Young and Hotheaded

Had events followed the original storyline, Stelle and her two companions would have encountered Gepard and been escorted to Belobog. But with Zhang Xiu here now, he naturally intended to be a little more brazen.

Seeing Gepard appear and block March 7th's ice arrow with one hand, Zhang Xiu walked straight past the Silvermane Guards surrounding him and headed toward him.

As Zhang Xiu approached with an easy smile, the tall, blond, blue-eyed man wore a solemn expression, feeling a faint pressure.

"Stop making your last stand. Do you truly believe you can escape?"

"Didn't someone already run off just now? Pick a better moment to talk big." Zhang Xiu shrugged, then swung a hand and knocked a charging Silvermane Guard unconscious to the ground.

The instant they encountered the Silvermane Guards, Sampo had taken to his heels, prompting a string of complaints from March 7th.

"Husband, have some tea." Moving through the battlefield, Yaoshi leisurely dodged bullets and axe-halberds as she handed Zhang Xiu a cup of warm tea.

"Thanks." Zhang Xiu swept out his right hand, took the cup, and drained it in one gulp.

"Whew-did you put your own leaves in this?"

Surging power of Abundance blossomed within Zhang Xiu, and the overflowing energy made branches sprout from his head.

"How was it?" Yaoshi took the cup back with a soft laugh, stepping aside to dodge a shell fired at her.

Zhang Xiu reached up and snapped off the branches on his head. Then the muscles in his legs abruptly tensed. "I love it~"

The next instant, he shattered the frozen soil beneath his feet, shot through the wind and snow, and threw a punch at Gepard!

Gepard's eyes widened, and he hurriedly pulled the iron case off his back.

Clang! The iron case split apart on the spot, and a fragment grazed Gepard's cheek, leaving a thin streak of blood.

How is this possible?!

Shock covered his face, but before he could think, Zhang Xiu's next punch came howling toward him, tearing through the air!

Gepard's expression hardened. Driving his right arm with every muscle in his body, he actually met Zhang Xiu's fist head-on!

Bang!

The swirling air blasted away the snow beneath their feet. Gepard's gauntlet shattered, and his body staggered backward with it.

"Captain!"

"Officer Gepard!!"

Yet Gepard extended his unharmed left arm, stopping the Silvermane Guards behind him, then turned his gaze to Zhang Xiu and his companions.

"You-and the rest of you. Who exactly are you?"

"Nameless from the Astral Express. And for the record, we're not bad guys."

In the sunlight, the Train Ticket at the hem of Zhang Xiu's clothes gleamed gold.

"Here, your iron case and gauntlet. All fixed."

Gepard looked at the good-as-new gauntlet and iron case, unsure what to say.

Just moments ago, Dan Heng had stepped forward to explain and answered several of Gepard's questions, earning the group a measure of his trust.

Zhang Xiu, meanwhile, had simply asked for the iron case and gauntlet he had broken, then handed them to Yaoshi to repair.

"Don't look so surprised. With the divine power of Abundance, forget iron-even concepts can be repaired."

As for Gepard's right hand? His physical constitution had already allowed it to recover, and Yaoshi had awakened the unconscious Silvermane Guards one after another.

After returning the gauntlet and iron case, Zhang Xiu patted Gepard's shoulder with his right hand, then looked toward Stelle and March 7th, who were waving the branches Yaoshi had given them through the air.

"Let's go, everyone. We'll let this Silvermane Guard captain lead the way."

"Mm-hmm! Once we find that guy, I'm definitely going to teach him a lesson! His name was... what was it again?" March 7th tilted her head and tapped it with her branch.

"Sampo Koski. He's a repeat offender from the Underworld who specializes in excavating relics and selling them... Everyone, please follow me."

As he spoke, Gepard gestured for them to proceed, and the Silvermane Guards silently formed up around them.

Just as the group began moving, Dan Heng came up on Zhang Xiu's left and said quietly, "You were too rash, Zhang Xiu."

"Oh? The really rash part is still ahead. Hehe."

Dan Heng frowned. "...Don't do anything reckless."

"Relax, I know where to draw the line. I'm a good person, after all." Zhang Xiu smiled lightly, only for a gust of snow to plaster his face.

