"Agreed!" Caelus raised both hands and feet in approval.
Dan Heng nodded, found a spot to sit anywhere, propped his chin on one hand, and sank into thought.
"By our perception, we've spent roughly twenty system hours grasping Amphoreus's current state and even built connections with the locals. That's a solid start. Still… I always feel something is hidden beneath the surface. Even among the Chrysos Heirs, things aren't as united as they appear."
Caelus agreed. "Yeah, the overall situation is still pretty unclear. I never expected Aglaea to be that ruthless."
After thinking for a moment, Dan Heng replied, "But her outburst felt somewhat abrupt. There might be another reason behind it. We're surrounded by doubts—we can only deal with them head-on.
After all, 'Trailblaze' has no standard answers. Aside from fully immersing ourselves in this world's cycle and taking it one solid step at a time, there doesn't seem to be any other way.
There are still plenty of questions, but my brain is too exhausted to think anymore… Phainon was right. Let's rest first and leave the problems for tomorrow."
[This recap is because the plot dumped too much info at once—they're scared the audience won't understand, so they're walking everyone through it.]
[Penacony had a recap too, except back then it was Old Yang doing it.]
[Listening to Teacher Dan Heng's voice gives me this faint sense of death!]
[No matter what, from now on every word and action has to be far more cautious. This world has way too many unknowns—even completely unreasonable divine punishments!]
Meanwhile, in the Garden of Life.
Tribbie gazed at Kephale bearing the Dawn Engine on its back, then turned to ask Aglaea behind her,
"Agy, this expedition will go smoothly, right?"
"Do not waver, my teacher. You are the one who interprets the oracle for the Chrysos Heirs. Any hesitation in your words or actions will shake everyone's resolve."
"I know, I know. But right now it's just you and us here… Also… Agy, what I really want to ask is—back in the vortex heart, you weren't actually planning to…"
Aglaea's tone remained calm. "Of course not."
"Phew… that's a relief."
"Why ask what you already know? If you truly believed I intended to kill them, you would have intervened."
Tribbie scratched her head sheepishly. "You saw right through me. We just wanted to know… Agy, what were you really thinking?"
"…My original plan was to use the threat of 'exile' to test their will and determination.
But I sensed Castorice's unease. She trusts them and even secretly contacted Phainon, thinking I didn't know…
So I went along with it. I simply changed 'exile' to 'execution' and used the most extreme scenario to measure their resolve.
At the same time, it would deepen the bond between them and Phainon—and Castorice."
[How do I even describe this? Kinda forced.]
[I can only say the reasoning is… mildly creative.]
[That explanation feels pretty forced.]
[Actually I have a theory—want to hear it, everyone?]
[Go ahead.]
[+1.]
[Everything here was deliberately done by Star Rail just for those four words: "Rosy-Hued Heavenly Maiden."]
[??? So what?]
[So they intentionally wrote this blood-pressure-spiking plot segment to make the audience remember it all.]
[You can't whitewash it like that. My viewing experience has been bad up to this point.]
[I came for a web series. Season 8 already has a massive time span, and right from the start they dump this much setting, then bind the Trailblazer in golden threads, and now he has to tag along with the Chrysos Heirs to fight the Strife Titan—and miHoYo is dropping the next chapter in 42 days. With all these buffs stacked together, how am I not supposed to be angry?]
— —
"For the battle against Nikador, did it really have to go this far? After this, it'll be even harder for them to trust you…"
Tribbie furrowed her brows, clearly weighed down by worry.
Aglaea's face showed no ripple of emotion. She looked toward the Burden Titan. "That doesn't matter. You and I will eventually leave this stage. Amphoreus's fate will be handed over to others… That is the future you foresaw, isn't it?"
"Mm."
"The oracle of salvation is murky and unclear. It incites us to challenge the gods, yet never reveals what the prophesied 'tomorrow' will look like. Right now, people are willing to believe in the oracle, which is why they rally around the Chrysos Heirs. But if one day their faith wavers… everything will collapse.
So we must prepare. What does it matter if you and I are clad in rags? Focus only on weaving battle garments for the 'Deliverer.'"
"Agy… have you noticed…" Tribbie paused. "You keep saying you don't believe in human selflessness, yet you yourself are about to become a living counterexample."
