"Don't be scared, I was just thinking."
"After all, who knows what the future holds?"
Loren's expression was deep and profound, unusually offering a word of comfort to Raven.
"Master, do you sometimes believe the things you say yourself?"
"You talk too much, stupid bird. Be quiet and digest."
Silence returned to the lounge.
Loren walked to the bathroom, took a shower by himself, then lay down on the large bed and fell into a deep sleep.
"Lancala" was an undeveloped resource planet.
As for the reason it remained undeveloped, it was quite simple.
This place was located within the territory occupied by numerous cult organizations. The Energy Department's reach couldn't extend here yet, or rather, the cost for the Energy Department to conquer this resource planet would far exceed the benefits of developing it.
On this planet situated in the remote reaches of the Radiant Flow Star Domain, there was a majestic mountain range that spanned half a continent.
And within the endless deep mountains that extended from this majestic range, there was an utterly ordinary cave.
A cave hidden within the endless deep mountains.
Hidden beneath the cover of many tall, verdant trees, the outside of the cave looked quite ordinary, an unremarkable part of the many natural landscapes within the deep mountains.
In reality, however, the interior space of this cave was exceptionally vast.
The ground inside the cave was also pieced together from large, precisely cut rocks, clearly meticulously processed by someone, exhibiting a style that was both flat and rugged.
At the center of the cave, there was a massive, elongated stone table carved from rock.
At this moment, several illusory figures were seated around this massive stone table.
A secret meeting was underway, and by the looks of it, it was already nearing its end.
"The final item for discussion, confirmed information: Gray Moon's Longlair went missing last night," said an illusory figure whose face was unclear.
"So, do we still capture his daughter?" another illusory figure scanned the figures present.
"A bunch of Legendaries gathered here, discussing how to capture a little girl. Don't you find that shameful? I'm not interested, I'm leaving."
After this illusory figure finished speaking, it directly vanished from beside the stone table, showing not a shred of reluctance.
Even with someone leaving this secret meeting early, a new discussion began anyway.
The remaining individuals around the stone table paid no mind to this minor interruption.
"I'm not going. That guy Collin didn't even make a move. Longlair was dealt with by that 'Night Raven'..."
"I'm not going either. I hate dealing with those rule-system psychics the most."
"Not only that, that 'Night Raven' also has a rather ambiguous relationship with the Security Bureau..."
"He also hails from the Nature Sect..."
When the name "Nature Sect" echoed within this cave, the cavern instantly fell into silence.
After a long while, the illusory figure presiding over the meeting spoke again:
"Does anyone here want to test the mettle of 'Night Raven'?"
None of the several illusory figures seated around the stone table responded.
"In that case, the meeting is adjourned."
As the words fell, the cave interior was empty.
Those illusory figures that had been seated around the elongated stone table vanished one after another into the air of the cave, like bubbles...
Federal Calendar 7708, October 21st, evening.
Loren opened his eyes on the large bed in Room 105.
He had been woken up, disturbed once again by the sound of Raven's claws tapping on a screen.
"Good morning, Master," Raven's greeting sounded.
Loren glanced at Raven. "Arguing with people again?"
Raven, having woken its master, gave a somewhat guilty chuckle.
"Master, that was a friendly debate..."
As if I'd believe that, stupid bird. Good thing I spent an extra hundred Spirit Stones back then to buy that bulletproof-grade screen...
After a mocking smile, Loren sat up, glanced at the sky outside—it was almost dark.
He got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, Loren emerged, his hair slightly damp.
Arriving at the lounge door, he put on his black coat, donned his hat, then looked back at Raven, whose claws were frantically dancing across the portable computer screen. His face darkened.
"Stop playing, Raven. We need to go out."
"Where to? Should we bring the little girl next door?" Raven, clutching the portable computer, landed on Loren's shoulder.
Loren casually took Raven's portable computer and stored it inside the "Crimson Tear".
"No need. We'll be back soon."
If, after a Legendary died for such a reason, there were still people willing to cause trouble for the little one...
Then last night, Longlair wouldn't have been the only Legendary to make a move...
Loren understood very well in his heart that his commission was already half completed. All he had to do now was quietly get through the remaining ten-plus days...
However, after stepping out of Room 105's door, Loren, almost as if compelled by some unseen force, knocked on the door next door.
"What is it? Big Brother." Ayla Morningstar's small hands were holding a portable computer, a smile still lingering on her little face.
"I need to go out for a bit. I'll take you to Room 001 on the 6th floor. You can play in that portly chief's office for a while. I'll be back soon," Loren said flatly.
Although Loren's initial assessment was that there wasn't much danger left, for the sake of caution, he still chose to temporarily entrust the little one to that slacker, Retab Collin.
Since a significant portion of the thirty thousand Spirit Stones Loren paid last time was essentially a free gift to that Retab Collin.
When Loren made this decision, he felt absolutely no guilt in his heart.
After taking the little one up the stairs to the sixth floor, Loren knocked on the door of Office 001.
Loren led the little one inside.
"Renting a Safe Room again?" Retab Collin asked with a beaming smile.
"No. I'll be back soon. Please look after the child for a bit."
"......" Silence filled the office.
After a long while, Retab Collin spoke, sounding somewhat pained.
"Even with your Level 9 Clearance, the Association doesn't offer that service..."
"Does it offer a service for a Level 9 Clearance holder to formally report a branch chief for embezzling Association funds?" A smile appeared at the corner of Loren's mouth.
Hearing this, Retab Collin's face instantly changed expression.
"Of course, I'm the Chief, what I say goes."
"I've decided we now offer a childcare service. How many hours of care are required?"
Loren thought for a moment.
"An hour or two. I'm just going to sell some things."
Hearing Loren's answer, Retab Collin nodded—not too long...
"Then let this adorable young lady play in my office for a while."