Honkai Star Rail: But I can touch Castorice

Aglaea then gathered Phainon, Cipher, and the others.

With all the Chrysos Heirs assembled, Castorice once again explained her idea to Phainon and the rest. No matter what the Flame-Reaver did, they would focus on gathering the Core Flames, forcing him to show himself.

Phainon said excitedly, "He fights his war, we fight ours. Okhema can afford the losses, but the Flame-Reaver can't accept the outcome of us gathering all the Core Flames."

"Indeed, we'll force him to come to us. And when he does, we'll find a way to take him down," Cipher said, rubbing her hands together. "I'm going to scratch his face up real good."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely give you that chance," Derick said from the side, greatly encouraging Cipher's idea.

Flame-Reaver, this time, I'm definitely going to get you.

Aglaea addressed the group, "Since that's the case, let's also prepare a war council. We already agreed last time that getting to the sky fortress requires Hyacine's operation. This time, we need to be a bit ahead of schedule. Can you be ready on your end?"

"Rest assured, Lady Aglaea, I've been preparing for a long time. Whenever everyone needs me, I can begin the next step of the operation at any time," Hyacine said, placing her hands on her chest and nodding forcefully. Her eyes shone with a determined light.

"Seeing you so confident gives me a bit more confidence in our upcoming actions in the sky," Aglaea said to Hyacine with a smile.

"I also hope I can provide my own help to everyone's journey of salvation."

"Little Hyacine, you're amazing!" Tribbie gave Hyacine a thumbs-up.

Aglaea's gaze turned to the others. "Next, we need to discuss who will be going to the sky. First, Derick and Hyacine must go. Considering we might have to face both Aquila and the Flame-Reaver in the sky, we need to send as many people as possible this time."

"It's best if I stay on the ground," Mydei spoke up at this time.

Besides Derick, Mydei was the one who feared the Flame-Reaver the least. He was worried that if Derick and the others entered the sky castle, the Flame-Reaver might start wreaking havoc below. Therefore, he had to stay behind to hold the fort.

"That's what I was thinking as well," Aglaea agreed with Mydei's idea.

"Since Mydei is staying below, then I'll stay too," Phainon said.

Mydei alone was definitely not enough. Phainon worked closely with him, so it was natural for them to team up.

"That way, the ground team will be me, Mydei, and Phainon."

Castorice glanced at Derick. "Lady Aglaea, my sister and I will be going with Derick to the sky."

Aglaea nodded.

"And me, and me! Seamstress, I'm going to the sky with Derry-boy too!" Cipher quickly added.

"Cipher, you've just lost the power of the Titan of Deceit. Are you still capable of fighting?" Aglaea asked with a hint of concern.

Hearing Aglaea's words of concern, Cipher was clearly a bit uncomfortable. She quickly waved her hands at Aglaea and said confidently, "Don't worry. Even before I inherited the abilities of the Titan of Deceit, I was already a renowned thief. Now with over a thousand years of experience, even Derry-boy or Mydei-boy might not be able to beat me."

"Since you're so confident, then we'll take you along."

"Derick, Hyacine, Castorice, and Polyxia, as well as Cipher… that should be about right." Aglaea considered their combat strength. They wouldn't be at too much of a disadvantage fighting both the Flame-Reaver and the Sky Titan, Aquila, at the same time.

And on the ground, her Golden Threads were spread across Okhema and Castrum Kremnos. Phainon and Mydei were ready to attack at any moment. Furthermore, Teacher Tribbie and her fragments were preparing the Myriad-World Gate.

It was enough.

After finishing the battle assignments, Aglaea immediately said, "There's no time to lose. Let's begin our operation now."

As she spoke, she said to Derick with a hint of apology, "I'm sorry. I was originally planning to let you all rest for a while. But in this situation, there really is no time to waste."

"I know, Lady Aglaea," Derick said, clenching his fists. "Seeing the citizens of Okhema fall under the Flame-Reaver's sword, the anger in my heart can only be quenched by his blood. Even if you told me to rest now, I wouldn't be able to sleep."

He was burning with rage, and only by striking down the enemy could he calm down.

"Derry, go for it! Get him!" Tribbie said seriously.

"Yeah, get him!"

Castorice, Mydei, Phainon, and the others all echoed the same words of encouragement.

With the pre-battle mobilization complete, the group went to carry out their respective tasks.

Hyacine said she wanted to visit the Twilight Courtyard in the Grove of Epiphany. For safety, Derick accompanied her. He also served as an escort to bring the scholars from the Grove of Epiphany back. The crisis at the Grove had been resolved, so the scholars naturally wanted to return to their research institutes. But having only been back for two days, they now had to face the Flame-Reaver's attacks and return to Okhema.

The two soon arrived at the Twilight Courtyard in the Grove of Epiphany.

Besides Hyacine, there were a few other physicians here. They were packing up their tools. Seeing Hyacine arrive, they were about to greet her.

Hyacine quickly held up a hand to stop them.

"Alright, you all go about your business. Derry and I will just take a walk around here."

"Understood."

The physicians continued their work.

