NOVEL NEXT Chapter 144: Chapter 139: The Heart of Belobog
"I'm Serval. Three outsiders came to Belobog yesterday, but they caused some trouble and were ordered captured by Cocolia this morning. They fled into the Fragmentum afterward."
Serval, one hand on her hip, recounted the events of the previous day and morning to Fu Lin.
"Cocolia..." Fu Lin exchanged a speechless look with Fu Shi, surprised to hear yet another familiar name, one that brought little joy.
Don't tell me the Cocolia of this world is also a lunatic.
Fu Shi leaned close to Fu Lin's ear and whispered, "Should we go find March 7th and the others?"
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"Forget about March 7th and the others for now. Someone doesn't seem to want to let us off the hook." Fu Lin glanced at the corner of his eye where a flash of red appeared and disappeared, speaking somewhat helplessly.
"Is it that guy named Sampo again?" Fu Shi was also frustrated. They had just arrived in this place and were already being pestered by someone they couldn't do anything about—especially since that guy was so good at running away.
"Looks like someone has their eyes on you, huh? How about we go to my mechanical workshop and have a good chat~"
"You can ask me anything you'd like to know," Serval said as she glanced around after listening to the two, then pointed toward the "Perpetual Motion" mechanical workshop in the distance.
...
"What kind of city is Belobog?" Fu Lin looked at the spinning gears everywhere and couldn't help but feel curious about this city standing amidst the snow and ice.
"Just as you see."
"Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the sky set the planet ablaze. The land at that time became scorched earth, filled with burning fires and endless smoke."
"In the face of life and death, a cold wave suddenly descended—the sweeping winds came without warning, the invading armies were buried in the storm, and only Belobog remained—"
"Stop! It sounds like you're reciting from a book. Just show me the book instead." Fu Lin interrupted, noticing that Serval's tone was noticeably different from before.
"Ahem! Blame my younger brother for leading me astray."
"Well, this is the book." Serval coughed awkwardly and then took a book from the shelf to hand to Fu Lin.
"'Preservation' Qlipoth... is that the headless colossus we saw in the Simulated Universe?"
"The City Architects..." Fu Lin muttered to himself as he touched his chin and looked at the content of the book.
"What about those heaters outside?" Fu Shi asked Serval, who was tinkering with some machinery.
"Those are geothermal heaters, the most common in Belobog. Don't underestimate their plain appearance—they're vital for people's survival."
"The blizzards outside are so fierce that without reliable heating systems, Belobog would have long since become a dead city," Serval explained after glancing up at Fu Shi.
Fu Lin handed the book back to Serval and asked, "Does Belobog have two layers?"
"The structure of Belobog is like two large discs connected together. The Upper Zone handles administration and trade, while the Lower Zone takes care of energy supply and resource extraction."
"Due to an order issued years ago, there hasn't been any interaction between the Upper and Lower Zones for a long time..." Serval sighed, dissatisfied with Cocolia's decision.
Fu Shi patted Fu Lin on the shoulder and said, "March 7th and the others are probably in the Lower Zone now. Let's head there too."
"So, you know those three from yesterday? Are you their friends?"
"If you want to go to the Lower Zone, it won't be easy. The rift area is guarded by the Silvermane Guards, and they won't let you in," Serval explained the current situation in Belobog as she looked at the two enthusiastic travelers.
"Those guys won't stop us," Fu Shi said with a grin, resting her hands behind her head and flashing her bright white teeth.
"I'd rather meet Cocolia. Maybe there'll be an unexpected surprise. Serval, do you have a way for me to meet her?" Fu Lin asked thoughtfully, turning to Serval.
"There is a way, but now's not a good time," Serval replied hesitantly, glancing at the two.
"Why's it inconvenient?" Fu Lin asked, puzzled by Serval's reluctance.
"Commander Bronya lost contact in the Fragmentum Rift. Cocolia's not in a good mood right now..." Serval explained, hoping to dissuade them from meeting Cocolia.
"..." Fu Lin's mind went blank. Another Bronya had appeared.
So every universe's Cocolia comes with a Bronya, huh?
"As long as I can meet Cocolia, it's fine. If worst comes to worst, we'll run into the rift ourselves. We won't do anything to her," Fu Lin waved his hand dismissively, leaving the rest for later.
"Alright, follow me then." Seeing their determination, Serval sighed helplessly and led Fu Lin and Fu Shi out of the mechanical workshop.
"This is Qlipoth Fort, the heart of Belobog and the headquarters of the City Architects."
"It's also where Supreme Guardian Cocolia resides." Serval looked at Fort Qlipoth, a trace of nostalgia flashing in her eyes.