Topaz joined the Silvermane Guards in their singing. The more she sang, the more she felt the struggles of the past—the hardships of Qlipoth.
The great Amber Lord had built walls to preserve the universe, yet ordinary lifeforms failed to understand, and even other Aeons mocked Him. But it didn't matter.
She, Topaz, was a dedicated employee of the Interastral Peace Corporation, and more than that—a devout believer in Qlipoth. She followed His path, ensuring that more worlds could survive.
At that moment, Topaz unconsciously puffed out her chest, feeling like this was not just any song, but rather a battle hymn for Qlipoth.
But the fact that singing could somehow make her "see" Qlipoth…
She really had no words to describe it.
At the same time, she realized just how terrifying Pei Guang was. Somehow, this man was doing "Harmonious" things while making people believe in Qlipoth?
As the wailing chorus finally died down, Gepard gave Topaz a thumbs up.
"As expected of an Interastral Peace Corporation employee—truly extraordinary."
Extraordinary?
For Gepard, this meant she could sing along with him and not flinch, even when he sang horribly.
But in Topaz's ears, it sounded completely different. She interpreted it as praise for her unwavering faith.
Hearing Gepard's compliment, Topaz responded softly:
"This is what every employee should strive for… For the great Qlipoth…"
Gepard nodded.
"Yes! For the great Qlipoth!"
Even though they were clearly talking about different things, that didn't stop both of them from sincerely praising Qlipoth.
After sharing a solemn moment of reverence, Gepard glanced at the setting sun and spoke.
"Let's hurry into the city. It'll be dark soon."
"Mm." Topaz nodded.
Gepard led the group into Belobog.
As for the remaining Silvermane Guards? Well, the moment he left, someone fearless started it up again.
However, this time, only the resting guards joined in: those on duty remained focused on their watch.
For them, this song was not just for morale—it actually improved their combat performance.
Yes, tests had been conducted!
The difference in battle effectiveness before and after singing was remarkable.
No one knew why, but they all believed—
"It must be the great Qlipoth's blessing."
As Topaz followed Gepard into the city, she felt her blood boiling with excitement. Not just because of the atmosphere, but also because of the pure, undiluted energy of Preservation that radiated throughout Belobog.
This made her value this planet even more.
However, just as she stepped past the city gates, something caught her eye: a pristine, spotless garbage can stood near the entrance.
She instinctively looked at it.
And in that moment—
She felt like it was smiling at her.
"Wait… A garbage can… smiling???"
Topaz immediately rubbed her eyes and took a closer look.
After staring at it for a while, she finally snapped back to reality.
It was just her imagination.
"Am I just too tired?"
Topaz let out a breath of relief. But the moment she glanced back at that pristine garbage can, it expressed its dissatisfaction toward her.
NO! Not just toward her, but to everyone around it!
It was just a regular garbage can, yet these people refused to throw trash inside it. This blatant disregard wounded its dignity.
The garbage can looked down upon Topaz and Numby. NO! It equally looked down on all who failed to throw trash inside it.
"Uh?"
Not just Topaz, even Numby let out a confused "Hmm?"
Topaz: "Numby, I'm not seeing things, am I?"
Numby: "Hmph!!!"
Seeing the two in their confused state, Gepard stepped in with an introduction.
"Oh? Miss Topaz, you have a keen eye. What you see before you is the pride of Belobog—a garbage can once used by the Trailblazers! And this particular garbage can was coveted by them on their very first day in Belobog. Many stories have unfolded around this garbage can."
"Huh?????"
Topaz was utterly bewildered.
She had traveled to countless worlds and knew garbage cans were nothing special. Sure, some planets had perfect waste management systems that eliminated the need for garbage cans altogether.
But at the end of the day, a garbage can was just a place to throw trash.
Yet here, the Trailblazers were "coveting" garbage cans? And there were stories about them?
And judging by Gepard's expression, these stories seemed rather profound.
"…Haha… I'd love to hear more…"
The universe was vast, and strange things happened all the time. But being judged by a garbage can, and then listening to its life story?
