NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Jarilo-VI 3
After the train convoy followed the Silvermane guards into Belobog, the weather inside was quite different from the outside. There were no strong winds, snowstorms, or icy surfaces, as if the entire city had heating systems installed.
"This city is beautiful. It's warm too," Austin said, admiring as he turned left and right, scanning the streets and nearby tram tracks.
"...because right now you are in Belobog, the last bastion of humanity," Gepard replied as he continued walking ahead.
"Keep emphasizing the last bastion often, huh? What really happened here seven hundred years ago??"
"..." Gepard sighed for a moment at the question before speaking up,
"Seven hundred years ago, monsters from another world scorched this planet, turning the land into ashes, with flames and clouds of smoke billowing everywhere."
"In the time of life and death, the eternal cold wind came without warning, and the invading army was buried under the snow. In the end, only Belobog remained."
"The Architects, with determination, created this city under the protection of the Qlipoth of Preservation, making Belobog eternally warm, even when facing snow and biting winds."
"The fact that he can say Preservation name so confidently but don't know Trailblaze like this means the story you're telling comes from a record you've read, right?" Austin teased the other party, even though they both already knew.
"Of course, it's been seven hundred years. Even if I were in that era, I don't know how many times I've died and been reborn." Gepard paused, turned around, and raised an eyebrow slightly in curiosity upon hearing Austin ask about something they both already knew.
"Just to be sure~, besides, not everyone from every star has the same lifespan." Austin shrugged and gestured outward.
"Alright," Gepard sighed, nodded in agreement, and continued to lead everyone forward.
'Well, if I'm not mistaken, this place is familiar with the concepts called Aeon and the path, right? But strangely, they only know the name of Perservation. Or did that knowledge vanish during the past seven hundred years?'
Austin chose not to say anything and followed Gepard all the way to the high stairs that stretched up to the fortress in the city center.
"We've arrived; this is Qlipoth fort, and it's also the command center of The Architects," Gepard introduced the place in front of them.
"From what I've heard, the position of The Architects seems to be the one who determines the fate of Belobog, right?" Austin asked.
"Correct, or another name is the Supreme Guardian, the one who must decide all the important strategies of this city."
"Consolidate power in one place, huh? If you're not really capable, you'll either be a puppet or not last long. I'm starting to like it here."
Gepard, upon hearing Austin's opinion, said nothing. It seemed like he was trying to understand the cultural differences, but in reality, it was just Austin's straightforwardness.
"I will take you to meet the current Supreme Guardian, Cocolia Rand. But since her time is very valuable, she prefers concise and clear reports, so prepare your words well."
"Huh!? Are we going now? Can I find a place to wash my face and style my hair first?" March, realizing he suddenly had to meet the Supreme Guardian, hurriedly held up a small mirror to fix his hair.
"You can wait outside if you want. I'm used to dealing with annoying conversations." Austin suggested, noticing March's demeanor.
"That sounds good too. I also want to walk around a bit." Dan Heng agreed with Austin.
"But I want to try going in too," Stelle turned to Austin, giving him a look that seemed to say she didn't want to be away from him.
Which is understandable because Austin is the one who saved her life. Although Stelle met March and Dan Heng first, overall, the trust and feeling that the other party seems reliable tend to lean towards Austin.
"Then let's do it this way; we'll split into two groups: Dan Heng and March, and me and Stelle. While we go talk to the Supreme Guardian, the two of them can walk around with the Silvermane guards."
After finishing his speech, Austin turned back to Gepard, who was waiting for them.
"That should work, right, Captain Gepard?"
"Of course, I'll have my subordinates guard both of them in the meantime." With that, Gepard turned to instruct his subordinates to watch over March and Dan Heng before leading them up the stairs.
"I have already sent a messenger to inform lady Cocolia in advance. He should know the background of your situation by now."
"Oh~ how considerate of Captain Gepard."
After following Gepard into the fortress, they found themselves in a spacious hall filled with piles of documents. At the end of the corridor was a large desk raised slightly above the surrounding area, indicating the position of the person sitting there. Voices that sounded like an argument came from within, but Austin didn't pay much attention to them.
"But such a meaningless sacrifice, you will not..." The young woman with silver-gray hair and eyes, dressed in a short white dress, spoke to the person behind the desk with a worried tone, but before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by the other party.
