"Folks! We've now successfully reunited with Tribbie and are about to meet Aglaea."
"Judging by Tribbie's expression, she probably doesn't know about the Rosy Celestial Maiden incident yet, but Aglaea must already know everything."
"Without a doubt..."
"We're about to enter a round of psychological warfare!"
Little Gui continued explaining while following the marked path forward.
...
Inside the bathhouse.
Aglaea stood in water that barely reached her ankles.
She said to Tribbie: "You've worked hard. Any news from Trianne?~"
"Not yet, but we have figured out the whereabouts of those deserters. It won't be long before we track down the location of Castrum Kremnos."
[This is the place name Mydei mentioned.]
Upon hearing this response option from the protagonist.
Aglaea seemed somewhat surprised.
She remarked: "Oh... He was so candid with you?"
"Castrum Kremnos is the territory of Nikador (the Strife Titan) and its current residence—a mobile city-state hidden in the mist."
"So, when the Titan was repelled, Miss Trianne went to track the enemy." Dan Heng showed a look of sudden realization.
At this moment.
Aglaea suddenly shifted the topic: "Let's set aside serious matters for now. Would you mind giving me and our two distinguished guests some space, Tribbie?"
"Of course. I hope you enjoy this gift, hehe."
Tribbie winked at the two of them before leaving.
Aglaea then continued: "As Tribbie said, the two of you have contributed greatly to defending the Holy City. For this, I would like to offer you a token of gratitude."
"If you wish to stay in Okhema, you will naturally need a place to settle."
"This gift can resolve your concerns."
As she spoke.
She took light steps.
Walking toward the door on the other side of the bath.
...
"Not only no punishment, but even a reward?"
"Wait! Isn't this leader too incompetent?"
"Could it be that Aglaea really doesn't know yet?"
"I feel like this is the calm before the storm..."
"Same here, I'm a bit uneasy—feels like something big is about to happen!"
...
After entering the gate.
What greeted them was a lavishly decorated, spacious bath palace.
Not only was there a private bath, but also a bright balcony offering an excellent view overlooking the deep abyss.
"Wow!"
"This is the most luxurious place we've ever stayed in!"
"Even better than the VIP rooms on Penacony!"
Little Gui couldn't help but exclaim.
Approaching the bath.
Dialogue options appeared.
[Not going to test the water temperature?]
[Do you like it, Little Azure Dragon?]
These options are just asking for trouble!
[Dan Heng extended two fingers to test the water temperature of the bath.]
He said helplessly, "It's warm water."
[Perfect—you thought to yourself, trying hard not to let him see your glee.]
...
"Hahahaha..."
"Fantastic, Little Azure Dragon, come take a bath!"
"Dan Heng fans are really eating well!"
"Fun fact: Most Vidyadhara still prefer cold water."
"Warm water to boil the Azure Dragon!"
...
Aside from the bath.
The other dialogue options were also quite entertaining!
Investigating the lounge chair.
[The lounge chair in the room looks so comfortable and inviting, you worry that once you lie down, you'll completely lose the motivation to Trailblaze.]
[Think about it carefully—all the hardships and struggles you've endured up to this point... were they really worth it? Lying here, drifting into eternal comfort and slumber, perhaps that's where you truly belong...]
Little Gui was almost stunned!
If you lie down here, won't the universe just heat death all over again?
There are rumors that the narration was written by Aha...
And honestly, that really matches the style!
"...Ahem."
Dan Heng cleared his throat,
"I know what you're thinking. Don't be tempted by a lounge chair."
Oh no.
Dan Heng really can read minds now!
Investigating the balcony.
[You lean against the stone railing of the balcony, gazing into the distance. The layered mountains of Amphoreus are shrouded in mist, their outlines faintly visible, like a group of stone giants slowly shifting between crawling and standing.]
[From somewhere, the song of a bard drifts over. You can't make out the lyrics, yet from the melody, you sense a hint of nostalgia and longing for the past.]
