"What an astonishing sight. According to the records, this planet was supposed to have been frozen solid for seven hundred years."
Having arrived on Jarilo-VI, Topaz gazed at the thriving ecosystem before her, deeply shaken.
She simply couldn't imagine that there existed a planet in the universe that had managed to restore itself without the assistance of the IPC.
Wasn't this world supposed to have been destroyed by the Antimatter Legion?
Filled with questions, she led her subordinates toward Belobog.
Along the way, they naturally collected samples of various native lifeforms unique to the planet.
Originally, this world's value hadn't been particularly high.
But now that it had regained vitality, its worth had far surpassed what it once was.
This time, Topaz's mission wasn't only about the old debt.
She also intended to uncover the secret behind the planet's revival.
If they could bring back a method for restoring planetary ecosystems, the IPC would gain an entirely new solution for future ecological restoration projects.
Compared to the flourishing wilderness outside, Belobog's appearance felt somewhat out of place.
It gave off a sense of contradiction.
At the city gates, a squad of Silvermane Guards was already waiting.
Leading them was naturally Gepard.
"Welcome, travelers from afar, to Belobog."
Although he had little experience formally receiving guests, Gepard still did his best to demonstrate Belobog's hospitality.
"You knew I was coming?"
Topaz looked at the welcoming party with visible surprise.
"We became aware of your presence long before you began monitoring Belobog."
As always, Gepard answered honestly.
It wasn't as though they possessed the capability to travel into space.
However, the power of the Stellaron remained extraordinary.
It allowed them to monitor the entire planet and even establish contact with those connected to the management system beyond it.
"Uh..."
Topaz felt a little awkward.
No matter how one looked at it, their actions seemed rather suspicious.
"The IPC established contact with Jarilo-VI long before the Stellaron crisis."
"It was only because of the Stellaron's outbreak that communication between the company and your world was severed."
Topaz carefully considered how to establish rapport with the man who appeared to be in charge.
She also wanted to explain the company's purpose—and its goodwill.
Especially regarding the debt.
Truth be told, for a world that had only recently recovered, the amount owed was impossible to repay.
That was why Topaz had already decided on an alternative solution.
She intended to transfer ownership rights of the planet itself to the IPC.
In exchange, the burden of repayment placed upon its people would be greatly reduced.
"Yes, I understand all that."
"However, since you represent an external power, please discuss these matters directly with our Governor."
Gepard glanced at the IPC employees standing behind her.
"And one more thing: Belobog's regulations prohibit unauthorized weapons from entering the city."
The rule existed to prevent unrest within the city walls.
In Belobog, only the military was permitted to openly carry weapons.
The IPC employees immediately looked displeased.
They had already worried that this isolated world might be full of desperate people.
Without weapons, how were they supposed to guarantee their own safety?
What if they were taken hostage?
"Director Topaz, I think these people have bad intentions."
One employee voiced his concern.
"Bad intentions, my foot!"
Topaz snapped back immediately.
She had come here intending to resolve matters peacefully.
Now one of her own employees was making accusations right in front of the other party.
Wasn't that just causing trouble?
Especially when she herself possessed considerable confidence in her own abilities.
With the power of the Topaz Stone, she was certain she could protect herself here.
"Please don't mind him."
"He's new. This is his first assignment under me."
Topaz offered Gepard an apologetic smile.
"I understand."
"However, if they cannot comply, they will have to remain outside the city."
"This policy exists for the safety of our citizens."
Gepard's gaze swept across the weapons carried by the IPC personnel.
There was no need to think deeply about it.
Their equipment was undoubtedly more advanced than anything the Silvermane Guards possessed.
After all, Belobog had been isolated from the wider universe for seven centuries.
"It's fine."
"Just me and Numby will meet your Governor."
Topaz was actually curious about the individual governing this world.
Presumably they must be someone extraordinary.
Moreover, faint though it was, she could sense a trace of the power of Preservation.
The people of this world truly were followers of Qlipoth.
That alone earned them a fair amount of goodwill from her.
People who believed in the Amber Lord couldn't be all bad.
"Numby is...?"
Gepard asked.
"My partner."
Topaz lifted Numby into her arms.
Gepard stared.
A pig?
Inside what had once been the Supreme Guardian's office—and was now the Governor's office—
Cocolia had already assumed an appropriate posture, waiting for the visitor from beyond the stars.
"G-Governor..."
"The guest has arrived."
Old habits nearly made Gepard address her as Supreme Guardian.
Fortunately, he caught himself in time.
"Very well."
"You may leave now, Gepard."
"I will personally speak with this visitor from beyond the sky."
Cocolia gestured for him to withdraw.
As someone who possessed the System, she was fully confident in her ability to resolve any situation.
"Understood."
Once Gepard departed, only three remained in the room:
Cocolia.
Topaz.
And Numby.
Two humans and a pig.
"Welcome to Jarilo-VI."
"My name is Cocolia, and I am this planet's administrator."
"I trust you've already witnessed the miracle that has occurred here?"
When speaking of her world, Cocolia's heart still swelled with pride.
At the very least, Su Ran had arrived during her administration.
No matter how many mistakes she had made in the past—
No matter how much destruction she had once brought—
The fact remained that this planet had regained life during her tenure.
Future history books would undoubtedly record her accomplishments.
That was precisely why she could feel so proud at this moment.
The true owner of Jarilo-VI, Su Ran, had acknowledged her and entrusted her with responsibility.
That was reality.
"Greetings, Lady Cocolia."
"My name is Topaz."
"I represent the Strategic Investment Department of the Interastral Peace Corporation."
"My visit concerns the future development of this planet."
Cocolia was confident.
But Topaz was no less confident herself.
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