In the corner, Li Sushang propped her chin on her hand, her eyes wide as saucers. She looked at Elysia, then at Cyrene, and whispered to Fu Hua beside her, "Grandmaster, could this pink-haired fairy senior... possibly know the legendary 'External Incarnation' or 'One Qi Transforms into Three Clears' technique? This new little sister looks exactly like her, just younger."
She tried hard to use concepts she understood to process the shock of seeing "two Elysias" before her.
Fu Hua's mouth twitched slightly. She briefly and quietly explained, "Not an incarnation. She is another independent individual who arrived here by chance."
Li Sushang murmured, "Oh," but the surprise in her eyes did not diminish, feeling only that this "Immortal Sanctuary" truly held countless wonders.
The other Flame-Chasers were also intrigued.
Su smiled, his gaze gentle yet insightful; Kevin had donned his Starry Sky Sunglasses again at some point, his arms crossed, his eyes moving between the two, lost in thought; Yae Sakura stood quietly nearby, a hint of surprise in her cool eyes.
"Tsk tsk, they really look alike..."
Someone sighed softly.
And the source of the greatest "pressure" on Cyrene was sitting right next to her.
Elysia had taken off her pink sunglasses at some point. She was currently turned sideways, one hand affectionately draped over Cyrene's slightly slender shoulder, while the other hand was busy.
"Oh my, this hair, the texture is so nice. It's as soft and smooth as mine ♪"
Her fingers gently curled a strand of Cyrene's pink hair, the tips sensing a delicate smoothness.
"Your face is so small and soft too~"
The warm fingers squeezed Cyrene's cheek again. The pressure was gentle, but enough to make Cyrene's fair face flush faintly red.
"Scared, weren't you? Dr. Mobius's 'enthusiasm' can sometimes be a little hard to handle, but it's okay, you're safe now ♪"
Elysia's voice was sweet and soft, full of comfort, but her hands didn't stop moving, trailing from the shoulder to the arm, and finally to Cyrene's fists, which were clenched slightly out of nervousness, as if she were confirming every detail before her through touch.
Cyrene's body was stiff, and she dared not move, feeling like a thousand butterflies were fluttering in her heart.
Was it uncomfortable?
A little. This overly intimate contact made her very uncomfortable.
Should she refuse?
She couldn't say it at all.
The pink-haired elder sister before her, with her bright smile and excessive enthusiasm, was the benefactor who had just rescued her from the terrifying green-haired girl's "operating table." The speed and fierce momentum of the rescue left an extremely deep impression on Cyrene.
Both rationally and emotionally, she could only blush, lower her head, and silently endure this "sweet burden."
Just as Cyrene felt she was about to be overwhelmed by Elysia's "care" and the surrounding gazes, a drink, emitting a soft fragrance and garnished with mint leaves, was handed to her by a pair of elegant, fair hands.
"Have something to drink, to calm your nerves."
Eden had walked over at some point. Her gentle voice, like the soothing sound of a cello, instantly diluted the overly focused atmosphere somewhat.
She gently placed the drink on the coffee table in front of Cyrene, then gracefully sat down on another sofa, separating the slightly intrusive distance Elysia had maintained.
Eden's arrival allowed Cyrene to breathe a sigh of relief. She quickly whispered her thanks, cupped the slightly cool drink in both hands, and took small sips.
The sweet, slightly tart flavor slid down her throat, genuinely relaxing her tense nerves a bit.
Under Eden's gentle yet measured guidance, the conversation finally got back on track.
Cyrene intermittently recounted her name, that she came from a place called Amphoreus, how she saw a massive device in the pure white space outside, and after touching it, inexplicably entered this place, and... the unfortunate encounter with Mobius.
As she spoke, the relaxed and curious atmosphere in the hall gradually settled, replaced by a sense of understanding and deep thought.
"Amphoreus... a realm we have not heard of." Su said slowly.
"Pure white space, massive device..." Kevin repeated softly, looking at Fu Hua.
Fu Hua nodded, adding in a deep voice, "It has similarities to our experience of being 'invited' here, but the process seems more... accidental."
Elysia also temporarily ceased her "manual exploration," propping her chin up, her pink eyes sparkling with contemplation: "So, little Cyrene, you weren't transported in by Madam Herta like we were, but accidentally touched the connection point between the Paradise and external space, and were'sucked' in?"
Cyrene nodded blankly. She didn't quite understand the terminology, but the general meaning was correct.
"This makes it quite clear."
Eden gently swirled the wine glass in her hand, her golden eyes looking at everyone. "The Paradise, as a Remembrance space, cannot have its boundaries and entry points easily'stumbled' into. This seemingly accidental 'loophole'..."
"—Can only be a 'backdoor' deliberately left open by the Administrator." Kevin finished the thought, his tone certain.
Their gazes met, and the answer was obvious.
The only one capable and seemingly motivated to do this was the mysterious "Madam Herta" who had "invited" all of them here.
Cyrene listened to their analysis. Although she didn't understand many of the terms, she realized that her arrival here was not a pure accident.
She put down the cup, her eyes full of anticipation, and looked at Eden, who seemed the most steady and reliable: "Then... how do I get out? How do I return to where I came from? I still have companions waiting for me..."
Eden put down her wine glass and gave her a reassuring smile, her voice gentle yet firm: "There's no need to be overly anxious. Since your arrival may be related to Madam Herta, the means of leaving might also need to be opened by her. We will contact her and inquire about your situation."
She paused, then added, "Until then, this place is very safe. You can rest assured and treat this as a temporary resting spot. As for Dr. Mobius... I believe she won't come to bother you again for a while."
As she said this, Eden glanced meaningfully at Elysia.
Elysia immediately returned a brilliant, slightly smug smile, as if saying, "Leave it to me."
After Eden promised to contact Madam Herta, the atmosphere in the hall eased considerably.
Elysia clapped her hands, her eyes sweeping over everyone present.
"Alright, since little Cyrene will be our neighbor for a while, let's all get acquainted! ♪"
She stood up cheerfully and began acting as the introducer, her finger lightly pointing, "This is our most brilliant Golden Diva, Eden! And this is Su, he knows a lot and is very good at listening, so you can secretly tell him any worries you have~♪"
She then pointed to Yae Sakura, who was standing quietly nearby: "This is Yae Sakura. She might seem a bit cold, but she is actually a very reliable companion with superb swordsmanship!"
Yae Sakura nodded slightly to Cyrene, acknowledging the introduction.
When Elysia's gaze fell upon Kevin, who had his arms crossed and was wearing the Starry Sky Sunglasses, she deliberately slowed her speech, her tone carrying a hint of mischief: "As for this gentleman... he is the strongest fighter among us, and also the most—'serious' Kevin! But don't worry, even though he seems cold, he's actually..."
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