"Mm, looks good. The Astral Express crew should be able to depart before long."
"The Simulated Universe will also be operational very soon."
Within the Xianzhou garrison, Setsuna looked over the reports from the two teams with satisfaction.
Most of his focus was on the Simulated Universe and the Aeons. As for the Astral Express, he could let the girls explore freely. There were still star systems in this region that had yet to be visited.
Perhaps they would even bring back a few new companions when they returned.
"Commander, you still have 1,306 pending appointments to process."
A Sophon projected an interface.
The arrival of the leader of the Starsea Empire in this universe was a major event for every civilization—especially the smaller ones under IPC administration.
For a time, from employees absorbed from the company to envoys and rulers of other civilizations, all were eager to pay a visit to this new sovereign.
"Handle the nobodies yourself. Only bring me the ones worth seeing."
He yawned.
Rather than waste time meeting some small fry from the edge of nowhere, he might as well spend that time with the girls.
"Understood."
The Sophon nodded.
"Mm..."
Just as he was considering his next steps—
"Amicassador Tingyun of the Sky-Faring Commission requests an audience."
Knock knock knock—
After a light knock, a familiar voice followed.
"Greetings, Sacrosanct."
Tingyun stepped in cautiously.
"Oh? It's you. What's the matter?"
Setsuna asked.
Normally, whenever he was active on the Xianzhou, Tingyun accompanied him.
But these past few days he had remained at the garrison handling matters related to the expedition team.
"It's nothing..."
Somewhat embarrassed, Tingyun approached with a delicate little box in her hands. She placed it on the table before Setsuna and gave a respectful bow.
"This humble one has come specifically to offer thanks to the Sacrosanct."
"That day, a Lord Ravager had infiltrated the Whistling Flames Guild's vessel, intending to seize this humble one's identity and wreak havoc between the Xianzhou and the Starsea Empire."
"If not for my benefactor's assistance, this humble one would likely have already fallen victim to her."
Without the protective charm Setsuna had given her, Tingyun knew she would have stood no chance against Phantylia. Who knew what chaos would have erupted on the Xianzhou by then?
"Oh, you mean Phantylia? Don't worry. She's been properly disciplined."
Setsuna smiled.
He snapped his fingers.
With a crisp sound, Phantylia obediently trotted over to serve tea.
"Sacrosanct..."
"!"
The moment she saw Tingyun, their eyes met—and the air froze instantly, awkward tension spreading between them.
"Ah?!"
Tingyun had never expected to see a dignified Lord Ravager doing menial chores here. As for Phantylia, she suddenly realized that their positions had completely reversed.
In the past, a mere Amicassador of the Sky-Faring Commission could have been crushed with a single finger.
Now her very life and death rested entirely in Setsuna's hands, and she still needed something from him.
"Mm..."
After holding it in for a while, Phantylia bowed toward Tingyun.
"...I failed to recognize greatness and offended you. My apologies."
"Eh?"
Tingyun felt as if she had lived long enough to witness anything. To think a Lord Ravager would one day apologize to her.
"Sacrosanct, this is...?"
"You can have her kowtow a few times, or beat her up a little. Making her your servant would also be fine."
After pondering for a moment, Setsuna gestured at Phantylia.
"For the time being, you will follow Tingyun's instructions. When she travels, you will ensure her safety. If anything happens to her, I'll hold you accountable."
"...Understood."
Phantylia had no objections. As long as this living ancestor would spare her life and eventually grant her a body, she was willing to endure.
It was obvious that Tingyun held a far higher position in Setsuna's heart than she did.
"Ah?!"
Tingyun was stunned, unable to recover for quite a while.
"Sacrosanct, this...?"
"She's now a prisoner of the Starsea Empire. This is both reform and punishment."
Setsuna answered succinctly.
"Given her status as a Lord Ravager, she must prove herself through action. Her final disposition will depend on her performance."
Phantylia trembled, not daring to speak.
Had she known that attacking Tingyun would cause such a catastrophe, she would rather have bullied some backwater planet's natives instead.
"Eh..."
Tingyun truly could not imagine what it would look like to have a Lord Ravager as her attendant.
It would be more prestigious than the Luofu's general—no, even more imposing than the Xianzhou marshal.
As for the one who had attacked her, she naturally had her own thoughts. But with Setsuna arranging things this way, she was completely convinced.
The Sacrosanct's actions always surpassed her expectations.
She steadied herself and finally calmed down.
"Mm..."
"My benefactor's kindness weighs heavier than mountains. Tingyun truly does not know how to repay you..."
"This humble one had intended to select gifts for you during the delegation's travels, but did not expect the Sacrosanct to arrive so swiftly. I had no time to prepare properly. Please forgive me."
Setsuna opened the box she had presented. Inside were various exquisite trinkets and carefully packaged premium tea leaves. It was clear she had put thought into it.
"It's fine. As long as you're safe."
