Underworld, Robot Settlement.
Clara took the soap handed to her by the blonde Pontiff and cast a pleading look at Svarog behind her.
Milk tea, soap... would it be laundry detergent next time?
"M-Mr. Blake, Clara doesn't mean to question you, but are these soaps really items to be used in a crisis?"
Clara had recognized Blake from Bronya's declaration in front of the [Everwinter Monument] earlier.
Blake placed a full bag of strategic weapons beside Svarog: "[Eternity] does not lie, let alone a bar of soap."
"Clara, he is a [Guest] and also a [Friend]. Go back to the mansion and wait for me first." Svarog knew very well that the following conversation involved classified information, not something for Clara's age group to hear.
"Indeed." After Clara left, to fit the scenario, Blake deliberately lowered his voice: "Jarilo-VI has gained new life from the ice and snow, and has already attracted the attention of some organizations."
"To prevent the curs and rats of the Legion from making a comeback, I am gifting this batch of projectiles to you... You might even find a use for them later."
...
Seeing the [∞]-shaped soap Stelle took out, Topaz was obviously stunned. Why does this look so familiar...
Remembered it. At the crime scene of Director Schneider, the investigation team found this type of soap in the bathroom; it filled the entire bathtub.
Combined with the [Church] that Stelle just mentioned...
Ping!
A flash of inspiration, and the truth was revealed before Topaz's eyes!
The culprit who framed Director Schneider... came from the Church of Eternity!
Wait, that's not right... there are still holes in this theory. Even if it were Pontiff Blake, he couldn't guarantee breaking into the Marketing Development Department single-handedly. Do they think the Interastral Peace Corporation is a pushover?
What's ridiculous is that the detectors haven't picked up any [Emanator]-level energy response. Could it be that person isn't an Emanator?
Still missing something...
Topaz looked up and saw March 7th also taking out a bar of [∞]-shaped soap.
Ping!
A thunderbolt pierced her mind, and the key clue emerged again!
Group crime! And it was premeditated!
Now... she just needed to find the man captured by surveillance, and the truth of the [Oswaldo Schneider Attack Case] would come to light.
"Just asking out of curiosity... who gave you this soap?"
To be honest, Topaz didn't want to involve Stelle and March 7th in this incident. Hopefully, they have nothing to do with the Church.
Stelle started talking nonsense without a word, mixed with some truth: "The benevolent and selfless Pontiff Blake gifts a bar of soap to every [Eternity] Pathstrider. I am one of them."
She directly revealed her identity.
"Dual... Dual Pathstrider?!"
Having actively revealed her identity, Stelle felt the negotiation became much easier: "Miss Topaz, Jarilo-VI is already under the protection of [Eternity]. Is the Company coming at this time to fight for [Custody] with the Church?"
If Blake saw the scene of Stelle representing the Church and speaking up for Jarilo-VI, he would surely be gratified. Finding a successor for the position of Pontiff is not just empty talk.
Topaz laughed meaningfully, "Haha~ Then let me ask you back, Miss Stelle... Are you going to represent the [Church of Eternity] and make a decision to be enemies with the Company?"
"Or, can I interpret this sentence as... a threat?"
Stelle remained silent, already prepared for war. Just a pity about this History Museum; rebuilding it would take quite a few days.
"Debts owed by ancestors implicating descendants to repay... Thinking carefully, this is also part of the cycle of life in the universe."
Topaz suddenly changed her tone. She wasn't stupid enough to take [Forceful Measures] against the Astral Express.
Suddenly, the topic shifted to something March 7th couldn't quite understand: "...Eh? Why did the conversation get so deep all of a sudden?!"
"Um, Miss Topaz, what exactly can be done to make the Company go easy on Belobog?" Since the plan of throwing out the [Church] failed, March 7th asked.
"Bronya and the others put in so much effort to make this world a little better... If all efforts are stripped away in the blink of an eye, isn't that too cruel..."
Topaz smiled and explained: "What do you think the Company is, March? Don't forget, we, like the [Architects], are all practitioners of [Preservation]."
"In any case, the plan we propose will definitely take the well-being of the Belobog people into account... If we can't even do that, wouldn't the [Strategic Investment Department] become an unreasonable gang like the Legion?"
"So, you're saying... we don't need to worry? But Bronya..."
From the perspective of the Astral Express, the Nameless indeed didn't need to care too much about this matter. But switching to the perspective of Supreme Guardian Bronya, saying she wasn't worried would be a lie.
She had just taken the seat of the 19th Supreme Guardian of Belobog for a few days, and the largest economy in the universe came knocking.
Not to mention the story before becoming the Supreme Guardian. The previous Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, had been unilaterally judged by the Church, and her whereabouts are still unknown.
"Rest assured, the Supreme Guardian girl is a person of great wisdom; she will definitely figure it out."
"Moreover, if you want me to answer your question directly... the answer is [Nothing works]. No matter what difficulties are encountered, I will definitely complete the Jarilo-VI project."
"...Even if it is the [Church of Eternity]." Topaz responded to Stelle's words just now with a suddenly serious tone and resolute attitude.
March 7th was startled: "Suddenly felt a sense of oppression, so scary."
"So, I suggest you two don't worry too much about this matter. What do you think? Why not take advantage of the time you are here to enjoy the lively atmosphere before the festival... Ah, a colleague is looking for me, really sorry."
"I'll head out first, see you if fate allows~"
Seeing the first negotiation end in failure, the morale that had been built up with great difficulty was hammered down again.
"What do we do... talked for so long, and there's absolutely no progress at all!"
"What she said makes some sense..."
Stelle temporarily dispelled the idea of calling Pontiff Blake. She had almost made Topaz mistakenly think she was threatening her.
"Mmh, I think so too. But the problem facing Bronya is also very realistic... In the final analysis, Miss Topaz is just implementing her work principles."
"Taking a step back, from the standpoint of the Express crew and the Church, opposing the Company is definitely not wise... Especially the latter. Heard from Teacher Adrian that the Director of the [Marketing Development Department] is very interested in Church strongholds; just missing a fuse."
"If we accidentally say something wrong, it is very likely to lead to a war!"
As soon as the words fell, the light in March 7th's eyes dimmed instantly, and the corners of her mouth were clearly visible curving downwards.
"Suddenly became so pessimistic!"
"Aiya~ The stakes involved here are too complicated, too difficult to handle! No one taught me these things in school... Eh? Speaking of which, did I go to school before I lost my memory?"
March 7th suddenly realized a problem. Regarding memory loss, Stelle empathized.
No wonder they could become besties; rounding up, she is also in a state of amnesia.