The reason the two of them told that Okhema resident about matters beyond the sky was simple.
First, that was simply the nature of Trailblazing.
Second, neither Dan Heng nor Stelle realized what "from beyond the sky" truly meant for Amphoreus.
They themselves were people from beyond the skies, so their lack of sensitivity toward the issue was understandable.
And now, through Aglaea's words, they were finally able to gain a clearer understanding of the situation.
"So, you are indeed aware of our transgression... However, we only did so to save a life." Dan Heng stated.
He told Aglaea that they had broken their promise out of goodwill.
Aglaea lowered her gaze slightly. She naturally understood their intentions.
Otherwise, the situation would not have ended in interrogation, there would have been an immediate execution.
"I will grant the both of you another chance to mend our broken trust. The golden thread shall judge on my behalf. If you're truthful, you will live, else... you will perish."
Aglaea looked straight into their eyes and said, "Castorice will be your executioner."
An interrogation, but not an immediate execution. That alone meant there was still a chance.
Dan Heng said calmly, "Lady Aglaea, it is undeniable that we broke our agreement out of carelessness. However, you never explained to us how revealing that a world beyond the sky exists would lead to dire consequences."
"What I want to know is, exactly how grave a crime have we committed?"
After hearing this, Aglaea fell silent for a moment.
Only then did she speak.
"A reasonable request. It is indeed my oversight for failing to tell you everything in time."
"There have always been people in Amphoreus who looked beyond the skies."
"There used to be a usurper nation that spared no expense in constructing "skyships," with the desire to break through the blue sky and reach the stars..."
"However, Aquila's divine punishment fell the instant the fleet of skyships took flight. An entire city-state, along with all of its subjects, was reduced to ash in that moment."
At this point, Aglaea paused, then sighed.
"It's not that Amphoreus is unwilling to head toward the stars. Yet, anyone who even thinks about breaching the firmament would undoubtedly infuriate the gods, causing this land of the living to burn and an entire nation of mortals to perish. The Eye of Twilight is only one example of this."
"This is forbidden territory which can never be ventured into."
Aglaea's words and demeaner allowed the two to hear the seriousness of the matter.
Yet this result left both Dan Heng and Stelle unsettled.
"Humanity has always longed for the sky ... and this is something that you cannot prevent." Dan Heng said.
Aglaea's expression was difficult to read. "Divine punishment has never been fair. As Okhema's guardian, I must do the same."
"This is a world dominated by Titans. And that order can only be toppled by the Chrysos Heirs."
From Aglaea's standpoint, her words were faultless.
Stelle and Dan Heng exchanged glances, finally understanding why this interrogation was necessary.
Though being bound was uncomfortable, what they had just learned was invaluable.
The contradictions Dan Heng had previously speculated about surfaced once more in his mind.
And now, another had to be added. The Titans' blockade of this world.
If possible, Dan Heng wanted a quiet place to sort through these clues.
But the interrogation was not yet over. They still had to face it.
"Therefore, the only thing that I can do right now is to ensure that the both of you remain... devoted."
"Three steps, Castorice."
Aglaea stepped closer and spoke out coldly.
"...Yes, Lady Aglaea."
Castorice nodded and walked forward, stopping at a distance of exactly three steps from Dan Heng and Stelle.
As Castorice approached, a cold, shadowy presence became increasingly distinct.
So much so that both of them couldn't help but shiver.
Even by instinct alone, they could sense that if Castorice took two more steps, they would die.
Under the threat of death, Aglaea folded her arms and said coldly,
"I shall ask you four questions. Dishonest answers will cause the golden thread to vibrate, while truthful responses will not affect the thread."
"The number of times that the thread trembles... is the number of steps forward that the executioner will take."
The woman who had previously looked gentle and demure now radiated overwhelming pressure and authority, completely different from before.
The drastic contrast left many spectators struggling to accept it.
...
: Damn, that's brutal!
: Seriously, Stelle and Dan Heng even fought for Okhema before!
: Is it really necessary to be this harsh right from the start?!
: Is this female character one of those cold-blooded types?!
: She feels so inhuman, purely business, zero warmth!
: I suddenly can't bring myself to like Aglaea anymore.
...
Aside from those dissatisfied with Aglaea, there were also viewers defending her.
...
: Aglaea's motives are actually very clear. She's not doing this for fun.
: The example she gave earlier made it obvious, matters beyond the sky could get Okhema wiped out by divine punishment, just like that city-state.
: Emotionally and logically, what she's doing makes sense.
: Don't hate Aglaea, everyone.
: She has her own hardships too.
...
The comments split into two opposing viewpoints.
On the screen, Aglaea's oppressive presence remained unchanged.
"If she isn't standing right behind you after all four questions have been asked and answered, the both of you will have passed this test. If she is... your journey will end here."
As her words fell, Castorice behind them spoke softly and gently.
"You'll fall asleep amid the warm embrace of flowers and feel no pain... That I can guarantee."
She sounded as though she were soothing the two.
At a moment like this, such gentleness made the beautiful girl seem almost excessively adorable.
Dan Heng nodded, about to speak.
But Stelle, who had been silent until now, frowned and sharply caught the "hidden meaning" in Aglaea's words.
"Doesn't that mean that we can lie up to two times."
Dan Heng was already used to Stelle's shocking remarks.
Aglaea, however, clearly was not.
A rare ripple of emotion appeared in her otherwise indifferent eyes, only to be suppressed almost immediately.
"If you treat your lives as mere trifles, then you may do as you wish." She replied casually.
Then, the interrogation began.
"Well then, let us begin. Question One."
"Outlanders, why have you come to Amphoreus?"
