March suddenly jumped off the sofa and hurried over to Pom-Pom. Reaching the center of the Parlor Car, she called out cheerfully.
March 7th: "Conductor, can I get a juice, please? Thank youuuu~"
Pom-Pom immediately turned toward her.
Pom-Pom: "Ugh... We're jumping in five minutes! You can have something to drink when it's over!"
March puffed out her cheeks.
March 7th: " ...But I'm thirsty now!"
Caelus watched March's playful antics with amusement. Looking around, he noticed Kouga standing against the wall with his arms crossed, seemingly unconcerned about the upcoming warp jump.
Shouldn't Mr. Hayata hold on to something? Caelus wondered. Then again, he's a god. I doubt something like this would affect him.
Deciding not to take any chances, Caelus gripped the sofa tightly and waited for the jump.
Suddenly, Pom-Pom's voice echoed throughout the Astral Express.
Pom-Pom: "Hello? Hello hello? All passengers, please return to your seats. The train is about to make the jump! Hold on, everyone!"
Caelus turned and spotted March standing in the middle of the room.
March 7th: "I won't fall over, I won't fall over..."
As Pom-Pom began the countdown, Caelus closed his eyes.
Pom-Pom: "5...4...3...2...1..."
The Astral Express entered warp.
For a brief moment, everything seemed to stretch and twist.
Then it was over.
Caelus slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was March sprawled on the floor.
She had, in fact, fallen over.
However, she wasn't hurt.
A gigantic hand had emerged from a shimmering silver curtain beneath her and caught her before she could hit the ground.
Caelus immediately recognized that hand.
Turning toward Kouga, he saw the latter casually standing where he had been all along, one arm partially extended through an aurora-like curtain floating beside him.
March climbed back to her feet while Kouga withdrew his hand.
March 7th: "Thanks, Mr. Hayata"
Kouga responded with a simple thumbs-up.
Caelus shook his head before standing up and walking toward the observation window.
The sight beyond instantly left him speechless.
An entire planet hung before them.
Frozen.
Its surface was buried beneath endless snow and ice, as though winter had consumed the world itself.
Kouga walked over and stopped beside him.
Even he looked surprised by what he was seeing.
Soon, Himeko and March joined them.
Himeko's eyes widened.
Himeko: "After all those millennia... is this what Jarilo-VI has become?"
March looked at her in confusion.
March 7th: "Huh? So that snowy planet is our destination this time?"
Himeko: "Yes... Looks like this trailblazing expedition won't be easy."
Pom-Pom hurried over with a report.
Pom-Pom: "Spatial readout anomaly! Star rail stability is down to 12%! Schedule alteration: Seven-day stopover time extended indefinitely!"
Caelus blinked.
Caelus: "Anomaly?"
Himeko nodded.
Himeko: "The complex locality of this world has been... affected somehow. The star rail has been blocked off by something."
She paused before giving an example.
Himeko: "Take an ordinary train as an example: It's like the tracks up ahead have suddenly snapped, and the way forward leads straight into a collapsing abyss... The only sensible thing to do would be to brake hard, right?"
Pom-Pom continued.
Pom-Pom: "If we try to force our way ahead, there could be a hefty price to pay!"
March suddenly seemed to realize something.
March 7th: "This again... Don't tell me, it's gotta be..."
Welt approached from behind.
Welt: "The results of the preliminary analysis are here. The anomaly stems from a Stellaron, as always."
Caelus lowered his gaze.
Caelus: "Stellaron..."
Welt nodded.
Welt: "Yes, Caelus. Just like the one that's been placed into your body."
Caelus: "What should we do..."
Himeko offered a reassuring smile.
Himeko: "Don't worry. It's not the first time our route has been obstructed by a Stellaron. Stellarons are clouded in mystery—even Herta isn't able to fully understand them... but at least we know how to neutralize their influences."
Welt folded his arms.
Welt: "The only thing we can say for sure is that their arrival causes massive changes to civilizations and ecosystems. They also generate distortions in space such as Fragmentums."
His gaze shifted toward Jarilo-VI.
Welt: "There must be an inextricable connection between the Stellaron we're dealing with here, and Jarilo-VI becoming a frozen planet."
Himeko continued.
Himeko: "Our current theory is that Stellarons are seeds of disaster planted by a certain Aeon throughout the universe. We can't continue to trailblaze without removing the source of the disaster."
