"Uh… do you believe me if I say I don't know where Commander Bronya is?" Ellie blinked innocently at Cocolia, her eyes wide and shimmering like polished crystal.
Cocolia didn't answer immediately. Her gaze was sharp, calculating. But Ellie's expression was so pure, so disarming, that even the Great Guardian herself hesitated.
—
Earlier that day, Gepard had led the crew of the Astral Express into Belobog, the last bastion of humanity on Jarilo VI.
"This is Belobog," he announced, "the final barrier against the eternal winter."
March, Stelle, and Ellie were all wide-eyed with curiosity. Gepard, ever the soldier, found himself slipping into the role of tour guide—though his gaze kept drifting toward Ellie.
There was something about her. Something familiar. Something… warm.
If she hadn't spoken up during the Sampo incident, he thought, I might've assumed she was being held hostage.
He glanced at her again, and March immediately stepped between them.
"The last fortress?" she repeated, emphasizing the word with a raised brow.
Gepard flinched. How did she notice?
March had long since developed a sixth sense for Ellie-related attention. After all, she'd spent countless hours watching Ellie charm entire worlds. Gepard's subtle glances were anything but subtle to her.
Ellie, meanwhile, caught Gepard's gaze and tilted her head playfully. "So～ Can you tell us why Belobog is called humanity's last barrier? ♪"
Gepard's heart skipped. Am I sick? he wondered. But he kept his composure and launched into the history of the planet—monsters from beyond the sky, the burning of the earth, the rise of the Preservation.
March leaned toward Ellie and whispered—loudly—"He talks so weird."
Ellie giggled. "Maybe he's quoting classics～♪"
Gepard, overhearing, replied calmly, "Because you asked."
March turned red. Stelle smirked. Dan Heng sighed. Ellie smiled.
—
As they entered the city, Ellie pointed to a massive crystal monument. "Wow! Look at that!"
"That's the Eternal Winter nameplate," Gepard said proudly. "A symbol of our faith in Preservation."
"It suits the city," March agreed.
Stelle stared in awe. Dan Heng remained quiet, knowing Ellie's affinity for crystals ran deep.
Gepard interrupted. "Let's meet the Great Guardian."
"The what?" March blinked.
"The leader of Belobog," Gepard explained. "Cocolia Rand. She oversees all major decisions."
March panicked. "Wait! We're meeting someone that important? I need to freshen up!"
Ellie nodded. "Appearance matters～♪"
Stelle simply said, "Take me too."
Gepard sighed and led them to prepare.
—
When they returned, March had tied her hair into a neat bun. Stelle's skin glowed, her lips tinted rose. Ellie wore a pink evening dress, her hair adorned with a crystal flower. In her hand was a delicate crystal box.
Dan Heng looked at her and muttered, "Ely…"
Ellie smiled. "How do I look?"
Gepard coughed, cheeks pink. A nearby man walked into a lamppost and fell into a trash can.
Stelle deadpanned, "I want to go into the trash can too."
—
They finally met Cocolia. As in the original tale, Bronya was dismissed and left reluctantly.
Ellie stepped forward, graceful and composed. "Dear Great Guardian, we are visitors from beyond the sky. This is a token of goodwill from the Astral Express. Please accept it."
Cocolia didn't respond. She motioned for Gepard to take the box and place it on her desk. Then she dismissed him.
March groaned. "I'm starving…"
Ellie smiled. "Let's eat first, then continue."
Dan Heng remained tense. It's all going too smoothly.
Ellie noticed. "Danheng～♪"
He blinked, then looked at the others. March giggled. Stelle stared at the trash can again.
Dan Heng sighed. "It's nothing. Let's go."
"Out and out!" March cheered, heading toward the hotel.
The group exchanged smiles and followed.