---o---
"The matter you wish to discuss... it's related to the Corporation, isn't it?"
Cocolia couldn't help but give a bitter smile and a nod.
"You're as sharp as ever, Mr. Fu Zhu. You guessed it right away."
Fu Zhu shrugged. "This doesn't require sharpness. Anyone with eyes could have guessed that much. Besides, you mentioned earlier that Belobog has historical debts with the Corporation. I'm guessing this 'historical debt' is no simple matter, is it?"
"Indeed. Mr. Fu Zhu, please take a look at this IOU first, then I'll explain."
Cocolia took out a tablet, tapped on it a few times, and then handed it over to Fu Zhu, screen-side down. Fu Zhu took the tablet, but after a cursory glance, he felt his head spin and quickly handed it back.
He rubbed his temples, a headache setting in. "This is the first time I've ever gotten dizzy just from looking at numbers... Did the Corporation loan Belobog a mountain of gold in the past? No, even a mountain of gold wouldn't have this many zeros."
Cocolia gave another bitter laugh, a clear weariness showing on her face. She rubbed her own temples and set the tablet down.
"If the Corporation's specialist hadn't come to our door, I would have never known about this part of Belobog's history. Just as the Eternal Freeze descended, Jarilo-VI still maintained close contact with the cosmos, and the Corporation had business operations here. But because of the Freeze, the Corporation, along with everyone else, withdrew from Jarilo-VI.
"But before they left, they provided a shipment of resources to Belobog—not for free, of course. Later, as the Freeze intensified, Jarilo-VI was completely cut off from the outside world, and the Corporation wrote off the loan as a bad debt. Now, hundreds of years later, they've discovered that Jarilo-VI has survived the Freeze. That bad debt from back then, after accumulating hundreds of years of interest, has snowballed into the terrifyingly long string of numbers you see today."
After listening to Cocolia's lengthy explanation, Fu Zhu finally understood the cause and effect. He let out a sigh and looked at her.
"So, you specifically kept me here to talk alone because you want my help?"
For a Belobog that was just beginning to recover, a city with a hundred things needing to be rebuilt, Fu Zhu couldn't imagine how they could possibly repay such a massive debt, even if they sold off everything they owned.
But Cocolia suddenly shook her head, denying his words. "No, I am not asking you to save Belobog once again, Mr. Fu Zhu."
Her answer startled Fu Zhu. He asked in disbelief, "You have a way to pay off the debt?"
"No." Cocolia's reply was just as unequivocal as her last.
Fu Zhu was even more baffled now. "Then what is it you intend to do?"
Cocolia took a deep breath and rose from the sofa. After slightly adjusting her attire, she bent forward, giving Fu Zhu a bow so deep it was nearly ninety degrees.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, I hope that you... can take Bronya with you onto the Astral Express and leave Belobog."
"Take Bronya away? That's impossible. Setting me aside, Bronya herself would never agree."
"Yes, she would never agree..."
As if all her strength had drained away, Cocolia slumped back onto the sofa. She propped her head up with her arm, her fingers tracing the deep furrows of her brow, as if the motion could alleviate the turmoil in her heart.
"That child has such a strong sense of responsibility. Furthermore, I only recently announced my intention to pass the title of Great Guardian to her during the Sun-Soaring Festival. I never expected this disaster to strike first. I don't want that child to shoulder such a heavy burden."
Fu Zhu listened quietly to Cocolia's monologue, and the image of Bronya's earlier, hesitant expression flashed through his mind.
No wonder Bronya had looked so conflicted. She must have initially thought Cocolia was going to announce her succession as Great Guardian. After all, there was no reason for Cocolia to hide that from them.
Now, it all made sense. Fu Zhu could guess what Cocolia was planning.
"You don't intend to pass the title of Great Guardian to Bronya, do you?"
"That's right." Cocolia nodded. "The burden of the Great Guardian is far too great. I am already Belobog's foolish and benighted Great Guardian; it's better that I continue to wear this title alone."
Fu Zhu's expression was calm, but perhaps because of the evening light in Belobog, the shadows made his face seem somber.
"Doing this might protect Bronya, but what about the rest of the people in Belobog? Have you not considered asking for help first?"
Cocolia let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Ask for help? From whom? You, Mr. Fu Zhu? The Astral Express has already saved Belobog once. We will forever be grateful for that great kindness. No one here could have the gall to ask for your help again. Besides, this is an astronomical sum; it would be a significant burden even for the Astral Express. That is something I cannot allow to happen, no matter what."
Cocolia paused, then heaved a long sigh as she stood up from the sofa, managing to force a smile.
"Let's put these unpleasant matters aside for now. Mr. Fu Zhu, the Sun-Soaring Festival is Belobog's first grand celebration since emerging from the Eternal Freeze. I believe it won't disappoint you. Why don't you go take a look around the city? I'll have Bronya act as your guide."
Fu Zhu understood that Cocolia didn't intend to discuss the matter further, so he rose to his feet as well.
"Alright, I'll be on my way then."
"Mm."
Fu Zhu turned to leave. As he reached the door, he noticed that the door, which should have been tightly shut, was now cracked open just a sliver. Through the gap, he could see a pair of long, black-stockinged legs in tall boots.
He raised an eyebrow. Without a word, he used his body to block the view of the crack and placed his hand on the handle.
Just then, Cocolia's voice, tinged with a hint of pleading, came from behind him.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, I hope you will agree to take Bronya away. Even if you have to use forceful means, it doesn't matter."
Fu Zhu didn't answer, nor did he nod. He simply opened the door and walked out.
Cocolia stood alone in the vast, empty office and let out a long sigh. She then sat back down at her desk and began sifting through other documents, trying to find another way out.
Outside the office, Fu Zhu raised an eyebrow at Xing, March 7th, and Bronya, who all wore different expressions. He spoke in an annoyed tone.
"Eavesdropping is not encouraged. What all did you hear?"
Xing and March 7th smiled sheepishly. Xing held up her fingers, pinching them close together. "Just a little bit?"
Fu Zhu rolled his eyes at the two of them, then looked over at Bronya, whose smile was clearly strained.
"Let's go. We'll talk as we walk."