So.
A certain someone lay back down again.
Pela: "…"
The miners coming and going in the Great Mining Area gathering spot all glanced over when they saw yet another person who didn't even need a mat—just lying flat on the ground to sleep.
But it was only a glance. They quickly went back to their own business.
Just as a certain someone was one step away from actually falling asleep—
His stomach really did receive that final kick.
"Pfft."
Zeig's eyes snapped open. He glared at Pela, who was stepping on him:
"How unbalanced is your heart exactly?!"
Pela completely ignored him.
Maintaining the pose with one foot still on Zeig, she held her phone in both hands and typed furiously.
From Zeig's perspective, this woman was typing at lightning speed—almost rivaling March 7th's level.
"What are you doing?" a certain someone asked again.
A moment later.
Pela stared at her phone screen and said leisurely:
"You don't check the group chat?"
"?"
A certain someone puzzledly pulled his phone out from his pocket. The moment he unlocked the screen, 99+ messages popped up.
The group was named "Artifact Theft Special Investigation Team"—a temporary chat created by Zeig, Pela, and a bunch of Silvermane Guards.
Zeig skimmed the chat history. It seemed the Silvermane Guards' investigation had made progress.
Pela said happily:
"The Silvermane Guards found a crate containing the museum's Meteor Fragment in one of the guest rooms at the Goethe Grand Hotel. Shall we head over now?"
A certain someone paused:
"What? That fast? And in a guest room? They didn't catch anyone?"
"No. Let's get to the scene first."
…
Soon.
Pela and the museum's quasi-shareholder arrived at Boulder Town.
In front of the Goethe Grand Hotel, several Silvermane Guards stood guard with stern expressions.
When they saw the museum shareholder and Pela approaching, they all bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, my lords!"
A certain someone raised an eyebrow:
"You really found the Meteor Fragment? Isn't this a bit too smooth?"
Facing Zeig's doubt, the lead Silvermane Guard quickly explained:
"Lord Executor, we also felt it was suspiciously smooth, but the situation is exactly as reported. The crate containing the Meteor Fragment is in one of the rooms inside. You and Adjutant Pela may inspect the scene at any time."
Pela said softly:
"Let's go inside and take a look first."
The shareholder nodded and followed Pela into the Goethe Grand Hotel.
Inside the guest room, the two indeed found a suitcase.
"Shareholder, hurry and open it—see if the Meteor Fragment is inside." Pela urged.
"You're in such a rush."
A certain someone immediately opened the case.
A bluish-green stone lay quietly inside.
"Let me see."
Pela stood beside Zeig and carefully examined the stone for a moment.
"The color and texture are both correct—this really is the Meteor Fragment that went missing from the museum! Great job, shareholder—we can at least open now!"
After confirming the artifact was genuine, Pela was very excited.
But a certain someone frowned:
"Shouldn't you check if there's a bomb inside this stone? Or maybe… it's coated with some toxic chemical? Whoever touches it dies! Or it's laced with harmful gas—whoever breathes it gets poisoned!"
"You make a good point. It's possible this artifact is a trap."
So Pela squatted in the corner again, hugging her phone and typing away.
Not long after, a group of specialists arrived on orders. After bowing to Zeig and Pela, they began using various instruments to scan the artifact in the crate for safety.
Finally, they reported:
"My lords, after thorough inspection, there are no safety hazards on the surface or inside the artifact."
Pela nodded and said to Zeig:
"You heard them—the Meteor Fragment is clean."
A certain someone lay on the bed, propped against the pillow, frowning:
"Then doesn't that make it even more suspicious? They went through all the trouble to steal this thing, and now they just return it without making any moves. They can't have chickened out, right?"
"Maybe they did?" Pela shrugged:
"When they saw how aggressively we were pursuing these artifacts, if they're just ordinary folks from the Underworld, getting cold feet wouldn't be strange. Of course, it's also possible someone was careless and really just forgot it here."
"Anyway, the most important Meteor Fragment has been recovered. The museum now qualifies to open. Let's head back to the Upper District and get the museum up and running first."
…
Upper District.
Belobog History and Culture Museum.
After Pela placed the Meteor Fragment on the display stand, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"With this, the Meteor Fragment for the comprehensive exhibition area has been returned."
A certain someone stared at the stone and couldn't help asking:
"Is this thing really that valuable?"
Pela explained to Zeig:
"How can the value of an exhibit be measured in money? Though… this little stone really is worth a fortune."
"…"
"You'd better keep your hands in check."
Under Pela's watchful gaze, a certain someone silently pulled his hand back and clasped it behind him:
"What's the big deal? As a shareholder, can't I even touch an exhibit?"
"I thought you understood the difference between one full meal and meals every day." Pela said helplessly.
"Alright, let me introduce you to the museum's lobby assistant, Miss Alice. She's very capable and can explain everything about managing the museum to you crystal clear."
A certain someone couldn't help raising an eyebrow:
"Me? Manage? Aren't I a shareholder? Shouldn't I just lie back like a capitalist and collect money?"
Pela snorted:
"Get real—that's for investors who actually put in money. You didn't invest anything, so you've got to put in the work!"
"I'm investing five credits." a certain someone raised his hand.
"Great. The guard dog position is yours."
"…"
Pela led Zeig to the lobby and stopped in front of a woman, introducing:
"This is Miss Alice. Lobby assistant of the History and Culture Museum. Miss Alice, this is the current Executor of the Silvermane Guards—and also a shareholder of the museum."
Alice politely bowed to Zeig and smiled:
"Ah, I've long heard of your reputation. It's finally an honor to meet you today!"
"But… are you really a shareholder? Recently, the museum's construction doesn't seem to have received any additional funding."
Pela smiled:
"It's fine. Human capital is still capital. Anyway, neither the Supreme Guardian nor the acting Supreme Guardian has any objections."
She continued introducing to Zeig:
"Besides being the lobby assistant, Miss Alice is also a student at Belobog Art Academy. She has considerable knowledge of this museum's history and its exhibits."
"So."
"If any exhibit goes missing, she will definitely notice." Pela smiled at a certain someone.
"?"
A certain someone narrowed his eyes:
"What do you mean by that?"
Pela kept smiling:
"So, don't even think about getting any ideas about the artifacts, okay?"
"Tch, what's so great about that! Do I look like the kind of person with itchy hands?"
"What do you think?"
"Of course I don't!"
"Then what are you looking at?"
"Escape routes."
"…"
…