He ruffled Tingyun's hair and casually pinched her fox ears. The sensation was excellent.
"Eh? Benefactor?!..."
Tingyun's face flushed instantly, and she fumbled awkwardly.
Glancing down, Setsuna noticed that the charm he had given her was still tied at her waist.
"You're still wearing it? That thing was single-use."
"T-This... this is a keepsake from my benefactor. Of course I must cherish it."
Tingyun spoke softly.
The foxian girl's eyes shimmered, charming and lively, a blend of allure and spirited grace. Paired with her dark ceremonial attire, Setsuna felt he suddenly understood King Zhou.
Fox girls really were beautiful.
"Here."
He gently held her hand, guiding a strand of energy into it. The jade bracelet on Tingyun's wrist glowed faintly with a soft teal light.
"If anything happens in the future, it will protect you."
"Ah... Thank you for your generous favor, Sacrosanct. In this way, I truly do not know how I am to repay my benefactor..."
Tingyun felt embarrassed.
She had ended up owing him yet another favor.
"It's fine. I like you."
"Eh? What does the Sacrosanct mean?..."
"What do you think?"
Setsuna pulled Tingyun into his arms and casually stroked her fox tail.
It was silky smooth, clearly well cared for on a daily basis.
"Eh—eh—eh—eh—eh??"
Tingyun had never expected such a direct strike. Flustered and overwhelmed, she struggled symbolically for a moment.
"Does the Sacrosanct mean... m-mean what this humble one is thinking?!...
"But... this humble one is merely an ordinary mortal. I fear I am not worthy of the Sacrosanct..."
Setsuna could tell that Tingyun held a deep sense of awe toward him. Her tense body was rigid with nervousness.
Not just her—most Xianzhou natives were the same.
"Does this mean... this humble one is to serve the Sacrosanct from now on? Mm..."
Tingyun asked timidly.
Pfft—
Setsuna couldn't help laughing.
"Do you think I'm asking you to become my maid?!"
"B-But... this humble one is only an Amicassador of the Sky-Faring Commission. I cannot compare to the Sacrosanct..."
Tingyun shrank back slightly.
In terms of status, strength, even appearance, Setsuna was the most exceptional existence she had ever seen.
Precisely because the gap between them was so vast—even the Xianzhou's upper echelons could only look up at the ruler of the Starsea Empire—how could a mere Amicassador like her dare presume otherwise?
Even if she harbored certain thoughts, she had to ask herself whether she was worthy.
"Should I call you socially adept, or simply overthinking?"
Setsuna pinched Tingyun's cheek again.
"At times like this, you should be a little more honest with yourself. All right?"
"Mm..."
Tingyun's heart waged an intense battle.
She had been completely unprepared for this. While working in the Sky-Faring Commission, her entire focus had been on the Whistling Flames Guild's business. She had never spared thought for such matters.
Yet instinct told her that this might be the only opportunity—and honor—of her life.
"This humble one cannot compare to the girls by the Sacrosanct's side... I possess none of their miraculous abilities..."
"There are plenty of ordinary people in the Starsea Empire. Haven't you seen them?"
"Then why does my benefactor choose..."
"Because I like you. That's all."
Setsuna's answer was blunt.
Whether in beauty, temperament, or the way she treated others, Tingyun was simply delightful.
"Mm..."
Tingyun lowered her head, her ears trembling slightly.
After a long silence, she finally made what might be the most important decision of her life. In a gentle voice, she spoke:
"Then..."
"From this day forward, this humble one will rely on my benefactor."
She leaned her soft body into Setsuna's embrace.
The ruler who commanded an interstellar empire, who could destroy a civilization with a flick of his fingers and even dared to challenge the Aeons—he was undeniably fearsome.
Yet beneath his protection, she felt an unprecedented sense of security.
"Mm..."
Setsuna brushed the hair from her face and lowered his head. A soft sensation touched his lips, carrying a faint fruity fragrance.
Tingyun's face grew even redder. She lowered her head and buried herself in his chest, too shy to meet his gaze.
"Mm! Sacrosanct..."
She felt Setsuna's hand slide around her waist. She wanted to stop him, yet did not quite dare to speak.
She still had not fully stepped out of the immense disparity between Sacrosanct and Amicassador.
Seeing her bite her lip, clearly wanting to speak yet not daring to, only made her more adorable in Setsuna's eyes.
"Benefactor, p-please... don't bully this humble one..."
Tingyun murmured softly.
"And... we're still inside the administrative center of the garrison!"
Even though it was the Starsea Empire's territory—and within the Delve, aside from shipgirls, Bulins, and Angeloids, there was no one else—she still felt embarrassed.
Whoosh—
She suddenly felt herself lifted into a princess carry. Her fluffy tail curled tightly from sheer shyness.
"Benefactor... where are we going?"
Tingyun asked in a small voice.
"What do you think?"