One day later.
Dragonbone City, Styxia.
An Infinity Gate, its edges shimmering with spatial ripples, quietly opened, and Castorice and Stelle stepped through.
The gate behind them did not close; Stelle could still see Okhema's bustle and sunlight through the Infinity Gate.
"Teacher Trianne, you can see us off here. We'll call for you if needed," Castorice turned and said softly to the petite figure within the gate.
Trianne wrinkled her small nose slightly, seeming displeased with the aura of the River of Souls here.
She stepped closer, looking at Castorice with concern. "Little Cas, even though we've long been aware of this city's deep connection to the Titan of Death, Thanatos—that it might even be built upon His slumbering divine form…"
She paused, her voice carrying unusual seriousness. "But Trianne still wants to remind you: Okhema has already welcomed several Titan Coreflames in an extremely short time. You truly don't need to rush into deciding to accept the authority of Death and become a Demigod presiding over it at this very moment."
"We, especially Agy—all hope you can have more time to enjoy the freedom of life a little longer, like an ordinary young Golden Descendant."
"After all… once you become a Demigod, it means you too will shoulder the responsibility of protecting Okhema's citizens. That will be a path of no return."
Hearing these caring words, Castorice felt a warmth in her heart. She nodded gently, her tone firm and composed.
"Don't worry, Teacher Trianne. My purpose in coming to Styxia this time is mainly at Teacher Anaxa's request, to investigate some matters related to historical doubts. Submitting the Death Coreflame, becoming a Demigod… I'm not prepared for that, and it's not the goal of this trip."
"So that's how it is! Then Trianne is relieved. Little Cas, you know what to do if you need Trianne's Infinity Gate." Trianne's voice regained its lively lilt. She swayed happily, waved at Castorice and Stelle, and then vanished into thin air along with the Infinity Gate.
After Trianne left, the unique silence and slight chill of Styxia enveloped them once more.
Castorice walked side by side with Stelle through this ancient city-state encircled by the River of Souls. The wooden plank path beneath their feet felt slightly damp and slippery, and in the distance, the low, steady flow of the soul-river could faintly be heard.
After walking for a while, Castorice turned to Stelle somewhat apologetically. "I'm sorry… Lady Stelle. To have you take time from your busy schedule to accompany me to such a… heavy-aired place."
She let out a soft sigh and explained, "But among the people I know, you seem to be the only one with any free time at the moment."
Her tone carried a hint of helplessness. "Lord Phainon has been running himself ragged lately over Lady Cyrene's sudden departure, searching for clues everywhere. He's been very downcast… Ah… I truly don't know where Lady Cyrene went or why she left so quietly."
"As for Lady Hyacine, the most esteemed elder of the Skyfolk Clan—Lord Seliose—seems to have fallen gravely ill and needs her by his side. As for Teacher Anaxa… he's currently immersed in unraveling the secrets of the Titan prophecy and is completely tied up."
"It's alright. Lady Castorice helped me a lot when I was managing the community," Stelle replied briskly, hands on her hips, her expression open and gallant. "Isn't it only natural for friends to help each other out?"
She then scratched her head, asking with straightforward curiosity, "But… what exactly are we supposed to do now? Investigate the entire Styxia? This city doesn't look small."
At this question, a faint blush appeared on Castorice's face. She lowered her head slightly, her voice dropping a little. "It's a bit embarrassing to admit, Lady Stelle. While I volunteered to come to Styxia partly to assist Teacher Anaxa's investigation, I actually… also have a small personal motive of my own."
As if steeling herself, she carefully retrieved a simple, ancient-looking wooden box from the intricately embroidered butterfly-patterned pouch she carried.
The box's surface was smooth, bearing the warm luster of years of handling, and was carved with some hard-to-decipher symbols.
"I'd like to secretly tell you something. Please don't tell anyone else, Lady Stelle," Castorice's voice was soft, carrying the gravity of sharing something precious. "This box has been with me for as long as I can remember. It… should be considered a sacred artifact related to the Titan of Passage, Janus."
She gently opened the lid. Inside, nestled on soft silk, were several neatly folded letters. "Because, whenever I slip a letter I've written into this box, within three to five days, the letter inside disappears. In its place appears a reply from a girl who calls herself 'the little dragon who loves to grow flower seas.'"
Castorice's gaze grew distant, as if lost in memory. "I don't know who she really is, where she's from, whether she's human or… something else."
"But to be honest… during times when I felt lonely, lost, or faced seemingly insurmountable difficulties, her replies, her care and encouragement, helped me through many tough moments."
She looked up, gazing deep into Styxia, where the auras of the River of Souls and the distant ocean seemed to mingle strangely.
"She mentioned in a letter that she lives in a place 'where one can see both the waters of the River of Souls and the ocean.' In the past, I never thought of coming to find her. After all, someone living in such a peculiar place must be extraordinary."
"But… since fate has brought me to Styxia this time, I can't suppress a strong wish rising from my heart—I want to meet her, talk to her in person, and then say thank you to her."
Castorice turned her hopeful gaze to Stelle, tinged with a plea. "Lady Stelle, would you… be willing to accompany me to meet her?"