Chapter 40: Let's Go Take a Look

“So,” Chen concluded, spreading his hands with an air of finality.

“The first step is simple.

We go to this promotional event and see for ourselves exactly what kind of person this Lord Bronya really is.”

He paused, a sly, calculating glint entering his eyes.

“And while we’re there…

we’ll see if there’s an opportunity to snag some extra benefits.”

His last sentence was deliberately vague, but the undisguised eagerness in his expression told the whole story.

“Got it!” March 7th was completely sold.

“Then what are we waiting for?

Let’s go see Lord Bronya!”

Dan Heng gave a silent, measured nod, signaling his agreement with the preliminary plan.

Qiong watched Chen, who had suddenly reignited with purpose and drive.

The silver-haired girl blinked once, then quietly fell into step behind him.

And so, the four of them wasted no time, leaving the inn and making their way toward the location of the event Dan Heng had scouted.

They moved with a brisk pace, heading for the central plaza of the Administrative District.

Chen walked at the head of the group, his mind already racing, plotting out the best way to engineer a ‘natural’ encounter with the young master of Belobog.

As he walked, he gave himself a quiet pep talk.

‘No problem, Chen, you can do this!’he thought, bolstering his own confidence.’You have the advantage of foresight, you’ve got reliable teammates, and you have your own personal ace in the hole!

Sure, the gender-swap situation in this world is a little…

extreme, but the main plot beats shouldn’t have strayed too far…

right?

Anyway, first things first.

Let’s get close enough to light up Lord Bronya’s icon!’

But as Chen and his companions hurried toward the plaza, preoccupied with their plans of observation and introduction, a very different scene was unfolding at the absolute peak of Belobog’s hierarchy.

Deep within the Qlipoth Fort, the city’s ultimate symbol of supreme authority, a heavy silence reigned.

The chamber was vast and cold, its thick stone walls lined with the imposing portraits of every past Supreme Guardian.

Behind a massive, ornate desk sat a middle-aged man.

His posture was ramrod straight, his golden hair pulled back into a carefully neat tie.

A few errant strands of silver threaded through the gold, stark evidence of the passage of time and the crushing weight of his responsibilities.

Though his face was etched deep with the weariness of long-standing worry, one could still see the faint echoes of the handsome man he had been in his youth.

This was Belobog’s highest legal authority, the Supreme Guardian—Mr.

Cocolia Rand.

Suddenly, a voice, not of the room but of the mind, slithered into the silence.

…I sense it…

the aura of a kindred spirit…

so distinct…

so…

tempting…

Cocolia’s body went rigid, a barely perceptible tension seizing his frame.

Intruders…

they carry…

a seed…

no…

something more…

special…

A vessel…

how delicious…

what delightful chaos…

The voice continued its insidious murmur, thick with a greedy, bottomless hunger.

Cocolia’s breathing grew just a fraction heavier.

He squeezed his eyes shut, as if trying to block out the sound, yet he was listening all the same.

Find her…

seize her…

no…

erase her!

Destroy her!

She must not be allowed to interfere…

The whispers sharpened, growing more urgent, laced with a malicious, compelling command.

They…

are in the city…

I can feel the resonance…

Go!

Cocolia!

Use your power!

Use your army!

Find those insects…

and crush them!

For Belobog…

for eternal…

Preservation?

Hahahaha…

For US!

The final words twisted into a peal of manic, unhinged laughter that echoed only within the confines of his skull.

Cocolia’s eyes snapped open, his expression momentarily twisting into something ferocious.

“…Issue the order,” his voice rang out, cold and sharp.

Instantly, a Silvermane Guard who had been standing as still as a statue took a half-step forward, offering a silent salute.

“Increase the city-wide alert level.

I want heightened scrutiny on all unfamiliar faces, effective immediately,” Cocolia commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.

“And notify Lord Bronya.

She is to report to me the moment today’s promotional event concludes.”

He paused, his gaze distant and cold.

“Also…

have the Intelligence Department deploy all personnel.

They are to monitor any and all reports of unidentified outsiders, whether in the Overworld or the Underworld.

Once they are located…

secure them immediately and report directly to me.

This is your highest priority.”

“Yes, sir!” the guard responded in a low, clipped tone.

His figure then melted back into the shadows, leaving the Supreme Guardian alone once more with the silence and the whispers.

[Elysian’s Note:

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