"Numby, fetch me the high-grade binding rope stored in the dimensional pocket."
"Oink oink." With a slight wiggle of her 'slender' body, Numby somehow pulled out a coil of red rope from nowhere. Trotting on her short little legs, Numby nudged the rope to Topaz's feet.
"Good girl." Topaz affectionately rubbed the little Warp Trotter's head, then picked up the rope and swiftly bound Sampo from head to toe with practiced ease.
"That should do it..."
Just as Topaz muttered to herself, an unfamiliar voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
"Miss, please stop what you're doing immediately."
"Huh?" Topaz turned around in surprise. Unbeknownst to her, a squad of fully armed soldiers had appeared behind her. They were now glaring at her with hostile expressions, their weapons at the ready. At the center of the group stood a handsome blond young man—wait, why was his face so swollen?
"Miss, may I ask what you were just doing?" Gepard demanded sternly. A straightforward man like him wouldn't bend his principles just because the other party was a pretty girl. Moreover, she didn't seem like an ordinary person.
How could Gepard tell? Well, any ordinary person dressed as lightly as she was would have long frozen to death in this icy wasteland.
"Uh, I..." For a moment, Topaz was at a loss for words. She glanced at Sampo, who lay trussed up on the ground, and couldn't help but wear a troubled expression.
Well, Topaz, you've been caught red-handed by the natives of Jarilo-VI. After all, no matter which planet you're on, kidnapping is illegal, right? This guy's a cosmic deadbeat, but how am I supposed to explain that to these locals who've never even left their planet?
"Captain Gepard, the hostage on the ground... he looks like Sampo from the wanted posters," a Silvermane Guard squad leader suddenly reported after getting a closer look at Sampo's face.
"Oh?" Gepard narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the old Sampo on the ground before nodding in confirmation. "It is indeed the wanted fugitive."
"Miss, our apologies for the misunderstanding earlier. Thank you for helping the Silvermane Guards apprehend this escaped criminal. Belobog will remember your contribution," Gepard said, his tone shifting to gratitude.
"Ah, no need for thanks." Who was Topaz? She was a high-ranking executive at the Interastral Peace Corporation—a true 'success story.' She had overheard every word exchanged between Gepard and the squad leader. Well, what can I say? Truly a cosmic deadbeat—some things never change, no matter where you go.
"Miss, are you... perhaps from the Interastral Peace Corporation?" Gepard's gaze fell on the emblem on Topaz's chest, as if he had suddenly realized something.
"Huh? You know about the Interastral Peace Corporation?" This time, it was Topaz's turn to be surprised. These natives, cut off from the outside world for centuries, actually knew about the Corporation?
"Yes. Yesterday, a group of employees from the Interastral Peace Corporation visited Belobog. Their leader, Mr. Yun Fan, also showed us the same emblem. I assume they must be your colleagues?"
"A group of employees? Yun Fan?" Topaz's eyes flickered slightly, and her gaze instinctively landed on Sampo. She realized things might not be as simple as she'd thought.
Those so-called corporate employees must be fakes. After all, as far as I know, I'm the only one who's taken on a mission related to Jarilo-VI. The thief who stole my emblem must be that leader, Yun Fan.
With that in mind, Topaz put on a professional smile. "Yes, they are indeed my colleagues. Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Topaz, an employee of the Interastral Peace Corporation. Mr. Yun Fan is my superior. A large part of why I'm here is to report to him."
"I see. In that case, Miss Topaz, please come with us." Gepard, suspecting nothing, had a squad of Silvermane Guards carry the unconscious Sampo before leading Topaz toward Belobog.
———————————
The Underworld...
Gulp! March 7th swallowed hard as she looked at the wanderers lying unconscious all around them. At this moment, she felt uneasy, even fearful, and her gaze toward Yun Fan carried a hint of apprehension.
Just moments ago, when the Trailblazers had first arrived in the Underworld, they were suddenly surrounded by a group of bandits who appeared out of nowhere.
Their leader had merely glanced at their attire before ordering their execution and the seizure of all valuables. March 7th had initially wanted to negotiate, but after noticing the girl's beauty, the wanderers began entertaining unspeakable thoughts, spewing a stream of vulgar remarks.
This displeased our Mr. Yun Fan greatly. Trash from the garbage heap, daring to lay eyes on my people? Heh.
With a sweep of his gaze, aided by the Authority of Causality, Yun Fan could clearly see that every one of these bandits had blood on their hands—some more, some less. Killing them would be doing the world a favor. Of course, even if they hadn't committed such crimes, Yun Fan would've killed them all the same. March 7th was someone he had already claimed—how could he allow others to insult her?
Thus, under the bewildered stares of the wanderers, Yun Fan slightly opened his left hand—then clenched it tightly.
Authority of Causality—Transcend Cause, Bestow Effect—Death!
Under the horrified gazes of March 7th and Stelle, the wanderers clutched their chests one after another, collapsing to the ground in agony as their life faded away. The scene wasn't bloody, but the sheer oppressive weight of it was even more terrifying than a bloodbath.
"Yun Fan..." March 7th looked at his expressionless face, a trace of fear rising in her heart. This was the first time she had seen Yun Fan like this. Before, he had always been smiling, like an approachable big brother. But now, his cold indifference toward extinguishing life... it felt so alien to her.
"Sorry, March. Did I scare you?" Yun Fan reverted to his usual warm demeanor, apologizing to her.
"I'm fine." Seeing him return to normal, March 7th finally relaxed and continued, "It's just... the Yun Fan from earlier felt unfamiliar. This is the first time I've seen you like that."
As for the dead bandits, March 7th didn't feel much sympathy. True, she was a kind girl, but kindness didn't equate to naivety. If they had intended to kill her and her friends, why should she show them mercy?