["I am Cocolia Rand. Guardian of Belobog. I am here to hear your purpose."]
[The woman on the high platform had golden hair and blue eyes, exuding an air of noble elegance. Her form-fitting white garments accentuated her near-perfect figure. Time had not diminished her grace—instead, it had added a mellow richness to her beauty. Beneath the white fabric was a black bodysuit, the stark contrast between black and white boldly emphasizing her voluptuous curves.]
[Most eye-catching were the two cut-out sections along the sides of her black bodysuit—sensual enough to stir an impulse to reach inside.]
[The saying "Time spares no beauty" perhaps found its best counterexample in the woman before them.]
["Aren't you suspicious of our identities?" Stelle voiced her question.]
["Do you wish for me to be? Are you so lacking in confidence about the identities you claim?" Cocolia smiled faintly before shaking her head lightly. "No, I am not. I can tell you are not of this world."]
["Though the Architects have received no news from the stars in seven hundred years, I know of your existence. State your purpose—I am listening."]
[Stelle cut straight to the point, her tone even carrying a hint of pride: "We're here to pioneer this planet!"]
["Hey! Who's gonna understand that?!" March 7th facepalmed.]
[Dan Heng sighed helplessly. To avoid misunderstandings, he stepped in to explain: "We came here for something called a Stellaron. It is a substance that suddenly descends upon various worlds, and its appearance always brings calamity. Many of the planets we've passed through have suffered its corruption."]
["You just mentioned the invasion of the Antimatter Legion. Shortly after their arrival, the Eternal Freeze began on this planet, and when the freeze emerged, a spatial erosion phenomenon called the Fragmentum appeared—is that correct?"]
[Cocolia's expression gradually turned serious, her brows slightly furrowing. "Correct."]
[March 7th added kindly: "The Fragmentum is a phenomenon caused by the Stellaron. The disasters it creates vary from planet to planet, but every implanted Stellaron generates a Fragmentum."]
——
"If the Fragmentum keeps spawning, and the monsters within it are endless, isn't that just like demons? Impossible to completely eradicate?" Kochou Shinobu immediately grasped the hardships faced by this world's people.
Earlier, when she saw that man, Gepard, she had only marveled at the imposing aura he exuded despite not appearing angry, undoubtedly honed through countless battles on the battlefield.
Unbidden, Shinobu recalled the late Flame Hashira, who had passed not long ago.
In life, the Flame Hashira had carried a similar presence to this Gepard, though compared to the latter, the Flame Hashira had been far more cheerful.
"If he had lived to see this day, perhaps he too could have gained much from the Celestial Screen..." Shinobu couldn't help but sigh softly.
"Ahem... Shinobu, do not dwell too deeply in sorrow." Ubuyashiki Kagaya struggled to rise from his bed, his wife quickly moving to support his arm as he slowly sat up.
"It seems every world has its own calamity. Though the disasters differ... perhaps we can learn from how others resolve them."
"This city called Belobog is in a situation quite similar to ours... Both of us face endless enemies and a hidden mastermind."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya took a deep breath and smiled bitterly. "Though Muzan is far more cunning than a Stellaron, not only does he hide constantly, but he is also immensely powerful. Still, their process of resolution may offer us some reference."
——
["You can think of us as kind-hearted interstellar travelers, here to extend a helping hand to worlds troubled by Stellarons!" March 7th beamed.]
["..." Cocolia did not answer immediately. After a moment of contemplation, she slowly raised her head. "You've analyzed the current situation very clearly. Indeed, we have encountered these disasters, some of which still plague us to this day... But what does that have to do with you?"]
["Even if such a Stellaron truly exists... and it brought calamity, I fail to see how that concerns you."]
[Cocolia's expression gradually turned icy. "My apologies, but I do not believe anyone would go to such lengths to help a world unrelated to them without seeking something in return."]
——
"Hmm, this Lady Cocolia certainly has the awareness of a ruler."
Watching the beautiful and elegant woman on the Celestial Screen, Silco couldn't help but place himself in her position.
"This level of composure and judgment is far better than the fools in our Undercity." Recalling his pig-headed colleagues who had tried to share his power during meetings, Silco's eyes revealed deep exhaustion.
"If they all had judgment like this woman, I wouldn't have to struggle alone against those high-and-mighty bastards in the Upper City."
"Oh? Is this Lady Cocolia really that impressive?" Jinx said dismissively. "To me, she's no different from those decorative vases in Upper City's wealthy homes, just... a bit prettier?" She did quite like Cocolia's golden spiral curls, though.
"You're wrong, Jinx." Silco slowly shook his head.
"Any woman who rises to power in such a world, the more beautiful she is, the more formidable she must be. Because on that path, the men coveting her far outnumber any you've ever known."
"Having navigated countless schemes and betrayals... and still maintaining absolute control over a city-state rather than becoming someone's plaything, that in itself is proof of her capability!"
"..." Jinx threw up her hands in surrender. "Alright, I'll admit you have a point."
——
["You're not wrong. The reason we seek cooperation is ultimately because our goals align, if we don't seal the Stellaron, we cannot leave this planet either."]
[March 7th said confidently: "Exactly! Once we destroy the Stellaron, your world will be safer too!"]
["You... have a way to seal this thing called the Stellaron?" Cocolia's gaze sharpened.]
["Don't worry, we have the means."]
["Good, I believe you. If the current situation truly is tied to the Stellaron, then you are the hope Belobog has awaited for seven hundred years. We will provide all possible assistance to help you locate it."]
["But it's getting late. For now, I'll arrange for you to stay at the finest hotel in the city. Tomorrow at noon, I'll invite you for a proper discussion."]
[Unexpectedly, the process had gone surprisingly smoothly. March 7th let out a long breath, marveling at how reasonable Lady Cocolia was.]
——
"Is it really that simple?" In the Jade Chamber, Tianquan Ningguang exhaled a long stream of smoke as she observed Cocolia's ice-cold expression.
"...If she truly wanted to collaborate, why would she wear such an expression?"