---o---
Gepard nodded after listening. The reasoning was sound.
Travelers seeking to continue their journey by resolving a malfunction on their planet—it all sounded perfectly normal.
"Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't know anything about a Stellaron."
The trio wasn't surprised that Gepard was unaware of the Stellaron. Sampo had mentioned that the last record of Stellaron research was from a century ago. Gepard seemed to be an ordinary human, not some long-lived species, so it was normal for him to be ignorant of past events.
"In that case, could we meet with the higher-ups of Belobog?" Dan Heng immediately followed up with the request.
"Of course, no problem." Gepard agreed in one breath, smiling as he said, "Even setting aside the help you've given us, the Supreme Guardian would surely be willing to meet you simply based on the fact that you are from beyond the sky. If you don't mind, we can depart now. The defensive operations here have concluded for the time being, and I need to return to the city to report anyway. The three of you can come with me to Belobog."
The trio immediately agreed. Getting information about the Stellaron sooner was definitely a good thing.
"Alright, then please rest for a moment while I prepare a vehicle."
Gepard stood up and left the command room, and the trio followed him out.
The moment he stepped outside, Caelus's first instinct was to look toward the city gate. He found that the pile of Fragmentum creature corpses that should have been there had already been cleared away by the Silvermane Guards. He had been planning to loot the bodies to see if anything dropped, and to grind some proficiency for that special MOD of his.
Unfortunately, he was a step too late.
Caelus had no choice but to stay put and chat with March 7th and Dan Heng while they waited for Gepard to finish his preparations.
Before long, Gepard drove up in an off-road vehicle. Sampo, tied up securely, was also in the vehicle, watched over by a Silvermane Guard.
Upon seeing the trio, Sampo immediately put on a welcoming smile and was about to greet them when all three of them whipped their heads to the side in unison, acting as if they didn't want anything to do with him.
Whoa! Isn't that a little too harsh?!
The Silvermane Guard beside Sampo shot him a glare when he started to fidget.
"Behave yourself!"
Sampo pouted and sat back down obediently.
After the trio boarded, Gepard said, "Let's go," and started the vehicle, speeding off into the distance.
---o---
After about a system-hour, the vehicle came to a stop before another city wall. Gepard turned off the engine and got out. Caelus and the others followed, taking in the sight of the wall before them.
"The previous wall was the outer wall, Belobog's first line of defense. This here is Belobog's final line of defense."
After offering this brief explanation, Gepard led them forward. A few Silvermane Guards stood watch at the city gate. They were about to step forward and question the arrivals, but upon seeing their leader was Captain Gepard, they stepped back to their posts and gave him a military salute.
Gepard nodded at them and led the group into the city. As soon as they entered, the Silvermane Guards escorting Sampo took him away. Seeing Sampo being led off, March 7th let out a sigh of relief and quietly sidled up to Caelus and Dan Heng to whisper.
"Sampo's finally gone. I was honestly worried he'd say something he shouldn't and get us into trouble!"
Caelus and Dan Heng both nodded in agreement.
Gepard continued to lead the three forward, occasionally pointing out and introducing some of Belobog's landmarks as they passed.
"If you have time later, you can look around Belobog. There are quite a few interesting places. Ahead is Qlipoth Fort, where the Supreme Guardian holds office. Please wait here for a moment while I go announce your arrival."
Gepard had them wait on the steps before Qlipoth Fort while he went ahead alone.
Caelus took this opportunity to open his minimap and scan the area. Since Sampo had said someone had researched the Stellaron, it was possible it was hidden somewhere in Belobog.
Unfortunately, after a full sweep, Caelus didn't see any special markers.
Before long, Gepard returned. He stood on the steps, smiling and waving the trio over. They immediately went up and followed him through the interior of Qlipoth Fort until they stopped before a pair of giant wooden doors.
Gepard raised a hand and knocked lightly. He waited until a woman's voice from inside said to enter before he pushed the doors open, stepped aside, and gestured for the trio to go in.
---o---
The three of them walked in and immediately saw two women behind an office desk. One, who looked slightly younger, was standing. The other, who appeared more mature, was seated. It was easy to guess that she must be the Supreme Guardian.
Still, to be safe, Caelus subconsciously glanced at his minimap. The result was a rather strange tag.
[Acting Commander of the Silvermane Guards - Bronya Rand]
[Supreme Guardian - Cocolia Rand (Mother of Deception)]
The information for the first tag was normal enough, but the parenthetical note after Cocolia's name was a bit surprising to Caelus. The title "Mother of Deception" didn't sound like a name a normal person would have.
Moreover, the name gave him the distinct impression that she was a BOSS, or at least an elite monster.
It can't be this much of a coincidence, can it? We were looking for the local leader to find clues, and it turns out she's the final boss?
Caelus looked up, his eyes meeting Cocolia's. Neither of them spoke, simply staring at each other.
After a long moment of staring, a strange feeling stirred in Caelus's heart. There seemed to be something about her that was similar to him.
March 7th and Dan Heng had by now noticed the strange atmosphere between the two. March 7th couldn't resist nudging Caelus in the waist with her elbow and whispering a reminder.
"Caelus, don't just stare at her face. It's rude to just keep staring without saying hello!"
Caelus snapped back to his senses and immediately gave Cocolia an apologetic smile.
"My sincerest apologies, Your Excellency the Supreme Guardian."
Cocolia, who had been expressionless until now, also broke into a smile and shook her head gently.
"It's quite alright. I've already heard about your situation from Gepard. You are here for the Stellaron, correct?"
Dan Heng nodded. "That's right, Your Excellency. We were hoping to find out if you know anything about the Stellaron."
Cocolia frowned, deep in thought for a long moment before shaking her head.
"I'm very sorry, but I do not know anything about a Stellaron. However, since you three have helped Gepard a great deal, you are honored guests of Belobog. I will have someone look into it and see if there is any related information. If there is, I will have them inform you. It's getting late today, so how about I arrange for you to stay at a hotel for the night?"
"Then we thank you, Your Excellency."
"You're welcome. Bronya, please take them to rest."
"Yes."
Bronya, who had been standing by Cocolia's side, immediately walked over. She smiled at the trio first, then made a welcoming gesture.
"Please, follow me."
---l