Qlipoth Fort.
"Supreme Guardian, something terrible has happened! The foolish commoners from the Underworld have just announced the suspension of geomarrow supply. They... they are trying to rebel!"
"Expected."
"Supreme Guardian, something terrible has happened! The people from the Underworld have been rallied together by someone called... Xi-something. They've even brainwashed the Silvermane Guards stationed at the city boundary and are now opposing us as a rival regime!"
"This is an inevitable outcome."
"Supreme Guardian, something terrible has happened! We just received news from Advisor Broenhair. Commander Serval has been captured by a group from the Underworld!"
"What?! Where is the Captain of the Guards?!"
Upon the steps, the golden-haired Supreme Guardian slammed the table and rose abruptly. "These people have gone too far! How dare they lay hands on my... citizens! Unforgivable!"
The various ministers: ...
"Both the Overworld and the Underworld are citizens of Belobog. Unless it is the most critical moment, we must never resort to arms against each other. But if the people of the Underworld insist on solving problems with violence, then I will not yield in the slightest!"
The Supreme Guardian issued orders with a cold expression. "Dispatch one thousand Silvermane Guards to the city boundary line to block the rebel army from the Underworld from entering the Administrative District."
"Your Excellency, Supreme Guardian, actually..."
"Secondly, send envoys to continue negotiations with them. Ensure they do not harm my... citizens."
"Your Excellency, Supreme Guardian, about that..."
"Have the Underworld agents constantly monitor the movements of the 'Wildfire' rebel army. Report to me immediately at the slightest sign of any activity!"
"Your Excellency, Supreme Guardian, I wanted to say..."
"Can't you say everything all at once?!" The Supreme Guardian snapped coldly. "You've been interrupting me since just now. Can't you see how urgent the situation is here?"
That guard stammered for a long time. "Um... I'm here to report Commander Serval's request for an audience. She is currently outside Qlipoth Fort, waiting to see you."
Supreme Guardian: ...
"...Granted access."
Before long, Serval led Stelle's group into the great hall. She bowed slightly and said, "Your Excellency, Supreme Guardian, I have an extremely urgent matter to report to you."
Hearing this, one minister frowned slightly and said, "Captain Serval, we are currently discussing the major issue of war between the Overworld and the Underworld. Whatever you need to report can wait until we..."
"Everyone, please leave. I will discuss this alone with Captain Serval."
The Supreme Guardian directly interrupted the minister's speech, his tone brooking no argument. His gaze swept over the people behind Serval, and he quickly made an internal judgment.
—These people don't seem to be from the Underworld, nor do they seem to be from the Overworld.
The middle-aged man and the pink-haired girl moved with caution in their every action; the two of them are likely the strength of this group. The green-robed youth is someone who hides his capabilities, so he cannot be taken lightly either.
But... what's the situation with that gray-haired girl? Why is she looking at me with that kind of expression?
As the various ministers in Qlipoth Fort filed out, the Supreme Guardian finally descended from the high steps and offered Serval a bitter smile. "Sis, how many times have I told you? Between the two of us, those useless formalities aren't necessary."
"No. In public, there is only the Supreme Guardian and the Silvermane Guard Captain. There is no Gepard and Serval."
Stelle just stood there watching dumbly, watching. She felt her worldview growing increasingly fragmented, as if someone had forcibly stitched together several segments of memories that didn't belong to her and then stuffed them into her brain, leaving her utterly confused.
Gepard? Supreme Guardian?
Then what about my Cocolia?
On the way here, Stelle had been worried about how Welt would react upon seeing Cocolia. This version of Welt wasn't the glasses-wearing, honest Welt from before; this version was the transcendent Welt who saved the world single-handedly. If he were to meet a Cocolia who looked exactly like his old subordinate and even shared the same name, old grievances might surface...
Below is Stelle's imagined scenario:
"Oh? So you are the guests from beyond the sky?"
"Indeed, Your Excellency, Supreme Guardian. Your planet has been polluted by a Stellaron... (omitting ten thousand words of knowledge popularization and solutions)"
"...So, what is your opinion, Your Excellency, Supreme Guardian?"
"Oh, I have my considerations regarding this matter. As the Supreme Guardian of Belobog, I cannot simply take your word for it. Please return for now, and allow me to ponder this carefully."
Everyone leaves...
Then a mysterious voice appears: "Only the Stellaron can bring you new life~"
Cocolia: "Hmm, very well, for Belobog... Wait, why are you still here?"
Welt coldly snorts: "Audacious Stellaron! I saw through your disguise immediately! How dare you impersonate the Supreme Guardian! Speak to my Star of Eden instead! Zeroth Power Output, activate! Star of Eden, crush it!"
And so, Welt defeated the not-yet-upgraded-to-weekly-boss Cocolia, sealed the Stellaron, and the Belobog chapter concluded.
...
Yet, reality undoubtedly taught Stelle a good lesson, making her realize that no matter how hard she tries to predict, the plot's development always exceeds her expectations.
Gepard as the Supreme Guardian? Why would I have such a dream?
And where did Cocolia go? Did she not become a mechanic? This version of Belobog's weekly boss can't possibly become Brother Gepard, right? Not that! Please, no!
"Ahem—"
March 7th secretly tugged on Stelle's sleeve, signaling her to manage her expression.
"Supreme Guardian, greetings. We are Nameless from beyond the sky. We have come to this planet to help you resolve the effects brought by the Stellaron."
Welt politely stepped forward and began explaining to the present Landau siblings. He then provided compelling evidence and solutions, finally asking, "...I wonder what your opinion is?"
Gepard agreed without the slightest hesitation, not even stopping to think. "Okay, no problem."
"Wait, isn't this progress a bit too fast?" Stelle couldn't help but snarkily comment. "You just agreed to us like that?"
"..."
"Ahem, cough, what I mean is, you are, after all, the Supreme Guardian, and we are people who just arrived in this world. You believe us just like that? The other ministers have no objections?" Stelle explained somewhat awkwardly.
"Regarding that 'Stellaron,' it is of no use to us. If it truly is the source of Belobog's eternal freeze, what harm is there in trying?" Gepard said. "However, even if I agree with you, gaining access to the Stellaron is not an easy task."
"Why?" Stelle asked.
"Regarding the magnetic field characteristics you described for the Stellaron's location, we discovered a place matching them many years ago. However, that place is located in the Underworld. Recently, our relationship with the Underworld can be described as hostile as fire and water. The slightest misstep could likely lead us to arms."