I'm in Star Iron, and I draw power from the Inner World every week.

"Oh right, Aglaia, didn't you have something to do? Why did you come back?"

Su Yang suddenly turned the conversation back to Aglaia.

"Um..."

This really stumped Aglaia.

Because her claim of having something to do was just an excuse, a lie.

Su Yang did nothing wrong from beginning to end, and even took a great risk for Xia Die's health.

On this basis, she demanded that Su Yang be honest while simultaneously lying to him.

Such double standards would inevitably cause her to feel guilty.

"Let's go to a more relaxed place first."

.....

Yunshi Tiangong.

The huge bath blessed by Fagina is a place where the residents of Ohma often gather.

On the upper floors, there is a special high-class bathhouse prepared for the heroes who saved the world, which is also known as the Heroes' Bathhouse.

The Hero's Bath shimmers with a sacred golden hue, and bathing in it effectively washes away the fatigue of a long journey.

Su Yang was led here by Aglaia.

Aglaia acted as naturally as if she were at home, entering the bath first while giving Su Yang and Xia Die a forced smile.

"Clothing is not only a barrier between the body and the mind, but also a barrier between the body and the mind. By taking off our clothes, we can eliminate these two obstacles."

“But Aglaia, you’re still wearing clothes.” Su Yang stared intently at Aglaia.

Her clothes did not become transparent after being soaked in water.

Moreover, when Aglaia merged with the golden pool, her sacred and elegant aura was elevated to a higher level.

Su Yang had originally been looking forward to seeing the aloof Aglaia.

"It's a pity that even if I'm not very humane, I still have a sense of propriety and shame."

"That's really a pity."

Su Yang removed all his equipment, leaving only his shorts, before entering the bathtub.

If a certain subordinate task still exists, he now has many opportunities to complete it.

"Your character is truly free-spirited and unrestrained," Aglaia said with a gentle smile.

She turned to the other side of the bath, where Xia Die was soaking alone.

"Butterfly, bathe with us."

"No, no, Lady Aglaia, you and Su Su Su... Su Yang can go together." Xia Die's voice was barely audible.

She covered her eyes, occasionally peeking at Su Yang through her fingers.

"Xia Die is always worried about her curse. She's such a gentle girl, it's really heartbreaking," Su Yang said with some emotion.

“If you put your clothes on properly, I think the situation will change.”

“It’s so strange to take a bath while wearing clothes. Just like you said, Aglaia, clothing is a barrier.” Su Yang looked seriously into Aglaia’s eyes again.

"Even if you emphasize it again, I will still uphold my bottom line."

"Okay, but shall we continue our conversation from the room?"

"Hmm." Aglaia nodded, her full, rounded breasts undulating and causing ripples to spread across the pool.

She crossed her long, slender, white legs, her smile fading as she looked at Su Yang with a serious expression:

Please allow me to apologize again for my previous offense.

"No, that's an exaggeration. You only asked a few questions."

Su Yang had no memory of being offended by Aglaia, only remembering her various displays of unrequited love.

"Let's start with honesty."

"uh-huh?"

“Su Yang, actually, your residence is under my 'watchful eye'. I can observe your movements through those gold threads at any time, which is undoubtedly an invasion of your privacy.”

"this..."

“It’s understandable that you’d be angry about this.” Aglaia closed her eyes, as if prepared to face Su Yang’s wrath.

"Your emotions are so intense, it really took me a lot of time to realize."

"?"

"But then you'll see exactly what color my underwear is, won't you?"

“Black.” Aglaia could get the answer simply by lowering her gaze slightly.

"Sigh, just take a look. Consider it a little treat for you. You're usually busy with work, so it's only natural to reward yourself."

"?"

"But Aglaia, are you trying to apologize to me?"

"Yes, it's not just a verbal apology; I will try my best to make amends... If you encounter any problems in the Holy City, or if you find something you like, you can come to me with your requests. You can also find tailors at other times."

"Those are unnecessary... Actually, in my hometown, there is a way of apologizing called 'dogeza' (a deep bowing gesture).

"Dogeza?" Aglaia looked slightly bewildered.

