Baiheng, like a cautious fox exploring a den, tiptoed down the cold, winding stone steps.
When she stepped onto the lower platform and eagerly searched, the sight made her slightly stunned.
The figure she expected to still be suspended by chains had vanished.
In its place was a curled-up figure in the corner.
Cyrene hugged her legs, chin resting on her knees, her pink hair falling somewhat messily, covering part of her face.
Barefoot, her light purple dress still torn, she was huddled into a ball, as if this could provide a tiny, insignificant sense of security.
She had tried to go up the stairs, but found an invisible barrier blocking her, trapping her on this platform.
"Cyrene?"
Baiheng called softly, quickly walking over.
Hearing the voice, Cyrene slowly raised her head.
At this sight, Baiheng's heart immediately tightened.
Cyrene's eyes, which had originally been vibrant, now not only lacked much spirit but were also noticeably bloodshot, with slightly swollen eyelids and long eyelashes still damp with unshed tears. Anyone could see she had just been crying, and for more than just a little while.
Combining this with her previous miserable state of being bound by chains and Madam Herta's unpredictable behavior, a "reasonable" guess instantly formed in Baiheng's mind:
Her master... indeed did something excessive to Cyrene!
It might even be *that*!
After all, she made her cry, and even though the chains were removed, she's still confined here!
A wave of sympathy and indignation surged in her heart. She immediately squatted down, looking at Cyrene at eye level, her voice becoming even softer, with undisguised concern: "Are you okay? Did she... bully you?"
She didn't feel comfortable directly saying "master," but the worry in her eyes and a hint of resentment towards Black Herta were clearly visible.
Cyrene looked at Baiheng, who had returned, and at the pure worry in her eyes. Her heart warmed, but was immediately overwhelmed by more complex emotions.
How could she explain the dozens of absurd "acting" sessions just now?
How could she describe the inexplicable hug, apology, and escape of the Iron Tomb at the end?
Even she herself was utterly confused.
She subconsciously avoided Baiheng's question, lowering her gaze slightly and shaking her head, her voice still a little hoarse: "No... nothing..."
This vague response, in Baiheng's eyes, seemed more like forbearance from someone who had suffered injustice but dared not speak, immediately deepening her misunderstanding.
"It must have been very hard..."
Baiheng sighed, not pressing further, afraid of touching upon the other party's sorrow.
She looked at Cyrene's thin clothes and slightly trembling shoulders (partly due to emotional agitation just now, partly because the place was indeed cold and damp), and unhesitatingly took off her own jacket, which wasn't thick but clean and tidy, gently draping it over Cyrene's shoulders.
The body-warmed fabric covered her, dispelling a hint of chill.
Cyrene's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed. She subconsciously gathered the edges of the jacket with her hand and whispered, "...Thank you."
"You're welcome!"
Seeing that she didn't refuse, Baiheng's face broke into a warm smile.
She simply sat down on the floor next to Cyrene, maintaining a just-right distance so as not to make the other person feel pressured.
"It's cold and dark here, it's really uncomfortable. Don't be afraid, I'll keep you company and talk."
She utilized her talkative nature as a traveler and former pilot, subtly changing the subject, trying to dispel the low spirits around Cyrene.
"Speaking of which, your hair color is really beautiful, it's pink! It's like a flower I used to see on the Xianzhou called 'Crimson Sakura,' especially when it falls, it's so beautiful!"
Baiheng gestured, trying to open the conversation with a light topic. "My hair was originally light purple, but I don't know what happened, it turned like this when I woke up..."
She touched her snow-white hair, her tone a little glum, but more of acceptance.
Cyrene listened quietly, her gaze falling on Baiheng's hair and Foxian ears, and softly asked, "You... aren't from Amphoreus?"
"No! I'm not."
Baiheng nodded. "I'm from the Xianzhou Alliance, a Foxian. Most of our people live on the Xianzhou, specializing in flying and trade. I used to be a starship pilot, flying starships all over the star sea, and I've seen so many different planets!"
Her tone carried nostalgia and pride.
"Star sea... travel..."
Cyrene murmured the words, a longing in her eyes.
She had been bound by the fate of Amphoreus for too long, knowing very little about the outside world.
"That must be... very interesting."
"It is! Although sometimes you encounter dangers, like a starship malfunction, or accidentally flying into a strange interstellar dust belt..."
Seeing her interest, Baiheng vividly recounted some of her thrilling but ultimately safe little stories from her voyages, deliberately omitting the truly brutal combat parts.
She described the peculiar landscapes of different planets, the various cosmic creatures she encountered, and the interesting anecdotes she heard at various Space Stations.
Cyrene listened spellbound, her tense body gradually relaxing.
Baiheng's descriptions opened a window to a vast world for her, temporarily alleviating her inner confusion and unease.
After a while, Cyrene finally seemed to pluck up the courage to softly ask the question that had been swirling in her mind: "She... 'Iron Tomb'... where did she go?"
She still used her recognized address for Black Herta.
Baiheng was stunned for a moment before realizing she was referring to Madam Herta.
"My master? She went back to the space above, seems to be busy with something."
She paused, cautiously observing Cyrene's expression, "Are you... very afraid of her?"
Cyrene was silent for a moment, then gently nodded, and then shook her head.
(Inner thoughts: Yes, but it seems... it's a little different from the pure fear before?)
She couldn't accurately describe the feeling.
Seeing Cyrene like this, Baiheng's protective instincts grew stronger. She patted her chest (though there wasn't much there): "Don't worry too much! My master... although she can be a bit scary sometimes, and her words are cold, I think she... shouldn't be purely a bad person? Look, she saved me, and now she's released you..."
She tried hard to say something good about Black Herta, but thinking of Cyrene's swollen eyes, she felt her words lacked persuasiveness, and her voice gradually trailed off.
She then took Cyrene's slightly cool hand and said earnestly, "No matter what, we are companions now! I will stay with you! If we get the chance later, maybe we can leave this place together and see the real star sea! I'll take you on a starship, I promise it'll be much more interesting than just listening to me talk!"
Cyrene felt the warmth from the back of her hand, and looking at Baiheng's vibrant and sincere azure eyes, the thick layer of ice in her heart seemed to melt a little more.
Although she didn't speak, she gently squeezed Baiheng's hand in return.
This subtle action made Baiheng instantly beam with joy; she knew that she had at least taken the first step.