"Perhaps because the 'human' part of me is gradually slipping away. Another endless dawn—how bright the day, how long the eternal night.
The golden threads are unusually still today. Heaven, earth, and ocean are all holding their breath. Are they mourning the destined death of a Titan…? I really want to bathe for a moment… Will you come with me?"
— —
"Mem?"
"Mm… what's that sound?" Caelus slowly opened his eyes.
"Mem? (Sound? Who? That one? Which one?)"
"Who's talking…"
"Mem Mem?! (Calm. Calm. This time. Next time?)"
Caelus yawned. "Stop making noise—let me sleep properly!"
On screen appeared a rabbit-like figure.
It spoke in a language that was completely incomprehensible, but the subtitles made it clear what was being said.
Its voice actually sounded quite cute.
"Mem? Mem! Mem?! (Sleep? Good? Bad? You… me… who am I? …Broken. Lost. Want… whole. …Sleep. Sleep. Disturb… shouldn't.)"
…
Caelus wearily propped himself up, hands covering his head, breathing heavily.
All night long it felt like something had been mumbling nonstop right next to his ear.
Even his dreams were full of "Mem"!
To wake himself up, Caelus decided to step out onto the balcony for some fresh air!
Dan Heng was clearly already waiting.
Thanks to the Dawn Engine, Okhema's sky remained bright at all times.
Caelus mentioned that he seemed to have dreamed of something strange last night, but Dan Heng brought up the most pressing issue at hand.
"While you were asleep, I thought about a few things. The biggest problem right now is still how the people of Amphoreus view the outer realms. In the short term, we probably won't be able to contact the Express."
Caelus nodded a few times and silently accepted the situation.
Just then.
Caelus's phone rang. It was a message from Phainon.
The gist was that Trianne had located the true body of the Strife Titan Nikador—they could go elbow it now!
— —
Not long after.
Everyone gathered at the bathhouse.
Right off the bat, Mydei and Phainon started bickering.
Then Aglaea and Castorice appeared together, intending to select the team to confront Nikador.
Naturally, everyone present wanted to join this Coreflame war.
But with the principle of not putting all eggs in one basket, Aglaea approved of Mydei and Phainon going together.
Then came the choice between Dan Heng and Caelus.
Phainon chose Caelus without hesitation.
"He excels at wielding multiple weapons. That flame lance has deflected enemy attacks more than once. Mydei and I are both more offense-oriented. From a purely tactical standpoint…"
Phainon turned to look at Caelus. "What do you think?"
"Huh! I've got a plan! We could try putting Dan Heng in a tank build…" Caelus raised one finger.
Dan Heng shot Caelus a look. "What are you even saying… this isn't the time for jokes."
"As long as he has no objections… Aglaea, entrust the mission to hunt the Strife Titan to the three of us."
Aglaea did not respond to Phainon directly. Her gaze settled on Mydei. "Castrum Kremnos is your homeland, Mydeimos. Your people were once followers of Nikador—yet you chose to return to Okhema and devote yourself to the oracle.
Will you swear upon Kephale's divine body that you regard the mission of the Chrysos Heirs as your highest duty?"
"Ever since Nikador succumbed to madness, it has no longer been my people's god. I will strip the divine authority away with human fury. As for the Coreflame and the soon-to-be-vacant divine seat… if that is what you desire, take it. I have no interest in replacing a god."
Phainon gave a knowing smile. "Hah… how generous. But I don't like receiving handouts. The one who delivers the final thrust to Nikador's heart will be me."
After receiving the confirmation, Aglaea immediately declared, "With that, the expedition team to Castrum Kremnos is formed. Phainon of the Wailing Secret Grove, Mydei of Castrum Kremnos, and… Caelus from afar.
I—Aglaea of Okhema, Chrysos Heir, demigod who bears the divine authority of Mnestia—bestow my blessing upon the path you are about to walk.
Trianne will open the gate leading to Castrum Kremnos for you. May golden threads guide your journey, and may they also lead you home."
[Wait, just the three of them on the expedition?]
[Yeah. Taking down Aventurine took the whole Express crew plus Acheron, right?]
[The Titans must all be weak, I guess?]
[Phainon is pretty strong, but even he doesn't sound fully confident against a Titan. So their combat power should still be respectable.]
