The layout of the Bath Palace came into view.
On the right side was a bath filled with warm water, fruits, wine, and stained glass windows shimmering with a crystalline glow.
On the left side stood a screen and a recliner, its soft appearance making one want to lie down immediately and drift into a blissful sleep.
Most importantly, there was a circular balcony area, also furnished with a recliner, where one could bask in the sun and leisurely overlook most of Okhema's cityscape, including the distant, undulating mountain ranges.
Himeko observed the scene, feeling quite satisfied. It was a nice place to stay.
But that wasn't all. Beyond this, did Aglaea have a special gift as well?
Stelle and Dan Heng finished their tour.
From behind them, Aglaea's calm, unemotional voice sounded once more:
"If you've finished looking around, please follow me this way."
"I will personally explain this special gift to both of you."
[There's still a special gift?!]
[Wow, she even gave us a house. She must like me!]
[Hurry up, hurry up! Bring it out already!]
Unlike the noisy atmosphere of other game live streams, Himeko was still calmly observing at this moment.
Thus, Dan Heng and Stelle, puzzled, were led by the other party to a basin.
"This is... a basin? It looks like some kind of ritual implement," Dan Heng was the first to comment.
"It looks like a smaller version of a dream-pool," Stelle nodded in agreement.
They were still children after all, Himeko thought. If it were her, she would probably avoid mentioning terms related to the world beyond in front of the other party.
After all, they still knew nothing about this person—whether they were friend or foe.
But soon, Aglaea offered an explanation: "This is no ordinary washbasin. It is a ritual vessel held by the Chrysos Heirs, and I now bestow it upon you two."
"For the journey of the Chrysos Heirs, I wish to show you both with your own eyes."
Aglaea explained to the two that the Ocean Titan, Fagina, had hidden the world's starting point, but someone had discovered it and left a passage.
That place was called...
The Genesis Vortex!
The place where the sparks of the Twelve Titans reside, and also the promised land where the miracle of creation descends!
And one could enter through this vessel.
Hearing this, not only many players and viewers but even Himeko felt a spark of anticipation.
After a leisurely journey so far, were they finally about to get to something big?
"For this first attempt, I will guide you on the descent," Aglaea said.
And so, she began to chant silently.
Close your eyes, hold your breath, immerse your senses.
Words like 'float,''sink,' 'descend,' 'reach the bottom' flowed from her lips like a lullaby.
Gradually, even the background music seemed to quiet down considerably.
[Haa~ I'm getting sleepy, folks. I'm going to bed first.]
[What on earth is Aglaea chanting...]
[Sometimes I really admire the Author for being able to write such sleep-inducing plotlines?]
This part didn't require following along with actions; just listening made one feel completely relaxed, body and mind.
Even Guinaifen blinked her eyes.
However.
The next second!
A CG suddenly began to play, showing Stelle plunging headfirst into the basin.
An epic, grand, magnificent accompaniment began, seemingly chanting 'Ahhh~'.
When they opened their eyes again, a massive, vortex-like depiction of a galaxy filled their vision, with symbols representing each Titan inscribed around its circumference.
Instantly, all drowsiness was completely washed away.
[Holy sh*t—?! So sudden?!]
[The music! Where did this music come from? It sounds so grand!]
[This is... the Genesis Vortex? It's so breathtaking!]
Players about to fall asleep were jolted awake by this scene, and even Guinaifen in front of the screen almost stood up.
"This is a big scene, everyone! Old Ji is amazing!"
The appearance of the Genesis Vortex caused the popularity of Guinaifen's live stream to hit a rare new high, breaking the 50,000 viewer record consecutively.
Her excitement was palpable.
She excitedly controlled her character, wanting to rush forward to take a closer look.
But it seemed the CG wasn't over yet?
Just then!
Movement sounded from behind once more: "You have arrived at the Genesis Vortex."
Aglaea walked past Stelle and gave her a sidelong glance.
Immediately after.
Something completely unexpected by everyone happened!
"Now."
"I require your honesty!"
Before anyone could react, golden threads extended from her hands. Even the live stream audience hadn't processed it yet, and Stelle and Dan Heng's hands were instantly bound!
The two of them instinctively tried to break free, but it was clearly useless.
Simultaneously, strange footsteps sounded from behind. A young woman in a magnificent purple gown lightly lifted the hem of her dress, curtsied to the two, announcing the arrival of death.
[?]
[?]
[?]
[...]
Due to the increase in live stream viewers, a flood of question marks scrolled down the comment section.
However, Guinaifen was also completely baffled at this moment.
What was going on?
Weren't things fine just a second ago? How did they get tied up the next second?!
"What is the meaning of this?" Dan Heng's tone carried a hint of questioning and confusion.
But in contrast, Aglaea's voice remained as calm as a lake's surface: "This is no jest, but an interrogation."
"While you two wandered the city, someone was always observing your actions. Regrettably... you have broken your promise."
The two sides began to converse, with Aglaea explaining her intentions.
But the question marks in the bullet chat scrolled even faster.
Until she presented her unique solution.
"I will give you both one more chance to mend the torn fabric of trust. The golden threads will render judgment for me. Honesty brings life... deception brings death."
Her expression was as usual, but her words, taken to heart, were utterly bewildering?
Especially when they turned around and saw that Castorice, who had been friendly with Stelle and Dan Heng earlier, was now also standing on the opposing side, ready to execute the Astral Express Crew?!
"A death threat? Interesting."
Welt, who was also following the plot with Himeko, crossed his arms, his brow furrowed.
To be honest, even Himeko was having a hard time holding back at a time like this.
Breaking promises and agreements was indeed Stelle and Dan Heng's fault initially, but Aglaea hadn't explained how severe the consequences would be, had she?
Moreover, Dan Heng and Stelle had initially helped save Okhema and resisted the erosion of the strife Titan.
And now, simply due to distrust, they were to be subjected to such an interrogation with their lives on the line?!
The Astral Express Crew had good tempers, but they couldn't just be backstabbed like this.
"Himeko, it's clear that merely observing from outside the screen, we still cannot accurately assess the situation on this planet."
Himeko nodded, unable to resist taking a sip of coffee: "Indeed, but the kids aren't facing this sort of thing for the first time."
"With Dan Heng there, they should at least be able to escape if it comes to that. Let's see what the problem is for now."
As she spoke, Himeko prepared to negotiate with Aglaea.
She spoke of the terrors beyond the heavens and presented Stelle and Dan Heng with four questions for interrogation.
"I shall test you with four questions. Dishonest answers will cause the golden threads to tremble, sincere answers will leave them calm."
"And the number of times the threads tremble will be the number of steps the executioner takes forward."
"After four questions, if she has not walked behind you, you will have passed the test. Otherwise, your journey ends here."
Having said that, Aglaea's gaze fell upon Castorice.
"Three steps, Castorice."
Castorice obediently nodded: "Understood, Lady Aglaea."
"It will merely be falling asleep amidst gentle floral fragrance, without a hint of pain... I promise."
Castorice then said to the two of them.
Although, however.
Even so.
Yet, when the plot progressed to this point, especially when Stelle's next abstract reply appeared.
The community could no longer hold back and completely exploded!