At the very heart of Belobog lay its Administrative District.
And standing before them now was the towering fortress that served as the city's ruling core—
Qlipoth Fort.
For generations, every Supreme Guardian had worked within these walls,
deciding the fate of the entire planet.
As for matters concerning the Underworld,
Bronya had been waiting here for a long time.
As the current commander of the Silvermane Guards, she had already been entrusted by the Supreme Guardian with full military authority—
a form of early preparation for the day she would inherit the mantle herself.
Before long, Gepard escorted Evan and Seele to the fortress entrance.
"Commander Bronya," Gepard reported.
"The individuals the Supreme Guardian requested have arrived."
Standing outside Qlipoth Fort, Bronya turned around.
Her expression was stern as she stepped forward.
Her gaze brushed past Evan—
then locked firmly onto Seele.
Seele didn't back down in the slightest.
She shifted to the side, meeting Bronya's eyes head-on.
The two stared at each other in silence.
For a long time.
Neither willing to look away.
"…Excuse me," Evan finally said, breaking the tension.
"Shouldn't we go inside, Commander Bronya?"
Facing this familiar-looking girl, Evan felt no sense of strangeness at all.
Bronya of Belobog was, in a way, an alternate version of another Bronya from a different world.
By the same logic, Silver Wolf, the Stellaron Hunter, also belonged to that same lineage.
Veteran faces of the Honkai universe—one and all.
Bronya withdrew her gaze from Seele and spoke bluntly.
"You two are the rebels rumored to be planning the overthrow of the Supreme Guardian?"
"And the ones responsible for planting one hundred thousand bombs throughout Belobog?"
"…?"
Wait.
Something was very wrong with this script.
Since when did their plan get exposed?
And where did one hundred thousand bombs come from?!
Evan instantly knew the answer.
Sparkle.
It had to be her.
Seele's face nearly turned purple with rage.
After everything that happened at the Mechanical Settlement, she already knew exactly who was behind these so-called "bombs."
That lunatic from the Elation faction.
She was about to explode—
When Evan stepped forward, positioning himself between Seele and Bronya.
"…I can see how there's been a misunderstanding," he said calmly.
"Allow me to explain."
Standing there felt a bit like being the unwanted third wheel between childhood friends.
But unlike Seele, this Bronya had been taken away by Cocolia at a very young age.
Most memories of the Underworld orphanage had long been sealed away.
Evan gave a concise explanation of their purpose.
He omitted anything about rebellion or treasure hunting.
Instead, he focused on one key point:
A woman named Sparkle was playing a massive prank on Belobog.
They had seventy-two hours.
Once time ran out—
Belobog would be blown sky-high.
Bronya's expression changed instantly.
She immediately ordered Gepard and the guards into action.
"You're saying… those bombs are real?"
"That they could destroy all of Belobog?"
Her voice wavered despite herself.
After all, Belobog was under the protection of Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation.
Even the Antimatter Legion had failed to breach it.
Bombs alone shouldn't—
"She's a Masked Fool of the Elation faction," Evan said helplessly.
"I don't know what she's truly capable of."
"And she doesn't always have a bottom line."
Before he could finish—
That familiar, teasing voice echoed in all three of their ears at once.
"Ah~ ah~ ah~"
"Black-haired boy, that's such a hurtful description~"
"How could you talk about me like that?"
"Isn't watching a city explode also a kind of grand joy?"
"Oh, right~"
"You only have sixty hours left now~"
The sound of light footsteps echoed.
A tiny golden fish swam lazily around them, whispering in their ears—
then vanished.
Elsewhere in the Upper City…
Bare feet tapped lightly against the ground.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Then—
Plop.
A girl tumbled straight into a trash bin, smiling happily as she looked at passing vehicles.
"Is there anyone kind enough to help little Sparkle~?"
"Just pull me out…"
Moments later, the girl turned into a Sparkle-shaped doll,
muffled laughter echoing from inside the bin.
...
"See?" Evan sighed.
"I told you this has nothing to do with us."
Bronya fell silent.
Anxiety crept across her face.
After forcing a strained smile, she finally nodded.
"I understand."
"Come. I'll take you to see the Supreme Guardian."
"I'll have the Guards handle the bomb situation."
The Administrative District.
Qlipoth Fort.
The moment Evan stepped inside,
a powerful sense of discomfort washed over him.
As the chaotic sensations faded,
a figure soon appeared before his eyes.
The Supreme Guardian of Belobog—
Cocolia.
And beside her—
Hidden within a veil of mist—
A silver treasure chest,
quietly waving at him.
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