"Really?"
Castorice paid no mind to the roller-coaster-like fluctuation of her emotions.
Hearing Lumina's words, she instantly suppressed all her previous feelings and looked at Lumina with full anticipation.
Teacher Anaxa was a memory of Castorice's in The Grove, and also one of the most important and respected people to her. Before he was about to die and head toward the ends of the west winds, Castorice would absolutely not sit idly by.
Next, no matter how unreasonable the conditions Lumina proposed, Castorice would agree to them.
Compared to a "human life," resolving this issue without needing to trade life for life made Castorice feel that it wouldn't be a losing deal.
"Of course it's true."
"I've said the words, how could it be false?"
Listening to Castorice's words, Lumina asked back with a smile.
"Uh... right." Lumina's rhetorical question immediately caused Castorice to fall back into a state of stammering.
But perhaps it was because she was slightly used to it, or maybe because Castorice's attention was now fully focused on Anaxa, that this time, her state quickly returned to normal.
"Sister Lumina... what are the conditions?"
Castorice took a deep breath and asked Lumina.
No matter what conditions Lumina proposed, Castorice would agree to them.
Even if they were... some rather excessive conditions.
"Hmm..."
Dear Miss Castorice, you wouldn't want your Teacher Anaxa to dissipate after several dozen Gate-Hours, would you?
For some reason, such a thought actually surfaced in Lumina's mind.
Gate-Hours were similar to System-Hours, both referring to time.
But Gate-Hours referred to the dawn of a day, which was much longer than the time indicated by System-Hours.
Several dozen Gate-Hours meant a period of several dozen days.
Without thinking further, she put away this slightly... slightly Edo Star drama-esque thought in her mind.
After thinking for a moment, Lumina gently shook her head, "Little Sister Castorice, there's no rush right now."
"Based on my observations, Sir Anaxa's soul can probably be preserved for roughly several dozen Gate-Hours."
"We just need to heal him during this period; our time is still quite ample."
"As for what the conditions are..." Lumina smiled, her smile clearly reflected in Castorice's eyes.
In those purple eyes, Lumina's face, beautiful enough to become the focus of the world, was mirrored.
"Let's discuss that later."
"I haven't decided yet."
Lumina had already decided, but it was inconvenient to say out loud.
With so many people around, it was inconvenient for Lumina to speak out.
If it were just Lumina and Castorice, Lumina wouldn't say such a thing, but would directly state her requirements.
Of course, this matter might be quite difficult.
But rest assured, this will definitely be a very normal request.
Well... at least normal to me.
"Yes, Sister Lumina, I understand." Castorice nodded slightly. Since Lumina had said so, Castorice finally felt at ease.
"Sister Lumina, thank you."
After the final word of thanks, the conversation didn't continue.
Everyone proceeded on the journey back to Okhema.
"How about I leave you and Castorice some 'private space' later, so you two can have some good fun together?"
On the road, Herta, who hadn't spoken for a long time and had been quietly watching everyone's conversation, suddenly leaned into Lumina's ear and said in a somewhat sarcastic tone.
"Hmm... if it's possible, that would be even better."
Lumina knew what kind of little scheme Herta was plotting, so she went along with it.
"Hmph, keep dreaming," Herta snorted upon hearing this answer.
Clearly, she was very dissatisfied with the response.
That was to be expected. In this situation, no matter what Lumina said, Herta wouldn't be satisfied.
A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. As a woman herself, Lumina naturally understood this point.
Let Herta do whatever she wants; Lumina wouldn't care anyway.
If she really gave Lumina and Castorice a 'private space', then that would naturally be for the best.
Even if she didn't, even if she didn't leave them any space, Lumina felt it didn't matter at all.
After all, it would just be one more spectator.
She could even use this opportunity to provoke her, making her act all anxious and flustered, and ultimately successfully achieve a counter-kill!
Hmm... counter-kill.
What does counter-kill mean? I wasn't losing, so why use the word counter-kill?
Since it's not a counter-kill, then it's... achieving suppression!
Either way, it was a good thing for Lumina.
In either case, Lumina was the absolute winner.
