Come to think of it, that place was called Separius.
Since Sylvia and Acheron hadn't really explored it back then, they never knew the actual name.
Seeing Sylvia nod, Topaz continued:
"Yep, that checks out then. Let me explain further. According to subsequent investigations, the civilization on the Planet Separius is extinct. However, following galactic conventions, the last survivor of that planet automatically becomes its owner."
"I get it. So you're saying you found a survivor?"
Topaz didn't answer, just smiled at Sylvia, her gaze clear and bright.
Being stared at like that by Topaz put Sylvia in a strange mood.
"...Don't tell me I'm that survivor?"
Unexpectedly, Topaz actually nodded.
"Based on your travel records, before the Stellaron on Separius was dealt with, you left no trace anywhere in the galaxy. The point where you did enter the galaxy starts from the planet Separius itself."
"Therefore, according to the Galactic Civilization Convention, Miss Sylvia, you are defined as the last survivor of planet Separius."
Topaz sent Sylvia a copy of the IPC's investigation results.
As a colossal organization spanning the universe, the Interstellar Peace Corporation prides itself on its ample intelligence-gathering methods and capabilities.
And whether it was the IPC's own investigation or their cross-referenced results from other factions...
They all pointed to one conclusion:
'Sylvia's point of origin is the Separius system.'
It was only after the Stellaron on Separius was dealt with, and she was taken away from the planet by a Galaxy Ranger, that Sylvia began leaving her mark on the galaxy.
Before that, there was absolutely no trace of her anywhere.
If it were just one faction's findings, maybe you could question it.
But when Topaz verified the results from multiple factions and they all said the same thing...
Well, even Topaz herself found it strange—like, how did a single person grow up and survive on that planet alone?
But rules are rules. According to them, Sylvia is the first heir, and the last survivor, of planet Separius.
"..."
Sylvia initially wanted to refute the IPC's intel network.
But the information Topaz sent even included intel from the Luofu.
Plus the detailed contents of the convention itself.
It basically covered the rules of planetary ownership, and Sylvia's situation seemed to fit one specific clause perfectly.
First, no descendants from that planet could be found anywhere. Second, the only person confirmed to have walked out of that planet was Sylvia herself.
"So, this is what you came to me for?"
"Yes. In the past, planet Separius had business dealings with the IPC, but because of the Stellaron, all those transactions were left unfinished. Now that Separius's routes are open again, it's time to close the book on those old matters."
Hearing this, Sylvia's expression turned a bit more serious.
In the game, Topaz had gone after Belobog to collect a debt that had been compounding with interest for seven hundred years.
So the IPC trying to pin Separius's affairs on her now? Totally something they'd do.
"Shouldn't those things just be terminated once a civilization is confirmed extinct? Don't tell me you're trying to pin them on me."
Hearing Sylvia's tone, Topaz quickly nodded.
"Miss Sylvia, please rest assured. A former civilization's debts don't carry over after its extinction."
Topaz hurriedly denied Sylvia's guess.
If there were still original settlements on Separius, and their civilization was confirmed to be continuing...
Then those bills might need some hashing out.
But right now, there's only Sylvia, a 'suspected descendant.'
One person can hardly be called a civilization.
Of course, if she really wanted to quibble and drag things out, it might be possible.
But for Topaz?
Going after an individual for civilization-level debts made no sense.
An individual is just too small in the grand scheme of the galaxy.
If they refuse to pay, the IPC can't squeeze a single credit out of them.
Doing something unprofitable and just making an enemy? That doesn't align with the company's principles.
Sure, there are people in the company who'd do that sort of thing, but Topaz had thoroughly investigated Sylvia before making contact.
Never mind the huge, suspiciously legitimate pile of credits in her account that somehow met all the legal requirements...
Just Sylvia's strength and her connections alone weren't worth Topaz picking that kind of fight.
"Contacting you this time is about two things: one is the planetary ownership issue, and the other is... a business proposition."
Having laid out the premise, Topaz got straight to the point.
According to the convention, if Sylvia was willing, she could become the nominal lord of planet Separius.
"Planet Separius is located on a key interstellar trade route. In the past, it was a fairly prosperous commercial planet. If Miss Sylvia is willing to undertake the reconstruction of Separius, I'm sure the profit margins would be substantial..."
Topaz began explaining why she'd set her sights on Separius.
It involved clearing up backlogged bad debts. If someone took over the planet, she could also conveniently pitch a loan service and a planetary reconstruction project.
A project involving the reconstruction of an entire planet? That qualified as a major deal.
Right in the middle of their conversation...
As Sylvia talked with Topaz's holographic projection...
In the shadows of a street corner...
A creature with a hideous form lurked within the darkness, silently drawing closer.
A faint, flickering crimson glow, like an eye, was its only visible feature.
Yet this utterly eerie scene went completely unnoticed by anyone.
Sylvia had her back to it, and felt no malice or sense of crisis whatsoever.
Even though Topaz's line of sight was generally in that direction, she was just a hologram.
The thing hidden in the shadows was already hard to spot, and with signal transmission lag...
Topaz couldn't detect its presence either.
As if it had found something interesting...
It circled Sylvia within the shadows, watching her, slowly closing the distance bit by bit.
Meanwhile, Sylvia was still listening to Topaz pitch her recommended services.
Basically, Topaz wanted Sylvia to become the planetary lord and hand the planet's restoration project over to her.
If Sylvia was short on funds, she could even take a low-interest loan directly from Topaz.
Sure, Topaz would definitely make a profit.
But if Sylvia actually had any interest in managing it...
The planet's location was good. Once the restoration was finished, it would definitely turn a profit.
Sylvia just listened, without agreeing immediately.
She was still half-heartedly humoring Topaz, thinking about how to end the call, when...
The monster in the shadows seemed to finally make up its mind. It moved.
A hideous, razor-sharp claw, like a massive blade, extended from the darkness.
Then it stabbed viciously towards Sylvia!
But what was even more terrifying was that, even now, Sylvia still felt absolutely no malice or danger.
However, she did finally notice something was wrong.
Because the monster had finally emerged from the shadows, she caught the movement.
--+--
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.