"No, on what grounds!"
Hearing Aglaea say this, Cipher's eyes widened in dissatisfaction.
I'm right here in front of Derick, and I'm willing to directly give him the Coreflame and the Titan of Trickery energy from my body.
It's practically a free transfer, why not do it?
Besides, my divine oracle is the safest for Derry-O.
Can Derry-O, who's so poor he relies on Castorice for meals every day, really be bothered with haggling over every last bit?
"Because you have already become a demigod, obtained the Coreflame, and your current state is very stable," Aglaea stated bluntly to Cipher.
Derick's identity and abilities were special; being able to bear multiple Titan Coreflames was naturally a good thing.
However, in Aglaea's view, Derick's capacity also had its limits.
Indeed, by achieving demigod status this time, Derick's body could undergo an enhancement, becoming capable of accommodating a new Titan Coreflame.
But the problem was, this couldn't be repeated consecutively.
Born a demigod, body strengthens, bears a new Coreflame, then continues to strengthen.
That's just a fantasy.
In fact, Aglaea estimated that Derick's body would only be enhanced this one time by igniting a demigod Coreflame.
Afterwards, using this method of igniting a demigod Coreflame would not allow him to bear new Coreflames.
She didn't say this to Cipher, but rather intended to wait until Derick first obtained the Coreflame belonging to the Titan of Death before discussing other matters.
Other things could be taken slowly.
The Flamechase Journey couldn't entirely rest on Derick's shoulders alone.
On the other side, hearing Aglaea's words, Cipher crossed her arms and protested, "You're bullying an honest person!"
"This is merely the most reasonable approach. What's more..." Aglaea's gaze shifted to Castorice, standing beside Derick. "The power within Castorice's body is also inextricably linked to Thanatos. Obtaining the power of the Titan of Death would also bring many benefits to Castorice, and it might even be possible to undo the curse upon her."
"Lady Aglaea, you don't need to pay special attention to me," Castorice said quickly upon hearing this.
"But the problem is, for Derick right now, the most suitable is either the Titan of Death or the Titan of Artifice."
"Then let's choose the Titan of Death," Castorice said swiftly, without a shred of hesitation.
Tribbie, seeing Castorice 'change face' at lightning speed, almost couldn't hold back a laugh.
Hearing this, Cipher couldn't help but bite her lip, her expression a little unnatural as she shot Derick a glare.
Although she said she would always try to snatch Derick away from Castorice, she knew very well that her place in Derick's heart could never compare to Castorice's.
Moreover, considering the curse, Castorice was indeed more important.
Fine, I lose this time.
But I'll remember this.
Next time, I'll definitely get it back from Derry-O.
No child cries every day, no gambler loses every day.
I, Cipher, will definitely make a big move next time and win it all back at once!
"Derry-O, next time you absolutely must take the Titan Coreflame from my body. Otherwise, I might just quietly find a time to steal your entire person away," Cipher said to Derick in a threatening tone.
"Mm."
Seeing Cipher's threatening gaze and aura, Derick quickly nodded.
If he could take one more Titan Coreflame, he definitely would.
Especially the Titan of Artifice; he planned to use it to cover up his first clone's absorption of Black Tide energy in the future.
Besides, Cipher had helped him quite a bit.
She was afraid to bear her own destiny, so he would carry it for her.
He wanted to save everyone he could save.
Seeing Derick act this way, although Cipher was still a little dejected, she felt much more comfortable.
That's more like it.
Cipher reached out and, before Derick could react, pinched his cheek, then pushed off with her feet and ran outside.
After running out, Cipher even said to Aglaea, "Dressmaker, tell me about some of the wicked, unscrupulous rich people in the city. I'm going to enact justice on behalf of heaven!"
Frustration had to be vented.
Damn it, I'm gonna steal, steal, steal, steal...
"Those detestable wealthy merchants are about to become pitiful paupers." Hyacine, seeing this, shook her head in schadenfreude.
Those unscrupulous merchants and bullies who hoarded goods under the range of the Black Tide's erosion – even Hyacine was only happy to hear Cipher was going to rob them.
Castorice, on the side, though a little angry at Cipher's words, also thought she wasn't wrong.
Cipher's divine oracle was indeed the hardest for Derick to trigger.
"Alright, what needed to be said has been said. The water in the Heroes' Bath is ready. Next, Derick and Castorice, you two should relax."
"Okay."
Derick was increasingly fond of things like bathing.
Afterwards, Derick and Castorice changed their clothes and entered the bath.
The others had other matters and left first, leaving this place solely for Derick and Castorice.
