Gepard faced the group and raised a hand, palm up and fingertips angled behind him, to introduce the enormous building.
"This is Kliperburg, the heart of Belobog and the headquarters of the Architects."
Stelle looked puzzled. "Kliperburg?"
Gepard nodded slightly. "Qlipoth is the symbol of Preservation. Inspired by the Aeon, the Architects built Belobog and protected the spark of civilization from natural disasters and the Eternal Freeze.
"To show our reverence, we named this fortress after that Aeon. Under Qlipoth's protection, the Architects have continued to lead this city forward, standing against all manner of disasters from the outside world.
"This fortress is also the Supreme Guardian's residence."
At Gepard's explanation, the other members of the Trailblaze Squad and Sampo all turned their eyes to Jiang Yu at once.
By that same logic, did this kid constantly say "for Aha's freaking sake" and "Aha my ass" out of respect for the Aeon of Elation, too?
The members of the Trailblaze Squad narrowed their eyes. That thought lingered in their minds for only an instant.
Having spent more time with Jiang Yu, they figured it was probably just a rather strange verbal tic. Besides, no matter how they thought about it, they had never heard any respect in his voice when he said those two phrases.
They would sooner believe he said them because he thought they were fun than because he revered Aha.
Sampo's eyes flickered, however, before he broke into a smile.
No one knew what he was thinking, but clearly, combining Gepard's explanation with Jiang Yu's verbal tic had given him a new insight.
"I've been hearing you mention this Supreme Guardian ever since we first met..." March 7th looked at Gepard and asked, "Is the Supreme Guardian... the head of government on this planet, like an emperor?"
Gepard nodded.
"The Supreme Guardian is Belobog's leader, nominated and appointed by the Architects. For generations, they have watched over this city and sheltered its people.
"The current Guardian is Lady Cocolia Rand. She issues all major decisions within the city."
"Oh~" March 7th put her hands on her hips and glanced at her companions. "She sounds like a really big deal!"
"I have a question!" Jiang Yu said.
Gepard turned toward the boy. "Please, go ahead."
"Can I take pictures? Of this place, of you, and of the inside?"
Jiang Yu still remembered that he was supposed to take pictures for Old Yang. In fact, he had already taken quite a few on the way here, including some of the Eternal Winter Monument.
Besides showing them to Old Yang, these travel photos could also serve as material for Mr. Xiyan's stories. Jiang Yu was already planning to send a set to both the Evernight Marquis and the Astral Express Crew group chats later.
As for why he was asking now, Kliperburg was, after all, this planet's political center, and the Supreme Guardian was its ruler. Taking pictures without asking anything first would be a little presumptuous.
"Pictures?"
Gepard was briefly taken aback by Jiang Yu's question before replying:
"There's no problem with taking pictures of me, but for Kliperburg and its interior, you might want to ask the Supreme Guardian directly.
"I'll take you to meet Lady Cocolia now. You may want to prepare what you're going to say beforehand. Her time is precious, so she prefers concise reports."
"Huh? Huh? We're going to see her already?"
March 7th blinked twice, her pretty eyes clear and innocent...
"Can I find somewhere to freshen up first?"
Stelle turned to look at March 7th, who had suddenly become concerned with making a proper appearance, then lightly brushed back her own hair and smiled.
"All good. My hair's still in place."
Dan Heng gave the two goofballs a flat look, then sighed softly and asked, "Are there any rules of etiquette we should be aware of?"
Gepard shook his head.
"No need to feel constrained. The Guardian doesn't care about such formalities. Besides, you've only just arrived. It's perfectly normal for you to be unfamiliar with Belobog's customs..."
At that point, Gepard paused, then looked Jiang Yu up and down.
At the moment, Jiang Yu was floating in midair, held aloft by the power of wind. It made it easier for him to keep an eye on Sampo, his walking bounty check.
"But you shouldn't be too relaxed, either... At the very least... please keep your feet on the ground in front of the Supreme Guardian."
"Oh."
Jiang Yu nodded lightly, then told Sampo:
"Then don't go running off, okay?"
"No problem. Absolutely. Besides... as things stand, I couldn't get away even if I wanted to."
Sampo first made an "OK" gesture at Jiang Yu, then spread both hands with his fingers splayed, looking utterly helpless.
Jiang Yu nodded at Sampo's gestures, then returned to the ground.
Gepard continued:
"I sent a messenger ahead, so Lady Cocolia should already know where you come from. Follow me."
With that, Gepard turned and led the group up Kliperburg's steps.
Gepard soon led everyone inside Kliperburg, eventually arriving at a very spacious room. Directly opposite the doorway was a huge window overlooking Belobog. Beneath it stood a raised platform, where a desk was piled with documents.
The room was relatively dim. Only a few windows on the wall opposite the entrance let in white light that was glaring without being bright.
The vast room felt empty and cold, with few decorations: just several unidentified mechanical models, a few bookshelves, and small tables.
When the group followed Gepard into the room, two women inside were talking.
Both wore white military uniforms similar to Gepard's. The girl below the platform had silver-gray hair arranged into three spirals that hung down behind her head.
The woman on the platform had blonde hair and wore a green shawl. Her expression was imposing and her bearing composed. She was presumably the Supreme Guardian Gepard had mentioned.
The girl with the three spirals in her hair spoke:
"...But such sacrifices are meaningless. You cannot-"
Before the girl could finish, the Supreme Guardian behind the desk on the platform cut her off in a voice full of authority:
"You may leave, Bronya. Our visitors have arrived."
Bronya finally noticed the Trailblaze Squad that had entered behind her. She frowned slightly and pressed her lips together.
"Yes, Mother."
Bronya then turned to leave, sweeping her gaze over the Trailblaze Squad before she went.
Only after Bronya had left the room did Gepard speak:
"Lady Guardian-I have brought the four outsiders to meet you."
Cocolia glanced over everyone present before returning her gaze to Gepard.
"The messenger has already informed me of the situation. Well done, Gepard. You may leave as well."
Without any unnecessary movements, Gepard turned and left with Sampo. (The Silvermane Guards soldiers had not followed them inside, so Gepard held on to Sampo himself to keep him from escaping.)
Jiang Yu looked up and exchanged a glance with March 7th, breaking into a smile.
Jiang Yu: Looks like we've got the bounty!
March 7th: We'll go buy something tasty in a bit!
Before you continue