Following the shout, all the Silvermane Guards instantly snapped to attention.
They formed two neat lines on either side of the snow-covered path, like an honor guard preparing for an inspection. Their battle-axes stood planted in the snow, the blades catching a faint silvery glint from the sun.
"What are they doing?" Bai Ming, who had just knocked out Sampo, stared at the suddenly assembled guards in confusion.
"How would I know?!" March shot back immediately. "This is my first time here too!"
Just as both Bai Ming and March were left bewildered, a figure slowly emerged from the swirling snow.
It was a tall, blonde-haired man clad in silver armor and a light blue cape. In his hands, he carried what looked like a large guitar case—at least in shape. His expression was stern and serious.
Under the watchful eyes of the Silvermane Guards, he walked through the snowy curtain from the other side, proceeding down what seemed like a path cleared just for him.
Thump. Thump.
The man addressed as Gepard reached the front and immediately noticed Sampo lying on the ground.
Instantly, his previously composed face showed a flicker of puzzlement. He turned to look at the large contingent of Silvermane Guards behind him.
"Did you knock this man unconscious?"
At his question, the Silvermane Guards shook their heads in unison. Not a single one dared to claim credit.
This only deepened Gepard's confusion. "Not you? Then who?"
As soon as Gepard asked, the Silvermane Guards collectively raised their hands, pointing toward the trio opposite them.
Among the accused trio, March took a step to the left. Dan Heng shifted a few paces to the right.
Thus, the only one left being pointed at was Bai Ming.
But—she wasn't the least bit afraid. After all, Bai Ming knew she might lack many virtues, but sheer audacity was one of her strong suits.
"That's right!" Bai Ming took a few confident steps forward. "I was the one who knocked him out! With this!" As she spoke, she brandished the baseball bat in her hand.
"This…" Gepard looked at Bai Ming and her baseball bat, his expression growing even more perplexed. Frankly, he wasn't entirely convinced. It was just an ordinary-looking baseball bat. And the girl in front of him, while not exactly frail, didn't exactly scream "delinquent." The idea of her taking down a sturdy fellow like Sampo… seemed far-fetched.
Yet, despite his inner doubts, Gepard didn't voice them immediately. He knew appearances could be deceiving. Besides, his Silvermane Guards were unlikely to lie.
"I see," Gepard said with a faint, polite smile. "I am Gepard, Captain of the Silvermane Guards of Belobog. And you three are…?"
"I'm Bai Ming!" Bai Ming introduced herself breezily. "And this is March 7th!" She pulled March back to her side. "Currently, she's my… provisional girlfriend!"
"Provisional girlfriend?!" Gepard's eyes widened noticeably. "If… if I'm not mistaken… you are also a young woman, are you not?"
"Yep~" Bai Ming nodded cheerfully. "I am indeed a girl!"
"Then how…" Gepard's voice trailed off, growing quieter. Honestly, after serving as Captain for so many years in Belobog, this was the first time he'd encountered a girl so boldly forward. And also… well. Two girls together wasn't exactly unheard of. In Belobog, after all— Before Gepard could finish that thought, he heard a solid thwack!
The girl Bai Ming had called March 7th delivered a swift, precise karate chop to the top of Bai Ming's head.
"Talking nonsense again!"
"QAQ What nonsense?! I used very precise wording this time! Provisional!"
"That's still weird!"
???
Witnessing this, Gepard mentally adjusted his internal combat ranking. March 7th > Bai Ming > Sampo. Things clearly weren't as simple as they'd first appeared.
"Please disregard that," a calm voice came from beside him. Gepard looked up to see the third member of the group besides March and Bai Ming.
"You are…"
"I am Dan Heng. You can consider me the only one here currently capable of coherent communication." Dan Heng glanced at the still-bickering March and Bai Ming. "You only need to believe about half of what those two say."
"This…" Gepard's confusion mounted. "So, she really is the one who subdued Sampo?"
"That part is correct," Dan Heng nodded. "And with a single strike."
"…" Gepard began to question his understanding of the world. But he quickly reasoned that this Dan Heng had no reason to lie, especially with so many Silvermane Guards as witnesses. A lie would be exposed in moments.
"Truly a remarkable feat," Gepard remarked, impressed. "I never imagined Belobog had such extraordinary fighters and one so well hidden."
Dan Heng paused, then shook his head. "We are not citizens of Belobog."
"Not citizens of Belobog?!" At this, Gepard's grip tightened on his large guitar-case-like object. "Then who are you?"
Seeing Gepard's confusion, Dan Heng looked at the still-playful March and Bai Ming. "You two, isn't it about time to stop?"
"Eh?" At his words, Bai Ming, who had already captured March's hands and was leaning in close, hesitated but relented. She grinned. "Okay, okay~ Since you say so—we'll pause for now!"
"You…" March wanted to say something but swallowed her words.
Gepard seized the moment. "So, you truly are not from Belobog?"
"Mhm." Bai Ming placed her hands on her hips, nodding seriously. "Definitely not!"
"This…" Anyone could see the deep suspicion in Gepard's eyes, though his position made it difficult to voice it directly.
