City of Preservation-Belobog

{Today, the author was forced by their family to look for a job because they believed staying at home meant having no prospects, which was why this update came so late. The author was also planning to move out and rent a place, otherwise their family would find them an eyesore at home.}

{So updates will return to the early morning from now on. Sometimes, they might get held up in review and only be posted in the morning.}

Theresa, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle followed behind Gepard and the guards, arriving in Belobog, where the weather was far milder than the extreme blizzard outside. City of Preservation—Belobog. "Eh? It's actually not that cold after coming in here!"

March 7th cried out in surprise.

"Mm, and we can actually see clear sunlight here."

Dan Heng said as he folded his arms and surveyed the beautiful, harmonious Belobog.

"Because you are in Belobog, humanity's last fortress."

Hearing their remarks, Gepard immediately stopped, turned around, and explained to them.

"Humanity's last fortress?"

March 7th asked in surprise.

Gepard thought for a moment, then began recalling the city's history.

"Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the heavens—the Antimatter Legion—set the planet ablaze. At that time, the land became a scorched wasteland, with burning magma and boiling black smoke everywhere." Something like that. "At the brink of the planet's survival, the Great Cold suddenly descended—the sweeping frigid winds came without warning, burying the invading legion beneath snow and ice. All that remained was Belobog—"

"The last steadfast City Builders established this enormous city. Under the protection of The Preservation - Cripter, Belobog was spared the ravages of wind and snow, forever maintaining a mild and pleasant climate."

Gepard spoke with pride and intoxication. His immersed expression made everyone want to laugh a little.

"He talks so strangely~"

March 7th remarked as she looked at the self-absorbed Gepard.

"That was not his usual tone. He was probably quoting some ancient text."

Dan Heng said flatly.

"I get it, he's getting drunk on himself~"

Theresa said with a giggle.

"Um, then why is he telling us all this?"

March 7th curiously remarked, failing to notice that Gepard had stopped reciting and was glaring at them.

"Because you asked!"

Gepard glared at March 7th in dissatisfaction. Dan Heng closed his eyes, unable to bear watching, while Stelle grinned happily. Theresa simply smiled as she watched the amusing scene unfold.

As for the guards, they held back their laughter, but did not dare laugh in front of Gepard.

"Ah, right~"

March 7th awkwardly scratched her head and laughed.

But Gepard said nothing. He was not so petty.

"So now you understand why Belobog is unaffected by the extreme climate outside, yes? It is precisely because of the City Builders and the protection of the Amber King Qlipoth that those winds and snows can only rage beyond the city walls. Only then could this city shelter the last Flame of Life on this planet, humanity's final fortress in which it could survive and catch its breath."

"So, everyone, follow me to meet the Supreme Guardian. For now, you do not have permission to move freely."

Gepard continued leading them toward Fortress City as he explained.

Everyone knew they had only just arrived and that it would not be wise to fall out with the locals, provided the locals did not go too far. After all, the Stellaron Hunters were not people to be bullied.

Thus, they followed behind Gepard. Seeing this, Gepard secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He truly was not confident he could contend with these visitors from beyond the heavens, especially Theresa. He was entirely on guard against her, since the sensation of those flames made the hair on his body stand on end.

His keen instincts, honed through frequent battles with Abyss Monsters, told him that if he were struck by those strange flames, his fate would not be much better than that of the monsters that had turned to ash earlier.

"Garrison Officer Gepard, may we ask you a few things?"

As he walked alongside the others, Dan Heng asked Gepard.

"As long as they do not involve classified core information or sensitive matters, of course you may."

Gepard replied as they walked. The guards deliberately, or perhaps unconsciously, clustered around the Stellaron Hunters as they moved. However, everyone understood that wariness was only natural for a first meeting. After all, the Stellaron Hunters were also wary of the local forces, and had to consider such questions as whether the Supreme Guardian was reasonable or whether she might stab them in the back.

"Those strange creatures we saw in the Snowfield outside the city, they came from the corrupted spatial rifts, correct?"

Dan Heng's question eased Gepard's tension. This truly was no secret.

"You actually know about them. Then again, you come from beyond the heavens, so it is not strange that you are more knowledgeable than us."

"Yes, they all come from the corrupted rifts. And that is not all—there are many other threats. The monsters you saw are merely one kind. Among those Abyss Monsters are many troublesome higher-level entities."

"For example, elemental Abyss Monsters formed entirely from blazing flames or condensed frost. It is said that there were once other attributes long ago, but fortunately, only fire and ice remain now."

"These mutated elemental Abyss Monsters have caused the number of guards killed in battle to surge, leaving us in great distress."

Gepard spoke helplessly. He truly was not lying about that. The Silvermane Guard could at most be considered somewhat stronger than ordinary people. They could only rely on armor made of ordinary materials and their spears. Dealing with ordinary lesser monsters was manageable, but against elite-level Outer Void Flame and Outer Void Ice, the guards were no match at all. They could only overwhelm them with sheer numbers, unless he was present to demonstrate shields of Preservation, which could reduce the guards' casualties somewhat.

"The Silvermane Guard has always been fighting these Abyss Monsters, but the situation is far from optimistic. Once everyone has met the Supreme Guardian, I sincerely hope to learn more deeply about this information from you. In return, I will also share some non-confidential information with you as an exchange."

Gepard said as they walked. Everyone nodded at this; they felt an exchange of information was reasonable.

"We have arrived. This is the heart of Belobog, the headquarters of the City Builders. The Supreme Guardian is inside."

Gepard explained to them. He paused, seemingly able to tell that they had many questions.

"What are the City Builders?"

March 7th asked in confusion.

"They are humanity's saviors. Long before the Great Cold arrived, they endured the incomprehension and ridicule of the world and persisted in building a settlement here. History proved that their choice was undoubtedly correct."

"And the City Builders named this fortress after Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation. Under their leadership, humanity repelled foreign enemies, held back the Great Cold's invasion, and now, this city is also resisting the invasion of the rifts."

Gepard explained the contributions the City Builders had made, his expression filled with reverence. Everyone listened to his account politely.

Today's obligatory image was pretty fitting?