Chapter 155: Stelle: I Want to Take Advantage of the Situation
The steamy mist from the bathhouse had not yet entirely dissipated, mingling with the faint ripples of energy and the unsettled dust left in the wake of the recently quelled battle. The surrounding clamor gradually subsided, replaced by the busy, methodical aftermath of a crisis. Staff moved through the area, clearing debris from the fight, their hushed conversations punctuated by the soft clinking of objects being tidied away.
However, amidst this scene of returning order, three individuals seemed entirely out of place.
Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng stood side-by-side in the open space below the Hero's Bath. They were utterly motionless, their eyes glazed over as if staring into another dimension. A mysterious, almost goofy smile would occasionally twitch at the corners of their lips. If not for the steady rise and fall of their chests, one might have suspected that time itself had frozen around them.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in their private chat group was anything but frozen.
Stelle and March 7th seemed determined to make up for every word they'd been forced to hold back over the past day. Messages popped up one after another, a rapid-fire recounting of their experiences in Amphoreus and the thrilling details of the battle.
This was understandable. Ever since entering the world of Okhema, they had been under strict orders. Not only had Phainon and Tribbie repeatedly warned them, but even the great Aglaia had specifically instructed the trio to conceal their identities as "outsiders from beyond the heavens" to avoid causing unnecessary panic or drawing unwanted attention.
Consequently, during most of their interactions with the local residents, Stelle and March had done their best to remain silent, speaking only when absolutely necessary. They'd been reduced to communicating through a flurry of glances and frantic gestures. For two people as naturally lively—and admittedly, a bit chatty—as them, this forced silence had been absolute torment.
Now that they could finally pour their hearts out in the chat group, they were holding nothing back.
Their "online tea party," however, did not last long.
A man dressed in an Okhema staff uniform approached them, a polite but slightly puzzled expression on his face. He cleared his throat gently to get their attention.
"Distinguished guests," he began, his tone tactful, "you have been standing here for quite some time now. Are you encountering any difficulties? Perhaps you are lost, or maybe you have questions about the bathhouse's functions?"
He offered a practiced smile. "If you lack a guide familiar with Okhema, we would be happy to introduce one to you."
The sudden question yanked the consciousness of Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng from the lively group chat and slammed it back into reality. It was only then that they realized they had been standing foolishly by the bathhouse like a trio of statues for who knows how long, all just to keep up with the conversation.
A quick glance around confirmed their awkwardness. Other staff members were actively cleaning up the lingering traces of the battle, a clear sign that the bathhouse was about to undergo its routine cleaning and maintenance.
Dan Heng was the first to recover. His expression smoothed back into its usual calm as he gave the staff member a slight nod. "Thank you for your concern. We have no difficulties; we were just… discussing some matters."
He tried to fob the man off with the most reasonable excuse he could muster, while subtly declining the offer of a guide. "We apologize for disturbing your work. We will leave now."
With that, he offered a final, apologetic nod and shot a pointed look at Stelle and March, who were still blinking their way back to the present. He gestured for them to follow as he prepared to lead them out of the bathhouse.
Behind them, the helpful staff member watched their retreating figures, a slightly speechless expression overtaking his professional demeanor. 'Discussing matters?'he thought, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.'Is it popular now to discuss things without opening one's mouth? Using only glances and telepathy? That guest, the one who seems the most composed, is surprisingly… perfunctory when it comes to making excuses.'
He grumbled to himself but kept his thoughts behind a professional smile. His service ethics wouldn't allow him to expose their flimsy lie. "I see," he said, stepping aside. "In that case, please make yourselves at home, guests. Some areas of the bathhouse need to be cleaned and tidied, so please watch your step."
"Thank you for the reminder," Dan Heng replied, then urged Stelle and March to hurry up and follow him.
As soon as they were out of the staff member's sight, Dan Heng slowed his pace. "Alright," he said in a low voice, "the reminiscing is more or less done. We should continue with our main task and gather more information about Okhema."
"No—!" Stelle immediately let out a pained wail, her face a mask of resistance as her steps became sluggish.
"I still want to chat in the group for a while! I don't want to go 'to work' anymore! I haven't rested much since we got to Okhema!" she protested, her voice rising with theatrical despair. "It's either fighting or getting ready for a fight! I protest! This is exploitation! I want to rest! I want to slack off! This is a ruthless deprivation of a Stelle's precious right to rest!"
She began to ham it up, trying to use her cuteness to get her way.
March 7th was initially about to chime in with her agreement. The "main task" Dan Heng mentioned meant they had to keep moving, and she was feeling the drain, too. But then she glanced at Dan Heng. She saw the imperceptible fatigue in his eyes, the way his figure, though still standing ramrod straight, showed the subtle signs of weariness from the long journey.
She suddenly remembered: on the way to Okhema, she and Stelle had at least managed to get a good, long nap on the broad, warm back of the Great Land Beast. But what about Dan Heng?
He had spent almost the entire journey conversing with Phainon and Tribbie, gathering intelligence and maintaining a constant state of vigilance. After arriving in Okhema, he had been the first to leap into battle, shouldering the heaviest pressure.
Compared to him, she and Stelle were the ones who had it easy. Dan Heng was the one who needed rest the most, yet he had never once complained, simply shouldering everything in silence.
At that thought, March's fleeting desire to slack off vanished completely. She reached out, grabbed Stelle—who was still trying to "go on strike"—and began dragging her forward.
"Alright, alright, Stelle, be content!" March's tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. "We at least got some sleep on the way here, but Dan Heng hasn't even closed his eyes. He's been busy this whole time, and he hasn't said a single word about being tired!"
"Eh?" Startled by both March's words and her grip, Stelle looked over at Dan Heng again. Upon careful reflection, she realized it was true.
Dan Heng's contributions were always so silent, yet so crucial.
Her own proclaimed "hardship" suddenly seemed a bit… untenable when compared to his.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across her face, and her playful stubbornness instantly deflated. "Alright, alright..." she mumbled. "I get it..."
Though she no longer protested, Stelle couldn't help but let out one last, dramatic "howl" in the chat group.
[The Stellaron Hunters · Stelle]: "Goodbye, friends... We have to continue the 'Trailblazing' of Okhema again..."
Her tone was filled with the desolation of someone being forced back to the grind, a sense of being utterly fed up, as if she wasn't going to investigate, but to her doom.
This message immediately caused a misunderstanding.
[Eternal Freeze Zero · Ling]: "Ah? Are you going to fight again? But you just rested not long ago, didn't you?"
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Stelle! You have to be careful! If you can't win, remember to run! Don't try to be a hero!"
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "Be absolutely cautious."
Seeing everyone's instant, anxious concern, March 7th quickly let go of Stelle's arm and hurried to clarify in the group chat.
[The Stellaron Hunters · March 7th]: "No, no! Everyone, don't misunderstand! We're not going to fight again! @The Stellaron Hunters · Stelle You really need to be clearer with your words!"
[The Stellaron Hunters · March 7th]: "We're going to officially begin our investigation and exploration of Okhema's human history and local customs! It's cultural exploration! It's learning! The safe kind! No danger!"
[Eternal Freeze Zero · Ling]: "Ah... so that's what it is. You scared me."
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Seriously! Stelle! Don't make us worry for nothing!"
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