Chapter 16

"They're at the East Gate."

The Silvermane Guard who delivered the message answered quickly, then continued, "Along with the gentleman who calls himself City Builder, there are two women. One of them even claims to be a Sea Ranger."

"Sea Ranger?"

The term was quite unfamiliar. Neither Gepard nor Pela had any recollection of it. However, at this moment, anyone arriving with that City Builder was undoubtedly an outsider.

"Let's go meet them first."

He stood up, preparing to organize his equipment and head to the East Gate, when the office door was suddenly pushed open, and a voice followed, "Count me in."

The voice was exceptionally clear, even carrying a hint of childish innocence. Gepard looked up and saw a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old. Her elegant, ash-brown hair fell behind her, and her simple white military uniform clung to a remarkably well-proportioned figure.

Her features were exquisite, blending the innocent, flawless charm of a young girl with the nascent radiance of a budding maiden. Her light brown pupils swirled with the unwavering conviction of a seasoned veteran. She looked at Gepard, and her clear yet gentle voice resonated through the room once more, "City Builders, as the legends go, are a righteous group who travel between many planets, emulating the Amber King. They are also one of the groups that built Belobog. They were once comrades of Lady Alisa Rand... Some special documents even record that they built 'Defense Weapons' capable of resisting Void creatures and the Antimatter Legion, as well as the legendary 'Creation Engine' for Belobog."

"'Creation Engine'!!"

Pela exclaimed in surprise. She couldn't help but fall silent. For centuries, Belobog's scientific research teams had repeatedly found traces of giant mechanical structures on this land. Lynx had also mentioned these legendary mechanical remnants, akin to mythical giants, to her many times. In the records of the archaeological team and Belobog's past, these mythical giants seemed to have served as Belobog's frontline "impenetrable walls" on the battlefield.

People had once fantasized about repairing these legendary mythical giants, allowing them to return to the battlefield against those Void creatures. But unfortunately, despite generations of effort, it was like trying to bail out a sinking ship with a single bucket. Firstly, Belobog currently lacked a robust scientific foundation, and secondly, Belobog didn't have many resources to invest in the repair of those Creation Engines.

"If that City Builder possesses the blueprints for the Creation Engine..."

Little Ling would be so happy!

But Little Ling hasn't come back recently... Did something happen?

The intelligence officer, whose mind first conjured this thought, clapped her cheeks together in the next second.

At a time like this, I can't think about Little Ling!

Work! Work!

After quickly calming herself, she spoke to the girl with ash-brown hair, "Lady Bronya, if that City Builder has the blueprints for the Creation Engine, is there any chance we could complete the repair of some of the Creation Engines?"

"I don't know, but it's worth a try."

The girl named Bronya responded, her pupils flickering with a hopeful glow.

"If they truly have the blueprints for the Creation Engine, perhaps the dozens of wreckage sites scattered outside Belobog could be reassembled into one or two operational Creation Engines."

"Then, with these giant mechanical soldiers, we will surely be able to counterattack the Void creatures!"

"The cold wave is receding now. If we can hold on until the cold wave completely passes, perhaps we won't have to be confined to Belobog anymore. By then..."

Mother wouldn't have to worry so much.

The girl harbored a very simple reason in her heart. As the adopted daughter of the current Supreme Guardian, her overt identity was the sole heir to the next Supreme Guardian. Whether for public or private reasons, whether for the revival of Belobog or to alleviate the pressure on her mother regarding Belobog, she had to strive to grasp that extremely faint possibility.

"If it truly is a City Builder, perhaps the power of Preservation can once again descend upon Belobog."

"Lady Alisa, please bless Belobog so that it may regain its former glory."

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Chapter 034: It Did Not Originate From Us. (2/4)

"One City Builder, one Sea Ranger, one Galaxy Bat Hero."

In the temporary reception room, Bronya surveyed the three people present. While Dan Heng appeared very steady, she couldn't place any trust in the other two.

"Two, there are two Sea Rangers!"

Like an enthusiastic elementary school student, Miss March 7th earnestly argued, "We have had active performances on many planets as Sea Rangers."

"If you can promise not to cause any trouble in the city, I will dispatch a Silvermane Guard to accompany you and allow you to enter Belobog."

"We Sea Rangers are a renowned group of chivalrous individuals, why would we easily cause trouble?"

Miss March 7th continued to emphasize, but Bronya could tell that neither of them was a simple character. She then looked at Pela and asked, "Intelligence Officer Sergeyevna, would you mind accompanying them and perhaps introducing them to some of Belobog's history?"

"Certainly."

The cute, round-faced intelligence officer wearing round-rimmed glasses nodded. She turned her azure eyes towards March 7th and Asta and then said, "Ladies Ranger, please follow me. I will help you arrange your itinerary and accommodation in Belobog."

"...Asta, what do you think?"

March 7th looked at her companion beside her. The companion sized up Pela from head to toe, and after a long while, nodded with great satisfaction, "Perfectly symmetrical, extremely satisfying to me!"

"Symmetrical?"

The little pink-haired girl turned her head and also carefully examined Pela. A moment later, she cheered as if she had discovered a new universe.

"It's so symmetrical! Satisfies my inner neat freak!"

Even after Little Pink Hair said that, the cold-faced young Azure Dragon couldn't help but take a serious look at the officer. After a long moment, he let out a sigh of relief, a faint, satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

Things that are balanced and symmetrical always bring a sense of peace and pleasure.

Seeing the behavior of these three visitors from beyond the stars, even Gepard and Bronya couldn't help but turn their gazes to the officer, whose expression had become somewhat embarrassed and indignant.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Bronya quickly coughed twice, effectively interrupting everyone's focus on Pela's symmetry. Gepard also swiftly averted his gaze; his previous actions were rather impolite.

Although Pela felt a surge of annoyance, the discipline of a Silvermane Guards intelligence officer allowed her to quickly calm down. She looked back at Asta and March 7th, but this time, her gaze was no longer simply gentle; it was laced with a strictness akin to a teacher's. Under such a stare, the two problem children immediately recalled the 'domination' they experienced from Himeko on the Express, and quickly became much more well-behaved.

Thus, Pela smoothly took away the two problem children. The remaining three—Dan Heng, the imposter City Builder, the Silvermane Guards Warden, and the next Supreme Guardian—exchanged glances. After a moment, Bronya broke the silence, directly addressing Dan Heng.

"Are you truly a City Builder?"

"Do you require proof of identity? If you can connect to the IPC's intelligence database, you should be able to find my information."

The IPC...

Another name that appeared in ancient texts.

Bronya suppressed her excitement, maintaining a steady tone as she continued her question.

"We cannot connect to the IPC's intelligence database here. However, City Builders left behind many legacies in Belobog. The 'Alisa Rand's Lance,' passed down through generations by our Supreme Guardians, would surely recognize you if you are indeed a City Builder."

Is the lance of the first Supreme Guardian truly still here? How does that person know about these things... Could it be that this is part of the Stellaron Hunters' plan?

Dan Heng mentally reviewed the possibilities of his operational plan. After the three of them left, Shirou Emiya had sent him a significant amount of intelligence privately, concerning the current Supreme Guardian Cocolia and her connection to the Stellaron, the past deeds of the City Builders on this planet, and... a messy financial situation involving the IPC.

These pieces of information would serve as his leverage in navigating the Upper City.

Originally, some matters would have required him to infiltrate the Upper City's library for investigation before appearing openly before the Silvermane Guards. However, after Shirou Emiya provided him with crucial intelligence, he quickly adjusted his plans and approach.

Next...

He had to gain the trust of the Supreme Guardian and obtain accurate information on the Stellaron's location.

If Shirou Emiya's intelligence is accurate, his plan might indeed be more feasible. However... there is still room for maneuver at the moment. According to Shirou Emiya, that lance has become a mere decoration in the hands of the current Supreme Guardian.

