Two days later, a temporary stage was set up in the central plaza of the Administrative District.
The Silvermane Guards stood tall and spirited, their postures rigid, lined up neatly around it.
Truly a gallant sight, befitting today's occasion.
The inauguration ceremony for the 19th Supreme Guardian was about to begin.
The area below the stage was packed with people.
Not only were upper district citizens crowding in, but many from the lower district had come to the surface as well.
"Wow! This… this… it's so big and so blue!"
Hook's little face was full of curiosity and awe, her hat falling off as she tilted her head back, only to be caught by Clara in time.
Natasha smiled gently: "That's not a roof, Hook. That's the sky."
"The real blue sky is so beautiful…" Clara reached toward the sky, her eyes shimmering with excited tears.
The lower district residents around them, hearing the kids' words, broke into smiles.
But as they smiled, tears quietly welled in their eyes.
After over a decade, they could finally leave the underground and breathe fresh air freely.
Clara tugged at the hem of her sleeve, looking around.
"The air in the upper district… it smells so different from below."
"No rust or geomarrow slag smell, right?"
Oleg let out a booming laugh, loud enough to rattle eardrums.
"Breathe it in, kids! This is the scent of freedom!"
As he walked, Oleg's steps gradually slowed, his gaze fixed somewhere, dazed.
"After enduring over a decade underground, I'd almost forgotten how blinding the sunlight's reflection is on the cobblestone paths…"
"Never thought I'd live to return to the Administrative District. So much has happened in the underground all these years."
A fresh breeze carried a hint of clarity, lifting the crowd's hair and clothes.
Natasha held Hook's hand, tucking her windblown hair behind her ear with the other.
"You're telling me…"
"It's strange. On the cable car, my mind was full of things I wanted to do once I got back."
"Now, I just want to find a place to sit, zone out, and watch the bustling crowds pass by all day."
Oleg wiped the moisture from his eyes, filled with emotion.
"Enjoy this moment of peace, girl. It's what we deserve."
"Natasha, big sister! That metal house is moving!" Hook pointed at a tram.
"That's a transport vehicle, not a metal house."
"What about that stone pile spraying water?"
"That's called a fountain."
"Is fountain water sweet?"
"…Fountain water isn't clean, so you can't drink it directly."
It wasn't just Hook—many kids were like newly hatched chicks, chirping with endless questions.
When the noon bell rang, the cheers nearly shook the plaza.
"Lady Bronya Rand's inauguration speech is about to begin—please, citizens, keep quiet and help maintain order!"
Bronya stepped onto the stage, scanning the crowd below, her voice clear and resonant.
"People of Belobog, hear me—"
"Today, we gather here to celebrate this moment, made possible by the sweat and blood of our ancestors and the Silvermane Guards."
"Cocolia Rand fell into the abyss, nearly destroying this world entirely, leaving scars that are hard to heal."
"Her decree to isolate the upper and lower districts for over a decade brought countless pains to the people below…"
"But now, the Stellaron is destroyed, and Cocolia Rand has paid the price with her life—"
"I promise the people of the lower district: such a tragedy will never happen again."
"At the same time, as Cocolia Rand's daughter, I offer my deepest apologies to all of Belobog's people!"
"I know an apology cannot mend the wounds Cocolia Rand caused, nor can I expect your forgiveness."
"But I seek your cooperation, for we all know well—"
"Without your resilience and hard work, Belobog's revival would be impossible!"
"Beyond that, I wish to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to the offworld guests who came to Belobog."
"Most of you don't know of their existence, but it was their arrival that poured hope into this withering world!"
"…"
At a public tea stand in front of a flower shop,
March 7th set down her sweet drink, aimed her camera at the stage, and snapped a photo.
"Every time we save a world, the best part is watching them start anew with hope."
"Stelle, Dan Heng, Leon, look over here and smile~~"
But only Stelle turned, flashing a peace sign.
Dan Heng held his book, his eyes not budging an inch.
As for Leon, his elbow rested on the table, his cheek propped on the back of his hand, eyes closed as if meditating.
No reaction at all—possibly asleep.
"You two!"
March 7th wasn't buying that Leon was sleeping.
She hopped off her chair, found the perfect angle, and snapped a photo of the two men.
"Turned out great, as expected of me~~"
Gotta say, Leon's looks were killer, not a single bad angle in 360 degrees.
If he graced a company magazine cover, he'd blow up for sure.
Dan Heng wasn't bad either, but his face was too square and formulaic.
If he smiled like Leon, he'd be a total heartthrob.
"Of course! I'm the Galaxy's Pretty Girl, Belobog's great hero!"
Stelle struck a cool pose, tossing her bangs and winking at March 7th.
"…"
March 7th's face screamed 'I have so much to say,' and she didn't hold back.
"I said Leon and them look good, not you."
"Come on, March, is it that hard to admit I'm a pretty girl?"
March 7th's expression was complicated, staring at her with exasperation.
"I did admit it, but after seeing you sneakily rummage through a trash can yesterday, I'm not so sure."
"A pretty girl would do that? Image, image! Is there no one in this world you care about? Not afraid of having no friends?"
① "If you think about it, there are some…"
② "Who says I don't? I care about everyone on the Express."
③ "March, you're the friend I care about. Wanna Trailblaze together for life?"
Seeing Stelle lean in close, March 7th pushed her face away with a small hand.
"Eww… what's with this 'Trailblaze for life' nonsense? Don't get all sappy to dodge the question. You still haven't answered me!"
Stelle said earnestly: "You already answered for me."
"Huh? When?"
"I said you're the friend I care about, and you didn't deny it, so… ehehe…"
"Ehehe, always with the ehehe… ugh, fine, I can't deal with you."
March 7th pinched Stelle's cheek, gave her a playful glare, and sat back down, turning her attention to Bronya.
A resolute voice carried from the stage, echoing across the plaza.
"With our combined efforts, our world—what the Trailblazers call Jarilo-VI—"
"Will surely return to the embrace of the stars!"
"But until that goal is achieved, allow me to lead us forward with humility!"
"I, Bronya Rand, the 19th Supreme Guardian of Belobog, hereby swear!"