“Outworlders, follow me. Belobog lies behind this curtain of snow.”
…
Following Gepard, Phainon wondered if he’d forgotten something.
Oh, right.
Didn’t he have a system?
Ever since the battle against Zephyro in the Simulated Universe, the system had been silent.
Opening the system panel, Phainon claimed all the accumulated rewards with a single tap.
In an instant, immense energy surged into his body.
He clenched his fist, feeling the power within him grow even stronger.
Looking closer, the system had also delivered two unexpected rewards.
The Coreflame of Passage, and the Coreflame of Strife.
“I can actually hold two Coreflames at once?” Watching the two constellations ignite within him, a flash of excitement crossed Phainon’s eyes.
“That means one day, I can gather the power of all twelve Coreflames and complete Era Nova!”
Feeling their way through the thick snow mist, a massive city-state emerged before them.
Giant gears drove the city’s machinery.
Towering walls held back the Fragmentum’s encroachment.
Steam rising from within spoke of humanity’s resistance in this end-times world, while scattered lights proclaimed an unyielding strength.
“Welcome to the City of Preservation: Belobog!”
Following Gepard into the city, a warm breeze washed over the three of them.
“It doesn’t feel as cold anymore!” March 7th stretched, shaking off the fatigue of the journey.
Hearing her, Gepard glanced back.
“That’s because you’re standing in Belobog, humanity’s last fortress.”
“Last fortress?” March 7th tilted her head.
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“Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the sky set the planet ablaze. The land became scorched earth, covered in burning magma and boiling smoke.”
“At the brink of annihilation, the Eternal Freeze descended. A raging blizzard swept in without warning, burying the invading Legion. Only Belobog remained.”
“The resolute Architects built this city. Under the protection of Qlipoth the Preservation, Belobog endures the snow and wind, yet remains forever warm.”
“He talks so strangely,” March 7th whispered.
“Oh. Then why is he telling us all this?”
“Because you asked.” Gepard cut through their whispering.
“Since you’ve learned a bit about Belobog, I’ll take you to see the Supreme Guardian now.”
“This Supreme Guardian you mentioned, who is she?” Phainon had heard the title several times now.
“Is she some kind of ruler?”
“You’re not wrong, but the Supreme Guardian is more of a spiritual symbol for Belobog. We carry out the Supreme Guardian’s orders unconditionally, all to carve a path for humanity in this dark end-times.”
“The current Guardian is Lady Cocolia Rand. All major decisions in the city are issued by her.”
“She sounds like quite the remarkable person,” March 7th remarked.
Chatting as they walked, they soon arrived at the base of an enormous staircase.
“This is Qlipoth Fort, the heart of Belobog and headquarters of the Architects.” Gepard stopped.
“Lady Cocolia resides here. I’ll take you to see her now. You may want to organize your thoughts beforehand. Her time is precious, so she prefers concise reports.”
“We’re meeting her already? Shouldn’t we freshen up first?” March 7th ran a hand through her messy hair, looking a bit worried.
“No need to be so formal. The Guardian doesn’t care for such trivialities. Besides, it’s only natural for newcomers to be unfamiliar with Belobog’s customs.” He turned and ascended the stairs.
“Follow me. I’ll take you to her now.”
Climbing the stairs, the group sorted through the information in their heads.
They had barely reached the door when they heard two people arguing inside.
“But this sacrifice is meaningless. You can’t—”
“You may leave now, Bronya. Our guests have arrived!” A stern, mature woman with golden hair addressed a girl with three spiraling pigtails.
Suppressing her indignation, Bronya answered through gritted teeth.
“Yes, Mother.”
She turned and left the room.
“Lady Guardian, I’ve brought the four outworlders to see you,” Gepard reported.
“The messenger has already informed me of the situation. Well done, Gepard. You may leave as well.” Cocolia waved her hand, and he turned to go.
“Welcome, visitors from beyond the sky. Is that right?” Looking at the four, Cocolia managed a smile.
“I am Cocolia Rand, Guardian of Belobog. I’m here to hear what brings you.”
“You believe we’re from beyond the sky?” Stelle asked.
“Would you prefer I doubt you? You should have more confidence in your own identity. I can tell you’re not from this world.”
Crossing her arms, Cocolia continued.
“As Guardian, I naturally know more secrets. In the distant past, before the Legion descended and the Eternal Freeze invaded, this world was once incredibly prosperous.”
A flicker of longing crossed her icy features. Get faster updates on g.com.
“The Aeons connected our planet to other worlds. Outworld visitors were countless. Under the gaze of Qlipoth the Amber Lord, we began building our walls.”
“So don’t be surprised. Even though there’s been no news from the stars for seven hundred years, I know of your existence. State your purpose. I’m listening.”
Watching the ice crystals forming on Cocolia’s right hand, a glint flashed through Phainon’s eyes.
This was where Dan Heng, the crew’s external brain, came in.
“We’ve come for something called a Stellaron.”
“A Stellaron?” Cocolia showed neither surprise nor confusion.
“It’s a substance that suddenly descends upon various worlds. Its arrival means disaster. Many planets we’ve passed through have suffered from Stellaron corrosion.”
“I suspect that both the Eternal Freeze and the Antimatter Legion were brought by the Stellaron.” Dan Heng paused.
“And the Fragmentum is the Stellaron’s most direct influence.”
Phainon, meanwhile, was staring intently at Cocolia.
More precisely, at something behind her.
There, he could faintly hear an unfamiliar voice.
Sensing Cocolia’s power, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
I see.
So seven hundred years of resistance ultimately couldn’t withstand the Stellaron’s influence?
I never expected a Stellaron could develop consciousness.
He thought of his homeland, Amphoreus.
Then…
was my homeland also corrupted by a Stellaron?
What exactly is that Black Tide that blots out the sky?
As Phainon pondered, Cocolia spoke again.
“Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps the Stellaron is the culprit behind Belobog’s current state.” She shifted her tone.
“But what does that have to do with any of you?”
“I don’t believe anyone would go to such lengths to help a world that isn’t their own.”
“You’re right.” Sensing Cocolia’s probing, Dan Heng stood his ground.
“We came seeking cooperation because our interests align. If we don’t seal the Stellaron, we can’t leave this world either.”
“Please, let us lend you our strength!”