Sylvia merely attempted to mimic a fraction of Acheron's imposing aura, and it was enough to thoroughly intimidate the group of children.
Two of the kids even wet their pants on the spot, completely humiliated.
She had no interest in the children's mutual accusations and betrayals.
Human nature is inherently flawed. During childhood, before a complete moral framework develops, once raw malice begins to surface, it can often be more terrifying than that of many adults.
A child's malice isn't driven by gain or loss, but solely by whether it amuses them.
Besides, these particular children were no angels—they'd never been strangers to mischief and wrongdoing.
Once the spark was lit, Sylvia didn't need to lift another finger. The subsequent chain of events would unfold on its own.
The flames and dark curtains that only these children could see were, of course, mere illusions conjured by Sylvia. Otherwise, such a large fire would have surely attracted the Cloud Knights.
Naturally, Sylvia suspected these children might tattle when they got home.
But if any Cloud Knights did come looking for trouble, she wouldn't mind pulling rank and giving them a taste of authority.
Sylvia glanced to the side. Dan Shu, unable to see the illusions, had already taken the little girl's hand and carefully helped her down the steps.
"Thank you, big sister."
Though the girl couldn't see, she knew Sylvia had helped her. She bowed deeply and earnestly towards Sylvia.
Sylvia smiled, raising a hand to gently pat the little girl's head.
'So adorable.'
Meanwhile, the bullies had completely fallen apart.
The ringleader, being the first one pushed forward and utterly shamed, was now on the receiving end of harsh accusations from all the others.
Once this cycle of mutual blame began, there was no turning back.
It ended with every single one of them being targeted in turn. Those with weaker mental fortitude had already begun to wail loudly.
Thanks to Sylvia's carefully crafted environment, these children were likely to carry a profound psychological scar from this day.
But the crueler part was that Sylvia deliberately dampened the sound waves, cancelling them out by manipulating air vibrations.
Coupled with her control over light to create visual interference, passersby wouldn't even notice anything amiss here.
By the time these children had completely turned on each other and scapegoated two sacrificial lambs, their little group was effectively finished.
Sylvia paid the brats no further mind.
She quietly watched as Dan Shu spoke to the girl with stern words, yet gently placed medicine into her palm.
After they had seen the little girl safely home, Dan Shu suddenly spoke:
"You intervened just now, didn't you, friend Sylvia? Though I couldn't see it, I sensed a certain dissonance. Had any passing Cloud Knights been less reliant on their eyes, they, like myself and that child, would surely have noticed something amiss."
Sylvia didn't confirm or deny. She merely watched the children seize their chance to flee in panic and let out a soft chuckle.
"Even a place as prosperous as the Xianzhou isn't free from such things, it seems."
"Indeed... Those of us born with shortcomings often face bullying in our youth. Even after enduring countless hardships and attaining high positions, we still find ourselves powerless against many things."
Dan Shu let out a long sigh.
Sylvia could feel that Dan Shu's lament over her own powerlessness was genuine in this moment.
"The era of war and the era of peace are different. The Xianzhou cannot remain unchanging. If you have the heart for it, Lady Dan Shu, you should be at the Realm-Keeping Commission, prescribing remedies for people's hearts, not remaining in the Alchemy Commission."
For the Xianzhou Luofu, docking here to recuperate was a relatively recent development.
The ways of wartime and peacetime naturally differ. But for a long-life species, the perception of time is inherently different.
Systems, decrees, even moral standards—all are subject to change.
However, the Luofu's stay here is temporary. Threats have never truly receded.
One imagines the Luofu's general probably hasn't considered such matters, especially since the Divination Commission still hasn't undergone the necessary functional splits and restructuring.
Just thinking about it made Sylvia's head spin.
"...Is that so?"
Dan Shu was taken aback by Sylvia's words, her rhythm thoroughly disrupted.
She had intended to use the plight of the 'Incomplete Ones' to steer the conversation towards the Abundance, using it as a pretext for persuasion. She never expected Sylvia to pivot to such a topic.
More importantly, Dan Shu had originally joined the Alchemy Commission hoping to cure her 'Incomplete One' condition. She had never once considered the possibility of serving in the Realm-Keeping Commission.
Sylvia observed Dan Shu's stunned expression—it was more or less what she had expected.
Thinking of this, Sylvia suddenly flipped her hand. A set of exquisitely crafted cards appeared in her palm. She gave them a quick shuffle, then fanned them out and offered them to Dan Shu.
"Lady Dan Shu, I once acquired a deck of cards said to glimpse into fate. Would you care to draw one?"
"Hehe~ Since when did you start learning the cryptic ways of the Master Diviner's followers, friend Sylvia? Very well, let me draw one then."
Dan Shu covered her mouth with a light laugh, playing along as she reached out and randomly tapped a card, picking it up.
She turned the card over. The Pope's image faced her, meaning...
The Pope, reversed.
The Pope card signifies belief, faith, spiritual guidance, support, and aid.
Dan Shu gently traced the card's surface. On the gilded card, every pattern had a subtle texture. Her fingers glided over it, finally resting on the words 'The Pope'.
"'The Pope,' correct? Would you be willing to interpret this for me, friend Sylvia?"
Sylvia blinked. The reversed Pope suggests miscommunication, obstacles in understanding, blind comfort, ineffective aid. It can also mean unfulfilled desires, being used by others, or being abandoned.
It probably represented both the present and hinted at Dan Shu's future and eventual outcome.
Sylvia wasn't skilled at reading the cards, but when combined with Dan Shu's in-game story and background, many pieces fell into place.
A bleak childhood, finding redemption within the Alchemy Commission, only for that salvation to be torn away, making Dan Shu bitterly resent the Hunt that was supposed to aid the Xianzhou.
Misinformation, communication barriers...
And the future where her plans would be shattered by the Trailblaze, cast aside by Phantylia.
"...The card isn't very favorable. Perhaps you've faced communication barriers, or have received—or will receive—misinformation or false conclusions. This might lead to you being used by others, or even abandoned."
Sylvia selected a few of the card's meanings, speaking them slowly and deliberately. Dan Shu's expression grew colder with each word.
"..."
She couldn't tell if Sylvia's actions today were unintentional or deliberate. Were these words truly divined, or were they a subtle warning?
Could she have already deduced who the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were collaborating with?
Dan Shu suddenly realized that the situation, which should have been under her control to persuade Sylvia, was becoming murky.
Had Sylvia seen through her? Was she warning her in return?
After a long silence, Dan Shu finally spoke: "Friend Sylvia, could you elaborate further for me?"
But Sylvia only shook her head slightly.
"I merely glimpse a hazy fragment of fate through the cards. Over-interpretation can have adverse effects. What Lady Dan Shu may need is rational introspection and guidance."
"...Then I shall take your words to heart, friend Sylvia."
Dan Shu fell silent. 'Just who is persuading whom here?'
--+--
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.