Lower District

After exiting Qlipoth Fort, March 7th finally couldn't help but say, "My goodness, the atmosphere in there was so tense. I never expected the Supreme Guardian to be working with the Stellaron. Thanks to Xiao Xi noticing it early, we were almost walking right into the lion's den."

Stelle nodded in agreement from the side, "Yeah, this world changes so fast. It's impossible to guard against."

Dan Heng watched Stelle and March 7th laughing and joking, then turned to me and asked, "Xiao Xi, saving an entire planet is such a massive undertaking. Are you sure you can do it?"

Xiao Xi nodded gently, "Don't worry, Dan Heng. Since I dared to make the promise, it means I can fulfill it. No matter what, I am an Emanator of [Hope]; restoring life to a planet is something I can manage."

Hearing this, Dan Heng felt relieved, "That's good then."

"Yeah, yeah! Just now, when you were talking to Cocolia, Xiao Xi, you had this inexplicable aura of a savior."

Stelle asked with some curiosity, "By the way, what do you think Cocolia will do?"

"Connecting the Upper and Underworld is a certainty. We can solve the Stellaron issue, but I don't know exactly how Cocolia plans to handle it. Still, leaving a bit of suspense is quite nice, isn't it?" Xiao Xi thought for a moment and said.

"In any case, for now, let's just enjoy exploring Belobog."

In the center of the Belobog plaza stood a large monument. March 7th walked over quickly and waved to everyone, "Come on, come on! Let's take a photo together in front of it."

"Ready, 1, 2, 3, cheese!" With the "click" of the camera shutter, their journey of Trailblazing was captured in March 7th's camera.

March 7th was excitedly taking pictures everywhere, while Stelle and Xiao Xi went to a nearby flower shop. Flowers blooming in such an icy, snowy environment felt like a miracle.

"Stelle! Stop rummaging through the trash cans!" March 7th said, looking conflicted as she held Stelle's hand.

Yes, for some unknown reason, Stelle seemed to have an inexplicable obsession with rummaging through trash cans. Throughout their journey, this was already the umpteenth time.

Watching the scene repeat itself before them, Xiao Xi and Dan Heng exchanged helpless glances and sighed in unison.

Amidst the group's playful banter, the sky gradually darkened. Stelle and her party decided to return to the Goethe Hotel to rest and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.

March 7th yawned, her tone filled with sleepiness, "Ugh, I'm so tired. I really want to get back to a soft, fragrant bed and have a good sleep."

Stelle stretched and chimed in, "Yeah, I really want to lie down in bed soon."

"Then let's get some rest. Everyone is very tired today."

After the four of them bid each other goodnight, they each walked into their rooms, ready to drift off into sweet dreams.

The next morning, accompanied by the morning sun, Xiao Xi sat up from bed.

[Dan Heng]: Is everyone awake? We'll meet in the lobby of the Goethe Hotel at 9:00 AM today.

[March 7th]: Got it. By the way, it's only seven o'clock, Dan Heng. You're up so early.

[Stelle]: (Pom-Pom thumbs up)

[Xiao Xi]: Okay.

Xiao Xi took some time to tidy herself up, and by 9:00 AM, everyone had arrived downstairs on time to gather.

"Phew." Stelle rubbed her sleepy eyes, "Did you guys hear any noises last night? I keep feeling like there are ghosts in the hotel."

"Eek, ghosts! Stelle, don't scare me, I'm terrified of those!" March 7th shrieked.

"Last night? I didn't notice anything unusual," Dan Heng said, frowning in thought.

Xiao Xi carefully recalled her experience from the night before, "I didn't feel anything either."

"Is that so? Then maybe it's just because I was too tired yesterday and wasn't in the right state of mind," Stelle said, feeling relieved after hearing our responses.

"Let's stop thinking about such scary things. Let's head to Qlipoth Fort first."

Arriving at Qlipoth Fort once again, the atmosphere this time was much better than the last.

Standing beside Cocolia was the silver-haired girl we had met before. "Everyone, this is my daughter, Bronya, and the next Supreme Guardian. Due to my special status, I cannot go to the Underworld myself, but my daughter will go in my stead."

"As for me, I will make all the necessary preparations for eliminating the Stellaron. I guarantee that when you all return in triumph, you will witness a brand-new Belobog."

Bronya wore a smile, and it was clear that her initial impression of us was quite favorable. "I am very happy to meet you all, Nameless. I will lead you on the path ahead, and I hope we can have a good journey together."

On the way to the Underworld, Bronya told us about her mother. "Mother wasn't like this over a decade ago. But one day, she suddenly changed—changed into someone I couldn't understand. She isolated the Upper and Underworld, leaving the people to suffer..."

"So, seeing my mother's change, I was actually very happy that you arrived. After you came, I felt like I saw the shadow of my former mother again..."

"Ah, let's not talk about that. Our destination is just ahead: the base of Wildfire." Seeing the building in front, Bronya put away her sadness and introduced it to us earnestly.

We walked up with Bronya. The person who opened the door was a young woman dressed as a medic, looking no older than twenty. "Hello everyone. This must be Bronya, right? I am Natasha, the leader of Wildfire. It's a pleasure to meet you all here."

Bronya's expression dimmed slightly, "No, I should be the one to apologize. For so many years, we have failed the people of the Underworld."

Natasha's tone remained gentle, "But everything is gradually getting better, isn't it? The reconnection of the Upper and Underworld is already being prepared. I believe tomorrow will be better. Anyway, everyone, please come in and sit."

"Information regarding the [Stellaron] has been strictly sealed. If there is anywhere left to find it, the breakthrough must lie with Svarog, the robot that has existed for hundreds of years," Natasha explained the current situation in detail.

"However, the Mechanical Settlement is always xenophobic. If you want to enter, you will need a guide."

Just then, an incredibly familiar voice rang out, "That's right, it's me."

Seeing the person in front of them, March 7th's eyes widened, "How could it be you, Sampo!"

"Hey, hey, hey, don't look at me with that expression. When it comes to the Mechanical Settlement, old Sampo can say that no one is more familiar with it than I am. Rest assured, I'll get you to your destination safely," Sampo said, brushing his hair back confidently.

Stelle's gaze was full of suspicion, "You'd better not pull any tricks."

"Oh, come on! This is a major event that determines the fate of the planet. How could I dare to mess around with this?"

"Don't worry, I'll be watching him," said a girl in purple clothes holding a chain blade.

"This is Seele, one of the core members of our Wildfire," Natasha introduced.

Seeing that the matters were basically resolved, Dan Heng said expressionlessly, "Since that is the case, let us set off quickly."

"No problem, you really are a straightforward one," Sampo laughed.

Although it was called a Mechanical Settlement, there were actually quite a few people here; on the contrary, many vagrants chose this place for resettlement.

"Everyone, leave the rest to me." And so, through a series of bizarre maneuvers by Sampo, the group actually managed to enter the gates of the Mechanical Settlement. "How about that? You still have to rely on me."

March 7th's mouth twitched as she watched, and she couldn't help but retort, "Yeah, we got in, alright, but this method is truly hard to describe."

Sampo waved his hand. "Oh, getting in is all that matters. Why worry about how we did it?"