Sylvia didn't really care who was in charge of Penacony.
She'd only watched, like, the very beginning of the story anyway.
All she knew was that the guy showing up was Aventurine. What Aventurine did after that? No clue.
Would've been nicer to look at if it was Topaz, honestly.
Contract was signed and sealed, anyway.
Topaz was footing the bill for rebuilding the whole planet, including all the follow-up infrastructure costs. Reimbursable.
Stuff like a big astral port, a ring system around the planet, the works...
But, speaking of which, that planet still had a bunch of Fragmentum monsters running around. Seemed like the Company would have to send people to clear those out too.
Thinking about it that way, the middle-managers at the Company must have it pretty rough.
Just wonder how efficient they actually are.
Hope they can get it sorted quickly.
Contract all sorted.
Naturally, Sylvia went and treated Tingyun to a meal as a thank you.
Paying for this kind of expert consultation was a given.
Sylvia wanted to give Tingyun something, but the little fox lady absolutely refused.
When Sylvia suggested a fancy place, Miss Tingyun said she was tired of that kind of food and didn't want it.
No choice, so she just took her to Aurum Alley and treated Miss Tingyun to a feast instead.
During the meal, Sylvia and Tingyun even chatted about what had been going on in Aurum Alley.
"Things in Aurum Alley? This humble one has heard a little about that, too."
Tingyun ate gracefully, dabbing carefully at the oil on her lips with a napkin.
Though cleaner now, her lips were still glossy and slick, reflecting the bright lights, looking utterly enticing.
"This humble one heard it was that Nameless, and a Cloud Knight soldier helping out. Hehe~ The recent happenings in Aurum Alley have been getting quite a bit of attention at the Sky-Faring Commission."
"Oh? The Sky-Faring Commission is paying attention to that place too?"
"Of course."
Tingyun put down her chopsticks, a smile on her face, but her expression turned a bit more serious:
"The Luofu handing Aurum Alley over to the Company wasn't so they could use it to go after the Luofu's own people."
As a businesswoman, Tingyun naturally saw clearly the decline of Aurum Alley.
Back then, the Sky-Faring Commission gave that project to the Company, hoping they might find a way to revitalize Aurum Alley.
Not so the Company could just level the place and turn it into a warehouse.
"Several of this humble one's colleagues have been having their people help out Aurum Alley recently."
Sylvia was taken aback.
"There's that kind of thing?"
"Of course, otherwise, how could sheer enthusiasm from two outsiders be enough to cover the rent in such a short time?"
Tingyun explained with a light chuckle, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"But, I suppose it was just the right time. Everyone mainly wanted to save face, really. Never expected that after we all pitched in, Aurum Alley actually showed signs of being truly revitalized."
"Who knows, maybe Aurum Alley could find a second wind, in the name of 'tradition'."
"Well, no wonder... With the biggest merchant guilds helping out, it would've been weird if it didn't work..."
Sylvia finally got it. She'd honestly thought Stelle was just some kind of naturally gifted business prodigy, single-handedly breathing life back into Aurum Alley.
Never expected the big guilds of the Sky-Faring Commission were the ones really pulling the strings behind the scenes.
"Can't say that. Favorable winds need someone who can ride them. That Nameless young lady does have some skill."
Tingyun scooted her chair closer to Sylvia.
Then lowered her voice:
"A few of my colleagues have even been thinking about trying to recruit her."
"...Probably not possible, right? Will Lady Yukong allow it?"
"Of course not, hehe~"
Tingyun deliberately leaned close to Sylvia's ear and giggled.
The warm, moist breath and the crisp sound of her laughter sent a tingling, numbing sensation right through Sylvia's ear.
Sylvia tilted her head slightly, blushing a little as she put some distance between them, then suddenly thought:
"Don't tell me... you deliberately wanted to come to Aurum Alley today? For some on-site investigation?"
"What is my benefactor saying? I've just heard so much about Aurum Alley lately, I was simply curious what it was really like."
Miss Tingyun's ears twitched, and her fluffy tail swished against Sylvia's waist with a soft thump thump.
She put on a slightly displeased pout, looking absolutely adorable.
"Come to think of it... My benefactor has their own territory now. I'd love to visit your planet someday."
"Well, you'll have to wait for that. Right now it's all ruins and Fragmentum monsters up there. Who knows how many years it'll take for the Company to rebuild the ecosystem."
"Wouldn't be too sure about that~"
Tingyun smiled mysteriously, offering no explanation to Sylvia, and went back to eating.
--+--
After spending some time strolling through Aurum Alley with Tingyun, and returning to her residence, Sylvia told Acheron about the signed contract with Topaz.
Along with it, she also mentioned her new transformation ability.
And that did it.
Acheron, who originally hadn't planned on coming back, immediately said she wanted to return and see for herself.
Urging Sylvia to open a portal.
The moment she was back, Mei eagerly walked up to Sylvia and handed her a red paper umbrella.
"This umbrella, I've used it for a long time. It should work."
"...Should work what? You're pretty hyped about this, huh?"
Sylvia took the umbrella, unable to resist teasing Mei.
Lately, this girl really had stopped holding back, and this was with them being apart most of the time.
If they ever ended up traveling together, Sylvia dreaded to think what she might do.
"..."
Mei didn't say anything, just kept staring at Sylvia with that same eager look.
Like she had no concept of embarrassment, her gaze actually made Sylvia feel shy.
Raising the paper umbrella, she activated the ability.
In the next instant, white hair shifted into deep blue, her frame becoming taller and more slender.
Even her clothes changed, becoming identical to Acheron's.
And in that moment.
Sylvia also felt a dazed sensation, as if she was falling into that hollow emptiness of Nihility.
Though the feeling wasn't strong, just like when she'd transformed into Sparkle before, Sylvia found her own thoughts being subtly influenced by Acheron's state of being.
Except this time, there was clearly no corresponding power from the Nihility Path generated.
Still, this mental assimilation was something to watch out for.
Last time she'd put on that Sparkle mask, the power from Elation had definitely felt off.
Either it was the mask itself, or that Aeon of Elation was messing around.
Mm...
Still pretty dangerous.
But for now, though.
Sylvia lifted her gaze, one eye hidden behind her long hair, her vision half-blocked.
Mei had already taken off her gloves and was starting to poke and prod at Sylvia.
Feeling here, pinching there, even murmuring quietly in amazement at how perfect the imitation was.
"It's almost like looking at myself..."
She murmured, then suddenly paused, her head snapping up to look Sylvia in the eye:
"...This doesn't also copy Nihility's power, does it?"
"No, this kind of mimicry doesn't copy power."
"Good..."
Mei's expression visibly relaxed.
"Sylvia on the inside, with these eyes and this face of mine... What a strange feeling."
Saying this, Mei reached out and, almost without thinking, pressed Sylvia down onto the sofa.
--+--
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.