Chapter 169: New Clothes and an Anomaly
After the brief interlude with Paimon's "performance," March 7th's attention was finally captured by the sight of their five companions, all dressed in brand-new, Amphoreus-style attire. Her eyes widened, and a low gasp of admiration escaped her lips as she took in the details.
Zhongli's outfit maintained his usual dignified style, but the formerly simple robes were now carefully embroidered with ancient mountain patterns in shimmering gold thread, exuding an air of quiet luxury. The most striking addition was a single-sided cape draped over his shoulder. Its fabric was a deep, flowing black, richly embroidered with magnificent mountain and rock motifs in dark gold. The cape swayed gently with his movements, lending a touch of grace and mystery to his already majestic aura. He looked like a reclusive noble from some distant, forgotten kingdom.
Lumine's white traveler's dress remained sharp and practical, but a closer look revealed new intricacies. The hem and cuffs now featured jacquard fabric woven with subtle geometric patterns that shimmered with a soft glow in the light. The iconic twin-tailed ribbons flowing from her back were longer and more ethereal, their edges dyed with golden and blue borders that symbolized a sea of stars. They fluttered as she moved, adding a sense of fantasy and elegance that contrasted with their previous simplicity.
Paimon sported a cute, Amphoreus-style dress. The small cape she usually wore had been replaced by a pair of decorative little wings, similar to those on Belle's proxy, Tribbie. Made of soft fabric stretched over a light frame, they flapped gently with her every motion, looking exceptionally playful.
Wise, meanwhile, was dressed in the standard attire of an Amphoreus scholar: a dark brown long coat paired with matching trousers and a plain shirt underneath. An olive-branch-shaped brooch was pinned neatly to his chest. The entire ensemble gave him a composed, scholarly air that stood in stark contrast to the casual clothes he typically wore back in New Eridu.
Belle was clad in an elegant, dark blue sleeveless gown. The material appeared to be a special, shimmering silk that looked cool and smooth to the touch. A rope belt woven from gold thread was tied high at her waist, cleverly accentuating her figure before forming a complex knot at the front, from which tassels swayed with her steps. The refined look was a surprising, yet stunning, departure from her usual lively and agile self.
"Wow… Everyone's clothes are so beautiful! And so unique!" March 7th couldn't help but exclaim, stepping closer to examine the texture and craftsmanship of the fabric. "The materials, the stitching… they look so high-end!"
She looked from the new outfits to Dan Heng and Stelle, her curiosity piqued. "Did Mr. Phainon and the others prepare these? They really put a lot of thought into it!"
Dan Heng gave a slight nod. "When Mr. Phainon delivered them," he explained, "he specifically mentioned that these garments were all personally sewn by Ms. Aglaia."
He paused, his voice steady. "He said that Ms. Aglaia's tailoring skills are considered the finest in all of Okhema, and… she hasn't personally made clothes for outsiders in many years. Phainon is still doing his best to make up for the… less-than-pleasant first impression Ms. Aglaia left on us."
Stelle and March 7th exchanged a look, their expressions a mixture of understanding and lingering awkwardness.
Stelle spread her hands with a sigh. "Well, how should I put it… Aglaia is the leader of Okhema. Every decision she makes, she makes for the good of all its residents."
"From her perspective," she continued, "being wary of powerful outsiders with unknown origins, and even taking some strong measures against us… while it definitely wasn't comfortable, it's not like I can't understand it."
"Yeah," March 7th echoed. "And later, she not only agreed to let everyone come over but also sent such thoughtful and beautiful gifts… Well, 'you can't refuse a gift,' as they say." She gave a little tug at her own Astral Express uniform, comparing it to the new clothes Lumine and the others wore, and whispered, "Although the three of us don't have any…"
Stelle waved a magnanimous hand, cutting her off. "So, let's just put all that unpleasantness aside for now! We're in a cooperative relationship, after all!"
Belle and Paimon, who had been listening to the exchange, were only now beginning to understand that there was a history of apologies and amends woven into the very fabric of their beautiful new clothes.
Paimon immediately zipped over to Lumine and asked in a nervous whisper, "Ah? These clothes… should we not have accepted them? Should we give them back?"
Belle also looked toward Stelle, her eyes full of inquiry.
Seeing their hesitation, Stelle immediately puffed out her chest, adopting an "I'm in charge here" demeanor.
"Oh, no need, no need!" she said boldly. "It's just a few outfits, no big deal! Consider it Okhema's 'reward' paid in advance for our help! Just wear them with peace of mind. Besides, you all look so good!"
Her confident attitude was infectious. Paimon and Belle visibly relaxed, their worries melting away as they returned to happily admiring their new attire.
Just as the atmosphere grew light and cheerful again, the ever-observant Lumine noticed that Zhongli, who had been standing quietly a little behind the group since he appeared, seemed to be acting strangely. He hadn't participated in the discussion at all. Instead, he stood with a slight frown, his golden eyes cast downward as if he were intently sensing something. A rare hint of confusion and solemnity had settled on his face.
Paimon noticed it a moment later. "Zhongli, what's wrong?" Being her straightforward self, she flew right up to his face, tilting her head. "Why do you look so serious? This is supposed to be a happy time! Look how pretty our new clothes are!"
Paimon's question drew everyone's attention to him.
Hearing her, Zhongli slowly raised his eyes. His gaze swept over the concerned faces looking his way before he gave a slight shake of his head. He lifted one hand, palm facing down, as if feeling for something in the empty air. His tone carried a note of deep puzzlement. "It is nothing major. Merely… something that gives me pause."
His gaze drifted across the smooth floor and ornate pillars of the bathhouse. "For some reason, ever since I set foot in this world, I have found it difficult to perceive the 'voices of the rocks' here."
He clarified, "They are not silent. It is more as if… I am listening through an invisible barrier. The perception has become exceedingly faint and muddled, making it difficult to discern the information they convey."
"Eh?" Belle was taken aback. "Can some abilities not be used across worlds?" she asked. "But earlier, when you and Lumine came to our world, Mr. Zhongli, weren't you able to perceive and control the Geo element and hear the voices of the rocks just fine? It doesn't make sense that it wouldn't work here."
Belle's words reminded everyone that this was indeed the case. Zhongli's deep resonance with the earth and its Geo element was a core manifestation of his power, and it had never before seemed affected by crossing into a different world.
Why, then, was such a strange anomaly occurring here in Amphoreus? A faint sense of unease began to spread through the group. Was this new world event going to be fraught with unexpected restrictions right from the start?
Just then, Dan Heng's steady voice broke the brief, tense silence. "Perhaps this is related to the unique underlying rules of each world."
He looked at Zhongli, his expression calm and analytical. "Different worlds may possess subtle differences in their fundamental governing laws. Amphoreus is clearly a world with very unique principles; it even allows its priests to wield the incredible power of 'Olorun's Miracle,' a feat that is almost akin to reversing time to retrieve objects from the past."
"The restriction of an ability may not be a form of suppression or weakening," he continued, "but rather a matter of adaptation to the unique rules of this place."
He turned his gaze fully to Zhongli and extended an invitation. "I have also been trying to explore and understand the rules here, but with limited success. The historical records of this land might provide some clues."
"Mr. Zhongli, would you be willing to accompany me to the library or archives of Okhema? Perhaps within their written records, we can discover traces of this place's distinct laws."
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