Chapter 15: A Blessing Bestowed by the Gods
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Clad in gleaming golden armor, Diana landed gracefully on the balcony from a hundred meters above, Xi Nian held securely in her arms. The balcony's glass door was already shattered from earlier, so with a few more steps she walked straight into the dark, chaotic living room.
With a casual flick of her hand, Diana tossed the golden lasso back up to hang from the ceiling. Its radiant glow lit the room, casting her tall figure in golden brilliance, her armor dazzling to the eye.
"What's with that outfit of yours?"
Xi Nian couldn't help staring. She looked regal, graceful, exactly like the goddess described in ancient Greek myth.
Diana glanced at him calmly and said directly, "The armor I usually wear outside was taken by you. So I had no choice but to put on my spare—this Golden Eagle Armor."
…Reasonable enough.
But Xi Nian's mind suddenly went blank as he remembered—he was still in disguise, dressed head to toe in women's clothing, every piece of it intimate.
This time, he was caught red-handed. No excuse.
"How does it feel?" Diana's eyes glimmered with amusement as she looked him up and down, her tone both teasing and serious.
"W-what do you mean, how?" Xi Nian feigned ignorance, tugging nervously at his skirt. "Auntie, quick, put me down already!"
The moment Diana set him on his feet, Xi Nian's body stiffened. He felt his strength drain away in an instant. The silver hair cascading over his shoulders began to retract, shrinking back to its usual length and darkening to black. His divine silver eyes trembled once, then turned back to ordinary dark brown.
The extraordinary power slipped from his body like a receding tide.
Along with it, every piece of borrowed equipment—sword, shield, silver bracelets, golden tiara, armored skirt—all detached themselves from his body and hung piece by piece from the glowing lasso above.
Xi Nian instinctively turned to the clock in the living room. It was nearly eleven at night.
"So… the companion ability wore off. Lasted about four hours, huh?" He exhaled, then looked down to find himself back in his own clothes—a long shirt and casual pants. Only now, they were damp with sweat.
It felt almost like the night's events had been a dream.
But Diana, standing before him in golden armor, and the glowing lasso above proved it had all truly happened—just moments ago.
The two locked eyes briefly, then looked away quickly.
Too much had happened tonight. Too many secrets revealed.
Guilt. Worry. Fear. Embarrassment. In that tangle of emotions, neither knew what to say. The room fell into a heavy silence.
"You—"
Diana finally opened her mouth.
But Xi Nian quickly waved his hand, grasping for an excuse as he bolted toward the bathroom. "Uh—I'm filthy! Gonna shower first!"
That left Diana standing alone in the living room, bathed in moonlight, her expression touched by a faint loneliness.
Click.
Xi Nian shut the bathroom door tightly and leaned against it, sighing in relief.
If an ordinary person suddenly learned their only family wasn't human, they'd probably collapse under the weight of it.
Maybe it was because he had reincarnated into this world—but Xi Nian felt nothing but acceptance. Even if Diana wasn't human, that never shook the bond he felt inside.
Still, being caught cross-dressing, his mistakes, his secrets—it all made him unable to face her just now.
So he ran. Temporarily.
After all, he was just a kid.
At least, that was the excuse he gave himself.
Stripping off his wet clothes, Xi Nian turned the hot water on and sank wearily into the tub.
The power was gone, but the exhaustion of his battle against Abomination lingered in his body, heavy and real.
As hot water filled the bath, steam rose thickly, enveloping him. Finally, the tight knot in his chest began to ease.
He laid back, draping a wet towel over his aching forehead, and closed his eyes.
Just as his mind began to drift—knock, knock.
"Just leave the clothes outside the door," Xi Nian called without opening his eyes.
No reply.
Instead—click. The bathroom door swung open.
"You don't have to bring them in—" Xi Nian turned toward the door mid-sentence. Then froze.
Of course, it was Diana.
But—
She was no longer wearing her Golden Eagle Armor. One hand held up her loose hair, the other gripped a white towel draped over her body.
It hung from her chest down her thighs, covering and yet not covering at all.
Through the haze of steam—
Xi Nian suddenly recalled a legend.
In Greek myth, Athena was blessed by the gods with beauty, wisdom, strength, and honesty.
The beauty standing before him—surely only the gods themselves could have crafted it.
He had seen her countless times before, but still, Xi Nian found himself dumbstruck. Regaining his senses, he quickly pulled the towel over his lap.
"What's there to look at? You've seen me since you were little," Diana said softly, though it wasn't clear if she was teasing herself or scolding him. She closed the door behind her and walked barefoot into the steamy room.
"W-why are you coming in here?" Xi Nian stammered.
Diana didn't answer. She simply stepped gracefully up to the tub and said, in a calm voice, "Turn around. Make some room."
"Y-yeah, okay!" Xi Nian instinctively hugged his knees and shifted to the corner of the tub.
Before he could process what was happening—
Splash! The bathwater overflowed as another person stepped in.
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