Chapter 10 : Forced to Sleep
Ye Lan returned to her rest area and lay back down on the bed.
She looked at the suitcase beside the bed, feeling on the verge of tears.
"I had already packed my luggage, but ended up getting involved in a troublesome matter. What a disaster!"
Although this suitcase was just for show, to be casually tossed into the theater afterwards, it was still preparation for going home. Now she had to unpack it again.
Looking at it now, this incident probably wouldn't end so quickly. At least it couldn't be resolved within a day.
Originally, Ye Lan had sent messages to her friends in Yunzhang City that she would return today. Now she was forced to break her promise.
"Mm... I should go eat something first, and bring back a portion for Ye Xing as well."
Ye Lan had been packing earlier and hadn't had time to eat. Ye Xing hadn't eaten either, so they were both very hungry.
Ye Lan walked out of the rest area and suddenly encountered Ye Yu, who was also leaving her room.
Ye Yu was slightly startled upon seeing Ye Lan.
"Ye Lan, weren't you supposed to go back?"
"Mm... Due to various reasons, I have to stay here for a while longer."
"Is that so? Fate is truly wondrous. Since that's the case, this one shall continue to protect you for a while longer. However, this one is now going to the place of trials to further enhance my strength. See you tonight."
Ye Lan understood.
Ye Yu was probably going to the training ground to improve her abilities.
Although she had chuunibyou, she was unexpectedly hardworking.
Perhaps she wanted to maintain her persona as an expert.
After all, referring to oneself as "this one" and the "Dark Sky Ruler" would be too lame without some actual strength to back it up.
Afterwards, Ye Yu left.
Ye Lan headed to the capital's cafeteria, planning to pack food to eat back in the rest area.
Upon reaching the cafeteria, Ye Lan glanced around and found that there weren't many people.
Night Watchers' working hours were not fixed; there was no set pattern of fixed work and off hours, so situations where the cafeteria would be packed didn't exist.
Ye Lan liked this mode very much, as she didn't have to squeeze in with a crowd of frenzied eaters like at school.
"Mm... What should I eat today?"
Ye Lan muttered, quickly deciding what to eat.
Noodles might be a good choice.
Then Ye Lan immediately placed her order. She only needed to wait for the kitchen to contact her, and she could pick it up at a specific window.
Of course, she could also have it delivered by AI devices, but Ye Lan wasn't accustomed to that.
After placing the order, Ye Lan sat at a dining table to wait. At this time, a woman carrying a meal walked over.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
"Mm... No."
"Then I'll sit here."
"Please do."
Ye Lan felt a bit nervous.
The place she was sitting now should be where this senior often sat. Was it not good for her to sit here?
Just as Ye Lan was thinking this, the woman who was eating suddenly spoke.
"Excuse me, are you a Night Watcher from headquarters? I'm a bit curious because I haven't seen such a petite girl in headquarters before."
"Y-Yes, I'm a Night Watcher, but I'm from another city, not from headquarters," Ye Lan stammered in response.
"I see... Having a child take on the profession of a Night Watcher, it feels somewhat inappropriate. Someone like you should be enjoying a wonderful school life, that's what youth is about. The atmosphere in headquarters is very oppressive, and for a child, it's really an abnormal environment for growth."
Hearing these melancholic words from this Night Watcher, Ye Lan didn't know how to explain.
"Actually... I'm an adult..."
"Ah... I'm sorry, I judged by appearance. Come to think of it, there are some Night Watchers who don't grow due to their Stars. However, it's rare to see such a cute child like you."
This Night Watcher seemed to be socially adept. Even though it was their first meeting, she could skillfully chat with Ye Lan.
If Ye Lan didn't know this was the Night Watchers' headquarters, she would have thought the woman had ulterior motives.
Moreover... why did she still call her a "child" even after knowing she was an adult!?
This woman looked not even twenty years old, younger than her!
"Can we get acquainted? My name is Qi Xing. I'm considered an elite at headquarters. If we have a chance to work together in the future, perhaps we can look out for each other."
"Mm... I'm Ye Lan. Please take care of me."
"Ye Lan, that's a nice name. I suppose we can be considered ordinary friends now?"
"I guess?"
Ye Lan had never imagined making friends in such an absurd way.
They had only just learned each other's names, having just met moments ago.
At this point, Qi Xing let out a light sigh.
"Indeed, my mood is a bit complicated now. I went to sleep a bit early yesterday, and when I woke up, I found out a Star Eclipse had appeared. Then I was scolded by my squad leader. I usually don't sleep so deeply."
"Mm..."
Hearing Qi Xing's troubles, Ye Lan thought she must have also entered the dream, but simply forgot after waking up.
As for not waking up after the alarm sounded... that was probably the Star Eclipse's fault.
Being scolded by the squad leader was too unfair.
Regarding this, Ye Lan cautiously suggested:
"Is it possible that it was the Star Eclipse's fault?"
"You mean I slept too deeply because of the Star Eclipse? That's impossible, right? If we attribute faults to a non-existent Star Eclipse, we'd be failing as Night Watchers."
Hearing her say this, Ye Lan didn't know what to say.
It seemed the Leader hadn't conveyed the information he learned from her to other Night Watchers, but it should happen soon.
At this point, Qi Xing suddenly said: "I've decided. Tonight I'll definitely sleep later. I absolutely can't make the same mistake twice!"
"Mm... I think you'll be forced to sleep by orders later."
"Why?"
"Well... because of various things."
Ye Lan didn't explain further.
At this time, the two meals she ordered were ready.
"I'll go now. See you again if we have the chance."
"Alright, take care on your way."
Ye Lan turned and left, having gained some impression of the Night Watchers at headquarters.
The Night Watcher named Qi Xing seemed easy to get along with. It wasn't difficult to communicate with her.
Thinking this, Ye Lan picked up the two packed meals from the window and turned to leave the cafeteria.
Qi Xing watched the little loli's departing figure, pondering the words she had just said.
"Forced to sleep due to various things? What could it be?"
Just as Qi Xing was puzzling over this in her mind, her Night Watcher device suddenly sounded.
This special alert tone was clearly a general notice from headquarters to all Night Watchers, indicating something very important.
Hearing this, Qi Xing stopped eating and took out her device to check the general notice issued by headquarters.
It contained partial information about this Star Eclipse and methods to contact it.
"Ah... It really is sleeping..."