Regarding everyone's favorability, at the moment, aside from Acheron, Fu Xuan and Tingyun have the highest ratings, but they're both still only in the seventies.
Although Silver Wolf was huffing with irritation when we parted today, her favorability actually went up a bit afterward, jumping from the sixties straight into the seventies.
Kafka's favorability was a little higher than Sylvia expected, reaching sixty-eight:
--+--
[Target: Kafka]
[Favorability: 68 (Mildly Concerned)]
[Relationship: None]
['No wonder she could be a motherly figure. She might seem dangerous, but she's full of care and gentleness toward her allies.']
['Of course, that gentleness paired with her dangerous aura does tend to raise quite a few rebellious children.']
--+--
As for Firefly, her favorability isn't low either:
--+--
[Target: Firefly]
[Favorability: 69 (Touched and Anticipating)]
[Relationship: None]
['The first friend she made while living as Firefly, yet existing apart from the Stellaron Hunters—your presence undoubtedly holds special meaning.']
['Of course, that meaning isn't deep enough yet. Your relationship is still as fleeting as firefly light.']
--+--
The initial favorability from the Stellaron Hunters' side is quite high.
Sylvia strongly suspects it's because each of them has seen the script, so to speak.
Otherwise, why would a marriage mission just drop out of the sky and still get such high favorability?
But aside from Silver Wolf, contact with the other two has only just begun. Even the most basic friend status isn't settled yet, so there's no chance to draw cards.
When favorability can't be raised quickly in a short time, any draw opportunities won't yield purple cards anyway.
So Sylvia isn't in a hurry. The chance to meet Kafka will come on The Blue.
There'll be time to deal with it then.
--+--
On the way, Sylvia pondered matters related to the Stellaron Hunters and Phantylia.
Unexpectedly, she ran into Guinaifen and Sushang broadcasting live on the street halfway.
And Sylvia, who had forgotten to remove her title, almost got arrested on the spot by Sushang.
Thankfully, Sylvia removed the title in time, and Sushang then realized she had nearly wronged an innocent person.
Sylvia also realized just how terrifyingly effective this title truly was.
After chatting with them for a while and spending some more time teaching the girls a few simple, practical hand tricks, Guinaifen and Sushang's favorability both broke past sixty.
--+--
[Target: Guinaifen]
[Favorability: 65 (Curious and Aspiring)]
[Relationship: Master and Apprentice]
['The skill that let her build a life on the Xianzhou—it all came from seeking out knowledge. Since she's taken a shine to your gambling techniques, she's going to latch on hard!']
[Reward: Green Card Draw × 1]
--+--
And Sushang:
--+--
[Target: Sushang]
[Favorability: 61 (Embarrassed)]
[Relationship: Master and Apprentice (Halfway)]
['A girl full of remorse for almost hauling you away, yet she just learned a few petty tricks from you. Her feelings must be pretty complicated right now.']
[Reward: Green Card Draw × 1]
--+--
Both gave one green card draw opportunity, but Sylvia didn't rush to use them.
After saying goodbye to Guinaifen and Sushang, Sylvia made her way back.
Qingque was still working overtime at the Divination Commission today, and Tingyun, needless to say, was kept busy at the Sky-Faring Commission too.
Smoothly returning home, Sylvia pushed the door open.
The room was as quiet as ever. Acheron could go a whole day without saying a single word when no one was around.
Changing her shoes and stepping inside, Sylvia bumped into Acheron, who had come out upon hearing the noise.
"You're back?"
Acheron walked over, fetched two cups of still-warm medicinal tea, and settled on the sofa.
Seeing this, Sylvia nodded, took off her coat, and went over to sit right beside Acheron.
Not minding Acheron's lingering gaze, she reached out, picked up a cup, and took a big sip.
"Made contact with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus today."
"Mhm, how did it go?"
"They extended an olive branch, probably wary of my alliance with the Xianzhou. But the Lord Ravager behind them has noticed me too."
Hearing this, Acheron's hand twitched slightly before she nodded.
"So you plan to cooperate with the General-Arbiter of the Xianzhou next?"
"Of course. If it really comes to a fight, I'd be taking on a disaster for the Xianzhou—he'd better lend a hand."
Acheron nodded without further comment.
Sylvia had expected Acheron to press for more, but the sudden stop left all the words she'd prepared stuck in her throat.
Feeling a bit awkward, Sylvia unconsciously shook her head and said, "By the way, why have you been staring at me…"
Asking might have made it worse. The question seemed to shift the look in Acheron's eyes.
She raised her hand and reached ambiguously toward Sylvia, then pinched her earlobe right in front of her.
The exquisite earring and its priceless sapphire brushed lightly against Acheron's fingertip.
"This earring is quite beautiful, just like your eyes. Where did you buy it?"
"…!"
Sylvia froze completely.
Oh no!
So this is what I forgot!!
I forgot this earring was still on my ear.
"Ah, well… it is pretty—"
Her mind racing, Sylvia kept thinking up plans and discarding them just as quickly.
But meeting Acheron's curious gaze, Sylvia suddenly grew calm. She nodded, lifted her hand, and took hold of Acheron's fingers resting on her earlobe.
Then she gently guided them to the ring on Acheron's ring finger.
"I ran into Silver Wolf today when I went out. We each took one—just like how this ring came to be."
"…Similar to this?"
Acheron paused briefly, then understood—Sylvia meant she'd performed a similar ritual with that Stellaron Hunter.
So that meant—
"You gained a new power? What ability?"
Acheron felt only a faint twinge of something off, but honestly, if it was just a symbolic ritual like before, there was no need to worry about trouble from the Stellaron Hunters' side.
More than that, she was curious about what new power Sylvia had obtained.
Looking at Acheron's face, Sylvia clasped her hand tightly and smiled.
"An ability that can summon you to my side instantly, Acheron."
"Me?"
Sylvia nodded. Acheron thought for a moment, then said,
"Then why not try it? What kind of effect does it have?"
"Right now?"
Sylvia felt a little embarrassed—mainly because activating the skill required calling out a phrase.
How could she say it right in front of the person herself…
But seeing Acheron's look that seemed to say, 'How can you not test a new ability?'
"Then I'll go to the room! Wait here a moment…"
With that, Sylvia got up and hurried into the bedroom.
Acheron watched, puzzled, as Sylvia closed the door, wondering why she had seemed shy just now.
Then, suddenly, from deep within her heart, Sylvia's voice rang out, pleading:
"Help me, Big Sister… Acheron!"
The voice was soft and fragile, as if on the verge of tears, leaving Acheron completely stunned.
So much so that when a portal engulfed her, she didn't even take a proper look around.
--+--
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.