"Little Sister Aglaea, if there's nothing else, we'll be going now?"
Lumina, intending to leave Aglaea aside for a while to properly build up her burst value, didn't stay much longer. After speaking softly, she prepared to depart.
Herta and Hyacine naturally had no objections.
Herta completely didn't care, while Hyacine showed a hint of joy.
Although there was joy at finally leaving Lady Aglaea's sight, the main reason was that she could possibly cuddle with Lumie.
Cuddling with Lumie in front of Lady Aglaea would make Hyacine feel somewhat uneasy.
But if they were not in Lady Aglaea's sight, this uneasiness would naturally dissipate.
Although Okhema was covered in Golden Threads, with Lady Aglaea's eyes everywhere, her cuddles with Lumie would naturally be seen by her.
But Hyacine had long been used to these Golden Threads and didn't take them seriously, which was still quite different from being right in front of Lady Aglaea.
At least it wouldn't be as uneasy, at least she wouldn't be afraid of the scene of cuddling with Lumie being seen by Lady Aglaea.
"Mm, see you next time, Sister Lumina, Big Sister Herta, and Hyacine." Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Aglaea's face as she smiled and gestured to the three of them.
Nodding their heads and gesturing simply, the three of them took the "Stone Slab Elevator" and left the Hero's Bath.
"..."
Standing at the edge of the Hero's Bath, Aglaea watched the three of them leave. She crossed her arms and looked up at this bathhouse that could overlook the entire Palace.
Aglaea stood at the edge with her eyes closed, seemingly preparing for something that was about to happen.
Tap tap tap
A moment later, several footsteps sounded behind Aglaea.
At the same time, Aglaea opened her eyes, which had been closed in rest, but she did not immediately take any other action.
She continued to look at this bathhouse.
Then she slowly spoke, as if reminiscing: "I still remember that this bathhouse, which can overlook the entire Palace, was advocated for and established by the Senate over nine hundred years ago."
"And the purpose of establishing it was to commemorate that first Flame-Chasing Journey, to commemorate those heroes who made major contributions to Amphoreus a thousand years ago."
"And the rules were also set at that time."
"No one other than guests invited by the Goldweaver may trespass here."
Aglaea's words seemed as if she were addressing those "enemies" who had trespassed here.
"So..."
Aglaea turned around and looked at the trespassers behind her.
As for the "master" leading the way, it happened to be someone Aglaea knew.
"Do you no longer intend to pretend to enforce this rule?"
"Miss Caenis?"
Aglaea's words were completely flat, but in the air, a hint of danger was revealed.
Perhaps if Caenis just left now, Aglaea could completely turn a blind eye to it and act as if nothing had happened.
Aglaea would purge the Senate, but not right now.
But... a little earlier would be fine.
Aglaea was in no hurry to act, crossing her arms over her chest as she waited for Caenis's answer.
"Aglaea... Heh... Aglaea..." When Caenis spoke, it was like an evil old witch's words cursing a person: "You witch who has not died for a thousand years, wearing the skin of a god to deceive the masses in the mortal realm."
"All this time, for this past millennium, we have been far too merciful to you."
"Merciful?" Aglaea chuckled softly. "Since when did mercy become a substitute for incompetence?"
"Hehehe." Caenis paid no mind, taking a step forward as the Cleaners around her surrounded Aglaea.
"Aglaea, look down carefully. Look at the people you have bewitched."
Aglaea was a demigod. Therefore, no matter how much Caenis hated her or looked down upon her, she would never engage in a direct confrontation with a demigod.
"Heh." Aglaea continued to chuckle softly, completely unbothered.
Within the bustling baths, countless crystalline glimmers began to ripple.
"Caenis, if this is the extent of your confidence, you might as well throw yourself off Dawncloud Cliff right now."
If it were not for Lumina's help, Aglaea would indeed have to compromise.
But now...
Aglaea would not compromise, and she absolutely could not.
Okhema still needed her. Amphoreus still needed her.
The Chrysos Heirs... also needed her.
"Is that so?" Caenis failed to notice the strange tone in Aglaea's voice, maintaining her posture of absolute certainty.
