Just as Sylvia and Mei stepped onto the dance floor.
On the other side of the cosmos, back on Jarilo-VI.
Topaz's standoff with the Express Crew had finally reached its absolute boiling point.
"Since you're all so curious about my operational workflow, I might as well tell you."
Topaz stood completely alone, facing down Himeko, March 7th, and Stelle.
"The application requesting authorization for specialized combat tactics against members of the Astral Express has officially been approved!"
"Go get 'em, Numby!"
Beside Topaz, Numby sprang into action. Amidst the rising golden gale, a dimensional rift tore open, connecting to the Interastral Peace Corporation's backup forces. One after another, combat personnel materialized right behind Topaz.
With a swift flick of her wrist, Topaz gripped the personal firearm she always kept at her side.
Just as the atmosphere turned deadly tense, Stelle suddenly raised a hand and shouted at the top of her lungs:
"I call for a timeout!"
"Huh? Oh, come on! What are you even doing at a time like this..."
March 7th, who had already drawn her bow and arrows and was fully prepared to cast a shield over Stelle, stumbled mid-stance.
She seriously couldn't hold back the desperate urge to roast her companion.
Topaz, on the other hand, made a polite gesturing motion, her curiosity piqued.
"Oh? Looking to take a step back and avoid a violent conflict?"
"Of course not. However!"
Stelle took a bold step forward, planting her hands on her hips and tilting her chin up high.
"You managed to call in a whole squad in one breath, so we're calling backup too! The Astral Express's heavy hitter hasn't even arrived yet."
"Oh? Has the Astral Express taken on new members recently?"
Topaz pressed further, genuinely intrigued.
The latest news she had heard regarding the Astral Express actually came from Sylvia just a few days ago.
Apparently, Sylvia had an uncharted star rail map in her possession, and had commissioned the Astral Express to chart a new route, successfully discovering an unclaimed resource world.
Sylvia had contacted Topaz partly to figure out how to handle the situation, and partly because she intended to directly exchange it for some Credit Points and ready-made resources.
As a favor exchange, Topaz had waved her hand grandly and upgraded the planet reconstruction package she offered Sylvia by two whole tiers.
Leaving those transactions aside for a moment.
In short, Topaz had been keeping a very close eye on the Express Crew lately.
"Hmph, you bet!"
Stelle's nose practically pointed to the sky.
The phone in her hand was already dialing Sylvia's number. The exact moment the call connected, Stelle yelled at the top of her voice:
"Sylvia, save me—!"
"..."
On the other end of the line, Sylvia instantly fell into a dead silence.
Even Topaz, standing right across from Stelle, flashed an awkward yet polite smile.
I mean, really... your method of calling backup is hilariously plain and simple.
"...First off, tell me exactly what's going on," Sylvia's voice drifted out from the phone speaker. Before Stelle could even open her mouth, Topaz actually laughed first, the aggression in her words instantly softening a fraction.
"Sylvia? Since when did you become the heavy hitter for the Astral Express?"
"Topaz? What are you doing there? Are you guys having a team-building retreat together on Jarilo-VI?"
"Huh? Sylvia, how on earth do you know Topaz too..."
March 7th was also entirely dumbfounded.
She had been imagining Sylvia arriving to suppress the IPC executive with a single hand, completely dominating the battlefield. How did these two already know each other?
Seeing that the familiarity in their conversation was genuine and far from fake, Topaz recalled that planet from before. Could Sylvia have deliberately avoided mentioning that she had joined the Astral Express?
"So Sylvia has already joined the Astral Express? Then... not long ago in Jepella, the downfall of the Ever-Flame Mansion... was that your doing, Sylvia?"
Topaz slid her firearm back into place.
The Astral Express showing up in Jepella coinciding with the destruction of the Ever-Flame Mansion was something Topaz naturally knew about.
But the catch was that Topaz's side had also run into the Astral Express here, and could even observe the train parked in orbit.
Because of that, Topaz had subconsciously assumed the news from Jepella was probably just false intelligence, paying it no mind.
But if someone like Sylvia was still roaming around out there, and taking into account Sylvia's long-range spatial jumping capabilities... it didn't seem entirely impossible.
"Has it even been twelve system hours since that happened? You already know? The IPC is truly terrifying."
Sylvia's sigh echoed from the phone, making Topaz smile when she heard it.
"The IPC has eyes in Jepella; the headquarters was notified the very moment it happened. But I didn't expect you to be a Nameless too, Sylvia. Since that's the case, for the matter of Jarilo-VI, I'll willingly take a step back for your sake."
Topaz waved her hand, signaling her heavily armed subordinates to stand down.
If Sylvia was a member of the Astral Express, then putting aside the previous favor, just the sheer value of that star rail map in Sylvia's hands, combined with her terrifying strength to obliterate the Ever-Flame Mansion in a couple of moves, was more than enough reason for Topaz to grant this favor regarding Jarilo-VI.
