Seele turned around, her voice sharp but familiar. "Chief."
The gary-haired middle-aged man chuckled. "Yo, I heard your friends stirred up quite the storm in the mining area. Aren't you going to introduce them to me?"
Seele sighed. Why does he always have to be like this in front of others? But she kept her composure.
"Of course," she said coolly. "But I won't be the one introducing them. They've got something to ask you."
Oleg glanced at the group of outsiders, his eyes briefly narrowing before his usual warmth returned. "Haha, hello there. I'm Oleg, leader of Wildfire. I heard you helped Seele deal with those vagabonds and robots. Much appreciated."
Dan Heng replied modestly, "It was nothing worth mentioning."
Oleg smiled. "Still, gratitude matters. Since you've helped Wildfire, it's only right we show proper courtesy. I hear you've got business with me—let's talk at our stronghold."
He gestured forward and began walking. Seele followed with a shake of her head. "Let's go."
The group quickly caught up.
"Uncle Oleg, what exactly does Wildfire do?" March asked.
"I'm curious too," Stelle added.
"Haha, Wildfire is…"
Stelle's eyes wandered, scanning for any glimmering trash cans. Her gaze flicked between Ellie and the bins, visibly torn. But she kept walking.
Ellie, meanwhile, quietly sidled up beside Seele.
Seele noticed immediately. "What are you doing?" she asked in a low voice.
After everything they'd been through, Seele no longer saw Ellie as just a pretty face. Anyone who could take down Svarog's robot with a single crystal flower wasn't someone to underestimate.
Ellie hesitated, then leaned in like a mischievous thief. "That girl earlier was so cute～♪ Do you have any way to contact her?"
Seele blinked. "Huh? You mean Clara?"
Ellie nodded, eyes sparkling.
Seele sighed. "Forget it. She and Svarog live in the mechanical settlement, guarding the furnace core. That's outside Wildfire's jurisdiction. You'd better not go there."
Ellie pouted. "Okay…"
Seele glanced at her, then looked away. Forget it. Let her sulk.
—
Meanwhile, in the mechanical settlement…
"Clara, it's time to rest." Svarog said. "New variables have emerged. I must go to the furnace core. During my absence, protect yourself."
"I know, Mr. Svarog."
Svarog nodded and turned to leave.
"Mr. Svarog!" Clara called out. "Please… don't hurt them too badly. There's no medicine here. They could die."
Svarog paused. "Dismissed. Calculations show this variable may reduce survival efficiency in the lower zone. If encountered, they must be annihilated."
Clara lowered her head. "Goodbye, Mr. Svarog."
Svarog nodded and left.
"I wonder if Mr. Svarog will meet those big brothers and sisters…"
"It shouldn't be～♪"
Clara jumped, spinning around to see a beautiful woman smiling at her.
"Whoa! Big sister, you scared me!"
"Oops, sorry～♪ Clara, right? Such a cute girl. Hi, I'm Elysia. Or you can call me Sister Ellie～♪"
Ellie winked playfully.
"Big sister…"
"What is it, Clara～♪"
"Can you let me down?"
Turns out Ellie was holding Clara like a goose.
Clara blushed, but didn't seem to mind too much.
Ellie hesitated, clearly reluctant. Seeing her expression, Clara softened. "If Sister Elysia is happy holding me… then you can keep holding me."
Ellie's eyes lit up. She snuggled Clara closer, rubbing her cheek against Clara's head. "Thank you～ Clara's little sister～♪"
Clara blushed deeper, speechless.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice rang out:
"Identify interlopers! Clara detected. Supreme Command Unlocked: Protect Clara!"
Ellie flinched. "Eh?!"
Clara gasped. "Wait! Pascal!"
But it was too late—Pascal had already launched forward.