"Ptoo, ptoo! Damn, is the wind really this strong? Bro Gepard, rebuilding your home can't wait."

"That is for the Supreme Guardian to decide. What we Silvermane Guards must do is carry out her will."

Gepard did not turn around, continuing to lead them at a steady pace.

"The Supreme Guardian?" March 7th, at the rear of the group, poked her head out from behind Yaoshi and looked toward Gepard.

"The Supreme Guardian is Belobog's leader, nominated and appointed by the Architects. She charts the course of our future."

Amid their conversation, the group arrived beneath a city wall that almost seemed to meet the horizon. Its scars silently told of its long history.

When they stepped into the world beyond the wall, warm air washed away the cold clinging to their bodies.

"Whew-warmth really is more comfortable. Now I'm almost tempted to take a bath."

Stretching his limbs, Zhang Xiu turned his gaze toward the Eternal Winter Plaque at the center of the distant plaza.

"I'll send someone to report your situation to the Supreme Guardian. Please collect your thoughts beforehand. The Supreme Guardian toils day and night, so please don't burden her unnecessarily."

"Relax, Bro Gepard. I've already worked out what to say."

The moment Zhang Xiu set foot here with Yaoshi, the outcome had already been decided. No matter what happened, Cocolia had no chance of winning against them.

Young and hotheaded, Zhang Xiu had no intention of spending so long going back and forth with her.

But he needed to give everyone advance warning. He gathered them in a corner and explained his plan, falsely claiming he could sense the Stellaron's presence.

"W-what? That Supreme Guardian actually...!" March 7th's mouth fell open in shock.

"Shh-I'm not certain yet. I'll have to take a closer look."

After bowing his head in thought for a while, Dan Heng looked at Zhang Xiu. "In that case, do you have a plan?"

"If I confirm it, I'll say the code phrase, and we'll just run."

Stelle, who had remained silent for some time, spoke up then. "But why can't we work together to take her down?"

"The Trailblaze isn't as simple as beating a few bosses. What we need to do is save people."

Defeating Cocolia would be easy, but what came afterward? With all of Belobog thrown into turmoil, who would stabilize the situation?

That was why Bronya had to step forward, and why she had to meet Stelle and the others, ultimately saving Belobog.

A little later, the Silvermane Guard Gepard had sent to deliver the message returned and whispered a few words in his ear. Gepard then turned toward the distracted group.

"Lady Cocolia is available now. Please follow me."

Climbing flight after flight of steps, the group took in Belobog's dense, imposing buildings until they reached the doors of Qlipoth Fort.

There seemed to be an argument inside. Without even thinking, they knew it was Cocolia and her adopted daughter, Bronya.

When they stepped inside, the argument was still ongoing.

"...But sacrifices like these are meaningless. You cannot-"

"You may leave, Bronya. Our visitors have arrived."

Zhang Xiu turned his gaze toward the silver-gray-haired girl, only to see her lower her head with an awkward expression.

"Yes, Mother."

Then Bronya turned and left, looking them over as she passed.

What followed unfolded according to the original storyline. Gepard departed, and Cocolia spoke with the Astral Express Crew. Already bewitched by the Stellaron, she pretended to be persuaded and invited them to rest at a hotel.

Just as everything seemed settled, March 7th, seeing that Zhang Xiu had said nothing, was about to head back out to continue sightseeing in Belobog and take some commemorative photos.

"From one corner, infer the other three; the sovereign's command admits no second."

Zhang Xiu stepped forward, moving to the front of his companions.

Seeing him move, Dan Heng's expression instantly grew serious, and he followed up Zhang Xiu's words. "Rely on the city, borrow one."

"Let's go!"

The others left without hesitation. With laughter in his eyes, Zhang Xiu glanced at Cocolia before departing.

"Heh. Do you truly believe that disaster-bringing cancer of all worlds can give you the future you want? I understand the pressure you're under, but if you keep going, Belobog will only be destroyed by your own hands."

But his words failed to change the heart of Cocolia, who had long since fallen. Instead, her expression hardened, and she shouted harshly:

"Guards! Seize them all!!"