"Why are you yelling so loud...?"
March 7th looked at the suddenly flustered Bai Ming beside her, her face full of confusion.
"N-no reason!"
March didn't know, but Bai Ming certainly hadn't forgotten what the name Cocolia represented.
As any seasoned Honkai Impact 3rd player knew, there were two famously notorious "troublemakers."
One was Otto.
The other was Cocolia.
She'd orchestrated Project-Mei, implanted the Third Herrscher core into Raiden Mei, then triggered the Honkai eruption in Nagazora to induce Mei's Herrscher transformation.
She was the only executor in Anti-Entropy who conducted human experiments.
She'd cloned the First Herrscher, Welt Joyce.
She conducted the X-10 experiment.
She forcibly extracted the Fourth Herrscher core, the "Gem of Desire," from Wendy, causing her death.
Her rap sheet was more than enough to illustrate the problem.
So, what about the Cocolia in this world? Bai Ming didn't dare to think too deeply about it.
Noticing Bai Ming's reaction, Gepard grew curious. "May I ask, is there something about the Supreme Guardian's name?"
"N-no, nothing!" Bai Ming quickly waved her hands. She wouldn't dare to judge the "Supreme Guardian" in Gepard's words without fully understanding this world. After all, if this Cocolia was similar to Himeko... then her own reaction would be pretty inappropriate.
"Please, Gepard! Take us into the city!"
"Uh... alright." Gepard nodded, then turned to his subordinates. "You there, take Sampo back. I will escort these esteemed guests from beyond the stars to see the Supreme Guardian."
"Yes, sir!" Several Silvermane Guards hauled the unconscious Sampo away.
Gepard offered Bai Ming and the others a calm smile. "Let's go. I'll take you to our Belobog now."
On the way, March 7th quietly asked Bai Ming, "Bai Ming."
"Huh? What's up?" Bai Ming, still distracted by thoughts of Cocolia, replied.
"You... wouldn't happen to know this world's Cocolia or something, would you?"
"H-how could I?!" Bai Ming shook her head vigorously. "This is my first time here too. How could I possibly know her?"
"Really?" March looked at her suspiciously.
"Really! March, you have to believe me!"
Just as March was about to reply, Gepard, walking ahead, stopped. He stood at the top of a cliff, pointing forward. "Belobog is just ahead."
"Eh?! Let me see!" Bai Ming took two quick steps to the front and was immediately awestruck.
Before her was a city enclosed by a massive circular wall. A giant, floating gear hung in the sky above, dividing the area into sections. At the very center stood a tall, tower-like structure. From a distance, Belobog looked like a precise gear embedded in the endless white snow.
The sight was all too familiar to Bai Ming. "This is Frostpunk..." she muttered.
"Frostpunk?" Gepard caught the unfamiliar term, but had to admit it was fitting. "That is an incredibly fitting description. Come, this way please."
Following a broad road through the snow, they entered the city. Once inside, Bai Ming spoke up. "March."
"Hmm? What's up?"
"Don't you think it's a bit hot here?"
"Hot...?" Only then did March truly notice. Under the Trailblaze path's blessing, they were highly resistant to temperature, but this wasn't just an absence of cold. It felt... warm. Cozy, even. Like being back on the Astral Express.
"That is to be expected," Gepard said, turning back to them. "Because you are now in Belobog, the final stronghold humanity possesses on this planet."
"Final stronghold?"
"Yes." Gepard nodded. "Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the stars ignited this world. At that time..."
Before he could finish, Bai Ming subconsciously interjected, "At that time, in Liyue, great demons plagued the seas, and vicious dragons roamed the mountains?"
"Ah? Liyue? Where is that?" Gepard asked, confused.
"Don't mind her~" March chimed in quickly. "Please continue!"
Gepard found Bai Ming increasingly peculiar. She said things no ordinary person would, yet seemed to find them perfectly reasonable. 'Eccentricities often accompany remarkable individuals,' he thought, deciding not to pry.
"At that time, the earth turned to scorched soil, filled with flame and smoke. In that moment, the Everwinter came. A blizzard swept across, destroying those enemies. However, it also left this world with only Belobog, this city amidst the ice."
