Seeing her personal glamour shots posted on the wall, March 7th felt her mood lift considerably.
"That's better. Let's go."
With Leon scouting the way using his special perception, the four perfectly avoided patrolling Guards and reached the Machine Shop's entrance.
No "closed" sign hung on the door, so Leon pushed it open.
"Welcome to the Machine Shop. Here to repair equipment or…?"
Serval didn't look up, still tinkering with something in her hands.
Stelle lowered her voice. "Boss, we're here to deliver… warmth—er, a package. Please sign for it."
March 7th shot her an exasperated glance.
Serval: "What package? Who sent it?"
Stelle: "Sent from Qlipoth Fort, by the Silvermane Guard Commander."
"…What?!" Serval's hands froze, and she looked up for the first time.
Seeing four figures wrapped tightly, only their eyes visible, shock spread across her face.
Four delivery people?
And not even in work uniforms…
"Where's the package Bronya sent me?"
Leon didn't disguise his voice, speaking softly. "The package is sensitive and significant. Your Machine Shop…"
Hearing a somewhat familiar voice, Serval snapped to attention.
These… they weren't delivery people at all.
"Wait a sec."
Serval set down her tools and quickly walked to the door.
The Trailblaze trio exchanged glances, staying on guard.
They were ready—if Serval made a move or called for help, they'd act.
Fortunately, Bronya hadn't misjudged her.
Serval only locked the door.
Still uneasy, she pulled out a soundproof panel to seal it further.
After that, she turned to them with an odd look.
"Why's it you three? Daring to wander the city now—aren't you afraid of running into the Guards?"
Leon: "We have reasons we had to come. It's safe to talk here, right?"
Serval: "Relax. This Machine Shop's soundproofing is solid, and business is slow anyway."
"But what did you do? The Guards recalled a batch from the front lines, patrolling the whole city for you. It's got everyone on edge."
Leon, with an intriguing tone: "Ms. Serval, it seems you've got more to say."
"Huh? Oh, I get it."
Serval blinked, catching the subtext, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm willing to talk to you despite knowing so little about you, and without even confirming if Bronya sent anything."
"Isn't that enough to show where I stand? You're dangerous wanted criminals right now."
Leon: "Better safe than sorry. Don't mind our caution."
Serval waved it off, unbothered.
"You're bold enough to come here with Guards patrolling everywhere. I respect your careful thinking—relax."
"I don't get along with Cocolia. She personally kicked me out of the Architects. I'm not on her side."
"Besides, while I don't know you, I know Cocolia's tactics well."
"Slapping up wanted posters with charges but no evidence from the Architects to justify them?"
"Accuse first, evidence later. Without proof, I don't believe you did anything wrong."
"She didn't just pull that on me—she's done it to plenty of others. I'm too familiar with it."
"Keep people busy, strung out, and distracted, so no one questions the details or holes in the story."
Stelle tested: "And you? Figured out anything?"
"What could I figure out? Cocolia and the Architects do what they want—I don't care."
Serval shrugged casually.
"My time's too precious to waste on that."
"I'd rather write a few songs, play the guitar, or bang the drums for fun."
"Whoops, got off track. I've said my piece—do you trust me now?"
Stelle mused: "Honest and straightforward. I think… probably, maybe, sorta… we can trust her. What do you say, Leon?"
Dodging the question, Serval got the hint.
As the saying goes, when out in the world, listen to the seasoned one's advice.
Clearly, this man was the most calculated of the group.
It matched her first impression of him.
"I'm not much, but my gut's decent. It tells me that, despite only meeting once, you're not bad people."
She looked at Leon.
Seeing her gaze, Leon knew where this was going and cut to the chase.
He handed over Bronya's handwritten letter, methodically recounting the major events in the underground.
"That's the gist. This is Ms. Seele, a key member of Wildfire."
Seele nodded. "Believe it or not, I can vouch that Leon hasn't said a single lie."
"Believe? Why wouldn't I?"
Serval finished reading the letter and slowly closed it.
The handwriting was genuine, the narrative style authentic, and it contained a code only insiders would know.
With three layers of proof, it was nearly impossible to fake.
"The underground's been sealed for years, with no one coming up. I never imagined it was that rough."
"No wonder Bronya sent you to me. She learned in the underground about one of the Architects' research division's projects."
"That's studying the Stellaron."
Stelle: "You were part of the research division?"
"Yup, and my focus was the Stellaron. Bet you didn't expect that. Never thought I'd hear that word again after being kicked out of the Architects."
A complex smile flickered across Serval's face.
Leon: "How much do you know about the Stellaron?"
"Not a ton, but not nothing either."
Serval sighed deeply, recalling events from years ago, and began to explain.
"The Stellaron is Belobog's top secret. Few know it even exists."
"Even those aware of it don't connect it to the Fragmentum or the eternal frost—myself included."
"Before I was kicked out of the Architects, I hadn't touched the truth."
"Turns out, our predecessors had already uncovered everything, but hid the findings, never to see daylight."
"Curiosity kills the cat. Out of all the research topics, I picked the Stellaron."
"Now it seems anyone trying to touch the Stellaron's truth gets dealt with."
The three offworlders sitting before her were prime examples.
"Maybe I should thank Cocolia for old times' sake. She only kicked me out, not… permanently."
March 7th couldn't help but interrupt. "Permanently how?"
Stelle slid her hand across March 7th's neck, the edge grazing lightly.
"Okay, I get it…"
March 7th shivered.
She couldn't help but think—thank goodness it was Bronya sent to catch them.
Anyone else might've gone for the kill on sight.