It was as if she had made up her mind, convinced that Aglaea was doomed to die today.
"Aglaea, then let's see which is faster: your Golden Threads, or our daggers."
The faint smile remained on Aglaea's face: "I've already passed the age of comparing power when I was young."
"But..." Aglaea's smile gradually faded, her exquisite face turning cold. "Occasionally revisiting my youth is a decent experience."
"Hmph, playing tricks." Caenis sneered, raising her palm and waving it gently, signaling the Cleaners to act.
"I'll be the one to tell you... which is faster: the Golden Threads, or the daggers..."
As the Cleaners drew closer with daggers in hand, Aglaea still showed no emotional ripple.
"The Golden Threads are faster."
As these words fell, the Cleaners who were closing in froze instantly, their bodies seemingly imprisoned by something, unable to make any move or action.
All the crystalline glimmers in the air at this moment transformed into strands of crystalline Golden Threads.
The Golden Threads spread throughout the baths, enveloping the entire Okhema within them...
-
Amphoreus, Okhema.
"Hmm?"
Lumina, who had just left the Marmoreal Palace, suddenly sensed something, stopped in her tracks, and let out a soft hum.
Turning back to look at the Marmoreal Palace just before her, a hint of color reflected in her jade green eyes, her thoughts unknown.
"Lumie, is something wrong? Did you forget to tell Lady Aglaea something?" Hyacine, seeing Lumina stop, felt a moment of confusion.
Following her gaze, she saw Lumina looking at the Marmoreal Palace and assumed she had something left to say to Lady Aglaea.
So she took out a stone tablet, wanting to help Lumina.
"Lumie, do you need me to notify Lady Aglaea right now?"
"N-no, it's nothing." Hearing this, Lumina withdrew her gaze and gently shook her head. "I was just simply taking in the scenery of the Marmoreal Palace, nothing else."
"I've already finished everything I had to say with my little sister Aglaea, and nothing was left out."
Lumina patted Hyacine's shoulder and took her soft, smooth little hand in hers.
"Let's go. Let's go see the Dromas and see if we can 'run into' our little sister Castorice."
The situation unfolding within the Marmoreal Palace, and even the situation within all of Okhema, was naturally all too clear to Lumina.
But this had nothing to do with her.
According to Lumina's judgment, with Aglaea's current strength, it would only take a fraction of a second to use the Golden Threads blanketing Okhema to eliminate all the "Cleaners" in the entire city.
That woman named Caenis was also something else. To make a move against a Demigod who had "eyes" all over Okhema, Lumina wondered what she was thinking.
Her methods might have barely worked against Hyacine, Castorice, or Phainon.
After all, although they were Chrysos Heirs, they couldn't bring themselves to think of themselves as superior.
Even if the latter two were powerful, they couldn't do what Aglaea could, which was to instantly root out all the "enemies" within Okhema and then kill them instantly with the Golden Threads.
All she could say was that the person named Caenis had truly chosen a good opponent.
All she could say was that the person named Caenis was a complete idiot.
Of all the people to choose, she chose Aglaea.
Sigh...
In her heart, Lumina silently mourned Caenis for 0.00 seconds.
You're not a beautiful girl, yet you still want me to mourn you? You're dreaming.
If Aglaea didn't finish you off and you accidentally escaped, Lumina wouldn't be so polite.
She wouldn't be as "gentle" as Aglaea.
At the very least, it would leave a deep impression on her fragile heart, enough to make it crumble.
"Lu... Lu... Lumie."
"L-Lady Aglaea... might still be watching."
A voice filled with shyness echoed in Lumina's mind, instantly sweeping away all her current thoughts.
Returning to reality, she turned her head toward the source of the voice. What met her eyes was Hyacine, whose sight made Lumina's heart race and her blood boil.
At this moment, Hyacine's face was completely flushed. Her shy yet longing posture was simply something Lumina adored.
"Don't worry, we've already left the Marmoreal Palace. Aglaea can't see us," Lumina smiled, seeing how Hyacine, despite her crimson face, didn't struggle but instead leaned tightly into her palm.
