Belobog, Administrative District.
Although she had been in Belobog for a while now, this was Felicity's first time personally admiring the City of Preservation.
The Administrative District located at Belobog's center bustled with crowds, public buses shuttling back and forth on their tracks, while several newspaper vendors stood by the roadside calling out their wares.
The Overworld appeared far more comfortable than the Underworld. Most people here walked at a leisurely pace, and the atmosphere lacked the tension that permeated the Underworld.
It was like comparing heaven and hell.
Felicity sighed inwardly, unconsciously finding herself at the very center of the square.
The Central Square housed a peculiar structure, around which a large group of children had gathered. They surrounded a woman dressed in a Silvermane Guard uniform, chattering and laughing merrily.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the intelligence officer of the Silvermane Guards and the temporary guide for the 'Belobog Historical Tour'—Pelageya Sergeyevna."
The blue-haired, round-faced girl offered a gentle smile as she introduced herself in a soft voice.
"Just call me Pela."
"Miss Pe~la~!"
The children cheered in unison.
After their cheerful greeting, the children suddenly turned their heads in sync, looking curiously at the adult who had quietly approached them.
Felicity thought for a moment and felt that staying silent might make the situation awkward.
"Miss Pe~la~!" she mimicked twice.
"...Would certain adults please refrain from casually imitating children?!" Pela's mouth corner visibly twitched. She cleared her throat lightly and steered the conversation back on track.
"Alright, children, look over here..."
Felicity lost interest in listening further. She turned her head toward the direction of another voice.
Stelle had appeared beside her at some point, one hand on her hip and the other giving a thumbs-up, wearing a cheeky grin.
"As expected of us!" Stelle declared.
"Felicity, you're here too!"
March 7th stood a bit farther away, waving and calling out with a smile.
She quickly approached Felicity, curiously glancing around.
"Where's that guy who looked lazy and untrustworthy? Did he abandon you and run off?"
Indignation flashed across March 7th's fair face. She shook her fist, looking as if she were ready to stand up for Felicity.
"How awful! I knew he didn't seem like a good person. I disliked him the moment I saw him!"
"Not exactly."
Felicity shook her head. After a moment's hesitation, she reached out and pinched March 7th's cheek.
When an opportunity presents itself so readily, why not take it?
"Why are you pinching my cheek?!"
March 7th's fair face puffed up as she waved her hands to free herself from Felicity's grasp.
"Let's exchange information first."
Dan Heng stepped forward from behind, a hint of helplessness in his tone.
After all this time, their conversation still hadn't gotten to the main point. If he let them continue joking around, they'd probably end up planning the entire day's itinerary.
"Well, about that..."
Felicity nodded and recounted what she had seen and heard.
Dan Heng also shared their side of the story.
"So, beneath the entirety of Belobog, there's an underground city almost as large as Belobog itself?"
Dan Heng nodded slightly, lost in thought.
The decision to split up from the beginning had indeed been the right one. Felicity had managed to gather much information they hadn't been able to obtain.
"And the Supreme Guardian received you, believed everything you said, and is even willing to provide all possible assistance?"
Felicity asked, somewhat surprised.
"As it stands, yes."
Dan Heng replied.
"To be honest, I didn't expect it to go so smoothly. She's actually quite nice," March 7th said with a cheerful laugh.
Their past experiences had been too bizarre, and reasonable leaders like this were almost nonexistent, which made March 7th find it incredible even now.
"Let's remain vigilant. I still feel something's not right," Felicity reminded.
"Yes, I think so too. I always felt there was something off about that Supreme Guardian—when speaking with her, her gaze seemed penetrating, as if there were more than just us in the room..." Dan Heng nodded calmly in response.
"Eek, now that you mention it, it feels a bit creepy..." March 7th's expression suddenly changed. She shrank back, crossing her arms in front of herself, and stammered.
"Maybe we're just being overly sensitive... She promised to help us, so let's hope she keeps her word," Dan Heng said, crossing his arms and cautiously scanning the surroundings. "Alright, let's not discuss this here anymore. Let's rest early and build up energy for tomorrow's negotiations."
After all, this was Belobog's territory. Although they were temporarily treated as honored guests of the Supreme Guardian, there was no guarantee they weren't being monitored. Silvermane Guards were stationed throughout the administrative district, and there might be eavesdroppers hidden somewhere.
"Wait, it's still early. We agreed to explore more, right?" March 7th pursed her lips. She was quite looking forward to today's tour of Belobog.
"I want to dig through Belobog's trash cans too!" Stelle raised her hand.
"..." March 7th rolled her eyes helplessly at Stelle. Ever since Stelle discovered she could always find strange things in trash cans, she had become inexplicably obsessed with digging through them. Even in Belobog, Stelle showed no restraint, sneaking off to rummage through street corner bins whenever March 7th and Dan Heng weren't paying attention.
"Let's check out the mechanical workshop in the distance first. It's so beautiful! Gepard mentioned there will be a performance there. I want to go see it!" March 7th suggested cheerfully.
"His exact words were 'occasionally, there are performances.' You omitted the most important word," Dan Heng added from the side.
"Darn it... I'm so curious! Anyway, let's go check it out!" March 7th looked eager. She suddenly darted behind Felicity and Stelle, pushing them forward by their backs toward the mechanical workshop. "Hurry up, let's go see it before it gets dark!"
"..." Dan Heng watched the three girls' retreating figures, hesitating to speak, and finally couldn't help but sigh.
...
Qliphoth Fort, Cocolia's office.
"But, Mother... Lady Cocolia, I've personally witnessed Lady Felicity bestow blessings and bring dying lives back from the brink. For this reason alone, I believe we must verify the authenticity of the Stellaron they mentioned," Bronya argued earnestly before her adoptive mother, yet all she received in return was that same cold stare.
"Bronya, you disappoint me! You've merely glimpsed a corner of the snow-capped mountain, yet you believe you've seen the whole truth. What you've witnessed is merely the truth others wanted you to see, yet you treasure it as if it were priceless!"
Cocolia slammed the table, her tone brimming with impatience.
"But..."
"There are no 'buts.' Arrest them and bring them back to the city tomorrow morning, and you will learn the entire truth."
Cocolia had no intention of giving Bronya more time to think, issuing an ultimatum:
"Go back and rest well, prepare for tomorrow... Don't disappoint me, Bronya."