During her time on the Astral Express, Sylvia had changed into a set of clothes better suited for action.
A simple and unadorned sports jacket concealed the curves of her upper body, while shorts that ended just above her thighs revealed her fair, straight legs.
At this point, Sylvia no longer made any self-conscious remarks about drawing attention with her looks or feeling awkward about it when walking down the street.
But honestly, compared to having her chest noticed, Sylvia was more accustomed to showing off her legs.
Well, of course, it also had to do with her own preferences.
On her feet were short boots, practical for movement.
While someone like Sylvia could easily fight in high heels, she personally preferred flats or low-heeled shoes.
Her long, snow-white hair was left freely cascading down her back, with no intention of styling it.
Sylvia would never wear something as elaborate as Acheron's outfit.
Not that she didn't have such clothes—after all, in this day and age, all sorts of eccentric attire were commonplace—but she still instinctively chose clothing more in line with her past habits.
Long coats or trench coats, like the ones Stelle wore, were something Sylvia would wear too.
But since Stelle was here today, there was no need to pick something from a similar category.
After tidying herself up, Sylvia tucked her phone away and went to find Stelle, who was scrolling through her phone in the living room.
Seeing Sylvia come out, Stelle bounded over like an eager puppy, wagging a metaphorical tail. Then, she gave Sylvia a thumbs-up right in front of her:
"So cute! Really gives off that girlfriend vibe."
Sylvia responded with a roll of her eyes, then turned and headed straight for the entryway, not even bothering to acknowledge her. But Stelle still trotted along cheerfully to Sylvia's side.
Once outside, Sylvia headed directly for the starskiff port.
Although teleportation was an option, it didn't feel entirely necessary. Sylvia felt that Kafka's purpose this time was mainly for Stelle, needing to reveal some information.
Something about Blade's Mara-struck episode seemed more like an excuse.
After all, with Silver Wolf around and Firefly available for backup, the Stellaron Hunters wouldn't have much difficulty retreating.
For Sylvia, however, today's outing was mainly to see Kafka. It had been quite a while.
This time, Kafka had also been operating on the Xianzhou, but they hadn't managed to meet up.
Whenever Sylvia wanted to see her, something always seemed to come up.
Since they were staying in the Starskiff Haven area, the commercial district lay ahead on their route.
While passing a clothing boutique, Sylvia spotted a very beautiful Xianzhou-style coat.
Hmm, maybe she should buy a coat for Kafka while she was at it. She remembered the previous evening gown and, before that, the ring. She still hadn't given Kafka anything in return.
Thinking of this, Sylvia reached out and hooked her arm through Stelle's, steering her toward the shop by the roadside.
"Huh? Where are we going?"
Stelle stumbled slightly, pulled along, and noticed Sylvia's target was actually a clothing store. She was utterly puzzled.
Without turning her head, Sylvia explained, "Saw a pretty nice coat. I'm going to buy one for Kafka as a return gift."
"Oh…"
Stelle followed her into the shop.
She hadn't really thought much about clothes herself.
The outfit she usually wore was washed and changed daily; aside from buying several sets of undergarments, she hadn't purchased much in the way of clothing.
Watching Sylvia expertly call over a shop assistant, state the size, and get the coat, Stelle scratched her head and leaned in to ask:
"Should I buy something to give her too?"
"...Do you have any credits on you?"
Sylvia looked at Stelle doubtfully. The game hadn't mentioned whether the Astral Express provided credits or not.
Himeko definitely gave the younger ones some pocket money for snacks and shopping, but buying such expensive clothing might be a bit of a stretch.
"Underestimating me, huh! I do have some money, you know, hmph!"
Stelle appeared very confident, but Sylvia casually pulled over a price tag from another outfit and pointed it out to her. The number on the tag instantly shattered Stelle's confidence.
"So... Sylvia, are you, like, rich or something...?"
Although there was someone as abstractly wealthy as Asta, who set the bar impossibly high, in Stelle's eyes, someone like Sylvia who could casually buy such an expensive coat still qualified as well-off.
"What do you mean 'rich'? Can't you say something nicer?"
Sylvia lifted her leg and gave Stelle a light kick. Stelle giggled, dodging Sylvia's foot, then suddenly clapped her hands.
"Oh right! What if I asked Silver Wolf to help me, you know, adjust my account? Do you think she'd agree?"
Sylvia took the packaged coat from the shop assistant and stored it in her personal space.
Then she looked at Stelle with a complicated expression. She was afraid Silver Wolf might apply for a hundred-million-credit interstellar loan on her behalf.
Though her own funds had been directly transferred to her account by Silver Wolf, so she couldn't really say much.
Leading Stelle, who was fantasizing about striking it rich, out of the store, Sylvia began thinking about what to buy for the others.
For Firefly, some Xianzhou pastries would do. But for Silver Wolf... maybe some Xianzhou fantasy dramas?
As she walked, Sylvia thought about sending Silver Wolf a message to ask. But unfortunately, after sending it, there was no response from Silver Wolf at all.
Probably busy gaming and couldn't be bothered to reply. Fine, she'd just buy more pastries then.
--+--
The Divination Commission.
Following the location Kafka had sent, Sylvia easily found Kafka and Blade, hidden away and resting in a secluded corner of the Divination Commission.
Blade was resting with his eyes closed in an unused room, while Kafka leaned against the doorway.
Seeing Sylvia approach, she smiled and raised a hand in greeting.
"Darling, you're here. And Stelle, you came along too."
Stelle, walking beside Sylvia, perked up like a puppy raising its tail upon hearing Kafka's term of endearment for Sylvia. Hooking her arm more firmly through Sylvia's, she asked Kafka:
"Why does Kafka call Sylvia 'darling'?"
"Heh..."
Stelle's reaction brought a faint smile to Kafka's face.
Her gaze shifted to Sylvia, as if asking why she hadn't told Stelle about their relationship. Seeing Sylvia remain silent, Kafka suddenly raised a finger to her lips:
"Because, darling and I are legally certified partners, you see~ Look, our necklaces are a matching set."
Kafka pulled out the necklace from inside her collar to show it. Usually, she kept it tucked inside her shirt, so no one could tell she was wearing one.
"Wha—?!"
Stelle's eyes widened, her pupils shaking from the impact of this shocking revelation.
She looked down at Sylvia, only to see Sylvia blushing, shooting a reproachful glare at Kafka, and the matching necklace.
It suddenly became hard to believe.
However, before Sylvia could think of how to soothe the shocked heart of her one-year-old baby (so to speak), Kafka immediately followed up with another strike:
"Not just me. Darling and Silver Wolf are also legally certified partners."
"?!?"
Stelle's arm, still linked with Sylvia's, went stiff.
--+--
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.