Felicity asked to return, and Oleg said he understood. But to her surprise, it was Seele who offered to take her back.
The two walked side by side along the street.
Felicity noticed Seele's face looked slightly awkward. When she caught Felicity's gaze, she quickly turned her head away, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Adorable.
Just as Felicity was about to smile, Seele suddenly looked back. It seemed she'd made up her mind, took a quiet breath, and murmured:
"...sorry."
"..."
She really is adorable.
Felicity's expression turned to one of disbelief.
"What's with that look? I'm apologizing properly here!"
Seeing Felicity's reaction, Seele's already pretty face turned even redder, and she shouted with embarrassment.
So classic tsundere.
Felicity couldn't hold back and laughed out loud. She patted Seele's shoulder lightly and said with a grin:
"It's fine. I forgive you."
"Who said I care if you forgive me or not!"
Seele rolled her eyes with a sigh, then shifted the topic with deliberate sharpness.
"...You seem capable, but you don't look like someone used to combat. If what you said about the Stellaron is true, then tell me if you need help."
Felicity blinked, resting her chin on her hand for a moment before speaking seriously:
"I need your help now."
"You're so blunt... Just tell me already. And don't make fun of me," Seele replied, exasperated.
"Well... I came down through the transport pipe. It's super convenient to slide down, but now the problem is... how do I get back up?"
"...You didn't think that far when you came down?"
Seele pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed. She'd expected Felicity to be a bit strange, but this level was beyond what she imagined.
She glanced at the pipes. They were pitch dark, the depths hidden from view. Worse, they hadn't been maintained in over ten years. If even one part collapsed, the consequences would be serious.
Considering that, Felicity was unbelievably lucky to have jumped down safely.
Does she not fear death at all?
"We're not climbing back up this way. Let's look for another route."
"But I did come down this way."
Felicity and Seele exchanged glances.
Seele nearly burst out laughing, but before she could say anything, a cheerful voice rang out.
"Ahaha~ Now it's my turn to make my entrance!"
Both of them turned around instantly and saw Sampo standing not far behind.
Sampo clasped his hands together with a sheepish grin.
"Hahaha, Sister Fili, we meet again."
"You've got some nerve showing up in front of me."
Felicity raised an eyebrow, looking mildly surprised.
She'd beaten him up before, and when Sampo ran into that strange creature, he'd taken the chance to escape. She didn't expect to run into him again.
Yet here he was, as if nothing had happened.
"Haha, why would I be afraid to face Sister Fili? Did I perhaps accidentally offend you somehow?"
Sampo averted his gaze, laughing awkwardly, clearly feeling guilty.
"See? I've come to greet you openly and honestly."
"Sampo, what's your game this time?"
Seele's voice was cold. Just because Sampo and Felicity knew each other didn't mean she'd lower her guard.
"That's unfair, Miss Seele. I wouldn't dare try anything on Wildfire's turf. I just dropped off a shipment with Natasha and happened to hear about Sister Fili. She helped me back on the Overworld. And I, Sampo, never let a benefactor go unrewarded—simple as that."
Sampo waved his hands quickly as he explained.
"You're saying you know a way out?"
Felicity picked up on the hint in his words right away, her expression sharpening with interest.
"...That's intriguing."
He had the guts to hide alone in the snowfields outside Belobog. He entered the Rift on his own. He had ties to both the upper and lower cities. He even knew about a route that had been sealed for over a decade.
Is he really just some harmless rogue?
Felicity felt she might need to revise her impression of Sampo.
"Yes, yes! That's our Sister Fili for you—so sharp! Let's not waste any more time. This way, please!"
Sampo's eyes sparkled. He beamed, nodded eagerly, and stepped aside, making a theatrical gesture.
The overly gentlemanly move looked strangely out of place on him, but Felicity didn't seem to care. She nodded casually and walked forward without hesitation.
"You trust him that easily?"
Seele was startled and asked with disbelief.
"Let's just see what happens. A desperate gamble might save the day."
Felicity shrugged lightly.
"...Good luck with that."
Seele frowned but didn't try to stop them. She shot Sampo a sharp look, then snorted and warned:
"Don't think I won't be watching you. If I sense anything shady, I'll come for you."
"Of course, of course! No need to worry! Like I said—Sampo never lets down those who helped him."
Sampo replied with an exaggerated grin.
He did know a route back to the surface. But the path was long, winding, and it took a while before the end came into view.
The other exit was also within the Rift's territory. It was likely only found after the Silvermane Guards stationed there had long since pulled out.
"Hey, Sister Fili, this is our secret route. So if possible... please keep it to yourself. In return, I'll do one more favor for you—no conditions, no charge."
As soon as they exited, Sampo turned with a grin and made his offer.
"Sure."
Felicity agreed immediately. She hadn't planned on telling anyone else anyway, and free favors were always useful.
She glanced sideways at Sampo, trying to read beyond his ingratiating smile and slippery tone—but there was nothing.
No matter how she looked at him, he was just a fast-talking, cunning little rogue.
Guess I really don't have the gift of a novel's protagonist. My ability to see through people is way off the mark.
Felicity shook her head and sighed, then turned her back and walked toward the heart of Belobog.
What she didn't notice was that only after her presence vanished from the Rift did Sampo finally exhale.
"Damn... What's an Emanator doing on the Astral Express?... Whatever."
Though he grumbled, his face was full of anticipation and delight, like a reader stumbling upon an absurd story and eager to see where it led.
"Alright then. Let the show begin."
--+--
T/N: Heres your chapters for the day