"We're here."
Clara came to a halt before the imposing structure and turned to face March 7th and the others. She spoke slowly, deliberately.
"This is the Qliphoth Fort, the heart of Belobog, the headquarters of the Architects."
"The Supreme Guardian has been waiting for you. As for why you've come to this planet, what your purpose is..."
"Whether Belobog—or rather, our world—accepts your help will be decided by the Supreme Guardian herself."
"'Supreme Guardian'... just the title sounds like someone truly great." Hearing this, March 7th couldn't help feeling a twinge of nervousness at the thought of soon meeting such an eminent figure.
Noticing the slight tension on March 7th's face, Clara gave a faint smile.
"There's no need to be so nervous. Cocolia is quite reasonable. As long as you don't cross her line, she's very easy to talk to."
"Her line? And what exactly is that line?" March 7th felt it was crucial to get a heads-up. The last thing she wanted was to say the wrong thing and get thrown out—that would be a real loss.
"Don't worry. As the Supreme Guardian who commands the attention of all Belobog, Cocolia's... line... isn't something ordinary people would ever come close to." Clara didn't answer March 7th's question directly, instead offering her a smile.
"Uh... but we aren't exactly ordinary people, are we...?"
Looking at Clara's smile, March 7th couldn't shake a feeling that something was off.
"Relax. It'll be fine." Clara shook her head, saying no more.
Cocolia's line was the Stellaron. And you all came here declaring you wanted to deal with the Stellaron... It's a good thing the Cocolia in the game didn't just flip the table right then and there.
"Hey, you just called your Supreme Guardian by her first name, and before that, those Silvermane Guards were so respectful toward you..."
"Could it be that you're some big shot too?"
March 7th recalled how Clara had referred to the Supreme Guardian, combined with the attitude the Silvermane Guards had shown her earlier. It was perfectly reasonable to suspect Clara was someone important.
Hearing this, Clara shook her head.
"I told you, I'm just an ordinary person."
"With looks like yours, you're anything but ordinary!" March 7th silently retorted.
Since when do 'ordinary people' look this adorable?
But she kept that thought to herself, saying nothing out loud.
"Anyway, that's that. Do you need a moment to gather your thoughts?"
"If not, we'll head right in."
Clara posed the question to March 7th and the others.
March 7th glanced at Dan Heng, Stelle, and Welt. Seeing all three shake their heads, she turned back to Clara with their decision.
"Nope! Let's go."
"Alright."
Clara nodded and led the group into the Qliphoth Fort.
...
Qliphoth Fort, Supreme Guardian's Office.
"Um..."
Facing the Astral Express crew, Cocolia seemed momentarily at a loss for words. She shot a puzzled look at Clara.
Sensing Cocolia's confusion, Clara walked over to her side and spoke in a voice laced with power, undetectable to the others.
"They are outsiders from beyond the sky. They've come for the Stellaron. They are enemies."
The Astral Express Crew: ?
"I see." Hearing Clara's words, Cocolia's eyes narrowed slightly, and she nodded.
After a moment's thought, she knew how to handle them.
A smile spread across Cocolia's face as she greeted March 7th and the others.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Cocolia, Supreme Guardian of Belobog."
After Cocolia's introduction, the group gave brief self-introductions of their own before explaining the purpose of their visit to Jarilo-VI.
'So boring. Let's go. It's getting late, time to head back and rest.' Listening to the exchange between Cocolia and the Express crew, Clara found it dull and let out a tired yawn.
"Then let's go back and sleep!"
Hearing Clara, Firefly instantly perked up.
"?"
Watching Firefly's enthusiastic reaction, a large question mark slowly formed above Clara's head.
Seriously? Are you that eager?
Did I say anything about sharing a bed with you tonight?
Who do you think you are?
...
"If you dare take off even one piece of clothing, I'm kicking you out right this instant!"
Night, in the hotel, Clara's room, on the bed.
Clara was, once again, lying on the same bed as Firefly.
"Okay, okay, I won't, I won't."
Hearing Clara's warning, Firefly chuckled and stopped the hands that had been moving to undo her clothes.
"..."
Clara stared at Firefly for a moment. Confirming there was no sign of any disrobing, she let out a small sigh of relief.
Then, a flicker of doubt arose in her mind...
She had been determined not to let Firefly into her bed again... but the moment she saw Firefly's pleading expression and heard that pitiful, wavering voice, Clara's resolve had melted away, and she'd agreed...
'Mmmph... Next time, I have to just say no to Firefly, and shut the door right after...'
Clara made a silent vow to herself. Next time, she'd refuse and then make a quick escape. Let's see her try to play the pity card then.
"..."
Watching Clara lost in thought, Firefly's eyes darted around. She then scooted closer, wrapped her arms around Clara, and pulled her into an embrace.
Mmm... so soft, so fragrant~
Feeling Clara's scent, Firefly couldn't help but sink into bliss.
Clara: ...
Once pulled into the embrace, Clara put up a token struggle before going still.
Mmm... so soft, so fragrant.
Surrounded by Firefly's scent, any thought of resistance evaporated from Clara's mind.
Seeing Clara's docile acceptance, Firefly didn't push things further. She brought her lips to Clara's forehead, left a gentle kiss there, and then closed her eyes.
"Let's sleep. Goodnight~"
"Mm..."
Feeling the lingering warmth on her forehead, Clara's cheeks flushed just a bit. She didn't say anything, slowly closing her own eyes.
'This feeling... I don't really dislike it...'
That was the thought that drifted through Clara's mind as she drifted off...
...
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. Advanced chapters available on patreon.
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