Honkai: Star Rail, Marry Acheron Upon Landing Chapter 3

"What is this step called?"

However, the next moment, her vision was obscured by fabric, leaving Acheron only able to perceive a vague sound.

"Crossing the Brazier."

Lin Shuang's voice came through the cloth, and Acheron gently nodded, saying no more.

Lin Shuang, however, was now somewhat nervous. Acheron's continuous questioning forced Lin Shuang to speak more.

And the more she spoke, the more mistakes she might make. Lin Shuang wasn't sure if every word she said would perfectly avoid keywords and prevent the Synesthesia Beacon from revealing the ritual's meaning.

"Hoo..."

Taking a deep breath, Lin Shuang calmed her emotions.

She had come this far. She harbored no ill intentions. The remaining steps were Bowing to Heaven and Earth, Crossing Cups, and Tying the Hair Together. Once these were done, the ceremony would essentially be complete.

As for Acheron, she was mostly curious now, wanting to know Lin Shuang's purpose for holding this ritual and what its meaning was.

'Crossing the Brazier.'

A simple phrase, but through the Synesthesia Beacon, Acheron realized that such a ritual, in Lin Shuang's eyes, symbolized warding off misfortune and promoting prosperity.

So, when Lin Shuang's cool little hand grasped hers and led her across the fire, Acheron only paused for a moment and didn't pull away.

The physical intimacy, combined with the symbolic meaning of blessing and averting disaster, seemed to align with Lin Shuang's description.

Acheron mused inwardly.

Lin Shuang nervously awaited Acheron's reaction, her heart pounding.

Seeing that Acheron didn't seem to intend to let go, she finally relaxed.

"Next... we first worship Heaven and Earth. But it's just a bow... is that okay?"

Acheron paused when she heard 'worship Heaven and Earth,' but she didn't object. She followed Lin Shuang's movements.

"Then we bow to the parents. Since Miss Acheron is cooperating with me, you only need to bow to mine..."

"Parents..."

Acheron sighed softly. On the surface, she remained composed, but inwardly, she was already considering things.

Blessings, auspicious signs, worship of Heaven and Earth, and now bowing to the parents of both parties.

The meaning contained within this ritual was likely not ordinary.

Perhaps it was some kind of contractual relationship.

But... if she wanted to establish some kind of contract with me, why the secrecy?

Continuing to follow Lin Shuang's guidance, the two bowed to each other. Acheron grew more and more puzzled.

Up to this point, these rituals had been purely symbolic, with no display of power.

What was the point?

Acheron was confused but didn't stop.

Lin Shuang had said that after the ritual, she would gain power. Perhaps the important part wasn't the ritual itself, but Lin Shuang herself?

Thinking this, the red veil on Acheron's head was lifted.

Their eyes met again.

Lin Shuang's face was a little flushed, and her bright gaze fixed on Acheron, causing a subtle flutter in Acheron's heart.

"This is the second to last item."

Saying this, Lin Shuang held up two cups, handing one to Acheron.

Under Lin Shuang's guidance, their arms intertwined, further shortening the distance between them.

Even though Acheron didn't understand this action, she could tell that it was undoubtedly a highly intimate ritual.

They each drank half of the water from their respective cups, then exchanged cups and finished the rest.

Acheron put down her cup, becoming even more certain that this was a ritual for some kind of intimate relationship.

However, just as Lin Shuang had said, after completing it, there was no impact on Acheron.

Watching Lin Shuang sigh in relief, her entire body relaxing, and then move behind her to begin re-tying her hair.

Acheron played with the water cup in her hand, her gaze subtly changing. She suddenly asked:

"What are the names of these last two items?"

"Crossing... hmm... Exchanging Cups and Drinking, and Tying the Hair."

She almost blurted out "Crossing Cups" but slammed on the brakes, locking the words in her throat.

She quickly substituted another term.

But at that moment, Lin Shuang suddenly noticed Acheron's hair turning white.

This sight startled Lin Shuang so much that she almost jumped.

She didn't know whether to drop the long hair that was in her hands or continue tying it.

But at this moment, Acheron was already certain.

This ritual must be some kind of ritual for an intimate relationship.

However, Lin Shuang was unwilling to tell her.

This caused a ripple in Acheron's emotions.

Since she invited herself to participate in the ritual, but then concealed its meaning, wasn't that a bit unkind?

Thinking this, Acheron, whose long hair had turned white, turned her head, her scarlet eyes appearing before Lin Shuang.

Acheron looked at Lin Shuang.

