"Miss Lumina, Miss Herta, with the immense power you both possess, why would you come to such a small, impoverished backwater place like Amphoreus?"
Aglaea's words rang clearly in Lumina and Herta's ears. Though she tried to suppress the accusatory tone in her voice, traces of it still lingered.
This was a habit ingrained in her as a leader; even with conscious effort, it was difficult to completely eradicate the ingrained patterns from her speech.
Aglaea didn't know the full extent of the two women's power, but the soul-deep tremor she felt was enough to understand.
We can't treat these two like Stelle and Dan Heng...
Otherwise, Okhema, having survived the Black Tide, would be destroyed by these Outworlders.
"Lady Aglaea, we mean no harm," Lumina replied. Though she lacked telepathy, she could still sense Aglaea's underlying concerns.
Even without actively projecting their power, Lumina and Herta's presence radiated a soul-shaking aura of danger. Anyone with even a modicum of strength could sense the primordial fear their mere existence evoked.
Lumina could suppress this aura, but there was no need.
It often proved useful in resolving troublesome situations, as it had this time.
Without their overwhelming power, Aglaea, as the leader of Okhema, would likely have confronted them with forceful questioning.
Lumina had no objection to such forceful inquiries. Okhema, a harmonious and beautiful city-state thriving amidst a "doomsday" scenario, and Aglaea, as its leader, was right to be cautious of outsiders.
Especially since these outsiders hailed from beyond the stars.
For Okhema, the topic of "Outworlders" would detonate like a bomb dropped into a tranquil pond, causing a massive uproar in a short span of Time.
Understanding Aglaea's actions, Lumina paid them no mind.
Ahem... Of course, the most important reason was that Lady Aglaea was an absolutely stunning young woman!
But Lumina's indifference didn't extend to Herta.
Given Madam Herta's status and position, when had she ever been treated this way?
Should Herta become truly angered, a single devastating spell could obliterate Okhema, leaving Amphoreus with nothing but farewells.
Given Lumina's understanding of Herta, she was likely seething inwardly.
Though Lumina had pondered all this in her mind, only a brief moment had passed in the outside world.
Without dwelling further, Lumina smiled at Aglaea and stated the official reason for her and Herta's visit to Amphoreus: "We're here to find someone."
Not "we," but "I," Lumina silently corrected herself after speaking.
Lumina had two primary objectives for coming to Amphoreus.
First, to locate Stelle, Little Swarm, and Dan Heng.
Second, naturally, to meet some of the beautiful young women in Amphoreus and make friends with them o( ̄▽ ̄)ブ
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"Find someone?" Aglaea's expression turned puzzled.
Instead of directly revealing Stelle and Dan Heng's whereabouts, she first inquired, "Could you describe the person you're looking for, Miss Lumina? Perhaps I can assist in your search."
Given Lumina and Herta's unclear identities, Aglaea wouldn't disclose Stelle and Dan Heng's true status until she had more information.
Aglaea merely wore a puzzled expression, betraying no other emotion on her face.
It was as if she were completely unaware that any other Outworlders had arrived in Okhema besides Lumina and Herta.
"One man and three women. The man has black hair and is very handsome."
"One of the women has gray hair and is quite beautiful."
"Another has blue hair and looks like a little princess."
"The last one has pink hair and seems rather silly."
"The man is called Dan Heng, and the women are Stelle, Little Swarm, and March 7th. Does Lady Aglaea recognize any of these names?"
Lumina not only mentioned Dan Heng and Stelle but also Little Swarm and March 7th.
In truth, Lumina had known their locations as soon as she entered Amphoreus.
However, she wasn't in a hurry to find them.
As they say in web novels:
They have their own destinies; I shouldn't interfere too much.
"Four?" Upon hearing this, Aglaea maintained her composure, but a slight frown creased her brow inwardly.
The Stelle and Dan Heng Lumina mentioned were undoubtedly the two who had arrived earlier.
But...
Why did she mention four people?
