Assistant Paul withdrew his gaze, his face once again adorned with that impeccable smile.
He spoke respectfully, "I understand your urgency; Sir has been waiting for your arrival."
Bloren had just revealed a smile when the other party apologetically said:
"But unfortunately, he has an important meeting concerning the global energy situation tonight and truly cannot leave."
Bloren frowned and said, "Sir Stonefield isn't at the estate?"
"Yes," Assistant Paul said, "Sir specifically instructed me to arrange everything properly for you all. Please rest well in the guestroom tonight. Sir will arrange for a meeting the moment he's free."
A trace of displeasure flashed in Bloren's eyes, but he did not act on it.
He glanced at the silent Poppet Legion behind him, then at the meticulous assistant before him, his mouth curling into a cold arc.
"Alright... Take us to the room."
He headed toward the station exit, and all the poppets immediately synchronized their actions, except for Illari, who reacted a beat slower and hurriedly followed along.
Assistant Paul raised a hand to stop them: "Sorry, we might not have prepared suitable rooms for so many poppets. Could they rest at the station?"
He smiled, "I guarantee it's much more comfortable here than that previous rat hole."
Bloren squinted at him, waved his hand.
Most of the poppets stopped in their tracks, just like before, falling into a quiet slumber.
Only a few vampire and werewolf poppets followed behind Bloren, clearly refusing to part.
Assistant Paul's smile remained unchanged as he no longer forcibly tried to leave the poppets, slightly bowing and gesturing in a direction.
...
With the elevator's bright chime, the silver-gray door silently slid open, and the group finally emerged from the underground to the surface.
Bright natural light replaced the pure white cold light of the underground, streaming into their view.
Ahead lay lawns like green velvet carpets, hedges forming symmetrical geometric shapes, while various flower beds were embraced by colorful blooms.
In the distance stood a grand mansion, the white marble exterior walls dazzling in the sunlight, with massive columns and intricate reliefs making it seem like a palace from a painting.
Maids in uniform skirts stepped lightly across corridors, two gardeners busily trimmed shrubs, and security guards with sharp eyes were positioned at every corner.
Not to mention those surveillance cameras installed on walls or large trees, monitoring every nook and cranny 24/7 to prevent unexpected "guests" from intruding.
"Apart from that, the estate has pressure-sensitive alarms and infrared sensors,"
Assistant Paul said with a subtle hint of pride, "Even if you're worried about wizards appearing via Apparition or flying in on a broom, they'll be shot through at the moment they surface."
Bloren didn't pay attention to the other's boasting — he indeed fled like a dog out of options, leaving his people behind, which he did not deny.
But being able to escape unscathed amidst the Congress's pursuit and navigate between several powerful factions, in his eyes, was an honor, not a disgrace.
Bloren's gaze swept across the meticulously maintained rose bushes and landed on a seemingly ancient banyan tree.
Countless aerial roots hung down between branches, embedding into the soil; the dark brown bark cracked, gnarled with furrows, while cicadas and birds hid within its canopy.
Bloren frowned, asking casually, "After that storm, snails appeared all over New York, did the estate experience something similar?"
"They did appear," Assistant Paul adjusted his glasses, smiling, "But by the next morning, they were all cleared."
"Confirmed no omissions?" Bloren pressed further.
"I understand what you're worried about,"
Assistant Paul said, "Although the estate covers a large area, we have unique means of searching and sorting."
"Rest assured, I can confirm that not a single snail was overlooked. Moreover... all snails found were normal creatures, that we can guarantee as well."
Bloren breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. How about ants, bees, even beetles..."
Assistant Paul said, "Sir Stonefield has always been committed to environmental protection, Mr. Bloren, this estate also allows all normal animals to exist here."
Bloren was about to say something when the other pointed ahead: "Don't worry, look ahead."
On a path wide enough for three cars to drive side by side, a strangely shaped, giant-dragonfly-like car slowly passed by.
The dragonfly's rear had a device resembling an upside-down thumbtack, rotating slowly as if transmitting something invisible into the air.
"We should step back," Assistant Paul kindly reminded, "Otherwise, it might not be good for your friends and poppets."
His words had just fallen when Illari, clutching a box, darted away.
Bloren's face showed a flash of anger, his voice growled, "Illari?"
"Sorry, leader," Illari said, looking uncomfortable, "I felt uneasy the moment that car appeared..."
Nearby poppets suddenly moved as well, retreating next to Illari, displaying equally pained and twisted expressions.
Bloren was suddenly furious, grabbing Assistant Paul and demanding, "What did you do?"
"Don't worry, I meant no harm," Assistant Paul hurriedly raised both hands, explaining, "That's just a special vehicle for wizards, a standard safety facility within the base, you know."
Bloren's expression slightly changed as he released his grip, muttering, "Is... is it that?"
"Yes,"
Assistant Paul tidied his collar, said:
"Sadly, the power isn't high enough, otherwise it would be harmful to those nearby. But we've repeatedly tested it; it can easily break some small wizard-made gadgets."
Bloren's Adam's apple moved, asked, "Poppets too?"
Assistant Paul glanced at the nearby poppets, seriously correcting, "To be accurate—it's more effective on smaller poppets."
The group walked along the white gravel path, the distant main mansion gradually becoming clearer in view. It was a grand building, its ivory white walls dazzling under the sunlight, with symmetrically arranged arched windows like countless eyes examining the guests.
As the breeze swept through, the old banyan tree's leaves trembled, suddenly opening to reveal a beetle hidden behind the leaves.
Further away, atop the white ash tree, a robin diligently repaired its nest. Three small eggs lay quietly within the moss-woven nest.
...
A dove lightly soared over the city, hovered in a semi-circle, suddenly folded its wings, accurately landed on an outstretched arm.
Vid stroked the dove's smooth back feathers. When he withdrew his hand, there was a semi-spherical mirror between his fingers.
He whispered, "Good child, show me... what did you see?"