After Phaga and Ellen entered, Wise casually closed the shop door, hung up the "Closed" sign, and locked it from the inside.
Still flushed from her earlier embarrassment, Belle didn't sit still. She took Eous back from Phaga and placed her beside No. 6 at the entrance to the archive room. Before Phaga could come in, she quickly shut down the H.D.D. and sternly warned Fairy not to utter a single word during the upcoming conversation.
Fairy knew better than to crack jokes now. She immediately powered down her screen, blending into the rows of silent, inactive displays around her—just another lifeless monitor.
"It's too crowded at the entrance. Come in and sit down. Belle, clear away the dishes."
Phaga walked in without any pleasantries, his expression composed but serious. Wise immediately sensed that something important was about to be discussed and gestured toward the archive room.
Inside, a sofa sat waiting—large enough for both Ellen and Phaga to sit comfortably.
After they sat, Ellen turned her head toward the door, where No. 6 was playfully poking at the powered-down Eous. Curiosity piqued, she asked, "How come you have so many Bangboo of the same model? Are they mass-produced?"
Counting the front desk's No. 18 she'd seen earlier, there were three Bangboo in total—No. 6, No. 18, and Eous—each with identical builds, the only difference being the numbers stitched onto the red scarves around their necks.
"Hmm, not exactly!"
Passing by with a tray of leftovers, Belle smiled lightly. "Only Eous is special. No. 6 and No. 18 are replicas—just ordinary Bangboo."
"Oh, I see. Thanks."
Ellen nodded slightly, instinctively meeting Phaga's eyes. Both immediately understood what the other was thinking.
To graft consciousness into a Bangboo from miles away, across a Hollow, and through so many Debuffs—if such terrifying technology could be mass-produced, it would be dangerous beyond measure.
Imagine... strapping bombs onto Bangboo during a battlefield clash, sending them quietly toward the enemy...
Moments later, Belle returned. At a subtle glance from Wise, she closed the archive room door.
A dull thud, followed by the sound of the lock clicking into place.
Ellen and Phaga instinctively looked toward the door, brows furrowing slightly. But after glancing at Belle and Wise, they relaxed again.
Two non-combatants. Nothing to worry about.
Once the door was shut, Wise handed Phaga and Ellen each a glass of water and said apologetically, "Sorry, I didn't know you two were coming. I didn't have time to make coffee."
"No need. Plain water's fine."
Phaga took the glass, lifted it toward his lips for form's sake, then set it aside. His tone was calm. "We're here on important business."
"First of all, Phaethon, our commission has concluded."
Addressing him as Phaethon instead of Master marked the official end of their contract. Phaga's tone grew noticeably flatter.
Wise's expression remained calm—he didn't find the statement strange. For a moment, he even half-expected Phaga's next line to be, 'Please leave us a five-star review.'
But Belle's expression behind him was far more colorful.
So young, and already a master of hiding her pain behind a smile.
Ahhh!!! My "Master" is gone!!!
It's only been a few hours, how could Phaga's attitude turn so cold so fast?!
Hmph! Victoria Housekeeping!
Just you wait—when I have the money, I'll hire every one of you! And I'll make you call me "Master" all day long, from morning till night!
Belle's face shifted through a flurry of micro-expressions. Phaga noticed but said nothing, continuing calmly.
"Second, about the commission from Belobog Heavy Industries."
"Oh? Please don't misunderstand—they aren't refusing to pay. It's just that the contract was made with Cunning Hares. They'll transfer the commission to Cunning Hares' account."
"Ah, got it. I'll talk it over with Cunning Hares later."
Wise smacked his forehead, wondering if Nicole had woken up yet.
If she hadn't, things would be simple—Anby was honest, Nekomata was sly but principled. But Nicole... she was a whole different problem.
No, knowing Cunning Hares, those two would definitely wait until Nicole woke up before deciding anything!
Wise's large hand slid down his face, fingers parting to reveal two lifeless eyes. Clearly, he'd given up any hope of getting his commission money anytime soon.
"Now, the last matter..."
Phaga continued, paying no mind to Wise's expression. "There's been a problem at Belobog Heavy Industries."
"They found that the three intelligent machines that suddenly went berserk and fled deep into the Hollow didn't malfunction due to a logic core update—it was because they were responding to a call from a [Prototype] deep within the Hollow."
Phaga drew in a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and sighed. "Let me explain briefly."
"Although we often refer to Belobog Heavy Industries as a new company, it actually has a long history. It fell into decline for a time—mired in difficulties, on the brink of bankruptcy and dissolution."
"It's quite a story, but that's not our topic today."
"The main point is this: even after Khors Belobog's disgraceful act of embezzlement and flight, he still has a number of loyal followers who persist to this day."
"Grace—you know her well. The moment she learned that a prototype left behind by Khors was located deep within the Hollow, she immediately pushed to go after it."
"She managed to persuade many who were neutral, and even the current president, Koleda—who had been most opposed—eventually agreed."
"So..."
As he spoke, Phaga drew a contract from inside his coat and handed it to Wise.
Wise accepted it and began to read. Belle immediately crowded around him, chattering excitedly. "How much? How much is the commission?"
"Three million. Now that you know, go play somewhere else."
Unable to handle Belle's clinginess, Wise gave her a quick glance at the fee and waved her off.
Hearing the number, Belle lit up instantly, dashing off to the side to scoop up gatekeeper No. 6 and Eous. She spun around with both Bangboo in her arms, rubbing their faces against hers in pure glee until her own cheeks were practically squished out of shape.
Wise, however, stayed focused. He carefully read every word of the contract, then set it down after a long moment of thought.
Looking up at Phaga, he asked in a measured tone, "So how much commission will Victoria Housekeeping need for this job?"
"No need. Belobog Heavy Industries has already commissioned us, and the fee's about the same as yours."
Phaga shook his head, assuring Wise that no additional payment was required. Then he rose from the sofa. "If you agree to take the assignment, I'll return tomorrow to pick up your Eous and formally sign the contract at Belobog Heavy Industries."
Wise stood as well, walking Phaga and Ellen to the door. He watched them climb into a pickup truck and drive off before finally exhaling in relief.
Turning back, he spotted Belle still celebrating the three-million-denny commission, practically glowing with joy.
Wise thought about saying something, but in the end, he just smiled wryly and kept quiet.
Sigh... let her have her moment.
...
Meanwhile, in the car, Ellen glanced sideways at Phaga and muttered, "Phaga, how much did Belobog Heavy Industries say they'd pay us again?"
"Seven million dennies," Phaga replied evenly.
Ellen blinked. "Wait... what?"