A bunch of trash?

The current stage wasn't going to be easy, of course. As soon as they entered the bunker, two of Vivian's three subordinates, excluding the Dark Dwarf, went missing. Landen had expected this and didn't stop them. The Minotaur Butler's body had already been dealt with, and as for Lilith, if she didn't want to be found, even Vivian wouldn't be able to locate her.

Vivian, upon entering the bunker, immediately displayed her overbearing nature. After instructing the Dark Dwarf to take the remaining subordinates to their lodging, Vivian headed straight for the Lord's office and claimed the swivel chair.

This wasn't just about a chair; Vivian was using this action to tell Landen, "I'm aware of your every move. Don't even think about playing any tricks on me!"

Landen, however, scoffed at this. If she truly understood him that well, she would have made a move outside the bunker instead of following him inside.

Vivian, of course, had no idea what Landen was thinking. She propped her slender legs on the desk, leaning back in the chair, and asked, "I heard you haven't been doing too well here? The residents don't listen to you?"

Her voice was light, even somewhat indifferent, not like she was speaking to her brother, but more like she was addressing a subordinate or a servant.

Landen thought to himself, She still perceives me the same way as before. And it's confirmed, the only line of surveillance she has on me is through the Minotaur Butler—Janie. Once this line is cut, it's like blinding her eyes that are watching me.

These thoughts couldn't be revealed, of course. Outwardly, Landen shook his head vigorously and raised his voice slightly, saying, "No, I'm doing great. Although I lost Old Niu, I've also gained many subordinates, very capable ones."

This tone, coupled with his actions, made him seem like a child stubbornly denying something they'd been caught doing. Landen didn't care about his image; facing his second sister, who was far too powerful for him at the moment, Landen was willing to use any means to make her underestimate him.

However, Vivian clearly wasn't buying it. Her tone remained as indifferent as ever. "I don't know if you're bluffing or telling the truth, but I still need to remind you, this isn't Solenode City anymore. For what reason Mother gave you this so-called Lord position, which has never existed in the Underworld, you should be well aware. If you can't become powerful yourself, no one will pity you if anything happens, and don't expect Mother to help you."

Landen shrugged, deciding it wasn't worth the effort to respond.

Vivian didn't seem to mind. Her tone suddenly shifted, and she asked, "What about the pendant?"

Landen blinked, clearly not understanding her meaning.

Vivian wasn't known for her patience. Landen had only hesitated for a moment before she leaped off the chair, flashed in front of him, and with a quick movement, pulled something from his collar.

It was the pendant that had originally attracted Lilith.

Vivian looked down at the pendant in her hand for a long time without a word. Her dark red hair fell forward, obscuring her face, so Landen couldn't see her expression.

She simply stared, her fingers gently tracing the pendant. After a long while, she released it, and the pendant fell back onto Landen's chest.

"You still haven't opened it?" Vivian asked indifferently. Her expression gave no clue as to her thoughts, making it impossible for Landen to guess what she was thinking.

"No, I have no idea how," Landen replied, simultaneously searching his mind for any connection between Vivian and this pendant. However, all he could recall about the pendant was that his mother, Matriarch Isis, had hung it around his neck, telling him only he could open it and that it must never leave his person. As for Vivian, Landen didn't even remember her knowing he had such a pendant.

"As expected, you're as useless as ever, my brother." Vivian had remained expressionless no matter what Landen said before. But upon hearing his answer, her face turned cold, and her voice followed suit.

She turned back to the swivel chair and sat down, continuing, "Seeing you like this, I can imagine your subordinates are just as incompetent. No wonder my large force could easily bypass your surveillance."

Her words were blunt and undisguised, yet Landen remained unfazed, shrugging and not engaging.

A long silence fell over the office, as if even the air had stopped moving, until Landen finally moved.

Vivian thought Landen was about to do something, but instead, he walked over to the leather sofa nearby, plopped down, and then, as if finding it uncomfortable, simply lay down. It turned out he was just tired of standing.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Vivian's eyes, but she remained silent.

This situation continued until a knock sounded at the door.

Knocking on a stone door required significant force and would hurt one's hand, but this knock was indeed loud. The Minotaur Butler used to be able to knock this loudly; now, it was likely the Dark Dwarf accompanying Vivian.

He knocked but didn't enter, instead reporting in a booming voice, "Report, Matriarch, the meal is ready!"

Vivian didn't reply but turned her gaze to Landen, who had already closed his eyes to rest. After a long moment, she finally spoke, "You have no future here. I... I can give you an opportunity. Come under my command, and at least... at least your life will be much better than it is here."

"Huh?" Landen opened his eyes and stared blankly at Vivian.

He was utterly astonished. How could this "good sister," who had wanted him dead since he was a child, suddenly offer such a suggestion? Moreover, from her tone, Landen could sense... sincerity?

Could it be because of this? Landen picked up the pendant from his chest. It was warm, retaining the temperature from Vivian's touch.

"What, you can't bear to part with your useless subordinates?" Vivian clearly misinterpreted Landen's single-syllable question, which made her even more disdainful and annoyed.

"Uh... but they're really not useless." Landen got up from the sofa and said earnestly.

"Hmph!" Vivian snorted coldly and stood up, as if to leave.

Just then, with a sound almost identical to Vivian's arrival, voices came from outside.

"Lord Landen, we're back!"

"The harvest this time was very rich; we captured many prisoners!"

"Oh, and I also caught a lot of fish on the way back, so Avina can cook us something delicious!"

These voices were as... serious and solemn as ever, but everyone could hear the underlying joy.

A smile naturally appeared on Landen's face. "They're back. Sister, you can see for yourself if they're useless or not."