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...Are you planning to take us through this "Long Stairway to God" into Castle K?
So Sora glanced at Jeppard with a look that said, "Are you trying to intimidate us?"
"…Sorry, I was negligent. Please move to the cable car below."
Jeppard immediately understood what Sora meant.
Generally, when you enter Kburg by yourself, you pay attention to the sense of ceremony and formality of the process, but the same process should not be used for VIPs. Just take the cable car.
It’s a pity that the other party didn’t seem to have the idea of “measuring the history of Beloberg with their own feet”, nor did they want to accept the “welcome ceremony” prepared for them by Beloberg.
184. I'm so funny! Bronya!
Xiao Sanyue, who took off her helmet, wanted to return to the relaxed atmosphere, but she was sandwiched between Danheng and Haiya, with a expressionless man on the left and a "cold-blooded animal" on the right. Even if she wanted to open up and ask questions, she had to go past them before she could talk to Jeppard. In the end, she could only keep silent with a pouty face, listening to Jeppard's long speech as if it was a mystery.
"The current Great Guardian is Lady Cocolia Rand. Captain Lei, she usually likes us to give concise and straightforward reports, so I suggest that if you have any requests, you might as well tell her directly. She shouldn't make it difficult for you."
"... Cocolia?"
When Kong heard the name, his first reaction was that he had heard it wrong, but soon, thinking of the situation with Silver Wolf and Old Yang, he frowned slightly but just nodded: "I will pay attention to efficiency, Guard Officer Jeppard, thank you for your information - I think some of the information is beyond the scope of your authority to disclose, can you tell me the reason why you are so cooperative?"
"I have not tarnished my honor. Some of my words were relayed as a citizen of Beloberg. Captain Lei, the battle to counterattack the Rift was indeed very effective, but we cannot eradicate the influence of the Rift. This is a fact that both the Iron Guards and the residents are well aware of."
He paused:
"You can really eliminate these stubborn diseases, and my brothers will suffer fewer casualties."
The strange low pressure lasted until we got off the cable car and walked into the lobby of Königsberg.
Because Kong finally came out of his contemplation and observation, and Jeppard also ended his various explanations and melancholy based on quotations from classics.
Everything inside Fort K has a harmonious unity of architectural style with the decorations they saw on the streets, but its nature as a "fortress" cannot be ignored. Although the intricate pipelines and mechanisms are hidden by the walls, the large number of maintenance passages and energy supply devices make it look like a huge maze with a strong industrial style.
Inside the maze, the offices of various departments are distributed in a ring shape... Rather than a circular building structure, it is more like a pyramid. Many employees and senior executives have moved into the Kburg area to live, making the decoration style of the upper floors deviate from pure pragmatism and become a bit luxurious - even if this luxury is simplified.
As they walked along, Kong and Dan Heng both discovered that the city builders seemed to have determined in advance the political system necessary for the survival of Beloberg - it needed to be relatively centralized in order to concentrate its forces to fight the coming cold wave. The hierarchy upwards also subtly hinted at a clear class structure with the Great Guardian at the top.
But to be honest, the heavy combat tasks undertaken by the Iron Guard and the tension and struggle on the front line were not reflected inside Kburg. After arriving at the minister's office area, a subtle sense of idleness still made them frown.
"Sora, it seems that this place is not at a critical juncture of life and death as Sanbo said."
March frowned.
"No, this is just the result of solidification. Whether the people below live or die has little to do with them."
Kong did not make a grand speech. He just explained to Xiao Sanyue who was also listening with a slightly numb mind: "Do you remember what Sanbo said about the lower realm? Life there is a bit harder, and the upper realm is still divided into the central city and the Rift Erosion Zone... As for whether you want to fight for this difference... Do you want to be a sea ranger, Xiao Sanyue?"
Looking at the life of the upper class alone, although it is hard, it is far from being impossible to survive, otherwise the administrative district of Kburg would not have such a lax atmosphere. It seems that the key to what Sambo called "life and death" lies in the lower class.
"It's the same everywhere, but fortunately there is an opportunity right now to stimulate them to rejuvenate."
In front of the angular central overlooking point of the gear-shaped building, the door symbolizing Beloberg's supreme power was opened, and a burst of natural light that was uncomfortable to the eyes pierced everyone's eyes, making them realize that there was a place with such good lighting in the snow and fog.
The tall figure of the blonde woman was elongated by the religious window behind her, filling the room with an air of authority that made March sniff uncomfortably.
