Caelus drew his bat, Dan Heng raised his spear, and March 7th summoned her bow, ready to fend off the Silvermane Guards before them.
Sampo quietly took a step back. "If we don't run now, when will we?
Leave it to you, friends!"
"Hey, you—!" March 7th was about to shoot an arrow at Sampo's rear when a Silvermane Guard's axe came swinging at her. Luckily, Caelus blocked it with his bat.
"Don't worry about him!" Caelus pushed the guard's weapon away. "Our priority is taking them down first."
That said, Caelus wasn't going all out, mostly focusing on defense.
More enemies emerged from the snowstorm. March 7th pulled her bowstring taut. "Move aside! Let me handle this!"
With a "whoosh," countless arrows materialized and shot toward the guards.
Right then.
A hand appeared in the frame, and all the arrows shattered as if hitting an impenetrable wall.
Seeing this, Caelus and Dan Heng furrowed their brows, while March 7th let out a shocked cry.
In the frame, a blond man stood before the trio.
"I, Gepard Landau, Captain of the Silvermane Guards, order you to cease your futile resistance."
[What move was that? The Matrix? Bullet time?]
[His entrance is way too cool!]
[Gepard? Why's he carrying a guitar case?]
[Sigh, another face blessed by the gods. Even us girls can't help but swoon!]
[So damn handsome!]
[Impressive. He just waved his hand and March 7th's arrows vanished. Nice!]
March 7th gritted her teeth in frustration. "Getting tricked by Sampo out of nowhere is so annoying..."
A nearby guard shouted at them, "Suspects, surrender now!"
"Being treated like criminals just makes me angrier!"
What followed was a boss-level battle unfolding before the audience.
Gepard effortlessly deflected the trio's attacks with his formidable defense, though none of them were going all out either.
The dazzling fight choreography and over-the-top special effects spilled from the screen, leaving viewers exhilarated.
Suddenly, Gepard noticed something was off and took a few steps back, bringing the fight to an abrupt halt.
"Where's the blue-haired mastermind?" Gepard asked his soldiers.
"Apologies, Captain. We lost him. There's no trace of him..."
"No matter. His accomplices are in our custody. The mastermind won't go far—he'll make a move sooner or later."
"Tch." Caelus sighed. "Then you might be waiting forever."
"Probably won't even happen!" March 7th quickly added. "I'm not making excuses, but we're really not with that jerk. Did you see how fast he ditched us?
We saved him from the snow, and he just used us to fight you. Don't let him manipulate you!"
Gepard considered this. "You'll come with me to Belobog first. Whether you're guilty or not isn't for me to decide."
Then, Caelus had an idea. "March, show them the photos."
"Right, good thinking!" March 7th pulled out the pictures she'd taken of Belobog aboard the Express.
Gepard lowered his head in thought before finally deciding to take them to meet the "Supreme Guardian." She would have the final say.
"Outlanders, follow me. Belobog lies beyond this curtain of snow."
The screen faded to black, transitioning to the next scene.
"Welcome to the 'City of Preservation'—Belobog!"
The camera followed Gepard's pointing finger, the snow haze gradually clearing to reveal a bird's-eye view of a massive city surrounded by icy mountains.
[Frostpunk?]
[Confirmed! Yes!]
[A city on the edge of a cliff? Totally gives off Frostpunk vibes.]
[How do people even live in this freezing wasteland?]
[A fan-shaped city in a snowstorm? So steampunk!]
[Kinda looks like a giant hot pot to me.]
[6!]
[Now I'm hungry!]
Before long, the trio entered Belobog under Gepard's escort.
The city seemed enveloped by an unknown force.
"It doesn't feel as cold now!" March 7th observed the streets.
"Because you're inside Belobog, humanity's last bastion." Gepard's expression darkened slightly as he gazed at the city.
"Last bastion?"
Gepard didn't answer immediately. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a broadcast-like tone:
"Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the sky ignited the planet.
The land became scorched earth, covered in molten fire and billowing smoke."
As Gepard narrated with dramatic flair, the video displayed corresponding imagery.
"In our darkest hour, the blizzard suddenly descended—a raging storm without warning. The invading army was buried in snow, leaving only Belobog standing.
The steadfast 'Architects' built this city. Under the protection of Qlipoth the Preservation, Belobog endures the relentless snow yet remains forever warm."
March 7th whispered, "His tone is so weird."
Dan Heng saw right through it. "That's not his usual voice. He's quoting some historical text."
"Oh! Then why's he telling us all this?"
"Because you asked!" Gepard replied matter-of-factly.
[LOL, March 7th is adorable! Are they gossiping?]
[HAHAHA "Because you asked"! Seriously, he's stealing our lines? Now what do we comment?]
[March 7th and Dan Heng's whispering is just like us chatting in class.]
[Gepard might as well have said: "Prepare for trouble—and make it double!"]
After an awkward chuckle, the trio continued following Gepard.
Along the way, they also learned that Belobog not only endured the blizzard but also fought monsters from the Fragmentum.
Soon,
They arrived before an imposing structure.
Gepard explained the "Architects" and the "Qlipoth Fort," then led them inside for an audience.
The scene shifted to the Supreme Guardian's office, where two women were mid-argument.
Close-ups of their faces appeared, labeled with their names:
The blonde woman was the Supreme Guardian—Cocolia.
The gray-haired young woman was named—Bronya.
"The guests have arrived. You may leave, Bronya!" Cocolia's voice carried authority from behind the desk.
Bronya swallowed her words and exited the office, though not without a final glance at the group.
Then,
Gepard was also dismissed by Cocolia.
In the blink of an eye, the vast office held only the trio and Cocolia.
At this moment,
An LSP-tier close-up graced the screen, showcasing Cocolia in all her glory.
[That off-shoulder dress! That outfit!]
[Dammit, another waifu added to the list. My week's already packed!]
[Bronya calls Cocolia "Mother." Y'all still simping?]
[Simp! Why not? Women are like wine—better with age!]
[Cocolia's outfit is straight-up attacking my XP. I can't hold back—time to roll!]
[Hehe, since no one's around, I'll sneak off with Bronya!]
[Too late! Bronya's already snuggled up next to me!]
"Aren't you suspicious of our identities?" Caelus asked, puzzled by Cocolia's lack of skepticism.
"Do you wish for me to be? If you lack confidence in your claims, that's your concern. No, I don't doubt you. I can tell you're not of this world."
Then,
Cocolia launched into another impassioned speech, reiterating Belobog's history and current crisis to hammer the lore into viewers' heads.
Admittedly, the exposition was dry,
But the camera angles left plenty to the imagination.
Finally, Dan Heng explained their purpose and the dangers of the Stellaron.
Cocolia expressed willingness to trust them and offered aid in locating the Stellaron.
"It's getting late. You must be tired. I'll arrange for you to stay at the finest hotel in the city. Rest well, and tomorrow at noon, I'll send someone to invite you for further discussions."
Caelus: "We'd like to look around the city!"
Cocolia smiled. "Of course. You're honored guests of Belobog and have full access.
I also need time to investigate records related to the 'Stellaron'... Farewell for now."
The trio nodded solemnly and left the office.
Just before stepping out, Caelus thought he heard a whisper in his ear. He glanced back, but the sound vanished.
Shaking his head, he hurried after March 7th and Dan Heng.
As they departed, a demonic murmur echoed in the room, making Caelus pause once more.
The frame showed only a glimpse of Cocolia's face,
But a faint, cryptic smile played on her lips.
"I understand perfectly. No need to rush... I have my methods."