“Please, let us lend you our strength!”
…
Watching their confident expressions, Cocolia asked, “Do you have a way to seal this thing called a Stellaron?”
“We have the means.”
“Very well, I believe you. If the current situation truly is related to this so-called Stellaron, then your arrival will be the hope Belobog has waited seven hundred years for. I am willing to provide all possible assistance to help you find the Stellaron.” Cocolia’s plain face betrayed no emotion.
“It’s getting late, and you must be tired. I’ve arranged for you to stay at the city’s most comfortable hotel and get a good night’s rest. At noon tomorrow, I will invite you here to discuss this important matter.”
“Can we look around?” Stelle had been very interested in the city since earlier, and it was still early enough to do some sightseeing.
“That’s right! I want to take some photos to remember this Trailblaze trip!” March 7th pulled out her camera and said to Cocolia.
“As honored guests of Belobog, you are naturally free to look around the city. Give me some time. I need to investigate all records related to the Stellaron. I won’t see you out.”
Hearing this, the group turned to leave.
In a corner unnoticed by Cocolia, Phainon’s eyes lingered on the ice crystals slowly spreading across her right hand.
There is still a possibility of salvation.
Turning to leave Qlipoth Fort, Cocolia stood by the window, gazing at the Everwinter Monument standing in the Administrative District.
“What you just suggested was for me to destroy Belobog at all costs, but that goes against our agreement,” Cocolia said to the unknown presence.
“This isn’t something we can decide,” the voice in her mind grew impatient.
“You don’t understand, Cocolia. Under Their gaze, all our actions are futile.”
“Fortunately, with the Mother Goddess’s help, we have the right to speak!”
“Then what about the new world you promised?”
“With the Mother Goddess’s help, a new world can be created in an instant! I understand the Mother Goddess’s power better than you!”
“I hope you can keep your promise,” Cocolia said.
As she spoke, the figures of the four Express crew members appeared in her line of sight.
“As for them, I will test them.”
…
“The Supreme Guardian seems to favor you,” Gepard was already waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
“I’ve received orders to no longer restrict your movements.”
“Honestly, I didn’t expect this to go so smoothly!” March was still incredulous. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
“Your Supreme Guardian is really easy to talk to.”
“Haha, I’m glad you’re happy,” Gepard smiled.
“I have official duties to attend to. I must return to my post. I wish you a pleasant time in Belobog.”
“Wait a moment,” March 7th called out to Gepard as he was about to leave.
“Can you recommend some sights for us? It’s still early, and we’d like to look around.”
“If you’re looking for places worth seeing, there’s the Golden Theater and the History and Culture Museum.
However, the museum requires a pass to enter…” After a moment’s thought, he continued, “I suggest you visit the Everwinter Monument first.
It’s Belobog’s most iconic landmark.”
“If you’re interested in music, you can go to the Neverwinter Workshop. They have occasional open-air performances.”
“Also, if you’re staying at the Goethe Hotel, please be sure to avoid the alley next to it where the Guards are stationed. It was recently affected by Fragmentum corrosion and has been sealed off.”
“The corrosion has already spread to the city district… The situation is severe,” Dan Heng expressed some concern.
“Yes, we are fighting against it… I must take my leave. I wish you all the best.” With that, he turned and walked away.
“In that case, let’s go see the Everwinter Monument!” March 7th grabbed Stelle’s hand and looked back at Phainon and Dan Heng.
“Keep up, you two! We’re heading over first!”
Walking behind them, Dan Heng looked at Phainon.
“I’m sure you noticed that voice in Qlipoth Fort,” Dan Heng said, his face expressionless.
He hadn’t expected Dan Heng to have noticed it too.
“Indeed. But did you notice the ice crystals on Cocolia’s hand?”
“You mean?” Dan Heng was startled by his implication.
“Exactly,” Phainon said, seeing that Dan Heng understood.
“We just don’t know how far the corrosion has progressed. If it goes any deeper, it might be impossible to separate.”
“Looks like we won’t be getting a peaceful night’s sleep tonight,” Dan Heng said gravely.
“Should we tell March and the others?”
He looked over at Stelle, who was crouched in front of a group of children, pitching her voice high to mimic them. The source of this chapter is g.com.
“Big Sister Pela~”
Phainon chuckled softly.
“Let’s not spoil their fun for now. I’ll keep watch tonight.”
“Thank you,” Dan Heng nodded.
“We’re all family on the Express. We look out for each other.” Phainon put an arm around Dan Heng’s shoulder.
“Come on, let’s see what they’re up to.”
Feeling the presence on his shoulder, a complex emotion flickered in Dan Heng’s eyes.
He had a vague sense that he once had many close friends, but their faces had gradually blurred in his memory.
“Is his memory still affecting me?” He rubbed his throbbing temples.
“But I am not him.”
Arriving at the base of the Everwinter Monument, a short girl with round glasses was explaining its history to a crowd.
“The Everwinter Monument was erected to commemorate the great Architects. The Architects were followers of the Aeon Qlipoth. When crisis struck, they built high walls to withstand the bitter cold, established Belobog, and preserved the spark of human civilization. Even now, they continue to govern this city.”
“It is composed of two parts: a gear symbolizing knowledge and industrial strength, and a massive ice crystal symbolizing the Eternal Freeze. These two symbols are tightly interlocked. The gear restrains the frost, representing the Architects’ unyielding spirit against the savage forces of nature.”
“Does anyone have any questions?”
After hearing her explanation, the four had a deeper understanding of Belobog’s history.
After taking a group photo in front of the Everwinter Monument, they headed to the Neverwinter Workshop that Gepard had mentioned.
“Look over there,” March 7th’s gaze led them to a heater glowing red outside the workshop.
“I wanted to say something earlier. Why do people in this city put heaters outside?”
“Maybe they’re using them to fight off the cold?” Stelle didn’t understand the reason either.
“Logically, the effects of a Stellaron shouldn’t be affected by such a small heater,” Dan Heng rubbed his chin, also unsure why it was outside.
“Haha, you guys can talk for ages about a broken heater, huh?” A woman dressed stylishly walked up to them.
“Wow, what a cool lady!” March 7th hadn’t expected to see such a stylish woman here.