Honkai Star Rail: But I can touch Castorice

"That guy is very mysterious; even I can't pry too much into his affairs," Aglaea didn't forget to remind Derick.

"Indeed," Derick nodded inwardly. That being was an Emanator-level existence; Aglaea alone truly stood no chance against him.

"Oh, come on, he won't bother with us anyway. Let's just get back to what we should be doing," Tribbie quickly said to Aglaea and Derick.

"Mm, you're right," Derick nodded.

Tribbie then turned to Mydei and said, "Mydei, to celebrate Lady Cerces's change, how about you cook something for us?"

Mydei, go make some food!

Seeing Tribbie say this, Derick felt a laugh bubbling up.

"Alright." Mydei's face darkened slightly, but he still agreed to Tribbie's request.

Cerces walked out of the hero's bath, now dressed. Although she looked exactly the same as before, she gave off a completely different feeling.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?" Seeing everyone's eyes on her, Cerces felt a little uneasy.

"It just feels like you're a bit different, Calypso. Not just your physical condition, but other things as well," Polyxia said to Cerces with a smile.

"What other things?" Cerces didn't quite understand and walked curiously over to Polyxia to ask.

Polyxia pondered for a moment, then clapped her hands and said, "I know what it is. Calypso, I feel like you have more of a human personality now. The change is even greater than before. At least your current expression and demeanor aren't like after you became a Titan. Hmm… It's almost like you were when you were a demigod."

"Is… is that so?" Cerces touched her face and said hesitantly.

"Mhm," Polyxia nodded seriously.

Her gaze shifted to Derick as she said, "I never expected Derick's blood to have such an effect."

"Really? Does Derick's blood have that kind of effect?" Tribbie looked at Derick with a questioning gaze.

"I don't know either." Derick shrugged. His blood had certainly caused a significant change in Polyxia and Cerces's bodies, enough to influence the changes Lycurgus underwent. But as for the specific details of the change, Derick himself was completely in the dark, as his main body had never left this sky and his second body had yet to arrive outside Amphoreus.

Tribbie glanced at Aglaea and said, "It would be great if Derick could change Aglaea's personality a bit." Unlike now, where she had no humanity except when dealing with Anaxa.

"My master, maintaining rationality is the best way to proceed with the Flamechase Journey. This is what's best for Amphoreus," Aglaea rejected Tribbie's idea.

"What a shame," Trinnon said, shaking her head.

At that moment, she picked up the beads that housed her other family members and held them to her ear to listen. After a moment, she said to Mydei, "Mydei-boy, Trianne wants to eat a fruit pie, Tri… wants grilled meat…"

"Stop! There aren't that many of us, we can't eat that much," Mydei quickly interrupted Trinnon before she could continue.

If everyone ordered one dish, he might as well just die.

Derick and Castorice couldn't hold back their laughter.

While Derick and the others were eating, he didn't forget to control his second body during the break, dealing with the Fragmentum Creatures, capturing and devouring them.

Right then, on Jarilo-VI, old Sampo was holding his phone, recording a video while chatting with his fellow Masked Fool, Sparkle.

"No idea where Lady Ruan Mei found this guy. After it swallows those Fragmentum Creatures, it immediately gains their abilities. I told you before, this thing can even devour the energy from a Stellaron."

From the other end of the phone, a clear, girlish voice came through.

"Interesting, very interesting. Old Sampo, how about you help me catch it?"

"No way. My small frame can't handle Lady Ruan Mei," Sampo immediately refused.

"Why are you so afraid of dying? How boring," Sparkle continued, "By the way, how are you so sure Ruan Mei found it and didn't cultivate it herself? You know, with her skills, it's possible for her to cultivate anything."

Sampo replied, "Because I have sources at the Herta Space Station. My contact there told me this dark monster suddenly appeared at the station. Lady Herta couldn't figure out anything from her experiments on it, so she gave it to Ruan Mei."

"Is that so? Now that's really interesting. I'll search for intel in other parts of the galaxy to see if there are any similar beings," Sparkle said, stroking her chin.

