Bronya, Wait a Moment

The small aircraft carrying Sparkle broke through the clouds and snowstorms that shrouded the skies above Jarilo-VI year-round.

It landed steadily outside the walls of Belobog, on a stretch of wilderness buried beneath deep snow.

The hatch slid open, and a biting wind swept into the cabin, carrying ice crystals with it.

Sparkle descended the gangway, her boots sinking into snow that rose past her ankles.

She looked around. Between heaven and earth, there was only a vast expanse of white.

Snowflakes as large as goose feathers fell silently, mercilessly concealing distant mountains, ruins, and every outline.

The towering walls of Belobog stood like a silent giant.

They rose amid the wind and snow, their immense scale and sturdy construction speaking to humanity's determination to uphold Preservation in this extreme environment.

Sparkle took a deep breath of the frigid air, drew the faintly shimmering Contract Lucky Star from her bosom, and gripped it tightly.

Meanwhile, Lin Hai was in a distant world, watching a movie at his leisure, when the scene around him suddenly blurred and warped.

The next moment, biting cold and white snow replaced the warmth and brightness of his home.

When he came to his senses, he found himself standing amid ice and snow, with a smiling Sparkle beside him.

Despite the sudden change in surroundings and the bone-deep cold, Lin Hai merely raised an eyebrow.

Thanks to his extraordinary physique, such low temperatures felt no more than refreshing to him, far from unbearable.

"You were quick," Lin Hai said with a smile, turning to Sparkle. "You made it all the way to Belobog already."

"Of course..." Sparkle smiled. "When it comes to challenges and thrills, isn't sooner always better?"

"You're right, little Sparkle. Let's go." Lin Hai held out his hand to her. "Come into the city with me."

"No problem!"

Hand in hand, the two walked side by side toward Belobog's magnificent gates.

The Silvermane Guards stationed on the walls soon noticed them.

Several guards looked at Lin Hai's face for a moment, then expressions of surprise suddenly appeared on theirs.

Lin Hai's likeness had long since been circulated throughout the city by official notice.

Not long ago, Supreme Guardian Cocolia and Lady Bronya had personally ordered an all-out search for this man of special status and unknown whereabouts.

Lin Hai's portrait was known to everyone.

Although no one knew the precise reason behind the search for Lin Hai, everyone understood that this black-haired young man was extremely important.

The guards did not dare be negligent. They respectfully opened the gates to welcome him while swiftly sending someone to report to their superiors.

The news passed up through the ranks with remarkable efficiency.

Before long, a rapid, orderly cadence of footsteps rang out.

Bronya hurried over in person, leading a squad of Silvermane Guards.

Her gaze fell on Lin Hai at once. The concern in her heart and her relief after searching for him without success were plain to see.

However, when her gaze shifted to Sparkle, an indescribable, subtle feeling quietly arose.

Bronya straightened her back without realizing it, subconsciously comparing herself to the unfamiliar girl.

From her bearing to her looks, a stubborn unwillingness to be outdone rose in her heart. She even faintly hoped Lin Hai's gaze would linger on her a little longer.

As perceptive as Sparkle was, she immediately caught the competitive look in Bronya's eyes.

Her lips curled upward, and she suddenly reached out and wrapped herself tightly around Lin Hai's arm, practically leaning against him. Then she rose on tiptoe and quickly planted a kiss on his cheek, as if staking a claim.

The bold move made Bronya's cheeks flush crimson, and her gaze instinctively darted away. Flustered that her private thoughts had been exposed, she was at a loss for a moment.

She quickly composed herself and, striving to maintain an official bearing, stepped forward and said to Lin Hai, "Mr. Lin Hai, you suddenly disappeared a few days ago. We used every resource at our disposal to search for you, but we couldn't find a trace. It was truly worrying."

Lin Hai merely smiled calmly. "I come and go as I please. Naturally, ordinary methods won't find me easily."

His words only stirred Bronya's curiosity further.

The Lin Hai before her was like a mystery wrapped in layer upon layer.

Whenever she felt close to an answer, she would always discover more secrets hidden behind it, leaving her ever more eager to delve deeper.

Bronya gazed at Lin Hai as the cold wind from the ice fields stirred her hair.

Her eyes were full of confusion.

"You suddenly disappeared before... How exactly did you leave Belobog?"

Meeting her gaze, Lin Hai replied, "The method isn't important. You only need to know that as long as I want to, I can leave whenever I please."

The answer was so far beyond reason that it nearly overturned Bronya's understanding of the rules of the world.

Her slender brows knitted tightly, and she shook her head instinctively, trying to dispel the unsettling thought.

How could a person possibly have the freedom to disregard space and blockades?

The more she considered the power behind it, the more frightening it became.

Bronya forced herself to stop pursuing the matter and turned the conversation to Sparkle beside Lin Hai. "Then... who is this with you?"

Lin Hai smiled faintly. "Her name is Sparkle, a traveling companion who loves seeking out fun and thrills. We met in Penacony. She's good at... creating some memorable surprises."

He concealed Sparkle's identity, mixing truth with falsehood in his words.

Bronya noticed that Lin Hai had not been entirely forthright. Truth and falsehood were interwoven in his words and difficult to distinguish for now, so she could only put her doubts aside.

The group passed through the grand streets and eventually arrived at a quiet, luxurious residence in the Overworld.

Bronya pushed open the door, revealing a spacious, fully equipped interior.

"Next, I'll withdraw all the Silvermane Guards stationed nearby to make sure no one disturbs your peace."

"That's a good arrangement." Lin Hai nodded in approval.

Bronya went a step further, pointing out the window at a building across the way.

"My temporary office is there. If you need anything, you can find me at any time."

Lin Hai gave no indication either way and said, "That's a good arrangement. A batch of supplies will be delivered here tonight, so you can receive it."

Supplies.

Arriving tonight!

Bronya sucked in a breath.

How was that possible?!

Lin Hai and Sparkle had clearly arrived empty-handed, with no sign of any cargo transport.

Where exactly were these so-called supplies?

And how would they be delivered?

Though full of curiosity and doubt, Bronya chose to remain silent in light of the various wonders Lin Hai had demonstrated before, burying all her questions for the time being.

Bronya had been in contact with Seele, who was deliberately concealing some information about Lin Hai.

After several conversations, Bronya still had not obtained the information she wanted.

She was eager to see whether Lin Hai really could get the goods here tonight.

If he could, let alone seeing through Lin Hai, she wouldn't even be able to understand him!