"This view... is truly magnificent."
[You agree with Dan Heng, wholeheartedly.]
...
Separate carriage.
Seeing how luxurious and chic this private bath palace was...
Stelle couldn't help but let her mouth hang slightly open.
A few seconds later.
She exclaimed excitedly, "Who said Amphoreus was harsh!"
"Amphoreus is amazing!"
"I'm heading to Amphoreus right now! To Okhema!"
"Have Aglaea book me an identical single room..."
"And then..."
"Sleep until the universe reaches heat death..."
Stelle placed her hands over her chest, speaking in a deep, solemn tone.
Dan Heng rolled his eyes again.
Looking at the main control screen.
Amphoreus was now within reach.
At this rate,
Trailblazing Amphoreus didn't seem like too difficult a task.
However,
once they entered Amphoreus,
there would be an attack on the train.
They still needed to stay as vigilant as possible.
Thinking back to the scene of the train carriage being pierced by that spear, for some reason, Dan Heng felt a slight pang of unease!
"It'll be fine..."
"According to the plot of Honkai: Star Rail, we both just fell unconscious and are otherwise fine."
"Besides, we made preparations in advance this time..."
He comforted himself with these thoughts.
...
After surveying the private bath palace once more,
Aglaea spoke: "Is it about time? Finally, there is one special gift."
[What is it? Tell us.]
"I will personally explain it to both of you here."
Aglaea's tone was neither warm nor cold.
But by now,
many players had already realized how things would unfold.
They began flooding the screen with comments!
...
"Time's almost up~"
"Boo!!"
"Time to reveal the dagger hidden in the map..."
"Aglaea, please don't be so nice to us, I'm scared!"
"Hurry up and show the knife. I don't believe the leader of a city in the apocalypse could really be this naive..."
"Even though everything is under Teacher Dan Heng's control, I still feel the nervousness of having done something wrong and fearing being caught by Mom. I'm still too innocent [crying]"
...
They saw Aglaea slowly step into the bathing pool.
She approached a bud-shaped ornament at the deepest part.
"Is this... a water basin? It looks like some kind of ritual tool," Dan Heng mused thoughtfully.
[A smaller version of the Dream Pool?]
Aglaea then explained: "It is no ordinary washbasin, but a ritual vessel held by the Chrysos Heirs. I now present it to both of you."
"You have already heard of Amphoreus's history and the Holy City Okhema. And now... regarding the journey of the Chrysos Heirs, I wish to let both of you witness it firsthand."
"Witness... how should that be understood?" Dan Heng asked again.
"In ancient times, the Chalice of Plenty—Phagousa, the Ocean Titan—used the waves to conceal the starting point of the world."
"The ancient ocean priests discovered that place. They built barriers with spiritual water to protect it from external disturbances, but they also left a passage."
"That is the ritual basin before you. Clear away distracting thoughts, wash your face with the spiritual water in the basin, and when you open your eyes again, you will be able to witness..."
"The Heart of Creation's Vortex—the great sanctuary that hosts the primordial divinity of the twelve Titans, and the promised land where the miracle of creation descends, as foretold in the divine prophecy."
...
"Oh no!!"
"We can't go there!"
"From the secrecy and mystique of the location, it's clear that Aglaea has already prepared for the worst from a certain perspective. Even if she truly takes action, it won't cause damage to Okhema or alarm the citizens."
"Could it be that both sides are about to tear off the mask here?"
"The Chrysos Heirs team still doesn't know how strong we are, because Stelle and Dan Heng have been playing dumb all along. Now, with the Rosy Celestial Maiden incident exposed, they'll definitely test us before taking action."
"Stelle: In a bad mood, might as well blow up a Stellaron for fun."
"Dan Heng: Weren't you the one who blew up the moment I grasped the Jade Abacus of Allying Oath?"
...Oh no.