Wanting to lighten the mood, Caelus grinned.
Caelus: "So we're like a chivalrous band of cosmic knights!"
March immediately perked up.
March 7th: "Right! You finally get what we're all about. Pretty cool, huh?"
Himeko then turned toward Caelus.
Himeko: "Caelus, I'd like to entrust this trailblazing expedition to March, Dan Heng, and you."
Himeko: "The objective is clear: Find the Stellaron responsible for the disaster and the spatial distortions, and bring it back to the Express. We'll deal with the rest."
March pumped her fist excitedly.
March 7th: "Awesome! We get to work as a team again, Caelus!"
Caelus tilted his head.
Caelus: "You're not coming?"
Himeko smiled helplessly.
Himeko: "Someone has to stay on the train, or Pom-Pom will get lonely. Not to mention, Nanook threw us a glance just now. If we're targeted by the Antimatter Legion, then things could go south fast."
Caelus heard the name Nanook again.
Herta had mentioned that name before, one of the Aeons.
Still, he wasn't particularly worried.
After all, Kouga was here.
He had already seen what happened when Nanook crossed paths with Kouga inside the Simulated Universe.
Nearby, Welt sighed.
Welt: "So it's still not our turn..."
Himeko laughed softly.
Himeko: "I know you really want to go, but we should give the youngsters a chance to get out there on their own. It'll be a good opportunity for them to bond."
She then looked toward Caelus and March.
Himeko: "Caelus, March, if you two are ready, why not go and find Dan Heng? He's probably already started collating the ecological data and survey results for Jarilo-VI. It's always good to know more about the destination before you start a journey."
Kouga spoke up.
Kouga: "I think I should go with the three of them."
Himeko glanced at him.
Himeko: "Mr. Hayata, I believe it's best if the three of them build some bonds together."
Kouga nodded in understanding.
Kouga: "I understand. But I wanted to use this opportunity to help Caelus learn how to use some of the power he inherited from me."
March's eyes widened.
March 7th: "What? Caelus has some of your power?"
She immediately turned toward Caelus and puffed out her cheeks.
March 7th: "I also want to see how it's like to have the power of a God."
Caelus looked toward Kouga.
Kouga simply shrugged.
Kouga: "Everyone here already knows I'm a god."
He then turned back to Himeko.
Kouga: "Don't worry. I won't interfere unless it's absolutely necessary."
Himeko let out a small sigh.
Himeko: "Alright."
A short while later, Caelus, March 7th, Dan Heng, and Kouga arrived on Jarilo-VI.
They now stood amidst an endless expanse of snow and ice. As far as the eye could see, the world was covered in white.
Dan Heng: "Jarilo-VI, we're here."
March shivered from the cold.
March 7th: "Brrr. It really is one big snowball."
Caelus blinked.
Caelus: "It doesn't feel that cold."
Dan Heng: "Well, the Trailblaze Path grants us faint power. It allows us to better adapt to harsh environments."
March let out a sigh.
March 7th: "Snow as far as the eye can see. Which direction should we take?"
Dan Heng glanced at his data.
Dan Heng: "Based on the coordinates, the target should be up ahead."
March immediately perked up.
March 7th: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
Caelus looked around at the frozen landscape.
Caelus: "I didn't know we'd be hiking..."
March groaned.
March 7th: "Me neither. If only we had a snowmobile... We never get to bring anything cool from the Express."
Dan Heng gave her a look.
Dan Heng: "Do you remember what you did to our last snowmobile?"
March immediately looked away.
March 7th: "...Anyway, moving on."
Dan Heng shook his head.
Dan Heng: "Remember, we should stay vigilant. We know very little about this world."
March waved her hand dismissively.
March 7th: "Calm down. Between the three of us, nothing will stand in our way."
Kouga deliberately coughed.
March immediately corrected herself.
March 7th: "And Mr. Hayata too."
March 7th: "I mean c'mon, Caelus, you've got a Stellaron in your body and some of Mr. Hayata's power, I have my special Six-Phased Ice powers, and Dan Heng... Uhh, he's got that mysterious past thing going for him..."
She then pointed at Kouga.
March: "Mr. Hayata is a god."
March 7th: "So, if people start creating trouble for us, they're gonna regret it!"