"It is a gesture of courtesy that can express apology to the greatest extent possible."

"Then, why don't you tell me how to do it?" Aglaia showed a clear interest in new and interesting things.

"You need to completely remove your clothes first, and then prostrate yourself on the ground and kneel down to pay your respects."

"?"

Chapter 7 The Shadow of Death

Aglaia didn't think Su Yang was lying.

"...I'll consider it," she gave a vague answer.

Completely removing her clothes and crawling on the ground was tantamount to abandoning her self-respect and shame. Even if little of her humanity remained, she would find it difficult to cooperate.

She certainly wouldn't do that in public.

"Hmm? You're really considering it?" Su Yang was quite surprised.

That being said, his words were mostly just empty talk.

"If that's the apology you're hoping for."

"Then let's just say I played a bad joke on you. That way, you won't owe me anything."

"...I see, you are indeed very interesting."

"There's no need to address me as 'Your Excellency' all the time; just call me Su Yang."

"Okay, Su Yang."

"This feels much more intimate." Su Yang leaned back, relaxing and enjoying the nourishing and comfortable atmosphere of the bath.

He didn't stop thinking while talking to Aglaia.

For example, Aglaia frankly admitted that her initial care for him was actually for surveillance purposes.

This directly overturned the gentle image of Aglaia in his eyes and made him realize that he was being secretly loved.

But it's not a big problem.

It's a fact that Aglaia provided him with good food and lodging.

Moreover, after the misunderstanding was cleared up, he was able to get along with Aglaia more naturally.

"Su Yang, now that we've let our guard down, we're like water flowing through our fingers, intertwining and flowing toward the future."

“Aglaia, I’ve just gotten over the misunderstanding, and you’re making me misunderstand again.”

"Some misunderstandings can keep people hopeful and optimistic."

"really."

"However, Su Yang, have you noticed anything unusual about your body?"

"Hmm?" Su Yang frowned.

"No need to worry, this is just a simple greeting, and it also represents my concern, after all, your 'death' at that time was extraordinary."

"There is definitely something unusual about it."

His stiffness and coldness did not seem to have eased.

"If you don't mind, may I confirm it with the gold thread?"

"Sure, you've seen right through me, inside and out."

“…”

A strange feeling welled up inside Aglaia.

It wasn't anger, but a more long-forgotten emotion.

She hadn't actually pried into Su Yang's privacy that thoroughly, but she couldn't prove it, so she could only acquiesce.

After putting aside her minor unease, Aglaia raised her slender, pale fingers, and the magnificent gold threads danced in her movements.

The golden thread connected Su Yang once again.

"Huh?" Aglaia was taken aback.

"what happened?"

“Su Yang, the fact that you are enveloped by death has never changed.” Aglaia’s expression returned to seriousness.

"Is that so? But I don't think it's a big problem."

"This is also the most subtle point. You do have vitality now, but on this basis, there is a shadow called death."

"So you're saying I'm in the same situation as Xia Die?"

Is it an extra bonus from replying?

Su Yang didn't feel that he had gained any new power, and the system didn't provide any helpful hints or explanations.

“Not the same.” Aglaia stood up, slowly moved closer to Su Yang, and gently grasped Su Yang’s hand.

"As you can see, your situation is quite delicate, but it doesn't quite qualify as a curse."

At this time.

Xia Die, who was in another bath, trotted over, her brows slightly furrowed:

"Lady Aglaia, what are you doing?"

"Butterfly, you've come at just the right time. Su Yang now carries a subtle hint of death within him."

"Death?" Upon catching the key word, the blush on Xia Die's face faded.

She turned to look at Su Yang.

Su Yang bathed in the golden pool water, wearing nothing but his loose-fitting shorts.

This unrestrained and carefree demeanor still didn't allow Xia Die to adapt immediately.

Her cheeks flushed again, and she looked away slightly.

"Indeed, I can vaguely sense that Lord Su Yang still carries the aura of death."

"Perhaps I've empathized with Xia Die a bit during the process of healing her, so I think the situation is relatively optimistic."

"Optimistic?" Xia Die asked with a hint of doubt.

No matter how you look at it, Su Yang was affected by her curse, right?