"Eh?" Bai Ming blinked. "So, this city has been here from the beginning?"
"No." Gepard shook his head. "Belobog didn't exist initially. It was built by the Architects, who received the protection of the Preservation Aeon, Qlipoth. No matter the cold outside, Belobog's interior is always a warm home."
"He speaks so formally..." March whispered.
"That's not his usual way of speaking; he's probably quoting from some scripture or record," Bai Ming replied.
"Oh! Then why is he telling us all this?"
"I don't know either. Ehehe~"
Watching the two of them, Dan Heng felt a wave of helplessness. He wondered if he should have stayed on the Express.
Gepard, thankfully, didn't seem to mind. "Because this history cannot be forgotten. Everyone who comes to Belobog has the right to know it. It is not a secret. Moreover, in a way, you asked."
"Hehe, is that so?"
"Enough for now. There will be time later. For now..." Gepard's gaze swept over them. "I'll take you to meet our Supreme Guardian first."
"Where is she?"
"Qlipoth Fort." Gepard pointed to a long flight of stairs leading to a massive castle—the most prominent building they'd seen from the cliff. "This is the heart of Belobog, the headquarters of the Architects."
"Oh, you probably don't know who they are either, right?" A touch of respect entered Gepard's eyes. "They are humanity's saviors. Before the Everwinter, they built the city despite ridicule. They secured the last hope for Belobog. In Qlipoth's name, we've resisted the cold, defeated enemies, and now fight the Fragmentum. Their leader—Lady Cocolia—is elected by them. They protect the city, hence 'Supreme Guardian.' Qlipoth Fort is where they reside."
"I see." Bai Ming nodded. "So, we can meet Cocolia as soon as we enter?"
"Yes. I've informed her. She should be waiting for you now."
"Oh~"
"Eh?! Wait a minute!" March reached out, stopping Gepard. "So soon? We just arrived! We're going to see her directly?"
"This..." Gepard fell silent.
Before he could speak, Bai Ming chimed in. "In that case... I have a small suggestion! How about letting us rest and recuperate a bit, and meet her a little later?"
"..." Gepard was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. It is appropriate to rest. When meeting, every word should be chosen with care. You have that right. However—" He looked at them. "While I believe so, the Supreme Guardian may not share the sentiment. To put it another way..."
"Ah, well..." His meaning was clear: his hands were tied. This Cocolia seemed difficult.
"Then let me go in with you first," Dan Heng said. "This way, we won't have kept her waiting for nothing."
"Dan Heng!" Bai Ming looked at him gratefully. "I've decided! From now on, besides March, Teacher Himeko, Asta, and Herta, you are my best friend!"
"..." Dan Heng sighed, ignoring her, and turned to Gepard. "Let's go. We shouldn't keep her waiting."
Gepard nodded. "I understand. Bai Ming, March 7th, please feel free to do as you wish. If you need anything, contact any Silvermane Guard and mention my name. They will assist."
"Mhm~ Thank you, Gepard!" Bai Ming chirped.
Watching Dan Heng and Gepard leave, Bai Ming flashed a 'V' sign to March. "Hehe, March, all set~"
"You really pulled it off." March looked at Bai Ming's foolish grin, feeling both helpless and happy. Even though this girl was a flirt, she genuinely considered her feelings. What a confusing person.
"Of course~ Whatever March wants to do, I have to give my all to make it happen! March!" Bai Ming grabbed her hand. "No time to waste! Let's hurry and find a place to freshen up!"
"Mhm." March nodded, and hand in hand, they began strolling through Belobog's streets.
Just as Gepard described, this was the Eternal Freeze City, the last human settlement. Residents were everywhere, chatting relaxedly. Occasionally, bundled-up children darted past.
Holding March's hand, Bai Ming gazed at the scene. "Belobog seems pretty nice, doesn't it?"
"Is that so..." March looked at the city. "I feel something's a bit off."
"Off?"
"Mhm. I feel like there's something we don't know."
"Hehe, it's fine~ If there is, I'll definitely uncover it just like I'd uncover March's panties!"
"Don't use such weird analogies!" March's face flushed red.
Just as they playfully bickered, a loud sound erupted in the distance.
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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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