"Strange… the weather's grown much gloomier lately.
I wonder what's causing it?"
On the Jade Chamber, Ningguang finally had time to step outside for a walk.
After witnessing the vastness of the universe, she had come to understand the smallness of humankind.
But if one wished to stand on that grand stage power was indispensable.
And she did not mean mere personal strength.
Wealth, status, influence these were also forms of power.
As a mortal, Ningguang had never considered "being strong" in the way warriors did.
After all, no matter how strong a human became, they could never surpass a god.
And becoming a special existence like Su Ran?
Even harder.
Across the entire universe, throughout more than two thousand Amber Eras, only 85 Aeons had ever appeared.
Just 85—across the endless cosmos.
That made them far rarer than Archons.
After all, during the Archon War era, Teyvat alone had far more than 85 gods.
Su Ran, a being rare beyond Archons having him as her backing meant she truly was the most well-connected person in Liyue.
The strongest person in Liyue, even.
Su Ran arrived on the Jade Chamber in time to hear her musings.
"Probably because the Hatching Succession Envoy is about to break from its shell. Its power is distorting this fake sky."
It wasn't enough to trigger something as catastrophic as an Aeon's fate ripple but an Envoy-class entity wasn't ordinary either.
So far it had only affected the weather.
That was already a blessing.
Better cloudy skies than the world collapsing.
"You're here?"
Ningguang was surprised at his sudden visit.
Was there something important again?
Last time he had taken her into outer space.
This time… was he going to bring her to Herta's Space Station?
She found herself looking forward to it.
"Guess," he replied.
"…You're taking me to Miss Herta's space station?"
That was her guess.
A boss that energetic wasn't always a good thing…
but one who was energetic and capable was a blessing.
"Wrong," Su Ran said.
"And even if I did, would you understand their language?
I don't have a Synesthetic Anchor on me."
This revelation that people across the universe didn't speak the same language made Ningguang frown.
Learning even the languages of Teyvat was troublesome enough.
How many would exist across the cosmos?
"But Miss Herta could speak with us perfectly last time.
And what exactly is a Synesthetic Anchor?"
She still didn't understand.
Had Su Ran somehow learned Teyvat's languages in advance?
"Because I decoded their language, then installed a translation module into that puppet body,"
Su Ran explained.
"That's why you could speak freely."
"As for Synesthetic Anchors they're tools that allow cross-species communication.
If they appeared in Teyvat, the Sumeru scholars who pride themselves on learning multiple languages would instantly become laughingstocks."
Ningguang didn't know whether scholars would break down in tears, but she did know one thing—
This Synesthetic Anchor sounded like a very profitable business.
"If one could speak with every race in Teyvat, wouldn't that greatly promote the movement of people and trade?"
She could already see the economic future unfolding.
"Would it sell well in Teyvat?"
"Probably. And they're not expensive."
The number of people in the universe was so vast that even the Erudition Aeon couldn't calculate it precisely.
Every millisecond, someone is born.
Every millisecond, someone dies.
The number constantly shifts.
With such a massive market, a universal communication tool had to be cheap.
Otherwise, how would the Interastral Peace Corporation make money?
"So… can you buy a batch for me?"
Ningguang asked with rare anticipation.
She knew several languages, yes but she could never compare to a universal translator.
Su Ran fell silent for a few seconds, then looked at her helplessly.
"Elder sister Ningguang…
Have you forgotten why I chose you?
It's because you have the potential to become a super rich woman.
I'm supposed to wait for you to spend your money in the future.
How did it turn into you asking me to spend my money?"
Besides he had no credit points right now.
Was he supposed to ask Herta for some?
If this continued, would Ningguang still be his designated "rich woman" or would Herta become one instead?
"You said 'potential.'
To cultivate a super rich woman, doesn't that mean you have to invest in her first?"
Now that Ningguang accepted their power gap, she simply discarded her pride.
He was far above her.
What harm was there in asking?
"…Fine, you've convinced me."
Since he chose this rich woman, he had to raise her properly.
Su Ran sighed inwardly.
Why was this nothing like raising characters in games?
This was way more troublesome.
"Then I'll rely on you."
"Say it properly," he prompted.
"…Thank you, Lord Su Ran."
"That's better. I'll wait for your results."
Ningguang smiled as she watched him leave.
With a boss like him, she felt rejuvenated younger, even.
Everyone else treated her with reverence, but that came with distance, blindness, and pretense.
Having someone above her felt strangely reassuring.
Meanwhile, Herta—busy testing her Simulated Universe— was suddenly force-disconnected.
After a long moment, she puppeteered another body and entered her office.
"I want one hundred Synesthetic Anchors. Prepare them immediately."
The puppet inside the room turned around.
The one who had forcibly kicked her offline.
Su Ran.
"Where's my bomb?"
Herta asked coldly.
"Next time for sure."
Su Ran waved lazily.
"..."
Herta expressionlessly took out her phone and called Asta.
He torments me a thousand times; I treat him like first love.
Herta chose to forgive him.
"…One hundred Synesthetic Anchors.
Right now."
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer