WebNovels

Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: Speedrunning Belobog!

The Trailblazers were personally escorted into the city by Bronya, with the upper district's residents gawking at them as if they were some kind of exotic species.

March 7th felt incredibly awkward and whispered into Stelle's ear, "Hey, aren't you uncomfortable with so many people staring at us?"

Stelle, however, stood tall and proud, practically ready to shout, That's right, it's me! I'm here!

"The heroic visage of the Galaxy Bat-wielder should naturally be known across the universe!"

Stelle was dead serious, but her two companions looked like they wanted nothing more than to disown her on the spot.

After all, if not for someone holding her back, she'd be glued to every trash can they passed—definitely not something a normal person would do!

Bronya, who was leading the way, smiled and explained, "After the appearance of the light screen, we've gained some understanding of the outside world.

They've never seen people from another planet before, so they're just curious."

Soon, they arrived at Qlipoth Fort, where Supreme Guardian Cocolia had been waiting for some time.

She greeted them warmly. "I already know why you're here—the Stellaron, right?"

"During the disaster, much of the records stored in Qlipoth Fort were lost.

If not for the light screen, I might never have realized that the Eternal Freeze and the Fragmentum were caused by the Stellaron."

Cocolia paused before continuing, "Recently, due to the light screen's influence, the upper and lower districts have begun reconnecting.

However, an autonomous organization has already formed in the lower district."

She glanced at Bronya. "From here on out, you will guide our guests to investigate the Stellaron in the lower district and liaise with Wildfire."

Under Bronya's lead, the group set off toward the lower district.

Along the way, March 7th couldn't help but muse, "Who would've thought this Trailblazing mission would be so easy?

We got a lead on the Stellaron just like that!"

"Thanks to the light screen, the Astral Express has gained quite a reputation.

Now that everyone can access information through the chat group, did you really want to experience being fugitives again?" Dan Heng remarked dryly.

"Ehh~ That's what makes Trailblazing fun!

If everything went smoothly, where's the adventure in that?"

The playful bickering between the three made Bronya chuckle.

With a mix of admiration and wistfulness, she said, "You all have such a great bond."

Amidst the laughter and chatter, they soon arrived in the lower district, where a butterfly-like girl was already waiting for them.

"Bronya, so these are the Trailblazers from that Astral Express thing?" Seele quickly sidled up to Bronya and asked curiously.

Bronya introduced her to the group. "This is Seele, a member of Wildfire—and my friend."

"Even in this world, Bronya and Seele are still close, huh?"

After seeing the two's affectionate exchanges in another world's chat group, who wouldn't know how close they were?

"Tch!

Who's close with this rich girl?" Seele's face flushed slightly at the mention of her relationship with Bronya.

Realizing she'd overreacted, she quickly defended herself:

"We met in the chat group.

At first, I thought she was just some pampered upper-district noble, but she's actually not bad to hang around with."

Bronya then explained their mission to Seele in detail.

Seele paced back and forth in thought. "If even your upper district doesn't have records on it, we definitely don't either!"

Just as everyone was about to lose hope, Seele added, "But if it's about the Stellaron… Svarog in Robot Settlement probably knows the most."

At this point, Bronya frowned. "Mother has been acting strange lately… Even accounting for the light screen's influence, her policies shouldn't have shifted this drastically.

And then there's the Stellaron… I think she must know something."

As the brains of their trio, Dan Heng considered it carefully. "It's possible the Supreme Guardian is trying to send us a message.

Let's get intel from Svarog first, then investigate the upper district in secret."

...

Upon arriving at Robot Settlement, they quickly obtained information about the Stellaron from Svarog.

In this world, the Stellaron's existence was common knowledge—anyone who checked the chat group and matched its effects to their own world's phenomena could easily deduce its role.

As for why Svarog handed over the intel so easily this time?

Again—the light screen.

The Astral Express was a well-known faction across the cosmos.

Once Svarog recognized their capabilities, he had no reason to withhold information.

Qlipoth Fort

"Coco… lia… You… shouldn't do this…"

The whispers of the Stellaron echoed relentlessly in Cocolia's ears.

She massaged her temples as cold sweat dripped down her face.

"Enough!

Your existence is no longer a secret—because of that anomaly, not just me but many know what you are! You caused the Eternal Freeze!

All I did was steer them toward the lower district where information is scarce!"

The Stellaron fell silent.

Deep down, Cocolia thought desperately: "It's up to you now, Bronya… I hope my recent behavior has tipped you off…"

She had long known the Stellaron was no benevolent force.

The Architects of old had used it to summon the Eternal Freeze and halt the Antimatter Legion—but that was nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst.

Had it not been for a world devoid of hope before the light screen appeared—had she not listened to its honeyed lies—Belobog would have been devoured by the Fragmentum within decades anyway.

Back then, she had no choice but to entertain its promises of a "new world."

But now?

Belobog could communicate with the outside universe—even host renowned factions like the Astral Express.

What reason did she have left to heed its words?

For now, Cocolia could only placate it until they found and resealed it themselves.

Thus, with Cocolia's tacit approval, the Trailblazers navigated Belobog with ease and soon pinpointed the Stellaron's location.

When they confronted it—just as it was plotting to transform the planet into a Fragmentum paradise—the Stellaron was utterly dumbfounded.

*Wait—hold up—I wasn't ready yet!

How did you find me so fast?!*

Forced into battle prematurely, it unleashed a surge of energy in its fury.

But against Stelle—now wielding the Lance of Preservation and blessed by Qlipoth's gaze—it stood no chance.

Especially not with a fully operational Engine of Creation watching over them (unlike its incomplete counterpart in their original world).

Why?

Because after receiving their report aboard the Express—the moment Welt heard "Cocolia" was in charge here—he couldn't sit still for even a second.

He warped straight to Jarilo-VI via black hole.

He didn't know which Cocolia this was—but back home?

That civil-war maniac had traumatized him enough.

And when he heard there were giant robots involved?

Absolutely no hesitation.

For a mecha enthusiast like him—what could be more enticing than a massive robot?

Answer: Nothing. Laughably so.

Amidst its furious curses, the Stellaron was swiftly and thoroughly sealed away.

Though Cocolia survived, facing backlash from both districts and recognizing her past misdeeds under its influence—for Belobog's future—she willingly abdicated her title as Supreme Guardian to Bronya.

After all… she had done some very questionable things while corrupted by it.

Bronya commanded respect among both Silvermane Guards and upper-district citizens—and with allies like Seele in the lower district—she was pivotal in mending Belobog's divide.

Originally just making a brief stopover, once rail transit resumed—the Trailblazers soon returned to the Astral Express.

TL/N : Damn.. speedrunning in one chapter is crazy.

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