"Hmph, it was just alright. Didn't live up to the hype."
"Every second spent indulging in these delicacies is a second stolen from my great contributions to the universe!"
Several system-hours later, Clara gazed at the street food stalls she'd practically sampled from end to end, wiped a bit of drool from her lips, her expression now utterly placid, her eyes filled with profound life truths as she stared into the distance, already envisioning her own unique future.
Firefly: …
Watching Clara's current state, the corner of Firefly's mouth twitched slightly.
Well, it was true for anyone. People sure got bold with their words after the fact.
Seems Clara had slipped into 'Sage Mode.'
Firefly recalled an explanation of 'Sage Mode' she'd seen on a short video platform before.
After finishing, the eyes lose all worldly desire. All that remains in the mind is the drive to contribute to the great universe... or something like that.
The various traits described in the video matched Clara's current demeanor quite well.
Firefly chuckled inwardly, really wanting to pull out her phone and snap a picture of Clara like this to revisit later.
But if she took out her phone to take a photo, Clara would definitely notice...
Then, forget taking pictures, it might even earn Clara's displeasure.
That would be a loss outweighing any gain.
So, Firefly had to rein in her little idea.
The sky is vast, the earth is wide, but the wife comes first~
Thinking this, Firefly asked Clara, who was deep in 'Sage Mode':
"Wife~ What shall we do now? Find a hotel, or go home?"
'Clara' in public, 'Wife' in private, hehehe.
"Do nothing. Just wait right here." Hearing Firefly's 'Wife,' a faint hint of pink touched Clara's otherwise calm complexion.
Even though she was the one who allowed Firefly to call her that, deep down, she still felt a bit embarrassed...
But it was fine. No one else knew Firefly used that title for her. If anyone found out...
Well, little Clara wouldn't hesitate to silence them for good!
"Honored guests, greetings. General Jing Yuan wishes to meet with you both."
"Might I humbly request your presence for a visit to the Seat of Divine Strategy?"
Not even a few seconds after Clara finished speaking, a voice came from behind them.
They turned to see a simply dressed Foxian lady standing before them.
The Foxian lady performed a greeting bow, her expression full of respect, showing no ill will whatsoever towards them being stowaways.
Of course, it was also possible this Foxian lady simply didn't know.
"If the honored guests are unwilling to go, I shall take my leave." Seeing Clara and Firefly remain silent, the Foxian lady assumed they didn't wish to go.
The General had instructed that if they refused, they were to be left to their own devices.
As long as they showed no overt hostility towards the Luofu, they were to be treated as esteemed guests.
Thus, the Foxian lady spoke again:
"Honored guests, aside from its special snacks, the Luofu also boasts many scenic spots rated SSSSS across the cosmos, as well as numerous historical sites passed down through the ages. We hope you will find them to your liking."
"May your journey on the Luofu be enjoyable and smooth."
The Foxian lady bowed to Clara and Firefly once more, then turned to leave.
"Wait. You can't go."
Just as the Foxian lady took her first step to depart, Clara suddenly spoke up, stopping her.
"Apologies, my sincerest apologies. If my actions have caused any displeasure to the honored guests..."
"Please, punish me, reprimand me."
Hearing this, the Foxian lady thought she must have said something wrong earlier and quickly bent at the waist, adopting a submissive posture.
Those granted the title of 'Esteemed Guest' by the General were not people a mere lowly employee like herself could afford to offend.
Her reaction was lightning-fast. Even without knowing why she might have offended Clara, she offered an apology without hesitation.
This was what a perfect subordinate should do.
Even if you're not wrong, if the boss says you're wrong, then you're wrong!
Everything is measured by the boss's standards!
It was precisely by adhering to this belief that the Foxian lady had gotten this far.
Clara: …
Reading all the thoughts of the Foxian lady before her, Clara's mouth twitched.
Wasn't this... the typical loyal lapdog of leadership, well... loyal Foxian of leadership?
Well, alright. Though a bit sycophantic, it certainly didn't irritate Clara, whose status was above the Foxian lady's.
"Rise. I have no intention of blaming you." Clara first said, somewhat exasperatedly, urging the Foxian lady to stand, then spoke slowly under her puzzled gaze:
"We're new to the Luofu. We don't know where your Seat of Divine Strategy is."
"If you leave, who will guide us?"
"Understood, honored guests. Please follow me."
The Foxian lady was stunned for a fraction of a second, then snapped back to attention. She asked no questions, offered no extra words.
With a simple bow, she walked ahead of Clara and Firefly to lead the way.
As an outstanding employee of the Seat of Divine Strategy, the Foxian lady naturally knew the hidden rule: 'Loose lips sink ships.'
'Hehe, this year's Luofu 'Employee of the Year' award must be mine for the taking~'
The Foxian lady couldn't help but feel a flicker of joy, but the very next instant, she slaughtered that thought on the spot.
Workplace Rules – The Hidden Rule: No Opening the Champagne at Halftime...
...
Meanwhile, at the Seat of Divine Strategy.
"That Clara... Are you really sure about facing her alone?"
A pink-haired girl asked the man lounging somewhat lazily in a chair beside her, her voice full of concern.
"Oh? Could it be Lady Fu is worried about me?" Hearing the pink-haired girl's words, the man showed no alarm, even finding the mood to tease her a little.
"General!!!"
At his words, the pink-haired girl instantly flared up.
She directly stated his title.
The current Arbiter-General of the Luofu, the Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan!
And the pink-haired girl was the current Master Diviner of the Divination Commission, Fu Xuan!
In stark contrast to Jing Yuan's lazy, unconcerned demeanor, Fu Xuan's face was filled with anxiety and worry.
"Now, now, Lady Fu, don't fret."
"In situations like these, the more you rush, the more likely things are to go wrong."
"Besides, don't you trust me?" Seeing Fu Xuan's state, Jing Yuan covered his mouth with a hand, suppressing a yawn.
"It's not that I don't trust you..." Hearing Jing Yuan's words, Fu Xuan calmed down a little.
But the anxious look on her face didn't fade.
"That Clara, she is undoubtedly an Emanator..." Fu Xuan spoke with grave seriousness. "A powerful Emanator who has rendered even the entire Interastral Peace Corporation helpless..."
Recalling the news reports of the multiple IPC bombing incidents, Fu Xuan's heart grew frantic with worry.
And she didn't bomb just any IPC branch office...
She bombed the headquarters on Pier Point...
If even the IPC headquarters couldn't stop her... what did that signify?
It signified that without support from the other Xianzhou ships, the Luofu alone absolutely could not stop Clara from doing as she pleased on the Luofu...
"Hahaha, Lady Fu, why must we be her enemy?" Seeming to see through Fu Xuan's thoughts, Jing Yuan laughed softly. "Since she is so powerful as to be undefeatable, why should we attempt to defeat her?"
"In all matters, one should emphasize 'harmony is precious.'"
"But..."
"Shh..."
Just as Fu Xuan was about to say more, Jing Yuan stopped her with a gesture.
"Lady Fu, look. They're here."
...
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