"You seem a bit off today."
Serval scrutinized her friend's face, somewhat puzzled. Whenever they talked about the realm of "the world beyond," Cocolia would usually excitedly take over the conversation and launch into a long monologue until she fell asleep.
But why was she acting out of character today?
"Ah... Really?" Cocolia smiled. "Maybe I'm a bit tired too? Did you think I just sit in the mechanics' workshop collecting money all day? I just finished a task for the Supreme Guardian this morning and hadn't been back for more than a few minutes."
"Gepard assigned you a task?" Serval said, somewhat surprised. "Why didn't either of you tell me?"
"Are you my mother? That I should tell you everything." Cocolia rolled her eyes. "It's a secret mission. Ask your brother for details. If I told you, it would be a leak."
"Come on, we're best friends! Tell me~"
In such a private setting, Serval completely abandoned her upright, impartial, and iron-faced image from work. She wrapped her arms around Cocolia's waist and began to wheedle. The latter looked helpless. "I can't tell you, and that's final. Aren't you known as the most upright Guard Captain in the Silvermane Guards? How come you encourage people to break the rules in private?"
"It's after hours now," Serval said, somewhat embarrassed, scratching her head. "Alright, alright, I won't ask. I'll ask Gepard when he gets home tonight."
Cocolia brought down a wooden box from the counter behind her. "During this mission, I came across some ancient ruins. Your Lynx is interested in these things, right? I brought back some pretty trinkets. I hope she likes them."
"I'll thank Lynx for you."
Serval looked around the shop. "Speaking of which, why haven't I seen Bronya lately? You didn't sign her up for a bunch of cram schools again, did you?"
Cocolia shot her a look. "I think you're getting senile. Bronya is in her early twenties now. What cram school would she be going to? If I'm not mistaken, she's probably off playing with that friend of hers again. Truly, a grown daughter is like spilled water."
"What friend? Male or female?"
At the mention of this, a spark of gossip ignited in Serval's eyes as she curiously pressed for details.
"Female. If it were a male friend, I'd have to make him experience either extreme cold or an avalanche."
"You shouldn't let your guard down even if it's a girl," Serval said, suddenly thinking of someone and shrugging. "Some girls have a natural heroic spirit and are handsomer than many men. Your Bronya has a soft personality. If she meets a girl like that, she could easily be completely wrapped around her finger."
"It probably won't come to that..." Cocolia mused for a moment. "I've seen that girl. She seems... Hiss, no."
Cocolia paused, instantly alert.
"I'll call her today and tell her to come home. Otherwise, I really will have to meet this good friend of hers personally."
...
"That's all the details we can anticipate for now. Everything that follows will depend on the actual situation."
Inside Qlipoth Fort, after several hours of discussion, Gepard and Welt finally finalized the details of tomorrow's peace talks. Welt carefully reviewed the document in his hands from beginning to end once more before nodding. "Thank you for your trouble. Thank you for your trust in the Astral Express."
"You've come from far away to Belobog to help us solve our problems. How can you call it trouble? I should be thanking you." Gepard chuckled. "There's still some time before rest hours. You and your companions can take this opportunity to enjoy some leisure time in the Administrative District. I hope you have a pleasant time."
"Thank you."
As Welt turned to leave, the smile on Gepard's face gradually faded. He pulled out a hidden compartment under his desk and retrieved a document bag sealed with a "Confidential" sticker.
"So this thing is called a Stellaron..."
Inside the document bag was a handwritten report and several close-up photographs. In the pictures, a starry, radiant energy core was preserved within a block of ice. The surrounding ice was deep blue, almost black.
The report read:
Respected Supreme Guardian,
Thank you for your continued support for the research on the "World Beyond" field. As the lead researcher of this project, I am immensely grateful.
I now have sufficient evidence to confirm that the Eternal Freeze that has persisted in Belobog for seven hundred years is caused by the energy released by this extraterrestrial energy core. Its nearly miraculous power has altered the entire planet's climate environment, making it increasingly hostile.
Other members of the research team suggested destroying the energy core immediately, but I refused using my authority as team leader for the following reasons:
The basic operational principles of this energy core are still unclear. The consequences of rashly destroying it cannot be predicted.
Given Belobog's current scientific civilization, even if we restart the Creation Engine, we may not be able to destroy this energy core.
Based on my projections, estimating the extent of the Eternal Freeze's erosion over seven hundred years, even if we by chance destroy the energy core and stop the Eternal Freeze's rampage, restoring this world's ecosystem would still require the efforts of several generations.
Therefore, I have some ideas that differ from the rest of the research team. As the saying goes, things will reverse after reaching an extreme. Since this energy core possesses such tremendous power, if used properly, it might be able to reverse everything in one fell swoop.
Perhaps we can use this energy core to create a better world, so that the next generation of Belobogians need not suffer the pain brought by frost.
...
This document was not signed, nor did it need to be, because the only person who could see it was the current Supreme Guardian, and the only person who could send it was the research leader of the "Extraterrestrial Energy Field Team."
After reading the document, Gepard walked directly to the fireplace and tossed it in.
He reached out, feeling the warmth of the flames in the fireplace—a warmth different from the outdoors of Belobog, a warmth countless Belobogians would never feel in their lifetime.
Gepard paced back and forth by the fireplace. As the Supreme Guardian, he had always been decisive, for he would calmly face the consequences of any decision he made.
But this time, he hesitated for a long time, until the sky outside grew completely dark.
"Supreme Guardian, Military Minister Tarorov requests an audience."
After who knows how long, a Silvermane Guard trotted in to report.
"Let him in."
"Yes."
Before long, a white-bearded old man wrapped in a heavy coat slowly walked in. He did not perform the customary courtesy, merely speaking in a hoarse voice, "Supreme Guardian, I have come to remind you that everything you asked me to do has been arranged."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Supreme Guardian, at this juncture, I have nothing else to say. I only wish to remind you that after today passes, we may become sinners in Belobog's history."
"I know."
Tarorov said gravely, "Supreme Guardian, you are too upright. To be honest, I somewhat regret putting you in this position now. You are not very flexible, a bit stubborn."
"Am I?"
"In my eyes, you are still that meticulous Guard Captain. Of course, that is only in my eyes."
Gepard did not respond. He merely watched the fire in the fireplace, his gaze remaining firm.