"Hmm? It seems someone has already beaten us to the Mechanical Settlement..."
On a mountain peak at the outskirts, Yun Fan and his group of Trailblazers were gazing at the interior of the Mechanical Settlement not far away.
At the center of the settlement, the sight of Svarog kneeling in a dormant state and the tightly bound Seele not far from him made Yun Fan raise an eyebrow slightly. It seemed... he had caught a whiff of something amusing.
"Someone got here before us? Who could it be?" Hearing this, March 7th, who had been taking scenic photos with her camera, paused and pondered for a moment before offering her thoughts.
"Hmm?" Yun Fan gave March 7th a surprised look, then remarked with a hint of admiration under her puzzled gaze, "I didn't expect you to actually use idioms. That's quite a surprise."
"Wah! You—! You're really looking down on me, aren't you?!"
Little March immediately bristled, her face flushing with embarrassment and indignation as she "forcefully" pounded Yun Fan a few times with her fists to vent her frustration. To outsiders, however, it seemed more like she was acting coquettish. At the very least, that was what Topaz—who was silently hugging her little Warp Trotter behind the group—thought.
Watching their interaction, the sharp-eyed Topaz rolled her eyes and then deliberately spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, "Hehe, Master and Mistress really do have a great relationship. What an enviable pair of divine lovers~"
"M-Mistress?!" The moment Topaz's words reached March 7th's ears, her already overloaded little brain short-circuited completely. Mistress, mistress, mistress...
The word "Mistress" echoed endlessly in her mind, causing her female hormones to surge and her face to turn bright red. She stole a glance at Yun Fan and, seeing that he only looked slightly surprised without any intention of refuting it, her heart swelled with even more sweetness. Even Topaz, whom she had previously regarded with some hostility, now seemed much more likable.
Noticing March 7th's reaction, Topaz's lips curled into a faint smirk. March 7th was an innocent girl, and Topaz had long noticed her feelings for Yun Fan. By giving them a little push, not only could she earn March 7th's favor, but she could also help the two grow closer.
Just imagine—if Yun Fan got tangled up with March 7th, would he still have time to summon her for... nightly duties? Even if he did have such thoughts, wouldn't he have to consider March 7th's feelings first? That way, her chastity would remain intact, right?
Topaz's scheme didn't escape Yun Fan's notice, but he chose not to comment.
"Heh, Topaz, you're still too naive." Yun Fan shook his head inwardly. Logically and morally speaking, Topaz's plan was quite clever and highly adaptable.
But...
"If I have no morals, how effective can your plan really be?" With that thought, Yun Fan flashed a gentle smile at Topaz, who couldn't help but shiver. For some reason, despite the warmth of his smile, she felt an inexplicable chill.
——————————
Some time later...
"What?! Seele got captured by that hunk of scrap metal?! No way—I have to save her!"
"Luka, don't act recklessly." Oleg grabbed Luka's arm and yanked him back, stopping his impulsive actions.
"But, Master—!"
"No 'buts'!" Oleg barked sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"...Fine." Luka gritted his teeth in frustration, his mechanical prosthetic hand clenching audibly, betraying the turmoil in his heart.
"Sigh." Oleg could only sigh helplessly. Whether for the Wildfire or for himself personally, Seele was an irreplaceable member. Now that she had been captured by Svarog, his anxiety was no less than Luka's.
However, as the public leader of Wildfire (and its de facto second-in-command), he couldn't afford to act on emotion. If he let emotion override reason, it could spell disaster for Wildfire.
"So... does Leader Natasha have a plan?"
"Natasha has gone to seek help."
"Seek help? You mean...?" Luka was momentarily stunned before a certain unrestrained figure flashed through his mind.
——————————
In Boulder Town...
Bronya, Lynx, and their temporary bodyguard—the cold dragon young—walked down the shabby streets.
Unlike the orderly prosperity of the Overworld, Boulder Town, the economic backbone of the Underworld, was a scene of utter chaos. As they continued forward, the clamor of shouts, brawls, and curses echoed in Bronya's ears. The air was thick with the stench of decay, rot, and dampness, assaulting the senses of the two Overworld noblewomen and making them wrinkle their noses in discomfort.
"Is this the true face of the Underworld? Why... why would Mother lie to me?" Bronya felt her worldview crumbling. For the first time, the noble image of Cocolia in her heart was shaken.
She couldn't understand. The people of the Underworld were clearly suffering, living in hunger and tattered clothes—so why had Mother lied to her, claiming that all Underworld residents lived prosperous and peaceful lives?
"Lady Bronya..." Lynx gently grasped Bronya's hand, her voice full of concern as she looked at the once-heroic leader of the Silvermane Guards.
"I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. Let's return to the hotel." Bronya shook her head slightly, her voice weary. At this moment, she felt lost—even beginning to doubt the duties of the Silvermane Guards and the mission of the Supreme Guardian. She needed time, time to sort through her thoughts.
"Mhm." Lynx quickly nodded before turning to Dan Heng. "Thank you, Mr. Dan Heng."
"No need for thanks. A promise must be kept." Dan Heng acknowledged her gratitude with a slight nod. Since he had accepted Yun Fan's request, he would never abandon it halfway.
"Thank you, Mr. Dan Heng."