Gepard: …
Why is everyone trying to recruit him into this [Eternity Church]?
First, it was Blake, who called himself the High Seat, and now this silver-haired elf lady. Are they all this enthusiastic?
"Uh… elf sister, isn't it a bit bold to poach someone right off the bat?" March 7th had never met a girl more outgoing and warm than herself… There's definitely a story here.
"Join the Church now and get an autographed copy from the Galactic Baseballer!"
Stelle jumped in to pitch, earning a sharp retort from March 7th:
"What, even you're doing this now?!"
…
"After leaving the force all these years, conversations with my little brother always skirted around sensitive topics. Now that I think about it, maybe he's been quietly protecting me, keeping my feelings in mind."
Serval glanced at Gepard standing by the iron gate and smiled warmly.
"With my temper, he must've worried plenty. It's been hard on him. Hmm… I'll go chat with him first, then we'll set off when we're ready!"
After hearing Gepard's words, Seele reflected deeply: "Sigh… I have to admit, I misunderstood the Silvermane Iron Guards before. They're fighting for survival every day, just like [Wildfire]."
"The difference is, we're fighting for our freedom, while they… they're just following orders."
"Everyone has their own struggles, but if we can't even meet face-to-face, how can we talk about mutual understanding?"
"So, have you understood Bronya's struggles?" In just three days, Seele and Bronya's relationship had undergone a seismic shift. Stelle was curious how it happened.
"Of course, I understood her long ago. But in my view, what she needs isn't others' understanding—it's overcoming the barrier in her own heart."
"I think I can already hear the storm's roar coming from beyond these walls… it's unsettling. I hope Serval's right, and Cocolia won't hurt Bronya."
"She's still worried about Bronya."
March 7th glanced over to where Serval was holding an Iron Guard cannon, chatting with Gepard.
"Whoa… I didn't notice before, but Adrian's upgraded weapons are really good. Why didn't we have these back when I was in the force?" Serval said enviously.
"Times change, and so do people… Sister, Belobog is gradually transforming. I believe one day… when the winter snow melts, spring will return."
"So… you're all heading to find that thing called the [Stellaron Core], right?"
"Exactly. I've never met this [Stellaron Core], but it cost me my Architect job. It's time to settle the score."
Serval struggled slightly to lift a massive shield. "Say… do you think this thing could knock some sense into Cocolia?"
Gepard fell silent, unsure how to respond. The upgraded heavy weapons hadn't even been used yet—grenade launchers alone were enough to handle Fragmentum creatures.
"Haha… Honestly, I have a selfish motive too. I want to prove to Cocolia that I was right. Once we deal with this [Stellaron Core] mess… maybe she'll go back to her old self?"
Serval still held a sliver of hope. After all, she and Cocolia had been desk-mates for years.
Unbeknownst to Serval, their sibling conversation had been fully overheard by a pair of elf ears.
"A Guardian tainted by the Cancer of All Worlds… Though we've never met, there are still people who grieve your fall and yearn to save you." These words already hinted at Cocolia's ultimate fate.
The Church's style was always like this. Freesna and Blake were never saints. If the universe had a moral alignment system, they'd score a neutral 50.
Stand tall when you're beaten, admit when you're wrong… but if you dare speak ill of [Eternity], you're an enemy of the Church for life!
Of course, those words applied solely to Cocolia, not the innocent people of Jarilo-VI.
"What's your plan?" Adrian looked at Freesna with interest, curious about what choice SHE would make.
"Grant her the rebirth of [Eternity], and then… this planet shall also welcome [Rebirth]. For specifics, you can ask Blake—he'll take care of it."
To better uphold her inner [Eternity], Freesna successfully passed the task to Blake. He was the Church's spokesperson now, so let him handle it.
She loved the saying: Her actions are Eternity itself!
The [Eternity] Aeon THEMSELF hadn't objected. Eternal laziness was still Eternity—perfectly reasonable!
After the chatter, everyone gathered before the sealed iron gate.
"Wait a sec, Guard Officer Gepard… have you seen our other companion, Dan Heng?" March 7th suddenly realized someone was missing.
"Technically, two people."
Sampo's presence was so negligible to March 7th that, reflecting on the past few days, he really hadn't done anything noteworthy.
"My apologies. Mr. Blake seems to have taken them elsewhere." Gepard shook his head. The High Seat hadn't given him any time to react before vanishing.
"Poor Guard Officer, toyed with by the wicked agent of a false deity… No worries, join the Church now, and the Saintess will seek justice for you!"
Freesna stood with hands on hips, leaving Gepard speechless for the second time.
"Priestess sister…"
"Saintess."
Seeing the conversation veering off track, Gepard quickly returned to the matter at hand: "Ahem, once the restricted zone's gate opens, the monsters on the other side will come pouring out. The Silvermane Iron Guards will do their best to hold them off, buying you some time."
"Once you break through the front line… we won't be able to help much further. What lies in the northern Fragmentum is something you'll have to discover for yourselves."
"Hold your weapons tight. This will undoubtedly be a fierce battle…"
Boom!
Before he could finish, the sealed iron gate was suddenly blasted open. Gepard immediately raised his black barrier, shielding everyone.
In an instant, a massive cloud of dust rose at the restricted zone's front line.
"Little brother… don't tell me you face this kind of assault every day?" Serval was clearly shocked. Fragmentum creatures could already breach the Iron Guard's defenses?!
"This attack is way too intense!" March 7th drew her ice bow, the pressure feeling comparable to facing a Doomsday Beast.
"Tch, I don't want to owe the Iron Guards any favors."
Seeing the situation, Stelle felt the beast within her awaken! "Ohhh! Let's do this—for Belobog!"
In the heat of the moment, the voice of the Milk Tea Star God chimed in unhelpfully: "Uh… is there a chance that attack was man-made?"
As the thick smoke cleared, the scene outside the gate came into view:
Blake and Dan Heng were fighting side by side against an endless wave of Fragmentum creatures. Dan Heng wielded his Cloud-Piercing Spear, striking with precision.
Blake's weapon, however, was peculiar—not soap, but…
Sampo.