Hysilens's pupils trembled violently within their sockets! Her gaze was locked anxiously onto the terrifying blade less than ten centimeters from Cerydra's neck. Unfortunately, trapped within the time-stop field, Hysilens could do nothing. She could only watch helplessly as fine beads of sweat rapidly formed on Cerydra's fair neck due to the heat of the "Judgment of Shamash"!
...
"I have no intention of provoking conflict, Your Majesty." Phaethon's voice was calm and even, as if the weapon resting against an Empress's neck was not a divine armament capable of incinerating all things, but merely a harmless flower branch.
"Then move your sword away first." Cerydra's voice, too, betrayed no trace of panic. She lifted her chin slightly, her eyes burning with blue flames meeting Phaethon's gaze without fear. The majesty of a monarch was on full display in this moment, even though she had to look up to see his face.
"I merely wish to secure an equal, peaceful opportunity for dialogue." Phaethon, as if not hearing her request, continued his statement in that steady tone. The Judgment of Shamash in his hand did not budge an inch, its searing heat causing the air to waver faintly.
"...Fine," Cerydra took a deep breath, trying a different approach. "Then at least withdraw that thing hovering over my holy city first! And release my Sword-Dux Gladiorum from that state!" She gestured with her eyes towards the terrifying giant sword above and the time-frozen Hysilens.
"Do not be impatient, Your Majesty. I will let you see my 'sincerity'." Phaethon had already reached a decision in his heart. Immediately, he raised a hand and opened an Infinity Gate. Without even a glance back at the chaotic situation behind him, he walked directly towards the light gate leading to the city districts below Okhema.
Cerydra: "..." Watching Phaethon's true form walk away without a backward glance, leaving everyone stranded here, she was momentarily at a loss for how to react. Finally, she gave up on useless struggle and instead secretly used the blue flames atop her head to angrily 'scorch' the cheek of the Phaethon doppelganger that was so close. Though this action, aside from making the surrounding air a bit hotter, seemed to have no practical effect.
On the other side, Phainon, who had initially broken into a cold sweat seeing Phaethon suddenly subdue Cerydra and suspend the giant sword over the precipice, worried that relations would be utterly ruined. But observing this bizarre and strangely "effective" method of communication, along with Cerydra's reaction—angry, yet not truly losing her composure—he nodded thoughtfully, as if grasping something. "So... in certain situations, putting a blade to someone's neck is a way to quickly gain 'trust' and the qualification for dialogue," he muttered to himself, his tone peculiar.
...
Phaethon, via the Infinity Gate, appeared directly in the somewhat chaotic city districts of Okhema. Behind him, in the direction of the towering Dawncloud Cliff, the hundreds-of-meters-long "Blade of Fury" still hung imposingly, its tip pointed directly at the Kephale Divine Husk below, as if it might plunge down at any moment! This Sword of Damocles-like spectacle brought immense panic to the holy city's residents. People looked up uneasily, whispering among themselves.
Just as Phaethon had anticipated, the moment he demonstrated the "value" and "power" sufficient to threaten the Empress and shake the holy city, certain restless Elders who had been lurking in the shadows, like hyenas scenting blood, actively sought him out. A richly dressed Elder with shifty eyes, shielded by attendants, cautiously approached Phaethon, his face plastered with an expression of indignation and feigned concern for the people and state: "Noble Savior! I am one of the Elders of the holy city. As you can see, ever since that dictatorial, tradition-scorning tyrant took the throne, she has plunged the holy city into chaos and misery for the people..." He spoke with passionate rhetoric, as if he were some great loyal minister serving the people and state, not a politician vying for power.
"Mhmm, mhmm..." Phaethon responded perfunctorily, his gaze coolly sweeping over the panicked crowds in the streets, seemingly not listening seriously at all. The Elder was overjoyed, mistaking Phaethon's perfunctory attitude for acquiescence and agreement, believing he had found an immensely powerful external ally. He excitedly introduced Phaethon to several other Elders hiding in the shadows, who were also dissatisfied with Cerydra.
In a hidden chamber, several Elders looked at Phaethon with nervous anticipation. The initial Elder excitedly introduced: "Gentlemen! This is the prophesied Savior of Amphoreus! We believe that under his leadership and the assistance of our Council of Elders, we can surely overthrow that tyrant's rule and restore order to the holy city! The world shall ultimately belong to the Council of Elders! Uh... and, of course, to the Savior as well!"
Phaethon looked at the scheming faces before him, and an inscrutable smile began to appear on his face. "No need for such formality. You may call me Phaethon." His voice even sounded somewhat gentle. "Moreover, I can responsibly tell you some good news—you will never see that Cerydra again."
"Thank you, Lord Phaethon!" The guiding Elder was immediately elated and smug, feeling he had gained face before his colleagues, as he had seemingly become the first meritorious official to connect with the new master! However, Phaethon's next words caused the smile to freeze on his face. "What, you actually called me that?"
A flash of sword light! Before anyone could even see the movement, the Elder's head had already separated from his neck, an expression of shock and greed still lingering on his face as it rolled to the ground. The other Elders were scared out of their wits, collapsing to the floor, screaming explanations in terror: "W-we didn't! Savior! We didn't call you that! It was all him alone!"
Phaethon flicked his hand as if shaking off non-existent bloodstains. His gaze swept over the trembling nobles like they were insects, and he posed a question that made them even more despairing: "Oh? But sorry, I need to exchange your 'sincerity' for that suspicious monarch's sincerity."
...
When Cerydra saw Phaethon step out unhurriedly from the Infinity Gate once more, the blue flames in her eyes flickered slightly. Phaethon's expression was detached, as if merely discarding a few pieces of garbage, he threw several bloodied heads onto the cloud-rock ground before her. Among them, of course, was the head of this recurrence's "Caenis." The heads rolled with a dull thud, finally coming to a stop before a pair of exquisite royal boots.
"Your Majesty, this is my 'sincerity'." Phaethon's voice held no trace of fluctuation. He raised a hand, pointing at the heads on the ground. "These are the parasites lurking within the Council of Elders. They have been sowing discord in secret, undermining the foundation of your rule. But now, I have cleaned them up for you."