Just as Sylvia was about to head back, a message arrived from the artisans of the Artisanship Commission.
The sword commissioned earlier by the General was finally ready.
They asked whether she wanted it delivered to her residence or preferred to pick it up herself.
With nothing better to do, Sylvia naturally chose to go retrieve it in person.
After notifying Master Gongshu of the Artisanship Commission, she summoned a starskiff and hurried straight there.
--+--
Upon finding Master Gongshu, before Sylvia could even speak, the old master eagerly motioned for her to follow him inside.
"You're here quick! I knew you wouldn't trust a clockwork avian with this delivery. This blade of yours—it's a masterpiece, the pinnacle of the Commission's craft! Come, take a look."
As he spoke, Master Gongshu grew quite animated, clearly deeply satisfied with the sword.
"Master Gongshu, please, calm down a little."
"Eh—? You're a swordswoman yourself, aren't you? How could you not feel a stir at the sight of such a fine blade?"
"That young fellow from the Seat of Divine Foresight is downright obsessed with swords. I'd have thought the mightier the warrior, the deeper the passion."
Master Gongshu seemed well on in years, but his temperament remained rather lively.
Amused, Sylvia followed him toward the warehouse.
Before long, inside the storeroom where the sword was kept, she laid eyes on the greatsword, nearly five feet in length.
The blade was about a palm's width, predominantly a pale cyan hue. Its design was ancient yet intricate, engraved with patterns characteristic of the Luofu.
Compared to the greatsword Sylvia usually wielded, this one's blade seemed somewhat more slender.
She gripped the hilt with one hand, a warm sensation spreading from her palm.
With a slight exertion, she lifted it—the sword was heavy, but still manageable for her to wield.
Whoosh—
The heavy blade became a blur in Sylvia's hand, accompanied by the sound of splitting air, a cold gleam flashing through the space.
Then, fire, bitter cold, tremors, light… even an aura of immortality.
The sword's energy conduction was superb, easily withstanding the vast power Sylvia channeled into it.
It'll work!
Sylvia's eyes lit up. Finally, she could leave behind that other greatsword with its built-in 'background music' and become a quiet, elegant swordswoman.
Her ideal was someone like Acheron—lethal and sparing with words—not someone who had to provide their own soundtrack every time they drew a blade, stuck performing awkward, chuuni antics.
Now! She finally had a proper primary weapon.
"It truly is an exceptional blade. Thank you for your hard work, Master Gongshu."
"Hahaha~ No trouble at all. If it suits your hand, that's thanks enough for any artisan."
Master Gongshu had been about to boast further about the sword's refinements, but after witnessing Sylvia's skill and power, he let the thought go.
A true swordfighter would recognize a blade's quality without needing explanations.
Satisfied, Sylvia nodded and gave the sword a few practice swings.
"I'll put it to good use."
For some reason, a faint, peculiar premonition brushed her mind—the first foe this blade's edge would meet would be a formidable, weighty adversary.
How odd.
--+--
The next day, Sylvia arrived at the starship docks at the time she'd agreed upon with Robin.
Compared to the landing port the Express crew used in the game, this passenger terminal was far more spacious.
Though cargo was still being loaded and unloaded, it wasn't the sprawling container-yard sort.
Entering the port, Sylvia noticed a much larger contingent of Cloud Knights on duty than usual.
Not only those entering the Luofu, but also those departing were subjected to rigorous inspection.
This was precisely why Sylvia had come to meet Robin here.
Upon entering the Luofu, having one's belongings checked and identity verified by the Cloud Knights was a necessary step.
Any disguises would have to be removed, and racial features displayed to the guards.
Robin's Halovian traits would almost certainly be recognized by bystanders.
To avoid causing a commotion, Sylvia thought it better to come and receive her.
Of course, it also helped that today was another day with little to do.
Since she was already wandering around the Luofu with time to spare, she figured she might as well come.
Right around the expected time, Sylvia soon spotted the starship Robin was on.
A rather luxurious small vessel—hard to say how many passengers it carried.
And what unfolded next played out much as Sylvia had anticipated.
Robin, who had been disguised to avoid recognition, faced the Cloud Knights' inspection.
She had no choice but to remove her sunglasses and mask, take off her hat, retrieve the halo from her pocket and place it atop her head, then unfurl the small wings tucked beneath her long hair.
The inspecting Cloud Knight seemed only vaguely familiar with Robin's fame and didn't pay her celebrity status much mind.
But the passengers lined up before and behind her had already begun to recognize Robin from those distinctive features.
"…Is that Miss Robin?"
"Where? Holy… it really is! Didn't Robin say she was returning to Penacony? Why is she on the Luofu?"
"What? Robin? Where?"
The Cloud Knight guarding the checkpoint was probably centuries old—hardly up to date with current stars. The celebrities he'd followed were ancient history, centuries out of date.
Seeing the passengers beginning to stir, he gripped his long blade and slammed it forcefully against the ground!
Thud—!
"Remain quiet! Violators will be detained on the spot!"
"Remain quiet!!"
The surrounding Cloud Knights followed suit, striking their blades down in unison. Their loud, intimidating shouts instantly quelled the rising commotion.
After restoring order, the Cloud Knight turned to Robin with a chuckle:
"Miss, had no idea you were such a celebrity. My apologies. Anyone meeting you? Best you head on through."
Robin, who had been momentarily taken aback by the Cloud Knights' imposing presence, recovered quickly.
Watching the masked knight seamlessly shift between stern soldier and approachable elder, she couldn't help but smile:
"Yes, someone is meeting me. Sorry for the trouble."
With a slight bow, Robin picked up her suitcase, quickly replaced her mask and hat, and left the checkpoint.
Pulling her collar up, Robin glanced around and soon spotted that striking head of white hair in the crowd.
Earlier that day, Sylvia had sent her a photo.
Among the people of the Luofu, white hair was still relatively rare.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Sylvia."
Watching Robin 'sneak' over, Sylvia found it all quite amusing.
Truth be told, although the passersby didn't dare cause a scene, their eyes had followed Robin the entire way.
So after a quick scan of their surroundings, Sylvia said with a smile:
"Come with me. I'll take you somewhere you won't be disturbed."
--+--
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.