Chapter 161: Two Gifts?
Stelle never expected that Tribbie, the potential persuader she had just "scouted" on the way, would abandon her post and run off in the blink of an eye.
It seemed the momentous task of convincing Aglaea to allow the other group members to come to Amphoreus would ultimately fall upon her shoulders—those of the self-proclaimed "Trailblazing Diplomatic Ambassador."
She gave herself a silent cheer, already beginning to organize her words and search for the perfect moment to make her case.
However, before she could even broach the subject of her friends' impending arrival, Aglaea had already begun her introduction with a serene smile, as if everything had been arranged in advance.
"You have journeyed from afar to help Okhema resist the coming conflict. The Chrysos Heirs will forever remember this kindness."
Aglaea's voice was gentle, carrying a magnetic quality that drew them in. She turned with an effortless elegance, leading the trio toward a massive, ornate door.
"Since you have decided to stay in Okhema and lend us your aid, you will naturally require a comfortable and stable place to rest. Please, accept this small token of our appreciation…"
Following her lead, the three of them watched as the doors swung open, revealing the scene that lay beyond.
It was an impossibly spacious hall, where a faint, pearlescent mist swirled around their ankles, carrying the delicate scent of night-blooming flowers. The floor was paved with slabs of smooth, warm jade that felt pleasant even through the soles of their boots. To the right, a luxurious bath stretched out like a small, private lake, its water so pristine that every complex tile at the bottom was perfectly visible.
The pool was surrounded by an assortment of plush lounge chairs and deep, soft couches that looked sinfully comfortable. The surrounding walls were inlaid with luminous crystals that cast a gentle, ambient glow, bathing the entire space in an atmosphere of both opulent luxury and deep serenity.
"…Welcome to the private bath palace we have specially prepared for you. We hope you find this gift to your liking," Aglaea said, her smile unwavering.
"Whoa—!!!"
Stelle and March 7th's eyes widened in perfect sync, their synchronized gasps echoing in the vast chamber. In an instant, both girls were completely captivated by the unimaginably lavish room.
Stelle's mouth hung slightly ajar as her gaze swept from one marvel to the next. "This… this is even more extravagant than the VIP suites in Penacony!" she exclaimed.
She thought back to her room in the Reverie Hotel, and compared to this palatial bathhouse, it suddenly felt rather… primitive.
"I know, right?!" March 7th chimed in, her face alight with a delighted, incredulous grin. "This is too amazing! I feel like I could soak all my fatigue away in there forever!"
Completely engrossed in their novel surroundings, the two of them temporarily forgot their important mission and enthusiastically began to explore their new private sanctuary. They ran their hands over the smooth, cool walls of the pool, flopped dramatically onto the soft lounge chairs, and let out continuous squeals of delight at the exquisite decorations.
Dan Heng watched his two companions, who had instantly shifted into full-on vacation mode, and let out a long, helpless sigh.
He knew it was pointless to expect either of them to make a serious request now. Taking matters into his own hands, he stepped forward, intending to speak with Aglaea himself.
He cleared his throat, adopting a serious tone. "Ms. Aglaea, thank you very much for your generous gift. We also have a rather impolite request, regarding…"
But Aglaea gently raised a hand, the simple motion a graceful yet obvious gesture to pause. With an elegant smile, she interrupted him.
"Mr. Dan Heng, whatever it is, perhaps we can discuss it later," she said. Her smile remained polite, but a hint of something deeper flickered in her eyes. "There is another special gift that I have yet to explain. Why don't you all go and familiarize yourselves with the room? Perhaps you will also find something to your satisfaction."
Dan Heng was taken aback. A strange feeling pricked at his mind—Aglaea's interruption didn't feel accidental. It felt as if she had known exactly what he was about to ask and had deliberately chosen this moment to shelve the topic.
This subtle sense of being maneuvered by their host made him a little uneasy, but as a guest, he couldn't very well force the conversation. He had no choice but to temporarily suppress his urgency and give a slight nod.
"…My apologies. I was too hasty."
He turned to look for his companions, who were already completely immersed in their new environment. At some point, Stelle and March 7th had dragged two of the most comfortable-looking lounge chairs out onto the balcony that connected to the terrace.
They were now lying side-by-side, pointing out at the architectural marvels of Okhema in the distance and sighing with pure, unadulterated contentment, as if they had already begun their long-awaited holiday.
Dan Heng walked out onto the balcony. Looking down at the two of them, who seemed to be melting into the plush cushions, he said with a note of weary resignation, "Get up. It's not time to rest yet. Don't let a couple of chairs make you forget why we're here."
Stelle was about to lazily argue for "just a little while longer," but the phrase "why we're here" was like a pinprick to a balloon. She shot up from the lounge chair as if jolted by an electric current.
"Right, right! The important thing! I totally forgot to tell Aglaea about the group members coming to help!"
She was about to spin around and rush back inside, but Dan Heng caught her by the arm.
"I already tried speaking with Ms. Aglaea," he whispered, keeping his voice low. "But she gestured for me to wait, saying we should discuss it after she introduces the next gift. Let's go back and see what this 'special gift' is."
"There's another one?" March 7th stood up, her curiosity piqued. "Wow, they're being way too polite!"
The three of them returned to Aglaea's side.
She was standing beside the grand bath, where a quaint-looking… basin rested on a pedestal.
To be fair, this basin was far more exquisite and complex than any ordinary washbasin. Its surface was covered in complex, beyond understanding ancient runes, and the water held within was impossibly clear, shimmering with a faint, otherworldly light.
But ultimately, it still looked like a very fancy washbasin.
Stelle stared at this supposed "gift," an expression of "Is that it?" creeping into her eyes.
Had the gift-giving standards of the Chrysos Heirs plummeted so drastically? From a luxurious bath palace directly to a sink?
Aglaea seemed to keenly sense Stelle's inner thoughts. A barely perceptible curve touched the corner of her mouth as she began to explain this seemingly ordinary, yet extraordinary, artifact in detail. She then proceeded to personally demonstrate its use, guiding the three of them to try it for themselves.
She recited a long and obscure ritual incantation, the words full of ancient rhythms and specific prayers, carefully guiding them through each step and gesture.
Stelle's attention was quickly diverted by the complex syllables and movements. She tried to follow along for a good while before finally reaching a conclusion in her mind: '…So, after all that, isn't it just… dunking your face in a basin of water? The Chrysos Heirs are so extra. They even make washing your face sound so advanced and mysterious…'
She gave up trying to understand the complicated preliminary rituals and decided to just grasp the core action.
When Aglaea signaled that they could begin, Stelle mimicked her, took a deep breath, and submerged her face into the clear, cool water of the ritual basin.
The expected sensation of suffocation never came. Instead, after a fleeting feeling of weightlessness, as if space itself was shifting around her, she suddenly opened her eyes.
The sight that greeted her made her breath catch in her throat.
She was no longer in the luxurious bath palace. She was standing in an indescribably magnificent, enormous cavern.
The four of them now stood upon a vast, circular plaza. At the center of the plaza was a basin of the exact same shape, only scaled up to be several times larger than the ritual basin from before, as if it were the focal point of this entire dimension.
But the most shocking part was what lay at the end of the plaza. It wasn't a rock wall, but a colossal opening. And beyond that opening was not the sky or the earth, but the vast, boundless, glittering expanse of the starry cosmos.
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