Derick, meanwhile, strolled with Hyacine through the Twilight Courtyard. The task she was about to undertake was perhaps second only to Derick's in importance, and she needed to adjust her state of mind.

Hyacine was petite; even when Derick was at his shortest, he was still a bit taller than her. Now that Derick had returned to his normal height, Hyacine's head only reached his chin. Her slender legs were encased in white stockings, appearing even more delicate and charming against the green grass underfoot. A gentle breeze blew, lifting strands of Hyacine's hair, making her look incredibly elegant and cute.

Derick couldn't help but look at her.

Hyacine noticed Derick's gaze, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.

Wanting to change the subject, Hyacine said to Derick, "Derry, back during Teacher Anaxa's last lesson at the Grove of Epiphany, Phainon, Cassie, and I all told Teacher Anaxa what our ideals were after graduation. Of course, even though I was an assistant lecturer back then, I also shared my ideal. Can you guess what we said?"

Derick put on a thoughtful expression and said to Hyacine, "I guess Phainon definitely said he wanted to protect everyone. As for Castorice, her thoughts were probably related to 'reconciling with death,' not letting people escape death, but letting them willingly accept it."

"Derry, you're amazing! What about me? Guess mine."

"As for you, I guess you would look beyond the epic heroes to the common people," Derick said to Hyacine in a serious tone.

"Derry, how are you so smart!" Hyacine exclaimed, dumbfounded. But she quickly recovered and said to Derick, "Did Cassie tell you!"

"She did," Derick couldn't hold back a laugh.

"You!" Hyacine glared at Derick.

Then, she asked him, "So, what do you think of my idea? Beyond the epic heroes, should we or should we not look towards the common people?"

"Why not?" Derick wasn't smiling this time. He crouched down seriously and pointed at a flower bed.

"Heroes are like these beautiful flowers, and the people are the roots below. No matter how brilliant we are, without roots, we are nothing. A world with only heroes is a world of despair; but a world with only ordinary people…"

"What kind of world is that?" Hyacine wanted to hear Derick's thoughts.

"That is a world where everyone is a hero."

"Sooner or later, the time for heroes and Titans to take their curtain call will come, and the people will take over this world."

"A world without heroes, without Titans?" Hyacine's eyes also filled with longing.

Derick nodded. "Yes. After the world of Amphoreus is saved, I will definitely leave, heading beyond the sky to more places, to see more of the unknown."

"Then… what would that be like?" Hyacine's eyes also showed a look of yearning.

After thinking for a moment, she quickly came back to her senses and said to Derick, "Alright, Derry, let's talk about those things after we return from the sky. For now, let's continue with the ritual."

Hyacine continued to explain, "For us of the Sky Clan to return to the sky, we need to communicate with the spirits of our ancestors. Only after receiving their approval can we build the Rainbow Bridge. Now, Derry, please accompany me to retrieve our clan's sacred object, the Rainbow Casket, and communicate with the ancestral spirits. They all have my clan's secret methods; their spirits have not gone to the River Styx."

At the end, remembering Derick's identity as the demigod of the Titan of Death, Hyacine added a small explanation.

"Understood."

Derick accompanied Hyacine to a certain place in the Grove of Epiphany. Hyacine lightly performed a secret art, and soon, a casket appeared before the two of them.

Hyacine said to Derick, "This is the Rainbow Casket. It holds the memory of one of my ancestors. I will now summon her."

Hyacine softly chanted, "I am Hyacine of the Twilight Courtyard, heir of the Sky Clan, who has inherited the mission of the Flamechase. The time has come to fulfill my clan's destiny. I shall return to the sky with my comrades to retrieve the Core Flame. Ancestor, I beseech you, grant us your generous blessing."

As she finished her words, a thin, elderly figure appeared.

"This is my ancestor, Krispos. He was once a righteous magistrate, known in his time for his fair judgments," Hyacine introduced the elder's spirit.

Then, she stepped forward and said to Krispos, "Ancestor, I have come to complete the ritual of returning to the sky. Our salvation has reached its final stage. All that's left is to retrieve Aquila's Core Flame."

"Are you my descendant? To think there would come a day when this ritual is completed." Krispos's gaze fell upon Hyacine.

After looking her over carefully, he asked doubtfully, "Your strength… it doesn't seem like you can challenge Aquila. I do not wish for my descendant to throw her life away in vain."

"Yes, my abilities are mainly in healing. But I am not the only one ascending to the sky this time. I have my comrades with me."

Hyacine's gaze turned to Derick, who was standing to the side.

Krispos glanced at Derick and unconsciously took two steps back.

He asked Hyacine, "What is the origin of this young man? Why do I feel a sense of fear towards him?"

"Old sir, I have obtained the Core Flame of the Titan of Death. I am the demigod of Thanatos," Derick quickly explained. As for the other Titan powers he possessed, he didn't mention them.

"So that's how it is." Krispos nodded. "With a demigod present, I am naturally confident in your safety on this journey. Then I bless you. May your journey be smooth."

"Thank you for your blessing." Hyacine nodded lightly.

Afterward, he glanced at Hyacine again and continued, "Additionally, Hyacine, while completing the task of saving the world, I hope you can also carry on the family bloodline."

