Belobog

Seeing this tense standoff, March 7th hurriedly waved her hands. "Hey, wait a second! We're just passing through. We don't even know him; we aren't his accomplices!"

Gepard remained unmoved. "Save your excuses for the tribunal. Silver-Mane Guards, seize them."

Just as the two sides were speaking, Sampo had already sprinted a great distance away. "Goodbye, everyone! You lot can go ahead and tangle with the guards... wait, wait! What is this?"

Suddenly, golden chains erupted from the body of the fleeing Sampo, and Xiao Xi dragged him straight back to where he started.

"Hmph, I knew you were up to no good," March 7th scoffed.

"Everyone, I think this is enough to prove we aren't his accomplices," Dan Heng asked the lead officer.

"This..." Gepard hesitated for a moment before saying, "Yes. My apologies to the three of you for the earlier hostility. I am Gepard, captain of the Silver-Mane Guards. I can see from your attire that you are not locals. May I ask where you are from?"

After handing Sampo over to the Silver-Mane Guards, the atmosphere between the two parties eased significantly, and Gepard cautiously began to probe for information.

"We are not native to this planet; we come from beyond the stars. We have come this time because we wish to meet with your ruler." As expected, Dan Heng took on the role of spokesperson without hesitation.

"This..." Gepard seemed somewhat hesitant. "I can help you report this matter, but whether the Supreme Guardian is willing to see you is not something we can decide."

"Regardless of the outcome, we thank you, Captain Gepard." Hearing Gepard's response, Dan Heng shook his head, not wishing to press the matter.

Just as everyone was walking toward Belobog, a commotion suddenly broke out behind the guards.

"Do not panic! Maintain your formation! What is happening in the rear?" Gepard's authoritative voice quelled the chaos behind them.

"Report, Captain! It's Sampo—Sampo has escaped!" a guard reported.

"Hmph." Gepard's expression darkened. "There's no time to turn back and pursue him. Maintain your formation; we are heading to Belobog first."

"Yes, Captain!"

"I truly apologize for this embarrassment," Gepard said to us with a hint of regret.

"It's not the guards' fault. That guy Sampo almost tricked us earlier, too," March 7th comforted him.

Stepping out of the snowfields, a towering city wall came into view. Following Gepard into the city, one could immediately feel the temperature rising; compared to the outside, this was clearly a place where ordinary people could survive.

"Everyone, please follow me. The Supreme Guardian has agreed to grant you an audience." Before long, Gepard returned with the Supreme Guardian's response.

As soon as they entered Qlipoth Fort, the sound of an argument drifted from within.

"Step back, Bronya," a middle-aged woman with golden hair commanded.

"Yes, Mother." The silver-haired girl turned to glance at us as we entered, then left in silence.

Then, Cocolia's authoritative voice came from the dais. "Welcome, visitors from beyond the stars. I am Cocolia Rand. May I ask why you have come here?"

Dan Heng was about to bow when Xiao Xi grabbed his arm. "Wait! Dan Heng, something is wrong with this Cocolia. I can feel it—the aura of the Stellaron is radiating from her. She is definitely in contact with the Stellaron."

"The Stellaron... is that what you came for?" Hearing the keyword, Cocolia's voice turned cold in an instant.

"Stop pretending, Ms. Cocolia. I can feel it; you've been working with the Stellaron, haven't you?" Xiao Xi said sternly.

"Preposterous..." Before Cocolia could finish, Xiao Xi had already manipulated the Golden Flame to strike at her.

The golden flames incinerated the ice crystals Cocolia had summoned to protect herself, and in an instant, they bound her movements.

Having confirmed that Cocolia herself posed no immediate threat, Xiao Xi channeled the flames to probe deep into Cocolia's consciousness.

Stellaron, what is going on? You promised to help me save this planet! Why can't you even defeat a little girl? Cocolia roared in her mind.

"Shut up," the Stellaron scolded coldly. "How was I to know that an Emanator would descend upon this remote planet at such a critical juncture? Damn it, we were only one step away!"

"Found you." At that moment, both sides of the argument heard Xiao Xi's voice.

"Damn it!" The Stellaron let out a cold hiss and attempted to flee, but the Golden Flame had sealed the entire Sea of Consciousness, leaving the Stellaron with nowhere to run.

Do you think that will stop me? Suddenly, the Stellaron concentrated all its power and attacked Cocolia's consciousness.

"What?" Facing the sudden assault from the Stellaron, Cocolia had absolutely no defenses prepared.

"Ah!" Accompanied by a pained groan from Cocolia's consciousness, the Sea of Consciousness formed by her mind began to destabilize. Taking advantage of the moment Xiao Xi was busy stabilizing Cocolia's mind, the Stellaron seized the chance to scramble through a gap and escape.

The situation was critical; Cocolia's consciousness could not be allowed to shatter here. If she died, even if they produced evidence that the Supreme Guardian had been controlled by the Stellaron, they would certainly be ostracized by the people here.

While held up, Xiao Xi split off a wisp of Path power and attached it to the [Stellaron] as a tracker, ensuring that when it came time to finish it off, they wouldn't lose their target.

"Steady your mind, hold onto yourself," Xiao Xi's solemn voice echoed through the Sea of Consciousness. "My power can heal you; do not resist."

Finally, with Cocolia's own cooperation, the Sea of Consciousness damaged by the Stellaron was repaired.

Outside, everyone was waiting anxiously for the result. Seeing us wake up, March 7th hurriedly asked, "How is it? Xiao Xi, did you catch that [Stellaron]?"

Xiao Xi shook her head. "It got away, but I've left a tracker on it. It won't be hard to deal with it later."

As she spoke, Xiao Xi looked at Cocolia, who was struggling to stand while leaning against the table. "Ms. Cocolia, regarding your cooperation with the [Stellaron], do you have anything you wish to say to us?"

Cocolia remained silent for a long time before speaking in a hoarse voice. "I have nothing to say. I was bewitched by the [Stellaron], foolishly thinking I could use its power to save this planet. But now, looking back... heh, it was nothing but a lie. As for me, I am a fool."

"Ms. Cocolia, you don't need to be so pessimistic. The Astral Express came here to resolve this Stellaron, as it has also blocked our path of Trailblaze. In fact, the only thing we didn't anticipate was your cooperation," the Trailblazer explained the original purpose of the Nameless.

"And now, it seems this final obstacle has also vanished," Dan Heng added immediately after.

"...Then I thank you. I will cooperate with you fully. Once I have made amends for the mistakes I have committed, I will resign and exile myself to atone for my sins," Cocolia replied in a low voice.

Just then, seeing the heavy atmosphere, Xiao Xi proposed another idea. "Cocolia, do you still want to save this planet? In the true sense of the word."

Hearing Xiao Xi's words, Cocolia was slightly stunned before quickly reacting. She said excitedly, "I want to... of course I want to! Are you willing to..."

"I haven't made up my mind yet," Xiao Xi shook her head. "So, prove it to me. During this mission to seal the Stellaron, prove to me that your character and resolve are worthy of this salvation. I will provide the necessary help during the process, but you must put in the effort yourselves."

Cocolia's tone was firm. "I... I understand. Give me one day to make arrangements. During this time, you guests may wander Belobog as you please. After one day, please accompany me to the Underworld, and let me have the chance to make up for... my mistakes."