was on the premise that he needed the support of military organizations and other nobles.

She knew that the Silvermane Iron Guard had overthrown the Great Guardian in the past, and it wasn't impossible for it to happen again.

Previously, the Silvermane Guard was commanded by his daughter Bronya, which is why she was able to issue so many policies and maintain order even after many Silvermane Guards died.

But now that Bronya is missing, everything has become delicate. Strictly speaking, she has lost the meticulous control she once had over the Silvermane Guards.

"Lady Cocolia, as you know, the Silvermane Iron Guard has suffered heavy casualties recently. In order to repel those Rift creatures, we have deployed many large mechs and various heavy artillery, which has led to a serious depletion of ammunition and various supplies."

"Moreover, under such a fierce offensive, the defensive fortifications have been severely damaged. The Silver Mane Iron Guards have not carried out major repairs on the fortifications for several years, and this time they have applied for several years' worth of funding at once."

“Lord Cocolia, although we know that the government’s budget is tight at present, these fortifications are an important line of defense for the entire Beloborg. We must repair them no matter what, which will greatly reduce our casualties.”

Pera pushed up his glasses, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and then launched into a long string of words.

After a few days, she was almost certain that Cocolia was indeed being bewitched by some kind of being.

This once wise and powerful leader is now using his power to plunge the entire Silvermane Guard, and even Belloborg, into crisis.

"Overhaul of the Silver Mane Iron Guard fortifications..."

Cocolia paused slightly, unable to find a rebuttal. She knew that the outer perimeter of Beloborg had been in disrepair for years. In the past, she would have it maintained every year, but after the star core began to corrupt it, she gradually gave up on this task.

Moreover, Pera's reason was quite valid; she couldn't use insufficient budget as an excuse, since this concerned the entire Belleburg. No matter how insufficient the budget was, it wouldn't work; even voluntary labor was entirely feasible.

It's worth noting that she always projected a somewhat berserker image in public, and she even said she would reclaim the lands corrupted by the Rift, which led to the deaths of many Silvermane Iron Guards.

Taking a deep breath, Cocolia said in a deep voice, "Submit the relevant reports regarding the budget for the major overhaul of the fortifications. I will have someone calculate it and then decide where to allocate the funds."

"Of course, no problem. I will submit the report to you later. Moreover, the nobles and ministers are very supportive of this decision."

As Pera spoke, she gave a graceful curtsy.

Upon hearing Pella's words, Cocolia's pupils contracted slightly; she had discovered the blind spot.

Although she wields supreme power as the High Warden in Beloborg, the nobles and ministers are also a force that restrains her. Therefore, even she needs the extremely politically correct reason of reclaiming human lands to eliminate the Silvermane Iron Guards.

However, despite this reason, the nobles and ministers were not so willing, because the population of Beloborg was sufficient to be reduced to what it was in the current city.

Now, Pera is saying that the ministers and nobles will actually support this renovation decision.

This is like the sun rising in the west!

She sensed that these guys must have something ulterior motive, and she had to investigate them.

"Okay, you can go now. Everyone else, please leave the office. I need to calm down and deal with this."

Cocolia lowered her eyes, her voice revealing no emotion.

"Yes!"

Inside the office, all the clerks who were processing documents stood up, bowed to Cocolia, and then left.

Anyway, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. Cocolia often does this, spending time alone to think about many things.

Although the solutions she comes up with after being alone always have a slightly strange thought process.

Cocolia looked out the office window and saw that Jepard had indeed gathered a large number of workers in the administrative district square.

"He actually gathered so many workers. Could it be that he really wants to repair the fortifications?"

Cocolia hesitated for a moment, but the suspicion in her heart had not been dispelled. After all, she had been the Great Guardian for so long. Although she had been corrupted, her intelligence was still intact. She did not believe that those greedy nobles and short-sighted ministers would suddenly be so wise as to support the same thing.

There must be something fishy going on.

In the past, she would usually send intelligence officer Pera to investigate what had happened, but recently she noticed that Pera's attitude towards her seemed to have changed quite a bit, and he seemed to speak to her far less respectfully than before.

This made her wonder if Pera had also been bribed by the mysterious entity.

So she decided to go out and see the world on her own this time.

With that in mind, Cocolia went to the wall of the office and pressed a certain spot.

Suddenly, a hidden door opened, revealing its contents: a secret tunnel.