In Topaz's eyes, the value of Jarilo-VI simply couldn't compare to the value of Sylvia herself.
Right at that moment, a figure suddenly rushed over from behind in a frantic hurry.
"Everyone, please wait! Please don't... fight?"
Bronya dashed forward in a single leap, originally intending to stop a direct clash between the two factions. But once she caught up, she realized the atmosphere didn't look like they were about to go to war at all.
"Bronya, you came at the perfect time!"
Seeing Bronya appear, March 7th finally snapped out of her daze over Topaz's sudden change in attitude.
Just a moment ago, March 7th and Stelle had been staring at each other in utter bewilderment.
Seriously, if the two of them had known earlier that Sylvia's name carried this much weight, what on earth had they been exerting so much effort for, running around frantically all over the place?
What was supposed to be a perfectly good holiday vacation almost turned into a death match with a high-ranking IPC executive. Their emotions had truly gone through a wild roller coaster ride.
But one thing was separate from another. Seeing Topaz willing to actively back down, March 7th let out a sigh of relief for Bronya's sake.
Topaz smiled at Bronya politely.
"Miss Supreme Guardian, you certainly arrived at an interesting time. I was just thinking that you would probably hide behind the Express Crew and simply wait for the outcome yourself."
"Of course not. The reason I arrived late was because I had an important matter to handle... though, it looks like the situation isn't as dire as I thought?"
Bronya looked at Topaz, whose overwhelming pressure had mysteriously faded, and then turned her gaze back toward the Express Crew.
March 7th scratched her head, completely at a loss for where to even begin explaining.
"Long story short... the problem is pretty much solved. I'll give you the details later."
"Oh..."
Bronya nodded, then looked back at Topaz.
"Miss Topaz, regardless of the circumstances, there is still one place I hope to invite you to see."
"Invite me? Sure, I'd love to see what Miss Bronya originally intended to use to convince me."
Topaz generously put away her weapons, scooping Numby up into her arms as the tense atmosphere completely dissolved into nothingness.
While Himeko let out a sigh of relief, she refrained from chiming in.
Avoiding a conflict with Topaz was naturally for the best.
However, she hadn't expected Sylvia to be this incredible. To think she actually had a connection with an IPC member of Topaz's rank.
Himeko couldn't help but wonder just how much value Sylvia held in Topaz's eyes for a single name to warrant such a massive concession.
Add to that the unfathomably powerful Miss Acheron... Sylvia's network of connections was truly something to behold.
Furthermore, Sylvia had brought a new Astral Express and had even solved the train's fuel crisis.
Himeko even harbored the fleeting thought of whether she should just hand the role of Navigator over to Sylvia entirely.
Though that shout of "heavy hitter" earlier had been somewhat of a joke, Himeko now felt that, against all odds, Sylvia might actually become the true pillar of strength for the Astral Express.
Come to think of it, as the Navigator, she still didn't understand the two newest members of the train well enough.
Himeko pondered silently to herself. She was now intensely curious about Sylvia's capabilities.
"Sylvia, it's all thanks to your reputation this time. I really didn't expect you to have such a wide network."
"You flatter me, Himeko. It's not really a network. I just happened to do a few business transactions with Senior Manager Topaz before, so my words carry a bit of weight with her, that's all."
While speaking on the phone, Sylvia placed her left hand into Mei's palm. She was being held closely in Mei's embrace, dancing along while maintaining the call.
Mei didn't mind at all. Instead, she thoroughly enjoyed this sensation of controlling Sylvia, guiding her to dance at her whim. Besides, the slight, adorable scowl on Sylvia's face was incredibly endearing.
"Miss Sylvia is too modest. Just based on the intelligence you provided, your name carries plenty of weight with the rest of the Strategic Investment Department too," Topaz chimed in over the phone, giving Sylvia a deliberate boost.
And those words were completely true.
When the time came, no matter which member went to Penacony, they would undoubtedly seek Sylvia out of their own accord. Given the current circumstances, whoever came to Jarilo-VI would find that dropping Sylvia's name would definitely work wonders.
If she had known beforehand that Sylvia had already become a Nameless, this conflict would have completely dissolved the moment Himeko stepped forward.
Sylvia smiled noncommittally.
"In any case... there's no need for external combat assistance now?"
"Not anymore! Is this the power of the Favor-Favor Fruit? Sylvia, you truly deserve the title of the Express Crew's heavy hitter!" Stelle gave Sylvia a massive thumbs-up from the other side of the cosmos.
"Then I'll hang up first. Keep in touch if anything comes up."
The call cut off with abrupt efficiency. Bronya, who hadn't even found a chance to say hello, realized that today's sudden turnaround likely stemmed entirely from the young lady named 'Sylvia' on the other end of the line.
However, boldly trying to introduce herself in this kind of setting didn't seem quite appropriate.
