After a bit of conversation, Sampo led the Trailblazing squad toward Belobog.
He was genuinely interested in Jiang Yu's plan for Fragmentum Creature Products.
They were Fools, after all. Their ideas of Elation might differ, but there was no doubt that most sources of amusement were shared.
Besides, there was money to be made.
Jiang Yu and the other three followed Sampo, making their way across the snowfield at an unhurried pace. By now, the snowfall had eased a little more.
If they kept going in this direction, perhaps the snow would stop altogether.
But looking back, they could see that it was still snowing heavily behind them.
Jiang Yu pondered this. Given the global Stellaron-induced Eternal Freeze on Jarilo-VI, this probably wasn't a natural phenomenon. Perhaps it was the result of human intervention and Qlipoth's protection.
In that case, they really were getting closer to Belobog.
The boy raised his head and looked at Sampo's back ahead of him, which somehow gave off an inexplicably flamboyant air. Once again, he entertained the idea of getting back at Aha with a prank.
Uncle Cold Legs was a Fool, undoubtedly the closest target available to him.
But how was he supposed to popularize catchphrases like "Aha-damn it" and "Aha my ass"?
Even with the Masked Fools as his targets, the idea seemed difficult, if not downright unrealistic.
The Masked Fools might be lovers of a good laugh, but they actually held the Elation God in considerable respect.
Getting them to banter with Aha as freely as he did seemed difficult no matter how he looked at it. There was bound to be some psychological pressure.
How should I put this plan into action?
The key points are their love of amusement and their respect for the Elation God... and, of course, the catchphrases...
Jiang Yu frowned slightly, isolating the most crucial parts of his plan. He needed to come up with a pitch that incorporated all three points to persuade Sampo.
"A catchphrase has to be something you say all the time."
Jiang Yu muttered under his breath, so quietly that only he could hear himself clearly.
"Maybe I should look for inspiration from other organizations that are always talking about their faith.
"I don't need to focus on respect for Aha. I just need the pitch to reflect it. For people walking the Path of Elation, the ultimate focus still has to be amusement...
"Got it!"
Jiang Yu had thought of a good idea.
He would talk to Sampo about it when he got the chance.
The pitch didn't need to be all that convincing. What mattered was that it was fun!
The Knights of Beauty had given Jiang Yu inspiration.
In his previous life, the character Argenti had left quite an impression on him. Weren't his words and actions the perfect answer?
"By the way, is this really okay?"
March 7th's voice came from beside him.
"What is?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Letting him lead us to the Settlement..."
March 7th narrowed her eyes, a hint of suspicion and worry showing in them.
"From what we know so far, the Silvermane Guards are this planet's military and law enforcement, right?
"And what Sampo does can be summed up in four words, can't it? Look at how twitchy he is-'stealing and sneaking around' fits him perfectly.
"He's so scared of the Silvermane Guards. If we run into them on the way, won't they treat us as his accomplices?"
Jiang Yu briefly considered March 7th's question and was about to answer when Sampo's voice came from up ahead.
Old Sampo answered March 7th's question himself first.
"Relax, sister. It's no big deal. All I did was keep a few Ancient Relics stashed away.
"If anyone's to blame, it's those officials. They've got one-track minds!
"You've got to trust old Sampo's professional expertise-sneaking around, finding merchandise, appraising it, dodging the Guards... those all take skill...
"I've been in this line of work for years, and I've built quite a reputation among my customers.
"Meeting each other is fate. We're all friends here. Old Sampo will get every one of you to Belobog safe and sound!"
After listening to Sampo's speech, March 7th and Jiang Yu exchanged a glance and both rolled their eyes.
This guy had a smooth answer for everything.
How much of it they could actually believe was another matter.
Even March 7th was somewhat suspicious of Sampo now. They got along well enough, but he didn't exactly inspire confidence!
Still, he was the only local they had encountered since landing on Jarilo-VI. If the four of them tried to feel their way through this unfamiliar place, who knew when they would reach the city?
After all, knowing the general direction was different from actually finding their way through the snowfield.
Everything around them was white. There were all sorts of gaps and branching paths among the mountains and rocks, barely any tracks left by small animals, and even fewer people ventured here because of the Fragmentum creatures. They couldn't find a single trace of human activity. Getting lost would be all too easy.
They couldn't see Mount Lu's true face because they were standing within the mountain itself-that was pretty much what it meant!
Under Sampo's guidance, they soon reached a major fork and headed up a snowy slope.
At that point, Sampo spoke again:
"Speaking of which, where exactly are you folks from? I'm not prying, just showing a little concern for my friends. No need to answer if you don't want to..."
The Fools had their own networks and databases, but Sampo still had to pretend he didn't know who they were. That was the only way his behavior would make sense.
This time, however, no one responded to him.
Jiang Yu narrowed his eyes as he looked at Sampo, marveling inwardly:
As expected of a Masked Fool. He's really dedicated to his role. Jarilo-VI has been cut off from the outside world for ages because of the Stellaron, and the Eternal Freeze and prolonged war against the Antimatter Legion have driven its civilization backward...
With that break in civilization, even if the Astral Express had visited Jarilo-VI before, an ordinary, sneaky merchant with a taste for petty theft wouldn't hear the word "Express" and think of terms like "Trailblazer" or "Nameless." It would be normal for him never to have heard of them.
If these Masked Fools had my system, they might create characters a hundred times more popular than mine!
When no one answered, Sampo gave a couple of sheepish chuckles, then found a topic of his own. He started explaining the things people in his line of work needed to watch out for, bringing the image of a slick reseller vividly to life.
After a while longer, they finally climbed to the top of the slope, where another flat stretch of snow lay ahead.
"-The Seventh Law is this: leave no footprints. I have a special trick that lets me cross the snow without leaving a trace, specifically for shaking off pursuers... you've all seen it already..."
Sampo continued explaining his merchant's laws, but his expression suddenly changed. He stopped walking, unable to continue with his so-called laws.
Before Sampo's panicked eyes, several fully armed figures in standard uniforms approached with halberds in hand, then stopped as well.
"...These are... the Silvermane Guards."
Dan Heng lowered his gaze slightly. Sampo's reaction alone told him what these people did.
"Uh, yes, that's them..."
Sampo answered awkwardly, making a show of panic. He was one step away from turning around and hiding behind the others.
"Help me out, friends! I don't want to get arrested!"
"Suspect and accomplices located! Arrest them immediately!"
The Silvermane Guards gave the group no chance to explain or talk. The frontline guards raised their weapons and slowly advanced, while the marksmen lifted their gun barrels.
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