96 Cocolia: It must be an illusion from the star core!

"It's been so long since I've used this look."

In the administrative district, a woman whose body and face were completely covered was looking at the bustling square and moved her body slightly, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Cough cough cough, my voice is fine."

Cocolia listened to her own voice and found it sounded younger than before. Coupled with the heavy clothes that Belleberg often wore, she didn't attract anyone's attention.

This was a method she often used in the past: putting on makeup, changing her clothes, and sneaking out to learn about the people's conditions.

But after being corrupted by the star core, she has not used it for a long time.

However, today, she put this long-dormant skill to use.

"Hello, what's the reason for the recent commotion in the square?"

Quietly approaching an old man, Cocolia asked him in a deliberately disguised voice.

She knew that these elderly people liked to wander around the administrative district, and each of them could be considered a walking intelligence agency.

This is an experience she has summarized during her long administrative career. Every time she goes on an incognito visit, she always asks these elderly people.

The old man turned around and looked Cocolia up and down. "Oh my, girl, why are you dressed so warmly? This administrative region isn't a snowfield, it's not like you need to be dressed like this."

"I'm a bit sick, so I'm more sensitive to the cold. Please forgive me. But lately I've been short of money, so I'm looking for some work. You see how lively this administrative district is? Is something going on?"

Cocolia brought out the reason she had already made up.

"So you were sick. You should have said so earlier. I understand now." The old man nodded knowingly.

"It's all because of your nagging!" Cocolia thought to herself, but her tone remained friendly. "Could you tell me about some recent major events? I've been staying home for too long and I'm definitely out of touch."

"That's easy, girl. Let me tell you, something big has really happened recently, and I heard it will affect the entire Belleburg!"

"Oh?"

Cocolia's eyes narrowed slightly. "Could you tell me what this important matter is?"

The old man looked around and gestured for Cocolia to lean closer, and Cocolia readily did so.

"Hey girl, let me tell you, the Silver Mane Iron Guard seems to be building something called Fairy Castle, and they've recruited a lot of workers."

"Magic Fairy Castle??"

Cocolia frowned. What kind of name is this? Would the Silvermane Iron Guard name a building like this? Shouldn't it be something like Sky Tower?

This "Magic Castle" sounds like the name of a building from a shoujo manga.

"Old man, do you know what this Magic Fairy Castle is for?"

Cocolia was filled with doubt; she couldn't quite figure out what was going on.

"I heard it's the final stronghold and base for magical girls, a place filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, set up to defeat the final villain."

"what?"

Cocolia stared wide-eyed at the old man. She thought that perhaps she had come to the wrong person. This old man might have some kind of mental illness, otherwise how could he say such outrageous things? The final fortress of magical girls was set up to defeat the final villain.

This old man, could it be that he's been reading too many shoujo manga by his granddaughter?

"Well... thank you for the information. I'll go check out the others."

Cocolia replied to the old man with a very reluctant tone.

"Sigh, this child, why doesn't he believe it?"

Watching Cocolia slowly walk away, the old man shook his head helplessly, then his eyes lit up as a graceful young girl ran towards him.

"Grandma, you've come to pick me up."

"Hey, my dear granddaughter, did you go and try to pass the magical girl test?"

The old man patted the girl's head, then asked cautiously.

"It's approved, Grandma! We can go live on the island in the Magic Fairy Castle now!!"

The granddaughter looked up, her face beaming with joy.

"Haha, great! My granddaughter is really something. If I can spend the rest of my life on this island, then my life will have been worthwhile."

The old man looked up at the sky, his face full of hope.

Now, the entire Upper Belleburg district is infected by this fervent sentiment.

There were too many construction workers entering the Fairy Castle, and the news was impossible to block. What they saw and heard, even the photos, became evidence.

Moreover, after confirming Cocolia's problem, Jepard had no intention of sealing it off; instead, he was trying his best to expand its influence.

After obtaining Bai Zhi's approval, he, in his capacity as a guard officer, invited a considerable number of nobles to tour the cave.

After their tour, these nobles invited the remaining nobles and ministers to come here.

Whether nobles or commoners, having lived in this icy and snowy land for so many years, the tropical maritime monsoon climate of the island is simply too attractive.

In fact, many construction workers don't even ask for money; they build structures for the Fairy Castle for free, just to stay there a little longer.