Aglaea's suspicions deepened, and she grew more cautious around Lumina and Herta. Yet her expression remained a polite, distant smile, the kind she reserved for guests.
After a moment's contemplation, Aglaea shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Lumina, but my memory shows no record of four Outworlders arriving here."
Although Lumina had named Stelle and Dan Heng and described their appearances, only two people had actually arrived, not the four Lumina claimed.
Therefore, both to protect Stelle and Dan Heng and to remain cautious of Lumina and Herta, Aglaea decided to wait for the pair to return and let them handle the situation themselves.
Without knowing the full context, Aglaea wouldn't risk her allies' safety.
However...
They seemed to know about the blue object in the Hero's Bath, perhaps even that Stelle and Dan Heng had come here.
Thus, Aglaea didn't deny knowing Stelle and Dan Heng. She merely stated that her memories showed no trace of four Outworlders arriving in Okhema.
Stelle and Dan Heng counted as only two; there hadn't been four.
So, Aglaea hadn't technically lied.
Instead, she told the truth.
"I see. That's a bit of a shame then," Lumina murmured, nodding slightly, her usual smile unwavering. She showed no annoyance or anger at Aglaea's actions.
From Aglaea's perspective, Lumina understood perfectly.
From the perspective of a beautiful young girl, Lumina understood even better.
In fact, she secretly admired Aglaea's cleverness.
Look at how kind-hearted Aglaea is!
"Can you please stop resolving everything based on looks?" Herta snapped from the side, unable to hold back any longer.
Aglaea is blatantly lying through her teeth and just because she's a pretty girl, you believe her?
What if someone tells you next time that the Cosmos will be destroyed unless you hug and kiss them? Would you believe that too?
Herta found Lumina's habit of judging people by their appearance utterly exasperating and frustrating.
Then why doesn't Lumina always indulge me, even though I'm so beautiful?
Herta felt deeply resentful.
I just want to be a big sister, but Lumina refuses in every way imaginable...
"It's fine, really. There's a reason for her acting this way."
"After all, we are a bit suspicious. If she had told me directly, I might have been a little upset."
Hearing Herta's words, Lumina admitted to herself that she was indeed influenced by appearances.
But for the most part, Lumina genuinely agreed with Aglaea's approach.
Well...
Partially, anyway.
Well...
Okay, just a small part.
Ugh...
Fine, let's just admit it—this has nothing to do with reason. Lumina simply judged based on appearance.
At least when it comes to Aglaea and beautiful girls.
With anyone else, Lumina would actually consider the rationality of their actions.
"Whatever," Herta rolled her eyes, knowing it was futile to argue with Lumina, whose mind was completely consumed by beautiful young women.
To avoid wasting her breath, Herta decided not to pursue the matter further.
Continuing the conversation would be pointless; even scolding Lumina might just excite her.
Though, to be fair, Herta wasn't the type to scold anyone anyway.
The entire exchange between Lumina and Herta took place in an instant, with neither their movements nor their words reaching Aglaea's eyes or ears.
Seeing Herta's slightly disgruntled expression, Lumina felt an itch to mess with her.
But with another person present, Lumina abandoned the idea.
Smiling at Aglaea, she continued, "Lady Aglaea, we have nowhere else to go for the moment. Would it be possible for us to stay at Okhema for a while?"
"Of course," Aglaea replied with a faint smile, granting Lumina's request to stay. "I will treat you both as honored guests and extend the highest courtesies."
If she had a choice, Aglaea would naturally prefer these two walking nuclear warheads not remain in Okhema, let alone within Amphoreus. At least, that was her thinking before understanding their true identities and objectives.
Once their identities and objectives were confirmed, Aglaea would naturally welcome their presence.
This inner thought remained hidden beneath her composed exterior.
Immediately after assuring Lumina and Herta of their honored guest status, Aglaea added, "Miss Lumina, Madam Herta, there are several vacant rooms in Okhema."
"If you two have no immediate plans, I can take you to choose your rooms now."
"That sounds lovely. Thank you, Miss Aglaea," Lumina replied with a gentle smile and a slight nod, accepting Aglaea's suggestion.
