"I do not think that is necessary. You know our special nature as well as I do. Our bodies do not gather dust or stains, and we do not expel any impurities. So, bathing is not really needed, is it?"
Caelus glanced toward the bathroom, where Cyrene had already filled the large bathtub with hot water.
"Partner, this is also part of experiencing what it means to be human. What ordinary person could go so long without bathing or changing clothes? Just like how we do not need to eat but still do, it is all for collecting sensory experiences and memories."
Cyrene spoke with righteous conviction. Caelus thought about it and felt she had a point. He simply put down the book he was holding and took off his coat.
As the garments were gradually removed, Cyrene's face grew redder and redder. She even covered her eyes with her hands, though her fingers were not closed together at all, so they did not actually block her view.
Caelus soon stripped down to his underwear and walked into the bathroom. Cyrene hurriedly followed him in.
Not long after, the two lay together in the bathtub, with Cyrene even sitting directly in Caelus's lap.
"Partner, with a beautiful girl like me sitting in your lap, do you not feel anything at all?"
"I am sorry, but I have not regained the abilities related to lust. Although I devoured the authority of the Sin Archbishop of Lust in Subaru's world, she did not possess many strong emotions in that regard. So, I currently have no desire for reproduction."
Caelus spoke calmly, even picking up a towel to wipe Cyrene's body. Cyrene shivered all over, and her body temperature even rose. Her shyness was almost enough to make her faint, but she did not choose to flee.
As her body was continuously wiped, a strange, intense sensation welled up deep within her, even making Cyrene feel like she was becoming... damper.
"Ah, Caelus~"
Cyrene's face was exceptionally flushed, and her eyes were exceptionally moist. Then, as if remembering something, the young girl slowly turned around. During the movement, accompanied by a faint, flower-like fragrance, Caelus sensed the instantaneous expansion of a Reality Marble.
Facing Caelus, Cyrene licked her lips, pressed her entire body against him, and leaned close to his ear, letting her whispered words brush against his earlobe.
"Partner, hold me."
Caelus's expression remained calm, and his eyes showed not a single ripple. He could sense the desire rising within the emotions of the person in his arms and could feel her intense love for him. But unfortunately, even with the person he cherished, the one who accompanied him, in his arms, the lack of lust made it difficult for him to feel much of anything.
But no one had said that it could only be done that way.
Recalling the knowledge recorded in his mind, Caelus wrapped one arm around Cyrene, while his other hand reached into the water.
"Eh!"
"Ah~"
"Guh!"
"Oh!!!"
"Ha..."
"Partner... why are you so skilled at this?"
"I read it in books. The vast majority of knowledge is recorded in various books."
"Bad guy." Cyrene mumbled, then transformed back into Mem, floating quietly in the pool like a broken doll.
Seeing that Cyrene had completely quieted down, Caelus slowly closed his eyes, feeling the warm water envelop his body. This was the sense of relaxation that people enjoyed. Thanks to Caelus consuming Sloth in Mondstadt, he had filled that void within himself. Otherwise, he would not be able to experience this comfortable sensation.
Cyrene snapped out of her daze, then floated up from the water, picked up a brand-new towel, and used both of her short little hands to scrub Caelus's body.
Although she could not scrub off any dirt, nor could she even make Caelus's skin turn red, it was still a novel experience after all.
After the strange bath ended, Caelus sat on the edge of the bed, watching Cyrene, who had turned back into her maiden form, drink milk at the side. He said, "The supplies of these people at Babel are quite sufficient. They even have milk."
Aurora and her group had not yet left Babel and were currently resting there, taking the opportunity to receive a batch of supplies privately sponsored by Theresa. For this matter, Kal'tsit had specifically sought out Theresa, and the two had argued about it, well, right in front of Aurora.
If this tactic were used on ordinary Sarkaz, they would inevitably feel a bit more goodwill, and even those who had been willing to leave might feel a bit embarrassed to do so. After all, the Sarkaz, who had never been trusted or treated kindly by anyone, simply could not handle such courteous treatment from their own Highness.
But as for Aurora, she felt that this lady named Kal'tsit was a bit poor at acting, and such tactics were even somewhat childish.
Still trying to bind others with so-called emotions. Even if one could bind them, what kind of result could it ultimately bring?
Emotions were indeed important, but one could not rely on emotions alone. There had to be interests that aligned with those emotions, and even shared ideals to pursue.
If one could not even produce matching interests, and perhaps both sides were no longer pursuing the same ideals, then no matter how strong the initial emotions were, in the end, everything would inevitably fall apart.
Aurora shook her head. Perhaps Theresis was more suited to the role of a king. After all, judging from the information collected from various sources, he upheld the method of winning hearts through interests, drawing a big enough pie, making promises, and finally providing corresponding benefits. The loyalty gained through this method was much more solid and stable.
"The financial situation of Babel itself is not great either. Even their own elite squads sometimes have to act as mercenaries, going to other places to complete missions and earn commissions. Where are they spending all their money?"
Aurora thought this, but she did not continue to pursue the matter further. After all, that was their business and had nothing to do with an outsider like herself.
For the journey ahead, the deity would no longer accompany her. Perhaps even until the day she died, there would not be another day when they would meet again.
"I will follow Your will. I will abide by Your teachings. I will proclaim Your existence. I will praise Your greatness. Merciful God, please bless me, so that on the road ahead, more people may be saved, and more darkness may be illuminated."
"Amen."
The nun said so.
Meanwhile, not far away, Kal'tsit, who was seeing Aurora off with Theresa, suddenly constricted her pupils.
"Amen... No, this... this is impossible!"
"Kal'tsit?"
Theresa looked with some concern at Kal'tsit beside her, who seemed like she was about to bristle with agitation, wondering what had suddenly happened to her.
Kal'tsit muttered a few words in a low voice, then quickly ran over and grabbed Aurora, who was about to leave, asking, "Who taught you this prayer?"
Aurora looked at the anxious Kal'tsit and said with a smile, "Of course, it was the Lord Deity. It seems Ms. Kal'tsit is truly knowledgeable to know that this is a prayer."
Kal'tsit's pupils trembled violently. This was no coincidence or accident. This prayer was a prayer of religious faith from the Pre-Civilization era!
Some unknown entity either knew information related to the Pre-Civilization, or... someone from the Pre-Civilization had recently awakened!
(To be continued.)