How could a woman who had already abandoned the Preservation and thrown herself into the illusory new world promised by the Stellaron possibly gain the recognition of that lance?

Therefore, my identity as a City Builder cannot be exposed. Even if it comes to that, it won't matter...

He also had the identity of an IPC employee ready. Dan Heng's temporary disguise as a City Builder wasn't baseless. In fact, during his previous Trailblaze Journeys, he had interacted with City Builders and IPC personnel, even gaining their recognition. He also possessed a token from the City Builders that could prove his connection to them.

"Then, please take me to see the Supreme Guardian."

Dan Heng looked at Bronya, who nodded slightly. But after a moment's pause, she couldn't help but speak again.

"However, before that, I have a personal question I'd like you to answer."

"Please, go ahead."

"The Creation Engine."

Bronya directly stated the question that concerned her most. At this stage, Belobog's defensive capabilities had already seen a noticeable reduction. Veteran soldiers were injured and retired, new recruits lacked training, and there was a shortage of ore and materials for weapons and equipment. If things continued on this path, Belobog would likely descend into the era of cold weapons, forcing them to fight Void creatures with bayonets.

"May I ask, do you know about the Creation Engine?"

"I am indeed aware of it."

Dan Heng nodded. The information Shirou Emiya had given him clearly indicated that the Creation Engine was the greatest assistance the City Builders had brought to the planet. The City Builders had provided data to help the Jarilo people of that time manufacture these colossal machines.

At its peak, Jarilo even possessed over a hundred of these "Creation Engines," resembling mythical giants. These Creation Engines were the crystallization of the efforts of local City Builders and scientists, created under the call of the City Builders. Originally, they were "Planet Modification Engineering Giant Machines" used for planetary terraforming.

However, during the Antimatter Legion invasion seven hundred years ago, these engineering machines, originally intended for planetary modification, ultimately could only become war machines, standing on the front lines against the Antimatter Legion.

"Then, do you have the blueprints for the 'Creation Engine' in your possession?"

Bronya's voice began to tremble uncontrollably as she clenched her fists, staring at Dan Heng and speaking word by word.

"We need it! Belobog currently needs to restart those Creation Engines to counter external threats..."

Looking at the young girl whose face clearly showed unconcealed anticipation, Dan Heng paused for a moment before shaking his head.

"The 'Creation Engine' did not originate from us."

"What?"

"It belongs to you yourselves, not to Jarilo-VI."

It's just that if the Creation Engine was indigenous technology, why hadn't Belobog restarted it in the past seven hundred years? Could it be that Belobog's current industrial strength truly can no longer support the activation of the Creation Engine?

However, apart from the Creation Engine, many of the mechanical soldiers can still be put into use. Even if they consume a lot of power, they shouldn't be completely idle.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that even with tens of thousands of small mechanical soldier legions, even if they were to unite, their effect would absolutely not be comparable to a single Creation Engine.

"Isn't that Bronya? Why are you sitting here alone?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Bronya's eyes regained their clarity, and she quickly looked up at the person who had arrived.

Refracted by a bit of silver light, golden long hair, as brilliant as gilded gold, came into view. Bronya unconsciously narrowed her eyes. The blonde woman standing close to her spoke again with a hearty smile, "It's unlike you to be sitting here spacing out by yourself."

As she spoke, the person casually sat down beside Bronya. Within her blue-green eyes, identical to Gepard's, a hint of affection appeared.

"Did something happen?"

"...Something did."

Bronya nodded gently at the person, her expression still a little lost and dazed. She then whispered, "Ms. Serval, do you know about the 'City Builder'?"

"Of course, I swore an oath to the City Builder back then. Don't forget that I was also a Silvermane Guard for a while."

The blonde beauty named Serval responded, her dashing features showing a hint of nostalgia.

"Cocolia and I joined the Silvermane Guards in the same batch. At first, I didn't know she was the Supreme Guardian's adopted daughter. We used to be very close and worked towards the same ideal."

"Then how much do you know about the 'City Builder'? Do you have an in-depth understanding of the 'Creation Engine'?"