This time, she did not hesitate. Removing her gloves, Castorice trembled as she held your hand. Warmth. Living warmth. Not coldness, not dead silence, but genuine warmth, the temperature of a living being.

"So warm…" she murmured, unwilling to let go. For hundreds of years, this was the first time she had felt another person's body temperature.

"Orion, sir… I… I can…" Her face was as red as a ripe apple, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "Can I hug you? Just for a moment… I promise I'll let go very quickly…"

Looking at her cautious demeanor, you smiled and nodded in agreement. The next second, she threw herself into your arms, like a child who had finally found her home. You could feel her trembling violently in your arms, hear her suppressed sobs, and feel her tears wetting your collar. This hug lasted for a long time. So long that you even thought she had fallen asleep.

"Thank you…" Finally, she pulled back from your arms, her face flushed. "I'm sorry, I was too emotional… You must think I'm strange, right?"

"No," you said gently. "I understand."

Castorice looked at you deeply, as if to engrave your image into her soul. In her hundreds of years of life, you were the first person she could touch. You were the first person who didn't treat her like a plague. You were the first person to give her warmth. 'Who exactly is he?' she thought to herself. 'Why is death ineffective against him? Is it because he also controls the power of death? Or does he possess an ability that transcends death? No matter what… I'm grateful for his appearance…'

And you were also deep in thought at this moment. The copied power of death was still circulating within your body. Unlike Castorice, who passively released death at all times, you could control this power. Because this was an ability you had copied, you could activate the copy when you wanted, and when you wanted to deactivate it, the power of death would also cease. You were not bound by a curse like her; you could use this ability as you pleased.

'It is indeed a very powerful force…' you assessed in your mind. 'If used properly, it could instantly kill any living thing.' Even a Chrysos Heir would probably not be able to withstand this level of death. Interesting, very interesting.

"Sir?" Castorice's voice interrupted your thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"What are you thinking about?" she asked with concern. "Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?"

"No, I was just thinking…" You looked at her. "Whether or not to take you to see Aglaea."

"Can I really?" She became excited, but then worried. "But what if she's also afraid of me…"

"She won't be," you said with certainty. "Aya is not like those people. And, I'll be with you."

Hearing the last sentence, Castorice's heart skipped a beat. "Mm!" She nodded, her eyes full of trust.

You chatted for a long time. Castorice told you about her hometown, her childhood, and her wandering experiences over the years. And you selectively shared some of your own stories. During this time, she couldn't help but sneak glances at you, confirming that you were truly fine. A few times, she even carefully touched your fingers, feeling that real sensation. Each contact brought a little more light to her eyes.

Soon, you brought Castorice before Aglaea.

"Welcome to Ohema," Aglaea said elegantly. "Chrysos Heir of Death."

Castorice nervously bowed. "Lady Aglaea…"

"No need for formalities." Aglaea's gaze shifted between you and Castorice, revealing a meaningful smile. She keenly noticed the look in Castorice's eyes when she looked at you, and her subconscious movement to lean closer to you. "It seems you two are getting along well."

"Orion, sir, he…" Castorice blushed, wanting to explain something.

"A Mo, arrange a residence for her," Aglaea interrupted. "In the area you are responsible for."

"Understood."

After leaving the hall, Castorice finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lady Aglaea is so majestic…"

"You'll get used to it," you laughed. "She's actually a very good person."

"Mm, I can see that," Castorice nodded. "The way she looks at you… is very gentle." At this, her expression dimmed slightly.

You walked along the streets of Ohema.

"Sir," Castorice suddenly asked, "Tell me… why is my curse ineffective against you?"

"Who knows?" you answered vaguely. "Perhaps it's fate's arrangement."

She nodded thoughtfully, not pressing further. But in her heart, she had already decided that you must be a very special person. So special that you could touch death and not die. So special that you could bring warmth to her, a cursed person.

And in your heart, you were thinking about something else: A Chrysos Heir who could bestow death, a maiden who yearned for warmth to the extreme. Besides being able to copy her abilities, if used properly, she might also become the sharpest blade in your hand. Of course, the prerequisite was to make her completely trust you, rely on you, and be unable to leave you. From today's performance, this would not be difficult.

"Castorice," you suddenly said.

"Hmm?"

"In Ohema, you are not alone." You looked at her sincerely. "There's me, and Aya and Sister Tribbie and the others."

Under the dawn, tears shimmered in the maiden's eyes. "Mm!" She nodded vigorously, a smile blooming on her face, the brightest she had shown in hundreds of years. She didn't know what the price behind this gentleness was. But at least at this moment, she felt a long-lost, no, a never-before-felt happiness. There was someone who wasn't afraid of her, who could touch her, and who was willing to stay with her. For her, who had spent hundreds of years in solitude, this was her whole world.

"Orion, sir," Castorice mustered her courage and asked, "Later… later in Ohema, can I still find you?"

"Of course, you can find me for anything."

"That's great!" She was so happy she almost jumped, but then realized her impropriety and lowered her head, blushing. "Um… I mean… thank you…"

Looking at her adorable appearance, your heart softened. Perhaps while utilizing her, giving her a little warmth wouldn't be bad either.