— —
After the meeting adjourned, Caelus was chatting with Dan Heng.
"I plan to stay here longer and ask Lady Tribbie to teach me about Amphoreus's knowledge. You handle the action; I'll handle the research. We each do what we're best at."
Caelus looked at Dan Heng with affectionate eyes. "No farewell hug?"
"…" Dan Heng silently rejected the proposal.
"Sigh, so unromantic!"
[Hug him! Just hug him!]
[Dan Heng × Caelus is still peak!]
[Uh…]
[Dan Heng × Caelus actually has very high popularity on certain lesser-known sites—higher than Dan Heng × Blade!]
— —
"Let's gooo~ Whirl… whirlwind… Castrum Kremnos! Woo-hoo! Snowy, Dee … come fly with me, let's fly over together!"
Trianne bounced and skipped her way in front of the group.
Phainon gave an awkward smile. "We don't have wings on our backs, Teacher Trianne. Could you trouble yourself to open a door?"
"Oh… door, so boring. Fine then—open the gate! 'Hundred Realms Gate'! Whooo—"
Caelus raised an eyebrow. "Void gate?"
"Hahaha, you thought it was a literal city gate? Don't let Teacher Trianne's playfulness fool you—she's Amphoreus's most skilled gate-smith. The 'Hundred Realms Gate' she creates is flawless."
"Are there other ways to travel?"
Mydei reminded them from the side, "Rather than worrying about the 'gate,' we should first think about how the three of us are going to face an army of thousands."
"That doesn't sound like you at all. Isn't the 'Mydei' in your name supposed to mean 'ten thousand enemies'—as in one against ten thousand?" Phainon's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
"Alright! Door… door… coming right up, super soon—the 'Hundred Realms Gate' is opening! Snowy, Dee, and… new kid Little Gray, ready to set out?"
"Let's go—god-slaying!"
Suddenly Dan Heng stopped Caelus and handed him March 7th's camera. "Record the sights of this adventure for March too."
"I'll capture the decisive moment!"
"Protect yourself. Know your limits."
"Ahem." Trianne gave two light coughs to bring the plot back on track.
Afterward, the three passed through the Hundred Realms Gate and arrived at Castrum Kremnos!
Fortunately, the enemies here had already been greatly reduced, and there was no sign of the Lance of Fury legion.
After bidding farewell to Trianne, the group began their conquest.
Caelus asked with some confusion, "Is she really a 'demigod'?"
Phainon's face showed a trace of bitterness. "For Amphoreus's sake, Teacher Trianne has paid a heavy price as well."
[Uh-oh, knife incoming!]
[I've always had one question—why does Tribbie have three of herself?]
[It's the Chrysos Heirs' ability, didn't you notice?]
[So everyone has a flaw?]
[Yes, the Chrysos Heirs have flaws—but Phainon doesn't seem to have one.]
— —
The plot continued. With Mydei leading the way, everything went much more smoothly.
From this point on, however, the banter between Phainon and Mydei increased dramatically—to the point where Caelus felt like a third wheel.
Phainon opened the conversation. "Returning to your old home—how does it feel?"
"Not here. I lived in the inner city."
"Hah… as expected of Castrum's crown prince." Phainon seemed to recall something. "By the way, aren't you going to tell Trailblazer about Castrum Kremnos? Not worried I'll feed him some of your most hated apocryphal history?"
Mydei clenched both fists. "Try it and see."
"Sigh… talking to you is really exhausting sometimes…"
Caelus gave Phainon an out. "Tell me about it."
"Castrum Kremnos has been Nikador's domain since ancient times—a military fortress built by believers around their Titan, and also a massive mobile stronghold.
Back when the Lance of Fury had not yet fallen, Castrum Kremnos would march alongside it, sustaining itself through war. It was a disciplined, extremely martial city-state. Compared to that, my hometown's folkways are practically pastoral."
[I feel like Phainon and Mydei's banter is really entertaining.]
[They act like they're at each other's throats, but they're actually close to a certain degree.]
[So when friends like this get the knife treatment, it's gotta be extra sweet, right?]
[FUCK!!! I#$ % YOU %%%… HE % $ DAY#… %$!]
[What did that last comment just say?]
[They said they're an islander.]
Soon the leader Mydei stopped. "There. Through that gate is the inner citadel."