---o---
Eleusis pushed the book in his hands toward Fu Zhu, his gaze profound as he passed it over.
"Aidonia can submit to the rule of the Imperator, but there is one condition."
Fu Zhu immediately sat up straighter, adopting a sincere and attentive posture as he nodded.
"Please, speak."
"I hope that Her Majesty Imperator can help us sever this endless cycle of reincarnation."
"I will convey your request to Her Majesty. I believe she will agree to it."
Eleusis nodded with satisfaction. He turned back to pick up the book he hadn't finished reading earlier.
Seeing this, Fu Zhu knew it was his cue to leave. He didn't linger, placing the book Eleusis had given him back on the shelf, giving a slight nod at the door, and quietly closing it behind him as he left.
After leaving the room, Fu Zhu intended to find a place to rest. However, he realized that the priestess hadn't arranged a room for him. He would have to wander around until morning to see if he could find her. Otherwise, he would just have to build a temporary house to stay in.
As he walked, Fu Zhu heard the sound of children's laughter. He followed the sound and came to a courtyard with a small stream running through it.
In the courtyard, a group of children of various ages were holding hands, dancing and laughing around a bonfire.
Seeing this, Fu Zhu couldn't help but smile.
He had been in Amphoreus for a long time now, and this was the first time he had seen such a heartwarming scene. Most of his journey had been filled with bloodshed. A scene of such warmth was truly precious.
Fu Zhu leaned against a pillar, watching them for a good while. He felt his own heart lighten considerably. As his gaze lifted, he noticed a lone, slender figure hiding behind a large tree. She was following the children's movements, awkwardly dancing along with several others.
Fu Zhu's eyebrows raised slightly. He quietly moved closer.
---o---
Castorice hid in the shadows, her heart full of envy as she watched the group of children dancing. Her eyes were filled with longing.
She looked down at her own hands, covered by leather gloves. She then squatted down and picked up a withered twig from the ground, pretending it was the hand of one of her two dance partners.
In a corner where the firelight barely reached, the girl held the twig and began to twirl and dance, as if she could drive away the endless loneliness with just her imagination.
But in the next second—
The girl's foot suddenly caught on a stone, and she fell to the ground. The withered twig in her hand snapped into several pieces.
She sat blankly on the ground, looking at the broken twig. Her eyes welled up with tears.
"Why don't you go dance with those children? Are you afraid of their touch?"
Suddenly, a smiling face appeared in her line of sight. Fu Zhu's gentle voice was like a passing breeze.
Seeing Fu Zhu suddenly appear, Castorice was startled. Then, as if remembering something, a flicker of panic crossed her face.
This was a deeply ingrained problem!
But Castorice quickly reacted. Her face turned pale, and she scrambled backward, desperately trying to get away, as if just one more step forward would cause her to meet Fu Zhu.
"No, don't come near me."
Fu Zhu acted as if he didn't hear her. He held out his hand to her and said, "I can't dance either. I was planning to find a girlfriend to dance with someday, but I don't have a partner. I wonder if I could trouble you to practice with me for a bit?"
Castorice looked at Fu Zhu, bewildered.
He'll die.
During the day, didn't he already understand? Why is he still saying things like this?
Seeing the utterly perplexed look on her small face, Fu Zhu couldn't help but laugh.
"Who do you think I am?"
Fu Zhu stood up and pointed a thumb at himself.
"With the speed you're making me lose health, I could dance with you all night and be fine!"
As he spoke, before Castorice could react, he grabbed her hand and pulled her up from the ground.
"Music, start!"
Fu Zhu snapped his fingers, and from some unknown place, a burst of music began to play. But Castorice had no mind for the unfamiliar melody. She struggled, trying with all her might to pull her hand free from his.
Because she could see black blood starting to trickle from the corner of Fu Zhu's mouth again.
"You, you'll die!"
Castorice was so anxious that tears streamed from her eyes. She used every ounce of strength she had to try and break free, but even though she could lift tens of thousands of pounds with ease, she was as helpless as a child against the hand of Steve. How could she possibly escape?
But Fu Zhu pulled her tighter, his other hand wrapping around her waist. He spoke softly in her ear to comfort her.
"Trust me. With a little tickle like this, you can't kill me."
Auto-Feeder Mod + Golden Apples, activate!
Since milk isn't working, I'll just make up for the loss with a whole inventory of golden apples!
Besides, I have plenty of resources.
Castorice saw that Fu Zhu had no intention of letting go, and despair filled her heart.
Another vibrant life will slip away from my hands…
The expression on her face began to grow numb. She was pulled along by Fu Zhu, not knowing what dance they were doing or where they were going.
After a moment, Castorice noticed something was wrong. The big brother in front of her had bled a little from the corner of his mouth at the beginning, but since then, there had been no further changes. In fact, his face was even becoming rosy.
"You… are you okay?"
Castorice looked at him in disbelief. This was the first time she had ever met someone who wasn't cursed by her touch.
Fu Zhu grinned at her.
"I told you, trust me. I can't die."
Even if I do, I'll just lose some experience points in the resurrection tournament.
But still… Fu Zhu glanced at the rapidly depleting golden apples and enchanted golden apples in his inventory and couldn't help but click his tongue. This Death Demigod really has some power.
Fu Zhu mused to himself, but then he noticed that the small hand in his had stopped resisting and was now clutching his tightly.
He looked at Castorice with a puzzled expression and saw a look in her eyes he couldn't quite decipher—gratitude, celebration, and joy.
Castorice was no longer being passively dragged along. Instead, she began to follow Fu Zhu's lead, her steps becoming rhythmic. The smile that had vanished due to her despair had returned to her face.
Before long, a soft laugh reached Fu Zhu's ears.
Fu Zhu smiled silently, letting the girl lead him in the dance.
This poor kid. Who knows how much loneliness she has endured over the years.
At least for tonight, I want her to be happy.
As the dance ended, Fu Zhu released his hand, but her small, soft hand clutched his back.
Castorice buried her head against him, one hand clinging to his, the other wrapping around his leg.
"Can… can you let me hold you for a bit? Just for a moment… for one minute…"