"You can go now, Bronya. The guests have arrived," the Supreme Guardian Cocolia, who was standing behind the desk, said. She looked youthful and wasn't as old as Austin had thought.
Cocolia has light golden blonde hair and wears a white dress over a fitted dark brown outfit with a green shawl. Her eyes are a deep purple, like an amethyst that has been cut into a precious gem.
"Understood, Mother." Bronya turned to Austin and Stelle, who had come with Gepard for a moment, before turning and walking away.
"Guardian, I have brought both visitors to meet you." Gepard gestured towards Austin.
"The messenger has already informed me. You did very well, Gepard. You can go now."
As soon as he received the order, Gepard didn't say or respond anything; he just turned around and walked out of the room.
"Welcome, guests from outside the eternal freeze... no, from beyond the world, right?" Cocolia gazed at Austin, who smiled back in response.
"I am Cocolia Rand, the Guardian of Belobog. It would be great if you could tell me what you need to come here."
"If we put it in our terms, it's trailblazing; in the terms of ordinary people in universe, it's restoring what was lost. But from the perspective of the people on this planet, extending a hand of friendship might be the most fitting word." Austin replied to the other party while maintaining a faint smile that was both his trademark and poker face.
"Offering friendship, huh?" Cocolia raised an eyebrow after receiving more questions than answers.
"You could call it a mutually beneficial agreement if you want, a proposal to stop this eternal freeze."
Cocolia frowned immediately after hearing it, because although Austin hadn't spent much time here, he could understand the weight of what he had just said as someone who had experienced something similar.
"From our investigation, the cause of the eternal cold wind is something called Stellerron."
"Stellerion?" Cocolia crossed her arms as Austin began to reveal information to her.
"It is something that 'destruction' itself and spreads throughout the universe. It's not just this world that is affected by it; think of it as a massive energy cluster that has lost control and 'corrode' everything within its radius. However, the destruction caused by Stelleron varies in each area. Some come in the form of disasters like here, others in the form of monsters, and some even in the form of deadly diseases, as recorded."
"I understand now, based on what you said, it is highly likely that this is the real cause." Cocolia closed her eyes, processing the information she had just received from the man in front of her.
"But what we did also benefited us in part; if we hadn't sealed the Stelleron here, we wouldn't have been able to leave either."
"We, the nameless, walk the path of Trailblaze, with the Astras Express, traveling swiftly along the silver rail that connect each star together."
"After the Stelleron appeared here, the silver rail was damaged, causing the train to be unable to continue its journey. Moreover, the damage to the silver rail is the reason why the connection between here and other stars has been severed."
Austin explained the reasons and the impacts that occurred on both sides straightforwardly, clearly showing that he is not a saint who does things without expecting anything in return.
"You... have a way to seal something called Stelleron, right?" Cocolia asked back with concern.
"As I said, this is not the first time we've had to deal with Stelleron, and certainly not the last. So, the answer to your question is yes. No matter the form it takes, we have various ways to seal it."
"Alright, I believe you..." Cocolia paused because she had never heard the other person's name before.
"Austin Lionheart, the guard of the Astral express. And this is Stelle, our member."
"Mr. Austin, if our situation truly involves that Stelleron, your arrival is like the hope that Belobog has been waiting for over seven hundred years. I am willing to do everything I can to help you find the Stelleron you mentioned."
"As long as you, Cocolia, understand that we have no malicious intent, that's enough. Regarding support... involving those who are not familiar with Stelleron will cause more harm than good." Austin paused for a moment.
"Therefore, we will handle the investigation ourselves. Your goodwill is appreciated, but we only need your help in arranging accommodation for us during our stay here."
"Understand, Mr. Austin. Everyone must be tired. I will arrange accommodations at the best hotel in town. Rest well, and tomorrow I will send someone to invite you all here, and then we can discuss the deeper aspects of this matter."
"The kindness of you, Cocolia, will never be forgotten by us, the nameless." Austin placed his hand on his chest and slightly bowed his head in gratitude.
"I still have some matters to check regarding Stelleron, so I apologize for not being able to see you off."
"We accept only the intention of the Supreme Guardian, and that is enough. Excuse me." Austin bowed his head again to take his leave.
Then he turned and walked out with Stelle. But just as he was about to open the door, Austin glanced back at Cocolia. The flames and runic in his eyes flickered for a moment before settling down.
As they walked out of the room, a silver willow leaf fell from inside Austin's sleeve and fluttered into the Supreme Guardian's office.