Mei left with open ease. She summoned Sleepie and had it send her into a sweet dream, while Sylvia, of course, left the dreamscape and woke up in reality.
She pushed open the guest room door. Outside, Robin was humming a tune with an apron tied around her waist, busy with something in the kitchen. When she heard the door, she turned back and blinked at Sylvia in surprise.
"You're back so soon?"
"I got lucky. I ran into Mei halfway through."
Sylvia answered with a smile, then walked over to see what Robin was making. Once she came near the kitchen, a sweet scent drifted over. It looked like Robin was preparing some kind of dessert.
When Robin saw Sylvia at the kitchen doorway, her face turned a little red, but she still smiled and said, "I was thinking I'd use this time to make some snacks and tea, so we could eat together once you came out."
She just hadn't expected Sylvia to return so fast. She hadn't even put anything in the oven yet.
"You know how to make desserts?" Sylvia asked, curious. Robin looked more like the type who'd never step into a kitchen.
"A little. I've been free lately, so I learned a bit." Robin nodded, and the wings behind her ears covered half her face before she knew it, as if they were trying to hide her from Sylvia's gaze.
In truth, she'd only wanted to learn a small skill so she could make something for Sylvia to taste.
Shops outside sold all kinds of sweets, and dreams even had unique treats found only inside sweet dreams, but something handmade still carried a sense of ceremony. Of course, she'd never say that to Sylvia. It'd sound a little too much like she was asking for praise.
"That's nice. I'll help too."
Sylvia rolled up her sleeves with a grin and walked into the wide kitchen. Robin didn't get the chance to stop her before Sylvia had already found another apron.
"…Fine."
Her plan to work in secret and surprise Sylvia had failed, but cooking together with Sylvia seemed like a fine turn of events too.
Robin smiled, humming a soft tune, then circled behind Sylvia and tied her apron for her while Sylvia adjusted her collar.
"By the way, does this count as resting? You've been busy for a while, right?" Sylvia asked as she followed Robin's instructions and got to work. Wasn't rest supposed to mean lying limp on the sofa, doing nothing, and wasting time with an empty head? A healthy and cute hobby like this felt a bit too anime.
Robin, though, looked confused. "Why wouldn't it count? After spending so long in a dream, shouldn't you move around a little?"
"Mm… you've got a point."
Sylvia choked on that for a moment. It did make sense. When someone entered a dream to relax, their body rested the whole time, so the real fatigue was mental.
In that case, Robin's choice, which didn't strain the mind or tire the body too much, did seem perfect.
"Hehe."
Robin covered her mouth with her wing and laughed softly.
To be exact, she was happy because she was making these for Sylvia. If she were alone, she'd most likely be lying on the sofa, staring at the ceiling and singing with nothing to do.
"Speaking of which, have you contacted Sunday?"
"No. My brother's been busy lately, right? If I contacted him, he'd rush over to me right away."
Robin pressed her lips together. For one thing, she didn't want to trouble her brother and make him carve out time for her. For another… she didn't want Sunday to join in while she was alone with Sylvia.
It wouldn't be too late to tell him after Sylvia left. Either way, it'd only be a day, maybe even less than that. It just meant waiting a little longer, and her brother would be fine.
That was what Robin thought. She just didn't say it out loud. Otherwise, Sylvia would've mocked her and said this warm little "cotton jacket" of a sister had started letting in drafts too.
--+--
With Sylvia joining in, the dessert-making sped up at once. On top of that, they even added several more kinds. By the time they were done, the coffee table was covered in snacks, along with steaming cups of coffee.
Sylvia and Robin sat side by side on the sofa. Robin leaned a little of her weight against Sylvia, pretending Sylvia hadn't noticed a thing. Sylvia picked up a slice of cake and took a small bite, and she didn't mind Robin leaning on her.
"In two days, The Family will likely want to meet you. Are you nervous?"
For the auction led by the Alfalfa Family, that Old Oti would no doubt have Robin show herself early. He might even keep Robin under The Family's eyes the whole time.
"Not at all. Haven't we already prepared everything?"
"That's true."
What they'd gained today had filled both Sylvia and Robin with confidence.
"Still, I'm a little worried about whether the Charmony Festival can go on smoothly."
In the end, this plan was like a grand gamble. The IPC's methods were still unknown, and Robin was now more worried about whether Penacony's Charmony Festival could be held on schedule.
"If the plan goes well, there shouldn't be much of a problem. The IPC wouldn't go so far as to ruin the Charmony Festival."
Although the IPC wanted to reclaim Penacony, it still wouldn't tear all decorum apart with The Family in public.
"I hope so."
Robin nodded.
--+--
At that moment, on the Xianzhou Luofu, inside the Seat of Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan had a communication line open and was telling someone about the latest situation.
"Well now, this Miss Sylvia really is something. If it were convenient, I'd truly like to make a trip to Penacony myself."
A spirited female voice rang out, and from her tone, she seemed quite interested in Sylvia.
"When the Luofu's Luminary Wardance arrives, General, you'll have a chance to meet her."
Jing Yuan answered with a smile.
"Hahaha, true enough. I'll look forward to it."
At the same time, another aged voice came through. "Let this old man make the trip for you. This auction likely won't be a quiet one."
"Does General Huaiyan think there'll be a chaotic battle this time?"
"Haha, General Jing Yuan, you jest. Once the Xianzhou Alliance and the IPC make a move, even a fake auction will have to become real."
As he spoke, General Huaiyan paused, then went on. "Besides, that little girl is acting with such fanfare. The Lord Ravagers may not be able to sit still much longer."
Lord Ravager Phantylia had stumbled on the Xianzhou Luofu, and other Lord Ravagers had already set their sights on the Xianzhou. With Sylvia making such a grand show this time, there was no guarantee a Lord Ravager wouldn't come in person. That was also why Huaiyan planned to make the trip himself.
That little girl did have someone beside her whose strength was hard to measure, someone who was most likely an Emanator who "shouldn't exist."
Still, as generals, they knew the price such a status came with. And while the Xianzhou didn't care about that person's identity, it was still better not to expose it.
As individuals, the generals had no complaints about Acheron, the Galaxy Ranger. But as generals of the Xianzhou Alliance, they still had to be cautious.
If Huaiyan went in secret and things went well, then all would be fine. If there were signs that the situation might go out of control, then no matter what, Huaiyan had to ensure Phantylia couldn't return to the world.
This point was also one of the reasons many people in the Alliance had complaints about Jing Yuan. Phantylia was a major criminal, the mastermind who had targeted the Xianzhou, a Lord Ravager.
Yet Jing Yuan hadn't sent her to the Marshal for imprisonment and interrogation. Instead, he'd let an outsider carry her around.
Was he truly not afraid something would go wrong? Even leaving aside the chance that Phantylia might see daylight again, wasn't he worried that a Xianzhou ally might get surrounded by Lord Ravagers?
So on this trip, whether it was Jing Yuan's idea or not, and even if Jing Yuan himself didn't want it, the Xianzhou had to send another team along with the Luofu's people.
Sylvia truly couldn't be avoided when it came to the Luofu's Lord Ravager crisis.
"Haha, a chance to hunt a Lord Ravager? I'd love to see that."
Feixiao's laughter rang out once more.
Both Jing Yuan and Huaiyan felt a little helpless. The Xianzhou Yaoqing's string of victories had much to do with this general's style. Jing Yuan ignored Merlin's Claw and changed the subject.
"I'll trouble you this time, General Huaiyan."
"Hehe. There's a little girl on my end who's been clamoring to ask Sylvia about greatsword techniques ever since she heard about her. This works out well. It'll save my ears from her daily fuss."
"That's good. Once Penacony's matter ends, she can come straight to the Luofu for the Luminary Wardance. We'll have two rounds of bustle."
Jing Yuan still wore his usual smile. Inside the Xianzhou, people were impeaching him; outside the Xianzhou, others had their eyes on the Luofu because of Phantylia. Yet at this moment, Jing Yuan wanted to hold a Luminary Wardance.
If it went well, then of course it'd be a good thing. But if anything went wrong, then Jing Yuan's time as general would truly be over. It carried the air of a gamble.
The two generals present could read Jing Yuan's intent. Though it was a gamble, the fact that the Luofu could gather three Xianzhou generals was also why Jing Yuan dared to bet. Feixiao, of course, didn't mind at all. She was even looking forward to a Lord Ravager coming over so she could have a proper fight.
"Hehe. Let's stop here, then. This old man should go pack his bags."
The call between the three generals ended amid warm laughter.
Jing Yuan, meanwhile, glanced at the Vidyadhara petition placed before his desk. Behind it were the signatures of more than half the Preceptors, along with many core members of the Vidyadhara.
As for the contents, they were asking Jing Yuan to share information about the white dragon that had descended upon Fyxestroll Garden that day.
The letter went on at length about the Vidyadhara facing disaster, the lack of a High Elder, and other such things. In short, they were crying about how pitiful they were.
"Heh. Those Preceptors really do love these little tricks. I wonder if they know that if they keep using their 'weak position' to pressure others, they'll truly become weak with time."
Jing Yuan's fingers tapped the fine paper. How had these people come up with the idea of asking an outsider to become their High Elder?
Still… She was strong, good at Cloudhymn Arts, and able to turn into a dragon. Thinking about it that way, Sylvia might truly be able to fill the role.
Even though he knew full well that Sylvia wasn't of dragon blood at all, only a special Pathstrider, Jing Yuan couldn't help laughing.
Sylvia had transformed into a dragon in Fyxestroll Garden in such a grand way, all to deal with an incomplete Cirrus. Jing Yuan could only take it to mean that Sylvia didn't care if her information leaked.
"Yanqing."
"Here."
Hearing the call, Yanqing came over from a distance.
"Go tell the Preceptor who delivered the letter that I can agree to their request and even speak on their behalf. But in exchange, the Dragon Lady Bailu must be placed under Sylvia's care."
"Huh?"
Yanqing's eyes went blank with pure confusion. Was the general trying to send that Dragon Lady out of the Xianzhou Luofu? Come to think of it, what was so special about that Dragon Lady that the general cared this much?
Those thoughts ran through his mind, but Yanqing had already accepted the order and left. Jing Yuan remained seated, though his expression faded a little, and he gave a soft sigh.
This move, for once, truly had no scheme behind it. He simply wanted Bailu to escape a life of control and surveillance. Just like how he'd sent Dan Heng away, this time, it was Bailu's turn.
--+--
Elsewhere, on a spaceship sailing through the cosmos, only Firefly and Silver Wolf sat in the hall.
"This is so weird. I can't find Sylvia's signal in the sweet dream at all. Where did she run off to?"
Silver Wolf scratched her head and glanced at Firefly, who was smiling beside her. She felt as if her skill had been challenged.
"There's no need to meet up with her right away, is there? We'll see her when the time comes anyway."
"…If we don't find her, you'll get treated like a stowaway."
"But aren't we wanted criminals already?"
Silver Wolf shot Firefly a glare, but Firefly only covered her mouth and laughed. Then she took tiny bites of the cake Sylvia had given her. She hadn't seen Sylvia in a while, and she did miss her.
"Nope. I refuse to believe this. In this universe, there's no place I can't hack into!"
Silver Wolf ground her teeth. She truly couldn't understand why she kept tripping over Sylvia every few days. But then she sighed and looked toward Firefly.
"Ugh. I still don't get why Elio sent you to Penacony. Kafka and I would've been fine."
"Hehe. Elio must've seen a better future."
"I'm not so sure… Elio changed the script again two days ago and barely got any sleep. You know that too."
Silver Wolf and the others didn't doubt Elio's ability. But in reality, because of Sylvia, Elio had been changing the script so often that he couldn't even sleep well.
It was enough to make anyone wonder whether the script in their hands was truly the final version.
At least Silver Wolf didn't believe it anymore. Last time, during Kafka's operation on the Xianzhou, Elio had still been writing the final draft right up until Kafka exited the stage.
She didn't even dare imagine how many versions of the script Firefly would have to read after heading to Penacony now.
But the script itself had only said they needed to arrive before the Charmony Festival. It hadn't said they had to come this early.
"You little punk, you just wanted to see Sylvia sooner, didn't you?"
When Silver Wolf thought of Elio being forced to work overtime because of Firefly's actions, she couldn't decide whether to mock him or pity him.
Firefly held the cake in both hands. Her cheeks turned a little red, and then she gave a silly smile.
"Well… yes, a little."
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL