Tribbie gave a slight smile. "Don't you remember, Nodus? My name is Tribios."
Hearing this name, Nodus's jaw nearly dropped. "What—?! It's actually the High Priestess?!"
The next moment, he dropped to his knees. "How did you end up in the form of a child? No—that's not right. A mere tribal priest like me dared to speak of faith in your presence. How presumptuous! Please forgive my insolence…"
[I get it now—this is classic face-slapping flexing, right?]
[Tribbie's so cute—what's wrong with a little face-slapping?]
[This is the most obvious case of lolita addiction kicking in. Is there any cure for me?]
[No cure—just find a nice feng shui spot and bury yourself on the spot!]
[Are you guys even watching the plot? The old man asked why Tribbie turned into a kid—that's the real key point!]
[It's over. My head already hurts. Season 8 is giving me a migraine!]
[If your head's hurting, just know Season 8 comes with a "Part 1" suffix.]
[What does that mean?]
[It means you have no idea how many parts Season 8 is going to be split into, or how long you'll have to wait to finish it.]
[Yeah, Penacony got split into upper, middle, and lower. This one straight-up has "Part 1" tagged on. I can't even.]
[Feels like Amphoreus is just Belobog plus Penacony: apocalyptic crisis + everyone speaking in riddles!]
[Big bro, respect—that summary is actually pretty spot-on.]
— —
In the end, under Tribbie's patient and heartfelt persuasion, Nodus set aside his stubbornness and chose to join the journey to the Sacred City.
Not long after.
Phainon, who had been protecting the civilians, saw Tribbie safely leading everyone back and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Since the help they could offer had already been given, Dan Heng cut straight to the point. "Unfortunately, our questions haven't been answered—in fact, there are even more now. Since the commotion has settled, may we ask the two of you to spare some time and clear up our doubts?"
"Of course. This way, please." Phainon led the two to a quiet corner.
"It seems you've already noticed our difficulties. Thank you for your understanding. As repayment, feel free to ask anything you want to know."
Through Caelus and Phainon's back-and-forth, Phainon gave a rough explanation of the Golden Descendants, the Titans, and the end times.
He answered, yes—but Dan Heng always felt Phainon's explanations were too superficial, staying only on the surface.
Just then.
Tribbie quickly stepped in to smooth things over. Accompanying herself on the lyre, she began reciting a poem.
"The gods favored fertile soil, everywhere blooming like fire.
Twelve constellations as eyes, giants raising cups in toast.
Three opened heaven and earth, three wove fate.
Three shaped life, three guided calamity.
They spoke: The world is too silent. We only wish to see living beings laugh without end.
Thus were born you and I, weaving words and songs, giving birth to love and companionship.
From then on, creation was complete. Who shall bear the weight of souls, to grant the world light steps?
The mighty Kephale, Titan who bears the world—the all-knowing Father. His form is colossal, yet he willingly lowers his eyelids.
The light of dawn rests upon his shoulders, golden blood falls to the earth—
—gathering into a scorching river, flowing through the descendants of heroes…"
Then the bullet comments became a sea of question marks.
[???]
[I actually understood at first, now I'm lost again.]
[Thanks, but I still prefer Phainon's simple version.]
[In Phainon's explanation, at least I knew the Titans are enemies! (covers face.jpg)]
— —
While the group was still exchanging information.
Suddenly the entire ground began to shake.
Caelus and Dan Heng instinctively reached for their weapons, ready to fight.
"What the hell is that?!"
Phainon waved his hand casually. "Hahaha, relax! Our reinforcements have arrived. Everyone, on your feet!"
With that, he led the group outside.
Massive creatures resembling sauropods approached.
From afar they looked fine.
But up close, their colossal bodies made even Dan Heng seem tiny.
"Such magnificent creatures."
Phainon patiently explained to everyone: "These gentle giants are called 'Earth Beasts.' They're faithful companions to humanity. The mountain path to the Sacred City is rugged—we'll have to rely on them.
Earth Beasts have mild temperaments—even first-time riders can handle them easily. Come, give it a try. Just hold the reins tight."
At that moment, a particularly eye-catching bullet comment appeared.
"Welcome "Creator of Divine Earth Beasts" to the stream"
"Creator of Divine Earth Beasts has sent a Star Rail Express!"
"Creator of Divine Earth Beasts has sent another Star Rail Express!"
[Holy crap! Someone can actually send gifts in spectator mode?]
[Rich people really exist, huh?]
[Hahaha, big shot being a big shot!]
[Creator of Divine Earth Beasts: As expected of Earth Beasts—they're always so beautiful!]
[True—Earth Beasts look so ugly-cute!]
[Creator of Divine Earth Beasts: Shut up. Everything looks filthy through your filthy eyes. No need for suggestions—donate it to someone who actually needs it.]
[Hey, why are you talking like that? I just said ugly-cute—what's wrong with that?]
[Creator of Divine Earth Beasts: Isn't it wrong? Did you eat too many walnuts smashed in a door? Suggestion: next time just smash your head directly. Eating or not, same effect.]
[Why is everyone so aggressive these days? Just said one thing and they start spraying in chat.]
[Creator of Divine Earth Beasts: Since you're so cultured, please name the five great virtues and three major advantages of Earth Beasts. If you can't, it proves your character is questionable—you can't even perceive something so obvious! Please stop talking; your ignorance is already showing!]
[…This guy's got issues, right?]
[Creator of Divine Earth Beasts: The ones with issues are you people in this world. Sigh—Earth Beasts being born here isn't your fault.]
[Forget it, forget it, bros—I feel like even all of us together couldn't out-roast this guy!]
[Creator of Divine Earth Beasts: At least you're sensible. Bullet comments have way too many words that need filtering—otherwise, how do you think you can watch web dramas in peace?]
[…]
[…]
— —
Caelus saw the white carapace protruding from the Earth Beast's limbs and tried using it as a stirrup…
"Wu-buzz—!"
The Earth Beast let out a dissatisfied cry and shook lightly—sending Caelus flying several meters.
[Deserved!]
Caelus dusted himself off. "This is what you call 'mild-tempered'?!"
Phainon gave an embarrassed smile. "Forgot to mention—never touch the white stone ridges. When the 'Earth' Titan blessed them, it stuffed all their bad temper into those hard parts."
Caelus let out a long breath and tried again—avoiding the white carapace this time—and easily climbed onto the Earth Beast's back.
[That's more like it.]
After one last round of mutual commercial praise among the group, the caravan set off toward the only remaining human city-state—"Sacred City" Okhema!
The Earth Beast's back was like a cradle. Caelus gradually fell asleep, and after some time traveling, the caravan was nearing Okhema.
"Hey—trouble! Wake up!"
Caelus felt someone shaking his shoulder. He groggily opened his eyes.
"The city's under attack!"
Dan Heng's tone was grave. In an instant, he summoned a water-patterned long spear using Cloud Hymn.
Countless fireballs rained from the sky.
Okhema, right before their eyes, was being assaulted by the Lance of Fury legion.
Just a few shots conveyed an epic, grand scale.
In the screen, several Tribbies could be seen soaring through the sky.
Suddenly, a pillar in front of Caelus snapped. He glanced around—Phainon was already gone.
He and Dan Heng exchanged a look, then leaped down from the Earth Beast.
What greeted them was the eager, swarming Lance of Fury legion!
"This is what you call safe?! Completely different from what Tribbie said!" Caelus couldn't help complaining.
Dan Heng stood back-to-back with him. "Enemies we met in the Abyss of Fate… Looks like this assault is the Titan of Strife's doing."
No more words needed. The two gripped their weapons tightly and charged straight into the Lance of Fury legion without hesitation.
Caelus and Dan Heng had already grasped the legion's attack patterns. Amid flashing blades and spears, one corpse after another fell—turning to dust and sinking into the ground.
Finally safe, the two let out relieved breaths.
"You two are so valiant—are you perhaps Golden Descendants from foreign lands?" A citizen rushed up to them and pointed toward the city ahead. "Please—save Okhema! The mad king Nikador has returned. Look—chaos, strife, everywhere…"
Dan Heng spoke calmly. "Calm down. Leave this place to us—go find shelter quickly."
"Thank you, thank you… Your comrades are already fighting in the city. Fate will guide you to reunite."
"I thought the Sacred City would be a solid sanctuary. Didn't expect it to be this chaotic. We'll stay on the battlefield and lend a hand." Dan Heng's last sentence was clearly directed at Caelus.
At that moment, Caelus rubbed his chin. "This Nikador guy… wouldn't happen to be connected to 'Destruction,' would he…"
"I don't think so. These minions are quite different from the Antimatter Legion."
