"Ladies, we've arrived."
"This is Quipoth Fort, the heart of Belobog, headquarters of the Architects."
Gepard led Clara and Firefly before a structure that stood imposing even amidst Belobog's architecture, giving them a brief introduction.
"I won't delve into the history of the Quipoth Fort or the Architects now. The most important matter is to take you to meet the Supreme Guardian."
"Any questions regarding the Architects, you may direct to the Supreme Guardian herself."
"Her Excellency is already aware of your origins and purpose. She has been waiting for some time. Please, follow me."
With that, Gepard dismissed the surrounding Silvermane Guards and continued leading Clara and Firefly onward.
"Alrighty~ Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Gepard~"
Seeing this, Clara and Firefly followed along at a leisurely pace.
"Firefly, I'll leave it to you in a bit, okay~"
While walking behind Gepard, Clara suddenly leaned close to Firefly's ear and whispered softly.
"Huh? Leave it to me? What do you mean?"
Hearing this, Firefly cast a puzzled glance at Clara.
"You'll find out soon enough~"
Clara didn't answer directly, instead revealing a sly smile.
Firefly: ...
When Clara smiles, you know trouble's brewing... Ugh.
Upon entering the Quipoth Fort, Gepard brought the two to a door.
"Everyone, behind this door is the Supreme Guardian's office."
"There is no need for either of you to be nervous. Nor should you be."
"Since you have come to aid Belobog with the Eternal Freeze, you are honored guests of the city, accorded the same standing as the Supreme Guardian herself."
Perhaps fearing the two might feel tense, Gepard offered a reminder.
"Don't worry~ We won't be nervous at all~"
"Right, Firefly?" Clara asked Firefly with a tone that seemed to carry a deeper meaning.
"Huh?"
"Probably..." Looking at the smile on Clara's face, a thread of tension wound its way into Firefly's heart. She had no idea what Clara was planning...
"That's good then~" Hearing Firefly's response, Clara nodded cheerfully and then turned her gaze to Gepard.
"Let's go in, Mr. Gepard."
"Mm." Seeing this, Gepard pushed open the door and led them inside.
Entering the room, a vast office unfolded before them.
Within the office stood many desks, yet there seemed to be no trace of anyone ever having worked there.
At the highest point of the room, behind the largest desk, sat a golden-haired woman. Upon seeing Clara and Firefly arrive, she stood up to greet them.
"Welcome, honored guests from beyond the Freeze." The golden-haired woman first offered a slight bow to Clara and Firefly, then introduced herself:
"I am Cocolia Rand, Supreme Guardian of Belobog. I am here to hear your purpose."
Cocolia wore a smile, addressing Clara and Firefly with great amiability.
"Hello there~ I'm Clara, and this is Firefly. In your terms, we come from the Snow-Steadfast Castle within the Eternal Freeze." Clara also offered a cheerful self-introduction.
But at a moment unnoticed by Cocolia and Gepard, a glimmer flashed within Clara's crimson pupils, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
"Mm." Cocolia nodded.
"Well? Can you sense the identities of these two?" Cocolia found no flaw in Clara's statement and thus directed her query inward.
"..."
"Hmm? Are you there?"
"..."
Contrary to Cocolia's expectation, that detestable voice within her mind was now completely absent...
As if it had vanished...
"Your Excellency?" Seeing Cocolia seemingly lost in thought, Gepard promptly reminded her.
"Hmm?" Hearing Gepard's call, Cocolia regained her focus.
"Gepard, you may withdraw. Regarding Belobog's future, I shall converse properly with our guests." Cocolia gave Gepard a nod of dismissal.
"Mm." Upon hearing this, Gepard did not linger. He cast a glance at Clara and Firefly and then left.
Seeing Gepard depart, Cocolia once again turned her attention to the two.
"Ladies, this Snow-Steadfast Castle you speak of... what is it?"
"The Snow-Steadfast Castle is just the Snow-Steadfast Castle~ It's the place we've lived all our lives, our shared paradise~"
Hearing Cocolia's question, Clara answered with apparent "innocence."
"'We'?" Seizing on the word, Cocolia quickly inquired further.
"Does this 'we' refer to just the two of you, or..."
"Of course it's not just us two~"
"The specifics should be explained by our Empress~" Clara gave Firefly a meaningful smile and gently nudged her forward.
"Empress, she wishes to learn about our Snow-Steadfast Castle~"
"As our potential future collaborator, should we tell her?"
Firefly: ???
Pushed out by Clara, Firefly blinked in confusion.
"Empress...?"
Hearing this title, Cocolia focused her full attention on Firefly.
Hmm... She showed no discernible signs of being related to an "Empress" whatsoever?
"Ah... ah?"
"Cla... Clara, what should I tell her? I don't know anything..." Feeling Cocolia's gaze, Firefly hastily whispered into Clara's ear.
"You ask me, but I don't know either." Hearing Firefly, Clara shrugged, indicating her own ignorance.
Firefly: ???
Sensing Firefly's incredulous look, Clara slowly explained: "I genuinely don't know."
"You were there for everything I did before—built a castle and then left."
Clara looked at Firefly with a profoundly innocent expression.
Her eyes overflowed with "sincerity."
"Then... then what do I say..."
"Isn't it simple." Finally hearing the words she'd been waiting for, a smile reappeared on Clara's face.
"She has no idea what our situation is really like."
"Since she doesn't know, whatever we say goes."
"Even if we spin a tale from thin air, fabricate something so outrageous it's practically gone to hell, she'll still ponder its possibility."
"So, you understand what to do now, right~"
After saying this, Clara playfully winked at Firefly.
Firefly: ...
"I don't know how..."
Firefly understood the method, but she truly didn't know how to execute it.
Make up a story? How? I have no idea...
"Just make it up~ Don't worry about logic either; she'll fill in the gaps herself~" Hearing this, Clara wasn't concerned at all, waving her hand dismissively at Firefly.
You don't know how? Perfect. Clara simply wanted to see what kind of world-shaking story Firefly could concoct, having been handed a castle at the start and an Empress identity.
"Go on~ Don't keep her waiting."
Clara didn't give Firefly much time to think, taking a step back and leaving Firefly squarely at the forefront.
…
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