On screen.
Stelle and Dan Heng had clearly felt a pricking sensation. Aglaea, however, showed little reaction to it.
"You may be a ray of hope that fell onto Amphoreus. However, until all has been proven, you cannot be allowed to pose a threat to Amphoreus."
Stelle complained, "Are all Chrysos Heirs as paranoid as you?"
Aglaea replied calmly, "For the holy city, I am willing to bear all the traits that others despise and use every heartless yet effective trick in the book."
"Forgive us, but I'm afraid our cooperation cannot continue under these conditions."
Anyone normal, after enduring such a forced interrogation, would be hard-pressed not to harbor resentment.
Before Aglaea could respond, Dan Heng delivered his conclusion outright.
"If we cannot gain people's, no, if we cannot gain your trust, Lady Aglaea, we'll depart. Amphoreus isn't the only option for the Nameless."
"Things don't have to end on a sour note between us."
Dan Heng spoke, trying to draw out Aglaea's actual thoughts.
...
: Stelle and Dan Heng were clearly displeased as well.
: Especially Dan Heng!
: Honestly, I don't think the Astral Express crew needs to side with Okhema at all costs. Aglaea's approach is understandable, but it's far too radical and cold.
: Using these methods on natives might be one thing, but doing so to unknown visitors from beyond the stars is way too risky.
: What if today's arrivals weren't the Nameless, but some other faction? Would Okhema really be able to bear the consequences?
: In short, Dan Heng expressing his stance like this was absolutely the right move!
...
The comments scrolled by.
Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, a handsome lad appeared within the Genesis Vortex.
The moment he showed up, that simple, earnest, handsome face immediately loosened the stiff tension.
"Hold on! Please wait a moment..."
Phainon hurried over to the group.
"...Phainon?" Aglaea was puzzled as to why he would appear at this time.
But Phainon offered no explanation.
He first turned his head, soothing the two Nameless with a warm look, before facing Aglaea directly and saying solemnly: "Aglaea, as the first person to encounter them... I have some thoughts I would like to share regarding whether they can stay."
"Do speak your mind." Aglaea wanted to hear what Phainon would say.
"When I first met them in the Abyss, I was wary of them as well and never let my guard down throughout our journey back to the holy city."
Phainon paused, then continued: "However, during the battle to defend Okhema, we fought side by side numerous times. The look in someone's eyes in moments of life-and-death never lies, and I was able to detect the conviction in their eyes back then. That's why I was willing to put my life in their hands."
When his words fell, the Genesis Vortex sank into silence.
Phainon clearly had more he wanted to say, the countless actions he had observed along the way, actions that never lied.
Compared to words, he valued deeds more.
And the two's actions were enough for him to place his trust in them.
But such trivial details and anecdotes were not suited for this critical moment.
Now, with Aglaea's earlier stance as contrast, Phainon's words were like a flame, warming the hearts of the audience.
Their favorability toward this young man began to rise steadily.
...
: At first I thought Phainon and Aglaea were going to play good cop, bad cop! But Phainon is just too sincere!
: Damn, how can this man be so simple and pure?
: So heartfelt! He's really adorable!
: Among all the Chrysos Heirs shown so far, aside from Tribbie, Phainon is the only one I, as an ordinary person, truly like.
: He feels just like a warm, neighborly big brother!
...
On screen.
After finishing his statement, seeing that Aglaea remained unmoved, Phainon could only add:
"Please believe a warrior's intuition."
"At present, Okhema is desperate for aid, and I am loath to lose two allies just like that."
At that, he noticed Castorice nearby and quickly said, "Isn't this what Miss Castorice believes as well?"
Castorice replied softly, "...Yeah."
"I'm more willing to view "death" as a peaceful farewell than a punishment."
That was clearly not the answer Phainon had been hoping for.
But it was enough.
Aglaea shook her head, her gaze sweeping over Phainon and Castorice.
"So, two Chrysos Heirs are willing to vouch for you. Hah... It seems my actions were too high-handed.."
"Phainon, will you fulfill your duty as host and look after our distinguished guests?"
She looked at Phainon as she asked.
The implication was clear: she was willing to trust Phainon, and that they were now his responsibility.
"While I'm not good at formalities, I'll do my best." Phainon placed a hand over his chest and replied solemnly.
As for Castorice, Aglaea did not place such demands on her, merely saying,
"Cas... Next time, I hope you will express your thoughts openly."
Castorice lowered her voice. "I will."
"As you both have chosen to trust these outlanders, ensure they are adequately informed about the mysteries concealed within."
"I… still have somethings to handle." Aglaea looked weary, using it as an excuse to leave.
Only after she departed did Stelle finally relax.
Within the Genesis Vortex, Phainon smiled wryly as he tried to smooth things over for Aglaea, while he and Castorice did their best to make up for what the two had just endured.
The audience continued watching.
At first glance, this scene might seem like one meant to establish characters and plant a few mysteries.
But in truth, it was one of the most important pieces of foreshadowing in the entire first half of the story.
The plot concerning Aglaea and Phainon, and the eventual endings of the two, plays a crucial role here.
It also serves as an important annotation and supplement for the changes that occur later.
In this scene.... The display of Aglaea's lack of humanity is not the most important point.
What truly matters is the presentation of another trait. Aglaea no longer dares to take risks.
