Chapter 26: Theresa: Wow, it's really you, Cocolia!

"So, what exactly is the Supreme Guardian? Are they the highest authority in this city?" Theresa asked Gepard.

"That's a fair way to put it," Gepard replied. "The Supreme Guardian is chosen by The Architects to lead Belobog. For generations, they've protected the city and sheltered its people."

"The current Supreme Guardian is Madam Cocolia Rand. All major policy decisions for the city are decreed by her," Gepard explained, gazing reverently at the massive structure behind them.

Qlipoth Fort

"Protecting the people and the city... no wonder they're called the Supreme Guardian," Theresa murmured, nodding thoughtfully. Gepard then led the group forward to speak with the Silvermane Guards stationed at Qlipoth Fort. Under Gepard's supervision, the crestfallen Sampo was handed over to other Silvermane Guards, who prepared to escort him to prison.

"Kids, I'll be back!" Sampo shouted as the Silvermane Guards led him away.

"Goodbye, Jailbird!" Theresa called out.

March 7th laughed excitedly as everyone cheerfully watched the Silvermane Guards escort Sampo away.

"You all seem quite familiar with him," Gepard remarked, narrowing his eyes and cautiously probing the group.

"Not really," March 7th explained. "We just ran into him near a snowdrift on the road. Theresa accidentally poked him in the butt with a branch, and he ended up tagging along. We hadn't even done anything together before we ran into you."

Her tone implied that they too had been tricked by Sampo, but thankfully, he hadn't had time to commit any serious crimes.

"You must absolutely avoid any further contact with him," Gepard warned. "He's a notorious con artist. For example, he once sold a victim a counterfeit Shield printer, claiming it was replicated from a parallel universe. Amazingly, someone actually believed him and lost seventeen hundred Shields!"

"And that's not all. He publicly poses as a law-abiding merchant, but he's also skilled in infiltration and disguise. He's disguised himself as young girls, housewives, and all sorts of characters, frequently sneaking into towns to dig up and resell relics from the snowfields. In short, you must be extremely cautious around this man!"

Gepard rubbed his head in exasperation, turning to the group. They now understood why the Silvermane Guards had been so delighted to capture Sampo.

"Alright, there's no need to dwell on him any further. Let's go—let me take you to the Supreme Guardian."

After briefly outlining Sampo's crimes, Gepard led the Nameless and his companions to Qlipoth Fort.

After climbing a long flight of stairs, they entered the grand and imposing Qlipoth Hall. A silver-haired young woman, dressed in a uniform similar to the Silvermane Guards, stood solemnly before a blonde woman, reporting on her duties with a grave and sorrowful expression.

"Mother, I cannot endorse this decision! You're needlessly sacrificing the Silvermane Guards! You can't so casually decide their fate!" the silver-haired girl protested vehemently, her expression filled with frustration.

The blonde woman finally noticed Gepard and his group. "You may withdraw, Bronya. Our visitors have arrived," she said to the reluctant young woman.

"..."

The young girl bit her lip in frustration and sighed.

"Yes, Mother."

She turned and walked past the Nameless group, scrutinizing them as she passed. Suddenly, she noticed Theresa staring at her intently, a puzzled expression on her face.

"Who are you? Why do you seem so familiar?" Bronya asked, gazing at the adorable Theresa with confusion. She couldn't place this strange mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity.

"Hehe, you can call me Headmaster Theresa~" Theresa said with a mischievous grin, unable to resist teasing.

"Headmaster Theresa?" Bronya murmured, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Bronya, haven't you been dismissed yet?" the blonde woman called out impatiently.

"Yes, Mother," Bronya replied apologetically, nodding to Theresa before hurrying out of Qlipoth Hall.

"Supreme Guardian, I have brought four outsiders to meet you," Gepard announced, bowing before the blonde woman.

"The messenger has already informed me. Well done, Gepard. You may withdraw now," the blonde woman said calmly, looking down at the group with a detached expression.

"Yes."

Gepard glanced at the group before turning and leaving.

Once he had closed the massive gates behind him, the blonde woman turned her gaze toward the Nameless and their companions, her eyes lingering on Stelle and Theresa for a moment.

"Welcome, guests from beyond the Eternal Freeze—no, from beyond this world, am I correct?"

"I am Cocolia Rand, Supreme Guardian of Belobog. State your purpose once more."

Cocolia stood on a raised platform, looking down at the group. Her imperious tone made them feel uneasy and resentful.

"Aren't you curious about our true identities?" Stelle asked curiously.

"Do you desperately want me to doubt you? Are you so insecure about the identities you claim?"

"No, I don't doubt you. Judging by your light attire, it's clear you aren't from this world."

"The Architects remember history, for only through it can their resolve remain unshaken. I know that in the distant past, before the Eternal Freeze and the Antimatter Legion's invasion, this planet thrived."

"The Aeons connected our will to other worlds, revealing the infinite possibilities of the vast galaxy. We have heard tales of the Preservation Aeon, the Amber Lord."

"Under His watchful gaze, we began constructing these walls. Therefore, you shouldn't be surprised."

"Though the Architects haven't received messages from the Starry Sky for seven centuries, I knew of your existence. State your purpose; I'm listening."

Cocolia delivered a lengthy speech boasting about her history and subtly praising Qlipoth before turning to the group of Nameless.

"We've come for something called a Stellaron," Dan Heng said, stepping forward and looking up at Cocolia, who stood overlooking them.

"A Stellaron?"

Cocolia's expression flickered momentarily at Dan Heng's words, but she quickly regained her composure.

"It's a substance that suddenly appears on various worlds, and without exception, its arrival signifies disaster. Many planets we've passed have been ravaged by Stellarons."

"You mentioned the Antimatter Legion's invasion earlier. Shortly after their arrival, the Eternal Freeze descended upon this planet. With the freeze came the Fragmentum Space, a spatial erosion phenomenon that birthed countless monsters."

Dan Heng turned to Cocolia and asked, "Am I correct?"

"Yes, so what?" Cocolia countered, her tone defiant. The group exchanged wary glances; something about the Supreme Guardian felt off.

"Never mind, I'll explain," Theresa interjected, stopping Stelle, who was still somewhat bewildered, from speaking.

"The Aeon of Destruction has scattered Stellarons—corrosive cores of stars—across various worlds. When a Stellaron lands on a planet, it triggers a series of severe consequences. These include the emergence of various calamities, followed by the encroachment of Fragmentum Space, which appears alongside the Stellaron. Judging by the Eternal Freeze plaguing this world, we can deduce that the Stellaron here possesses ice attributes."

"The solution is simple," Theresa continued, meeting Cocolia's gaze directly. "If you want to end the Eternal Freeze, just tell us where the Stellaron is. Once we seal it, the freeze will naturally dissipate, leaving you only to deal with the Fragmentum Space."

Cocolia narrowed her eyes in contemplation. The group waited in silence, watching the Supreme Guardian deliberate.