"Ah!" Hyacine was taken aback.

Ancestor, what are you saying!? And even if you say it, what do you mean by looking at Derry?

But before she could say anything, Krispos vanished, not giving her a chance to explain.

"We… let's go," Hyacine said, her face flushed as she glanced at Derick.

"Understood." Derick hadn't expected Hyacine's ancestor to come out with something like that at the end.

Hyacine took a moment to compose herself before saying to Derick, "Next, we have to return to Okhema. The spirit of my next ancestor is in the Vortex of Genesis. We have to follow the ritual in order, so I must go there to find her."

Derick nodded. "I understand. Then let's escort the scholars from the Grove of Epiphany back to Okhema first."

They then waited on the side for the scholars to finish their preparations.

After the display from Hyacine's ancestor, Hyacine would glance at Derick and then quickly look away. The two of them stood there without saying a word, silently waiting for the scholars to be ready.

With the experience from last time, the scholars packed up much faster this time. Soon, they were ready to head to Okhema again.

Derick and Hyacine followed alongside, protecting the scholars' safety.

Soon, they returned to Okhema.

The Vortex of Genesis.

Derick and Hyacine arrived. To get to the sky sooner, they had rushed over here as soon as they had delivered the scholars from the Grove of Epiphany.

Arriving at an open space in the Vortex of Genesis, Hyacine once again summoned the Rainbow Casket.

As she summoned it, she said to Derick, "The ancestor sleeping here is General Tekla. It is said that a thousand years ago, she fought alongside Lady Hysilens and Lady Aglaea."

A look of respect appeared on Derick's face.

Then, Hyacine softly chanted an incantation. After she finished, a woman with a lithe and powerful figure appeared before them.

Having just been awakened, Tekla seemed a bit dazed. She spoke, "Why have you appeared before me? Are you my descendant, awakened to complete the ritual?"

Yes, what Tekla said was correct.

However…

Could you at least look at the right person!

Derick looked at Tekla, whose gaze was fixed on him, and thought with some exasperation.

Before he could explain, Tekla continued, "Mmm, although you don't look very sturdy, the power within your body is strong. You are worthy of being my descendant."

"Um…" Hyacine said weakly from the side.

Tekla's gaze turned to Hyacine. "Are you my descendant's girlfriend? You look like a physician. I'll be entrusting my descendant to your care."

Derick finally seized the opportunity to say to Tekla, "Is it possible that… she is your descendant, and I am just accompanying her?"

Tekla looked at Hyacine with confusion.

Hyacine blushed and nodded.

"I was wondering why my descendant's appearance had changed so much. I didn't expect to have mistaken the person…" Tekla muttered to herself.

The people of Amphoreus generally had a Western appearance, like in Derick's past life, but without the flaws. Derick, however, still wore his own face, which had not changed. There was still a visible difference between him and the people of Amphoreus.

"Ancestor Tekla, let's get back to the matter at hand," Hyacine said quickly.

Then, Hyacine briefly explained the events of the past years to Tekla, and finally told her of their plans.

To this, Tekla said without the slightest hesitation, "Then I bless you for a successful crusade against Aquila."

She still remembered the prophecy from that time, but listening to Hyacine's words, it seemed the prophecy no longer held true after Derick's appearance. So, Tekla simply didn't mention it and just blessed Hyacine.

But at the end, she gave Derick a regretful look.

What a pity.

But then she glanced at Hyacine again.

It's not like there's no chance.

Seeing this, Hyacine quickly said, "Ancestor Tekla, what does that expression mean? Derry, let's go find the next ancestor."

"Understood."

"Next, we have to go to Castrum Kremnos. The last soul we need to find is sleeping there," Hyacine said after a moment of silence. "It's my grandmother, Hyacinthia."

"Your grandmother… is in Castrum Kremnos?"

"Yes. My grandmother, as a warrior of the Sky Clan, once participated in the festival at Castrum Kremnos. She fought her way to the end, but unfortunately lost to the supervising warrior at the time, who was Krateros. Not long after, she passed away in Castrum Kremnos."

Hyacine explained the story of her grandmother as they walked.

Derick was truly surprised that Krateros was the one responsible for Hyacine's grandmother's death.

Remembering how in the game's plot, Hyacine had painstakingly treated Krateros, Derick couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her.

Hyacine, unaware of Derick's thoughts, continued walking, and the two soon arrived at Castrum Kremnos. After all, Derick had moved it right next to Okhema.

Arriving at the place where her grandmother's soul slept, Hyacine once again performed the incantation to summon her spirit.

"This is the world of the living. You… you are…" After appearing, Hyacine's grandmother was first dazed, but then she quickly came to her senses. Especially when looking at Hyacine, she felt a great sense of familiarity.

"Grandmother, it's me, Hyacine," she introduced herself.

Then she glanced at Derick beside her. Remembering the previous misunderstanding, she quickly said, "This… this is just my comrade. We have no relationship whatsoever."

Hyacine's grandmother looked at her granddaughter with suspicion.

Unless… they really do have a relationship.

_____

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