Caelus sighed.
Caelus: "Let's just make sure that we're not the ones creating trouble..."
March scratched her cheek.
March 7th: "Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, hehe..."
Then she raised a fist enthusiastically.
March 7th: "Let's go. Braving the unknown... that's the real spirit of trailblazing!"
The four continued forward through the snow.
Before long, several Fragmentum monsters emerged from the blizzard.
March immediately drew her bow.
Dan Heng summoned his spear.
Caelus gripped his bat.
Dan Heng narrowed his eyes.
Dan Heng: "This place still hasn't been corroded, yet Fragmentum monsters have already made it here."
Dan Heng: "I fear the Stellaron may be exerting a significant influence on this world."
Kouga, however, had a completely different reaction.
Kouga: "Oh, nice. We found ourselves some training dummies."
He turned toward Caelus.
Kouga: "Caelus, go ahead and transform."
Caelus nodded.
Putting away his bat, he activated his transformation.
In a flash of light, Ganbarider appeared.
March stared in awe while Dan Heng watched with visible interest.
Suddenly, the screen embedded in Caelus's chest armor began displaying a series of emblems.
Kamen Rider W Heat Metal
Kamen Rider Accel
Kamen Rider Wizard Flame Style
Kamen Rider Saber Brave Dragon
Red Flash
Ryuranger
NinjaRed
MagiRed
ShinkenRed
AkaNinger
As the emblems appeared, the temperature around them began to rise.
Snow started melting.
Steam drifted from the ground.
The source of the heat was unmistakably Caelus.
March, Dan Heng, and Kouga all noticed it immediately.
March looked around in confusion.
March: "Uhm, is it me, or is everything suddenly getting warmer?"
Kouga observed the phenomenon with interest.
Kouga: "Interesting. Your power is instinctively reacting to anything it perceives as a threat."
He then pointed toward Caelus.
Kouga: "Now, Caelus. Focus. Imagine the weapon you want and bring it into existence."
Caelus nodded.
The moment he focused, numerous weapons materialized in the air before him.
Metal Shaft.
WizarSwordGun in Sword Mode.
Engine Blade.
Kaenken Rekka.
Prism Holy Sword.
Double Dragon Swords.
And many more.
March's jaw dropped.
March: "Wait, he has even more weapons now?!"
Caelus stared at the floating arsenal.
There were so many choices that he had no idea where to start.
Meanwhile, the Fragmentum monsters were rapidly closing the distance.
Kouga remained perfectly calm.
Kouga: "Better decide quickly. The monsters aren't going to wait for you."
Caelus, March, and Dan Heng looked up.
The monsters were already charging.
Dan Heng lowered his stance.
March drew her bowstring.
Reacting on instinct, Caelus reached for the nearest weapon.
His hand closed around the Kaenken Rekka.
However, the way he grabbed it accidentally carried through into a swinging motion.
The instant the blade moved—
A massive flaming energy slash erupted from the sword.
FWOOOSH!
The blazing arc tore through the battlefield.
Every Fragmentum monster caught in its path was instantly vaporized.
Silence followed.
The snowstorm itself seemed to pause.
Caelus stared at the Kaenken Rekka in awe.
The sword still radiated faint heat despite having just released an attack powerful enough to erase the Fragmentum monsters.
March's eyes sparkled.
March: "Wow, this weapon is awesome!"
She immediately moved closer to inspect it.
Even Dan Heng, usually reserved, seemed interested as he examined the blade.
After a moment, Caelus looked toward Kouga.
Caelus: "Is there anything else I should know about this power?"
Kouga thought for a moment before answering.
Kouga: "Well, every power you inherited originally belonged to someone else. What you have now is only a portion of their abilities."
Caelus nodded thoughtfully.
Caelus: "And are there any abilities I should know about?"
Kouga rubbed his chin.
Kouga: "Let's see... I suppose one of the biggest one would be immortality."
The three of them froze.
Then they slowly turned toward Kouga.
Their expressions all said the same thing.
What?
Kouga blinked.
Kouga: "What?"
March pointed at him.
March 7th: "You can't just casually say something like that!"
Kouga shrugged.
Kouga: "It's true. At least three of the original owners possessed some form of immortality."
He paused for a moment.
Kouga: "One of them went even further and completely removed the concept of death from themselves."
Silence.
