Chapter 176: Nikador's Battle with the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden
To verify her sudden idea, Stelle quickly interjected while Damianos was still catching his breath.
"Wait, Mr. Damianos," she began, "you've said so much about the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden coming from beyond the heavens, but how did you determine she was an extraterrestrial visitor?"
Stelle leaned forward slightly. "Is there any conclusive evidence? For example… the Star Skiff she rode in on? Or any non-native artifacts she might have left behind?"
The question seemed to momentarily stump the enthusiastic leader. He paused, the fervent glow on his face dimming a fraction. After a moment of thought, he replied with a hint of uncertainty, "This… concrete physical evidence seems to… hmm. According to the legends, the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden appeared suddenly in Amphoreus, without any warning. There's no record of her leaving behind any means of transportation from beyond the heavens. But!"
His tone became firm again, his conviction returning in a rush. "Think about it! The Pink Haze Celestial Maiden possesses a power system completely different from that of us Omphalosians, and even from the Titans! Her appearance was so abrupt, yet she could communicate with the great Titans as an equal—even helping them and, at times, contending with them. Isn't that enough to prove her identity as an extraterrestrial visitor? It's a logical necessity!"
Stelle stared back, her expression blank. "..."
'This logic…'she thought,'it sounds somewhat reasonable, but it also feels like a massive leap, my guy.'
Still, despite the mountain of doubts, this was the first clue they had found since arriving in Amphoreus that might be related to March 7th's disappearance. Stelle decided she had to investigate further, no matter how flimsy the foundation.
So, she braced herself and continued to listen as Damianos and the other zealous members of the society provided supplementary information and continued their "preaching."
The process was incredibly, excruciatingly long, stretching on for nearly three hours.
Stelle felt as if her brain was being submerged in a thick paste of information, delusion, and raw fanaticism. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. The only thing keeping her from slumping over and falling asleep right there on the bench was the thought of March 7th's whereabouts, a single, unwavering pillar of concern in her drowsy mind.
When Damianos finally concluded his "popular science" lesson, his voice still ringing with lingering enthusiasm, he looked at Stelle with an expectant gaze. She immediately seized the opportunity, forcing a sincere (and visibly stiff) smile onto her face.
"Thank you so much! The deeds of the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden are truly moving and shocking! I'd love to join you all and help spread the Celestial Maiden's glory!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of the research society members lit up with ecstatic expressions.
"But," Stelle quickly changed the subject, her expression shifting to one of slight difficulty, "I still need to meet up with my companions first. I have to introduce this great being to them properly!" She leaned in conspiratorially. "I wonder… does the research society have any specific documents or materials that I could borrow to read? That way, I can more accurately promote the greatness of the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden to my friends."
"Yes! Of course, we do!"
Hearing that it was for the purpose of "promotion" and "recruitment," everyone became even more enthusiastic. They immediately began pulling out their treasured "classics" and stuffing them into Stelle's hands.
Stelle accepted the stack of books and scrolls, glancing at the titles. The corner of her mouth twitched.
'The Unspeakable Stories of the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden and Moneta'?
'Pink Haze Celestial Maiden Defeats Aegle with a Wave of Her Hand'?
'The Advent of the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden'?
The titles reeked of cheap pulp fiction and fervent fanfiction. They were a world away from the official-looking ancient texts and scholarly documents that Dan Heng and Zhongli had been poring over in the library.
Still, something was better than nothing. Stelle offered her thanks while discreetly transferring the seemingly unreliable materials into the chat group's shared storage.
Just as she was about to make her exit, Damianos, looking as if he were making a monumental decision, carefully brought out a rolled-up scroll.
"This… uh, I still don't know how to address you?"
"Just call me Stelle."
"Miss Stelle!" Damianos solemnly handed over the scroll, his face a mask of reluctance and deep gravity. "This is a painting from my personal collection—'Nikador's Fierce Battle with the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden'!"
Stelle's heart stirred. She took the scroll and slowly unrolled it.
The painting's style was distinctly local to Amphoreus, with somewhat rough, unrefined brushstrokes but extremely vibrant, almost garish, colors. In the center of the image, the terrifying and hideous Strife Titan, Nikador, wielded a colossal weapon, facing off against a female figure shrouded in a soft, pinkish light.
Although the facial details were blurry, making it hard to discern her specific features, the flowing, highly recognizable pink hair and the overall silhouette…
The more Stelle looked, the more she felt that the pink figure in the painting, that hazy, dreamlike charm…
It bore an obvious, almost uncanny resemblance to March 7th.
'This is it!' Stelle rejoiced internally. She moved to take the scroll, only to find that Damianos's hand was still gripping the other end, refusing to let go.
The leader's face was a battlefield of struggle and reluctance, his gaze darting back and forth between the precious painting and Stelle. Finally, with a great, pained sigh, he released his grip.
But he immediately launched into an earnest admonishment. "Miss Stelle, this painting… it is one of my most precious treasures. Its significance is extraordinary. I… I am only lending it to you for the sake of recruitment!"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. "After you and your friends understand the greatness of the Pink Haze Celestial Maiden, you must… you must remember to return it to me!"
Stelle was momentarily speechless. 'How can their research society be so stingy with recruitment materials? They can't even bear to part with a copy of a painting?'
But she readily agreed, "No problem! Don't worry, Mr. Damianos, I'll return it intact after we've seen it! Oh, by the way, how do I contact you all? Do you have any… uh, communication groups or anything like that?"
"Yes, yes!" A young member nearby enthusiastically rattled off a channel code for the local communication network.
After Stelle noted it down, she was finally able to escape, carrying her pile of "pulp fiction" and the precious painting as she quickly departed from the small square.
By the time she left the overly enthusiastic "Pink Haze Celestial Maiden Research Society," the sun was beginning to set. It was almost time for their agreed-upon evening meeting.
Stelle first sent a quick message to the chat group to report her safety, reassuring her companions who might have been worried about her venturing out alone.
[Honkai: Star Rail - Stelle]: @All Members Safe, safe! I'm back! There was no fighting, but the other party was terrifyingly enthusiastic! And most, I hit the jackpot!
She deliberately left them hanging, expertly piquing their curiosity.
[Honkai: Star Rail - Stelle]: And I dare say, my haul today is bigger than all of yours combined! Want to know what it is? Hehe, I'll tell you when we meet for dinner tonight!
Her words immediately caused a "public outrage" in the group.
[Honkai: Star Rail - March 7th]: Ah?! Stelle! You've gotten so mean! I hate it when you only tell half the story!
[Genshin Impact - Paimon]: Exactly, exactly! Paimon's curiosity has been totally piqued! Tell us quickly!
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: Stelle, you're being so unkind. Spill it!
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]:...It seems she discovered something quite significant.
Even Dan Heng and Zhongli were somewhat curious, but no matter how much everyone "coerced and enticed" her, Stelle was determined to wait until they met in person. She smugly turned off the group chat notifications.
Helpless, the others had to suppress their curiosity and agreed to meet at the private bathhouse as usual.
Lumine and Paimon made a special trip to the Cloudstone Restaurant to pack a generous spread of delicious food, preparing to feast while listening to Stelle's "major report."
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