Sylvia left the square directly and ran into Robin on the way, along with her brother, Sunday.
"Sylvia, are you alright… I just saw an explosion in the sky, and someone falling…"
Though she didn't spell it out, Robin's meaning was clear enough.
Sylvia glanced back but didn't see the conspicuous figure of Sparkle. It seemed she hadn't followed.
Who knew what would happen the next time they met.
"Not quite used to my first time dream-diving, ended up falling right out of the sky. Though in the dream, it didn't hurt much."
Sylvia scratched her head sheepishly at Robin.
Which made Robin cover her mouth with a light laugh.
Beside them, Sunday also wore a subtle expression.
No matter how you looked at it—first time in the Asdana star system, sensitive to memories, and then tumbling straight from the sky during her first dream immersion…
She seemed more like an ordinary girl than someone who could stand toe-to-toe with an Emanator.
Still…
"Miss Sylvia, may I ask about the explosion and fireworks in the sky just now? That doesn't seem like something that should occur when entering the dream."
As the head of the Oak Family, Sunday proceeded to inquire about the details.
"Well, while dream-diving, I ran into someone from the Tavern. She just pulled out a button like it was nothing and asked me to guess what the button did."
Sylvia chuckled softly.
"Like I'm the type to just guess—I pressed it right then and there. And then the button blew up. You saw the rest—big explosion, plus a huge firework display."
"…So the Tavern's people are here too."
Sunday frowned slightly, not questioning how a Masked Fool had slipped in. Family security could handle ordinary folks well enough.
But when it came to certain… unconventional Pathstriders, it was a bit lacking.
Then, Sunday politely inclined his head toward Sylvia.
"My apologies. As your host, it is regrettable that a guest's first dream-diving experience was marred by such an unpleasant incident."
Sunday's gentlemanly manner actually made Sylvia uncomfortable. Honestly, she preferred the atmosphere around people like Jing Yuan and Mr. Yang.
Excessive politeness just made her feel constrained.
"No, it's fine. I actually thought it was pretty fun. Dreams should be a place for wild, whimsical things."
Sylvia was even thinking that if she ran into Sparkle again, and if that girl held a grudge and tried to tie her hair into a knot, how she should guard against it—and pay her back.
Considering Masked Fools lived for amusement, something that trivial was exactly the sort of thing Sparkle would probably do.
As for Sparkle's stance, Sylvia wasn't too clear either. The Tavern's bunch didn't have the best reputation across the cosmos.
Mainly because they'd do anything for a laugh, and their moral boundaries depended entirely on the individual's own scruples.
Some jokesters, like Sampo, clearly still had a bit of a moral line.
But Sparkle… that was harder to say. She gave off the vibe that she'd blow all of Penacony sky-high if she thought it'd be entertaining.
Even though the Family had invited various factions to the Charmony Festival, they logically shouldn't have sent an invitation to the Tavern.
And that mysterious figure behind the special invitations—the one who'd ask a question like 'Why does life slumber'—probably wouldn't be fond of a faction like the Tavern either.
So Sylvia couldn't quite pin down Sparkle's goal. Could it really just be to come and watch the show?
Wouldn't rule it out.
Next time they met, she could try asking. Maybe the other would find it amusing and spill the beans.
"Miss Sylvia is quite open-minded."
Sunday said, glancing at Robin.
"Robin, do you plan to explore Penacony for a while, or return with me for now?"
Robin had been invited back to perform at the Charmony Festival, so naturally there were work procedures to follow.
Even though her brother was Sunday.
Still, considering Robin had just returned, Sunday felt it was fine if she relaxed for a day or two first.
"I'll show Sylvia around here today. I'll visit officially tomorrow."
Robin knew Sylvia had only just arrived in Penacony today. As the one who invited her, and as a friend, she ought to accompany her for the day at least.
"Very well. Miss Sylvia is your honored guest. Do accompany her around. And… regarding the investigation, please proceed within your means. If needed, you may use my name to borrow the aid of the Bloodhound Family."
Sunday didn't seem to have any intention of targeting Sylvia or testing her.
Regardless of what he truly thought, nothing showed on the surface.
"I know, brother. I'll be careful."
Robin replied earnestly. With Sylvia accompanying her this time, Robin felt far more secure than if she were investigating alone.
Sunday had work to attend to and soon took his leave.
Meanwhile, Robin changed into a different outfit, concealed her halo, and then headed to the streets of the Golden Hour with Sylvia, introducing her to everything around them.
"Ahh—it's been so long since I've been able to walk freely on the streets like this."
After changing her attire, Robin clearly relaxed much more.
She raised her arms and stretched with gusto, arching her back.
Rising onto her toes, she even wobbled off-balance at one point, leaning against Sylvia's shoulder to keep from tumbling over.
"Superstar life, huh. But do you get swarmed by fans here in Penacony too?"
If Sylvia remembered correctly, when Robin approached earlier at the square, the people around hadn't crowded in.
"My albums sell fairly well in Penacony too. Though probably not as intensely as outside, it's still better to be careful. After all…"
As she spoke, Robin suddenly lifted a hand and pointed toward a huge billboard in the sky.
It displayed a cosmetics advertisement, currently playing a commercial starring Robin herself.
"My brother booked me a lot of ad placements and promotions… I really wish he'd ease up on that front."
Robin sounded a bit helpless. Most who came to Penacony were wealthy or influential; not many here were star-struck.
But thanks to Sunday and the Family's resource allocation toward her, even in Penacony, plenty of people had heard of Robin.
"Aha~"
Sylvia didn't hold back her laughter at all.
--+--
After strolling the streets for a good while, Sylvia and Robin found a quiet park.
"So, Sylvia, where do you plan to start the investigation?"
After spending a few system-hours with Sylvia, wandering and playing around, Robin finally brought up the main topic.
"I have a lead, though I'm not sure if it'll pan out. It was given to me by a Memokeeper."
"A Memokeeper? Someone from the Garden of Recollection? They've already arrived in Penacony? I didn't realize you'd already gone that far…"
Robin was surprised. Sylvia moved fast, didn't she?
She'd only just arrived in Penacony and had already made contact with both a Masked Fool from the Tavern and a Memokeeper from the Garden.
--+--
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.