Mere Little Herta, mere Little Castorice, even if they teamed up, they wouldn't be my match in a single move!
"Hmph."
Lumina's thoughts were all internal, yet Herta still saw right through them.
An eyebrow raised, and a triumphant smile occasionally appeared on the corner of her lips.
Connecting the context, in just a short moment, Herta knew exactly what Lumina was thinking.
Herta couldn't say anything more about it. After letting out a cold snort to express her internal protest, she didn't say another word.
Herta had only said it casually just now.
The truth was,
Herta would never let Lumina and Castorice spend some pleasant "private time" in a "private space," no matter what.
Herta had already spent several "private times" with Lumina in a "private space." Precisely because of this, she knew all too well what would happen in a "private space," and that was why Herta wouldn't allow Lumina and Castorice to spend it together...
She... just wanted to protect Castorice's safety.
In a private space, that audacious Lumina would definitely do all sorts of things to Castorice.
To protect Castorice, Herta must stop Lumina and Castorice together!
"..."
Alright, Herta was just simply being territorial over her food...
-
"By the way, Miss Stelle..."
On the way back to Okhema from the Grove of Epiphany, halfway through the journey, Castorice suddenly remembered something. She took a light step closer to Stelle and asked with a slight blush and shyness on her face.
"?"
This scene between Stelle and Castorice was not taking place in a private space, nor was it hidden in any way, so everyone saw it clearly.
Seeing this scene, the alarm bells in Lumina's heart immediately rang out.
Stop stop stop, what does your blushing and shyness mean?
Aren't you just chatting? Why would you blush, why would you be shy?
You're not thinking of doing something shameless that can't be said out loud for others to hear, are you?
"Oh~" Compared to Lumina's confusion, Herta's face immediately showed a ⌓‿⌓ upon seeing Castorice and Stelle's behavior.
Undoubtedly, Herta felt particularly pleased with the scene unfolding before her.
Scenes that could make Lumina feel deflated were not common, and this one could barely be considered one.
"What's wrong?" Regarding Castorice's sudden approach and her flushed, shy expression, Stelle scratched her head, showing confusion and bewilderment.
This expression on Castorice's face... why does it feel a bit strange?
Looking at this expression on Castorice, Stelle felt she had seen it on someone else before.
But having seen it was one thing; no matter how hard Stelle racked her brain to think and recall, she couldn't quite figure it out.
Forget it, whatever.
Stelle liked this expression. If the Castorice in front of her were replaced by Sister Lumina, she would like it even more.
The mere thought of Sister Lumina running toward her like a young girl with a blushing and shy face, then standing before her, fidgeting awkwardly and stammering, unable to say what was on her mind for a long time... Stelle's heart filled with delight and joy.
If such a thing ever actually happened, then either Stelle would ascend to Paradise, or she would become the new Aeon of Elation, or... Sister Lumina had finally seen the light!
She finally recognized my charm as the Galactic Baseballer! She's become a Sister Lumina who can't walk away from me!
Through Castorice's single action, Stelle's mind began to overflow with endless fantasies.
These fantasies, naturally, were all false.
Because Lumina wouldn't hang herself on a single tree... There are so many trees in the forest, why should she only choose one?
Is only one tree in need of nourishment? Do the other trees not need nourishment as well?
As a person of universal love, as the kind Holy Maiden, Lumina could only choose an entire forest, never just a single tree.
But Stelle certainly didn't know this, so she continued to indulge in her fantasies.
"Miss Stelle?"
Only when Castorice softly called her name did Stelle's thoughts get dragged back from her world of fantasy.
"Hmm, Castorice, go on." After coming to her senses, Stelle first stole a glance at Sister Lumina from the corner of her eye.
Then she turned her gaze to Castorice's blushing face, signaling her to continue.
Hearing this, Castorice took a deep breath and slowly said, "I wonder if you are aware of the Curse I bear, Miss?"
Although Castorice had asked a question, she didn't wait for Stelle's answer.
Instead, she continued on her own, "I was born as a Shadow of Death, a lethal poison that other creatures avoid at all costs..."
