Honkai Star Rail: But I can touch Castorice

Weren't they all just languishing in their respective places, waiting for the Chrysos Heirs to continue their Flamechase Journey, for the Core Flames to be either given willingly or seized, and to finally vanish from this world completely?

Yet now, a Titan of Death and a Titan of Reason had appeared before him, bold as day.

Most importantly, the state of these two Titans looked incredibly good, not at all what a Titan should look like. The other Titans had either dissipated, gone mad like Nikador, or were in a state of extreme weakness like himself.

This situation with you two… it isn't right!

"Oronyx, the Flamechase Journey has taken an unexpected turn," Polyxia spoke up. "We can now pass on the Core Flames without paying a price."

"How is that possible?!" Oronyx's tone was still one of disbelief.

This was a situation that had completely strayed from his understanding; he truly couldn't believe such a possibility could exist. If this could be done, then what did all his suffering amount to? His two older sisters…

Polyxia looked up at Oronyx in the sky and said, "Oronyx, I know you're unwilling to believe this. Come, look into my past, and you will know that my words are not false."

"Fine."

Oronyx naturally wouldn't refuse. He unleashed his power, which descended upon Polyxia as he began to view her experiences.

This process was invisible to Derick and the others. They only saw a beam of light fall upon Polyxia, and after a short while, the light retracted from her body.

Then, to everyone's surprise, the light shifted to the nearby Derick.

"Oronyx, don't!" Seeing this, Polyxia shouted loudly.

The light landed on Derick swiftly, but it retreated even faster. After the light retracted, Derick and the others clearly heard a cry of terror from the sky above.

"Who are you!?"

Oronyx's tone was filled with shock.

Witnessing Derick's past actions through Polyxia's memory was surprising enough. This surprise made him want to see the youth's own past, but the power he released was completely devoured by the young man. To outsiders, he was just an ordinary, handsome youth. But in Oronyx's eyes, he was like a mass of darkness that could absorb even light itself.

It left him utterly horrified.

Hearing Oronyx's shocked words, a faint smile appeared on Derick's lips.

You want to view my past, Oronyx? You're not capable of that.

Deep beneath his exterior, it seemed there was an inner self that walked the Path of Voracity. It was fine for Aglaea and Hyacine to check Derick's outward appearance. But for you, Oronyx, to try and see my past? I'm sorry, but that's impossible.

Otherwise, why would Derick have even come here? Was he afraid that others wouldn't know he wasn't from Amphoreus, but from Earth? Or did he want to expose the cover of his first clone?

Derick could accept neither of these outcomes.

Therefore, when Oronyx looked at him, Derick simply let him, giving him a good scare in the process.

"Um…" Having gained the upper hand, Derick wanted to explain things to Oronyx in a gentle tone. But at that moment, he saw Castorice step in front of him.

Castorice looked up at Oronyx and said seriously, "Lord Oronyx, I know you are very powerful. However, we are not your subordinates, and we cannot allow you to probe us as you please."

"My sister was willing to let you see, but that doesn't mean everyone else is."

No one would want their memories to be pried into at will. Right now, it was Oronyx who was seeking their help, not the other way around. Under these circumstances, for Oronyx to so brazenly attempt to spy on Derick's memories, Castorice had to make her stance clear.

"Cassie…" Tribbie looked at Castorice in surprise, not expecting her to react this way.

Across from them, Oronyx fell silent.

He didn't answer.

Seeing him like this, Castorice also pressed her lips together, her expression equally serious and silent.

With the situation on the verge of breaking down, Derick felt a pang of regret. His first meeting with Oronyx was completely different from the Trailblazer's in the game. The Trailblazer had March 7th's camera, which could turn Oronyx's suspicion into trust.

And what about Derick? Not only did he fail to reduce suspicion right from the start, but his own situation made Oronyx even more wary, completely unwilling to trust him.

"It seems you are unwilling to communicate with us. In that case, we will leave first. We can talk about your Core Flame another time," Derick said to Oronyx.

