"You have ten seconds to state your purpose, or else..."
Lycaon narrowed his eyes, his intimidating gaze sweeping across every person present.
Whether it was Billy, Nekomata, or even the usually composed Anby, they all felt the pressure pressing down like a mountain. Their bodies tensed, attention locked entirely on Lycaon, not daring to move an inch.
But then—
Clang!
A faint metallic sound echoed through the hall.
Anby and the others were startled, watching as a round metal saw blade rolled down from beside Lycaon, tumbling step by step down the stairs.
Clang~~~
Clang~~~
The saw blade rolled closer and closer. Billy, Nekomata, and Eous peeked out from behind Anby, blinking curiously as it finally lost momentum and spun in a lazy circle right in front of them.
Clang!
The saw blade came to rest at last.
The members of the Cunning Hares exchanged bewildered looks. The clattering metal had completely shattered the solemn, oppressive atmosphere. When they looked up again, they found Lycaon's expression oddly blank—he clearly hadn't expected that.
Still, this was Lycaon.
Years of gentlemanly composure had trained him to recover instantly. In a heartbeat, he regained his usual seriousness, clearing his throat twice to restore his aura of dignity.
"Ahem... everyone—"
"Ah~~~ ahh!"
Before he could continue, a flustered, sweet voice rang out from behind him—Little Corin's panicked cry, delicate and full of alarm.
Lycaon finally lost all pretense of composure. There was no salvaging the atmosphere now. He sighed, forcing his frustration down as he turned around with a muffled tone.
"I believe I've mentioned that weapon maintenance and floor dusting are mandatory daily tasks."
"Ahhh~~ I'm sorry, Mr. Lycaon!"
The scolded Little Corin didn't hesitate for even a second. She broke into a hurried little run, flustered and stumbling over her own feet.
Like a clumsy kitten, she set her chainsaw upright, let go to bow—only for it to topple immediately to one side.
She yelped, diving to catch it, hugging it tightly to her chest as if to restrain it, and bowed again together with it. Her soft voice trembled. "Really, I'm so sorry!"
Lycaon shook his head in disappointment. But then, thinking of the rest of Victoria Housekeeping, he realized Corin was far from his only concern.
Turning his gaze aside, he caught sight of Ellen hugging Phaga's coat by the staircase, her back turned as she did something… questionable.
This child...
Lycaon rubbed his temples and lowered his voice. "Ellen! Maintain your composure even during work hours."
Ellen froze the moment she heard her name, panic flashing across her face—had her secret been discovered?
Her cheeks flushed scarlet, her heart pounding as if she'd been caught in the act. She quickly pulled Phaga's coat away from her face and turned around nervously.
But to her relief, Lycaon was still far away.
At this distance, even an Eagle-X Thiren wouldn't be able to see what she'd been doing. Why had he suddenly called her out?
Thank goodness—no one had realized her relationship with Phaga.
Ellen patted her chest in relief, her embarrassment fading. Still, since the boss had called her name, pretending not to hear wasn't an option.
She walked over calmly, patting her cheeks to regain her composure. Carefully, she folded Phaga's coat, holding it neatly in both hands.
Only after tidying everything up did she put on a casual air, slipping a lollipop into her mouth as if she'd been eating candy all along.
Of course, Lycaon saw through it instantly.
He sighed again, the beginnings of a headache throbbing behind his eyes.
After being Ellen's guardian for so many years, how could he not know exactly what she was thinking? He was about to speak—but noticed the group below the stairs suddenly growing excited.
Nekomata pointed toward the timid Little Corin, her voice full of delight. "Little Corin! Is that you?"
"And Miss Shark—our partner from the day we took down Nineveh!"
Billy's eyes lit up in excitement as well. He waved enthusiastically when he saw Ellen.
Eous was equally thrilled.
The bell synchronized with it had long wanted to meet Victoria Housekeeping, but with how busy things had been—and no way to contact Phaga—it hadn't been possible.
Now, with Victoria Housekeeping right before them, excitement burst like a dam.
No, Eous had already jumped for joy.
"Good afternoon, Ellen! How's Phaga doing?" it called out cheerfully.
Ellen turned at the familiar voice, blinking in recognition. "Oh, it's you guys. Phaga's doing just fine."
Lycaon arched a brow, clearly surprised. "You know each other?"
"Mhm."
Ellen nodded slightly. "The legendary Proxy Phaethon... and the famous Cunning Hares."
"We've worked together before. A few days ago, when we entered Hollow Zero, they even helped me and Phaga."
"I see..."
Lycaon snapped his fingers. "Then stand down, Rina. Phaga."
Stand down?
What stand down?
Anby and the others froze in confusion.
Before they could react, a soft, velvety voice spoke right behind Anby.
"Yes~ sir~"
The tone was so smooth and pleasant that under normal circumstances it would have made anyone melt.
But not Anby.
The moment she heard it, she leapt backward, rolled once on the floor, and dropped to one knee, eyes locked on the stunning figure behind her.
A black-and-white maid uniform, flaxen hair cascading to her waist, and a flawless, gentle face. The dress split slightly at the side, revealing long, slender legs wrapped in white stockings.
Rina looked at Anby with a glint of approval, drifting gracefully back up the stairs. Midway, she smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Not bad, little girl. You almost caught me."
Rina's tone was light, but the two Bangboos, Drusilla and Anastella, were far less kind. As they helped pick up Corin's fallen saw blade, they chirped mockingly:
"Meaning you've got a long way to go!"
"A long way to go!"
"And also—watch your head."
"Look up! Look up!"
Head...?
Anby's reflexes kicked in instantly—she snapped her gaze upward.
Sure enough, a pair of wings came into view first, enveloping a descending figure. Just before reaching the ground, the wings spread wide, flapping hard as they rose toward the staircase.
Landing gracefully beside Ellen, Phaga folded his wings, then offered Eous and the others a polite smile.
"Greetings, Manager and everyone from the Cunning Hares!"
Only after Phaga's gentle greeting did the Cunning Hares crew finally recover from their astonishment at seeing Victoria Housekeeping in action.
Anby's gaze, however, was full of complicated emotion.
Two members of Victoria Housekeeping had remained hidden—yet she hadn't noticed either of them. Neither Rina, who had been tracking them the whole time, nor Phaga, who had been waiting above the ceiling.
Meanwhile, on the staircase above...
Ellen was helping Phaga put on his coat, straightening the collar with practiced care.
Rina and the two Bangboos were assisting Corin with reattaching her saw blade.
Everything moved in perfect harmony—efficient, natural, and flawlessly coordinated.
After a brief pause, Lycaon stepped forward. Placing a broad hand over his chest, he bowed slightly. His calm expression and composed posture exuded refinement.
"I apologize for my earlier hostility. Now, allow me to introduce ourselves."
"Lycaon, Rina, Phaga, Ellen... and Corin."
"We are—Victoria Housekeeping!"