"I-It's the same, though. Even if we've left the Marmoreal Palace, Lady Aglaea can probably still see us," Hyacine whispered, her voice as faint as a mosquito.
Leaving the Marmoreal Palace was one thing, but couldn't she still see the Marmoreal Palace just by turning around?
In Hyacine's view, what was the difference between that and turning around to find Aglaea watching her?
"How can it be the same?" Lumina smiled. "Don't worry too much."
"We're good friends, besties. What's wrong with doing something like this right in front of Aglaea?"
"This is one of the most common things for friends and besties to do, I'm sure little sister Aglaea wouldn't mind it either."
Lumina spoke truthfully to soothe Hyacine's shy heart.
Although Hyacine's shy appearance was incredibly cute, and Lumina especially adored this shy look on her, if she were too shy, it would significantly affect what was to come later.
If she were too shy, it would be difficult for Lumina to push things forward.
So she still had to offer a simple reassurance, maintaining this shy state to just a mere blush.
In this state, Hyacine could still keep thinking normally, which was undoubtedly the perfect state of shyness.
And this reassurance from Lumina wasn't a trick, but the truth.
In fact, it was one of the few "blunt truths" Lumina had ever told a beautiful girl.
Why was it a "blunt truth"? Because it was a truthful statement that got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
As for the truths she had told beautiful girls in the past, those were naturally also truths, but they were the kind of truths that beat around the bush.
The kind where, although she was saying it this way, once she actually did it, it meant something else entirely.
Though not a problem, it was still by no means a "blunt truth."
"Yeah... Yeah, you're right." Hearing Lumie's words of comfort, Hyacine nodded, finding what she said to make perfect sense.
The shy feeling that had arisen in her heart gradually dissipated completely.
"Phew..."
Looking back, Hyacine felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Although Hyacine knew that Lady Aglaea's Golden Threads covered all of Okhema, it was impossible to hide her small actions from her.
But Hyacine had already gotten used to that, so Lady Aglaea naturally wouldn't say anything. This was still quite different from being seen by Lady Aglaea in person.
"Let's go." Lumina chuckled softly, seeing Hyacine's expression as a small scheme began to form in her mind.
Since Hyacine was so shy... what kind of expression would she show if Lumina were to perform acts of intimacy that went far beyond holding hands right in front of little sister Aglaea?
Lumina was extremely curious about this.
Driven by this curiosity, images of the "future" began to surface in her mind.
Yes, the future.
Not a fantasy, but the future.
Because Lumina had already made up her mind. She was prepared to perform some extremely intimate acts with Hyacine right in front of Aglaea the next time they were all together.
"Hmm-hmm~"
Lumina couldn't help but let out a delighted hum.
"Eek..." For some reason, even as she felt the warmth from the small hand in hers, Hyacine still felt an inexplicable chill, as if... she was being stared at by some kind of pervert.
As a Chrysos Heir, her physical constitution was already far beyond that of an ordinary person.
And now that she was in Okhema, how could she suddenly feel a chill for no reason?
Even if there were some danger, it was probably unlikely.
After all, Lumie was with her...
After understanding this, Hyacine didn't think any more of it, simply dismissing it as an illusion.
Herta: "..."
Unaware of the hidden motives in the other's heart, Herta, who was walking half a step behind Lumina and Hyacine, took in their interaction completely.
She looked at Hyacine's small hand currently held by Lumina, then at Lumina's other empty small hand, and a peculiar glint flashed in her purple eyes.
After struggling for a moment, Herta still quickened her pace, rushed to Lumina's other side, and took that empty small hand.
"..."
Herta had wanted to casually find an excuse to argue her way out of it, but after thinking it over again and again.
She and Lumina were already so close, why bother looking for an excuse?
Just like what Lumina had said earlier, wasn't holding hands a completely normal behavior between good friends, good besties?
Since she was now performing a completely normal behavior, why did she need to explain or argue?
Wouldn't that be like guilty conscience showing?
"?"
Feeling the warmth brought by Herta holding her small hand, Lumina waited for a while, and seeing that Herta actually didn't offer an explanation, she couldn't help but think more highly of her.
Oh, Little Herta has grown up.