---o---
Looking at the text on the screen, Ron was momentarily confused, unable to grasp what was happening.
"What's going on... How did the elite guards from Qlipoth Fort end up surrounding the 'Perpetual Motion' Mechanical House?"
Ron frowned and muttered to himself. These Silvermane Guards, bearing the crest of Qlipoth Fort, were just like he used to be—elites directly under the Fort's command and extremely powerful.
Despite how Ron acted now—playing the part of a slacker who lived for clocking out when he was a guard at Qlipoth Fort—he had been among the best of his generation of Silvermane Guards, a master who could place in the top three in army-wide military exercises.
Although this group of elite guards certainly weren't all masters on his level—after all, he himself had become a Silvermane Lieutenant directly under the Fort's command, leading a team of guards...
Still, the guards now surrounding the workshop were the best of the best. Some of them had even touched the threshold of becoming Pathstriders. In a place like Belobog, they were the absolute definition of powerhouse.
And this group of guards, directly subordinate to Qlipoth Fort, couldn't have been mobilized by Captain Gepard. Only the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, had that authority...
"Could it be that Cocolia, displeased with her former best friend, suddenly had a murderous impulse and decided to get rid of Serval completely? Sending these guards to arrest her and bring her to Belobog's supreme court for a proper trial for her past crimes?"
But that shouldn't be it... According to the original game's plot, Cocolia couldn't care less about Serval at this point.
She was completely preoccupied with how to lead all of Belobog into a "new world." In theory, the current Cocolia had no real interest in Serval...
In the original story, even when Cocolia transformed into a Fragmentum creature and led monsters to besiege the Underworld, her words to Serval were simply, "There is no place for you in the new world."
Cocolia and Serval were once the closest of friends. How could she now have the time or energy to specifically deal with her?
Completely bewildered, Ron could only tap the light screen and let the simulation continue to see what on earth this group of guards wanted...
The text on the screen faded, and a new scene emerged:
Dozens of Silvermane Guards were lined up neatly in front of the "Perpetual Motion" Mechanical House. A sharply dressed Silvermane Lieutenant with a stern expression stepped forward, raised his hand, and knocked on the workshop's door.
His thick armor clanked against the wooden door, producing a dull thud.
The door was pushed open within seconds. Serval, muttering to herself, swung it open.
"Little brother? You're back so suddenly and didn't even tell your sister..."
But as she opened the door, she saw the guards surrounding her entire workshop, the impeccably dressed lieutenant standing before her, and the very conspicuous Qlipoth Fort crest on their chests...
The look of surprise on Serval's face vanished, quickly replaced by vigilance and indifference.
She stood in the doorway, her body pressed against the frame, and looked at the group of guards warily.
"I thought my brother had suddenly returned from the front lines... I didn't expect the elites of Qlipoth Fort."
"This little workshop doesn't usually welcome such distinguished guests. So, speak. What new instructions has Co... no, the 'Supreme Guardian' sent?"
Faced with Serval's indifference and vigilance, the unnamed Silvermane Lieutenant stood ramrod straight and gave her a very serious salute.
"Greetings. We have come on the Supreme Guardian's order... A few days ago, the designer who completed the 'Automaton Lightweighting' design for the Silvermane Guards was Serval Landau... That's you, correct?"
Hearing the lieutenant's words, Serval was slightly taken aback. After her falling out with Cocolia, she had always felt that Cocolia had become incredibly cold.
Back then, she was driven out of the City-Builders and the Silvermane Guards. The excuse Cocolia used was that she was conducting forbidden research, disregarding the lives of the people—extremely serious crimes to strip Serval of her status.
Although Cocolia had done nothing further after that, even Serval herself knew that Cocolia had every right to continue holding her accountable...
Now, seeing the guards from Qlipoth Fort lined up outside her workshop, she had thought Cocolia wanted to settle old scores after so many years. She never expected them to ask about a blueprint...
Serval was a little confused, but because she was facing guards from the Fort, her response became cold and hard, a hint of resentment woven into her words.
"That's right, that design is indeed mine... Why? Does our respected Supreme Guardian now consider a simple design draft for the Silvermane Guards, one that was in no way out of line, to be forbidden research?"
But in the face of Serval's bitterness, the lieutenant showed no reaction. Instead, he gently shook his head and said politely:
"How could it be forbidden research? This design is pure genius. The lightweighted automaton has provided a great deal of support to the entire frontline army since its creation. You have made a great contribution this time. You may have the opportunity to return to the ranks of the City-Builders and once again become the chief engineer of the Silvermane Guards..."
As he spoke, his words suddenly shifted.
"But that is not what I came here to ask... The Supreme Guardian sent me and the others here for another matter entirely."
He took out a copy of Serval's design, gently pointing to an extremely exquisite module on it and the signature beside it.
"I was wondering, who is this 'Ron' who provided you with the 'anti-gravity module' design, and where can he be found?"
"The Supreme Guardian is very interested in him and hopes that he can join the Belobog Academy of Sciences and contribute his wisdom at the forefront of science."
The image on the screen faded away, and new text emerged:
[Faced with the Silvermane Guard's questions, Serval was momentarily shocked.]
[The Belobog Academy of Sciences was where she had once dedicated her life. When she was the chief engineer of the Silvermane Guards and a City-Builder, she worked as a researcher at the Academy, at the forefront of science.]
[Back then, when she was studying the Fragmentum, she chose to research the Stellaron, which was why she was opposed by Cocolia and expelled from the City-Builders and the Silvermane Guards...]
[At that time, the Belobog Academy of Sciences was also closed by Cocolia due to its involvement with her. Most of the remaining researchers could only contribute their knowledge at Belobog University. Many even lost their research and fell silent for years.]
[But now, Cocolia is preparing to reopen the Belobog Academy of Sciences. This incident might represent a change in attitude, that she no longer cares about the past and has decided to invest in scientific research once more.]
[Or does she finally think that studying the Stellaron is no longer taboo and requires people to contribute their wisdom to the Academy?]
[Faced with these questions, Serval is unsure.]
[But she knew that no matter what, the choice should be left to Ron himself.]
[So she told the guards from Qlipoth Fort that she didn't really know where you were, and that she could only relay their message to you the next time she saw you.]
[Although the guards were clearly not satisfied with Serval's answer, because she insisted she didn't know your whereabouts, they had to give up. They hoped Serval would pass on the message, telling you that the Supreme Guardian wished for you to go to Qlipoth Fort within three days. She hoped to have a good talk with a scholar like you who stood at the forefront of science.]
[A long time after the guards left, you dared to cautiously step out from the shadows of the adjacent alley.]
[You knocked on the door of the "Perpetual Motion" Mechanical House. Serval opened the door and, seeing it was you, immediately dragged you inside and shut the door like a thief...]
The text on the screen faded, and a new scene appeared:
"You've really hit the big time, Ron!"
Serval closed the workshop door and threw two heavy locks. After confirming the place was now as secure as a fortress, she dragged Ron to a corner and whispered:
"A group of guards from Qlipoth Fort came today and said Cocolia was looking for you..."
Ron smiled wryly and shook his head, interrupting her.
"No need to tell me... I saw."
Ron said, somewhat helplessly, "Actually, I got here early today... I saw the guards blocking the door, so I hid in the alley next door and only dared to come out after they left..."
Hearing this, Serval was a little stunned but quickly accepted the situation.
"So that's why... I was wondering how you, who's always earlier than the boss, could have arrived so coincidentally right after they left..."
Serval muttered, quickly putting the matter behind her and looking at Ron seriously.
"As much as I want to ask why you didn't come out and face them with me, that doesn't matter. Now is not the time for that..."
She said, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.
"What matters is... Ron, do you want to go to the Belobog Academy of Sciences?"
The image on the light screen faded away, and new text emerged:
[Serval tells you about the Belobog Academy of Sciences, the highest academic institution in Belobog. It once housed a vast amount of research that influenced Belobog's future, supporting it through many crises that could have destroyed the city.]
[Although it was shut down by Cocolia because of the incident with Serval, now that Cocolia wants you to join, it is naturally with the intention of restarting the Academy...]
[She leaves this choice to you—will you follow the Supreme Guardian's guidance and join the Belobog Academy of Sciences, or will you give up this choice and continue to do the research you want to do as her assistant in the poor conditions of the "Perpetual Motion" Mechanical House?]
[No one can make this choice for you. Only you can decide—]
The text on the light screen faded, and options appeared:
[1. Join the Belobog Academy of Sciences.
You think that the restart of the Belobog Academy of Sciences is a sign that Cocolia has seen the error of her ways. Perhaps she is now gradually realizing the problems with the Stellaron and has decided to restart the once-taboo research.
Knowing that this research is the key to saving Belobog, you decide to agree to Cocolia's request to join the Belobog Academy of Sciences.
You will travel to Qlipoth Fort in three days to meet the Supreme Guardian of Belobog—Cocolia Rand.]
[2. Refuse to join the Belobog Academy of Sciences.
You think there is no point in restarting the Belobog Academy of Sciences. Cocolia has been bewitched by the Stellaron, and no one can say what is going on in her mind right now.
You are not prepared to take the risk of placing yourself under Cocolia's command and putting yourself in such a dangerous situation.
You will forgo the journey to Qlipoth Fort, not meet the Supreme Guardian, and continue to live peacefully as Serval's assistant.]
Looking at the two options, Ron stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.
"I didn't expect there to be only two opposing options... I guess this choice is the first major divergence in this simulation."
"These two choices look likely to lead to different endings. I must choose carefully..."
The difference between the two options was quite obvious. Although it was framed as whether to join the Academy, it was really about whether to trust Supreme Guardian Cocolia.
While Cocolia had performed quite well in the last simulation, not betraying them in the final moments and doing her best for the Jarilo-VI Second Empire, that was not a normal situation.
Although Ron didn't know the reason for Cocolia's initial behavior back then, the reason she acted so normally afterward was that he and Natasha had made their Vow and obtained the "Panacea" duo-trait.
Under the effect of "Panacea," the Stellaron cannot influence people's hearts. As the best chosen by the City-Builders in all of Belobog, a Cocolia free from the Stellaron's deception would naturally have no issues...
And, there was a little catch between these two options.
If he chose to join the Academy, he would have to make contact with Cocolia.
And Cocolia was definitely one of the key figures in Sampo's script. If Ron made contact with her and Sampo noticed him, this simulation would end up just like the last one...
For the sake of safety, he could only choose option 2...
Ron pondered for a long time, but finally chose option 2 and gave up on joining the Belobog Academy of Sciences.
The option box on the light screen faded away, and a new note appeared:
[You know that joining the Belobog Academy of Sciences is just a gamble, and you decide not to join.]
[Upon hearing your choice, Serval said nothing. Although she harbored some unrealistic fantasies about the Academy, she did not interfere with your choice.]
[You continue today's mechanical research as Serval's assistant. Time flies by...]
[To avoid being spotted by the Silvermane Guards who were once looking for you, you decide to go to the workshop only once a week, spending most of your time in your old apartment conducting research and learning new cutting-edge technologies.]
[Your concealment seems to be very effective. Although the guards once set a three-day deadline, not only did nothing happen after three days, but an entire month has passed in a hurry. You have not been found by the guards and are completely safe...]
[As a result, you have let down your guard a little, making more trips to the "Perpetual Motion" Mechanical House and devoting yourself more diligently to your studies, trying to upgrade your [Anti-Gravity Module] design.]
[With your efforts, you created two new designs—[Anti-Gravity Module · Gravel Form] and [Anti-Gravity Module · Giant Rock Form].]
[They are applied to tiny and large designs respectively, and you have lit up a new link in the anti-gravity module's tech tree.]
[After a long period of peaceful living, just when you thought you would live out your days so quietly, your door is knocked upon...]
The text on the screen faded away, and a new scene emerged:
Late at night, Ron was sitting in front of his dining table, surrounded by scattered balls of crumpled paper. Spread across the table was a sheet of white paper covered in intricate lines.
He held a pen in his hand, hesitating for a long time, the tip poking at the paper. Finally, he sighed, crumpled the paper into a ball, and threw it aside...
The new design had troubled him for a long time, and he had hit a bottleneck.
"Let's take a break and try again..."
Just as he was about to rest, a sudden, light knock came from outside his door.
Ron glanced at the dark night outside, wondering who would come to his door at this hour.
He opened the door with some caution and looked out—
Belobog's Supreme Guardian was standing quietly outside his door, watching him.
"Such impressive counter-surveillance. You really made me work to find you, Ron..."
Cocolia looked at Ron's stunned expression with a teasing smile on her face.
"Why so surprised to see me? Didn't I say I wanted to meet you?"
"And... won't you invite me in for a moment, Captain of my Guard?"