"I mean I don't have dark circles under my eyes, I've looked in the mirror."
"Ha?"
The voices of Serval and Cocolia could be heard coming from the half-closed room.
It sounded like a conversation between mature women, and Hua Yi didn't intend to join in halfway. She reached out and waved her hand in front of Lynx's eyes to bring her back to her senses.
"Your sister is inside. As for Cocolia, she's no longer the Supreme Guardian; she's just Serval's friend. There's no need to be overly reserved."
Now that Belobog is out of the Stellaron crisis, the girls should also adopt a more relaxed lifestyle.
Even if we don't know the specifics of the novel that Serval and Cocolia were talking about, since it piqued their interest, it must be a light and enjoyable read. It would be good for Lynx and Pela to learn about it.
I remember that Pela liked " Tales of Snowy Adventure " and she was also Lynx's good friend. Serval using her sister's story to reminisce with Cocolia about the past?
Later, let Lynx and March 7th get to know each other. They both like taking photos and have similar interests.
Girls tend to be more unrestrained when they're with each other than when they're alone.
He gestured for the girl to knock on the door and go in, then turned and left. Only when they were alone did Hua Yi take out his Smart Terminal and glance at the social media interface.
No message was sent from that person.
Chapter 252 I dare not owe anyone a favor
It wasn't Asta; ever since the Interstellar Communication Base Station in Belobog was repaired, Hua Yi had been frequently messaging her.
It wasn't Silver Wolf either; she was now asking herself every day how she was doing, whether there had been any changes in the Stellaron of Jarilo -VI, fearing that the connection would be lost again and her game account would be stuck in safe mode.
Hua Yi opened a chat window with Topaz, unrelated to personal relationships; at this moment, she represented the Interastral Peace Corporation.
Seven hundred years ago, due to the invasion of the Antimatter Legion, the Stellaron Fall, and various Outside the Heavens forces withdrew from Jarilo -VI, including the company.
Before leaving, the company's specialist lent the City Builders a large sum of money to build the city walls and develop Automatons.
The people of Belobog have forgotten this history; even Bronya Cocolia, who want to make a living by writing novels, know nothing about it, but Hua Yi is aware of it.
Alisaland, from the lance, also told him the story in detail.
The loan was already overdue, and Belobog had defaulted. With the effects of the Stellaron distortion fading away, Jarilo -VI embraced the starry sky again and returned to the Pan-Galactic Trade System, inevitably coming into the sights of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
How could anyone in business forget who owes them money?
Coincidentally, Topaz was Senior Executive in the company's Strategic Investment Department, whose business was related to debt.
According to Hua Yi's estimate, Asta's large-scale purchase of basic supplies, which she planned to transport to Belobog, would inevitably attract the company's attention, since those were not things that the Herta Space Station needed.
Furthermore, considering that the Space Station has already issued an internal notice that the Station Master will soon lead a team on a business trip to Jarilo -VI, it is impossible to keep it completely secret from Interastral Peace Corporation.
Has Topaz not received the debt collection assignment yet?
Then I'll just lay my cards on the table.
" Miss Topaz, the Astral Express has arrived at Jarilo -VI during its Trailblaze. As far as I know, the company has invested a huge sum of money here."
Hua Yi received a reply shortly after sending out the straightforward message.
"I didn't expect you to bring up the debt with me—what are your plans?"
It seems Topaz already knows about the existence of Jarilo -VI.
That's right.
Belobog has suffered many misfortunes and lost a lot of historical data, but the Interastral Peace Corporation is the absolute hegemon in the Pan-Galactic Trade System. Not to mention a large debt, the company's Database probably also contains order records of what Jarilo -VI bought in intergalactic trade seven hundred years ago.
Hua Yi was not surprised.
"If there is no better option in the end, I will repay the principal and interest on behalf of Belobog in accordance with the loan agreement."
"... Is this the answer? I thought you would try to use connections to persuade me to give up on collecting the debt."
"To solve Belobog's troubles by jeopardizing your career is too much of a favor to be owed carelessly."
