Chapter 47: Sunshine in the Underworld
Han woke early. A sharp, pleasant fragrance lingered, normal for him lately. He wondered if his nose had sharpened, if he was picking up new scents, or if he had evolved to smell good to attract the opposite sex.
I like this version of me.
It could be that I have a lot of testosterone now. I escaped the mansion, found new knowledge, and a whole new world opened to me. It’s normal to be excited and be flooded with testosterone. Or it could be something related to dragons that I don’t understand yet.
Either way, he had plenty lined up, so he stayed busy. He ran through a quick morning routine and went downstairs, where his maids were already at attention. Only five were there. Hanna’s absence reminded him of the old days when he was the worst descendant of the Third Family.
Funny how loss can tidy up a man.
Looks like I’ve truly assimilated Han’s memories and persona by now.
The older maids’ smiles and greetings reminded him of his past and his origins in another world. He smiled and headed for the door. The lanterns outside cast a bright, Sun-like light, as if the Sun were underground.
"Sunshine in the Underworld? Even Dark Practitioners need UVB light, huh?" Han chuckled.
His maids and Bellatrix tilted their heads. UVB light?
Han squinted at Bellatrix. I get my maids not knowing how UVB hits the skin and produces vitamin D3, but you? The Sun Champion?
"You don’t know how the Sun works?" Han asked.
Bellatrix replied, "I do. Through the grace of the Sun God, the Sun is now our ally and friend, just like the Moon. In the Sun’s case, it provides warmth and essential nutrients for crop growth and human vitality."
"How convenient. Let’s just say it’s all the Sun God. Ha!" Han laughed, shaking his head .
Bellatrix pouted.
Recent events and Xena’s absence made her merrier than she had expected. The older maids had no problem with her as long as she didn’t start preaching her usual stuff. She wasn’t in the mood anyway. Instead, she asked the maids about their lives and why they had become maids of the Dark Family.
"That does sound like a good topic for our shopping spree in Steeferce. Where’s Denver?" Han asked.
Speak of the devil, Denver drove a carriage up to Han’s house. One horse pulled it, more than enough for a small carriage. He hopped off and reported in.
"Morning, Han!" Denver said, upbeat.
He wears danger like a loose shirt.
He was in his early thirties, older than Han, clean-shaven, and youthful enough to pass as Han’s peer. In high spirits, he came across as Han’s best friend. The idea hadn’t crossed Han’s mind before. This world was too cruel. He’d rather be surrounded by competent and sexy maids and pets than men anyway, even if it was cliche.
"Did you drink too much coffee, or did Nevolnik give you a bonus?" Han asked.
Denver burst out laughing. "Ha! Nah, I signed up our goods for the Arena Pit. There was a new chick in the registration room, so I sweet-talked her and got us the best spots for next week. Just tell me when you want to see our slaves fight, and we’ll have a good evening!"
"Pushing your smooth talk to the limit? Good one," Han chuckled.
"Yeah. Things are lining up for me. Maybe you were my lucky find!" Denver chuckled.
Bellatrix was shocked again. Denver had the Obsidian Cauldron on him, yet he was in such good spirits and acted as usual. A knife at his throat, and he still lived his best life. Was he deluded or too confident? She couldn’t tell, but the Underworld kept surprising her.
"That would be quite a twist," Han replied, climbing into the driver’s seat.
Denver wouldn’t be joining him today, so an older maid climbed up and took the reins. The other maids climbed into the carriage and sat at attention. Bellatrix moved to follow, but Han kept her by his side.
Knowing what he had done to Hanna, Bellatrix’s cheeks reddened as she obeyed.
As she sat beside him, Han, without thinking, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. He toyed with her orange bangs as he reclined.
"Let’s hear the stories you’ve heard from the maids," Han chuckled.
He’s interested in his maids’ origins! His embrace is soft, not lustful. It’s natural for him to sit this way with a woman beside him... or that’s how he handles his pets...
Bellatrix pushed those thoughts away. There was no cruelty in Han, just pure interest and curiosity. She liked that and saw more hope in him.
So she recited the maids’ stories. Those stories were similar yet eye-opening for the former Sun Champion.
Han thought the same. It reminded him of people moving abroad on Earth. All the maids were born good-looking and passed the competence checks for Black Bones and duties, freeing them from mundane, dangerous lives in villages, fortresses, or other highly corrupted places. As maids, they had protection, more authority, and a safe home to live and serve in. It didn’t matter whether they served Dark Families or not. As long as they could leave their poor lives, that was enough for them.
Han glanced at the slums and the people loitering in the shadows.
That could’ve been me.
Not many people succeed at escaping their shit lives.
It made his awakening and escape feel more valuable.
"Han," Bellatrix called.
"Yeah?" Han replied.
"Could you teach me about UVB light?"
"Until we hit the first store, why not?" Han chuckled.
Once Han started explaining the Sun and how it worked, all of it drawn from Earth, Bellatrix perked up and listened. Five minutes in, she was bewildered by what he knew. The same went for the maid holding the reins.
Did he study ancient writings instead of drowning in alcohol? Was the drunkard routine just a ruse?