"There is no way to build trust between us," Oronyx replied faintly.

From Polyxia's memories, he knew that with Derick's help, the Titans could continue to survive. Polyxia and Cerces were proof of that.

However, when it came to his own turn, he really couldn't bring himself to believe that Derick could do these things, much less that he would be willing to help him.

With the two sides unable to reach an agreement, Derick and his group turned to leave.

Oronyx quietly watched them go.

He suddenly felt a pang of regret in his heart.

Just as they were about to leave, Derick remembered something and reminded Oronyx, "By the way, Oronyx, an enemy wants to take your Core Flame. You should be careful staying here."

"I will ensure my own safety."

Hearing Oronyx say this, Derick said no more and simply walked away.

After leaving the Temple of the Three Fates, Castorice looked at Derick with some worry.

"Derick, you're not feeling frustrated or disheartened, are you?"

Tribbie, Trinnon, and Trianne also looked at him with concern.

In their thousands of years of life, they had encountered plenty of situations where they put in immense effort only for it to come to nothing. Failing to succeed this time was something they were more or less accustomed to.

However, since arriving in Okhema, Derick had been on a smooth sailing streak. Especially when facing the Titans: Nikador was defeated by him, and his rational side held a mutual respect for him. Polyxia, the Titan of Death, was his sister-in-law, and Cerces, the Titan of Reason, was reborn thanks to him.

Yet, right when things were going so well, and they came prepared to meet Oronyx, he had given them such a cold shoulder.

"Of course not, I'm not that fragile. Besides, even if Oronyx didn't agree this time, he'll definitely regret it later," Derick said with a shrug.

Leaving aside whether the Flame-Reaver would come to attack Oronyx, at this very moment in the city ruins, Derick's first clone had also arrived.

If the Flame-Reaver really didn't come for Oronyx, then Derick would just have his first clone attack him instead. A few bites out of him, and he'd learn his lesson.

"Yes, Derick is right," Tribbie was also very supportive of this. "Oronyx will definitely regret it." After saying that, she showed a hint of hesitation. "But, what if the Flame-Reaver really does attack him? What if we can't get there in time to help, and his Core Flame gets taken?"

Castorice thought for a moment and said to Tribbie, "Lady Tribbie, there's not much we can do about that. The only way is to arrange for someone to be stationed here long-term to observe. If the Flame-Reaver arrives, they can send a signal for us to provide support in time."

Cerces, who had been silent all this time, spoke up, "The Grove of Epiphany can help with signal transmission. Some of them are currently researching this kind of technology."

As they talked, the mood lightened considerably. They had no intention of staying in Janusopolis and started walking out…

After they left Janusopolis, a figure stood before the Temple of the Three Fates.

It was the Flame-Reaver.

Ever since he was injured by Derick's self-destruct tactic last time, he had begun to reflect deeply.

One can't just use brute force; it's time to change tactics.

How to Deal with an Enemy's Self-Destruct?

How to Avoid Fighting a Lunatic Enemy?

Where is the Weakness of the Flamechase Journey?

How Did He Get Out of the Underworld?

…

And so on. If it weren't for the lack of paper, the Flame-Reaver could have churned out a whole stack of thesis topics worthy of being model essays in the Grove of Epiphany.

The Flame-Reaver had figured out solutions to most of the problems.

The only thing that gave him a real headache was Derick's penchant for dragging people into suicide explosions. But he had come up with a plan for that too: if he didn't want to fight, then he wouldn't fight.

With these preparations, the Flame-Reaver confidently set out to continue taking others' Core Flames.

The chosen target was Oronyx.

Among the remaining Titans, he was the weakest, and his location was obvious. Who else would the Flame-Reaver target?

Furthermore, the Flame-Reaver, whose strength surpassed that of Derick and his group, had clearly overheard their conversation with Oronyx and knew they had a falling out. This made him even happier.