Bai Ming thought for a moment, then had an idea. "March, why don't you show him the photo!"
"Photo?" March blinked with confusion.
"Mhm." Bai Ming nodded. "Didn't we take a picture of Jarilo-VI before we got off the Express?"
"Oh, right!" March clapped her hands together. "Bai Ming, you're so clever!"
"Hehe~"
No sooner said than done. March immediately took out her camera and offered it to Gepard. "Look—! It's a full view of the planet you live on!"
"…" Gepard took the camera from March and began examining the photos. As he scrolled, his expression grew increasingly peculiar.
"Well… the composition is quite good. But—" He looked up. "—why are all of these photos of Bai Ming fighting?"
Just as Gepard said, the camera March handed him contained not a single planetary panorama. Instead, it was filled with action shots of Bai Ming in combat. And from those photos, Gepard sensed something truly hard to believe: Bai Ming was somehow wielding that baseball bat like a blade! This wasn't just impressive skill; it was subverting the weapon's very nature! Is she some kind of weapon master?! Gepard was stunned.
On the other side, hearing Gepard's comment, Bai Ming immediately grew curious. She took the camera back from him and began scrolling through the images herself.
"Wow—!" she exclaimed as she looked. "March, you really did take all these!"
"Y-yeah…" March replied, her face reddening. "Well, you asked me to take pictures. How could I forget?"
"Hehehe~" Bai Ming hugged March tightly. "I knew you had me in your heart!"
"S-stop that!" March, blushing furiously in Bai Ming's embrace, protested. "So many people are watching! We need to find the right photo to show Gepard!"
"Oh, right!"
Finally persuaded, March quickly scrolled through her camera, found the correct image, and presented it to Gepard again.
This time, the photo's content was accurate. It showed a view captured from the Astral Express. Snow covered almost the entirety of Jarilo-VI, making it look like a giant white marble.
Instantly, murmurs broke out among the Silvermane Guards. The soldiers expressed their shock at the image March displayed.
"This… this can't be! The place we live on is a giant white ball?!"
"You're joking!If that were true, we'd have all fallen off long ago!"
In stark contrast to his subordinates clamor, Gepard showed no surprise. Instead, he grew even more serious. He stared at the photo in his hand, lost in thought.
After a long moment, Gepard finally spoke slowly. "It's said that long ago, visitors from the stars often came here. But after the 'Eternal Freeze' began, no one has managed to cross the snow curtain to reach Belobog. It seems all connection between Belobog and the outside world was severed at that moment. It appears—" Gepard looked at Bai Ming and her companions, his gaze now holding a measure of newfound respect. "—your arrival might represent an opportunity for us. Please, allow us this chance, visitors from beyond the sky."
"O… opportunity?!" Bai Ming blinked her beautiful golden eyes, looking puzzled at Gepard's words. "What do you mean?"
"Oh…" Gepard offered a faint smile. "Since you are visitors from beyond, I assume you know little of our Belobog. Allow me to explain. If—and I say if—" Gepard looked at March's camera in his hand, his expression serious and solemn. "—if the photo you've provided is genuine… then the three of you are the legendary visitors from the stars, lost to us for so long. A matter of this magnitude is beyond the authority of a mere Captain. I must take you to see the 'Supreme Guardian' and let her decide the subsequent course of action."
"This…" Seeing Bai Ming's hesitation, Gepard added, "Please rest assured. Although I began with a hypothesis, I—" He glanced at the unconscious Sampo. "—personally, am very willing to believe what you've said. Based on that, I will faithfully report your contributions to Belobog to the Supreme Guardian. I believe if she learns of this and understands your origins, she will make a decision favorable to you."
Gepard deliberately slowed his speech, clearly concerned that Bai Ming and her friends might misunderstand, leading to further complications.
And hearing his words, Bai Ming did indeed interpret them in another way.
"Um,Gepard?"
"Yes?"
"If…I'm just saying if… can I understand your words in another way?"
"Another way?" Gepard frowned slightly, then asked in return. "Pardon me, what do you mean by 'another way'? I'm not quite sure I follow."
"Uh… huh?" Though it felt a bit convoluted, Bai Ming roughly grasped Gepard's point. She said, "I mean, from what you're saying, you will take us into that place called Belobog, right?"
"Of course," Gepard replied without hesitation. "And I will guarantee your safety along the way."
"Then… is there a fee?"
"I will not charge you anything. It is my duty."
"Wow—!" Stars seemed to sparkle in Bai Ming's eyes. She turned to March and Dan Heng behind her. "Did you hear that?! No fee! Brother Gepard is not only nice but also free!"
"Uh…" Gepard could only offer a strained smile at the nickname, choosing not to dwell on it.
"Shall we depart now? Reaching the city earlier will avoid many unnecessary troubles."
"Wait a sec!" Bai Ming held up a hand. "By the way, who is this 'Supreme Guardian'? Can you tell us her name?"
"Oh… certainly." Gepard nodded. "Our Supreme Guardian… her name is Cocolia."
"WHAT?!"
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
Honkai Impact 3rd, I Can Transform into a Valkyrie!
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