"Then please follow me."
Lumina's warm smile eased Aglaea's wariness considerably. At least in Aglaea's eyes, Lumina's demeanor didn't resemble that of a ruthless villain.
But this Herta... Hmm, why does she radiate such disdain, contempt, arrogance, and... a faint, inexplicable hostility that only surfaces intermittently?
Herta made no attempt to conceal her emotions, so even though they were subtle, Aglaea could still sense them.
The disdain, contempt, and arrogance were understandable. As an absolute powerhouse—an Outworlder—it was natural for her to harbor such feelings toward a weaker being like Aglaea, especially one from this backwater corner of the universe.
But why the hostility?
Would a Giant truly harbor enmity toward an ant?
Aglaea was puzzled.
Moreover, this hostility was faint and fleeting, appearing only in specific circumstances.
While it seemed like hostility, it also didn't quite feel like it.
Aglaea couldn't quite put her finger on what this feeling was.
She had never encountered or sensed such hostility before.
"Oh, right, Miss Aglaea," Lumina suddenly spoke, interrupting Aglaea's thoughts and snapping her back to reality.
"What is it, Miss Lumina?" Aglaea asked.
"I have a rather delicate request, and I'm not sure if I should even mention it," Lumina murmured softly, causing Herta's eyes to roll again in exasperation.
Given Lumina's tone, Herta immediately guessed what this "delicate request" would be.
It would be either an intimate nickname, an affectionate gesture, or some other action designed to deepen their bond.
Herta was eighty-nine percent certain she was right.
And if she was wrong, Herta vowed to sneak into Lumina's bed that night...
Under this "wager," a faint sense of anticipation for guessing wrong flickered in Herta's heart.
But alas, given her deep understanding of Lumina, the chances of guessing wrong were practically nonexistent.
Sure enough, the next moment, Lumina's words confirmed Herta's prediction.
"Agy, may I call you that, like Tribbie does?" Lumina smiled gently, her expression as warm and comforting as the spring sun.
It was a smile that put people at ease without crossing any boundaries.
Under such a disarming smile, who could possibly refuse a simple change of address?
"Of course, Lumina."
Aglaea, naturally, was no exception, and she was even more astute.
If Lumina called her Agy while she addressed Lumina as "Miss Lumina," it would create an awkward distance.
So, after granting Lumina's seemingly innocent request, Aglaea immediately began calling Lumina by her first name as well.
Through her brief observation, Aglaea had come to understand:
Lumina was an exceptionally approachable person, capable of bringing warmth and kindness to the world.
Lumina resembled Hyacine somewhat, but she was far, far superior to her.
The warmth she radiated could even heal one's heart and spirit.
During her time with Lumina, Aglaea had felt an unprecedented sense of ease, comfort, and joy.
Moreover—and most importantly—
human emotions were gradually taking root and blossoming within her mind.
This left Aglaea utterly astonished.
Under these circumstances, Aglaea had complete faith in Lumina, almost certain that she was a good person who would never harm Amphoreus or Okhema.
Yet even so, Aglaea couldn't reveal the matter of Stelle and Dan Heng to her.
That was their affair, and she had no right to interfere.
"...". After nodding to Lumina, Aglaea turned her gaze to Herta, silently but clearly seeking her opinion.
Though Miss Herta was somewhat peculiar, observing the two women's close interaction allowed Aglaea to guess:
Miss Herta, like Miss Lumina, was also someone reasonable.
But what did it mean to be a... "researcher"? Aglaea wasn't sure.
Yet she knew she possessed her own pride.
"Just call me Herta," Herta said, flicking a stray strand of hair off her shoulder. She then prompted Aglaea, "Remember this, Seamstress: I'm Herta, a member of the Genius Society, the Emanator of Erudition, the one who solved the Solitary Waves Theo—"
"Alright, Agy, let's go." Lumina interrupted Herta before she could finish her introduction.
"Very well. Please follow me, ladies," Aglaea nodded, leading the way.
Herta: ...