"The Coast of Jovial Songs," Styxia.
Springsong Pavilion, within the bathhouse of the Sirens.
Here, the Queen and her subjects, in their most primordial state, welcomed a fish who had traveled far away back into the embrace of her homeland.
For the Sirens, this state of being unclad was actually the most natural.
It was just that the humans from the various large and small city-states of Amphoreus, without exception, all wore clothes to cover their bodies. Many who visited Styxia were quite shocked by this.
Most would stammer, unable to utter half a sentence, especially that group of scholars from the Court of the Sacred Tree.
Flushed red, they would squeeze out a phrase: "Corrupting public morals."
This made it difficult for Styxia to discuss any business at all.
It caused Phagina great distress, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She soaked in the bath, soaking from morning till night, persisting for a whole month.
Finally, she attained enlightenment in her solitary confinement, realizing just four words:
Breach of Etiquette!
Thereafter, the Sirens began to wear clothes, and the Sirens' bathhouse was no longer open to outsiders.
Heh, if it had been preserved, Styxia would be number one on Penacony's "Must-Eat List" right now.
The highest mountain, the longest river; no one could surpass it.
How could they let the "Eye of Twilight," which only ranked first due to the novelty of the Cloud Bastion, steal the prize?
That was only because they were feudal back then. Put it in today's context, and the bathwater would be drunk clean by you lot.
Eighty for a small spoon, eight hundred for a large ladle—supply wouldn't meet demand!
"Is the outside world fun, Hylechra?"
A Siren already in the bath called out to Hysilens, who was walking towards them from not far away.
"I haven't been to many worlds yet. For me, physically, there isn't any significant difference."
Hysilens stopped.
She extended her right leg, her ankle slowly probing into the clear seawater.
"It feels much the same as being in Styxia."
With a splash, her fair, jade-like thigh submerged completely into the pool.
"However, the water sources outside are not as intoxicating as the water of home."
Hysilens lowered her entire body into the pool, the water's depth submerging her shoulders.
Feeling the embrace of her homeland, familiar beyond measure, she couldn't help but let out a long breath.
"Hylechra, tell us about your experiences outside."
The Sirens were not discouraged by Hysilens's answer and remained enthusiastic.
"You are the only one from our Styxia who has ever left the city, after all. How can there be no solemnity in your eyes at all?"
A cheerful atmosphere filled the entire bathhouse.
"Hmm..."
Hysilens scooped up some water with both hands, the surface reflecting her contemplative face.
Experiences outside...
Was there anything worth mentioning? She began to savor this brief galactic journey in her memories.
As she thought, she realized something.
She really hadn't gone to many places, and she didn't have much material to use as conversational fodder.
"Outside of Amphoreus, there is a place called the Luofu."
If there was anything worth mentioning, it seemed to be this Xianzhou ship under the Xianzhou Alliance.
"Mmhmm, mmhmm, and then?"
The Sirens waited for her to tell a wonderful story.
"First, let me clarify."
"The Luofu is a carrier similar to a vehicle; it isn't a planet."
"From the outside, it clearly looks like it can only hold a few thousand people, but once you personally enter, it is unbelievably huge inside—bigger than all of Styxia."
Hysilens had indeed been a bit surprised at the time.
After all, she hadn't seen much high technology. The wonder of the Luofu's delve technology had truly broadened her horizons.
"And then? And then?"
The Sirens' interest was piqued by her, waiting for the follow-up.
"And then, that's it."
Unfortunately, Hysilens poured a bucket of cold water on their expectations.
"? What do you mean 'that's it'?"
The group of Sirens was somewhat speechless at her answer.
"How can you be so cursory?"
"The food outside, rare species, fun things, and all this and that—are none of these worth you mentioning?"
"Haven't you guys wandered around Penacony?"
Hearing these questions from her sisters, Hysilens was the one who became confused.
The reason Leon left Amphoreus in Penacony was not only because this was his territory but also because it was suitable for the people of Amphoreus to have contact with the outside world and gain a general understanding of the galaxy.
If one were to speak of prosperity, Penacony ranked first.
Of the food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and the degree of revelry here—which one wasn't stronger than the Luofu?
Was it really necessary to bring it up and talk about it separately?
"We have wandered around. Don't mention it, the world outside really is different. The clothes they wear are so exquisite, and there are so many vehicles we haven't seen before."