But she soon realized that the best way to fight authority is to become authority.
"Master Grand Guardian, four 'fleet visitors' have arrived."
"Well done, Jeppard. Bronya, you can go down with Jeppard. As you can see, I have guests to entertain."
The blonde woman at the top exuded an unquestionable majesty, and the silver-haired girl standing in front of her desk looked unwilling but ultimately had to bow to her "boss".
"Yes, Mother."
The moment she turned and left with Jeppard, her eyes swept towards Kong and his group. In an instant, her unwilling expression eased a lot, and a flame called "hope" was born.
She seemed to be expecting the train crew to do something, but all she could do was hope.
Kong only glanced at the girl as she left. Although his face remained serious, his heart was in turmoil.
Bronya? ? Identical to her in another world? ? They look so alike! Isn't this just a coincidence?
And that arrogant guy is actually... Cocolia?
This shock caused him to speak a little slower than the blonde beauty in front of him, but it actually strengthened his external "confidence and majesty" - the way he waited for the other party to take the initiative to talk to him, in Sanyue's eyes, he was so pretentious.
Is this the game of big shots? I need to learn it well——
"Captain Lei, I have heard from the messenger. You all came to Beloberg because the channel is blocked. Are you ready to help us clear the impact of the rift while processing the star core?"
As the door closed, a woman named Cocolia, who looked so well-maintained that she did not give the impression of a commander, slowly stepped down from her desk, which was a quarter of her body height higher than hers, and walked in front of the crowd.
Different from the first impression, she looked very gentle and charming when she smiled, her purple eyes curved downwards, which for a moment evoked some "unbearable" memories in Kong's mind.
It's a bit inaccurate to say that it was his unbearable memory, it should be said that it was Bronya's... Judging from the tangled and painful expression of the silver-haired girl when she left just now, no matter which world it is, the relationship between Bronya and her mother is hard to describe.
Kong naturally wouldn't post the feeling of déjà vu on the public screen to complain to everyone, but Cocolia's friendly gesture of taking the initiative to lower her attitude made Sanyue once again realize the benefits of taking advantage of others.
He couldn't help but reveal a somewhat smug smile on his face in response to the other person.
But Cocolia ignored her kindness and treated her as an entourage member, keeping her attention on Sora, waiting for his formal response.
185. Does Everyone Look Like Your Old Lover (4K)
"If you can solve the world rift once and for all and seal that... star core, we will definitely help you."
Perhaps some preconceived notions caused Kong to be wary of the woman in front of him, but after a few greetings and exchanges, he had to admit that the Great Guardian, Cocolia Rand, was a very sensible woman.
Sora didn't see any signs of what Zombo called "madness" in her - and if she had some kind of obsessive hatred for the Rift, which led to her radical command and mixed reviews among the people, then the enthusiasm and politeness she showed at this moment made sense.
A leader who is eager to solve the star's core disaster. Regardless of whether she is performing or not, this is the impression she gives to Sora.
Not only that, she also understands the most important aspects of the distribution of benefits and the power game:
"I should have immediately sent the Iron Guard to help you clean up the Rift and find the star core, but... I'm sorry, I still need some time to deal with... the problems in Klipperburg."
After expressing her trust and gratitude to the train crew, she then raised the difficulties on her side.
"There are many rumors in the fort about the aliens. After the red meteor was observed, some people were worried that you were here to invade Beloberg. Others were worried that if the rift and the cold wave faded at the same time, the existing system would be destroyed and they would lose their jobs."
Cocolia's tone was sincere and calm, but still carried a bit of the dignity of a superior: "Because I am eager to counterattack the Rift Realm, the losses caused have already displeased many families and ministers. These people have a deep influence in the Iron Guards, and your arrival has made them further panic. I need to integrate their opinions. Please give me some time, not too much, half a day is enough..."
As if she saw Sora frowning, fearing that the train crew would abandon Kburg and go it alone, she added, "As long as I am still the Great Guardian, the Silver Mane Iron Guard will always stand by our side. After resolving the noise, we can march into the depths of the Rift. The most elite garrison will lead the way for you, and it will also reduce the losses you may face..."
Good man, you’ve even played the sympathy card, is it that serious?
"Don't worry. The fleet's goal is always clear and will not affect the lives of civilians. If you need help in other areas, you can tell me now and I will report them one by one. Of course, the fleet does not plan to station troops here or help you control the city. It will set off immediately after solving the star core."