This time, Stelle was unusually serious.
She thought for a moment, then decided to tell what she thought, straightening her back slightly as she spoke.
"To allow our journey to continue."
The train's fuel was no longer sufficient for further exploration. The greatest reason for coming to Amphoreus was precisely because this Trailblaze journey could replenish the train's fuel.
It had nothing to do with dreams or ideals. It was purely a matter of practical reality.
From the words "To allow our journey to continue," Aglaea naturally couldn't hear anything special.
And she wasn't doing this to extract more information, either.
The golden threads in her gaze did not tremble. That meant it was the truth.
"A truthful response. A step will not be recorded."
Aglaea nodded and continued, "Question Two. Outlanders, why did you lend your aid to Okhema?"
Stelle fell into thought. This answer was somewhat complicated.
Helping Okhema? For Stelle, Dan Heng, or anyone else on the train, it didn't require a reason.
Or rather… there were far too many reasons.
Because it was the right thing to do.
But that was clearly not the most direct, nor the most sincere answer.
The real answer was,
"To allow our journey to continue."
Helping Okhema, forming close ties with this faction, was likewise meant to better explore Amphoreus and resolve the train's fuel issue.
"No fluctuations detected. A step will not be recorded."
Aglaea's expression relaxed slightly.
Even if she didn't understand those deeper reasons like Trailblaze or fuel…
Relying solely on the golden threads and Stelle's answers, Aglaea could still infer why Stelle and Dan Heng came to Amphoreus and helped Okhema.
As long as there was a motive, it meant the other party was a normal person.
If nothing could be drawn out at all, if they acted like saints with no desires, Aglaea would likely have had Castorice take the two of them away the moment the questioning ended.
After confirming these two points, she already had her judgment.
These two could help Okhema, becoming true "allies."
But before that, Aglaea still needed one final confirmation.
"Question Three."
"Outlanders, if the current situation changed dramatically, could you eventually point your blades at Okhema and its citizens?"
Hearing this, Stelle looked at Aglaea seriously.
After a brief pause, she said solemnly, "I... can't make any guarantees."
Stelle might usually be abstract and quirky.
But when it came to matters of right and wrong, her stance was the firmest of all.
If Okhema was worth saving, then Stelle would stop at nothing to save it, and its people.
But if… If it wasn't worth it. If in the future it no longer stood on the current path, and instead opposed the principles of the Path of Trailblaze,
Then Stelle would also make her own judgment, pick up her bat, and grant it destruction.
Yet after hearing this answer, Aglaea neither grew angry nor surprised. She simply said calmly,
"A response that lacks embellishment. You have no misgivings about the friction or suspicion that your answer might cause. A step will not be recorded."
Thus, three consecutive questions.
All passed safely under Stelle's answers.
And these three questions were meant to help Aglaea determine whether Stelle and Dan Heng were reliable, whether they could be treated as allies.
Rather than an interrogation, it was more like a test.
But the final question, the fourth, was Aglaea's personal doubt and inquiry toward Stelle as an individual.
"Final Question."
"Outlander, an unknown but surging power exists within your body... Are you willing to use it to aid the Chrysos Heirs in slaying the gods?"
Stelle's pupils shrank.
Aglaea had actually noticed the existence of the Stellaron.
And she even wanted to borrow its power?! That was far too dangerous!
"It's one of the Destruction's seeds of disaster. Be careful, it might backfire." Stelle warned seriously.
The golden threads trembled slightly at this answer.
Through them, Aglaea sensed strong resistance. Anger. Warning. Yet also a hint of uncertainty.
Aglaea took a deep look at Stelle.
This meant, whatever that power was, Stelle did not want to use it.
"All four questions have been asked and answered."
"Both of you may continue to stay in Okhema, and its citizens will continue to view you as distinguished guests"
"However, you must promise that today's farce will not occur again."
As her words fell, the golden threads wrapped around Stelle and Dan Heng's hands vanished.
This tense interrogation finally came to an end. The audience let out a sigh of relief.
....
: Damn, after watching this, I really feel Aglaea truly deserves to be Okhema's leader.
: Calling it an interrogation, it was more like probing intentions and motives.
: From our perspective following Stelle and Dan Heng, it's definitely uncomfortable, but from Aglaea's standpoint, this was something she had to do.
: When you think about it carefully… yeah, that's true.
: After all, Stelle and Dan Heng really are outsiders from beyond the sky.
: Aglaea wanted normal people with their own goals. Stelle saying she couldn't guarantee anything in the third question actually made Aglaea approve of them more.
: Absolute, unconditional loyalty is probably the least trustworthy thing in Amphoreus.
: Stelle's honesty shows she has her own principles and judgment. She won't be easily swept along. Allies like that may not walk the same path forever, but while they do, they're far more reliable.
: From the side, it also seems to show how bad the situation in Amphoreus must be. Otherwise, someone like Aglaea probably wouldn't seek outsiders as allies.
: Even though Aglaea's leadership is strong, I still can't bring myself to like her.
: Agreed. I still prefer characters who get along with the train crew!
....
The comments scrolled by.
Because of the interrogation of the train crew, many audience found her rather unpleasant.
Those who disliked Aglaea felt she was cold-blooded and ruthless. But those who understood her position instead came to appreciate her complexity and leadership even more.
Audience opinions of Aglaea were sharply divided.
But no matter what, After this interrogation, the image of the leader of the Holy City Okhema and the Chrysos Heirs, Aglaea, was firmly etched into the audience's minds.
A woman with little warmth, decisive and ruthless in her methods.
But what the audience couldn't possibly guess at this moment was, that this woman with such poor reception now would, in the future, move countless people to tears.