Next moment, Dan Heng refocused. "Priority now—reunite with Phainon."
Soon, after walking only a short distance forward, they spotted Phainon and Tribbie.
"The main road is blocked! Teacher Tribbie…" Phainon looked somewhat helpless at the collapsed pillar.
"No panic, no panic—leave it to us." As she spoke, Tribbie extended her right hand. "I summon you, Oronyx!"
Suddenly, Caelus seemed to sense something. He chanted along with Tribbie without realizing: "—stir the ripples of the past!"
"Reveal the veil—stir the ripples of the past!"
As Tribbie's chant concluded, the collapsed stones reversed in time, returning to their original pillar form.
Then Dan Heng and Caelus caught up. "How's the situation?"
Phainon looked a bit helpless. "You two… sorry for dragging you into this again. I never expected Nikador to lead his army in a surprise attack on the Sacred City at a time like this… He has always been Kephale's arch-enemy. Now he's gone mad like a feral beast."
Caelus shook his head in disappointment. "Looks like humanity's done for."
"No need to panic. Okhema isn't unprepared. The oracle warned us long ago. This is a natural disaster—but not a fatal one."
Tribbie chimed in agreement. "Mr. Nodus and the others have already gone to shelter. Leave the rest to us—you two should evacuate with the citizens too!"
"But I want to fight!" Caelus gripped his baseball bat tightly.
"I don't doubt your skill, it's just…" But when Phainon saw the Lance of Fury legion still rampaging through the Sacred City, he continued: "Alright—but please don't leave my side. Those scum can't do anything to you two, but our comrades—the people known as 'Golden Descendants'…
Their attacks don't distinguish between friend and foe."
Caelus, Phainon, and the others advanced, clearing obstacles along the way.
But on both sides of the road, many people knelt with hands clasped in prayer, devout and reverent: "Throne of Worlds, Kephale—please end your long silence and grant humanity protection…"
Dan Heng frowned. "What are you doing? It's not safe here—go take shelter."
"No, no, no—it's safe here. The prophecy has already declared it: Kephale's radiant light will shelter all… Look! No one will die. The heroes will protect this city-state!"
Phainon patted Dan Heng on the shoulder. "Let them be. Just as Mr. Nodus reveres Janus, in this crumbling end times, faith has become the entirety of some people's lives. Not betraying their trust is the duty of us Golden Descendants—'Strife's' minions will not touch a single civilian!"
Before his words finished, Caelus, Phainon, and the others leaped in front of the gathered citizens.
Here, a large number of Lance of Fury legion had already amassed!
— —
The screen went black.
Caelus, Phainon, and Dan Heng wiped sweat from their brows. Though the enemies weren't difficult, their sheer numbers were overwhelming.
But Phainon noticed something off. "Corpses everywhere. There shouldn't be this many enemies at the main gate. Where are the city defenders?"
Suddenly, pattering footsteps approached—three Tribbies appeared before everyone.
Phainon was unfazed, but Caelus's expression was pure confusion.
"Th-three Tribbies?!"
At that moment, Tribbie, Trianne, and Trinnon introduced themselves respectively.
Though identical in appearance, their personalities were completely different.
Trinnon was gentle and very quiet.
Trianne was more lively, while Tribbie seemed a blend of the two.
Next, the Tribbie trio informed them about Mydei's situation and mentioned the Gate of Infinity.
The subtitles helpfully highlighted it in red.
Clearly signaling to the audience: Pay attention—this is important, it'll be on the test later!
But the usually composed Phainon became noticeably unsettled the moment he heard "Dee."
He hurriedly led the two charging forward.
Suddenly, a citizen blocked Phainon's path. "L-Lord Phainon! You've finally come—please save the Grand Artisan! He's surrounded by enemies—"
"What?! Hattonus! Hold on—"
The three sprinted forward and saw a massive native resident roaring as he was about to be smashed by a club.
From within the palace slowly emerged a man—majestic as a lion.
His entrance alone radiated dominance.
[Overpowered aura leaking!]
[This is Kalpas?]
[Kalpas? Mydei! Interesting.]
[Handsome as hell—one look and you know this is the type who loves picking fights with you!]
[Weird thing to say, but I get major prince vibes—not just prince, straight-up king energy!]