"But back then, in The Grove, when facing the Flame Reaver..." At this point, Castorice couldn't help but avert her gaze, her already flushed cheeks now seeming to glow like the fiery hues of sunset. "In The Grove, when you caught me... you weren't affected at all."
"I'm just curious..." Castorice looked up, the blush on her healthy, pale face vanishing in an instant. "Why was Miss Stelle unaffected by my power?"
The shyness Castorice felt toward Stelle was completely different from the shyness she felt toward Lumina.
Therefore, the speed at which it faded was also different.
Toward Stelle, Castorice felt only curiosity and confusion as to why she wasn't affected by her "Curse." The shyness that arose from asking her about it naturally faded quickly.
But toward Lumina... Castorice's shyness came from her heart, her body, and her soul. Castorice didn't know exactly what was going on, but she knew that the shyness stemming from this feeling was very, very difficult to diminish without another distraction to divert her attention...
Nervous, her mind a total blank, her entire body felt as if it were being seared on hot coals.
The shyness brought on by Sister Lumina was far more intense than anything else...
"Uh... maybe the contact was too brief for the Curse to take effect?" Stelle scratched her head in response to Castorice's question, her bewildered expression clearly reflecting her thoughts.
Why was she unaffected by Castorice's Curse? Stelle had no idea.
"Um, Sister Lumina, could you come and take a look?"
As the saying goes, leave it to the experts to handle.
Even though the so-called Curse had little to do with Medical Arts.
But was Sister Lumina's Medical Arts any ordinary skill? Clearly not.
With Sister Lumina here, let alone a Curse that kills anyone you touch, even one that kills anyone you look at could be solved.
The moment they saw Sister Lumina, so-called Curses would scurry out of your body and kneel before her, begging for mercy.
But then again, killing everyone you touch... that Curse is actually pretty cool~
Stelle began to fantasize, imagining a scene where she obtained this Curse of Castorice's and conquered the Galaxy.
Hmm... the prerequisite is that this Curse can be controlled, otherwise it would be quite troublesome.
"Curse? Little Sister Castorice, what kind of Curse is it?" Hearing Stelle's words, Lumina's small eyes instantly lit up.
Without even sparing a glance for Herta beside her, Lumina arrived by Stelle and Castorice's side in the blink of an eye.
After inspecting Castorice from head to toe, Lumina asked with feigned confusion.
Lumina, of course, could see what Curse was on Castorice's body.
Just a measly little Curse. I'll touch you, do you dare make me die?
Just like Stelle had just thought, although not quite that ridiculous, it was actually pretty similar.
Lumina hugged Castorice's whole body. Under the influence of Lumina's Aura, that Curse probably wouldn't even dare to let out a fart.
"It's... the Curse of me being a Chrysos Heir." Feeling Lumina's arrival, and feeling her nose tickle from the scent emanating from Lumina's body, Castorice couldn't help but take a step back.
"The Curse of the Chrysos Heirs?" Lumina stared at Castorice in front of her and thought for a moment.
Then, her lips curved up, and taking advantage of Castorice not noticing, Lumina suddenly leaned in, her body almost pressing against Castorice's. With the gentle breeze, a few strands of hair lightly brushed against Castorice's face, bringing a ticklish sensation.
"!"
Castorice's heart leaped in alarm, but before she could say anything, two warm palms tightly grasped her hands at her sides.
An unprecedented feeling gently flowed into Castorice's heart through her palms.
Lumina gently lifted Castorice's small hand and then cupped it in her own.
"Hmm... the Curse? Oh, so that's how it is."
After quietly and seriously observing, as if conducting a major experiment, Lumina nodded, her face showing a hint of realization.
It was as if she had just figured out the origin of Castorice's Curse.
"Sis-Sis-Sis-Sis-Sis... Sister Lumina!"
Coming back to her senses and feeling the way Lumina was cupping her small hand, Castorice's first reaction was to quickly pull her hand away.
It wasn't that she disliked the feeling, but... she was afraid something would happen to Lumina.
But at the same time, Castorice was also somewhat reluctant.
Because,
this feeling... the feeling of having one's hand cupped in another's palm.
So warm, so comfortable.
So...