The wind howled across the snowy plains.
Nobody spoke.
Kouga continued as though discussing the weather.
Kouga: "That same person could also control space-time, causality, events, and reality itself, all the way down to their fundamental concepts."
Kouga: "Though you don't seem capable of using those abilities right now."
The silence somehow became even heavier.
March stared.
Dan Heng stared.
Caelus stared.
Finally, Caelus voiced the question all three of them were thinking.
Caelus: "How does someone even do that?"
Caelus: "Why would they need powers like that?"
Caelus: "What kind of enemies were they fighting?"
Kouga answered without the slightest hesitation.
Kouga: "Let's see..."
He began counting on his fingers.
Kouga: "Evil organizations. Embodiments of evil. Ancient civilizations that refused to stay buried."
Another finger.
Kouga: "Angels."
Another finger.
Kouga: "Gods."
Another.
Kouga: "Interdimensional threats."
Another.
Kouga: "World-ending monsters."
Another.
Kouga: "The occasional reality-destroying catastrophe."
Kouga lowered his hand.
Kouga: "You know, the usual stuff."
The three of them stared at him in complete disbelief.
Kouga looked around.
Kouga: "Anyway, we should get moving."
Deciding to set aside the absurd things they had just learned, Caelus dismissed the Kaenken Rekka and returned to his normal form.
The three quickly caught up to Kouga, who had already started walking.
As they continued across the frozen wasteland, they passed snow-covered ruins and half-buried buildings. Some looked as though they had once been homes, while others resembled old military outposts.
They even spotted several monsters completely encased in ice, frozen solid where they stood.
Suddenly, March stopped in her tracks.
March 7th: "gasp Did you see that? I think something's moving..."
Dan Heng glanced toward the snowdrift she was pointing at.
Dan Heng: "Mm... It's just an ordinary snowdrift. Are you sure you're not seeing things?"
March folded her arms.
March 7th: "Of course not, my eyesight's perfect! Come on, let's take a closer look."
The group approached the suspicious snowdrift.
As they drew closer, they heard breathing.
March blinked.
March 7th: "...Hey, get outta there or you'll shiver to death."
The breathing immediately stopped.
March raised an eyebrow.
March 7th: "Holding your breath won't help..."
Dan Heng stepped forward.
Dan Heng: "I got this, March."
He summoned his spear.
Dan Heng: "If someone's got their head stuck in the sand, or the snow in this case..."
Dan Heng: "...they just need a helping hand."
THUNK!
The spear pierced the snowdrift.
Man Hiding in Snow: "Yeowch!"
A man immediately sprang out of the snow.
Man Hiding in Snow: "My fine fellow, was that really necessary? Is crawling around in the snow a crime these days? I mean, c'mon, surely it doesn't warrant a spearing?"
The four stared at him with completely unamused expressions.
If anything, his reaction only made him seem more suspicious.
The man laughed nervously.
Man Hiding in Snow: "...But then again how can I blame me you? deserved it, huh? Besides, mean, I caught you off guard. It had to happen - you could even say I've made a gallant group of new friends as a result, hehe..."
The smile on his face became increasingly forced.
Man Hiding in Snow: "...Is Captain Gepard around? H-He's an old buddy of mine..."
March tilted her head.
March 7th: "Who?"
The man blinked.
Man Hiding in Snow: "Wait, you're not Silvermane Guards? Well, why didn't you say so? Turns out we're on the same side after all!"
He quickly straightened himself.
Man Hiding in Snow: "Pleasure to meet you, the name's Sampo Koski."
Caelus introduced himself.
Caelus: "I'm Caelus."
Sampo immediately brightened.
Sampo: "Excellent, I'll remember the name. I never thought I'd run into friends from the same line of work out here in this frozen wasteland. There are ways of doing things in this profession, and you better get familiar with them. Moving in the shadows, finding the goods, pricing your stock, hiding from the Guards... there's an art to all of it."
He sighed dramatically.
Sampo: "Business is bad these days, but fear not. Sampo Koski isn't interested in hoarding. There's more than enough treasure to go around, so let's get rich together! Hahaha. Say, why don't we join forces? I have reliable intel the main strength of the Silvermane Guards is being deployed to the front line. This is a golden opportunity..."
Caelus immediately became cautious.
Caelus: "What business are you talking about?"
