"Uh, no, wait. How can I call it negotiation? Clearly I'm the one asking for help. Sigh, this damn habitual thinking."
Putting away the number plate in her hand, Topaz shook her head vigorously and began preparing for tonight's banquet.
Inviting an Emanator-level powerhouse — and one with a record of slaying the 'Lord Ravager' at that — meant the banquet had to be as luxurious and solemn as one held at company headquarters in Pier Point.
Even if the Emanator might not care about such things, whether they cared and whether you prepared properly were two entirely different matters.
Therefore, regardless of whether Miss Qingque cared about formalities, Topaz had to prepare thoroughly.
"Hmm… Do I need to prepare an evening gown?"
Sitting down on a cyan stone bench by the roadside, Topaz held Numby in her arms. While stroking the little Trotter's smooth, round back, she pondered what to wear for tonight's banquet.
Because of the sudden incident on Jarilo-VI, Topaz had not had time to prepare a gown before departing from Pier Point, so now she could not find any suitable attire.
"Have one custom-made on the spot? No, no. High-end gowns are usually handmade. There's simply not enough time at this hour…"
After struggling for a while, Topaz ultimately decided to try her luck at a high-end custom gown shop on the Xianzhou Luofu. Maybe there would be one that suited her.
Thinking of this, the girl no longer hesitated. She decisively tapped her earpiece a few times.
The next moment, Tingyun, who had just returned to her office in the Whistling Flame Chamber of Commerce and had not even had time to drink tea, heard a ringing sound. The Jade Abacus in her chest pocket suddenly rang.
The beautiful foxian woman sighed helplessly, then took out the Jade Abacus. When she saw the caller, her pretty eyebrows could not help but twitch slightly.
"Hmm? Miss Topaz? Didn't she just leave?"
With some doubt, Tingyun answered the call. After a short beeping sound, Topaz's somewhat embarrassed voice came from the Jade Abacus.
"Hello, Miss Tingyun. Sorry to trouble you again. May I ask where the best high-end custom gown shop on the Xianzhou Luofu is?"
"High-end custom gown shop?"
Tingyun was slightly stunned, then seemed to understand something and replied.
"Miss Topaz wants to custom-make a gown for tonight's banquet?"
"Mm."
Topaz on the other end of the call nodded slightly and explained to Tingyun.
"Because I came rather hastily this time, I didn't prepare a gown in advance. So I wanted to try my luck and see if I could find something suitable."
Hearing Topaz's words, Tingyun pondered for a moment before giving her opinion and suggestion.
"If it's high-end custom gowns, our Whistling Flame Chamber of Commerce does offer such services. However… if Miss Topaz is preparing for tonight's banquet, I would actually suggest you wear your regular clothes."
Topaz: "Regular clothes?"
Hearing the other party suggest she simply wear her everyday clothes, Topaz was first stunned, then asked uncertainly.
"Miss Tingyun, you mean it's fine to wear the clothes I normally wear?"
Tingyun: "Mm, just wear your regular clothes."
"Miss Topaz, you may not know this, but before becoming an Emanator of Causality, Qingque was famous among the Six Charioteers as the 'King of Slacking Off.' She's very casual and doesn't like formalities."
"So I still suggest Miss Topaz wear regular clothes."
Topaz: "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Miss Tingyun."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Topaz lightly tapped the earpiece button to end the call. Sitting on the cyan stone bench, she continued stroking Numby's head.
"She doesn't like overly formal styles. Then this Miss Qingque should be someone easy to get along with, right?"
————————————
"And so, Elysia sacrificed herself. Using her own life as the price, she took the most crucial step so that future generations could transcend the Finality."
"The second of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers of the Moth, Elysia of [EGO], ends her story here."
Inside Robin's home, after listening to the story about Elysia that Yun Fan had told, the kind and gentle Miss Robin had already cried until her eyes were red and swollen with tears. Clear teardrops slid down the girl's cheeks like large falling pearls.
"Don't cry. Elysia died to protect humanity. She is a hero."
"Until the very last moment of her life, this girl as brilliant as flying flowers left with a smile. We should send her off with joy, shouldn't we?"
Yun Fan took out a small white handkerchief from his portable space and gently wiped the tears from the corners of the girl's eyes. Only after a long while did Robin stop sobbing and take the handkerchief from Yun Fan's hand.
"Thank you… wuu… but Miss Elysia, Miss Elysia is really so pitiful…"
Robin looked up, her eyes red as she gazed at the black-haired youth before her. Her two large eyes were misty with tears, covered by a layer of water vapor as if they would overflow again at any moment.
Slap——!
Seeing this scene, Yun Fan slapped his own forehead.
He had underestimated how sensitive this little girl's heart was. In the original timeline, even when facing thousands of troops and opposing the entire 'Family,' the girl had never shown any weakness, let alone cried like this.
Yet now, after merely listening to Elysia's story, this resolute and unyielding girl had actually shed tears — and cried so sorrowfully.
"Robin, I…"
Buzz——!
The youth pursed his lips, wanting to continue comforting her. However, at that moment, a strange fluctuation suddenly swept through. Immediately after, Robin, who had still been crying, suddenly swayed and fainted on the spot.
"This power…"
Yun Fan picked up the unconscious Robin, carried her to the girl's bedroom, placed her on the bed, took off her shoes, and thoughtfully tucked her in.
Since she was at home, Robin was not wearing her usual gorgeous gown but a white nightgown, looking like an adorable harmony dove.
This also saved Yun Fan some trouble. After all, if it had been that complicated gown, sleeping in it would definitely be uncomfortable, and he would have had to help her change.
After arranging everything properly, Yun Fan bent his index finger and gently stroked Robin's cute little nose, a trace of tenderness appearing on his face.
Then the youth turned around. The tenderness on his face instantly vanished, replaced by an expression of scrutiny and deep thought.