Kong still plays the role of a tough soldier with a powerful fleet behind him:
"Forgive my harsh words, but Yalilo VI is worthless to develop. This planet cannot even provide supplies for the fleet. Perhaps after you resume production, it can become a shipping node, but not now."
"You mean, are you willing to give me some time?"
Cocolia was not angered by Kong's seemingly arrogant words, but rather looked somewhat delighted.
"The mission deadline given by the fleet is very short. If you have not reached a consensus after 48 hours, we will go to the location of the star core to recover it after we complete the calibration and repairs. The airborne troops will land at the landing site provided before. You just need to make sure that the locals do not obstruct the operation."
"I see. Regarding the landing...does the fleet need to change the landing site?"
"That's not necessary. If the situation is really difficult, we will send warships directly into the atmosphere to fight. In fact, if we take over the sealing work, it can also reduce your losses. This is already a very favorable condition."
Kong said calmly:
"But considering that this is your hometown after all, you need a sense of participation. I am a rough man, and I can only say that the patience shown by the higher-ups this time is unprecedented in my life. It may be out of respect for the power of Clipper..."
The moment Krippo was mentioned, Kong suddenly felt that Cocolia's aura became somewhat unstable.
Did she seem proud of talking about her faith? But it didn't seem like it. Sora only felt that he had resonated with the other party, but it was not clear what condition had caused it and what type of resonance it was. The inexplicably familiar, flowing aura was not Aha, but another existence, and the system was unable to immediately identify its true identity.
"…We need to conduct some expanded investigations. During the waiting period, we may have to walk around the city or approach the blockade area. Lord Cocolia, I hope you can help us."
He continued to put forward his conditions calmly. Since the fleeting resonance could not be grasped, it could not be used as valid evidence to distinguish anything.
"Of course, no problem. You will have the highest access to Beloberg and can obtain evidence from any of our intelligence officers at any time."
After a series of operations that made Sanyue and Danheng's scalps tingle, Kong seemed to have successfully fooled Cocolia.
But within the psychic frequency band, Holhaiya sneered instead, without any joy at all for having just gained the initiative.
"This woman has bad intentions."
“How come you see?”
Not only was Sanyue full of doubts about Haiya's judgment, Danheng also didn't quite understand how Quetzalcoatl guessed that the other party was hiding something.
"...Please allow me to arrange for you to rest in the most luxurious Goethe Hotel in the city. By this time tomorrow, I promise that there will only be one voice in the castle."
Before Haiya could explain, the negotiations came to an end.
"I wish you success."
Kong did not make any more sarcastic remarks. He just nodded, accepted her kind arrangement, and then led the team to leave.
"Eh? Is that the end?"
March still seems a little unsatisfied - after all, it's a rare opportunity to be a big shot, instead of trying to fill my memory through fantasy.
"That's not the end of the matter. If you keep pretending, I'm going to have no job, okay?"
The space in the frequency band has returned to its previous random state:
"Let's go, Xiao Sanyue. On the way, let Haiya tell you the loopholes in her words. I may have overlooked something, but she heard it all."
"...The most dishonest thing about her is that she clearly holds the military and political power over the upper and lower districts, but she deliberately downplayed her power during the argument just now."
Haiya said bluntly: "She is stalling for time. But the purpose of stalling for time is not to unify the voices in her own area, but to test us. Maybe she wants to find a way to counter us and confirm whether the fleet exists. Or maybe... the worst case scenario is that she doesn't want the star core to be sealed for the time being. The one who is most afraid of losing her official hat is not the ministers, but her."
"……what."
March could only utter a series of meaningless onomatopeia, and her little head almost burned out on the spot.
"Speaking of this... Jeppard mentioned that the other party separated the upper and lower classes with a single decree and made them never interact with each other, and the terrible casualties of the Iron Guard... Her power is obviously quite concentrated."
Dan Heng also analyzed: "But no matter what... any leader with normal IQ should understand the difference between ruling a half-dead city and ruling a city that is constantly developing after clearing the rift..."
"No matter what tricks the other party has, it only takes one day. We can afford to wait. We can report the situation here to Ji Zi and wait for the other party to show weakness. Also, did you notice? She sent the girl away before our negotiation just now."
"What? Does he look like one of your old lovers?" Quetzalcoatl complained suddenly.
"Haiya... you have a really sharp intuition."
Sora admitted without any shame: "But the point is not whether she looks like me..."