Ignoring March 7th's valiant attempt to lower the collective IQ of the group, Kenta led the ragtag assembly toward the towering metallic gates of Belobog.
As they walked, the trio filled the silence with the story of the Astral Express. They spoke of the Stellaron—a cosmic "cancer" that had choked the life out of Jarilo-VI, stalling their train and burying the world in ice.
"So, let me get this straight," Kenta said, kicking a chunk of frozen slush. "There's a space-tumor on our planet, it's the reason everything is miserable, and you three are here to perform the surgery?"
The trio nodded in unison.
Kenta rubbed his chin. "Look, you sound like a bunch of high-road, galaxy-roving philanthropists. I can't confirm a word of it, but if you're here to fix the weather, far be it from me to stop you. Go tell the Supreme Guardian. She loves a good prophecy."
Deep down, he knew they were the real deal. But Kenta was a pragmatist; as long as they cleared the snow and didn't burn down his favorite haunts, he was happy to play the skeptical local.
The conversation was cut short by a thunderous roar from the ridge ahead.
"Wanted criminal and his accomplices! Halt where you stand!"
A contingent of Silvermane Guards, clad in polished white and silver armor, materialized from the mist like ghosts. They leveled their halberds with practiced lethality, surrounding the group in seconds.
March 7th looked around frantically. "Wanted criminal? Where? Is there a boss fight already?" She turned her wide eyes toward Kenta.
"Don't look at me," Kenta held up his hands. "It's Sampo."
"Wait... where is Sampo?" Xing asked, her voice flat as she realized the blue-haired rogue was missing.
Nearly a hundred meters behind them, a blue blur was retreating into the whiteout at high velocity. Sampo's voice floated back on the wind, loud enough to ensure every guard heard him clearly.
"Hold them off, my brave accomplices! I'll be back with a rescue party! Eventually!"
Then, with a flourish of his cloak, he vanished.
The silence that followed was heavy with betrayal. He really emphasized the word 'accomplices,' Kenta thought, his eye twitching. I am going to set that man's hair on fire.
The tension was broken by the sound of heavy boots. A man stepped forward from the line of guards—young, resolute, with a shock of golden hair that seemed to catch the dying sunlight.
Gepard Landau scanned the group, his eyes widening when they landed on Kenta. "You? Why are you with these people?"
Kenta exhaled, his shoulders dropping. Gepard. Good. I can talk my way out of this. After a brief, strained explanation regarding the Stellaron and the Express, Gepard remained skeptical but professional. He agreed to escort the trio to the Supreme Guardian.
"Great," Kenta said, clapping his hands together as if finishing a business deal. "Problem solved. If we're done here, I have a backpack full of... groceries... to deliver."
"You aren't going anywhere, Kenta."
Kenta paused. He turned to face the Captain of the Silvermane Guards, his smile losing its warmth. "Officer Gepard, is there a problem?"
Gepard looked uncomfortable, his gaze shifting for a brief second. "Madam Cocolia and Lady Bronya... they have been very worried about you."
Kenta flinched. He stepped back, his shadow lengthening against the snow. "I'm not going back, Gepard. Tell her she's wrong. Tell her she's standing so high in her palace that she can't see the Belobog that's actually bleeding out."
He took a deep breath, his voice rising in a dramatic, indignant crescendo. "You haven't seen the real city! You haven't walked the slums! Why are you silent? Look me in the eye and tell me I'm lying! Answer me!"
Gepard rubbed his temples, letting out a weary sigh. "Before you continue the revolutionary monologue... could you please come out from behind that young lady?"
Kenta stopped mid-gesture, realizing he had instinctively used Xing as a human shield. He offered an awkward grin and stepped out. He still had the stolen Landau gear in his bag, and the last person he needed to be "worried" about him was the woman who ran the city.
Beside him, Xing felt the loss of his weight on her shoulder. Her expression soured, her brow furrowing like a cat that had been moved from a sunny spot.
"Star, are you okay?" March 7th asked, leaning in. "You look... grumpy."
Xing shook her head silently, then her eyes lit up with a sudden, mischievous thought. She pulled March 7th aside, whispering into her ear. "March, you're an invincible, beautiful girl, right? You must have, like, tons of dating experience."
March 7th turned a shade of red that rivaled Kenta's flames. The blush raced from her neck to the tips of her ears. "No way! What is wrong with you? I am—and have always been—singularly focused on my career as a Trailblazer! I'm single!"
"Tsk," Xing shook her head, her voice dripping with mock disappointment. "I thought you were a pro. Turns out you're just lame."
"Oh? You think you're the brave one here?"
The two girls jumped as Kenta's voice cut in from behind them. He'd finished his tense negotiation with Gepard and was now leaning in with a smirk. As a man who valued his own "boldness," he couldn't let the word "lame" slide.
"By the way, Kenta," Gepard called out from the front of the line. "Given the nature of these strangers, you're coming with us. The Supreme Guardian will want to see you personally."
Kenta's face went pale. Brother Jie, why?
March 7th, meanwhile, was still vibrating with embarrassment. "You! How long have you been standing there eavesdropping?"
Kenta tapped his chin. "Since the part where you claimed to be an 'invincible girl' with a non-existent love life."
"So you heard everything!" March wailed, covering her face with her hands.
The guards began to move, the sound of laughter rippling through the small group of outcasts. Kenta shrugged, resigning himself to his fate. He was heading back to the heart of the power he had tried so hard to avoid.
Fine, Cocolia, he thought. Let's see who blinks first.