"Goethe?" Caelus grinned. "That sounds kinda familiar!"
"Oh?" The woman hosting the trio was named Gertie. "Are you talking about that fancy Goethe Hotel up above?"
March 7th frowned. "Ugh… some not-so-great memories are coming back."
"Hahaha!" Gertie smiled gently. "That's a branch of our 'Grand Hotel.' An ancestor of the Goethe family started from nothing, always believing they could grow bigger and stronger. In the end, they finally achieved their dream, opening their own branch in the most prime location aboveground."
March 7th clapped enthusiastically. "Dreams make everyone extraordinary! So inspiring!"
"Oleg specifically asked me to take good care of you. Here's the key, it's the most spacious room we've got." Gertie handed the key to Caelus before returning to the front desk.
The trio stared at the key in their hands.
Last time, they were also arranged to stay in a hotel by someone important, only to get stabbed in the back the next day.
It seemed like the same plot was about to replay.
Caelus looked up at the sky, as if gazing toward where the Astral Express was docked. "Wonder if we can go back to the Express and ask Pom-Pom for tripwire mines… Is there still time?"
"What are you muttering about? I think Oleg seems pretty sincere so far. What do you guys say?"
Caelus shook his head. "No comment."
March 7th pointed at Caelus and turned to Dan Heng. "Look at him, saying something so irresponsible with such a carefree attitude."
Dan Heng nodded. "Sounds like you! But like I said before better safe than sorry."
"Fine, I'll take your word for it. Last time we got stabbed in a hotel was… well, last time."
"Let's take turns keeping watch tonight!"
"Keeping watch? That's so old-fashioned! Isn't that something adventure parties do in fantasy novels?"
March 7th yawned right after saying that. "Ah~ Why do I suddenly feel so sleepy?"
Caelus studied her carefully. "You look pretty energetic to me."
"No way! I've never pulled an all-nighter before. Do you have any idea how bad staying up late is for your skin?" March 7th pouted, her voice full of grievance.
[Aw, she's so pitiful! March 7th, come here, let me hug you.]
[Too tragic! Little March, if anyone makes you keep watch, I'll—I'll keep watch for you!]
[March 7th is a beauty! How could she keep watch? If she gets dark circles, my heart will break!]
Just then, a familiar voice spoke up.
"I'll keep watch."
Everyone turned to see—it was Bronya. She had returned.
From their subsequent conversation, it seemed Oleg really hadn't given her a hard time. He even promised to ensure her safety.
However, from Bronya's fragmented words, it was clear she had come to terms with reality the Silvermane Guards truly owed the Underworld an explanation.
In the end, the trio decided Bronya would keep watch. After all, despite her rigid ways, Bronya wasn't a bad person.
Before long, Caelus was already in his room.
The décor of this "Grand Hotel" was too plain there wasn't even a place for ambushers to hide.
The bed wasn't particularly soft, but compared to the Overworld, it had more of a "homey" feel.
By chance, a note caught his eye:
"Manager Gertie sincerely invites you to review our service."
Caelus rubbed his chin. "Does the Underworld not have printing tech? Why handwrite this? Oh, a review? I remember that one time…
I went from here to there,
Met a driver on the way.
He spoke not a single word,
Silent as a chicken all day.
When I finally stepped outside,
He demanded five stars why?
Five stars must be earned, not begged!
Time for a satisfying review let's try!"
"Dear Guest, please rate the comfort of the hotel bed."
"Average."
"Dear Guest, please rate the tea service provided in the room."
"Average."
"Dear Guest, please rate the room's lighting and window view."
"Average."
"You may leave comments in the blank space below. Hotel staff will collect your feedback and strive to improve where needed."
"Recommend memory foam pillows and velvet quilts."
"Signed: Your Friendly Neighborhood Nameless."
[HAHAHA, I'm dying! What's the point of this segment?]
[Caelus is so serious yet hilarious feels so restrained!]
[Say my name!]
[Why not fill in your real name? Scared? HAHAHA!]
[Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has sent a lawyer's letter.]
[My friend just told me Stelle filled in all 'Unsatisfied' and signed: Heisenberg.]
[What the hell, Heisenberg? Why not just call him Heisenburg?]
[Why not just call him Walter White?!]
——
After finishing his satisfying review, Caelus flopped backward onto the bed, sprawling out in a starfish pose.
"So tired… Hope I can get some proper sleep this time."
Slowly, he closed his eyes.
However—
The next moment, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The camera zoomed in on Caelus's head, as if the audience was entering his dream.
"I've lost her… my 'wish.' What meaning is there left in your so-called plans?"
Cocolia was slumped over the Supreme Guardian's desk in agony.
Hollow whispers echoed throughout the room.
"Cast away decay, cast away sorrow, cast away useless emotions."
"Shut up! She's my daughter… my only—" Cocolia transformed into a desk-clearing maniac, sweeping books and teacups onto the floor. "What do you know, you soulless things? You'll never understand. Never!"
"You haven't lost her. She's waiting for you on the other side."
Cocolia sat back down, clutching her forehead. "A new world?"
"Rise, Guardian."
The next moment, Cocolia truly stood up.
"Fulfill your destiny. Fulfill a 'mother's' wish."
Caelus's eyes snapped open. He patted his cheeks. "That voice again? This dream's getting weird…"
Now wide awake, he muttered, "Forcing myself to sleep will just make me more anxious. Might as well take a walk to clear my head."
With that, Caelus pushed open the door and stepped out.
The scene shifted Caelus was now at the entrance of the Grand Hotel. He saw Bronya dutifully keeping watch.
"Who—who's there?" Bronya instinctively turned, spotting Caelus. "Oh, it's you. Next time, don't sneak up from behind. By the way… can't sleep either?"
"Me?" Caelus cracked his neck. "If I don't work eight hours, I can't sleep."
"Uh… seems like someone needs to keep you in line. But I wanted to ask you something."
"About the Stellaron—how confident are you once you find it?"