Under Sampo's questionable guidance, the crew of the Astral Express found themselves face-to-face with the group Sampo was trying to avoid—the Silvermane Guards. And just as expected, Sampo vanished the moment things got tense, leaving the group to deal with the fallout.
"Oh no, listen to me! We're really not Sampo's accomplices!" March pleaded, watching Sampo disappear like a snowflake in the wind.
One of the guards scoffed. "So if a criminal says he's not a criminal, we just let him go? That's not how justice works."
March scratched her head. "Ugh… I can't even argue with that. If I catch Sampo again, I swear I'll make him pay!"
"Infighting? Save it for the interrogation room!" the captain barked. "Guards—move in!"
The Silvermane Guards charged, halberds gleaming. From a distance, the squad leader aimed a canon at the group.
"It's fight time," March sighed, already drawing her bow.
Her phaseless ice arrows flew, freezing three guards mid-charge. The squad leader shouted, "Watch out! Her arrows will immobilize you!"
He launched a grenade into the fray.
Boom! Black smoke engulfed the battlefield.
And as the old saying goes: If there's smoke, something's about to happen.
When the smoke cleared, a shimmering pink crystal wall stood tall—Ellie's handiwork. Not a scratch on the crew.
"Be alert!" the captain shouted, sensing danger.
A blur of cyan dashed through the snow—Dan Heng. Two guards dropped, stunned but unharmed.
The squad leader turned his howitzer toward Dan Heng, but a voice rang out behind him:
"Maybe worry about yourself first?"
He spun around—only to be met by Stelle's bat. He blocked instinctively, but the force knocked him out cold.
"Captain!" the remaining guards panicked. But before they could retaliate, March leapt from behind the crystal wall, unleashing a flurry of ice arrows. Tiny animals formed from ice scattered across the battlefield, knocking out the rest.
The four regrouped. March planted her hands on her hips. "Done～♪"
Dan Heng nodded and approached one of the fallen guards—only to be interrupted by a commanding voice.
"Stop! Let go of that Guard!"
A tall man in gleaming armor strode forward, his blonde hair neatly combed, his presence radiating authority.
Gepard.
He eyed the group with suspicion, clearly mistaking them for aggressors.
Ellie stepped forward, tilting her head. "Don't blame us～♪ We're strangers here. We just met Sampo. He ran off, and your guards didn't listen to our explanation… so we had to make them sleep a little～♪"
Gepard blinked, momentarily stunned by Ellie's charm. But his discipline kicked in. He studied their clothing—clearly not local. Outsiders… could it be?
He signaled his men to check the fallen guards. All were breathing.
March showed Gepard their map and explained their journey. Gepard's expression softened.
"I apologize," he said. "Sampo is a wanted criminal. Seeing him with you caused a misunderstanding. My men were only trying to protect our city. But your identities are still unclear. So please come with us."
March stepped forward. "We're heading to a populated area anyway. Lead the way."
Ellie peeked from behind her. "March, why are you blocking me?"
March rolled her eyes. Too many people are staring at Ellie. No way. Ellie's mine.
"The view's better here," she said casually, standing in the sunny spot.
Ellie glanced at the gloomy patch ahead, then at March's sunny spot. She said nothing.
Stelle joined Ellie, blocking her view. "It's hot over there," she said, hands on hips.
Ellie looked at the icy surroundings. Her silence said everything.
Dan Heng stepped in diplomatically. "Mr. Gepard, please—lead the way."
And so, the crew followed Gepard toward the last bastion of civilization in the frozen world—
Belobog.