Hearing this, Stelle questioned, "Aren't you going to question who we are?"
Cocolia let out a light chuckle, as if she had heard some kind of joke, and laced her words with sarcasm:
"Did you really expect me to doubt you? Are you that lacking in confidence about the identities you claim? No, I don't doubt you. I can tell you're not from this world." Shifting the tone of the conversation, she launched into a lengthy speech much like Gepard's.
"The Architects must keep history alive in their hearts to stay resolute. I know that in the distant past, before the Eternal Freeze descended, before the Legion invaded, this world was incomparably prosperous... The Aeons connected us to other worlds, and we learned of countless possibilities in the vast galaxy, hearing tales of Qlipoth the Amber Lord. Under His gaze, we began to build our walls."
"So, there's no need to be surprised. Although the Architects haven't received any news from the stars for seven hundred years, I am well aware of your existence. State your purpose; I'm listening."
"We want to Trailblaze this planet," Stelle said coolly, dropping a line Cocolia most likely couldn't comprehend.
"...Who on earth would understand that?" March 7th chimed in with a deadpan remark.
The reliable Dan Heng followed up: "We've come here for something called a 'Stellaron'."
Upon hearing the word "Stellaron," Cocolia's gaze flickered slightly. She remained silent, instead casting a look toward Shen Wan at the side, as if saying it was his turn.
Shen Wan had been standing by watching the show, but noticing Cocolia's glance, he delivered his thoughts right on cue: "As far as I know, Jarilo-VI used to be an interstellar civilization as well, but due to the invasion of the Antimatter Legion and the disaster of the Eternal Freeze, it turned into what it is now."
"As for me, I happen to be rather philanthropic, so my purpose here is to help you return to the stars after the three of them assist you in resolving the Stellaron crisis."
Without commenting on Shen Wan's words, Cocolia turned her gaze back to the trio: "Can you tell me more about the Stellaron?"
"It's a substance that suddenly descends upon various worlds, and its appearance spells disaster. Many planets we've passed through have suffered from its poison," Dan Heng replied before raising a question of his own.
"You mentioned the invasion of the Antimatter Legion just now; shortly after their arrival, the Eternal Freeze struck this planet. May I ask if any space erosion phenomena have occurred?"
"You mean the Fragmentum, is that it?" Cocolia asked.
Dan Heng nodded.
"...That's right." Sensing something was amiss, Cocolia gave an affirmative answer.
Stelle began to show off the knowledge about Stellarons and the Fragmentum she had just learned on her phone from Welt Yang and Himeko.
"The Aeon of Destruction scattered the Stellarons. The Eternal Freeze is a disaster created by the Stellaron, and the Fragmentum is also a phenomenon caused by it."
March 7th added, "The disasters the Stellaron wreaks are different on every planet, but every world infected by a Stellaron will give birth to a Fragmentum."
"You can think of us as warm-hearted interstellar travelers who specialize in lending a hand to worlds plagued by Stellarons!"
Cocolia first acknowledged their statement: "You've analyzed the current situation quite clearly. That's right, we have indeed encountered these disasters, and some of them remain a headache for us to this day..." Then her tone shifted, "But what does that have to do with you all?"
"Even if there really is such a 'Stellaron'... it brought disaster, but I still see no connection to you. I don't believe anyone would go to such great lengths to help a world that has nothing to do with them, and with no ulterior motives."
Seeing that their negotiation failed to win Cocolia's approval, Dan Heng had no choice but to reveal a direct reason: "You're right about that. The ultimate reason we've come seeking cooperation is that our goals align—if we don't seal this Stellaron, we won't be able to leave this planet either."
Stelle also chimed in, "Please help us find the Stellaron."
March 7th added, "Once we take down the Stellaron, your world will become much safer too."
Cocolia looked somewhat swayed: "You... have a way to seal that thing called a 'Stellaron'?"
Seeing an opening, Dan Heng immediately took over: "We have the means to do so."
Hearing this, Cocolia gave a thoroughly bureaucratic response: "Very well, I believe you. If the current situation is truly connected to this so-called Stellaron, your arrival is the hope Belobog has awaited for seven hundred years. I am willing to provide all possible assistance to help you find the Stellaron."
Cocolia continued, "It's getting late, and you must all be tired. I'll arrange for you to stay at the most comfortable hotel in the city to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow at noon, I'll send someone to invite you so we can properly discuss this matter."
At this moment, hoping for a pleasant shopping and "Trailblazing" trip, Stelle spoke up, "We want to look around."
"No problem. You are honored guests of Belobog and hold the highest clearance," Cocolia agreed readily, then began to see them out. "I also need some time to investigate all records that might be related to the 'Stellaron'... I won't see you out."
As she watched everyone leave, the voice of the Stellaron sounded in Cocolia's ear once again: "These are all false accusations against me! I am here to destroy this old world and create a perfect new world without pain or hunger. You must find a way to kill them, especially that guy named Shen Wan." The tone carried intense anxiety.
"...Of course I know they're framing you. Don't worry, I have a plan. Now, what's the deal with that Shen Wan?" Gently stroking her right hand, which had already been eroded by the Stellaron, Cocolia asked offhandedly.
"I don't know. I only know that the Imaginary Energy intensity around him is very high." The Stellaron fell silent for a moment before replying.
Cocolia said nothing more. Her eyes flickered, ultimately hardening into resolve.
Meanwhile, the group had just stepped out of Qlipoth Fort when they ran into Gepard keeping watch outside. After some pleasantries, Gepard recommended a few spots to visit: the Golden Theater, the History Museum (access requires a permit), the highly symbolic Everwinter Monument, and the Neverwinter Workshop, which occasionally hosted open-air performances. Finally, he gave everyone a warning: when checking into the Goethe Grand Hotel, it's best to bypass the alley next to it guarded by the Silvermane Guards, as Fragmentum erosion has already broken out there.
Bidding farewell to Gepard, who was rushing back to his post, the group arrived at a quiet alley right beside Qlipoth Fort.
Shen Wan spoke up first: "I didn't expect Stelle's brain to turn so fast, applying for the right to look around from the Supreme Guardian before leaving Qlipoth Fort. That way, we can openly go out and gather some intel." Hearing this, Dan Heng's gaze flickered slightly.
"Huh? I didn't think that much. I just felt like since we're in a new place, I wanted to go look around," Stelle said, scratching her head in embarrassment.
"I knew it! There's no way Stelle's brain works faster than mine," March 7th said with a deadpan expression, delivering a blow that shattered Stelle's composure.
And then the two girls, whose combined IQ barely cleared zero, started bickering all over again.