Perhaps because Lumina kept a watchful eye on them, Stelle and March 7th's playful bickering quickly came to an end.
Lumina couldn't help but feel a little disappointed... After all, watching these two super-beautiful girls bicker was truly a sight for sore eyes.
Ding-ding-ding!
[This vehicle has arrived at the Sumeru City Gate. Passengers are requested to retrieve their belongings and proceed to the gate for identity verification.]
Just as March 7th and Stelle's commotion subsided, the hovercar pulled up to Sumeru City.
"Let's get out," Lumina said, pushing open the car door and stepping out.
As they exited the vehicle, the crisp, refreshing air, tinged with the scent of flowers and herbs, filled their nostrils, instantly relieving the travelers' fatigue from their journey.
"Wow, the air here is amazing!" March 7th exclaimed, closing her eyes and spreading her arms wide to savor the moment.
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's hurry into the city and find a place to rest," Lumina said with a smile, reminding them.
Though the hovercar had traveled swiftly, by the time they reached the Sumeru City Gate, the sun had already set completely. Within the city, preparations for the nightlife were gradually beginning.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm! Sister Lumina, let's hurry! I can't wait to use my camera to capture every single view of Sumeru City!" March 7th exclaimed, snapping several photos of the Sumeru City Gate with her camera. She turned to Lumina, her face radiating adorable eagerness.
"Alright~ Take all the photos you want, March 7th~" Lumina smiled gently, her eyes softening as she took in March 7th's endearing enthusiasm.
Normally, photography would be strictly forbidden at the Sumeru City Gate, a checkpoint where anyone caught taking unauthorized photos would be suspected of ill intentions and arrested by the Matra for interrogation.
But none of that would happen today, because Lumina was here.
"L-Lady Lumina! Welcome back! Should I notify the House of Daena?"
The clicks and whirs of March 7th's camera had clearly caught the attention of the Matra guarding the gate.
As the Matra turned to investigate the source of the noise, their eyes immediately fell upon Lumina—standing conspicuously yet somehow unnoticed by the surrounding crowd.
The Matra wasn't a fool; he immediately understood that Lady Lumina had orchestrated this intentionally.
He refrained from alerting his colleagues, concealed his aura, and approached Lumina, performing a respectful salute with a face full of reverence and admiration.
"There's no need. I'm just here with my friends to play for a few days before leaving," Lumina replied with a gentle smile.
"Understood, Lady Lumina," the Matra replied without hesitation. He opened an entirely green passage, then returned to his post at the Sumeru City Gate, resuming his duties as a Sumeru Matra.
"Sister Lumina, your status in Sumeru City must be incredibly high," March 7th remarked, having observed the officer's demeanor.
"To be precise, it's throughout the entire Sumeru Star System," Lumina corrected her gently, ruffling March 7th's hair.
"Alright, let's hurry into the city now," Lumina said, stepping forward before March 7th could reply.
Stelle, March 7th, and Little Swarm hastily followed behind...
With Lumina's aura concealed, their entrance into the city went completely unnoticed...
"Welcome to Sumeru City~"
As they entered the city and gazed upon its bustling, prosperous streets teeming with people, Lumina, a native of Sumeru City, greeted them warmly.
"Wowwww!!!"
Stelle and March 7th's eyes lit up as they took in the vibrant scene. However, the source of their excitement differed completely.
"It's so beautiful! It feels even more prosperous than the Starskiff Jetty or the Exalting Sanctum!" March 7th exclaimed, her face radiant with enthusiasm as she snapped photos with her camera.
Clearly, March 7th was captivated by Sumeru City's grandeur.
As for Stelle...
"I never thought I'd see you here too..." Stelle's gaze softened, her eyes carrying a hint of tenderness, as if she had just spotted her beloved.
Following her line of sight, the object of her affection was fully revealed: a gray trash can.
Under normal circumstances—when only March 7th and Dan Heng were present—Stelle would have likely rushed over to embrace the trash can.
But with Sister Lumina present, Stelle felt it was best to maintain a semblance of a beautiful girl's composure...
"Hey, you're not going to start fawning over trash cans again, are you?"
After quickly snapping a few photos of the street ahead, March 7th noticed Stelle staring intently at a nearby trash can. She couldn't help but roll her eyes and mutter, "Still with the trash cans, huh?"
Slurp... Stelle swallowed back the drool that had nearly escaped her lips, calming her racing heart.
When her expression returned to normal, she shook her head slightly and said, "No, I just saw an old friend."
"Your 'old friend' is a trash can, isn't it?" March 7th retorted, hands on her hips, exasperated.
March 7th respected everyone's hobbies, but treating a trash can like your true love? That's a bit much, isn't it?
She silently grumbled to herself, but refrained from saying anything.
As she'd thought earlier, she respected everyone's hobbies...
"Let's find a place to stay first," Lumina suggested with a smile.
"Sister Lumina, can't we stay at your place?" March 7th asked.
"My house is too small to accommodate everyone."
"Eh? Why?" March 7th's eyes widened with confusion. Given Sister Lumina's status, even if she didn't live in a castle, she should at least have a grand villa, right?
"Guess?" Lumina teased with a knowing smile, refusing to answer directly.
-
Matra
A military force directly under the House of Daena, deployed across the entire Sumeru Star System to maintain order.