"Then why do you still ask these things? No matter how novel the things on the Luofu are, they can't be that different."
Hysilens glanced at them, speaking with lack of understanding.
Asking about specialties—could it be they wanted to drink mung bean soda?
"Oh my, what's wrong with asking? We haven't been there personally, after all."
The Sirens were confident even without reason.
"However, although the outside world is good, the danger level seems to far exceed Amphoreus."
"'Paths,' 'Emanators,' 'Aeons.'"
"And those whatever-whatevers; they sound so terrifying."
The people of Amphoreus were not entirely ignorant; Robin had specially sent people to give them lessons, explaining those things in the galaxy.
"Mm." Hysilens did not deny it.
"Aeons" who could annihilate the galaxy with a mere gesture... even Iron Tomb, the greatest crisis Amphoreus had faced, was far inferior to them in status.
"Speaking of which, did the Lord Arbiter come back this time too?"
The Sirens thought of something and asked.
When discussing high-dimensional existences like "Aeons," one would subconsciously always think of that Lord who protected them.
"Yes, he came back too. What about it?"
Hysilens was suspicious, not knowing why her sisters asked this.
"Mm, do you guys eat and live entirely together?"
"Yes."
"How is his relationship with you?"
One could only say a woman's nature had kicked in.
"Relationship..." Hysilens pondered slightly.
Was it the elegant "more than friends, less than lovers," or the blunt "unrequited love"?
Otherwise, what relationship could she say? Say he likes me, and I like him?
"Monarch and Subject."
She thought for a moment, then gave the answer that satisfied her the most.
Monarch and Subject. A moderate relationship. Not too overstepping, nor appearing too distant.
"You actually never thought of getting closer? I really misjudged you, Hylechra."
The Sirens looked disappointed.
"What meaning?"
Perhaps influenced by Leon, Hysilens subconsciously blurted out a habitual phrase he often used.
"What does 'what meaning' mean?"
This group of Sirens had never heard this phrase before.
"Probably means 'what does it mean'?"
Hysilens hadn't asked Leon what it meant either, but she felt that was the meaning.
"Of course it means 'the pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moon first'! Don't you know?"
The Sirens looked as if they were saying 'this is a big deal, a big deal'.
"Hylechra, the water is right in front of your eyes. As a fish, how can you resist not swimming towards it?"
Her sisters spoke with heartache and distress.
"..."
Hysilens fell silent.
But she didn't have any negative emotions because of this; instead, the corners of her mouth rose in an arc.
Her sisters didn't understand.
For others, Monarch and Subject meant a strict superior-subordinate relationship, but for Hysilens, Monarch and Subject was the best relationship.
It applied no matter where you put it.
Between friends, there is Monarch and Subject; between partners, there is also Monarch and Subject.
Since ancient times, Monarch and Subject has always been complex.
Facing each other with swords, following each other in life and death, being both enemies and friends.
There are too many monarchs and subjects whose relationships far exceed what the secular world can describe.
Fast forward to Leon being unable to forget Hysilens's melancholic eyes for his entire life.
She wasn't someone who liked to put herself in a high position, so a relationship with hierarchy was best.
However, there was one point Hysilens had to admit her sisters were indeed right about.
The pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moon first.
Indeed, the water was right beside her; how could she resist not swimming towards it?
The wavering fish had long found her sea to dwell in.
The arc of Hysilens's smile deepened. She released her hands, and the water she was cupping returned to the bath with a few soft sounds.
"Hylechra, do you think the Lord Arbiter will come to Styxia to find you?"
"Mm? He should."
Hysilens answered without thinking.
Leon said everyone was a community of shared destiny, and she could see that he indeed cherished them.
Although coming personally didn't represent anything, and messaging them to assemble didn't mean he didn't value them.
It was simply that she felt he would come.
"Does the Lord Arbiter have a spouse?"
The Siren race consisted only of females, and upon hearing this, the eyes of nearly the entire race lit up.
"...?" Hysilens tilted her head.
Was this group of people crazy?
Fine, they couldn't be blamed; it was human nature.
She admitted, aside from being a bit of a god-tier weirdo, Leon was indeed an impeccable partner.
"He does."
However, this didn't stop Hysilens from directly shattering her sisters' unrealistic fantasies.
Sigh, Cyrene's progress was far ahead.
"What!"
