Belobog's Problem

The Herta Space Station System became excited upon learning Theresa wanted to buy something.

It quickly asked Theresa what she desired.

Theresa pondered, chatting with Serval as she browsed the Herta Space Station System's wares. The most prominently displayed items were various Herta dolls. Theresa was somewhat influenced and felt tempted by them, but she secretly purchased several Herta dolls that resembled everyone, storing them in the Herta Space Station System's inventory.

These Herta dolls weren't expensive, costing only ten Joy Points each. Just in case, Theresa topped up one million Credit Points into the Herta Space Station System, receiving ten thousand Joy Points.

While this seemed like a lot, the Herta Space Station System's mall sold all sorts of things. Daily necessities were relatively cheap, but items related to fantasy and sci-fi were very expensive. For example, things related to Honkai and Star Rail, and even Divine Keys could be purchased.

Take the Heavenly Fire Judgment, most desired by Captains, which required one million Joy Points, or the Star of Eden {Stellaris Harmony} for nine hundred and eighty thousand Joy Points, and so on.

What excited Theresa the most was something called the Honkai World Warp Device, which allowed her to pause time in her current world and travel to the Honkai world for adventure, costing one hundred thousand Joy Points.

Although Theresa could afford it now, as she still had over nine million Credit Points, converting all of it would be just enough for one hundred thousand Joy Points, she didn't plan to do so.

Having been a Captain before, she deeply understood the tragic and celebratory stories of the Honkai world. Therefore, she intended to lie low for a while longer, waiting until she became stronger, at least strong enough to face Finality, before she would venture into the Honkai world.

Besides, she wasn't a true Envoy of Joy yet, as she wasn't ready to wear the mask. Her intuition told her that putting on that mask would bring about earth-shattering changes, perhaps even making her grow up instantly.

So, she wasn't ready. When the time was right, she would naturally make her choice.

{It won't be very long, probably around the time of confronting a Stellaron in this world.}

Next, Theresa bought books on repair, as well as some precious coffee and books on coffee-making tutorials, which were for Himeko. She also bought some suitable daily necessities like underwear and socks for girls, as she was indeed a girl now and had the natural functions that came with it. There were also some cute little trinkets and accessories intended as gifts for March 7th and Stelle, as well as some wuxia novels and the Araratos Robot that Welt loved.

Theresa made a large purchase of these miscellaneous items, spending less than three hundred Joy Points.

"Oh right, you guys are curious about these heating devices, aren't you?"

Serval asked everyone with a smile.

"Yes, you mentioned earlier that these heating devices are powered by Geodough, right?"

March 7th asked curiously.

"Yes, Geodough. It's the main energy source needed for this city's life. And the heating devices are crucial for Belobog, the City of Protection, which is surrounded by wind and snow."

"After all, the wind and snow outside are so fierce. Without reliable heating, both the upper and lower levels of Belobog would have long ago become a dead city."

Serval sighed, looking up at the scenery outside.

"Geodough? What's that?"

Stelle asked curiously.

"It's a special mineral energy source we have here. From heating the entire city to powering the calculator in your hand, everything runs on Geodough."

"Geodough grows beneath the surface of this planet. It's golden and cuboid in shape. Professional mining teams from the lower city extract it and transport it to the upper city via pipelines. Conversely, the upper city uses the same pipelines to send unique surface support materials to the lower city."

Serval explained to everyone while sipping the fragrant, bitter coffee.

"Upper and lower cities?"

March 7th asked doubtfully.

"Huh? You don't know? Oh right! I forgot again that you're from outside."

"The structure of Belobog is like two large millstones connected to each other. The upper city is responsible for administration and trade, while the lower city is responsible for energy supply and resource extraction."

"But unfortunately, due to an order from the Supreme Guardian many years ago, the upper and lower cities haven't interacted for a long time, only exchanging resources."

"Sigh, why am I talking about such depressing things? Forgive me for making you laugh."

Serval's expression turned a bit sad. She seemed to recall something and sighed with a wry smile.

"Then why are the heaters placed outside? Normally, wouldn't heating and warming be placed inside residences?"

Theresa asked curiously.

"Ah, this lovely little sister Theresa has indeed hit upon the key point."

"It's similar to the principle of cooking over a fire. If the house is the big pot for cooking, the heater is the stove fire outside the pot."

Serval explained to everyone with a smile.

"Then aren't we all just dishes in the pot?"

Theresa immediately quipped with a laugh.

"Ahaha, that's a very vivid analogy. But doing it this way is undoubtedly the best. If the heating equipment were placed inside the houses, the outside of the houses would be covered by snow and cold winds. That's why we decided to place the heating devices in the city."

"While one heater might not be much, what about a large number of them?"

"In many places on the streets and alleys of Belobog, there's a heater placed about every ten meters. In other spacious areas, there are even huge heaters to generate warmth and dispel the cold. The gathered heat naturally diffuses upwards and outwards, forming a thermal protective barrier that blocks the cold wind and ice and snow outside."

"It is precisely because of this that everyone can see clear blue skies and white clouds in Belobog, as the overcast clouds above have been pushed away by the heat."

Serval explained proudly.

"But if that's the case, your so-called Geodough, not to mention the heavy consumption?"

"After all, it's maintaining the heating supply for such a giant city."

"I estimate this city to be at least a thousand square kilometers in size, which is no small town, right?"

Theresa pondered and analyzed.

{The game doesn't specify the size of Belobog.}

"When Theresa isn't being silly, she's incredibly reliable~"

Stelle chuckled as she teased.

"Hm? Stelle, do you want to be patted on the head by Judas?"

Theresa asked with a smile, playfully threatening Stelle. Hearing this, Stelle awkwardly covered her head, afraid Theresa would actually use Judas to pat her.

"I'm just kidding, don't be so scared."

Theresa said, sighing at the timid Stelle.

"Regarding the issue of little sister Theresa, I've also investigated out of curiosity. I heard there are special Iron Cavalry units responsible for the city's Geodough heating supply. Before dawn each day, they drive trucks loaded with Geodough around the city to replace it. Some broken ones are entrusted to other mechanics in the city, and to me, for repair. My main job currently is also handling this."

"After all, sometimes when many Geodough heaters break down suddenly, it keeps us busy with repairs non-stop."

"This situation is rare, but it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It's normal for mechanical devices to malfunction after operating for a long time."

Serval explained with a wry smile, and everyone finally understood that Serval wasn't as carefree as she appeared.

Daily teaser image. Good grief, as expected of "Shi Bao."