March 7th hesitated before eating the food Hysilens had placed in her bowl, managing to force a smile in her direction.
Though she was a rival, she was also a companion. She couldn't just waste her goodwill, even if that goodwill felt a little strange.
After teasing her for a while, Evernight eventually put on a cold expression and completely ignored whatever Fu Zhu said.
Seeing no more fun to be had, Fu Zhu sheepishly turned back, only to see Hysilens enthusiastically piling food onto March 7th's plate. Little March's cheeks were already stuffed like a chipmunk's, but she still couldn't refuse Hysilens's kindness, forcing herself to keep eating.
Fu Zhu's eyes went wide at the scene.
What the hell? What is Hysilens doing with March? When did their relationship suddenly get so good?
Entangled by Hysilens, March 7th no longer had the energy to worry about what was happening between Fu Zhu and Evernight. Dealing with Hysilens's baseless goodwill was already taking up all her strength.
Although Fu Zhu found the situation a bit odd, he was happy for the peace and quiet. After taking a few bites to eat his fill, he was the first to leave the table, planning to get some fresh air.
Fu Zhu stepped out of the grand hall and onto a balcony, gazing at the night sky dotted with stars.
Even though he knew this sky was fake, he had to admit, it was quite beautiful.
"Lord Nameless, what lies beyond Amphoreus?"
Cerydra suddenly appeared beside him, leaning against the railing just as he was, her head tilted up towards the stars.
Fu Zhu glanced down at her. Perhaps because she hadn't eaten anything decent in a thousand years, Cerydra's stomach was now visibly full. She was clearly stuffed. Her appearance brought a smile to Fu Zhu's face. He then turned his gaze back to the night sky.
"There are many, many beautiful sights. There's Jarilo-VI, which has stood tall against centuries of relentless blizzards; there's the Xianzhou Luofu, a region that helps those suffering under the tyranny of the Abundance; and there's Penacony, the Planet of Festivities, famous throughout the entire cosmos."
"How wonderful... but just hearing you describe them, I still can't imagine what those planets are truly like."
Cerydra gazed at the night sky, her bright eyes filled with a deep yearning.
For a fleeting moment, the Cerydra before him gave Fu Zhu the impression of an ordinary girl, a normal girl who dreamed of traveling to different places, not the awe-inspiring Empress who commanded nations.
But that illusion lasted only for an instant. In the next second, Cerydra had tucked away that vulnerability, replaced by her usual resolute expression. However, the longing for the galaxy in her eyes never faded.
Cerydra turned her head to look at Fu Zhu. "Lord Nameless, you will help Amphoreus, won't you?"
Hearing this, Fu Zhu couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"Has it really come to this, Your Majesty? Do you truly think I am the type of person to give up halfway?"
Cerydra smiled and shook her head as well. Of course, she didn't think that.
All this time, Fu Zhu had been proving with his actions that he was here to save Amphoreus.
However, with the end drawing near, a sense of unease was inevitable. She just wanted a little bit of reassurance.
Now, having received an answer from Fu Zhu once more, her restless heart had calmed.
"Then tomorrow, I shall entrust it to you, Lord Nameless. I intend to have the Chrysos Heirs retrieve the final Sky Coreflame tomorrow, so that we may complete our true Re-Creation!"
"Why the sudden rush?" Fu Zhu was a little surprised. He had originally planned to let Cerydra rest for a while before dealing with the final Coreflame.
But Cerydra smiled at his reaction and wagged a finger at him.
"This is where you're mistaken, Lord Nameless. As the old saying goes, 'The best time to plant a tree was yesterday or now.' Every second we act sooner is another second sooner Amphoreus can welcome its new era. You can leave the matters of the rear to me. I've heard everything from Aglaea. It's time to let those maggots in the Council of Elders be reminded of the methods of the Imperator!"
The latter half of Cerydra's sentence was filled with such domineering spirit that Fu Zhu couldn't help but give her a genuine thumbs-up, not stingy with his praise at all.
"As expected of the Imperator. With you handling things in the back, we can certainly fight on the front lines with much more peace of mind."
"Of course!"
Cerydra lifted her chin proudly, though no matter how much she puffed out her chest, it didn't change the fact that she was only tall enough to reach Fu Zhu's waist.
Having finished their serious discussion, Cerydra began to feel a little tired.
Although she had spent most of the past millennium sleeping, this was the first time she had felt drowsy after a full meal. She couldn't help but cover her mouth and yawn.
"Alright, Lord Nameless, you should also rest early. There won't be much time for rest later, so I won't take up any more of your time. Besides, it looks like someone else wants to have a quiet word with you."
Cerydra gestured with her chin behind her. Fu Zhu followed her gaze and saw Hysilens, holding two glasses of wine, standing silently at the threshold between the balcony and the hall. When her gaze met theirs, a smile immediately blossomed on her lips, and she nodded to them both.
"I'm off."
Cerydra gave Fu Zhu a wave and returned to the hall. As she passed Hysilens, she spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Don't leave yourself with any regrets."
Hysilens's eyes lowered for a moment before she replied softly.
"I know, Your Majesty."
After giving Hysilens one last look of encouragement, Cerydra left. Hysilens then walked over to Fu Zhu with the two glasses of wine and offered one to him.
Fu Zhu accepted the glass and glanced back at March 7th, who was leaning back in her chair, gasping for air, clearly having been stuffed to bursting by Hysilens. Seeing her like this, Fu Zhu couldn't help but tease Hysilens.
"You fed her so much. What will you do if you break my girlfriend?"
Hysilens smiled, clinked her glass gently against Fu Zhu's, and then drained it in one go, as if drawing courage from the alcohol.
"I'll have to be careful then. Otherwise, what will I do if you don't accept me?"
Hearing this, Fu Zhu was a bit taken aback by Hysilens's directness. He wasn't a fool; he understood the meaning behind her words.
"You..."
Just as Fu Zhu was about to say something, a single finger was gently pressed against his lips.
Hysilens tilted her head slightly to look at him, her eyes filled with affection.
"You know, we Sea Sirens are different from humans. This isn't just about species, but our entire way of thinking. For us, if we like someone, we like them. We don't hide it behind layers of clothes like humans do. Of course, I don't need an answer from you right now. When all the dust has settled, when Amphoreus has a future, I hope that I can hear the answer from your own lips then."