{Going to see the adorable Duck Duck~}
"So, what is the Supreme Guardian? The highest leader of this city?"
Theresa looked at Gepard and asked.
"That would be correct. She is Belobog's leader, chosen and appointed by the City Builders. Her family has guarded this city for generations, providing shelter to its people."
"The current Supreme Guardian is Lady Cocolia Rand. All major decisions within the city are issued by her."
Gepard looked reverently at the massive building behind him as he explained to everyone.
Fortress City
"Protecting the people and the city... no wonder she's called the Supreme Guardian."
Theresa nodded thoughtfully. Gepard then led everyone forward to speak with the Guards stationed at Fortress City. Under Gepard's personal supervision, the dejected Sampo was handed over to other Guards, who prepared to escort him to prison.
"Kids, I'll be back!"
Sampo shouted as the Silvermane Guard dragged him away.
"Goodbye, Prison Sampo~"
March 7th laughed excitedly as everyone happily watched Sampo get escorted away by the Guards.
"Are you all familiar with him?"
Gepard narrowed his eyes and asked cautiously.
"Not really. We ran into a snowdrift on the road, and Theresa accidentally poked him in the butt with a branch. Then he started traveling with us. He hadn't even done anything yet when we ran into you, Gepard."
March 7th explained to Gepard. What she meant was that they had also been tricked by Sampo, though fortunately, he had not had the chance to do anything bad yet.
"You absolutely must not associate with him. He's always deceiving people. For example, he once sold a victim a Belobog Shield currency printer, claiming it had been copied over through the principles of parallel dimensions. And someone actually believed him, getting scammed out of seventeen hundred Belobog Shields."
"Not only that, he calls himself a law-abiding merchant on the surface. But in truth, he is also skilled at infiltration. He has disguised himself as young girls, housewives, and all sorts of others. He often goes out to the Snowfield to excavate and resell relics. In short, you must be extremely careful around him!"
Gepard held his head helplessly as he spoke. Everyone now understood why the Silvermane Guard had been so delighted when they caught Sampo.
"All right, there's no need to learn any more about him. Come with me. I'll take you to meet the Supreme Guardian."
After briefly explaining some of Sampo's crimes, Gepard led the group of Stellaron Hunters to Fortress City.
After climbing the long staircase, everyone followed Gepard into the imposing and magnificent Qlipoth Hall. A silver-gray-haired girl dressed in a uniform similar to that of the Guard was solemnly and sorrowfully reporting her work to a golden-haired woman.
"Mother, I cannot accept your decision. You are forcing the Guards to make needless sacrifices. You cannot decide their lives and deaths so casually!"
The silver-gray-haired girl, whose hair was tied into three spiral braids, cried out in confusion.
Only then did the golden-haired woman notice Gepard arriving with the group of Stellaron Hunters.
"You may leave now, Bronya. The visitors have arrived."
The golden-haired woman looked at the unwilling girl named Bronya and said.
"..."
The girl bit her lip with reluctance and sighed.
"Yes, Mother."
After saying that, the girl turned around. As she passed by the Stellaron Hunters, she examined them, then suddenly looked at Theresa closely with a puzzled expression.
"Who are you? Why do you feel so familiar?"
Bronya looked at the adorable Theresa in confusion.
She did not know where this familiar yet unfamiliar feeling came from.
"Ahem, you can call me Academy Head Theresa~"
Theresa could not resist teasing her with a smile.
"Academy Head Theresa?"
Bronya murmured in confusion.
"Bronya, why haven't you left yet?"
The blonde woman immediately urged her.
"Yes, Mother."
Bronya nodded apologetically to Theresa and hurried out of the hall.
The Smecta market had been lost.
"Reporting to the Supreme Guardian, I have brought four outsiders to meet you."
Gepard saluted the blonde woman before speaking.
"The messenger has already informed me. Well done, Gepard. You may leave as well."
The blonde woman calmly looked down at everyone and said.
"Yes."
Hearing that, Gepard glanced at everyone before turning and leaving.
After Gepard left and the doors closed, the blonde woman looked toward the group of Stellaron Hunters. Her gaze seemed to linger on Stelle and Theresa for a moment.
"Welcome, visitors from beyond the Great Cold—no, from beyond this world. Is that correct?"
"I am Cocolia Rand, Guardian of Belobog. Once again, tell me why you have come."
Cocolia stood high above them, looking down at the group. Her seemingly lofty tone made everyone feel somewhat uncomfortable and displeased.
"Are you not curious about our true identities?"
Stelle asked curiously.
"Do you want me to doubt you that badly? Are you so lacking in confidence in the identities you claim to have?"
"No, I do not doubt you. From your light clothing, I can tell that you are not from this world."
"The City Builders remember history so that they may keep their hearts steadfast. I know that in the distant past, before the Great Cold descended and before the Legion invaded, this planet was incredibly prosperous."
"The Aeons connected our will to other planets, allowing us to learn of the endless possibilities within the vast galaxy. We also heard the story of the Aeon of Preservation, the Amber King."
"Under His gaze, we began building walls. So, there is no need to be surprised."
"Although the City Builders have received no news from the stars for seven hundred years, I know of your existence. State your purpose. I am listening."
After Cocolia gave a long speech boasting about her history and incidentally praising Qlipoth, she asked the group of Stellaron Hunters about their purpose.
Cocolia Rand
"We came here for something called a Stellar Core."
Dan Heng stepped forward, raised his head, and explained to Cocolia, who was looking down at them.
"A Stellar Core?"
Dan Heng's words made Cocolia's expression change, though she quickly returned to her calm demeanor.
"It is a substance that suddenly descends upon different worlds. Without exception, however, its appearance signifies disaster. Many of the planets we have passed through have suffered under Stellar Cores."
"You just mentioned the Antimatter Legion's invasion. Not long after they arrived, the Great Cold appeared on this planet. Then, after the Great Cold began, a spatial erosion phenomenon known as the Fragmentum occurred, accompanied by the appearance of countless monsters. Am I correct?"
Dan Heng looked at Cocolia and asked.
"That is correct. So?"
Cocolia neither confirmed nor denied it as she asked in return. Everyone's expressions hardened. There seemed to be something wrong with this Supreme Guardian.
"Forget it, I'll explain."
Theresa stopped Stelle, who still seemed somewhat confused and was about to speak.
"The Aeon of Destruction spread Stellar Cores that corrode worlds, and when a Stellar Core falls onto a planet, it causes a series of severe consequences. This includes the birth of all kinds of disasters, followed by the spatial erosion of the Fragmentum that accompanies the Stellar Core. Judging by this planet's Great Cold, this Stellar Core possesses ice-element characteristics."
"So it's simple. Do you want to resolve the Great Cold? Just tell us where the Stellar Core is and let us seal it. Then the Great Cold will naturally recede, and afterward, you will only need to deal with the Fragmentum."
Theresa raised her head and spoke bluntly to Cocolia.
Cocolia narrowed her eyes and pondered. Everyone waited for the thoughtful Cocolia to see what she would decide.
Today's featured image.
Rand Duck Duck is so pretty.
Before you continue