Sylvia stared at Silver Wolf with confusion.
"What do you mean, why'd he specifically ask you not to tell me?"
"How should I know? It's probably that whole 'key people can't see the script' thing again."
Silver Wolf shrugged, looking completely unconcerned.
"Look, isn't that always how it is with protagonists in stories? Other people might see the prophecy, but they can't reveal it to the main crew."
"What kind of reason is that?"
Sylvia curled her lips in exasperation. Speaking of protagonists, wasn't that the Astral Express crew?
"Anyway, forget about seeing the script. What Elio decides, I can't go against."
Silver Wolf always enjoyed seeing Sylvia get thwarted, and she was grinning widely now.
"But if Elio didn't mention it, then it's fair game."
"What do you mean?"
"That Masked Fool? I really did invite her. The goal was for Firefly. But the specifics? Not telling you."
"Fine."
Sylvia accepted Silver Wolf's explanation.
"So that means, the reason you entrusted things to Sparkle to help Firefly was because you couldn't involve me?"
"Exactly."
Silver Wolf's answer was crisp and clear.
Anyway, Elio only said she couldn't reveal the script's contents to Sylvia.
Whatever Sylvia managed to pry out of Sparkle herself? That was her own business, nothing to do with Silver Wolf.
"Well... alright then. At least I've confirmed Sparkle can barely be considered an ally."
Having gotten a definite answer from Silver Wolf, Sylvia finally started to build a sliver of trust in Sparkle.
"Already planning to cooperate with Sparkle?"
"What else would I do?"
Sylvia shot Silver Wolf a displeased glare.
This girl, she'd clearly already seen the script, yet she was still here, deliberately saying things like this.
"Knowing that Sparkle went to handle stuff related to Firefly because of your commission, how could I just stand by and do nothing?"
Saying this, Sylvia suddenly became very curious about how Silver Wolf had chosen her person.
"Speaking of which... what criteria did you use to pick Sparkle, that Masked Fool?"
Silver Wolf raised a finger, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Heh, you just don't get it, do you? People like those Masked Fools—as long as they think something will be fun, they'll throw themselves into it wholeheartedly. You can guarantee they'll finish the job. Their reliability is actually higher."
"...You really have a unique way of looking at things."
"What's that supposed to mean—"
Silver Wolf lifted her foot and gave Sylvia's stomach a light kick.
Glancing back at the battle settlement screen, she jumped down from her chair:
"Since you're here anyway, today you're staying with me to farm materials. Perfect timing, I just finished the campaign, time to farm materials and expand the fleet."
"Fine, whatever you say. But you're giving me a spaceship."
Many of Sylvia's expensive ships in this game had been swiped from Silver Wolf.
"Tch, like you haven't taken plenty already."
Silver Wolf tossed her head, and her curly silver ponytail went whap, smacking Sylvia right in the face.
--+--
They played games together for about ten system hours.
Silver Wolf was as energetic as ever, but Sylvia was mentally exhausted.
Mainly, she just wasn't like Silver Wolf, who could play anything as long as it was a game.
Sylvia had her own favorite genres, and simple mining definitely wasn't one of them.
Even having someone to chat with, it was still incredibly boring.
Logging out of the game, Sylvia returned from the Reverie Hotel to the Xianzhou.
While ordering a batch of ingredients from a Xianzhou store, she sent a message to Acheron:
[Sylvia: Mei, you free? I'm about to start cooking.]
[Acheron: Sorry to trouble you. Wait a moment.]
[Sylvia: No problem. It'll take some time for the Cycrane to bring the stuff back anyway.]
After waiting about half a system hour.
Just as the delivery bot dropped off the groceries, Acheron was summoned back by Sylvia.
Whenever Acheron appeared, she always landed right beside Sylvia.
Seeing Sylvia, she reached out and gently hugged her.
As Sylvia, as usual, hugged her back.
Acheron suddenly wrinkled her cute nose and leaned in to sniff carefully at Sylvia's shoulder.
"...There's a very pleasant fragrance on your shoulder. Is it Miss Robin's?"
Her tone was as calm as ever, but Sylvia broke out in a cold sweat.
"Why would you think it's Robin's?"
"After you interact with Robin, a similar scent lingers on you. But today, the one on your shoulder is stronger."
"...Are you part bloodhound or something?"
Acheron didn't answer, but instead reached up and pulled open Sylvia's collar.
Then she opened her mouth and bit down.
"Hiss—"
Sylvia felt a sharp pain, followed by the sensation of something wet and soft gliding across her skin.
She raised a hand and gently stroked Acheron's back.
Then Acheron easily pushed her down onto the sofa.
She lifted her head, her moist, rosy lips slightly parted as the tip of her tongue drew some bright red liquid into her mouth.
A trace of blood lingered at the corner of her mouth, which Sylvia reached up and gently wiped away.
Acheron looked down at Sylvia from above, silently staring.
But she tilted her head slightly, pressing her cheek against Sylvia's palm.
"..."
Sylvia knew Acheron was waiting for an explanation.
"Why are you still like before? You're usually so talkative now."
Sylvia sighed helplessly. Usually, Acheron was used to conversing normally now.
But when it came to moments like this, she still preferred using actions to express her feelings, rather than words.
Even though, by now, Sylvia could clearly understand Acheron's meaning.
She still couldn't help but sigh.
But after sighing, she still began to carefully recount today's discoveries in Penacony.
"Today in Penacony..."
--+--
She rambled on for about half a system hour.
After Sylvia finished telling Acheron about the current state and history of Penacony.
Acheron thought for a moment, then suddenly said:
"...Even though we're both women, your behavior towards Miss Robin could be considered harassment, right?"
"Is that the point?!"
Acheron's opening line almost made Sylvia lose her composure.
Seriously?
I just spent all that time talking about Penacony, and that's your takeaway?
"For me, yes."
Of course, Acheron had noticed the other things, but that didn't stop her from singling out the Robin situation to give Sylvia a hard time.
She leaned down, her hand gripping Sylvia's clothes as the power of IX was silently released.
She effortlessly dissolved the fabric on Sylvia's shoulder, revealing the pale, smooth skin.
And her delicate collarbone.
The now-disconnected cloth slid loosely down.
Barely held in place by Sylvia's chest.
Also revealing the deep valley there.
Acheron admired the scenery she had created.
Her hand gently brushed across Sylvia's skin, her tone calm:
"I'm going to cover up Robin's scent."
"...Wouldn't a shower do? Did you have to destroy my clothes?"
"This way, you'll probably remember it more vividly, Sylvia—"
Acheron called Sylvia's name, then pressed her body against hers.
Drowning Sylvia's pure white color in that deep shade.
Leaving no trace.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.