Dan Heng and Stelle took turns introducing themselves to Hyacine.
After both sides were acquainted, Hyacine walked over to Khaslana, who was still being escorted by Phainon. When she got close enough to see that Khaslana's face was identical to Phainon's, she showed the same shocked expression.
"This man... why does he look exactly like Lord Phainon? Are they brothers?"
Stelle, Dan Heng, and Phainon exchanged glances. It seemed Hyacine was unaware of the situation, so Phainon quickly explained what had happened earlier.
"In short, Hyacine, could you please take a look at this guy... can he still be treated?"
Hyacine nodded, but then quickly shook her head.
"It's not convenient to treat him here. Let's go inside first."
"Alright."
Hyacine moved to Khaslana's other side, joining Phainon in escorting him while beginning her initial observation of his physical condition.
Tribbie, meanwhile, led the way for the group.
---o---
Khaslana was placed in a secret chamber within the Twilight Courtyard. Aside from the Chrysos Heirs who had already left Okhema, the remaining members all gathered in the room.
When they saw Khaslana's face, they reacted just as Hyacine had, their gazes unanimously shifting to Phainon. With a sense of resignation, Phainon had to explain the situation over and over again to the newcomers.
While Phainon was busy explaining, Dan Heng, Stelle, and Hyacine began examining Khaslana.
"How is he, Miss Hyacine?" Dan Heng asked.
"Dannie, Grayie, just call me by my name," Hyacine first replied with a sweet smile, then turned back to Khaslana, her willow-leaf brows instantly knitting together.
"This Mister Khaslana's condition can no longer be described in terms of whether he can be treated or not. A more fitting question would be... how is he still alive?"
Dan Heng and Stelle looked at each other, both seeing the surprise in the other's eyes. The rest of the crowd heard Hyacine's words and swarmed around them.
Aglaea raised a hand, and golden threads shot out from her sleeve, wrapping around Khaslana's wrist. But a second later, the golden threads melted and snapped.
"High temperature, and an unconscious self-defense mechanism," Aglaea immediately concluded.
Hyacine nodded and sighed softly. "As I just said, in my eyes, he's less a patient and more a piece of charcoal burning intensely, on the verge of being completely reduced to ash."
"Can you treat him?" Phainon asked, his face full of hope. But then he hesitated, recalling Hyacine's description. "At the very least, can you help him regain some of his sanity? We still have a lot of questions for him."
Hyacine looked at the hopeful gazes fixed on her and suddenly felt a great weight on her shoulders. Still, she nodded.
"Mm, I'll do my best. But I'll need to prepare a few things."
Aglaea immediately spoke up. "We will fully cooperate with you. Hyacine, ask for whatever you need. Please, do what you can without any pressure."
Stelle, standing to the side, began rummaging through her pockets. Dan Heng glanced at her and asked, "What are you looking for?"
"A [Totem of Undying], or some other healing item. Ah! I forgot I got hungry and ate the [Golden Apples] my brother gave me as a snack!" Stelle slapped her own face in frustration.
The corner of Dan Heng's mouth twitched. The mere mention of the [Totem of Undying] brought back memories of Stelle's grievously injured state. After a moment's thought, he turned to Hyacine.
"Hyacine, could you also take a look at Stelle's condition? She was also injured when we first arrived on Amphoreus."
"Grayie was injured too?" Hyacine immediately looked over with concern. "Later, Grayie, you stay behind. Let me give you a check-up!"
Although Stelle felt she was fine, she couldn't refuse such a kind offer and simply nodded in agreement.
Once everything was arranged, Aglaea led Cipher, Dan Heng, Phainon, and the others out, preparing to listen to a detailed account of their prior experience. Castorice, Hyacine, and Stelle remained in the secret chamber.
Lying on a recliner while Hyacine examined her, Stelle couldn't help but ask, "Hyacine, do you know my brother? Or have you spent time with him?"
Previously, Castorice, Aglaea, Hysilens, and Cipher had all mentioned spending time with Fu Zhu. Only Phainon had not. This made her wonder if her brother was deliberately seeking out the beautiful girls among the Chrysos Heirs.
Hyacine shook her head in confusion. "No, I joined relatively recently. I've only heard about Lord Fu Zhu from others, but he's an incredible person!"
"How so?" Stelle's interest was immediately piqued. She really wanted to know what kind of legendary reputation her brother had established on Amphoreus before they arrived.
Hearing that the topic was Fu Zhu, Castorice also drifted closer, though she kept a slight distance from the two, her hands tightly gripping her [Scythe of Death].
Hyacine thought for a moment, then recounted the stories she had heard about Fu Zhu.
"I heard that Lord Fu Zhu first saved Lady Tribbie and the others from some villains. Then, to get revenge for Lady Tribbie, he killed the lord of a city-state and declared that all Chrysos Heirs were under his protection."
"You might not know this, Grayie, but a long time ago, the Chrysos Heirs were a hot commodity to the other lords. Many of them coveted the power hidden within our golden blood. We lived very difficult lives before Lord Fu Zhu appeared. Even Lady Tribbie, the Saintess of Janusopolis, was no exception, let alone the other Chrysos Heirs who held no special status."
Stelle's eyes sparkled as she listened.
That's my big bro for you!
Castorice also chimed in, "He also helped me break my curse. He's a very gentle person."
As the three girls started chatting about Fu Zhu, the atmosphere suddenly became warm and lively.
Khaslana, who had been placed on the other side of the room, overheard the girls' conversation and began to unconsciously mutter Fu Zhu's name.
"Fu Zhu... Astral Express... Nameless Guest... Variable..."
Hearing Khaslana's voice, Hyacine immediately turned and walked over, asking with concern, "How are you feeling?"
"...Hyacinthia... don't waste your energy... this raging flame will consume everything."
But Hyacine shook her head with determination.
"No physician would stand by and watch a patient die. Besides, we are all very curious about you. Why do you look exactly like Lord Phainon, and why do you know all of us Chrysos Heirs?"
"The cycle..." Khaslana murmured just one phrase before falling silent again.
Hyacine examined him for another moment, then sighed.
"As I thought... I can't treat his mental state. I'm afraid we'll need someone else's help."