"In fact, the company has decided to have me lead the investigation team to Jarilo -VI to resolve this ancient debt. I am the person directly in charge."
Seemingly surprised by Hua Yi's businesslike approach and direct provision of a guaranteed repayment method, Topaz actually started to think of him.
"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider? I've seen the contract the company has on file. It's a huge amount of Credits. The borrower is Jarilo -VI, not Belobog. You should be able to tell the difference between the size of a planet and a city."
"You know, with my stake in Kaliba and the intellectual property rights of the High-level Rite, I can afford this debt."
"Of course, if all else fails, there's Asta. Judging from her demeanor, if the Belobog problem gives you a headache, she'll quietly settle this debt."
"I don't think I told her about this."
"She asked me to check the information on Jarilo -VI. I looked through the company's Database and found the debt records. It was both bad debt and a planet with a bad credit history. Asta even invited me to come to Belobog on a Space Station ship. In the video call, she patted her chest and said that problems that can be solved with money are not problems. Just treat it as a vacation."
After reading Topaz's message, Hua Yi could imagine how imposing Asta at that moment.
The young heiress is indeed incredibly powerful in the Credits field.
"I feel like I should transfer the money to you first, so that Asta doesn't secretly pay the bill."
"Don't worry, I won't rush to resolve this debt issue privately. And from what you said before, it seems you have an even better idea?"
" Belobog is City of Preservation, and it truly lives up to its name. I think Interastral Peace Corporation can use it as a promotional target. That would be a win-win situation. We can discuss the specific details when we meet."
"~The Milky Way is vast, and not every city can bear the name of [Preservation], but since you said it, I'll look forward to it—will it turn into the company having to pay Belobog for advertising?"
"Isn't Miss Topaz doing more than her job by acting as an angel investor while collecting debts?"
On a private ship, Topaz was amused by Hua Yi's reply.
I thought that debt collection would involve people I knew, and there would be all sorts of trouble related to personal relationships, but the reality was quite the opposite.
"Looks like Belobog is lucky, and I'm lucky too~"
"Same to me, I feel fortunate too. If I hadn't met Miss Topaz and had a different senior executive in charge of debt management, I would have been really worried that a major villain would have emerged, righteously exploiting the remaining value of Belobog, or even depriving the residents of their personal rights."
"... At least the Strategic Investment Department is not like that."
"Just kidding. You mentioned earlier that Asta invited you to board the same ship. It would be best if you could travel together. With Miss Topaz on board, the safety of the voyage will be greatly improved."
"You mean you want me to work part-time as a bodyguard?"
"So, how many Credits will it take for Miss Topaz to protect Asta? I'll pay for it!"
"It's not within the scope of business, so we need to calculate it carefully. Considering how much you care about Asta and how much you care about my career, and taking into account Asta friendship—it'll be free~ I won't bring the other company employees; it'll be easier to travel alone."
It's settled then, just like that.
Hua Yi acted as a safety net, promising Topaz that no matter what, the debt could be resolved.
As for how things will develop, the original repayment date is more than double the expected amount, and whether this will result in substantial late fees depends on the outcome of the negotiations.
Chapter 253 Illustrator, Pela
The others were unaware of the debt and were simply working to increase Belobog's financial reserves.
As Bronya visited her mother and Natasha came to treat patients, Xing heard that the girls had gathered together and was eager to give a lesson. In addition to bringing Seele along, she didn't forget Clara and Hook, so now everyone was present.
" Pela and Lingbao encountered Hua Yi in the Snowfield. He was busy eliminating the frozen Voidranger? Why didn't he tell us?... We are all ready to be deployed at any time."
"And then there were Ice Wolf trying to attack him? Damn it! I'll immediately gather the Silvermane Guards to wipe out those beasts."
"Please wait a moment. Lord Hua Yi said that the existence of the Ice Wolf is helpful for studying the Snowfield ecology. When the research team from the Herta Space Station arrives, they will also be able to discover Belobog's unique animals."