Old Sampo asked curiously, "Oh? Are you trying to find a similar one? And then discover a whole species?"

"Nope. I want this to be the only such creature in the entire universe," Sparkle's eyes revealed a look of anticipation.

"Ruan Mei must value this creature highly. Once she's done cultivating it, I'll sneak in and steal it. Now that's what I call exciting, that's where the fun is."

Sampo shrugged.

"Go provoke a member of the Genius Society yourself. Don't count on me for help. If you slip up and get caught by Ruan Mei, she'll do things to you that you can't even imagine."

Even if she used something like tentacles on Sparkle, Sampo would feel that Ruan Mei was being merciful.

Sparkle said nonchalantly, "Alright, I know you're scared of dying, old Sampo. How about this, you just keep a good eye on it on your planet. When they leave, you just let me know."

"Fine, I get it. Don't worry, they'll be leaving soon. This little planet, Jarilo-VI, is quite barren. It probably won't take long for it to run out of things to devour. When that happens, Ruan Mei will naturally take it and leave."

"That would be for the best," Sparkle said with an excited tone, and then began directing Sampo.

"Come on, turn the camera towards the little guy. Yes, yes, just like that. Go on, little one, take big, big bites, swallow all those Fragmentum Creatures…"

As Sparkle spoke, her tone made it sound as if Derick's second body was already her property.

Old Sampo was also very cooperative with Sparkle's instructions.

After all, watching Sparkle go and mess with Ruan Mei, no matter who ended up unlucky, was sure to be great entertainment.

And Sampo's filming also caught Derick's attention.

He saw old Sampo through his second body's third-person perspective and couldn't help but feel puzzled.

What is this Masked Fool doing here?

Could it be that he has his eyes on my second body?

That's not an option. This second body of mine absolutely cannot be taken away by a Masked Fool.

I must hold on tightly to Lady Ruan Mei's leg; only then can this second body of mine be further enhanced.

"It's just a shame that this body of mine can't speak, nor can it show any signs of intelligence. I have to be extremely careful with my actions," Derick thought with some regret.

As he thought this, he continued to control his second body to attack the Fragmentum Creatures, devouring them into his body.

As for old Sampo's gaze, I'll just pretend I don't see it, Derick thought to himself.

Amphoreus.

As Derick was contemplating his time with the Masked Fools, his eating pace slowed down a bit.

Seeing Derick's behavior, Castorice asked with concern, "Derick, why are you eating so little? Do you not have an appetite?"

"No, no, I was just thinking about something else," Derick said to Castorice.

"Derick, don't think too much while you're eating," Tribbie glared at Derick as a reminder. "If there's really something on your mind, you can tell us, and we'll all help you figure it out."

"Yes, yes, I know. I was just thinking about when to go see Oronyx," Derick quickly came up with an excuse to tell Tribbie.

"Derick, you all should rest for a few days before going. The Flamechase Journey is really not that urgent," Trinnon also said to Derick.

Although Derick had just made up a random excuse, after saying it, he genuinely began to worry. "I'm just concerned about the situation over there. You know, the Flame-Reaver's injuries have probably healed by now. Once he recovers, he'll definitely go after the Titans again. Here, I can drag him into a self-destruct with me, so it's not a big problem. But what about Oronyx? What if the Flame-Reaver goes after him?"

This was something the Flame-Reaver had done in the game, and Derick was worried he would pull the same stunt again.

Hearing him say this, Aglaea and the others also wore thoughtful expressions.

"Indeed, what you said is not wrong, Derick. Why don't we set off now?" Trinnon was the first to agree with Derick's idea.

"Trinnon, even if we're in a hurry, we can't be this rushed. We should at least rest a bit before we go there."

"Mhm," Castorice nodded. "Let's rest for one night today and set off tomorrow. Shall I go with Derick, Lady Tribbie, Lady Trinnon, and Lady Trianne?"

Not all of the Chrysos Heirs could go; someone had to stay and guard Okhema.

