NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5.Belobog
[Happy new year to all]
The Silvermane Guards stood frozen under Phanes' gaze. Dan Heng sighed, breaking the silence, and turned to address the soldiers. "Wait, before you make any mistakes—look, we are not his accomplices."
March quickly chimed in, trying to defuse the tension. "Yeah! We pulled him out of the snow out of kindness. Did you see how fast he ditched us? We had no idea he might've been using us to get past you!"
Suddenly, a blond man carrying a massive shield strode onto the scene, his authoritative voice cutting through the chaos. "What's going on here?"
One of the soldiers rushed to him and whispered an explanation. The man—Gepard—nodded solemnly and turned to face the group. "I am Captain Gepard of the Silvermane Guards. From what my soldiers tell me, I can only say this: I am not an adjudication panel. As citizens of Belobog, you have the right to defend yourselves, but such a process can only take place under the scrutiny of the Architects. For now... take them away!"
March's frustration boiled over. "But we're not from Belobog! Look at our clothes—they don't resemble yours at all!"
From the side, Stelle interjected calmly. "March, show him the picture."
Gepard's brow furrowed, further confused by what Stelle was suggesting. "Picture? What are you talking about?"
March and Elysia lit up at the same time. "Stelle, you're a genius! Great idea!"
March approached Gepard, pulling out her device. "You've probably never seen what your planet looks like from afar, right? Well, I took this one myself. Behold—Jarilo-VI!" She held up an image of a vast white planet, its icy surface shimmering against the backdrop of a starry sky.
The soldiers murmured in confusion. One of them stammered, "You mean to say that... this white ball... is our home? How is that even possible?"
Gepard stared at the image, his expression serious as he fell into deep thought. After a moment, he spoke. "It is said that long ago, strange visitors from beyond the sky would occasionally visit us here. But after the Eternal Freeze, the blizzards made such a passage impossible. Belobog ceased to witness such arrivals."
One of the soldiers began to protest. "But Captain, these people are—"
Gepard raised a hand to silence him. "This decision is beyond us. If what they say is true, then only the Supreme Guardian may decide their fate. Our job is to present them before her—nothing more."
He turned to the group. "Outsiders, follow me. Belobog lies just beyond this blizzard."
After walking for a while, Gepard turned to the group and gestured ahead. "Welcome to Belobog, the city of preservation."
Before them lay a breathtaking view—a snow-covered city nestled within the icy wilderness. Majestic architecture rose above the frost, its sturdy structures glowing faintly with warmth and life.
As they entered the city, Phanes observed the layers of destiny woven over Belobog. He could feel the protective energy blanketing the city, a reflection of the people's collective hope and resolve.
March stretched her arms and smiled. "Hey, it feels like it's gotten a bit warmer!"
Elysia, still clinging to Stelle's arm like a mischievous shadow, nodded. "Oh yeah, I can feel it now."
Stelle, visibly annoyed at Elysia's persistence, tried to wiggle free but ultimately gave up with a sigh. "Fine, I guess you're right…"
Gepard turned to the group, his expression solemn. "That's because you're now within Belobog, the last bastion of humanity."
March blinked in surprise. "The last bastion?"
Gepard nodded, stroking his chin as though recalling a well-rehearsed story. "Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the sky set the world ablaze. The land was reduced to scorched earth, with raging infernos and towers of smoke stretching beyond the horizon.
"In the midst of this conflict, the Eternal Freeze descended without warning. Sweeping winds carried blizzards that buried the invading legions. Only Belobog remained.
"The steadfast Architects built this city, and under the protection of Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation, Belobog has remained forever warm against the unrelenting cold."
Elysia's expression hardened at the mention of the monsters, her usual lighthearted demeanor giving way to a rare flash of anger as she remembered something from the past.
Meanwhile, March leaned closer to Dan Heng and whispered, "He sure is saying some weird stuff…"
Dan Heng's tone remained calm as he responded, "A marked change in tone—sounds like he's quoting from a historical record."
March nodded. "Uh-huh… but why is he telling us all of this?"
Gepard, overhearing their hushed conversation, turned toward them with a raised eyebrow. "You wanted to know."
March froze, her face flushing in embarrassment. Elysia covered her mouth as she giggled, while March joined in with an awkward laugh.
After walking through the city, their steps echoing against the European-style buildings, Gepard finally stopped.
"We've arrived," he announced, gesturing ahead.
In front of them stood an imposing fortress, its design intricate and regal. "This is Qlipoth Fort Creper, the heart of Belobog and the headquarters of the city's governance."
Gepard turned toward the group as they climbed the broad staircase leading to the fortress. "It is also the residence of the Supreme Guardian. The current Supreme Guardian is Lord Cocolia."
Elysia groaned as they continued ascending the seemingly endless steps. "Why does this fortress have so many stairs? Is this a test of endurance or something?"
March chuckled, but Gepard said nothing, his focus fixed on leading them.
Upon entering the grand office at the top, they found a silver-haired girl with long hair engaged in a heated argument with a stern-looking blonde woman.
"…But such sacrifices are meaningless! You can't—" the silver-haired girl began, her voice firm.
The blonde woman cut her off with a commanding tone. "You can stand down, Bronya. Our visitors have arrived."
Bronya turned, her expression unreadable, as she glanced briefly at the group before her. "Yes, Mother," she said coolly before stepping out of the room.
Elysia and March exchanged shocked glances at the mention of Bronya's name, but before they could react further, Phanes narrowed his eyes at the blonde woman and murmured softly to the group, "It's not her. Don't act suspicious."
Once Bronya had left, Gepard stepped forward to report. "Madam Guardian, I have brought you the outsiders as you requested."
Cocolia nodded, her piercing gaze shifting to the group. "The messengers informed me. Well done, Gepard. You may leave."
With a salute, Gepard turned and exited the room, leaving the group alone with Cocolia.
The Supreme Guardian's voice was calm yet authoritative as she addressed them. "Welcome, visitors from beyond the Eternal Freeze. Or perhaps, should I say, from beyond the sky?" She paused, letting her words sink in. "I am Cocolia Rand, Belobog's Supreme Guardian. I would be grateful if you could tell me why you have come."
Stella spoke and looking up at her. "So, you believe we come from beyond the sky?"
Cocolia's lips curled into a smug smile. "Do you wish me to doubt it? Or perhaps you are not confident in that identity yourself?" She chuckled softly. "No, I do not doubt it. It's clear to me that you are not of this world."
As the conversation continued, Phanes's eyes were drawn to the faint shimmering presence behind Cocolia—the spirit of the Stellaron. Intrigued, he began to reach out with his power, attempting to grasp it.
But before he could succeed, chains of destiny materialized around him, binding his arms, legs, and even his neck. The chains glowed with an ethereal energy, tightening with every passing moment.
No one in the room noticed anything unusual, except for Elysia, who instinctively glanced toward Phanes, sensing a shift in the air.
Normally, anyone caught in such chains would struggle, but Phanes remained still, his expression unreadable. He let go of the idea of capturing the Stellaron spirit—not out of fear of the chains or destiny itself, but because he recognized that it wasn't his fate to do so.
Instead, he turned his gaze to Stella, then back to the Stellaron spirit, which seemed oblivious to the danger it had narrowly avoided.
"Interesting," Phanes murmured to himself, his voice so low that no one else heard. "This world has chosen one… no, a beloved of fate and destiny itself. Fascinating."
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This chapter question is, Who said this."Kevin will your tears Freeze?."
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[ Continue.... Find out what happens next in the upcoming chapter!]