Sampo placed a hand on his chest.
Sampo: "...Come now, friends. I can understand the mistrust, but there's no need for the charade. Then again, I know the rules, vigilance is the name of the game in our profession. It's my fault for letting my enthusiasm and sincerity get the better of me..."
He cleared his throat.
Sampo: "Anyway, a meeting like this has to have been written in the stars. Ask me anything you like. I won't skimp on the details. Still, make it snappy, you're never more than ten feet from a Silvermane Guard..."
Caelus frowned.
Caelus: "I have no idea who these Silvermane Guards even are..."
Sampo stared at him.
Sampo: "You... You really don't know?"
Sampo: "The Silvermane Guards are Belobog's soldiers, enforcers, and police. Let's just say they're not the most flexible of people... and they like paying visits to folks in our line of work."
The four exchanged glances.
Nobody said a word.
Sampo sighed.
Sampo: "Seems like you guys really are new to the business. To be young and naive again..."
He raised a finger.
Sampo: "How about this? As a senior in the field, which I'm sure you don't mind me saying, I'll give you some free guidance."
Sampo: "There are ways of doing things in this profession, and you better get familiar with them. Moving in the shadows, finding the goods, pricing your stock, hiding from the Guards... there's an art to all of it."
Kouga leaned toward Caelus and whispered.
Kouga: "This man sounds like a thief."
Caelus, March, and Dan Heng silently agreed.
March decided to cut straight to the point.
March 7th: "No need, why don't you just take us to the city? We don't really know the way."
Sampo immediately answered.
Sampo: "The city? Already? I haven't even started trading yet. Showing you the way is easy enough, missy, but it would cost—"
Both Kouga and Dan Heng slowly turned toward him.
The combined pressure was immediate.
Sampo stiffened.
Sampo: "...B-But it would be my pleasure! 'Kindness' is Sampo Koski's middle name. Follow me, friends, and keep quiet. We don't want to be spotted by the Guards."
With that, the group followed Sampo.
As they walked, March decided to ask the obvious question.
March 7th: "So why were you hiding from the Silvermane Guards?"
Sampo waved his hand dismissively.
Sampo: "Uhh, I was just storing a few relics away from prying eyes, nothing serious. If it weren't for the uncompromising nature of our civil service, there'd be no need for secrecy."
He glanced back at them.
Sampo: "So whereabouts are you guys from, anyway? I don't mean to pry or anything, I just care about my friends! No pressure..."
As they traveled, Sampo continued rambling about his various "rules."
Sampo: "...Rule number seven: Never leave a footprint. I have my own special technique called 'invisible snow-walking.' Helps me throw off pursuers in no...time..."
Suddenly, the group spotted several armed soldiers approaching from the distance.
Dan Heng narrowed his eyes.
Dan Heng: "...Who are they?"
Sampo immediately paled.
Sampo: "Uh, you remember the Silvermane Guards I mentioned? That's them..."
The soldiers quickly noticed them.
Sampo grabbed Caelus by the shoulder.
Sampo: "Help me, old friends! I don't wanna be caught!"
One of the soldiers pointed at them.
Soldier: "It's the suspect and his accomplices! Arrest them!"
Sampo immediately pointed at the group.
Sampo: "It's now or never! Over to you, dear friends!"
Then he turned around and ran.
March stretched out a hand.
March 7th: "Hey! Where do you think you're—"
Before she could finish, Sampo had already disappeared into the snow.
Caelus immediately try to transform.
However, Kouga stopped him.
Kouga: "No. You'll kill them with that form."
Caelus paused before nodding.
Instead, he summoned his bat.
The battle began.
The Silvermane Guards opened fire.
March provided support from the rear, shooting arrows that knocked weapons from soldiers' hands and disrupted their formations.
Caelus charged forward, weaving between incoming shots before smacking soldiers away with his bat.
Dan Heng moved with practiced precision, using his spear to disarm opponents and send them tumbling into the snow.
Meanwhile, Kouga fought in the simplest way possible.
A soldier rushed him.
Kouga punched him in the face.
The soldier immediately collapsed into the snow.
Another charged him.
Kouga punched him in the face too.
The result was exactly the same.
March watched this happen and couldn't help but comment.
March 7th: "Mr. Hayata's strategy is surprisingly straightforward."
Kouga punched another guard.