As for taking Tribbie and her fragments, on one hand, Oronyx was in the Temple of the Three Fates in Janusopolis, a place they were most familiar with. On the other hand, with them around, their actions would be more flexible.

If something happened in Okhema, Derick could quickly return to provide support.

As for how Derick would know if Okhema was in danger…

Don't forget, Cipher was still in Okhema. If something really happened, she could run to Derick's side in an instant to inform them of the situation.

Polyxia spoke up at this time, "Sister, I'll go with you too. It's been a long time since I've seen Oronyx, and with me there to talk to him, things will be much easier."

"Right, we should definitely take her," Derick also agreed with his sister-in-law's idea.

"Um, and me." After a moment of silence, Cerces spoke up.

"I want to ask Oronyx if he has any memories of my past."

If one were to say which Titan knew the most, besides the final Worldbearing Titan, it would likely be Oronyx.

"Alright then, we'll all go together. By the way, Lady Cerces, how is your body now?" Derick nodded, but in the end, he still curiously asked about Cerces's condition.

Cerces's body had stabilized, but Derick wasn't sure how much strength she had left. He estimated it was definitely not as much as Polyxia.

Cerces replied to Derick, "I've recovered a little strength in my body. Although it's still not enough for battle, I can still keep up with you all."

"That's good."

With the matter settled, the group returned to the great undertaking of eating.

After all, the food Mydei made was truly delicious. Letting it get cold would be a waste of a heavenly gift.

The next day, Derick and the others set out, heading towards Janusopolis.

Derick had been taken there by Cipher before, but he had only stayed on the outskirts for a while. Now, entering the city proper, he felt a great sense of novelty.

The road from Okhema to Janusopolis was incredibly desolate, and the group had no desire to linger as they walked. Tribbie, especially, despite her difficult upbringing, still had strong feelings for Janusopolis. Seeing it in its current state, their spirits were a little low.

But with a glance at Derick, Tribbie's heart filled with a bit more hope.

With Derick around, Castrum Kremnos was bathed in light once more, they had a chance to reunite, and even the Titans' lives were saved.

With him here, things always seemed to take a turn for the better.

With these thoughts, they arrived at the Temple of the Three Fates.

She pointed to the hall that was still standing and said to Derick and the others, "Let's go. Oronyx's place is just ahead. Let's go see him now."

As she said this, Tribbie strode towards the palace gates.

Tribbie was the demigod of the Titan Janus. Upon seeing her arrive, the palace immediately opened its great doors.

Seeing the doors open, Tribbie immediately turned back to Derick and the others and said, "Derick, Castorice, come on."

Derick and the others followed.

The group entered the palace. As soon as they were inside, they saw a giant scale.

"This is Talanton's symbol, a symbol of fairness and justice in Amphoreus," Tribbie introduced.

And just at that moment, the group heard a low whisper.

Derick, having inherited the Core Flames of several Titans, could now clearly understand the language of the Titans. Needless to say, Castorice and the others could as well.

"Leave… all of you, leave, mortals… Ah!?"

With that last sound, Oronyx's deep, repressed, and pained voice disappeared, replaced by one of extreme shock.

"Oronyx, are you alright? I've come to see you," Polyxia said, wheeling her chair forward.

"I've come to see you too," Cerces added from the side.

Oronyx, your old friends have come to see you!

"You… what in the world is going on with you two?" Oronyx's tone was even more shocked.

Derick watched his reaction and thought of his performance in the game; the contrast was quite stark.

"I hope that once we resolve Oronyx's issues, he can return to a normal state as well," Derick thought to himself.

_____

Greetings! ✨ Walnut here!

🔥 AN INCREDIBLE OFFER IS ON THE TABLE! 🔥

We're only 19 members away from our 65-member goal! 🎯

The second we hit it, 10 BONUS CHAPTERS for ALL STORIES will be released to everyone. No exceptions!

🪦 Your membership is the key. Let's make it happen!

100 powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone! 5 reviews = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone!

Secure your early access before it's too late!

👻 patreon.com/Walnutchan