Thus, adhering to the concept of playing it safe, she made a move that was somewhat crude and rough around the edges.
But Phainon dares to take risks. He is willing to gamble on the character of the two Nameless.
These two contrasting traits are also a kind of side portrayal of the directions the two characters will take next.
Because, in reality, Okhema has already reached the end of the rope.
It is being held together entirely by Aglaea alone. She seeks stability so that it can continue, yet that alone cannot save it.
If one wants to carve out a path to survival, one must be willing to fight desperately, to take risks, to gamble.
And Phainon possesses exactly that quality.
When the later plot unfolds and the audience look back at this segment, there will be no abrupt or jarring shift in personality; everything will feel far more reasonable and justified.
...
On screen.
After Phainon comforted Dan Heng and Stelle for a moment.
He used a single sentence to evaluate Aglaea's actions.
"Maybe this is the price of being a demigod? Standing among mortals, yet still so far from them."
He shook his head. He didn't know either.
After all, Phainon himself had not yet become a demigod. But he did not linger on the topic.
Pulling the two along, he and Castorice came together before the Twelve constellations in the space in front of them, and said,
"Well, first, kindly look upward. What you see right now is the Astral Zodiac of the Vortex of Genesis, divided into twelve parts that record the Flame Chase Journey of the Chrysos Heirs."
As his words fell, the camera focused on the twelve symbols. Some of the icons were dim, while others were already glowing.
"The twelve vacant signs symbolize the twelve Titans of Amphoreus, while each illuminated constellation represents one Coreflame that mankind has restored to its rightful place."
Of the twelve signs in front of them, six signs were already lit.
Stelle stroked her chin and said, "There are... six restored Coreflames. You're already halfway through your journey?"
Phainon smiled and said, "The generations before us paid a heavy price for that. The journey of the Chrysos Heirs once faced immense hurdles and made no progress for a very long time..."
Made no progress?
Stelle looked at Phainon in confusion.
From what she had heard before, per the prophecy, the pursuit of the Coreflames was a matter of survival for the entire world.
Something involving everyone's lives, and it could still stagnate?
Did they not want to live anymore?
Stelle couldn't understand, nor could she imagine what kind of event could cause the Journey of the Flames to stall.
"It was Aglaea and Tribbie who rallied the Chrysos Heirs from all over the world once again, leading us to re-embark on this prophesized journey."
Phainon nodded, but did not elaborate further.
Castorice, standing to the side, added, "And they are the only two demigods in the holy city."
When presented on screen to the audience, this meant that the audience' focus was smoothly and seamlessly guided toward the distinctions between demigods.
"So, what exactly is a demigod?" Stelle asked.
"In the past, the Titans were the pillars of the world. Yet, the prophecy's revelation is that these twelve pillars must be shattered and the world's order reconstructed."
"But here's the problem."
Phainon continued, "After the fall of the old gods, someone must hold up the broken pillars and fill the vacant seats until the coming of the Miracle of Genesis."
"Otherwise, the entire world will collapse before the prophecy comes true."
"Aglaea and Tribbie have already laid their own gods to rest, making them now both human and divine, as well as the bearers of Amphoreus's fate."
This more detailed explanation immediately allowed the two to understand what Phainon meant earlier by 'your coreflame.'
Bringing down the Titans, retrieving the Coreflames, and filling the vacant seats...
This is what Phainon, or rather, the Chrysos Heirs remaining in Okhema, must do next.
The audience does not even need to think deeply to guess that this is likely the direction the main storyline will take.
Next, Phainon brought the somewhat heavy topic to an end.
He chuckled lightly and invited Stelle and Dan Heng to get closer and listen to the whispers of the constellations.
"Why not step forward and listen to them for yourselves?"
"Of course we do!" Stelle nodded eagerly, stepping towards the basin in the middle of the pool as directed by Phainon.
Next, through Stelle's perspective....
Information and voices related to the Titans were gradually revealed before the audience.
First came the three Titans of Calamity,
The Lance of Fury, Nikador.
The Coin of Whimsy, Zagreus.
The Hand of Shadow, Thanatos.
Then came the three Titans of Foundation,
The Pillar of Stone, Georios.
The Chalice of Plenty, Phagousa.
The Eye of Twilight, Aquila
Among them, the signs of two were lit; signifying their Coreflames had already been returned.
After that were the three Titans of Creation,
The Throne of Worlds, Kephale.
The Chrysalis of Gold, Mnestia.
The Bough of Rift, Cerces.
Among these three, only Mnestia's sign was lit.
Finally, the three Titans of Fate,
The Gate of Infinity, Janus.
The Scale of Justice, Talanton.
The Veil of Evernight, Oronyx.
When every Titan had been revealed, the audience was thoroughly satisfied.
At the same time, they felt a faint sense of doubt, unsure whether it was mere coincidence.
On some of the Titans, traces of some paths could be seen clearly.
The most suspicious was the Coin of Whimsy, Zagreus, among the Titans of Calamity.
Whether it was the descriptions related to trickery, or that slightly ridiculous, childlike appearance, or the sly laughter entirely different from the echoes of other Titans....
The more the audience listened, the more it sounded like Aha of Elation.
But if Titans truly corresponded to Paths.... When matched one by one, they didn't line up cleanly.
....
: Really strange.
: Why does it feel like Elation and Aha are everywhere, like stuck bubblegum or something.