"You made him Snowfield stew and frosty salmon bread? Let me think carefully—well, Lingbao and Pela's cooking skills are fine, thank goodness."
When Lynx took out the photos she had taken for Hua Yi, everyone's eyes lit up.
"Wow, this angle, this composition, your photography skills are amazing! It feels like we have a lot in common."
" March 7th, when did it come?"
"With so many people here, I definitely had to come and join in the fun and chat." 670
Meanwhile, the rich aroma of coffee filled the room.
After getting to know Himeko, Bronya and the others were able to determine whether the coffee was good or not just by smelling it.
The Navigator is only holding a cup of coffee, yet the aroma is already so strong. That can only mean it's a super concentrated version. An ordinary person would furrow their brow and eyes after just one sip!
Sure enough, the regular-proportion coffee in the museum was a limited edition for Hua Yi. Since he wasn't there, Himeko adhered to the principle that concentrated is the essence.
Even Xing deliberately avoided mentioning coffee, afraid that the navigator might pour her a cup.
Himeko sipped her nearly solidified coffee leisurely, then looked at Cocolia with interest.
Would you like a drink?
"No, thank you."
"I remember back in the office, you never refused any of my coffee offers. I thought I'd found a kindred spirit. Why are you refusing so readily now?"
"... I Stellaron erosion at the time, and I lost my sense of taste."
In the past, Cocolia definitely wouldn't have told the truth.
She would keep many things to herself when facing Serval and Bronya, so she would undoubtedly be even more reserved when communicating with Himeko, an Outworlders who did not belong to Belobog.
But on the Everwinter Peak, Hua Yi saved her ideals and life, and then she got a friendly punch from Serval. Cocolia was reborn and has become a brand new Cocolia who no longer drinks Himeko's coffee!
"If Stellaron erosion allows you to drink the coffee I make, then why does the star always resist it, even though it has an active Stellaron inside it?"
"There are differences between Stellaron Stellaron, okay! Hmm, let's not dwell on that. Just now, Lynx said that Pela is very good at drawing?"
"Yes, it's a very pretty girly style. I used to take photos while exploring the Snowfield and send them to Pela. With that reference, she could quickly draw the sketches, and it wouldn't take her too long to enrich the content and refine the details."
"Wow, Pela amazing!"
"Some adults should stop talking like children."
"I have less than a year of clear Remembrance; I'm still a child!"
"..."
I can't continue the conversation.
Galaxy Bat Hero truly doesn't care about his image, has a flexible growth curve, and will randomly switch between adult and child roles depending on the actual situation.
"Hey, I have an idea."
She stretched out her finger and started thinking.
Wise Man Mode activated.
"How about Pela illustrates our novel? Some novels already have illustrations, right? We can modify the ebook format a bit and add pictures."
"!"
This time it's truly astonishing wisdom.
After a little thought, Natasha, Serval, and the others decided it was feasible.
"Illustrations do increase the sense of immersion and let the people on the Space Station know a little about Belobog. Maybe with Pela's help, we can improve our ranking in the Writing Contest and go beyond just the participation award."
"It seems like there are many benefits, the only problem is whether it will become a burden for Pela."
"Now that the Void creatures have disappeared, my job as Intelligence Officer has become quite easy. No problem!"
Pela has an undeniable responsibility to ensure that hobbies enjoyed in one's spare time can contribute to increasing Belobog's financial income.
Approximately how many illustrations are needed?
"Ten illustrations per volume of a light novel is about right, but there are so many of us..."
"A novel can't be finished in a short time, so Pela doesn't need to produce too many illustrations in a short period of time. However, in the long run, it is still a considerable amount of work—having photos as references will suffice."
"Yes, I do."
Raise your hand if you love taking photos on March 7th.
Ms. [Zhao Xiangji], feeling like she could be of great help, was beaming with pride.
" Astral Express, Herta Space Station, Belobog, you name it!"
"It can't just be scenery; if possible, Lord Hua Yi should be in the picture."
"Yes, yes! That's the one I'm talking about. I took a lot of photos of him."