To the closed city of Belobog, the Emiya family was simply like gods descending from the heavens, or like modern people piloting a spaceship into a tribe of cavemen.
It was undeniable that their strength would make people covetous, even worshipful. But alongside such overwhelming power came a terrifying and dreadful threat.
After all, no one could guarantee that these strange outsiders would really be as friendly as they claimed.
To be safe, Gepard first arranged for Emiya and his family to stay in the Silvermane Guard restricted zone, while he returned to Belobog with only Bronya.
Sure enough, just from hearing a few words from Gepard and Bronya, the entire Belobog leadership exploded into chaos.
Not only were the Supreme Guardian and the Builders all present, but even the usually pampered and comfortable heads of the Landau family came rushing into the council hall of Qlipoth Fort.
"I represent the entire Landau family, we will never agree to let those outsiders into Belobog!"
The head of the Landau family, who always appeared in the guise of a refined, sage-like old gentleman, was today so furious that his beard bristled and his eyes bulged. His usual calm bearing was completely gone.
"That's right. Those wild monkeys who popped up out of nowhere should be left to fend for themselves in the blizzard, let the rift creatures devour them."
"Don't even think about letting them lay hands on Belobog!" The Landau matriarch spoke even more bluntly, her face full of arrogance.
The Supreme Guardian Cocolia wasn't surprised at all by the Landau family's attitude. This family had once truly cared for the people, but now they styled themselves as nobles of exalted blood and already saw themselves as emperors above all.
After pondering for a while, Cocolia turned to the Builders' representative at her right. She already knew they were in the Landau family's pocket, but the procedure still had to be followed.
"Adrian, what do you think?"
"Belobog is already teetering on the brink. Whether we survive in peace or risk annihilation by taking in outsiders, I believe only the Supreme Guardian has the right to decide that!"
'Damn you, you're really good at passing the buck, huh? Anyway, even if I agree to let them in, you'll still oppose it to the bitter end!' Hearing Adrian's words, Cocolia ground her teeth in anger.
As Supreme Guardian she looked all-powerful, but in truth she was nothing more than a scapegoat. The real decision-makers had always been the disciples of the Preservation Aeon and the Landau family.
Not long ago, she had watched Belobog sink deeper and deeper into crisis, to the point where survival through stagnation was no longer possible.
Cocolia had wracked her brain, bleeding her heart dry to come up with reforms to break through the deadlock.
But the Builders and Landau family dismissed her proposals without a second thought. As Supreme Guardian, she couldn't even put up proper resistance.
'Damn the Preservation Aeon! When the Antimatter Legion nearly destroyed Jarilo, they never once bestowed power. They forced the first Supreme Guardian to rely on the Stellaron's power, and even now they still order us around!'
'Might as well release the Stellaron directly, let it... no!'
Cocolia suddenly snapped awake. The last shred of rationality told her that she was being tempted by the Stellaron, step by step straying from the Preservation's path.
But inside her heart, the louder voice kept shouting, with Geomarrow almost completely exhausted, the Preservation Aeon still does nothing at all. To keep worshipping the Preservation was just self-destruction. The Stellaron was one of the very few gambles left.
"Gepard, are you sure Emiya can be trusted?" Cocolia asked, looking at him. To be honest, since it was a do-or-die gamble anyway, she leaned more toward letting the outsiders in. Releasing the Stellaron could only ever be a last resort.
"Though I've only known Emiya for a few short days, he is a man worthy of trust." Gepard placed his hand firmly on his chest.
"For the hope of the people, I am willing to stake my life. If he harbors ill intent, I will end myself on the spot!"
"Gepard, have you forgotten who you are?!" Gepard's father exploded with rage. Ignoring the solemnity of the occasion, he stepped forward and punched Gepard directly in the face.
Yet Gepard did not move a single step. Even as his father struck him, even as his clansmen glared at him with eyes full of disgust, he wavered not at all.
"I always remember that I am a member of the Landau family. But I remember even more clearly the ancestral teaching, the Landau family always puts the people first!"
"You are utterly lawless!" The Landau patriarch slammed his cane hard on the ground. At once, the family's guards stepped forward, preparing to drag Gepard away by force.
"Silvermane Guards, hear my command! Whoever dares ignore discipline and disrupt this council hall again, arrest them all and throw them in prison!" Gepard barked sharply.
"Yes, sir!"
Within the Silvermane Guard, Gepard's authority was far higher than even the Supreme Guardian's. At his order, the guards outside the chamber marched in without hesitation.
The oppressive aura of battle-hardened veterans spread silently, making even the lofty elders of the Landau family shudder.
"I will say this only once more." Gepard enunciated each word, firm and unshakable.
"The Emiya family, whether in technology or combat power, are exactly what Belobog desperately needs. If you persist in blind obstinacy and even force the Emiya family into becoming our enemies, the Silvermane Guard will never accept it!"
In the past, Gepard would never have spoken so firmly. He had once thought of himself only as a soldier, loyal to the Supreme Guardian and the people, obeying orders without question, without the need to think.
But after the northern campaign, his hesitation, his blind faith in the Supreme Guardian, countless soldiers had died needlessly under her reckless commands. He could never allow such a tragedy to repeat. He would not shrink back again.
Even if it meant making mistakes, this time Gepard would not sit idly by. For the people of Belobog, he would shoulder responsibility with unwavering resolve.
"Enough, stop this quarreling." Seeing that the moment had ripened, Cocolia stepped forward to halt the conflict. "Bronya, do you also stand with Gepard?"
"I do not stand with Gepard. I stand with the people."
Bronya narrowed her eyes, sweeping her gaze across every single face, into every single pair of eyes. Never before had she felt such revulsion.
These pampered old lords did not go hungry or freeze, did not risk their lives on the battlefield. All they ever thought about was how to bleed the people dry, how to secure their own positions. Even with Belobog on the verge of ruin, they remained stubborn and blind.
"To speak bluntly, if Belobog continues to stay shut away in its own little shell, it will only destroy itself. Everything comes at a price. If it is to give the people a chance at survival, then taking the risk of accepting the Emiya family is worth it."
With that, Bronya stepped firmly to Gepard's side. She too placed her hand over her chest. "I will also stake my life. If the Emiya family does evil, I will go to the grave with no complaints."
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