The Starlight Tea Party and the Unexpected Newcomers

Ophelia was in good spirits now.

She felt that there was always a way out, and the upcoming Starlight Tea Party, initially just about nurturing that deity, had now become something truly worth anticipating, though she had already held some anticipation for it.

The nurturing could still continue; the system had informed Ophelia that as long as she could leverage the deity’s authority and burn nurturing points as energy, her chances of returning home were significantly high.

****

It was three in the afternoon.

Feigning exhaustion, Ophelia turned to Marta and Emily, who were beside her, and declared, “Ah, I’m so tired, and a little sleepy. I think I’ll go take a nap.”

The two exchanged glances before nodding, and Ophelia, entering her bedroom, closed the door behind her.

Ophelia took a nervous breath.

Today, she would face people from other nations, including two ‘old schemers’ (TL Note: ‘老阴逼’ or ‘lǎo yīnbī’ is a slang term referring to cunning, manipulative individuals who operate behind the scenes). She fervently hoped she wouldn’t be discovered.

‘Right, as a newcomer, I should just stay silent at first.’

From a drawer, she retrieved the necessary materials and began the ritual.

The ritual involved arranging violet petals into a magic circle, placing a pile of baby’s breath in the center, lighting an incense stick, and finally, closing her eyes in prayer.

“I command the stars, I anchor my hopes.”

“Eternal Lord, I beseech you, allow me to step into your realm. I offer my soul as collateral, and with my flesh and blood, I present my eulogy.”

In an instant, the surrounding scenery transformed.

Sunlight dissolved into shimmering streams of light, which then ascended, coalescing into countless stars. Day abruptly gave way to the cosmos, and a long bridge was woven from the vibrant, overflowing starlight.

Ophelia ascended, treading upon the starlit bridge.

She arrived at the grand hall and located her designated seat, yet she was puzzled to find seven chairs instead of the expected number.

‘Wait, wasn’t it supposed to be only five chairs, including my own?’

‘Could it be that future characters have already arrived early?’

Ophelia felt even more nervous. Dutifully, she settled into her seat, the mist obscuring her face providing a sense of security. She watched silently as other figures gradually took their places, and then, the loli deity appeared in the grand hall.

It was still that loli voice, attempting to sound mature.

“Ahem, greetings everyone. Today, our tea party welcomes three new participants: the Queen, the Swordsman, and…”

For some reason, the loli deity paused for a subtle moment.

“And Hard Candy.”

‘Hard Candy? The third newcomer is named Hard Candy?’ Ophelia couldn’t help but let out a snicker, which then echoed through the empty grand hall.

“Pfft—”

“Hee—”

“Ee—”

Feeling a surge of embarrassment, Ophelia straightened her posture.

“Alright, with three new participants, it signifies that my authority has recovered a little more! Let us proceed with our tea party as usual. You may seek knowledge from me, or engage in transactions.”

No sooner had her words faded than one figure addressed another.

“Mister Jester, where are you currently? I have a transaction I wish to complete with you.”

‘Oh, that figure is the Jester? The male protagonist?’

‘What? Luca has already gone to the Empire? He went to the Empire because he couldn’t serve Eli? He really doesn’t want to help me?’

‘Drat it, if he doesn’t want to, then he doesn’t. I wasn’t begging him! Speaking of which, isn’t the Empire’s Empress considered Luca’s confidante? What if they’ve already gotten together, preventing me from nurturing him?’

‘Come to think of it, the one asking must be the “Sailor,” right?’

“I am currently in the Empire. As it happens, I also have a matter I wish to entrust to you. Please state your request first.”

‘Wow, are these two trying to suppress the newcomers?’

‘See? There’s no room for anyone else to interject between them.’

“Currently, along the Imperial border coast, a pirate named Edward has appeared, proclaiming himself the King of Pirates. As you know, each of our pirate syndicates maintains several established routes, and this individual is blocking our route, forcibly demanding tolls.”

“We lack the means to confront him directly, therefore—”

The Jester, who was Luca, interjected.

“You wish for me to eliminate him?”

“Indeed. After much thought, I believe only you can assist me. Upon completion, I shall offer you fifty thousand gold coins. What say you?”

‘Fifty thousand gold coins? Luca wouldn’t even bat an eye at that, would he? I recall that by this point in the book, Luca had amassed millions of gold coins. There’s no need for him to make a special trip for this.’

“Very well, I happen to be in need of funds,” Luca replied, without hesitation.

‘Ah, this diverges from the book.’

“Then it’s settled. I await your good news.” Mister Sailor was clearly pleased; his shadow could be seen nodding emphatically.

“Next, to our newcomers. My, should I address you as sirs or misses?” The Sailor turned his gaze, looking at Ophelia and the two other figures whose identities were unknown to her.

“This Queen and this Hard Candy must surely be misses, yes? And the Swordsman? Should I address you as sir or miss?”

“Miss will suffice,” came the reply from that side.

‘Wow, this Swordsman lady is so cool and aloof. Why is her voice so detached? Yet, it feels a little familiar.’

“Excellent, it seems we have three misses! Oh my, what an honor. Ladies, if you require anything in the future, you may seek me out. As you can see, I am a pirate, and I can procure many things that are unavailable on the open market.”

“Furthermore, I am exceptionally learned and knowledgeable, you see? I have traveled to many places, so feel free to ask me anything you wish!”

‘At first glance, he appears to be an enthusiastic elder brother, but in reality, this is merely a method to gauge the newcomers’ financial strength, status, and worldly experience, isn’t it? That damned ‘old schemer,’ truly detestable.’

“Really?” However, Miss Hard Candy clearly fell for it.

“Of course. Do you have any needs or questions for me, miss?” The Sailor visibly smiled.

“Yes, yes, yes, Mister Sailor, you’ve traveled to many countries, haven’t you? Have there been any instances of a Queen and a Princess being together?”

The Sailor was visibly stunned.

The novelist shut-in girl (TL Note: ‘宅妹子’ or ‘zhái mèizi’ refers to a girl who is a ‘shut-in’ or ‘otaku,’ often implying someone who prefers staying home and has niche interests, like a novelist in this context), who had been nonchalant, now straightened up in her seat.

“Uh, that… *hiss*… I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of such a thing,” the Sailor replied after a moment of hesitation and serious thought.

“Ah… it seems there’s no precedent…” Hard Candy was clearly saddened!

“No, no, no, no, Miss Hard Candy, while there might not be a precedent for a Queen and a Princess, in the Goblin nation, there are quite frequent instances of a Prince killing the King and then being with the Queen. So it’s not entirely without precedent, you see?”

Mister Sailor seemed afraid of upsetting Hard Candy, so he quickly spoke up.

‘Oh wow, it seems Hard Candy is a princess, though I wonder from which kingdom.’

‘There are several human nations, and many demi-human nations too, such as the Elven Forest, Goblin Swamps, Dwarf Stone Caves, Tomb of the Undead, and Vampire City. These are all nations of demi-human creatures. I wonder which one Hard Candy is a princess of.’

‘She actually fancies a Queen! That’s quite something!’

“Speaking of which, Miss Hard Candy, you are a princess, aren’t you? And you’ve taken a liking to… the Queen? Would you be comfortable expanding on this topic? Perhaps we could assist you, after all, there are surely other ways for a princess to ‘conquer’ a queen besides the crude methods of goblins, aren’t there? There might be other paths.”

Luca spoke up.

“Oh yes, please!” Hard Candy exclaimed happily, and Ophelia leaned in to listen.

‘Time for some gossip! Which poor Queen is so unlucky? To be fancied by her own princess! Today, I’m a spectator enjoying the drama!’