Sylvia's mind went completely blank.
She was utterly stunned by the absurdity of the scene unfolding before her.
So much so that by the time Acheron had hoisted her up by the hips and slipped her underwear back on, and even given her backside a few light pats, only then did Sylvia snap back to reality, scrambling to sit upright.
But Acheron still had a firm grip on her ankle, so her attempt to roll over only got her halfway—leaving her stranded in a sideways sprawl.
Still, lying on her side was better than flat on her stomach.
Sylvia's eyes locked onto Acheron's, her pupils trembling with disbelief.
Oh, fantastic. Just moments ago, she'd been wondering what Acheron could have possibly done to earn that tiny, inexplicable bump in affection.
She'd even dared to hope—maybe Acheron had missed her while light-years away? Or perhaps she'd managed some impressive self-reflection all on her own?
But no. Turns out, she'd been right here in Sylvia's home, sneaking around while she was unaware, treating her like some kind of dress-up doll!
Acheron, with that innocent face of yours—who knew you had a hobby like this?
Honkai Impact Mei? More like Honkai Star Rail Kiana!
Sylvia's wide, shaken eyes stayed fixed on Acheron, disbelief warring with a flood of unspoken questions.
What are you doing on the Xianzhou? When did you get back? Why are my clothes off? Since when do you have… this kind of interest? What exactly did you just do?
But the words lodged in her throat as she took in Acheron's nightgown-clad form. It wasn't that the gown itself was particularly provocative, but Acheron's figure was undeniably stunning, and their current position was… uncomfortably intimate.
Sylvia's gaze darted around, suddenly unsure where to rest.
Acheron didn't seem rushed. Her fingers gently traced circles over Sylvia's stocking-clad ankle as she looked down at her, calm and controlled.
After a long, stifled moment, Sylvia finally yanked at her leg, trying to free herself from Acheron's grasp.
"…Let me go first. Why are you still holding onto me?"
"No."
"…Huh?"
The immediate refusal left Sylvia speechless.
What's going on with her? Since when did she come back to the Xianzhou acting like a completely different person?
Is this even in character?
She tugged again, but Acheron showed no intention of releasing her—if anything, her grip seemed to tighten. Sylvia gave up struggling for the moment.
What was the point, anyway? If Acheron really wanted to do something, she could pin Sylvia down with one finger. Resistance was futile.
Besides, Sylvia trusted that Acheron wouldn't actually cross any real lines.
So she relaxed her abdomen and arms, sinking back into the bed, resigned to the awkward position.
"…Wait a second. First, tell me why you suddenly came back to the Xianzhou. How come I didn't get any notification?"
Before Acheron could answer, Sylvia added, "Don't tell me you stowed away aboard a ship…"
After all, given the connections she'd established with the Xianzhou during the day, if Acheron had entered through official channels, Sylvia should have been informed.
Her eyes remained fixed on Acheron's, and she saw the other woman nod without hesitation.
"I sneaked in."
"…"
"While traveling, I had a premonition—as if… you were about to stir up some kind of trouble on the Xianzhou."
"…"
Sylvia stared back silently, waiting for her to continue.
But Acheron, too, fell quiet, her gaze steady and unreadable.
Several seconds passed in silent standoff before Sylvia finally broke.
"You rushed all the way back to the Xianzhou without a word, just because of a feeling? Couldn't you have just video-called me?"
"…Did you not want me to come?"
Acheron blinked. She'd known Sylvia would probably scold her once she found out.
"I didn't."
Sylvia's reply was just as immediate. She watched Acheron's eyes closely, but it was hard to tell whether any emotion flickered behind that calm facade.
"Is that so…"
To her own surprise, Acheron felt her mood sink at Sylvia's unhesitating answer.
She'd thought she wouldn't care—but when it came to matters of the heart, it seemed she'd guessed wrong yet again.
Her grip on Sylvia's ankle loosened slightly, and she shifted back, putting a little distance between them.
Sylvia, perceptive as ever, noticed the subtle movement.
It should have been nothing more than a slight adjustment of posture, but for some reason, under Acheron's steady gaze, she felt a pang of guilt.
So she added, "It's a waste of your time. Coming back and forth like this, twice already—you could have been much farther by now. And your power… it's better not to reveal it carelessly."
The Xianzhou was able to remain calm around Acheron now only because they knew she was an 'Emanator,' but not which Aeon's.
The power of Nihility stood in opposition to all things in the universe, inherently rejected by civilization itself.
Sylvia's original plan hadn't involved Acheron displaying her abilities on the Xianzhou at all. She'd intended to let Jing Yuan strike first, with Acheron stepping in only afterward to clean up.
But now Acheron had slipped back onto the Xianzhou unnoticed.
If she were to confront Phantylia here and unleash that single, devastating strike, it would only bring Acheron unnecessary trouble.
--+--
Acheron was puzzled that her emotions could be so easily swayed by Sylvia's words.
But within that confusion, she finally realized why she'd sensed Sylvia was up to something.
The moment she spoke, Sylvia had pointed out that Acheron's power shouldn't be exposed.
The underlying message was clear: if Acheron got involved, whatever Sylvia was planning would likely require her to draw her blade.
And Sylvia knew Acheron possessed power rivaling that of an Emanator.
To oppose an Emanator, one needed combat strength of a similar level.
Sylvia's plan, then, was probably to provoke the Emanator backing the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus!
And to ensure her scheme succeeded, she had clearly tried—and seemingly succeeded—in rallying the Xianzhou Luofu to her side.
But!
As plausible as it might sound, the gap between an Emanator and an ordinary person was like that between heaven and earth.
Though Sylvia was quite powerful—stronger than many Pathstriders, and even equipped with that 'one strike' Acheron had left her for protection—that was hardly enough to willingly involve herself in a conflict between Emanators.
Acheron had given Sylvia that 'one strike' so she could escape if she ever encountered the Emanator lurking in the shadows—not so she could go actively picking a fight with one.
The thought made Acheron's tone harden.
"So, you're planning to provoke the Emanator behind the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus… and you weren't going to tell me?"
"Uh…"
The sudden accusation made Sylvia jolt.
Her eyes darted away on instinct.
--+--
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.