At the entrance to the tramway leading to the lower district, a Silvermane Guard was still on duty. Today, the Supreme Guardian of Belobog had been attacked, so as a Silvermane Guard, he was on high alert, scanning the surroundings with 200% vigilance.
At one point, he noticed something unusual—he saw a man and two women who had just been stopped by another group of guards approaching him.
The man leading the group had eyes that were bright and full of life. When he looked at the Silvermane Guard, it was as if he was admiring him, which made him instinctively stand up straighter.
As a soldier, what's the happiest moment? Of course, it's when you're recognized by others.
As Pei Guang got closer, the Silvermane Guard simply watched him without stepping forward to stop him. His job was to prevent ordinary people from entering the tram station. Although the tram occasionally operated, it was only used for transporting necessary supplies between the upper city and the Underworld. This action was strictly prohibited for people moving between the two districts, and violators would face severe punishment—so severe that anyone who heard about it would be punished on the spot too!
Pei Guang and the Silvermane Guard stood facing each other, locking eyes.
It was the first time the Silvermane Guard had seen such spirited eyes, filled with hope and dreams of the future. But as a soldier, even if he was admired, he couldn't be proud because they were protecting Belobog, the last refuge for humanity.
However, thinking about this made his heart ache. He missed his home. But when could he go back? Were his parents in Boulder Town still in good health?
While he was lost in thought, Pei Guang spoke, "I want to go to the lower district. Do you know how to get there?"
Looking at the man before him, the Silvermane Guard couldn't help but wonder why he wanted to go to the lower district. With the Fragmentum spreading, the city's destruction was imminent, whether above or below.
So why did he insist on going down there? Was it for his parents? His family? Or his children?
Thinking this, he realized it had been over ten years. How were the people down there doing? He misses them all so much!
The guard's thoughts were complicated, but as a qualified soldier, he was determined to carry out his orders: "Passage is forbidden here!"
Pei Guang asked, "From here? When can I go down today?"
The Silvermane Guard silently looked at Pei Guang, as well as Stelle and March 7th behind him. The handsome man and the beautiful, cute women looked like they lived well in the upper district, so why were they so determined to go down there?
Right, considering their age, they must have been very young when they left the lower district, right? The city center is already showing signs of the Fragmentum, so what must it be like down there? Maybe their home has also been consumed by the Fragmentum, and that's why they want to see their loved ones and friends one last time.
He, too, wanted to go back and see, but as a Silvermane Guard, he could only follow orders. Yet, seeing the determined expression of the man in front of him, he spoke up: "As long as I'm here, you won't be able to go in before midnight."
Pei Guang: "So I should come after midnight, right? Got it. Brother, do you have any tasks for me? Like delivering a letter or message? I can arrange it for you."
The guard stood motionless, his helmet covering his expression.
In his eyes, the man in front of him was a good person. He could only turn a blind eye and let Pei Guang enter and walk down the tracks, but that's all he could do.
However, he did indeed have a request for Pei Guang. He took out a letter from his chest pocket. With the Fragmentum spreading more and more, he had already prepared himself for death. He always carried the letter with him, hoping his comrades would remember him and deliver it to his family.
But the letter wasn't exactly a farewell note—it was more of a message to his family in the Underworld, telling them not to worry and that he was doing well. He just wanted to leave a final bit of hope for his family if he died someday.
Pei Guang took the letter and stored it in his inventory: "Alright, oh? From Boulder Town? Got it. By the way, I'm taking quests at Serval's Workshop. If anyone has something they need delivered, they can find me there. Or just leave the item in the vehicle with a note saying where it should go, and I'll take care of it."
The Silvermane Guard was astonished. He hadn't expected Pei Guang to not only think of himself but also consider everyone else. It made sense—people in the lower district with loved ones above would want to send messages. But if the train was used to transport people instead of just items, that would be a big deal: Pei Guang might be able to avoid punishment, but what about the rest of them?
With these thoughts, the guard warned him: "If you do this, there's no coming back."
Pei Guang responded: "If there's no coming back, then so be it."
At that moment, the guard saw a radiant light in Pei Guang, and his image grew larger in his eyes. Many Silvermane Guards had family or friends living in the lower district.
But the Supreme Guardian had issued an order, cutting off all contact between the Overworld and the Underworld. It's been more than a decade! The Silvermane Guards could motivate themselves with the thought of protecting the city and their families, but who wouldn't miss home? They wanted to send messages to their families, to tell them not to worry, and maybe sneak in some supplies too.
No one knew what the forbidden lower district had turned into. Sending some medicine, food, a letter—even completely reopening communication—was something many hoped for.
Unfortunately, they didn't have the chance.
The Silvermane Guard also hoped someone would help deliver messages. That's why he gave Pei Guang a hint. Seeing how quickly he understood and was willing to help everyone, he fell silent.
Sometimes, words aren't necessary between people: just a simple exchange of looks can confirm someone's resolve.
The Silvermane Guard scanned the area to ensure no one was watching or listening, then quietly spoke in a level of voice only the four of them could listen to: "The assassins who tried to kill the Supreme Guardian are still at large! Don't wander around tonight: if they take the tram to escape to the lower district, it'll be a big problem!"
Pei Guang: "I understand! We are the assassins!"
The Silvermane Guard was shocked—Pei Guang was even willing to take on such a crime? Looking at his determined and genuine expression, he spoke again: "Yes! Tonight, the assassins will use the tram to escape to the lower district!"
The Silvermane Guard didn't expect Pei Guang to be so clever, but since he was willing to go to such lengths, he couldn't let this brave man face the consequences alone. If the real assassins were caught and Pei Guang fulfilled his promise, he was willing to testify in his favor, proving that Pei Guang was innocent. How would he prove it? Just pin it on the real assassins.
At this moment, March 7th looked at the Silvermane Guard with wide eyes.
Honestly, Pei Guang had done many outrageous things, and she was already used to them. But this was beyond belief: to find a way down, he just asked the Silvermane Guard, and not only did the Silvermane Guard know the way, but he also helped them?!
She could understand helping them because of the "quest," but she couldn't understand why the Silvermane Guard would help them even after realizing they were the assassins who tried to kill the Supreme Guardian. That was beyond anything she had ever seen.
Pei Guang looked at the guard: "Don't worry! No matter what, we're the ones who assassinated the Supreme Guardian. I won't change my story, and I will kill Cocolia! By the way, at Serval's Workshop, before midnight, someone will always be there."
The Silvermane Guard was choked up. He hadn't expected Pei Guang to be so committed, even integrating himself into the story so quickly. He couldn't say much more, so he simply said, "Take care!"
Pei Guang: "Remember, when giving a quest, you must say 'I have a task.' We won't respond if you don't say it."
The guard understood Pei Guang's code: "Got it! We won't let anyone go until we're all down!"