Chapter 75: Everyone’s Gains
“If even the Supreme Guardian had betrayed us, Belobog would have ceased to exist long ago!” Serval glared angrily at Meng Huaifeng. Although she currently did not get along with Cocolia, she absolutely would not allow anyone to slander the spiritual pillar of everyone in Belobog for the past seven hundred years; that was her bottom line.
“What if the betrayal was for the sake of Preservation?” Meng Huaifeng asked.
Serval’s pupils contracted: “What do you mean?”
“Tell me, how did the cold wave on your planet come about?”
“Seven hundred years ago, the Destruction Legion from outer space set the planet ablaze. The land became scorched earth, everywhere filled with burning molten fire and boiling black smoke. At the moment of life and death, the cold wave suddenly descended, sweeping gales without warning. The invading legion was buried by the blizzard, and all that remained was Belobog.” Serval murmured the recitation. This history was etched in the minds of every descendant of the Landau family.
“In other words, no matter what horrific consequences the Stellar Core brought, on the surface, it was the one that eliminated the Destruction Legion, allowing you to continue to this day—it saved you once.” Meng Huaifeng said, “If the Stellar Core promises to create a new world, might Cocolia choose to believe it for the sake of Preservation? After all, the Stellar Core has already ‘saved’ you once; it might not be impossible for it to ‘save’ you a second time.”
Serval fell into a daze.
“You said it yourself: Belobog’s situation is deteriorating, and you would grasp any shred of hope tightly.” Meng Huaifeng repeated what Serval had said.
“No! That’s just your guess; it may not be the truth.” Serval shook her head fiercely, her voice growing increasingly hoarse.
“What kind of changes do you think someone who has been bewitched would show?” Meng Huaifeng asked.
“……A drastic change in temperament?” Serval guessed, suddenly recalling a day over ten years ago when her best friend Cocolia had abruptly become so unfamiliar.
“No, if Cocolia had been bewitched that early, why does Belobog still exist now?” Serval frowned deeply.
“Who knows? Maybe there’s some special agreement between her and the Stellar Core. Can you tell us what ways she’s different from before?” Meng Huaifeng shrugged.
“Too many to count. First, she suddenly prohibited my research on the Stellar Core. I felt I had reached a critical point, needing only a final close-up observation of the Stellar Core, but she unhesitatingly banned my research. Not only that, she expelled me from the research institute, sealed all related information—I’m not sure if she destroyed it—and also…” Serval spoke endlessly about Cocolia’s changes, mostly shifts in her attitude toward her.
“This Cocolia definitely has a problem. Let’s go confront her right now and make her confess.” A Xing said aggressively.
“Too violent, and not the right time.” Meng Huaifeng pressed A Xing down.
“Sorry, based on your guess, the matter is too serious. I can’t believe you immediately; I’ll find a way to verify it.” Serval was preoccupied, sinking back into memories of her sweet friendship with Cocolia, her thoughts scattered.
“We understand. Verify as you need, but best to do it quickly. Also, try not to reveal our existence, especially to Cocolia.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“I know.” Serval nodded.
“Also, we want to meet Bronya secretly. Do you have any way?” Meng Huaifeng asked.
“Bronya’s schedule is arranged very tightly with little free time, but tomorrow I’ll invite her to the Mechanical Workshop around 2 p.m.” Serval said.
“Then, see you tomorrow, A Xing. Let’s go.” Meng Huaifeng called out.
The two left the Mechanical Workshop, and the sky had already darkened.
A Xing’s golden eyes stared unblinkingly at Meng Huaifeng.
“What’s wrong, A Xing?” Meng Huaifeng asked puzzled.
“Everyone just arrived, how do you know so much? You deliberately didn’t tell us, just thinking of showing off yourself? That’s too much!” A Xing said indignantly.
“Uh… this…” Meng Huaifeng was at a loss for words.
“I don’t care, next time there’s a chance to show off, it has to be mine!” A Xing pouted.
“I don’t know when I’ll even get a chance to show off.” Meng Huaifeng spread his hands innocently.
Under Sampo’s enthusiastic hospitality, the Pioneer Squad checked into Belobog’s highest-grade Goethe Hotel.
The group did not exchange in the spacious lobby but gathered in Welt’s room.
“I asked many people about Belobog’s current situation. Many said living space is being compressed, material prices are rising higher, clearly the resources this city can use are dwindling, and this change is accelerating. Commoners know limited information; beyond that, no gains. More secrets are held by those nobles; I haven’t contacted them yet. Does anyone have any gains?” Welt threw out the opening.
“I’ve mapped routes to most of Belobog’s landmarks—does that count? But about a third of the areas are blockaded, not letting me in. Also, the food here isn’t tasty at all.” March 7th spoke first.
“You were just going around taking photos and checking in, right? The city is on the brink of collapse; having food to eat is good enough—still complaining about taste.” Meng Huaifeng teased.
“No matter what, I memorized most of the terrain. At least… at least if we’re wanted, I know which way to run!” March 7th defended herself.
“I rummaged through Belobog’s trash cans and picked up a Silver Wolf, but she got away.” As A Xing spoke of this, sadness was unavoidable.
“Eww~” March 7th moved away from A Xing in disgust: “Don’t you have any useful gains?”
“I also found three hundred Winter City Shields, two badges, lots of Realm Splitting Creatures materials, two broken guns, a watch that’s only a bit damaged, and an old man gave me a thumbs up. I feel my character is so noble now…” A Xing dumped all her gains on Welt’s bed and itemized them one by one.
Welt’s mouth twitched; he wasn’t planning to sleep on this bed tonight.
“Do you think these things are useful?”
“How are they not?” A Xing refused to back down.
“Huai Feng, what about you?” Welt ignored their standoff and looked at Meng Huaifeng.
“I’ve convinced a lady named Serval to believe us. She told us some things about the Supreme Guardian. Though not confirmed, we can basically conclude she has a problem. Also, she agreed to help us meet Bronya tomorrow, giving us a chance to persuade her.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“Great.” Welt said happily, somewhat anticipating tomorrow’s meeting. Would this Bronya be different from the one he knew?
The Pioneer Squad talked for a long while, finally returning to their own rooms and falling into deep sleep.
