This silent tenderness seemed to gently part the gloom that had settled in his heart from feeling powerless to save the world, letting a sliver of light through.
Trianne tilted her little head, her pure, large eyes filled with innocent curiosity as she asked:
"So, Little Snowy, I thought you didn't like fish? Why did you take a plate of grilled fish?"
Phaethon was caught off guard by her question, a flicker of discomfort quickly passing over his face.
He instinctively avoided her gaze, which was so clear it felt like it could see right through him, raising a hand to rub the back of his neck. His voice held a trace of a guilty conscience that even he found rather clumsy:
"Ah... I... I wanted to... try something different."
Trianne seemed completely unaware of his awkwardness, or perhaps she chose to believe this simple explanation.
She immediately clapped her little hands happily, her smile growing even brighter:
"That's good!" Trianne let out a relieved sigh, as if she had just completed an important task. "Trinnon thought you might be upset because we pushed you to make a choice earlier at the Sanctuary of the Three Fates, so she asked me to come check on you mem."
She gave a firm little nod. "So we feel better now!"
However, Trianne's pure gaze didn't waver immediately.
She studied Phaethon carefully, and in those large eyes that seemed capable of reflecting the ripples from the depths of one's soul, a glimmer of perceptive concern that belied her youthful appearance suddenly surfaced.
She leaned in a little closer, her voice softening with a childlike seriousness:
"But, Little Little Phaethon, what are you so anxious about?" Her gaze seemed to pierce through Phaethon's facade of ease, reaching straight for the unease within. "Is it worry about the responsibility of being the Deliverer?"
Phaethon, having his worries laid bare, showed a flash of surprise and the sheepishness of being seen through.
He reflexively scratched his head and let out a self-deprecating chuckle:
"Ah... ahem, is it that obvious? Even Teacher Trianne noticed?"
Trianne nodded vigorously, her little braids swaying.
"Everyone noticed!" Her tone was certain, but then the expression on her small face softened, becoming filled with a gentle wisdom. "But, Little Snowy, fate isn't the result; it's the journey."
"It's not a flower that grows at the end of the path, but—"
"—the little trail people tread themselves toward the sea of flowers, after crossing the threshold."
Trianne's smile was warm and encouraging:
"What happens tomorrow can only be solved by the 'you' of tomorrow."
She gently patted Phaethon's arm with her small hand. "So... if there's something you can't figure out, just leave it for tomorrow!"
"Leave it for tomorrow..." Phaethon murmured the phrase quietly.
That heavy, crushing anxiety in his heart seemed to loosen and dissipate a little under Trianne's pure words and warm gaze.
*Yeah, maybe the struggles of this moment have no solution simply because the time isn't right yet? He didn't have to shoulder the entire burden of the future today.*
A hint of relieved laughter finally spread slowly across his face:
"Mmm... leave it for tomorrow." This time, Phaethon's voice held less hesitation and more relaxed acceptance.
Seeing the smile on Phaethon's face, Trianne happily gave a little hop, as if she had accomplished something remarkable.
She reached out her small hand, grabbed Phaethon's sleeve, and eagerly pointed toward the sun-drenched, laughter-filled direction on the other side of the Infinity Gate. Her voice brimmed with pure vitality and an irresistible enthusiasm:
"Now... Little Snowy. Let's go join everyone over there for the gathering!"
Her small hand transmitted a warm strength, as if trying to pull him from the solitary stone pillar back into the light and warmth full of life that belonged to companions.
No sooner had Phaethon stepped through the Infinity Gate, a roasted meat came flying over from the table where Phainon and Mydei were sitting.
Phaethon caught it, took a few bites, and said with mild exasperation, "Phainon, what are you doing? Throwing food around isn't a good habit!"
"Haha, Phaethon! You're finally here! Mydei said he can cook too, but I said you're better. He doesn't believe me. Next chance you get, you two should have a cook-off," Phainon laughed.
(Mydei: Hmph. So it's a rival of the same type?)
"A cook-off? Don't think I don't know your game. The two of us cook, and then you get to be the judge, right?" Phaethon chuckled lightly, teasing.
"Hahaha! How can you say that? I'm just preventing food waste," Phainon blinked.
Not far away, Castorice was elegantly sipping flower tea, her gaze drifting between Mydei, Phainon, and Phaethon.
Her eyes, which seemed capable of "fathoming" everything, suddenly lit up with a strange brilliance, and she nearly lost her grip on her teacup:
(˵¯͒〰¯͒˵) Wait! There's another rival? This feeling... oh no! The outline for my *The Deliverer's Sun Cannot Possibly Love the Cook's Moon* is collapsing! The established CP dynamic is under severe... impact!
Hiss—but somehow... doesn't that feel more thrilling?!
A love triangle? No, this is two people vying to spoil one! Ahhh! The inspiration is overflowing! I want to write... I want to write right now!
...
After the banquet ended.
"Lady Aglaea, you were looking for me?" Phaethon walked over to Aglaea's side.
"Phaethon, regarding the matter of interpreting the prophecy... I offer you my apologies," Aglaea said calmly.
"It's fine, Lady Aglaea. You don't need to apologize. That was a choice I made myself," Phaethon shook his head.
"But since you have now joined the Flame Chase journey... there are some things I must inform you of," Aglaea said, her tone turning slightly more serious.
Phaethon frowned, waiting for Aglaea to continue.
"You don't need to worry about the eight million balance coins for the Grand Craftsman anymore. I have advanced the payment on your behalf. Find a time to visit him yourself to place your custom order."
Phaethon's brow smoothed.
"And regarding your special ability... I have entrusted Cyrene with the memories of countless departed heroes from my millennium of life, hoping they may aid you."
A look of anticipation appeared on Phaethon's face.
"Including the inside story of the fall of the Demigod of Earth—Terravox, the Demigod of Law—Cerydra, and the Demigod of Ocean—Hysilens"
Phaethon's body jolted, and his expression shifted almost to one of reverence. "I'd go through fire and water for you! The great Aglaea! The almighty Aglaea! Accept this bow from me!"
Aglaea, somewhat speechless, used a golden thread to restrain Phaethon, lest he actually perform some outrageous act of prostration.
"Since you've already fronted the eight million, could you also ask the Grand Craftsman to make me a few extra..." Phaethon began, his tone turning somewhat ingratiating.
"This isn't a matter of money. The reason the Grand Craftsman quoted such a high price is primarily because your requirements would almost deplete Okhema's entire remaining reserves of the precious ore."
"And that ore has been extremely difficult to mine ever since the Titan of Strife descended into madness." Aglaea felt an itch between her brows and had a slight urge to pinch the bridge of her nose.
"Ah... well then, Lady Aglaea. I will participate earnestly in the Flame Chase journey," Phaethon said, a bit disappointed.