Chapter 182 Breaking into Heather's bathhouse, how nice!
Above the sky, Little Gray Hair and Xi Lian were entrusted with important tasks by Keludela.
However, he also keenly sensed the undisguised dominance and aggressiveness in Caesar's words.
Little Gray wanted to contact his companions in space immediately to report on the progress of the mission.
However, the two were currently in the bustling streets of Ohm, surrounded by crowds and people, with no private space to conduct secret communications.
Moreover, Xi Lian saw that Little Gray Hair had been traveling and working hard all the way, experiencing many ups and downs such as the Alliance Conference. His little face was tired and he obviously needed to rest and relax.
After a brief discussion, the two decided to go to the most famous bathhouse in Ohma to temporarily put aside their business and rest.
After wandering around the public bathing area for a while, the two headed to the entrance of the private bathing palace that belonged to Little Gray in the previous cycle.
Standing before the exquisitely carved and imposing palace gate, Xi Lian looked up at the little gray-haired boy and said softly:
"This place... used to be your 'private bathhouse,' secluded and quiet, perfect for avoiding attention. I wonder if anyone is using it now?"
"Huh? What's this smell...?"
Xi Lian's nose twitched slightly, and she instantly caught a faint smell of rust in the air, causing her expression to change slightly.
"...Wait! Partner, don't go in yet—"
Seeing that Little Gray Fur was about to push open the palace gate, Xi Lian hurriedly spoke up to stop him.
But Little Gray Fur's actions were always faster than his thoughts. Before Xi Lian could finish speaking, his hand had already pushed open the heavy palace gate.
The door opened with a click, and the sight before him made Little Gray Fur freeze in place, his eyes wide with astonishment.
In the clear, deep blue water, Heather sat quietly amidst the shimmering light.
Her long hair was like ink-black silk, and it shimmered with a soft sheen after being soaked in water.
A few strands of hair fell onto her smooth, rounded shoulders, exposed to the warm, humid air.
She turned her head slightly, her amethyst eyes filled with moonlight, and a faint smile played on her lips, carrying the composure and languor inherent in sea creatures.
The water surrounding her seemed to come alive, surging into crystal-clear waves, and stretching out like graceful water sleeves beside her, refracting tiny starlight.
The water glistened over her skin, bathing everything in a hazy blue hue.
However, it can be seen that the few light red bloodstains on her body are quite conspicuous against this cool color scheme.
Noticing someone had intruded, Heather slowly turned her head, her slender body slightly turned to the side.
Two fair and slender legs rested lightly on the rippling water, her figure graceful and her lines beautiful.
"...who?"
Heather spoke softly, a hint of surprise in her voice.
But when she saw that the intruders were Little Gray and Xi Lian, her voice immediately returned to its calm and composed state:
"Oh? There are gray fry and pink sea hares."
"A little... a little sea hare?"
Xi Lian was instantly stunned, her round eyes widening, never expecting that she would be compared to a little sea hare by Hai Seyin.
Hazel glanced lightly at the two of them, a hint of mockery in her eyes, her tone languid:
"You intruded into this place without a word. Was it an accidental misstep into the wrong ocean current, or... did you intend to bathe with me?"
Little Gray hurriedly covered his eyes tightly with both hands, shaking his head like a rattle drum, and said hastily:
"I didn't see anything!"
Heather chuckled softly, her voice gentle and melodious, yet tinged with a hint of teasing:
"Really? But the luster in your eyes is brighter than pearls."
Xi Lian snapped out of her daze, quickly grabbed Little Gray Hair's arm, and pulled her towards the door.
As he backed away, he repeatedly bowed and apologized to Hazel.
"We're so sorry, we didn't mean to disturb your bath... We'll leave right away!"
Hazel shook her head gently, her expression calm, showing no sign of anger.
"It's nothing serious, no need to panic. For me, this state is actually quite natural."
"Those on land who insist on wearing clothes to cover their bodies are only adding unnecessary constraints to themselves..."
"...Heh, I almost forgot. If Jin Zhijue heard me say that, he would scold me for not following the rules."
"Alright, everyone, please make yourselves at home and wait a moment."
"Once I wash off the blood from my prey, I will properly entertain you two."
Little Gray Fur was filled with doubt, tilted his head, and blurted out:
"prey?"
Heather only glanced at it briefly, without offering any further explanation.
Just then, a sharp, panicked scream suddenly came from outside the bathhouse.
"Ah... Ahhh—!"
A rough, panicked voice echoed through the street, filled with fear.
"Ladon...Ladon's representative has been assassinated! Quick...Help! Someone come quick!"
Heather listened to the commotion outside and sighed softly, her tone eerily calm.
"Ah, the broken crab shell has finally surfaced."
"I was worried that he would be swept away by the undercurrent and we wouldn't be able to find him."
Upon hearing this, Little Gray Fur immediately recalled the alliance meeting that had just ended.
At the meeting, it was this representative, Radon, who slammed his fist on the table and openly opposed Kerudela's conquest plan.
This representative has now died inside the city of Ohma.
Combining what Heather said earlier about "predation" and "bloodshed," anyone who isn't stupid can instantly guess the truth.
The little gray-haired boy's eyes flickered slightly, and he subconsciously took a small step back, gazing at Heather's calm expression in the bathtub, and murmured in amazement:
"It's a ruthless fish."
Hazel smiled slightly, accepting the assessment with a hint of arrogance in her tone.
"For a blade, ruthlessness is the highest praise."
Xi Lian gently rested her chin on her hand, and said as if suddenly realizing something:
"...I see. No wonder there was a faint smell of rust and blood in the air before we even entered."
She tilted her head again and continued to ask:
"Why get rid of him? Is it because the Ladonites are unwilling to contribute their military strength to the Fire Chaser, or... simply because they offended Caesar?"
Hazel's eyes turned slightly cold, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable resolve.
"Because the new era of chasing fire cannot tolerate even the slightest bit of rotten blood."
"For those ignorant people who cling to old rules and are short-sighted, only bloodletting can help them regain their senses."
"Now, the border rebels are gaining momentum, and they are receiving a lot of covert support from Ladon's forces."
"Their loud chants of 'Returning to the Golden Age,' and their unwillingness to relinquish military power, are merely a covert preparation for rebellion."
Little Gray was completely confused, his little brain couldn't wrap its head around it, so he simply shrugged and said:
"I still have reservations about this."
Hazel was not angered by this, and her tone remained calm.
"Thinking is a right that Caesar has given to every citizen, and I will not interfere with your thoughts."
"As long as we don't try to reverse the course of the times... we are both free."
"But, Miss Hathaway…"
Xi Lian looked at Hai Seyin with eyes full of worry, her voice soft and sincere.
"I...cannot even hear a trace of joy of freedom in your words."
(End of chapter)