Bronya stood at the doorway, every button of her Silvermane Guards officer uniform reflecting a cool metallic sheen, as straight as her back at that moment.
Her gaze pierced through everything, precisely locking onto the figure who was casually leaning on Oliver—Seele.
The young girl leaned against Oliver, her posture deliberately relaxed.
But the taut muscle lines beneath the soft fabric betrayed a completely different signal: alertness, like a thin blade hidden in its sheath.
When Seele's unique, textured eyes finally lifted to meet Bronya's gaze, Bronya clearly caught a fleeting cold scrutiny within them, like a cold current sweeping across her skin.
It wasn't mere unfamiliarity, but a kind of pre-set, almost instinctive rejection.
Bronya's heart sank slightly, but her expression showed not an inch of it.
She maintained her impeccable, dignified bearing as the acting Guardian of Belobog, walking steadily into the clinic. (As shown in the picture)
Her boot heels clicked on the floor, producing crisp and regular sounds, announcing her arrival.
"Lord Oliver, I'm here."
Bronya's voice rang out steadily, perfectly controlling her volume and sense of distance, clear to the ear without being overly abrupt, "The research institute is dispatching scientific researchers to be stationed here. I've arrived ahead of them to familiarize myself with the working environment."
Her gaze politely and briefly swept over Seele, as if passing over an item worthy of notice but requiring no extra attention, "And these two are?"
"I am the doctor here, Natasha." Natasha smiled, also possessing the cultivation of a noble, "I am also the de facto leader of the Fire-Melt Organization, currently managing the Lower District under Mr. Oliver's orders."
Bronya nodded at Natasha, indicating friendliness.
Then she fixed her gaze on Seele.
Today was her first time in the Lower District, but it felt as if some memory was sprouting in her mind.
Yet he couldn't recall it, as if a membrane was obstructing his memory.
Seele noticed Bronya staring at her silently.
She simply stared back at her, maintaining the silence.
She had never liked the Silvermane Guards, and even though the Upper and Lower Districts were now unified, Seele still disliked them.
After all, it was Oliver who liberated the Lower District, not the City builders or the Supreme Guardian.
Seele considered Oliver one of her own, but that didn't mean she accepted the rest of the Silvermane Guards.
The two women continued to stare at each other without speaking.
"She is Seele, my apprentice." Oliver broke the silence with a helpless smile.
As expected, Seele was only kind to those she accepted.
Her distrust of others led to her poor attitude.
"An apprentice?" Bronya's expression shifted slightly, surprised by the revelation.
However, she did not press for details; her noble upbringing reminded her to maintain decorum.
She would not interfere with Oliver's decisions.
This was perfect. Now that Oliver had an apprentice, he probably wouldn't leave Belobog so easily.
Thinking of this, Bronya felt a surge of gratitude toward Seele.
Seele was bewildered by the sudden look of gratitude Bronya cast her way.
Just moments ago, she looked as if I had stolen something from her. Why the sudden shift to friendliness?
"Tch, how boring."
Seele didn't want to cause trouble. She didn't press Bronya further, though they were certainly not friendly.
At least, in front of Oliver, Seele wouldn't actively start a confrontation.
Bronya continued to maintain her elegant composure.
But Oliver could tell that Bronya was actually feeling a bit uneasy.
After all, it was her first visit to the Lower District, and she would have to stay here for several days until the work of restarting the armory stabilized before she could leave.
Being alone and uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings always brought a sense of unknown anxiety.
Oliver placed his hand on top of Bronya's head, gently stroking her hair. He chuckled, "Your emotions are written all over your face. If you really can't adjust, I'll stay here with you for a few days."
It was also a good opportunity for him to look around and find a suitable location to build an elevator platform.
Developing and utilizing such a large underground district would be highly beneficial.
Hearing Oliver express such concern, Bronya instantly felt a warmth spread through her heart.
Her previous discomfort vanished completely.
She offered a sweet smile. "Mhm, thank you, Lord Oliver."
"Ugh~"
Seele saw the intimate interaction between the two, curled her lip involuntarily, and turned her head away
—out of sight, out of mind.
The best lodging in the Lower District was the Goethe Grand Hotel.
Thus, Oliver and Bronya checked into the Goethe Grand Hotel.
When the owner, Gothe, saw it was Oliver, she immediately refused payment and offered them the best rooms free of charge.
Their rooms were adjacent.
As for the facilities and environment inside the room
—Oliver could only describe them as average.
Compared to the presidential suite in Qlipoth Fort, it was certainly inferior.
The next day.
As soon as Oliver stepped out of his room, he saw Seele emerging from the adjacent room.
"Seele? What are you doing here?"
"I came to experience the hotel's services too, and just happened to get the room next to yours."
Seele's expression was earnest, as if it truly were a coincidence.
But how many coincidences could there be?
Immediately afterward, Bronya also emerged from her room.
Their rooms perfectly sandwiched Oliver's in the middle.
"Lord Oliver, good morning."
"Miss Seele, good morning."
Bronya greeted them with elegant composure.
Seele shot her a glance. "Mhm, you too."
"Master, are you hungry? Let's go get breakfast."
Seele reached out, grabbed Oliver's wrist, and pulled him toward the stairs.
Seeing this, Bronya's eyelid twitched, and she immediately followed suit.
The three of them sat at a round table.
Seele was on Oliver's left, and Bronya was on his right.
Two beautiful, high-value young women sandwiching Oliver
—this scene truly drove some onlookers mad with envy.
The surrounding guests frequently cast envious and jealous glances their way.
"I really want to learn the technique of being sandwiched between two beauties!"