Kouga: "If it works, it works."
Dan Heng couldn't really argue with that.
March leaped into the air and fired another volley.
The arrow split apart mid-flight, becoming dozens of smaller arrows that rained down upon the approaching Silvermane Guards.
However—
A figure suddenly stepped forward.
He raised one hand.
A crystalline barrier materialized before him.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Every single arrow shattered harmlessly against the barrier.
The man lowered his hand.
He was tall and well-built, with fair skin, blue eyes, and blond hair. Thick white clothing lined with blue and gold was worn beneath sturdy armor, while a massive shield rested in his grasp.
His gaze was calm but unwavering.
Gepard: "I, Gepard Landau, captain of the Silvermane Guards, order you to relinquish your futile resistance."
The Silvermane Guards immediately surged forward.
The four retaliated.
March loosed another arrow while grumbling.
March 7th: "Grr, that Sampo cheated us all. Wait till I get my hands on him..."
A nearby soldier charged her.
Soldier: "Suspect! Relinquish your resistance!"
That only made her angrier.
March 7th: "Ugh, so I'm a criminal, huh? Forget Sampo, wait until I get my hands on YOU!"
Meanwhile, Kouga's attention had shifted entirely to Gepard.
The captain intrigued him.
Without warning—
Kouga dashed through the battlefield.
Several guards barely had time to react before he was already standing in front of Gepard.
A punch flew.
BOOM!
The impact echoed across the snowfield.
Gepard planted his feet and raised his shield.
Though the blow pushed him back several feet, he remained standing.
Kouga hopped backward.
His smile widened.
Kouga: "Hoh, you're pretty durable."
Gepard lowered his stance.
Gepard: "Enough. Cease your resistance and surrender peacefully."
Kouga ignored the warning entirely.
Instead, his grin widened further.
Kouga: "Y'know..."
He cracked his knuckles.
Kouga: "I like my targets extra durable."
A flash of light erupted around him.
The battlefield froze.
The guards stared.
March stared.
Dan Heng stared.
Even Caelus stared.
The light faded.
Standing there now was Kamen Rider Super-1.
Kouga slowly assumed his fighting stance.
His right arm rose upward, wrist bent sharply as his fingers formed a precise hook-like shape.
His left arm crossed low before his torso, palm open in a defensive guard.
His feet spread apart in a wide, balanced stance.
The tassels hanging from his Super Hands swayed gently in the freezing wind.
The posture was calm.
Controlled.
Disciplined.
Yet every instinct in Gepard's body screamed danger.
Gepard tightened his grip on his shield.
The next moment—
Kouga vanished.
Gepard's eyes widened.
Instinct took over.
He immediately raised his shield.
Too late.
SHING!
A glowing hand chop swept across the shield and the oversized shield was cut perfectly in half.
The severed metal slid apart.
The cut surface glowed red-hot.
Steam rose from the molten edge.
Gepard's eyes widened in disbelief.
Then—
WHAM!
Kouga's fist buried itself into his stomach.
The impact lifted Gepard off the ground.
Before he could even react—
Kouga spun.
HURRICANE KICK!
The devastating kick struck Gepard square in the chest.
BOOOOM!
The captain was launched across the battlefield like a cannonball.
His body crashed through the snow before smashing into a massive rock formation.
The stone cracked from the impact.
Gepard coughed violently as he forced himself back to his feet.
Then he looked up.
Kouga was already above him.
His fist descended.
Gepard immediately threw himself aside.
BOOOOOOM!
Kouga's punch struck the rock.
The entire formation disintegrated into dust.
The shockwave swept across the battlefield.
March blinked.
March 7th: "...What."
Dan Heng remained silent.
For once, even he didn't know what to say.
Gepard didn't have time to process it.
Kouga was already moving again.
A blur.
Then—
PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA!
An endless stream of Wing Chun punches exploded from Kouga's arms.
Each strike landed before the previous one had fully connected.
Gepard raised his arms.
His remaining armor.
His guard.
His body.
Everything was subjected to the relentless barrage.
The captain was driven backward step by step until his back slammed into a cliff wall.
Yet the punches continued.
PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA!
The surrounding stone began cracking from the force transmitted through his body.
Chunks of rock broke away.
Snow avalanched down around them.
The Silvermane Guards watched in horror.
