Chapter 26: Eisenburg (6)

Seraphina led her into the towering central structure piercing the underground city’s dome.

Navigating the lobby with ease, she entered a glass elevator and pressed a button:

“In terms of height, this is Eisenburg’s tallest building.”

“What’s… up there?” As the elevator doors closed, Mili couldn’t help but ask quietly, curiosity getting the better of her.

Hands behind her back, Seraphina turned slightly: “The top floor? A great restaurant, the best in the commercial district. I go there often. I’m taking you to try it.”

“Uh… the surface?”

“The surface part of the central tower?” Seraphina raised an eyebrow, realizing she’d misunderstood.

“Mm-hm…”

“The command center.”

“?”

Mili squinted, leaning back, increasingly baffled by Eisenburg’s peculiar layout.

The glass elevator surged upward—

Through the curved transparent walls, the underground city unfurled beneath Mili’s feet.

Twinkling lights spread out like a starry tapestry, then gradually shrank into a glowing, intricate miniature…

Crisscrossing streets, flowing traffic, crowds tiny as ants…

It felt unreal.

Mili pressed against the glass, staring in awe, light reflecting off her forehead.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Seraphina’s voice came from behind, tinged with subtle pride.

“Mm…” Mili nodded instinctively.

The elevator stopped at the top, doors sliding open to warm air and the aroma of food.

It wasn’t the opulent restaurant Mili had imagined.

No extravagant chandeliers or stifling silence.

Entire walls of floor-to-ceiling glass offered a panoramic view of the underground city’s nightscape…

Under warm lighting, diners filled the space, surrounded by the steam of food and relaxed chatter.

“Your Majesty!” The restaurant owner, a jovial middle-aged man with a stubbled chin, recognized Seraphina instantly and rushed from the bar, his face a mix of joy and awe.

“Find us a window seat,” Seraphina said, her presence briefly hushing the restaurant.

She glanced around casually, and the diners resumed their activities, though their gazes now held a touch of restraint.

They were led to a booth with the best view.

Mili peered past small potted plants at the transparent dome and the city’s edges below, puzzled by the less fervent crowd here compared to earlier.

Then it hit her—if the command center was directly above…

Were all these people—?!

“The owner used to be a wandering chef,” Seraphina said, swiping through the menu on a tablet.

“He’s skilled at handling wasteland mutant ingredients, so I let him open this place.”

“It’s…” Mili cautiously glanced around, “pretty relaxed…”

Seraphina followed her gaze.

—Groups of diners laughed and chatted at their tables.

“What did you expect?” Her tone carried a hint of mockery. “Everyone cowering, too scared to eat?”

“No… just didn’t think…” Mili bit her lip, unsure how to explain.

“Are they… all officers?”

“Not just officers eat here.”

Seraphina set down the tablet, gesturing to other tables.

“Look there, in work clothes—heavy machinery repair techs.”

“That woman—head of the biology research department.”

Mili looked, spotting people in varied attire…

Some in military uniforms, others in work gear, even a few in lab coats…

Some seemed too busy to change.

“That table has the steel furnace foreman and two senior workers,” Seraphina continued.

“They… can all afford this?” Mili whispered.

“Of course.”

Seraphina popped a small cube of condensed milk bread into her mouth:

“Eisenburg isn’t as rigidly hierarchical as other factions—I’ve eliminated wasteful luxury. Everything’s priced practically.”

She licked her fingers, pointing to the decor:

“Look, bulletproof and blast-resistant materials, built for durability. Food’s the same—nutritious, tasty, no flashy plating.”

Mili bit her lip, curiosity growing.

“So… officers and workers get the same treatment?”

“Not the same,” Seraphina sipped tea. “But I keep the gap reasonable.”

“Officers get more food rations, better housing, some perks for their kids—but not wildly different.”

Exhaling, she set down her cup, looking at Mili.

“The biggest difference is military versus civilian status.”

“Soldiers take greater risks, so they deserve better. But workers, scientists, technicians—their value is just as critical.”

“Why… do it this way?” Mili couldn’t help asking.

Seraphina’s answer was blunt:

“Because it works.”

“Excessive hierarchy breeds internal conflict, lowers efficiency.”

“I want a well-oiled machine, not a wasteful noble playground.”

“If researchers are distracted by unfair treatment, they can’t focus on weapon development.”

“If workers go hungry, production quality suffers, which hurts the military.”

Mili nodded slightly, grasping Seraphina’s approach.

“So… no nobles here?”

“Nobles?” Seraphina sneered. “They’re parasites.”

“I want soldiers who fight, workers who produce, geniuses who innovate.”

“As for resource-wasting leeches—”

“They’re about to be purged…”

Her casual tone sent a chill down Mili’s spine.

Soon, appetizing dishes arrived.

Sizzling grilled meat, bubbling savory broth in clay pots…

Even a plate of vibrant green vegetables Mili had never seen.

“Try this.”

Seraphina used serving chopsticks to place a piece of meat in Mili’s bowl.

“Mutant rock boar tenderloin, treated to remove any gaminess. Very tender.”

Mili hesitantly speared it with her fork, taking a cautious bite.

Within moments, her eyes lit up.

The meat was juicy and tender…

Spices blended perfectly, so delicious she nearly swallowed her tongue.

“Good?”

“Mm-hm… really good…” She nodded vigorously, cheeks puffed.

Seraphina smiled at her enthusiasm, serving her more.

In that moment, the woman’s usual chilling aura seemed to fade, almost like a caring elder.

Of course.

That illusion shattered quickly.

She pulled out the monitoring device, setting it on the table by a partition.

“Heart rate at 110—guess you love this dish.” She tapped the waveform on the screen, analyzing.

Mili’s chewing froze.

“Relax, just checking your tastes.” Seraphina nodded toward another dish.

“That’s mushroom soup. Your stomach’s weak—something warm’s good for you.”

Mili reluctantly picked up a spoon, sipping under her gaze.

“Hm, heart rate’s down, blood pressure stable, temperature normal… you’re relaxing.” Seraphina beamed at the data, like admiring a prized possession.

The meal was a mix of emotions for Mili.

The food was exquisite—

But being monitored like a lab rat made her feel on edge…

Outside, the underground city twinkled like a galaxy reflected below.

“Why… did you build all this?” Mili, holding her warm soup bowl, asked impulsively.

Seraphina paused mid-cut.

She didn’t answer immediately, instead taking a bite of meat, chewing slowly before looking up.

“For survival.” Her voice was flat, emotionless. “In this world, only the strong decide their fate.”

“And… others?”

“They need the strong to protect them.”

Seraphina picked up the other half of her meat, placing it in Mili’s bowl.

Her gaze settled on the girl’s face.

“—Like you.”

Mili lowered her eyes, falling silent.