The news quickly reached the Underworld. In Orion's shelter, he received a briefing from Natasha. The Supreme Guardian agreed to the terms: increased supplies and a limited lifting of the blockade, allowing special personnel to travel between the Overworld and Underworld.
Orion smiled. Everything was proceeding according to his plan. By leveraging information asymmetry, the Overworld's arrogance and disdain for the Underworld, and the military preparations already made by Wildfire a year ago, he successfully forced the Overworld to open the passage. Three times the amount of supplies was enough to significantly improve the living standards in the Underworld, solidifying Wildfire's foundation of rule. The opening of personnel movement, moreover, opened a path for him to the Overworld. He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the faintly visible silhouette of the Overworld in the distance. That was his true goal.
Not long after. The passage between the Overworld and the Underworld, after years of isolation, finally opened conditionally to a select group of people. Just as Orion expected, the rules set by the Cocolia government were incredibly strict, yet they left exploitable loopholes.
An official notice was posted on the bulletin board, with neat handwriting, but its content struck some Underworld residents as absurd. The notice read: "To improve the living conditions of orphaned children in the Underworld and promote harmony between the two districts, Overworld families may apply to adopt orphans under fourteen years old (exceptionally qualified individuals may extend to sixteen years old) from the Underworld, providing education and upbringing, to supplement Belobog's future pillars."
Orion looked at the words "future pillars" and only sneered inwardly. It was merely a different name for finding cheap future labor.
Another rule concerned the consumption privileges of the wealthy. "To promote economic prosperity, Underworld residents who can prove sufficient assets (specific amount to be determined by the Administrative District's Financial Department) may apply for short-term entry into designated commercial areas of the Overworld for consumption." This regulation was practically a dead letter for the generally impoverished Underworld.
Finally, there was a rule about Wildfire. "High-level representatives of the Wildfire organization may apply for temporary passes to enter specific areas of the Overworld for official duties, but may not remain in the Overworld for more than forty-eight hours, and are prohibited from carrying contraband."
Orion didn't much care for these restrictive rules. All he needed was a legitimate identity to enter the Overworld. Subsequently, he submitted an adoption application to Wildfire under the name of an orphan, "Orion." At thirteen years old, he perfectly met the application criteria. In the "Special Skills" section of the form, he casually wrote "None." He didn't expect any kind-hearted person in the Overworld to suddenly decide to adopt a half-grown street kid, nor did he need such pity. He needed a stepping stone.
That night, Orion came to Natasha's clinic. The clinic was brightly lit, and Natasha was organizing newly arrived medicines. She looked a bit tired, but more so, she exuded a sense of calm relief. Wildfire's victory also brought more stable supply of materials to her clinic.
"Natasha (Older Sister), I need your help," Orion's voice sounded from the doorway.
"Orion? So late, is something wrong?" Natasha was surprised to see Orion.
Orion didn't beat around the bush and said directly: "I want your parents in the Overworld to adopt me."
Natasha suddenly looked up, the medicine vials in her hand scattered on the ground, her face filled with shock. "What?"
"My parents... adopt you? Why?" She didn't understand. Given Orion's current invisible status in Wildfire, he could do anything he wanted, so why use this method? He could completely enter the Overworld through Wildfire as a high-level official, and although there was a time limit, it would be enough for him to handle many things.
Orion looked at her calmly: "I need a legitimate identity to go to the Overworld. That's all."
"Don't worry, I won't disturb their lives; I merely need a nominal guardian."
Natasha fell silent, her heart churning. "Orion, you've done so much for Wildfire, and you've helped me..."
"But my brother Svarog..."
"Once I get permission to go to the Overworld," Orion's expression didn't change in the slightest, "I will fulfill my promise and let you see him."
"Really?" Natasha's vision instantly blurred with tears, and a mix of complex emotions intertwined on her face. In all these years, this was the first time she had heard such a definite answer from Orion. She nodded vigorously: "Okay, I'll write to my parents."
"They... they will agree."
For her brother, she was willing to gamble one more time, placing her hope on this child.
The reply from the Overworld came faster than expected. After Natasha's parents received their daughter's earnestly worded letter, although they were full of doubts and confusion about this "adopted son" they had never met, out of deep affection for their daughter, and certain vague hints in the letter—regarding Orion's importance to the Underworld and to Wildfire, and the instruction, "If you help him, perhaps you can find brother Svarog, just obey"... they finally used some connections. The adoption procedures were quickly completed. A silver-gray card stamped with "Overworld Pass" and an official "Adoption Certificate" document were delivered to Orion.
The night he received the permit, Orion prepared to leave. Seele led a team today to a more distant Fragmentum Zone for a material scavenging mission; according to the plan, she would be gone all day and wouldn't return until tomorrow afternoon.
Orion stood in the center of the room, which was much better than he remembered it initially, and looked around. This was his first true "home" since he came to this world. He thought for a moment, then took a bulging cloth bag from under the bed. Inside were the Winter City coins he had accumulated through various "reasonable" means during this time, enough to support an ordinary Underworld family for a year. He gently placed the cloth bag at the head of Seele's bed, with a note pressed beside it. The note contained only a few words:
"I'm going to the Overworld. I'll bring you up later. I left the money for you, take care of yourself. — Orion."
He didn't want to say goodbye in person; he just felt there was no need to add to the sadness. Between him and Seele, too many words were no longer necessary. Moreover, this was not a permanent farewell. He would return to the Underworld again.
Early the next morning, Orion, carrying a small backpack, walked towards the passage leading to the Overworld. As he stepped out of the passage, the dazzling sunlight made him squint. Natasha's parents, a well-dressed, kind-looking middle-aged couple, met him at the passage entrance. They were typical Overworld middle-class, running a medium-sized shop.
"You must be Orion," Natasha's mother observed him, her tone gentle, "Natasha told us everything. From now on... live well in the Overworld."
Orion nodded politely: "Thank you."
They took Orion back to an apartment located on the edge of the Administrative District. The room was not large, but it was clean, tidy, and warmly furnished, far superior to anything in the Underworld. After symbolically arranging a small room for him, Natasha's father spoke:
"We know you have your own ideas. Natasha also told us that we won't interfere too much. Here is your identification and some pocket money. From now on, take care of yourself."
Orion thanked them again; he, of course, understood that this was nothing more than a transaction. He left this nominal home that same day.