"However, your mother, Lyra, was different."
Regu noticed Riko's embarrassment and explained, "She enjoyed the thrill of adventure too, but after learning the whole truth, she was willing to take action."
"Huh?"
Riko's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Because Lyra did not want the world where her daughter, and her daughter's daughter, lived to have a tangible Sword of Damocles hanging overhead." Luo Si gave Riko a gentle smile.
The Sword of Damocles.
Aside from Zhou Qing, no one understood this concept. It referred to the responsibility and potential risks one had to bear while enjoying power.
In Luo Si's context, it specifically referred to real risks that actually existed.
Learning that her mother had been thinking of her and the descendants she might have in the future, Riko's heart brimmed with emotion. Yet a trace of indignation soon arose as well. "Mom, honestly! I'm an Explorer! How could I fall behind? I'll follow in my mother's footsteps and keep moving forward!"
"As expected of Lyra's daughter!" Regu praised, leading everyone into the castle and arranging rooms for them.
Upon entering the castle, they found themselves in a reception hall. The floor was polished to a shine, and the walls were spotless. There were not many lavish decorations, but the simple, bright lines possessed a distinctive charm that caught the eye.
It was clear that Regu and Luo Si had put great care into this castle. They likely cleaned it regularly every day.
As they went up the stairs, Zhou Qing was surprised to find long, azure glass-like tubes of varying lengths hanging beneath the handrail.
This too was an instrument: tubular bells.
As Regu and Luo Si led the way ahead, their metal fingers swept across the hanging tubes, producing slightly muffled yet brisk clangs that echoed throughout the stairwell.