Chapter 36: Counting Stars

Within Askala.

Celia and Onyxia shared a tall, sturdy steed.

This decision had initially met with Celia’s firm opposition.

“This is completely inappropriate!”

She had argued at the time.

“The only reason I rode with Ilyas before was because she genuinely couldn’t ride, and she’s petite. The saddle space was just enough.”

She glanced at Onyxia, whose height was nearly identical to her own, tall and slender, not to mention that very noticeable tail.

“You, me, plus that tail… how could one saddle possibly be enough?”

Onyxia merely smiled faintly.

She didn’t argue.

Instead, she suddenly leaned in, her fingertip darting out with lightning speed to press lightly on an extremely hidden spot on Celia’s waist.

“Ah—!”

A sudden, indescribable wave of sore weakness instantly shot through her entire body, as if all her strength had been drained.

Celia’s legs went weak, nearly buckling.

Her cheeks flushed crimson as she glared at Onyxia, both shocked and furious.

This shouldn’t be happening.

After continuous battles, my body’s sensitivity should have improved a lot.

I shouldn’t lose all strength from just one poke.

“It seems you weren’t aware of this weakness,” Onyxia withdrew her hand.

“Truly, practice yields true knowledge. So, this really is quite the interesting switch.”

With her weakness so precisely exploited, Celia’s imposing aura instantly deflated.

In the end, Celia could only grit her teeth and compromise.

And so now, she was sitting in an all-too-familiar position, occupying the front half of the saddle that originally belonged to Ilyas.

To avoid blocking the view, she had no choice but to lean back entirely into Onyxia’s embrace.

Onyxia’s arms naturally encircled her waist, holding the reins.

“See? Isn’t the space just perfect?”

Onyxia’s voice, tinged with laughter, sounded right next to Celia’s ear, the warm breath making her earlobe itch.

Celia kept her face stiff, unwilling to engage, but her body, within the familiar embrace and the rhythmic sway of the horse, unconsciously began to slowly relax.

She realized with some annoyance that this position… although a bit cramped, didn’t seem… all that bad.

Suddenly remembering something, she turned her head slightly to ask, “By the way, what exactly did Selina give you? All so mysterious.”

“Just some handy little magic trinkets for the road,” Onyxia replied lightly.

“And the gifts prepared for Ilyas; I took those as well.”

“Impossible.”

Celia narrowed her eyes.

Her intuition told her it wasn’t that simple.

“If it were just ordinary things like that, why would they specifically call you aside, avoiding me?”

“My,” Onyxia chuckled softly, her chin almost resting on Celia’s shoulder, her warm breath brushing her ear.

“Anyway, they’re good things… you’ll know in time.”

Her tone drew out slightly, carrying a hint of deliberate mystery.

The fingers encircling Celia’s waist tapped lightly, almost imperceptibly.

Celia was left feeling both curious and frustrated by this evasive attitude but knew pressing further likely wouldn’t yield a clear answer.

She could only mutter under her breath, “So mysterious.”

“So, where are we going now?”

Celia asked, gazing at the somewhat unfamiliar wilderness ahead, her thoughts drifting far away.

“Straight to the Holy Kingdom? After Ilyas returns, she’ll probably have to take the Saintess Assessment, right? Should we wait for her to finish, then go to the Ashen Plains together, or…”

“No rush.”

Onyxia’s voice came from behind, carrying a leisurely certainty.

She even tugged lightly on the reins, slowing the horse’s pace slightly, as if wanting to properly savor this time together.

“Before that… how about coming home with me for a visit first?”

“This is Askala, my homeland. As your host, I really should offer you proper hospitality.”

Celia was taken aback.

She turned her face, meeting Onyxia’s smiling eyes.

After a moment, she turned back, the corner of her mouth relaxing unconsciously.

“Your home?”

She repeated softly, then nodded.

“…Alright, then.”

Celia looked up at the sky.

The last sliver of sunlight in the west was being swallowed by darkness.

“It’s getting dark,” she withdrew her gaze.

“Where are we resting tonight? Heading for the town you mentioned?”

Onyxia also looked at the sky and shook her head.

“No rush. I know there’s a sheltered little slope not far ahead, with a clear spring nearby. It’s very quiet. We’ll camp there.”

Celia nodded.

“Alright. Then same as always, I’ll take the first watch, you take the second.”

Hearing this, Onyxia’s voice, carrying a smile, was especially clear in the rising evening breeze.

“No need for watches tonight.”

Sensing Celia’s confusion, she explained, “Among those little things Selina gave me, there’s a rather interesting alchemical device.”

“It can warn us of the approach of most living creatures and magical fluctuations. It also creates a barrier strong enough to withstand one powerful assault, giving us enough time to react. And it’s very quiet, won’t attract unnecessary attention.”

“So,” Onyxia nuzzled her chin affectionately against the top of Celia’s head, “tonight, we can both… find a comfortable spot to lie down and properly admire Askala’s starry sky.”

The night deepened.

Celia’s eyelashes held fine droplets of moisture.

Her body sank into the soft woolen blanket, forced to gaze up at the dazzling, dizzying expanse of stars overhead.

Beneath her was the slightly cool camping cloth; behind her was Onyxia’s warm, closely pressed embrace.

…This is nothing like the stargazing I imagined!

How did lying down turn into her starting to get handsy?

“Counted to which star?”

Onyxia inquired.

“Not… not a single one…”

Celia’s voice carried obvious panting.

Everything in her field of vision was swaying; how could she possibly count clearly?

“It’s fine,” Onyxia, showing rare and immense patience, pulled her even tighter into her embrace.

“The night is still long. It’s just the two of us.”

“Wait!”

Celia turned her head with difficulty, trying to see clearly.

“You… what are you holding in your hand? When did you take that out?”

Onyxia chuckled softly, holding the object up between them so Celia could see it better.

“This?”

Onyxia’s voice held undisguised pride.

“It’s also one of the good things sponsored by Sister Selina. This is something I… specifically asked her for, for you.”

“But…!”

Celia’s voice trembled, almost incoherent.

“How could you… go ask Sister Selina for this?! Doesn’t that mean she knows everything… I… I…”

“Shh… don’t be afraid, silly. I didn’t tell her the specific use, and I certainly didn’t mention anything about you. I just said… the journey is long, and we needed something to enhance mutual understanding and relieve physical and mental tension. After hearing that, she gave me this directly and told me to give you the instruction manual.”

“Relax now. The night is still long.”