Chapter 24: Sampo: Down on His Luck, Everyone!

"We're not his accomplices! Why are you—ow!" March 7th shouted indignantly. She couldn't understand why every trailblazing journey started with either a misunderstanding or a punishment. She was completely exasperated.

"I'll say it again! Hand over the criminal and identify yourselves!" Gepard glared at the group.

"Dan Heng, should we tell the truth or just knock them all out?" Theresa whispered to Dan Heng.

"..."

"Never mind. Let's tell the truth. We need to contact their leaders anyway. They're the only ones who know about the Stellaron problem," Dan Heng replied wearily. He was exhausted too.

Theresa stepped forward and addressed Gepard. "The blue-haired man is someone we met along the way. You might not believe this, but we're from beyond the stars—Nameless passengers of the Astral Express." Her adorable face and luxurious gown momentarily flustered the Silvermane Guards. It was likely the first time they'd ever seen such a beautiful girl in person.

As for Bronya being their leader, that thought remained unspoken among them.

"She's so beautiful and cute!"

"Ah, I'm dying~"

Some Silvermane Guards shouted excitedly.

"Ahem! Show some decorum in front of outsiders! Twenty more sets of strength training when we return!" Gepard coughed awkwardly, glaring at the guards with a hint of embarrassment.

"..."

Gepard then glanced bashfully at the irresistibly cute Theresa. After being blessed by The Permanence and bathed in The Elation, her beauty had only grown more radiant.

"Hehe, mesmerized, aren't you? Isn't Theresa just the cutest!" March 7th exclaimed, hugging Theresa tightly. Stelle nodded enthusiastically, hands on her hips, while Dan Heng remained silently resigned before stepping forward.

"We are the Nameless from the Astral Express, hailing from beyond this planet. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were forced to land here and seek assistance."

Dan Heng deliberately avoided mentioning the Stellaron, believing it was a matter best discussed with their leader.

"How am I supposed to trust you? Just because you've tied up Sampo, this... lovely lady?" Gepard asked, his face flushing slightly as he glanced at Theresa. It wasn't that he lacked self-control; the Silvermane Guards were a rough bunch, unaccustomed to seeing such a stunning woman. As for Bronya, Gepard regarded her as the future Supreme Guardian.

"Do our clothes look like yours?" Theresa asked Gepard, her voice laced with exasperation. "Does anyone really run around in this freezing wasteland wearing such flimsy outfits?"

Gepard nodded, his gaze shifting between the group's lightweight clothing and Theresa's elaborate regalia. Their delicate garments offered no visible protection against the bitter cold, yet they showed no signs of shivering or discomfort, as if they weren't standing in the heart of an icy wilderness at all.

"March, you took some photos, right? Why don't you show them?" Dan Heng suggested. March 7th nodded eagerly and carefully retrieved a photograph from her small bag under the watchful eyes of the Silvermane Guards.

"Here, take a look. This is a picture I took of your planet, Jarilo-VI," March 7th said as she cautiously approached Gepard and handed him the photo. Gepard accepted it warily, examining it with the guards.

He stared silently at the clear image of the snow-covered planet, his brow furrowing. "Are you joking? Is this really what our home looks like?"

"You're telling us this white ball is the planet we live on? This is... utterly unacceptable!" the Silvermane Guards exclaimed in disbelief.

Gepard sighed. The photograph had provided enough evidence for him and the Silvermane Guards to largely believe the Nameless' story.

"It's said that long ago, visitors from beyond the stars often came here... But since the Eternal Freeze, no one has been able to penetrate the snow curtain and reach Belobog," Gepard explained wearily. He understood that this decision was beyond his authority.

"Commander, what should we do?" The Silvermane Guards turned to Gepard, awaiting his orders. To be honest, they had no desire to fight these charming young women. Besides, seeing Sampo lying miserably face-down in the snow, they doubted they stood a chance.

"This is beyond my authority. If what they say is true, we must defer to the Supreme Guardian's judgment." Gepard addressed the group. "Could you please release him? We'll keep him under strict guard."

Theresa smiled at the grimacing Sampo and, to the Silvermane Guards' astonishment, retracted the Oath of Judah, transforming it into a necklace around her fair neck.

"I never thought I'd be the one providing the entertainment..." Sampo muttered, attempting to rise, only to be pinned back down by the Silvermane Guards who rushed forward.

"Finally caught you! You're quite the runner!" A Silvermane Guard said, grinning as he held Sampo.

"Nowhere left to run, little punk! Time to rot in jail!" The guard proudly escorted Sampo to Gepard, who paused thoughtfully.

"You should all come with us to Belobog. I need to present you to the Supreme Guardian, who will determine your identities."

"Please," Gepard said, his stern expression softening now that Sampo was captured. He became much more polite to the group.

"Let's go!" March 7th exclaimed cheerfully as the group followed Gepard and the Silvermane Guards back to the city. Along the way, the guards encountered a Fragmentum monster and instinctively prepared to engage.

"Form ranks! Prepare to engage!" Gepard shouted.

But as the guards moved into formation, the monster suddenly burst into colorful flames and dissolved into ashes with an agonizing howl.

"!!!" Gepard cast a wary glance at Theresa, who nonchalantly blew the flickering rainbow flames off her fingertips.

"That was so cool, Theresa!" March 7th cheered.

"Cool!" Stelle added enthusiastically.

"It's nothing, just some small fry. Let's keep moving, Captain Gepard," Theresa said with a charming smile. Her radiant expression prompted the Silvermane Guards, who had been following Gepard in silence, to resume their march.

"Welcome to Belobog, the City of Preservation," Gepard announced proudly, his chest puffed out. The Silvermane Guards straightened their posture in unison, their heads held high.

"Wow, it's magnificent!" Stelle exclaimed in awe.

"Indeed, it has a distinct steampunk vibe," Dan Heng remarked calmly. Gepard, unable to understand their words, remained vigilant towards Dan Heng and Theresa, paying little attention to March 7th and Stelle for the time being.

"This city is our pride," Gepard continued reverently. "Thanks to Belobog, the flame of our civilization still burns, untouched by the endless blizzards that rage beyond these walls."

"Without Belobog, we wouldn't exist."

With that, he led the group through the massive alloy gates. After a brief inspection, they entered Belobog, drawing curious glances from the city's inhabitants as the Nameless guests passed by.