Thus, Bronya looked at March 7th and asked in a low voice:
"Miss March 7th, may I ask if this Miss Sylvia is also a member of the Express Crew?"
"Oh, Sylvia hadn't joined yet when we were last in Belobog, so it's normal that you don't know her, Bronya. I'll make sure to introduce you properly later!"
March 7th smacked her own palm. She had originally wanted to invite Sylvia along to play together, never expecting these two would actually have a chance to get to know each other like this.
Meanwhile, having put away her phone at the ball, Sylvia flashed a slightly subtle smile.
She truly hadn't expected that Topaz's debt-collection trip to Belobog would somehow, after a series of twists and turns, end up linking back to her.
Nor did she expect her own name to be so incredibly effective with Topaz.
Could it be that the intelligence she had provided was even more vital than she herself had imagined?
But looking at it this way, when the IPC folks eventually arrived at Penacony, she was still planning to work with Robin to use the Stellaron situation as fake intelligence to pull the wool over the Corporation's eyes.
She wondered if her reputation would still hold any water once that whole ordeal wrapped up.
Aha~
Sylvia couldn't help but let out a tiny laugh.
She always felt that this kind of scheming was something a masked fool like Sparkle would take joy in doing. How did it seem like she herself, without even realizing it, had started stirring up trouble all over the place?
In a strange twist, Sylvia could swear she faintly heard a whisper of laughter echoing right in her ear.
It felt like an auditory hallucination, yet it felt strikingly real.
"What's wrong?"
Mei seemed to notice something as well. She took a step forward, pressing gently against Sylvia's lower back as she tilted her head down, peering curiously into Sylvia's face.
"Nothing... just thinking about a few things."
Sylvia slid her phone into her pocket, actively pulling herself out of Mei's embrace. She stared back at Mei with a playful, knowing look.
"Weren't you just taking advantage of me while I was distracted?"
"You were clearly the one not paying attention, and yet you turn around to blame me for taking advantage?"
Holding Sylvia's hand, Mei mirrored the movements of the dancers around them, guiding Sylvia into a smooth, graceful spin right within her palm.
Thanks to her exceptional physical conditioning and balance, Sylvia executed the movement flawlessly despite her lack of experience.
Then, with a gentle tug, Mei pulled Sylvia right back into her chest.
Their eyes locked as they glided smoothly across the floor to the rhythm of the music. The relatively simple dance steps posed no real challenge for Sylvia; she only needed to follow Mei's tempo to put on a seamless performance.
Sylvia looked directly into Mei's eyes, asking with a bright smile:
"Then do you dare deny that you were trying to take advantage just now?"
"I absolutely deny it," Mei replied with an immediate laugh, not a single word of truth leaving her lips.
It earned her an affectionate roll of the eyes from Sylvia.
--+--
On the other side of the venue.
Seated in a private booth, Robin hummed softly along with the melody, her eyes swaying continuously as she tracked Sylvia's silhouette.
They really are incredibly close...
Robin watched the two figures pressed tightly against one another.
For some inexplicable reason, she felt her cheeks flush a little, accompanied by a faint tinge of envy.
As a young lady of status and a galactic superstar, Robin rarely had the opportunity for such close physical intimacy with others. Even with members of the same gender, it was a rarity.
After all, in this era of the grand cosmos, affection transcended species entirely, so what did gender even matter?
During her previous private time with Sylvia, a gentle pat on the head, leaning against her shoulder to rest, or sitting close together to share idle chatter... in Robin's eyes, those moments had already felt immensely intimate.
But looking at it now, the boundaries of personal space between Miss Acheron and Sylvia were completely different from what she had envisioned.
Observing that overly intimate proximity, Robin couldn't help but feel a touch bashful.
Was it truly normal for girls who shared a deep bond to be this close?
Robin noticed that the surrounding crowd paid absolutely no mind to the ambiguous aura lingering between Mei and Sylvia. Because of that, she figured that perhaps this was simply the kind of close relationship girls in the world were meant to have.
Robin's face burned slightly warmer.
Looking at the intimate actions between Acheron and Sylvia right now, she felt a wave of longing, alongside a few hints of jealousy that probably shouldn't have been there to begin with.
To Robin, Sylvia was an exceptionally precious, incredibly rare existence—someone with whom she could fully cast aside her burdens and entrust her complete faith.
Yet to Sylvia, Robin might simply be one of many close friends.
In fact... Robin knew full well deep down that she most likely wasn't the closest one either.
When it came down to it, the starting point of their bond had originated purely from an employment contract.
Once the Charmony Festival drew to a close and this contract expired, Sylvia wouldn't even have a reason to associate with Robin anymore.
In the future, Sylvia would journey across the stars to chart new worlds, while Robin would inevitably return beneath the frantic glare of the spotlights, continuing her life as a major star.
On the paths of their respective futures, there was no overlapping intersection to be found.
"..."
The moment that thought took hold, Robin's spirits couldn't help but sink into a quiet slump.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL