"Miss Bronya, my family is hosting a party this weekend, and I'd like to invite you to attend... I wonder if you would grace us with your presence?" The tall boy spoke with a certain sense of superiority, "After all, my father has a deep friendship with the Supreme Guardian. As her descendants, shouldn't we also foster our relationship?"
Bronya shook her head slightly: "Thank you, but I'm not interested."
The boy clearly hadn't expected to be rejected, and his expression turned ugly: "Miss Bronya, with all due respect, although you are the Supreme Guardian's daughter, you shouldn't treat the friendship of Belobog's nobility with such disdain."
The classroom instantly fell silent, the air congealing into ice. Orion closed his book, his gaze lingering on the section in the history textbook describing "After the City-Building Era." It happened to mention the anecdote of Belobog's nobles nearly causing the city's downfall due to their arrogance at the end of the City-Builder era.
"The fifth volume of the 'City-Builder Chronicles' states, 'Arrogant nobles are Belobog's most fatal enemy, more terrifying than the Fragmentum monsters.'" Orion said calmly, "Don't you know that hundreds of years ago, the fifth Supreme Guardian already abolished the power of the nobles?"
"So, compared to the Supreme Guardian and her successor... you are at most outdated nobles, almost like decorations; it's as easy for them to crush you as to crush an ant."
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of laughter erupted in the classroom. The boy's face flushed red, and he turned to Orion: "You guy from the Underworld, how dare you—"
"Enough." Bronya interrupted coldly, "I'm not interested in the party. Please leave."
The tall boy clenched his fists, but ultimately left dejectedly. At this moment, everyone was unaware that the next day, the boy suffered an accident and was hospitalized, never returning to the academy.
After the classroom returned to calm, Orion continued to read his book. But he felt Bronya's gaze linger on him for a few seconds.
When school ended that day, Orion packed his bag, preparing to leave. Bronya hesitated for a moment, then walked over to him: "That quote was very clever."
Orion looked up, "What?"
Bronya shook her head: "Nothing. I just wanted to say... thank you."
"No need to thank me. Oh, by the way, I found a valuable reference book about the City-Builder era. I'll bring it for you to see tomorrow." Orion followed up smoothly.
Bronya nodded in agreement and turned to leave. After walking a few steps, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upward slightly, revealing a smile she herself hadn't noticed.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed. Orion and Bronya's relationship progressed from complete strangers to ordinary deskmates who could discuss schoolwork, but it was limited to that. Apart from academic exchanges, Bronya's attitude towards him hadn't changed much; they weren't even friends. Orion knew that to truly touch this "iceberg," more time was needed.
During this month, besides studying at the academy, Orion also made progress on another matter. Information about the Overworld was not difficult to obtain; as long as there were enough Winter City coins, many messages could be bought. Through some channels, Orion contacted a well-known underground intelligence dealer in the Overworld, known as "Uncle Cold Legs." He never asked about the client's background, only cared about money.
After paying a considerable sum of Winter City coins, "Uncle Cold Legs" sent a piece of information. Near an abandoned outpost in the suburban snowfield, there was indeed a madman. The man was in rags, muttering nonsense, but occasionally he would take out some strange potions and exchange them with the Silvermane Guards stationed there for food and cold-weather supplies.
During a routine meeting, Orion and Natasha met at an inconspicuous cafe in the city. This was one of the designated contact points for the Underworld and Orion in the Overworld. Natasha finished reporting on the recent situation of the Underworld and the Boulder Town, with a hint of fatigue on her face.
"Oh, by the way, I can tell you about your brother's whereabouts now..." Immediately after, Orion revealed all the information he had obtained.
Natasha's heart suddenly pounded. "Suburban snowfield..." Natasha's breathing instantly became rapid, and she gripped the corner of the table tightly. "Are you sure he's there?"
Orion didn't answer directly, only pushed a simple hand-drawn map in front of her. "I'm sure. You'll know when you go see."
Natasha's eyes instantly reddened. She tremblingly picked up the map, unable to speak for a long time. Her gaze fell on Orion's calm face, and she understood in her heart that this child never made promises lightly.
That afternoon, Natasha went to the suburban snowfield. In the winter snowfield, cold winds howled, and snow billowed. Natasha wrapped her thick coat tightly around her, each step difficult, but the hope burning in her heart made her forget the cold and fatigue. Near the abandoned outpost, she indeed found the man, curled up in a dilapidated shelter, covered in dirt. His hair was messy, his face gaunt, and he made unintelligible grumbling sounds. Although he was emaciated, Natasha recognized him at a glance. That was her brother, Vache!
"Brother!" Natasha rushed over, tears streaming from her eyes, quickly freezing in the cold wind.
Vache looked up blankly, confusion flashing in his cloudy eyes, which then turned frantic. "Don't come closer! You... you monsters!" He waved his arms, trying to drive away the approaching person.
Natasha did not retreat. She knelt in the snow, calling his name over and over again. "Brother Vache! It's Natasha! Your sister!" She pulled out the rusty iron stethoscope from her embrace; it was a gift Vache had personally made and given to her years ago. "Look at this! You gave it to me!" She held the stethoscope up to his eyes.
Vache's frenzy gradually receded, and clarity appeared in his cloudy eyes. "Na... Natasha? My... sister?" He reached out a trembling hand and touched Natasha's cheek, tears sliding down his fingertips. Vache was sometimes clear-headed, sometimes mad, but that familial affection had not been completely eroded by years and suffering.
Natasha, after much hardship, finally brought Vache back to the Underworld and carefully treated him in her clinic. Vache's return brought great comfort to Natasha and made her trust and appreciate Orion greatly.
At their next meeting, Natasha bowed deeply to Orion. "Orion, thank you." She choked, "Truly... thank you for not breaking your word."
"From now on, whatever you need, I, Natasha... will not hesitate to die for it!"
Orion calmly accepted her thanks and allegiance. "I merely fulfilled my promise." His expression was calm, "Finding him was also your luck." There was no ripple in his heart; helping others benefits oneself, so why not? The higher Natasha's loyalty, the more beneficial it would be for him to control the Underworld and establish his own power in the Overworld in the future. Vache's life or death was just a bargaining chip to him, utterly insignificant.