Just when Sylvia was about to forget the Express crew.
It was then that March 7th finally seemed to find a spare moment, glancing at her chat logs.
[March 7th: Aiya—! You! Sylvia! Can't you wish for something nice for me!]
[March 7th: Quick, tell me the truth! Did you put Stelle up to rummaging through the trash cans!]
[March 7th: [( ｡ •̀ ᴖ •́ ｡)💢]]
When Sylvia got March's messages, she could practically see March flailing her arms in front of her.
She just wondered where March and the others were now.
Logically, with all the events over these past few days, the story should have progressed all the way to Cocolia by now.
If Sylvia remembered correctly, excluding all those side stories and such, the main storyline in Belobog only spanned a few days.
[Sylvia: Not taking the blame for this, I didn't put Stelle up to anything!]
[Sylvia: So, how's your journey on that snowy plain going?]
[March 7th: ...]
[March 7th: Ugh, don't even mention it. I'm so tired, Sylvia. Is your mouth blessed or cursed or something? Everything you said came true. Dan Heng even called you a jinx!]
Being called a jinx by a prophet from Star Rail—now that was an interesting feeling.
[Sylvia: LOL, care to elaborate?]
[March 7th: You're laughing?! How awful! Next time we meet, I'm not showing you any photos!]
[March 7th: [ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)]]
[Sylvia: My bad, my bad, haha~ When you all get to Penacony, I'll treat you to the dreamscapes.]
[March 7th: Penacony? What Penacony?]
On the other end of the signal.
Still in the Underworld, March 7th scratched her head in confusion at Sylvia's message, then turned a pleading gaze toward Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng, do you know about Penacony?"
"Penacony, the Planet of Festivities? Why bring that up all of a sudden?"
"It's Sylvia. She said when we go to Penacony, she'll treat us to the dreamscapes. How does she know where we're going in the future?"
March scratched her head, baffled. Dan Heng just shook his head.
He knew the Charmony Festival would be held on Penacony soon, but that had nothing to do with the Astral Express.
"What dreamscapes? Is it a fun place?"
Stelle popped up out of nowhere, leaning in next to March and craning her neck to peek at the chat.
When she saw Sylvia's name, she let out a soft gasp:
"Ah—I remember Sylvia sent me a message too. I forgot to reply."
"What did she send you?"
March looked at Stelle curiously, only to see Stelle scratch her head, looking a bit embarrassed.
"She told me to wash up properly after going through the trash cans, so I went and took a bath, and then I forgot all about it when I came back."
"...You."
March was speechless, giving her rather… abstract new companion a helpless look.
On her very first day in the city, she went digging through trash cans. March almost couldn't help but pretend she didn't know her.
"Ehehe~"
Stelle grinned, found a spot to sit down, pulled out her phone, and started chatting with Sylvia too.
--+--
Sylvia explained a bit about Penacony to March, though she only mentioned that the Astral Express had been invited to the upcoming Charmony Festival.
[Sylvia: So, barring any surprises, you all should be heading to Penacony in a little while.]
[March 7th: There's such a thing?! I didn't know at all! Aw, such a great vacation opportunity, and neither Himeko nor Mr. Yang told me!]
[March 7th: Can't talk now. Once we settle the trouble here, come to the Express, and I'll tell you all about this adventure.]
[March 7th: [Picture][Picture]]
With that, March sent over a few photos. Judging by the background, they seemed to be from the mining areas and towns of the Underworld.
[Sylvia: Alright, I'll look forward to hearing it.]
Just as Sylvia was closing her chat with March, she noticed Stelle had also sent her a message.
[Stelle: Last time I saw your message, I went to take a bath, and then forgot to reply when I got back, hehe~]
[Stelle: [Stelle eating watermelon]]
[Sylvia: Didn't March find you annoying?]
[Stelle: No way! Plus, I found some weird stuff. I'll give you one later.]
[Stelle: [Praise of High Morals]]
"Well now…"
Sylvia looked at the photo Stelle sent—it was clearly that rather… abstract in-game item.
Praise of High Morals.
Alright, alright. She'd never actually picked up this particular abstract thing herself.
[Sylvia: Then I thank you in advance. I'll let you ride Bella later.]
[Stelle: Then I'll have to commission a knight's lance. Let me be a dragon rider!]
[Sylvia: ...]
Flaming Lance, huh.
You know what? It really did have that vibe.
And Bella could breathe fire now too.
She'd have to borrow that Flaming Lance for a spin later.
As her thoughts wandered, Sylvia suddenly remembered that, according to the original storyline, they'd be heading to the Xianzhou soon.
But now… who knew if the Stellaron eruption would happen on schedule, or if it would be delayed.
Phantylia didn't seem like the type to give up, but changing plans wasn't out of the question either.
Thinking this, Sylvia gave a slight nod.
"Hmm… Time to go pick up the mahjong table, and ask about the progress on those pokéballs too."
No time like the present.
Sylvia made another trip to the Luofu, heading to the Artisanship Commission to collect that set of gaming tables. The pokéballs still needed a few more days to finish.
She wasn't in a hurry, but just as she was about to head back, right after leaving the Artisanship Commission, she unexpectedly ran into a surprising character.
"Young friend Sylvia. It has been a while. Though only a short time has passed, to this humble one, it feels like an age."
Dan Shu had changed out of her healer's robes for casual clothes. Apart from a new bracelet on her wrist, she didn't seem any different.
"Dan Shu…"
Sylvia opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
"Hmm~ Would young friend Lin be interested in having a chat with this humble one?"
"Sure. Where to?"
"Let us go to the Alchemy Commission. It is closer."
Sylvia followed Dan Shu all the way to the Alchemy Commission, where they found a secluded, empty pavilion.
It gave Sylvia a strange sense of déjà vu—'a moment just like that one before.'
As always, Dan Shu took the initiative to brew some tea, then said:
"Young friend must be wondering why I am still sitting here, and not taken away by the Ten-Lords Commission?"
"Mhm."
"Since the battle at the Exalting Sanctum, Jing Yuan did not publicize my crimes. Instead, he worked with Master Diviner Fu to create this shackle."
As she spoke, Dan Shu touched the seemingly ordinary bracelet on her wrist. Her tone was calm, and her words held not a shred of the former reverence for the Luofu General.
Even mentioning the shackle, her voice was as still as stagnant water.
Something was off about Dan Shu's state—that was Sylvia's first impression.
"Is it to lure out Phantylia?"
"Correct. Jing Yuan had me pretend to cooperate, to lure Phantylia into the open. In exchange, I may live under the surveillance of the Seat of Divine Foresight until my mara-struck state manifests."
"…"
--+--
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.