A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She raised her hand, gently pinched Lin Shuang's cheek, and her red lips parted slightly:

"Naughty."

Then, under Lin Shuang's terrified gaze, the white color receded, returning to its original deep blue.

The somewhat eerie expression also returned to its usual calm demeanor.

Volume 1: Chapter 4: Since I'm already here, I might as well make up for what's missing.

Acheron, having returned to her previous state, saw Lin Shuang's startled expression and quietly withdrew her hand:

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing..."

Lin Shuang shook her head, quickly denying it. She picked up Acheron's long hair again. As for that fleeting glimpse, it was impossible to say.

Did Acheron guess? But I didn't even say the keywords...

Lin Shuang fell into deep confusion.

However, it was clearly "Inner Acheron" who had spoken just now, so she couldn't bring herself to ask.

It's fine, no big deal. If Acheron didn't say anything, it means she doesn't know!

We've come this far, is it possible to regret it now?

She encouraged herself with a nervous heart, focusing on tying the hair.

As for kissing and consummating the marriage.

That was definitely out of the question. Such intimate contact couldn't possibly be explained away.

Of course, Lin Shuang was also a little worried, wondering if the system would even acknowledge this rudimentary ritual.

Fortunately, however, the moment Lin Shuang clumsily finished tying Acheron's hair.

The system prompt for completing the Novice Mission popped up:

[Target: Acheron]
[Relationship: Spouses]
[Novice Mission: Propose Love to Acheron. The more passionate the feelings, the deeper the impression. (Exceeded)]
['Tricking an innocent older sister into marrying you, doesn't your conscience hurt? As expected, you're a natural Player Scumbag Girl!']
[Novice Mission Reward: One Purple Card Draw, Additional Reward: One Pair of Rings]
[Taking shortcuts will reduce the reward level. Next time, it will be downgraded to Green.]

Reward downgrade? Additional reward?

Lin Shuang was stunned for a moment. It seemed that even though her shortcut caused the reward to be downgraded, it was still considered an over-fulfillment for the Novice Mission.

So, it gave her a pair of rings?

Temporarily putting aside the card draw, she looked at the description of the pair of rings.

[Pair of Rings: A pair of ordinary Wedding Rings]
['Though the rings are ordinary, true love is eternal, and even time cannot fade it. Of course, you scumbag who tricked your way into marriage, just look, it's not written for you.']

"..."

My fist is clenched.

Who wrote this ridiculous commentary?

"Hoo..."

Lin Shuang let out a long sigh, forcing herself to ignore the commentary.

Acheron in front of her felt the hand on her hair loosen, and she turned to look at Lin Shuang:

"Done?"

"Mhm, it's done."

Lin Shuang nodded, suppressing the thoughts in her mind. She then took out a pair of rings from her pocket.

The rings were made of silver-white metal, with beautiful, intricate yet not overly ornate carvings.

"I was wearing these before I fell. They'll work perfectly. This is a symbol of the ritual, worn on the ring finger of the left hand. Do you... mind putting them on?"

As she spoke, Lin Shuang looked down at Acheron's left hand, which was covered by a black glove.

Then, Acheron raised her hand, gently removed her glove, and offered her crystal-clear, slender fingers, which seemed like a work of nature, to Lin Shuang.

"Are we going to put them on each other?"

Now that the mission was complete, theoretically, there was no longer a need to specifically put them on each other.

But Acheron's unhesitating action inexplicably stirred something within Lin Shuang.

She carefully took Acheron's hand. Its delicate palm and soft skin were unlike those of a warrior who wielded a greatsword.

Lin Shuang looked at the ring she was holding up, then at Acheron's hand resting peacefully in her own palm. An inexplicable flutter surged from her heart.

"Yes, yes..."

Lin Shuang swallowed. She didn't understand why, after gazing at Acheron's stunning beauty for so long, she was acting so flustered after Acheron removed her glove and took her hand.

Carefully, she slipped the ring onto Acheron's ring finger. The slightly loose fit automatically tightened, perfectly matching Acheron's finger size.

Then.

Before Lin Shuang could even react.

Acheron had already taken the initiative to grip Lin Shuang's hand, turning it over so that the back of Lin Shuang's hand faced upwards.

She picked up the other ring and, with great decisiveness, placed it on Lin Shuang's finger.

"Is the ceremony complete?"

Acheron didn't let go immediately. Her voice roused Lin Shuang, who had been somewhat dazed.

"Oh, oh, yes, it's complete. Thank you, Acheron, for going along with my silly idea."