The cable car slowly climbed.
Through a hole in the supply sack, they could see out the cable car's window.
That dilapidated underground city was oppressive and cramped, yet countless residents of the Underworld spent their entire lives there.
And now, Chu Mu was getting farther and farther away from it.
For those who lived on the surface, leaving the ground and entering space was a great leap for civilization.
But for the residents of the Underworld, simply boarding this cable car already counted as a great leap.
Watching this scene, Chu Mu and Seele fell utterly silent, doing nothing but looking on.
As for what they felt at that moment-wonder, excitement, confusion, or sorrow?
Perhaps all of them.
When the cable car stopped again, it had reached its final stop, an underground station.
They only had to pass through the corridor to reach the stairs leading to the surface.
Oleg pushed the supply sack forward, climbing the stairs one step at a time.
Morning sunlight spilled across the exit of the underground station. No light source in the underground world could compare to that gentle glow.
The light stung Chu Mu's left eye until tears flowed, yet he still refused to look away.
Seele gripped his hand tightly, feeling a little at a loss over what awaited them.
At last, they reached the true surface and stood beneath a real blue sky!
The spacious, bright city and the immense, towering Kliperburg shone beneath blue skies and white clouds, beneath the light of the real sun. Bright and dazzling, they seared themselves deep into the hearts of the two children from the Underworld!
This was not Chu Mu's first time seeing this scene, but the last time had been two and a half years ago, when he first arrived on this planet.
His memories had still been hazy then.
He had only begun forming clear memories after coming to the Underworld.
Now, on the bustling, prosperous streets, a tram pulled up at the station with a pleasant chime. Smartly dressed people walked past Oleg, past the supply sack.
Most of their faces were lit with smiles, rather than the numb, exhausted expressions seen in the Underworld.
More than even the dazzling sun, this sight left the two children shaken in a way they could not put into words!
So life in the Upper District really was happy!
Melodious singing drifted from the distant opera house. When the singing stopped, thunderous applause rose.
Dignitaries emerged from the opera house, with luxurious cars already waiting at the entrance.
The cars roared away, each rev of their engines seeming to slam into the two children.
Seele looked at Chu Mu and asked:
"Is the Upper District really big? Why do they have to ride in those iron boxes instead of walking a few steps? In the Underworld, we walk wherever we go."
As Seele spoke, she rubbed her bare feet. The people of the Underworld not only had no cars to ride in; many did not even have shoes and could only tread barefoot on the bitterly cold stone pavement.
"The two districts are about the same size. The Underworld is a reflection of the Upper District." Chu Mu looked toward the important figures outside the opera house. "But even if there were only two people left in Belobog, one would still mine down below while the other enjoyed life up above."
"Why?" Seele asked indignantly. "Can't we make them do the mining instead?"
"Unfortunately, not yet." Chu Mu stroked Seele's head. "Not unless we become strong enough that they have no choice but to listen to us."
Seele said nothing more.
Oleg brought them to their lodgings, where they washed away the odors clinging to them and changed into clean clothes.
Clothes in the style of the Upper District.
Seele awkwardly held up her skirt, feeling as though even the way she walked had been restricted. She could not even take a long stride.
Even more awkward were the little black leather shoes on her feet. Wearing them made her feel as though she had forgotten how to walk.
She stamped her feet hard in the leather shoes, producing a series of clicks.
Before her stood Chu Mu, wearing a clean white shirt and pressed trousers, his posture straight.
A strip of black gauze was still tied over his eyes, lending him an air of mystery.
Anyone who did not know his background would likely have mistaken him for the young son of some noble family. Everything about him displayed a refinement beyond his years, clearly the product of an illustrious household's upbringing.
Chu Mu looked at Seele beside him and said:
"Try imagining you're a child from the Upper District. Put yourself in that role, or you'll give us away."
Sneaking into the Upper District did not mean they were safe for good. The Silvermane Guards on the streets watched every passerby.
If they spotted anyone acting suspiciously, they would approach and check their identity.
That was why it was impossible for residents of the Underworld to sneak into the Upper District and settle there!
Neither Chu Mu nor Seele could withstand an identity check.
Although the Silvermane Guards rarely paid attention to children, Seele could still draw their notice if she stood out too much.
Seele understood this too, so she did her best to put herself in that role, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not.
She had never experienced the life of an Upper District child. She had never even heard about it. How was she supposed to imagine herself in their place?
Seeing this, Chu Mu could only remind her:
"If we run into Silvermane Guards at an intersection, keep your head down and look only at your toes. Don't say much. Can you do that?"
"That's easy!" A smile appeared on Seele's face. "As long as I don't cause trouble for Uncle."
Chu Mu ruffled Seele's hair, and the three of them headed out again.
Walking along the main street, Seele did as Chu Mu had told her. Whenever they reached an intersection where Silvermane Guards stood watch, she walked with her head down, looking exactly like a girl with social anxiety.
And so, despite their nerves, they made it through without incident. No guards stopped them.
The three arrived at the administrative plaza, where they saw an enormous sculpture.
The sculpture was made up of blue crystals and enormous gears.
Seele initially thought the crystals were some kind of gemstone, but Chu Mu told her they were simply the Geomarrow ore found everywhere underground, only specially processed.
In this sculpture, the blue crystals symbolized the ice of the Eternal Freeze, while the steel gears symbolized knowledge and industrial might.
The two were tightly intertwined, with the gears restraining the ice crystals, representing the Architects' spirit of never yielding to the Eternal Freeze!
This was the symbol of Belobog, the Eternal Winter Monument.
At that moment, a teacher had brought a group of children to visit the monument and was telling them about its history.
Chu Mu and Seele mingled nearby, getting a free explanation.
But an awkward mix-up followed. As the teacher led the children away, she mistook Chu Mu and Seele for members of her class and urged them:
"Why are you two dawdling? Hurry up and follow us!"
"Teacher, we're not students in your class," Seele said bluntly.
Hearing this, Chu Mu immediately thought, Oh no.
Sure enough, a puzzled expression appeared on the teacher's face:
"It's Monday today. Every school is holding classes, and only our class has organized a visit here. What class are you in? Why aren't you in school? Did you ask your teacher for leave? Why are you wandering around outside?"
Seele panicked at her words and stammered:
"We, we're..."
"So you did skip class! Give me your student numbers and names. What class are you in, and what is your homeroom teacher's name?" The teacher refused to let it go.
Behind her, the children from the Upper District all looked toward Seele, their eyes filled with curiosity, contempt, or delight at her misfortune.
They were all about Seele's age, but she certainly did not feel that she was one of them.
Those looks from people so unlike her made her deeply uncomfortable.
"Ma'am, you're frightening my little sister." A cool, clear voice rang out.
The boy with black gauze over his eyes quietly faced the teacher and said evenly:
"We don't attend public school. If you have any questions, you may speak to the Silvermane Guard captain beside me."
Oleg also stepped forward and displayed his badge, saying solemnly:
"Hello. This is my captain's badge."
At those words, the teacher's face instantly went pale.
They did not attend public school. Did that mean they attended an independent private school?
The boy's bearing and manner of speech, along with the Silvermane Guard officer protecting him.
Every detail pointed to one thing-
She had offended a noble!
Before you continue