Chapter 96: The Matriarch’s Proposal
Ryan led the two women from Sanctuary into a smaller, more private meeting room. It was a comfortable space with a large window that overlooked the bustling city below. He offered them seats at a polished wooden table, a rare and luxurious item in this world of metal and energy.
Matriarch Isabella sat down with a graceful sigh, her presence filling the room with a sense of calm. Ryan could feel her unique talent at work. It was a B-Tier skill called "Aura of Sanctity." It wasn’t a weapon or a flashy power.
It was a gentle, passive field of energy that made people around her feel safe and at ease. It was like sitting next to a warm, crackling fireplace on a cold night.
All the stress and worry from his morning meetings seemed to melt away just by being near her.
The younger diplomat, Seraphina, sat next to her. She was the complete opposite. Where the Matriarch was calm, Seraphina was sharp.
Her eyes were bright and intelligent, and they missed nothing. She watched Ryan with a keen, analytical gaze, as if she were trying to solve a complex and very interesting puzzle.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Stone," the Matriarch began, her voice as soothing as her aura. "We in Sector Phi have been watching your progress with great interest.
You have accomplished in a few short months what many Sector Lords fail to do in a lifetime. You have brought order to chaos. You have united your people. You have built a true sanctuary."
"We do our best," Ryan said simply. "But I have a feeling you didn’t travel all this way just to tell me I’m doing a good job."
A small, knowing smile touched Isabella’s lips. "You are direct. I appreciate that." She folded her hands on the table. "Our home, which we also call Sanctuary, is different from most Outposts.
We are not warriors. We are builders. Healers. Gardeners. Our talents lie in the nurturing of life. We have developed bio-restorative technologies that can heal wounds far faster than any standard med-kit.