Chapter 65: The Moment of Encounter

"Hmm, the streets in the upper district are so big, and there are so many things I can’t even name. It feels like my eyes can’t take it all in..." Clara looked around in awe, while Svarog walked silently, maintaining his observant posture.

The crimson glow in the sky above was undoubtedly emanating from the Fragmentum seed. However, based on the plan the bard had previously explained, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

Svarog knew very well that the bard would inevitably break the stagnant status quo at this stage in some way, but he hadn’t calculated that it would be like this—

By applying pressure through a powerful external force, the bard would force the Supreme Guardian to make a choice. If she still held onto the belief in Preservation, she would naturally prove it through her subsequent actions.

Conversely, if she gave up and chose to embrace Destruction, it would also pave the way for the Architects to push forward the "Emergency Proxy Act."

Through this legal and reasonable process, Bronya’s ascension to the position of Supreme Guardian would become the only viable solution.

And the Wildfire, which the bard had high hopes for, surely wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

By making a name for themselves on this stage, they would no longer be the ignored part of the public.

Thus, the upper and lower districts could be reintegrated, and the wasted resources could be utilized more efficiently, allowing Belobog to regain its vitality.

But merely achieving this was meaningless.

As long as the Stellaron and the Fragmentum phenomenon existed, the cold wave would not recede, and monsters would continue to be born.

Belobog would still be under their threat.

Whether they took a twisted path or the right one, it would ultimately lead to destruction—

To change this dire situation, the bard would have to reveal his true power...

The power sung about in his ballads, capable of scattering snowstorms, splitting mountains, and carving out plains.

Only then could people seize a moment of respite and gain the right to choose their "future."

As they walked, observed, and occasionally answered Clara’s questions, the two passed through numerous abandoned pipelines and finally reached the edge of the inner city just before nightfall.

And there, they finally encountered living people.

It was a squad of Silvermane Guards, each bearing significant injuries.

The most severely injured among them had a moderate concussion, a shattered right arm, and numerous minor wounds. The fatal injury was a deep gash in his chest and abdomen, visible to the bone, from which blood was continuously pouring.

Without effective treatment, he was expected to die in seven minutes and thirty-six seconds.

When Svarog shared this assessment with Clara, the kind-hearted girl immediately pleaded, "Mr. Svarog, can we help them?"

"...I am not a medical model. I can only provide basic first aid to restore partial consciousness. If a doctor cannot be found within that time, the subject will die from blood loss in half an hour."

"Hmm! No matter how long it takes, at least let that Silvermane Guard hold on until he can reach a doctor."

Clara obediently climbed down from Svarog’s arm. His hand would soon transform into a special mechanical device.

Whether it was a hairdryer to blow Clara’s hair or a cutting machine that could turn large stones into tables and chairs, Svarog’s mechanical hand could transform into many things.

Surely, an emergency medical device was also within Mr. Svarog’s capabilities.

Svarog simply nodded.

"Understood. Altering action path. Current directive priority: Provide emergency medical assistance to the critically injured Silvermane Guard."

The moment Svarog’s towering steel frame appeared, it caught the attention of the Silvermane Guards.

They gathered together as if facing a great enemy, shielding the severely injured guard behind them, their weapons all aimed at Svarog.

The acting squad leader observed Svarog warily, his tone serious.

"—Automaton ahead, halt immediately! Tell us, what is your unit number?"

They had just fought a tough battle against Fragmentum mimic automatons and didn’t want to deal with another formidable opponent at this moment.

However, before the large robot could respond, a small girl hidden behind his massive frame peeked out and spoke in a timid voice.

"Um, Mr. Svarog is a good person. He won’t hurt you... Could you please not point your weapons at us?"

"Mr. Svarog? Is that his name? And why is there a child who hasn’t been evacuated..."

Visibly, the Silvermane Guards’ tense demeanor relaxed significantly.

The acting squad leader also lost some of his initial nervousness and began observing the pair, who exuded a father-daughter-like harmony.

He took the initiative to ask, "Are you two heading to the inner city for refuge?"

"Ah, yes! Mr. Silvermane Guard, Mr. Svarog and I are here to look for my sister."

"Looking for your sister... Did you get separated from your family? That’s unfortunate, but don’t worry. We’ll escort you to a safe shelter. I’m sure she’ll be waiting for you there."

"Th-thank you!"

It had to be said, Clara’s appearance was quite deceiving. Or perhaps, such a small and delicate girl naturally evoked a protective instinct in people.

This made the conversation, centered around her, proceed smoothly. Thanks to Clara’s natural affinity, Svarog successfully integrated into the group without being overly scrutinized.

However, when he approached the injured guard, the acting squad leader noticed and immediately asked, "Mr. Svarog, right? You don’t look like a medical model. Is there a problem with approaching the squad leader?"

"I will temporarily treat his wounds. Otherwise, his chance of survival is no higher than 0.21658%."

Svarog’s words spread among the Silvermane Guards. They exchanged glances, and the atmosphere grew heavy. The acting squad leader spoke gravely, "So, can you save him?"

"No. But I can delay the speed at which he dies from blood loss and shock—"

Svarog knelt down, his palm transforming into a medical device. Under the watchful eyes of the Silvermane Guards, he calmly administered emergency treatment.

The severely injured squad leader’s breathing became less labored, and the pained expression on his face gradually eased. However, this was only due to the painkillers taking effect and didn’t mean he was out of danger...

Thus, choosing a suitable evacuation location was crucial.

Led by the Silvermane Guard squad, they arrived at a large shelter relatively close to the outer part of the inner city.

During this time, Clara, who was barefoot, was repeatedly asked if she was cold. One guard even offered to take off his coat to wrap around her feet.

However, she politely declined each time, even shyly crossing her small feet and trying to hide behind Svarog.

In the end, she climbed back into Svarog’s arm, burying her face deeply, seemingly overwhelmed with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Svarog seemed to notice something and glanced around. A faint purple figure flashed through the shadows of a building.

"..."

Through scanning and comparison, it was undoubtedly a member of Wildfire, codenamed "Butterfly"—Seele.

Had Wildfire already begun their operation?