He, who had no desire to fight that self-detonating madman Derick, finally felt that luck was on his side.

He even felt like humming a tune in delight.

The Flame-Reaver took up his weapon and strode towards the Temple of the Three Fates.

Without Tribbie's power of Janus, the great doors of the Temple of the Three Fates were firmly shut to the Flame-Reaver.

"This little bit of power won't stop me."

The Flame-Reaver swung his sword forward, shattering the great doors.

A massive tremor echoed as the Flame-Reaver walked inside.

As the Flame-Reaver stepped into the Temple of the Three Fates, Oronyx's voice called out, "Who are you?"

When he felt the attack earlier, he had thought Derick's group had returned in a fit of rage after leaving. But upon closer sensing, he realized the newcomer was not Derick.

Unfortunately, he had just been looking into others' memories, and Polyxia's mind contained no memory of the Flame-Reaver.

So, Oronyx did not know the Flame-Reaver's intentions.

The Flame-Reaver, however, was very direct in telling Oronyx. He reached out and pointed at him, saying, "I'm here to take your Core Flame."

With that, he charged towards Oronyx.

Seeing the Flame-Reaver attack, Oronyx quickly used the power of time he commanded to retaliate. Unfortunately, he had very little combat experience, and his power was considerably weaker than the Flame-Reaver's.

All his attacks were dodged by the Flame-Reaver, who quickly closed the distance to Oronyx's body.

Seeing the Flame-Reaver approach, regret bloomed in Oronyx's heart.

Derick and the others had clearly warned me, so why didn't I pay any attention?

This enemy is so cunning, specifically choosing this moment to attack me.

Is my Core Flame going to be stolen just like this? If I had known, I would have just given my Core Flame directly to the Chrysos Heirs.

Now, not only might my own survival time be shortened, but my death will also become meaningless.

Oronyx thought regretfully.

Derick and his group were almost at Okhema. Just as they were about to enter the city gates, Derick's steps halted.

"What's wrong?" Castorice asked him.

"I was just thinking, what if the Flame-Reaver suddenly attacks in this gap, before our signal-person gets there and while we're away?" Derick said to Castorice.

Of course, it wasn't a premonition. His first clone was still there. The arrival of the Flame-Reaver had also quickly alerted his first clone.

"Is that a possibility?" Cerces asked doubtfully.

"It's possible. Derick having this sudden thought might not be just a wild guess, but a premonition," Tribbie agreed with Derick's words.

"In that case, Derick, what do you plan to do?" Tribbie asked him.

"I'll go back and check," Derick replied.

Simultaneously, he was also maneuvering his first clone towards the Flame-Reaver.

Derick was preparing to charge, but at that moment, Polyxia called out to stop him.

"Derick, wait."

"Hmm?" Derick turned his gaze to her.

Then, under everyone's watch, Polyxia's entire body transformed into a giant dragon.

"Let's go. I'll take you there. My flying speed is fast; we'll get there quicker," she said, her tone a little awkward.

With Derick standing on her body, she could feel the sensation of his presence, a feeling she had never experienced before.

Derick, unaware of Polyxia's thoughts, stood directly on her head.

Since Derick and Polyxia were going, Castorice naturally had to go with them. She followed Derick and stood on her sister's head as well.

"Let's go, we're off!"

Although Polyxia was still a little uncomfortable, she flapped her wings and flew in the direction of Janusopolis.

The Flame-Reaver's weapon closed in on Oronyx, and Oronyx's heart filled with even more regret.

Just as it seemed his body of pure light was about to be sliced in two by the Flame-Reaver, a scythe attacked from behind, aiming to cut the Flame-Reaver in half.

Seeing this, the Flame-Reaver quickly turned to dodge.

When he saw clearly that it was Derick's first clone, his anger surged once more.

"You, the scavenger who keeps showing up at the last second, you dare appear before me again."

The Flame-Reaver thought to himself, then prepared to attack Derick's first clone.

_____

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