Their captain—the man they considered one of Belobog's strongest defenders—had just been utterly overwhelmed.
Not defeated.
Overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, March, Caelus, and Dan Heng looked increasingly uneasy.
March glanced between the battered Gepard and Kouga.
March: "Should we stop him? I mean, they're just doing their jobs."
Caelus scratched his cheek.
Caelus: "I mean, even so, they would still chase after us if we let them go."
The battle continued.
Gepard was still trying to endure Kouga's relentless barrage of punches despite barely remaining conscious.
Then an idea suddenly struck Caelus.
Caelus: "Show him the photo, March"
March's eyes lit up.
March: "Ah! Caelus, you're a genius! Great idea!"
Without hesitation, March sprinted toward the battlefield.
March 7th: "Mr. Hayata! Stop! Stop! We have a way to get out of this!"
Kouga's fist stopped mere inches from Gepard's face.
The shockwave alone scattered snow across the battlefield.
A second later, Gepard finally collapsed onto the ground unconscious.
March slowly turned toward Kouga.
March 7th: "..."
Kouga looked back.
Kouga: "I'm still holding a lot back there."
March wasn't sure whether that made her feel better or worse.
The surrounding Silvermane Guards certainly didn't feel better.
Kouga casually detransformed.
The armor dissolved into particles of light.
He then summoned a strange capsule-like device.
Kouga spun it once in his hand before pointing it toward Gepard and the destroyed shield.
A gentle green light emerged.
Recovery Capsem.
The light washed over Gepard's body.
Bruises faded.
Cuts disappeared.
Even the fatigue from the battle seemed to vanish.
Nearby, the remains of Gepard's shield began repairing themselves, the severed halves reconnecting as though they had never been damaged.
A few moments later, Gepard's eyes slowly opened.
Gepard: "...What happened?"
The Silvermane Guards immediately rushed forward.
Soldier: "Captain!"
Soldier: "Protect Captain Gepard!"
Soldier: "Get away from him!"
Despite their fear, they instinctively formed a defensive line around their captain.
After all, they had just witnessed a man casually cut through Gepard's shield, pulverize boulders with his fists, and nearly punch their captain through a mountain.
March quickly stepped between the two groups.
March 7th: "Wait! Wait! We're not with Sampo!"
The guards hesitated.
March pointed at herself.
March 7th: "And we're not from Belobog either!"
The soldiers exchanged confused looks.
Gepard slowly stood up.
Though fully healed, the memory of the battle remained fresh in his mind.
Especially the part where his shield had been sliced apart like paper.
March quickly took out her camera.
March 7th: "You've probably never seen what your planet looks like, right? I took this one. Behold, Jarilo-VI..."
She showed them the photograph.
The image displayed an enormous frozen planet floating in the darkness of space.
The soldiers immediately began whispering among themselves.
Soldier: "...You mean to say that this... white ball... That's here? That's our home? How can that..."
Gepard studied the image carefully.
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
Gepard: "It is said that a long time ago, strange visitors from beyond the sky would visit us here... but that after the Eternal Freeze, the blizzards made passage impossible... and Belobog would cease to witness such arrivals."
One of the soldiers looked unconvinced.
Soldier: "But these people are-"
Kouga: "Ahem"
The soldier immediately went silent.
Nobody wanted to test whether the man who had folded their captain like a chair was annoyed.
Gepard sighed.
Gepard: "This decision is beyond us. If what they say is true, then only the supreme guardian may decide their fate. Our job is to present them before her. Nothing more."
He then turned toward the four visitors.
Gepard: "Outsiders, follow me. Belobog lies beyond this blizzard."
With that, the Silvermane Guards began moving.
The Astral Express crew followed.
Although several guards couldn't help glancing nervously at Kouga every few minutes.
One particularly nervous soldier immediately looked away whenever Kouga noticed him.
March had to suppress a laugh.
After traveling through the snowfields for some time, a massive city gradually emerged from the blizzard.
Gigantic walls.
Towering structures.
Warm golden lights shining against the endless winter.
Belobog.
The last bastion of civilization on Jarilo-VI.
Even Caelus couldn't help staring.
For a city surrounded by an eternal snowstorm, it was surprisingly beautiful.
As they approached the gates, Gepard stopped and turned toward them.
Gepard: "Welcome to Belobog the City of Preservation."