Topaz truly had no words.
Hearing Topaz's request, Gepard's tone shifted. His voice grew deeper, like he was narrating a documentary.
"This is a legendary tale of the Trailblazers in Belobog. A garbage can from Belobog, offering unimaginable support to our heroes: a planet-destroying Star Destroyer ship, a Light Cone personally gifted by the Aeon of Destruction, countless Path materials…
The gifts from Belobog's garbage cans helped the Trailblazers and the Supreme Guardian save this planet!"
At first, Topaz listened casually. After all, documentary narrations often sounded like this. But as she kept listening…
She felt something was off.
Especially when Gepard continued:
"Just days ago, under Trailblazer Pei Guang's guidance, the Amber Lord took notice of the garbage can. The Amber Lord praised its actions and bestowed it with immense power. Its growth has even empowered other garbage cans in Belobog!"
At this point, Topaz had no words left.
"Are you saying… the garbage can got a divine blessing???"
Only Preservation Emanators and a select few knew about a certain garbage can's ascension to the Path of Preservation.
Someone like Topaz had no way of knowing.
Which was why, when she heard this, she found it incomprehensible.
But for some reason, despite how absurd it sounded…
She stepped closer to the garbage can: it was black as night, its interior completely unreadable.
As Topaz approached, the garbage can crossed its nonexistent arms. Its dignity dictated that it must always be open to accept trash.
But alas—Topaz did not throw anything inside.
This deeply displeased the garbage can. It longed for the past—for the days when the Trailblazer would dive inside it.
Such perfect, massive garbage…
It doubted it would ever encounter such a treasure again.
Topaz, however, was unaware of the garbage can's sorrow.
She activated her scanner, analyzing its imaginary energy signature. And what she saw shocked her to the core.
What the hell?!
The imaginary energy within the garbage can was purer than most believers of Preservation she had ever seen.
It was…
People… losing to a garbage can????
That was the only thought that surfaced in Topaz's mind.
Seeing her baffled expression, Gepard continued:
"These garbage cans have some remarkable uses, actually.
After testing them, our Architects found that placing these garbage cans within buildings significantly strengthened their structures.
As the Trailblazers put it—
'Any structure can be reinforced.'
Perhaps it's the garbage cans' protective nature, but I feel like even Belobog's walls have become sturdier."
Topaz, still reeling from shock, pulled out more advanced instruments to verify his claim.
"…It's true."
She confirmed.
"The buildings near the garbage cans are clearly more durable than regular structures. These garbage cans… really do fortify buildings… and…"
Topaz didn't stop there.
She ordered Numby to bring materials, then had her employees quickly construct a small test wall near the garbage can.
The moment the wall was placed beside the garbage can, something changed.
The garbage can was pleased. For it, having a wall behind it meant people could dispose of trash more conveniently—
This upheld its dignity.
The garbage can basked in newfound respect.
Meanwhile, Topaz examined her scanner's readings…
And her entire expression froze. Because according to the data—
Not just Belobog's buildings, but even the small makeshift wall had been strengthened. The reinforcement value wasn't massive, but it was consistent across all structures.
At this point, Topaz had lost count of how many times she had been stunned today.
Her mind was in turmoil, because, according to Interastral Peace Corporation regulations, any discovery that could enhance construction materials must immediately be reported.
And if anyone—besides the highest-ranking executives—failed to report it…
They would be fired!
And the higher the employee's rank… the harsher the punishment.
Topaz had arrived at an unbelievable conclusion, and the moment she reached it, she took a deep breath. She looked at Gepard. "Could you wait a moment? I may need to return to my ship."
"No problem."
Gepard nodded. He had a good guess about what Topaz wanted to do, but… it didn't really matter. If the company truly wanted them, selling a few trash cans wouldn't be a big deal.
Based on current tests, both old and new trash cans had the same effect. If the company liked them, that would be a good thing—after all, Belobog's development still relied on corporate trade channels.
After this, Topaz returned to her ship.