Under Sampo's lead, the group inevitably ran into Silvermane Guards sent to capture him.
Without hesitation, Sampo ditched Adrian and the others, bolting away.
"No time like the present to run! I'll leave it to you, friends!" His voice faded until it was gone.
"I'll chase him. You guys be careful."
Adrian flickered like a phantom, vanishing from sight in an instant, not forgetting to toss out a few words of caution.
"Go get 'em, Teacher Adrian! Give that guy a few extra kicks for me!" March 7th called, waving while firing her bow. The Express crew knew Adrian, as their trump card, wouldn't act so soon—an [Emanator]-level ace up their sleeve!
What's an Emanator? A being capable of obliterating star systems!
"Hey, don't underestimate us Guards!" one soldier barked, charging at Stelle.
"Hmph!" Stelle smirked, stepping back and hurling her trash can lid, knocking the soldier out cold.
"Ranged attack, kid!"
The Express crew's combat prowess far outstripped the Silvermane Guard squad, especially with Stelle's new weapon, playing the role of a backline mage.
"Whoa, careful not to hit our own!" March 7th suddenly realized only Dan Heng was in melee with the Guards—she and Stelle were both ranged.
"Dan Heng, I've got your back!"
As she spoke, Stelle morphed her trash can lid back into a baseball bat and flung it at a soldier focused on Dan Heng.
Bang!
The bat didn't hit as planned—it was deflected.
Dan Heng saw an icy shield form around the soldier and retreated to the others.
"Enough."
A booming voice echoed from deeper within. A blond man in a military uniform stepped in front of the soldiers, wielding a massive, oddly shaped black shield.
"Huh, that thing in his hand looks like a guitar case!" March 7th had never seen such a bizarre shield.
"I, Gepard Landau, Silvermane Guard Captain, order you to cease this pointless resistance." Gepard flashed the Guard badge on his arm.
…
Lower District, Rivet Town.
The area had long been eroded by the Rift, with residents evacuated to Boulder Town.
The wandering Rift creatures, lacking sentience, completely ignored Adrian and Sampo.
Sampo leaned against a wall, panting heavily.
"Phew, I'm beat." He stared helplessly at Adrian. Aeons sure had stamina—chasing him all the way without breaking a sweat.
"From the snowfields to the Lower District in such a short time? Your escape skills have leveled up."
"You flatter me. In this world… you need some survival skills. Plus, my mask got snatched. I'm dirt poor now, pocket cleaner than my face."
"You've got two ancient relics in that pocket right now."
Adrian knew Sampo's type. He wouldn't sell all his relics—he'd keep a few to scam folks for fun.
"Heh, just doing trade between the Upper and Lower Districts. When I first hit the Lower District, I helped the Fire Sister score some medical supplies. Gotta build connections for steady income. Look at how tough life is now!"
"Still cracking jokes at a time like this? Truly Aha's soldier."
"You're the sharp one, Boss Adrian. You're a big shot in the tavern—plenty of friends still talk about you."
Anyone in the [Elation] faction knew their god of Elation was tight with the Aeon of Eternity.
For close friends, they'd stab ribs or spill their guts without hesitation.
Sampo couldn't even imagine how wild Aeon-level Elation must be.
For fun, Aha would pop into Herta's Simulated Universe, playing as THEMSELVES.
Aha roleplaying as THEMSELVES in the Simulated Universe? Peak entertainment.
At least Aha didn't blow up Herta's Simulated Universe—that was restraint.
"Now I'm curious about something. Care to enlighten me?"
"All this polite talk? Is this the Sampo I know?"
"No choice, you're the client's client! You don't know how much that hacker girl paid me. I've gotta take good care of you!"
Sampo flicked his hair. "What wind blew an Aeon to Belobog?"
"What, I'm not welcome?"
"No, no, I'm your most loyal [Eternity] follower!" Sampo caved instantly, stepping behind Adrian to massage his shoulders.
"Not bad, very [Elation]. Shame you're not in the Church doing PR."
At the word "Church," Sampo's body shuddered, a chill crawling up his spine.
"Haha, kindly let me decline your generous offer."
"Back to business. There's a trace of [Destruction] mixed in with [Preservation]'s lingering power. Why wouldn't I come join the party?"
"Wow… classic you." Sampo shifted gears. "Belobog's lively right now."
Trailblaze, Eternity, Elation, Preservation, Destruction.
Too many elements! How did little Jarilo-VI deserve this?
"Speaking of, is the Astral Express always this stacked? A Dragon from the Xianzhou, a girl with a Stellaron Core, and that pink-haired girl…"
Plus, the Aeon enjoying his shoulder massage.
Yikes, the Astral Express was terrifying!
"You know a lot."
"You know how it is—I'm a peddler! Gotta be well-informed to sell ancient relics."
Sampo gave an awkward laugh, brushing it off.
"That Dan Heng guy's interesting. All that strength with nowhere to shine… So, when they hit the Lower District, I'm thinking of dragging him to the Fight Club for a match. It'll be a show!"
"Got a nickname ready: Cold-Faced Little Dragon!"
They chatted a bit more. Adrian glanced at his phone. "Time's about up. Come back with me."
"Huh?"
Before Sampo could react, he felt the world spin and found himself stuffed into a sack.
"Hey, Boss Adrian, a sneak attack? Where'd you even pull this sack from?"
Watching the figure squirm in the sack, Adrian grinned mischievously, tying it up with rope.
"Deep breaths. Dizziness is normal."
"You know how it is—Mask of Fools will do anything for a laugh."
"But I've got limits, Boss! Tie me up, fine, but at least let me breathe?"
Sampo, in the sack, regretted trying to reason with an Aeon.
"Relax, I gotta bring you back to close the deal. Cut me some slack—later, I'll get your mask back."
"Deal."
The squirming in the sack stopped instantly.
…
Seeing Gepard, the trio, to avoid unnecessary conflict, pulled out March 7th's photos of Jarilo-VI, proving their identities.
"It's said that long ago, offworld visitors often came here… but after the [Blizzard], no one's crossed the snow curtain to reach Belobog."
"If their claims are true, only the Great Guardian can decide what to do."
"Outsiders, follow me. Belobog lies beyond this snow curtain."
"Uh… what about Adrian?" March 7th glanced at Stelle and Dan Heng.
"I trust Adrian. He won't get lost."
Dan Heng recalled the space station fight against the Antimatter Legion, seeing Adrian and Arlan casually chatting about life in the control room.
"Who's calling me?"
Adrian appeared behind Stelle, patting her shoulder.
"Hm?"
Gepard noticed the sack slung over his shoulder.
"Captain, I've caught the fugitive you wanted."
"Mmph mmph mmph!"
The sack kept wriggling, startling March 7th.
"Awesome, Teacher Adrian! Told you we weren't with that crook." March 7th kicked the sack.
"Ow! That hurts! Miss March, why the kicking?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Gepard froze for a second, staring at the man who'd nabbed Sampo.
The Silvermane Guards had tried catching him multiple times and failed, yet this guy got him?
"On behalf of the Silvermane Guards, I thank you."