---o---
To the surprise of Fu Zhu and the others, Cocolia, or perhaps Bronya, had actually arranged for someone to wait for them at the Space Anchor. It was clear they had news they were eager to share.
"Alright, thank you for your trouble."
Although Fu Zhu and the others remembered the way to Qlipoth Fort—after all, it hadn't been that long since they left Jarilo-VI, and their memories weren't so poor as to get lost—having an official guide saved them the trouble of waiting to be announced at the gate.
The Silvermane Guard nodded and gestured sideways.
"This way, you three."
As the Silvermane Guard led them toward Qlipoth Fort, they passed through the main square. Fu Zhu noticed that several shops around the square had people in identical black uniforms coming and going. There were even some Silvermane Guards stationed outside, watching them intently.
"Who are those people over there?"
Fu Zhu pointed toward the outsiders bustling in and out of the various shops. The Silvermane Guard glanced over before answering, "Mr. Fu Zhu, those are people from the Interastral Peace Corporation. They said they're here to investigate the local situation in Belobog."
"Investigate?" Fu Zhu looked skeptical. If it was just an investigation, why would the Silvermane Guards be keeping an eye on them?
"That's hardly the treatment an investigation team should receive, is it?"
Xing and March 7th nodded in agreement from the side. They could also tell something was off.
But the Silvermane Guard leading them simply shook his head. "Apologies, Mr. Fu Zhu, I am not privy to the details of this matter. The higher-ups did not brief me. If you have any questions, it would be faster to ask the Great Guardian herself."
"Fair enough." Fu Zhu didn't press the matter further. He would find out soon enough when he saw Cocolia and Bronya.
A few minutes later, under the guard's guidance, the three of them arrived before the Great Guardian's private office. From outside, they could faintly hear what sounded like a few people conversing inside. However, the door was too thick and well-insulated, so they could only hear muffled voices, unable to make out the content.
The Silvermane Guard stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door three times. "Lady Cocolia, Mr. Fu Zhu, Miss Xing, and Miss March 7th have arrived."
The conversation inside immediately ceased, followed by Cocolia's soft voice speaking to someone else.
"Please give us a moment."
Then, a series of footsteps sounded from within, and Bronya pulled both doors open.
When Bronya saw the three of them standing outside, a joyful smile blossomed on her face, but she quickly composed herself and stepped aside to clear a path.
A woman with short, snow-white hair streaked with a single lock of red emerged, cradling a creature that looked like a small pig. Cocolia followed beside her.
Fu Zhu, Xing, and March 7th, seeing that they had guests, proactively moved to the side to let them pass.
The three of them assumed the white-haired woman would simply leave, but to their surprise, she paused the moment she stepped out of the office. She turned to face Fu Zhu, a slight smile involuntarily gracing her lips.
"You must be the renowned Mr. Fu Zhu? It's a pleasure to finally meet you here."
The woman set down the "little pig" she was holding and proactively extended her right hand to Fu Zhu.
Although Fu Zhu was a bit puzzled that she recognized him and was greeting him, he still extended his hand for a brief, firm shake.
In that fleeting moment of contact, the woman's expression shifted slightly, but she ultimately maintained her smile.
"Renowned is an overstatement, but my name is indeed Fu Zhu."
"Hehe." The woman chuckled, covering her mouth lightly. "You're just as modest as the rumors say. Oh, right. My name is Topaz, from the Strategic Investment Department of the Interastral Peace Corporation. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Topaz produced a business card from her pocket and presented it with both hands.
Fu Zhu nodded, accepted it, and glanced down at it, while simultaneously checking Topaz's marker on his minimap.
[Strategic Investment Department · Ten Stonehearts · Topaz]
Although there were some discrepancies with the information on the card, it was undoubtedly her.
Fu Zhu looked from the card back up to Topaz, unable to resist asking, "Why has the Corporation suddenly sent someone to visit Jarilo-VI?"
Topaz seemed about to explain, but her gaze flickered to Cocolia and Bronya, who were waiting to the side, and she thought better of it.
"If you're interested in this matter, Mr. Fu Zhu, you're welcome to find me in room 303 of the Goethe Grand Hotel. I will be staying in Belobog for a while. For now, I won't interrupt your reunion. Farewell~"
Topaz raised her right hand and wiggled her fingers in a wave, then left with her little companion, Numby.
March 7th and Xing watched Topaz's retreating back with suspicion, huddling together and whispering.
"Why would she ask Fu Zhu to find her at a hotel? Something's up with that woman!"
"Totally!"
Fu Zhu paid no attention to the girls' muttering. Instead, he turned his gaze to Cocolia. Having failed to get an answer from Topaz, his only other source was Cocolia.
Cocolia understood his unspoken question but didn't answer immediately. She smiled at them and said, "You must be tired from your journey. Please, come in and sit down."
"Alright."
They all entered the office and took their seats. Bronya immediately went to a side room to prepare some drinks. A moment later, she returned and placed three cups of hot tea before them.
Fu Zhu offered a word of thanks, took a sip of the hot tea, and then turned his gaze back to Cocolia.
"Why are people from the Corporation suddenly here in Belobog?"
A flicker of gloom passed through Cocolia's eyes, but she quickly masked it, her smile remaining in place.
"It's nothing, just some historical debt issues between Jarilo-VI and the Corporation. By the way, Mr. Fu Zhu, the reason I had Bronya invite you all to Belobog this time is that I hope you can attend the Sun-Soaring Festival the day after tomorrow, to witness a milestone in Belobog's revitalization plan."
Seeing this, Bronya, who had been standing obediently by the side holding a tray, suddenly tensed. "Mother..."
She had barely begun to speak when Cocolia shot her a sharp glance, compelling Bronya to swallow the rest of her words.
This made the three of them feel even more curious, but since their hosts weren't talking, it wasn't their place to pry. What if it was a private matter?
Cocolia turned back to Fu Zhu and the others with a smile. "So? Would the three of you do us the honor?"
"Of course." x3
The three of them naturally agreed immediately. They had already come all the way to Belobog, how could they refuse?
Hearing their acceptance, Cocolia's smile widened. She then said to Bronya, "Bronya, could you please take Xing and March 7th to see their temporary lodgings? There is something I wish to discuss with Mr. Fu Zhu alone."
"Alright."
Bronya nodded and turned to Xing and March 7th. "Xing, March, come with me. I'll take you for a walk around?"
Although Xing and March 7th were hesitant, they remembered what had happened before and knew Cocolia would never harm Fu Zhu again. Reassured, they stood up and left the office with Bronya.
Fu Zhu waited until the door was closed, then let his smile fall. He frowned and asked Cocolia directly.
"The matter you wish to discuss... it's related to the Corporation, isn't it?"