With Sampo leading the way, the group successfully ran into the Silvermane Guards who had come to arrest him.
Sampo abandoned Ye Yan and the other three without hesitation, turning and taking off at a run.
"If not now, when? I'll leave them to you, friends!" His voice grew fainter until it disappeared completely.
"I'll go after him. Be careful."
Ye Yan flickered like a phantom, vanishing from everyone's sight in an instant, not forgetting a few words of caution before he left.
"Go get him, Mr. Ye Yan! Remember to give that guy a few extra kicks for me!"
March 7th waved goodbye while shooting arrows. The Astral Express Crew understood that Ye Yan, their ultimate fighting force, couldn't make his move so soon. He was an [Emanator]-level trump card!
What did being an Emanator mean? A being capable of blowing up star systems!
"Hey, don't underestimate us Guards!" one soldier said, charging forward to clash with Stelle.
"Hah!" Stelle laughed disdainfully, stepped back, and hurled a trash can lid, knocking the soldier out on the spot.
"Ranged attack, kid!"
The Astral Express Crew's combat strength was certainly greater than that of the Silvermane Guard squad. In particular, Stelle, with her new weapon, had fully taken on the role of a backline mage.
"Hey, be careful! Don't hit our own people!"
March 7th suddenly realized that Dan Heng was the only one fighting the Guards up close, while she and Stelle were both using ranged attacks.
"Dan Heng, I'll help you!"
As soon as she said that, Stelle turned the trash can lid back into a baseball bat and threw it at a soldier focused on fighting Dan Heng.
Bang!
Instead of hitting its intended target, the bat was knocked away.
Seeing an ice shield appear around the soldiers in front of him, Dan Heng retreated to the two girls' side.
"Enough."
A booming voice came from farther back. A blond man in military uniform stepped in front of the soldiers, his left hand also supporting a massive, oddly shaped black shield.
"Huh? That thing he's holding looks like an instrument case!" March 7th had never seen such a bizarre shield.
"I, Gepard Landau, captain of the Silvermane Guards, order you to cease your futile resistance." Gepard revealed the Guard insignia on his right arm.
Rivet Town, Underworld
This place had long since been consumed by the Fragmentum, and all its residents had evacuated to Boulder Town.
The Fragmentum creatures moving about possessed no intelligence and completely ignored the newly arrived Ye Yan and Sampo.
Sampo braced one hand against a wall, panting heavily.
"Oh man, I'm exhausted." He stared helplessly at Ye Yan. An Aeon's stamina really was something-he had followed Sampo the whole way without even getting winded.
"Getting from the snow plains to the Underworld in such a short time-your escape skills have improved quite a bit."
"You're too kind. In this life... how could anyone get by without a few lifesaving tricks? Besides, my mask's been taken too. Old Sampo here is downright destitute now. My pockets are cleaner than my face."
"You have two ancient relics in your pockets right now."
Ye Yan knew Sampo's character well. He would never sell off all his ancient relics, but would keep a few to trick people for fun.
"Hehe~ I trade between the Overworld and Underworld every day. When I first came to the Underworld, I even helped Wildfire's boss lady get medical supplies. I only got a steady income after getting to know everyone. Just look at how hard life is these days!"
"Still grinning and joking at a time like this. Just what I'd expect from someone trained by Aha."
"How could I compare to your shrewdness, Boss Ye? You're a top-tier big shot at the Tavern. Plenty of friends there have you on their minds."
Everyone in the [Elation] faction knew about the relationship between their god of fun and the Aeon of [Eternity].
For a dear friend, they were capable of either taking a blade in the ribs or laying their hearts bare.
Sampo didn't dare imagine how terrifying Elation between Aeons could be.
To find amusement, Aha would even visit Herta's Simulated Universe and play themself.
Aha playing themself in the Simulated Universe-that was just too entertaining.
At least Aha hadn't blown up Herta's Simulated Universe. That already showed considerable restraint.
"Now, there's something I'm very curious about. Might you do me the honor of answering?"
"What's with all the formalities? Is this really the Sampo I know?"
"What choice do I have? I'm standing in front of my client's client! You have no idea how much that hacker girl paid. I have to take good care of you!"
Sampo swept back his hair. "What wind brought an Aeon to Belobog?"
"What, am I not welcome?"
"I wouldn't dare! I'm absolutely the most faithful believer in [Eternity]!" Sampo instantly backed down, moving behind Ye Yan to massage his shoulders.
"Not bad. Very [Elation] of you. It's a shame you aren't doing publicity for the church."
At the word "church," Sampo's body shuddered involuntarily, as though an invisible chill had crawled up his spine.
"Haha, please allow me to decline your kind offer."
"Back to the point. There's a trace of [Destruction] mixed into the lingering power of [Preservation]. Why wouldn't I come join the fun?"
"Uh... just what I'd expect of you." Sampo changed the subject. "Belobog certainly is lively these days."
Trailblaze, Eternity, Elation, Preservation, Destruction.
There were far too many elements involved. What had this tiny Jarilo-VI done to deserve all this?
"Speaking of which, is the Astral Express really this impressive now? A High Elder from the Xianzhou, a girl with a Stellaron inside her, and that pink-haired girl..."
And an Aeon currently enjoying his massage.
Hiss, the Astral Express was terrifying indeed!
"You know quite a lot."
"You know how it is. I'm a trader! I have to be well-informed. Otherwise, how could I sell ancient relics to people?"
Sampo gave an awkward laugh and glossed over the matter.
"That brother Dan Heng is the interesting one. He's got impressive strength but nowhere to put it to use... so when they come to the Underworld, I'm planning to take him to the Fight Club for a match first. It'll definitely be worth watching!"
"I've even thought up his nickname: Cold-Faced Little Azure Dragon!"
The two chatted a little more before Ye Yan glanced at his phone. "It's about time. Come back with me."
"Huh?"
Before Sampo could react, the world spun around him, and Ye Yan stuffed him into a sack.
"Hey, Boss Ye Yan, why the sneak attack? And where did you pull this sack out from?"
Watching the figure in the sack struggle incessantly, Ye Yan took out some hemp rope with a wicked grin and trussed the sack up tight.
"Take deep breaths. Feeling dizzy is normal."
"You know the Masked Fools will stop at nothing to find amusement."
"But I have my limits, Boss Ye! Tie me up if you want, but at least let me get some air!"
Sampo felt a little regretful inside the sack. He had actually tried to reason with an Aeon.
"Hey~ relax. I can't report back without bringing you in! Try to understand. I'll help you get your mask back afterward."
"Deal."
Sampo immediately went still inside the sack.
After seeing Gepard, the three took out March 7th's photographs of Jarilo-VI to prove their identities and avoid unnecessary conflict.
"It's said that long ago, visitors from beyond the sky often came here... but since the [Eternal Freeze], no one has crossed the snow curtain to reach Belobog."
"If what they say is true, only the Supreme Guardian can decide what to do."
"Outsiders, follow me. Belobog lies just beyond this snow curtain."
"Uh... what about Ye Yan?" March 7th turned her head from side to side, looking at Stelle and Dan Heng.
"I trust Ye Yan. He probably won't get lost."
Dan Heng recalled the scene he had seen in the surveillance room during their battle against the Antimatter Legion on the space station, when Ye Yan and Arlan had been discussing life.
"Who called me?"
Ye Yan suddenly appeared behind Stelle and patted her shoulder.
"Hmm?"
Gepard noticed the sack slung over his shoulder.
"Officer, I've caught the criminal you wanted."
"Mmph! Mmph!"
The sack kept making noises, giving March 7th a fright.
"Great work, Mr. Ye Yan! See, we told you we weren't with this crook." March 7th kicked the sack a few times.
"Ow! That hurts, that hurts! Miss March 7th, why are you kicking me?"
Hearing that familiar voice, Gepard froze for a second and looked at the man who had brought Sampo back.
The Silvermane Guards had failed to catch this fellow several times, and he had caught him just like that?
"Please allow me to thank you on behalf of all the Silvermane Guards."