The scorching water of the bath steamed, creating a thick fog.
Derick leaned against the edge of the pool, enjoying the relaxing sensation brought by the soaking water.
After Castorice entered the water, she quickly came to his side, turned sideways, placed one hand on the edge of the pool to support her head, and looked at Derick with a faint smile.
A handsome face, an adorable countenance.
Normally, he'd blush shyly with a little teasing, but at crucial moments, he has his own decisiveness.
Hearing him say he was going to find Thanatos's Coreflame, Castorice didn't try to stop him anymore.
"...We don't know what the situation is with Thanatos's River Styx at all. Derick, I will definitely go with you," Castorice said softly to Derick.
His determination is firm, and mine is no less so.
Waiting at home for Derick to do everything – such a thing didn't suit Castorice's thoughts.
She had to act together with Derick.
Even if they ended up trapped in the River Styx, she would still be there to accompany him.
"Then I'll be counting on Sister Castorice to protect me."
Derick was definitely going to take Castorice.
Meeting her sister – Derick absolutely had to make this happen.
"But of course."
Castorice nodded repeatedly.
The temperature of the bath rose, the steam making the place seem even hazier.
Condensed water droplets rolled down Castorice's flushed cheeks, mingling with the hot spring water soaking the tips of her hair, making her appear even more alluring.
Derick couldn't help but swallow.
"Sister Castorice, can we... do it again?"
"Again? Mm..." Castorice was stunned at first, but then she immediately understood.
Looking at Derick, who had also become more alluring under the water vapor, she nodded gently.
The two looked at each other, their heads slowly drawing closer.
Cautiously, but without any retreat.
This time, their lips touched very smoothly, without any problems.
Both their arms wrapped around each other's necks, pulling them tightly together.
Under the water, Castorice's feet curled up due to nervousness, unnaturally stepping about at the bottom of the pool.
Indeed, my galgame experience isn't fake; it's not useless.
Lying in the pool water, side by side with Castorice, looking upwards, Derick thought excitedly.
During the kiss just now, because his mood was relaxed, Derick had finally remembered the experience he had learned before and had put it into practice.
This time, both of them felt a sense of comfort originating from the bottom of their hearts.
"And, being hugged from the front feels much more comfortable than being hugged by Sister Castorice from behind," Derick thought.
Castorice then asked Derick, "Derick, how's your soak?"
Unsure if it was the water temperature being too high or some other reason, Castorice felt dizzy now.
It was better to leave here early and go home to rest.
"I'm good too, let's go back."
Derick also felt he had soaked enough in the pool and immediately stood up from the water.
Castorice then got up, her head still a little dizzy.
She staggered a bit, and Derick immediately reached out to hold her hand.
Castorice gave a smile.
Seeing her like this, a line from an ancient poem from his homeland came to Derick's mind:
"A maid helped her up, delicate and weak."
(From Bai Juyi's "Song of Everlasting Regret", describing Yang Guifei)
...
Returning home, this time there were absolutely no other matters.
Derick and Castorice simply lay down on their respective small beds and began to rest.
Derick first had a good, long sleep.
After waking up, he left and began to adjust the vision of his right eye.
Rest was rest, but while his main body rested, he also had to think about improving the strength of his clones.
First, he checked on the first clone.
Mm, still hiding in the city of Janusopolis.
Derick controlled it to sweep the surroundings, but it seemed Derick's previous battle had been too fierce; there weren't many enemies here.
After a little cleanup, there wasn't much improvement.
Alright, continue to hibernate for now.
Derick found a secluded place for clone number one to standby.
Then, clone number two.
Clone number two was mixed among the Voidrangers of the Antimatter Legion, exuding an aura stronger than the surrounding Voidrangers, so even when hibernating on standby, no other Voidrangers dared to provoke it.
"But I just don't know where to find Ruan Mei."
Derick thought to himself.
And at this moment, an order from the Antimatter Legion's higher-ups came through the Voidrangers' special information transmission.
Derick's clone number two also devoured these, understanding the incoming message.
The Antimatter Legion wanted to attack the Herta Space Station and needed these Voidrangers to go and carry out the destruction of the Herta Space Station.
Hearing this, Derick instantly perked up.
He hadn't expected an opportunity to come so quickly.
A 'creature' that wouldn't break no matter how you played with it would definitely pique Ruan Mei's interest.
Now was the time to figure out how to market it.
This attack on the Herta Space Station was an excellent opportunity.
Herta Space Station, wait for me, I'll be right there.
Finally, finally, I can find a chance to be experimented on by Ruan Mei.
_____
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