Chapter 26: Where's the Promised Energy Tower?

Jepard frowned as he looked at the photo in his hand, deep in thought.

After a moment, he looked up. "It's said that long ago, extraterrestrial visitors often came here... But since the cold wave happened, no one has crossed the snow curtain to reach Belobog..."

"If by extraterrestrial visitors, you mean interstellar travelers, then that's us," Dan Heng said, folding his arms.

"This is beyond my authority to judge. If what you say is true, only the Supreme Guardian can decide what to do." Jepard looked at Gu Tang and his group. "Next, I will take you to meet the Supreme Guardian."

"Great, not only can we enter the city, but we can also meet the big boss," March 7th said happily.

"But... we have to wait until the guards wake up first," Jepard said helplessly, looking at the guards lying on the ground.

The training is far from enough. When I return, everyone's training volume needs to be doubled, including my own.

He made a decision in his heart.

…

Despite numerous twists and turns, the group finally arrived at the last city on this planet—Belobog.

"It's not what I imagined..." March 7th widened her eyes.

She originally thought the city would only have chaotic shacks, ragged residents, and everything assembled from scrap iron, with everyone relying on a huge energy tower in the city's center, and the Supreme Guardian living at the top of the tower, sweating every day.

However, the city in front of March 7th—

Clear blue sky, tidy streets, and trams leisurely shuttling through the city.

Baroque-style buildings were orderly and looked exquisite and distinctive.

Citizens came and went, with children playing, girls holding bouquets, and elderly people resting on benches, all making the city look vibrant.

Bright, warm, with a touch of human presence—this was the feeling Belobog gave.

It was hard to imagine that such a city would appear on a planet covered in ice and snow.

"It's completely different from the outskirts. This is the City of Preservation—Belobog." Jepard's tone was filled with pride and a bit of sorrow. "Countless guards have given their lives to protect the peace you see."

"Why did Belobog become the last city?" Dan Heng asked.

Jepard cleared his throat and spoke in a serious tone, "Seven hundred years ago, monsters from the sky ignited the planet. The land turned into scorched earth, burning with lava and boiling smoke everywhere..."

He clenched his fist, his tone becoming more passionate, "At the brink of life and death, the cold wave suddenly descended—violent winds swept through without warning, burying the invading army in the snow, leaving only Belobog—"

"The steadfast city builders established this city. Under the protection of the Preservation Star God, Belobog remains warm despite the raging snow..."

Jepard ended his speech with a devout tone.

"The Preservation Star God Clipper..." Dan Heng muttered to himself.

"How long did you take to memorize this?" Gu Tang asked curiously.

"I'm not good at this, so I spent a week... Ahem! Anyway, follow me." Jepard awkwardly changed the subject, starting to walk and signaling the group to follow.

Jepard walked slowly, allowing the group to admire the scenery in the city, and March 7th took many photos.

Clearly, Jepard was a hero in the eyes of the local residents, and many people approached along the way.

"Jepard is so mighty... I want to become a strong Silvermane Guard like him!" a child exclaimed, bouncing around.

"What happened? Who are those people following the guard? Look at their outfits, so peculiar..." a curious citizen asked about Jepard's mission.

"Oh my, that man in the suit is so handsome, he must be a creation of the great Clipper," a passerby said, attracted by Gu Tang's face.

"They must be taken as star slaves to be sacrificed to the Supreme Guardian..." a citizen said, looking at Gu Tang with an expression of understanding.

Jepard memorized his face.

After a while, the group arrived at their destination.

"We're here. This is Qlipoth Fort, the heart of Belobog and the headquarters of the builders," Jepard said, looking at the building.

Gu Tang raised his head, gazing at the huge fortress in front.

Undoubtedly, this was the tallest building in the city, and inside, one could easily overlook the entire city.

The exterior looked like two giant gears meshing together, with cylindrical columns, pilasters, and stucco designs giving it a majestic appearance, seemingly containing centuries of unyielding will.

"Wow... If I could live in such a tall fortress, I wouldn't even close the windows when I bathe," March 7th sighed.

"Even before the cold wave, the builders insisted on building a city here despite the world's misunderstanding and ridicule. History has proven their choice to be correct," Jepard briefly introduced the history of Qlipoth Fort.

"So this must be where the Supreme Guardian you mentioned lives," Gu Tang said.

Jepard nodded, "Yes, the Supreme Guardian is the leader of Belobog appointed by the builders, guarding the city for generations and providing protection for the people. The current Guardian is Cocolia Rand, and all major decisions in the city are issued by her."

March 7th swallowed, "I thought it was just a big official, but it turns out it's the leader. Now I'm a bit nervous."

"You can still get nervous?" Dan Heng questioned.

Jepard continued, "I'll take you to see Guardian Cocolia now. You can prepare your speech. Her time is precious, so she prefers concise reports."

"Wait, so soon? Can I find a place to freshen up first?" March 7th touched her pink and white hair in a panic.

Stelle quickly took out a handkerchief and started wiping the dirty spots.

She was a woman who paid great attention to etiquette.

In no time, her baseball bat was polished to a shine.

"No need to feel restrained. The Guardian doesn't care about those formalities. Follow me."

...

The group entered a spacious hall.

Books and documents were piled up everywhere, along with numerous desks, clearly marking this as the administrative center of Belobog.

At the far end of the hall on a high platform was a massive desk, a metal armillary sphere, and behind the desk, a huge floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the entirety of Belobog.

That was the Guardian's office area.

Every Supreme Guardian had stood in front of this window, contemplating the city of Belobog.

"But such sacrifices are meaningless. You can't—"

Gu Tang and his group seemed to have arrived at the wrong time.

A young girl was arguing with the woman standing on the platform.