The Sirens turned pale with fright, as if they hadn't expected Leon to actually have a spouse.
Mm, Hysilens could clearly feel the negative emotions in the water suddenly increase.
"Speak. Tell your sisters, whom did you lose to?"
The group asked with incredibly serious expressions.
"...Why do you assume I like him?"
"You don't like him?"
No joke, they couldn't even catch up if they wanted to throw themselves at him.
Hysilens did not continue to answer, but silence itself was a form of answer.
The Sirens all wore expressions of "I understand."
Clap, clap. A few claps rang out.
"Alright, alright, that's enough. Gossip about the Lord Arbiter anymore and I see you don't want your lives."
Phagina stopped the commotion, signaling that this was a topic that shouldn't be touched.
"Hylechra finally came back for a visit; stop grilling her."
Saying this, Phagina beckoned to Hysilens, signaling her to come before her.
The water surface was stirred into ripples by the large movements.
Hysilens obediently did so, going to the Queen's side.
"Did you live well outside?"
Phagina stroked her long hair, asking with concern.
"Very well. Everyone on the Express is a good person. No matter what happens, Lord Arbiter is there to cover for us."
Hysilens gave a hum of agreement.
"Are you happy?"
"Happy."
"Then, compared to the 'Unending Banquet' I once promised, how is it?"
Phagina smiled, implicitly asking if she had really decided.
Hearing this question, Hysilens turned her head.
She looked at the mother of the Sirens and began to seriously ponder this question.
The "Unending Banquet."
It was once Hysilens's anchor, the meaning for which she lived.
Phagina's question was undoubtedly asking Hysilens, as a mother asking her daughter: was she really ready to dedicate her life to Leon?
"It surpasses it, with nothing lacking."
Hysilens spoke each word distinctly, showing the weight of what she wanted to convey.
"That is good."
Phagina smiled, simply nodding, and said nothing more.
"Come, come, come, Lord Arbiter, this way please."
The sound of three people's footsteps echoed above the bathhouse.
One could hear that under someone's guidance, they were walking from the inevitable corridor towards here.
"Why do I feel something is wrong?"
Leon felt that the village he was being led into seemed off.
"What could be wrong? Aren't you looking for someone?"
The Siren leading the way indicated there was no such thing.
Then the Siren brought the three to the end, stopping in front of the spacious bathhouse.
Just like that, the Sirens in the bath and the three visitors began to stare at each other, eyes wide.
This stalemate lasted for a long time until Cyrene was the first to break the silence.
"Oh my, this really is..."
Cyrene covered her mouth in surprise, a look of awkwardness floating between her brows.
"It seems we came at a very unfortunate time..."
"What unfortunate time? You came at exactly the right time."
A bold Siren waved to him, issuing an invitation.
"Lord Arbiter, if you don't mind, all three of you come together!"
"Oh, not bad."
This one who wanted to join together was clearly genuine; she had been repressed for too long.
Leon gave praise to this proposal, but he didn't have the interest.
"However, isn't this reaction a bit too plain?"
He looked at Hysilens; she seemed to have no feelings about the matter of her body being seen.
"For Sirens, this state is actually natural; wearing clothes is just increasing constraints on oneself."
Hysilens simply smiled and rose from the pool.
Cyrene raised her hand to cover Mimi's eyes, while silently turning her body around.
Firefly also turned her head away, avoiding looking directly.
Is this the atmosphere of Amphoreus? It differs so much from what I thought.
She thought so in her heart.
Leon, on the other hand, didn't feel anything was wrong, openly looking at the abdomen he had always been quite curious about.
What kind of structure was it, exactly?
"Here to find me?"
Water currents wound around Hysilens's body, quickly manifesting into the clothes she usually wore.
"I don't know anyone else besides you."
Leon expressed that she was asking the obvious. "If I don't find you, who else can I find?"
"Is something the matter?"
Hysilens smiled, inquiring about his visit this time.
"Are we going back?"
"No, encountered a little something."
Just as he had told Cyrene before, Leon briefly recounted the course of events.
"A movie? You're going to act too?"
No, what did this mean? Was this group's question really exactly the same?
"Unknown variable."
Leon gave his own answer.
"How about it? Do you want to come along, or continue wandering around Styxia?"
"Together with you."
Hysilens made the choice without hesitation.
"Then let's go."
____
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