The damn prophecy appeared again.
The audience was already starting to grow numb.
Judging by how things had gone before… This prophecy would probably really come true.
At the same time, they couldn't imagine how the two demigods would actually bring about such a tragic ending to pass.
Mydei shall die with a wound in his back.
What exactly was that implying? Was it hinting that one day Mydei and Phainon would inevitably turn against each other?
And what kind of scene was Aglaea's "last bath in gold"…? Just hearing it, the audience couldn't stop their minds from imagining it.
And a chill ran down their spines. Yet deep down, they still held onto one last shred of hope… hoping that none of this would actually happen.
This complicated, contradictory viewing experience was truly overwhelming.
...
: The storytelling style of Amphoreus really feels different. Damn it, it's like it's constantly forcing you to keep guessing!
: It's not like the speculation during Penacony either. This planet deliberately feeds you clues just to keep you on edge.
: No way, I can't think about this carefully anymore!
: Trianne already left, and now you're telling me Aglaea and Mydei both have death flags too? What does that even mean?!
: Holy crap… this isn't really going to be a story where everyone gets killed off, right?
: Shut your mouth!
: MiHoYo, I beg you, have some mercy!
: Seriously… the first one to die being Trianne was something I never expected.
: I still remember when episode one aired, everyone was acting so cocky, even daring to confront the director face-to-face, saying Amphoreus would be a classic heroic story where nobody dies.
: That's not our fault! Who could've guessed the writers would be even crazier?! They're slicing people down with fast and slow kills now!
: Yeah! Everyone thought Mydei or Phainon were the ones in real danger. That trial looked so deadly, and then suddenly it was Trianne!
: No, wait! By the later parts, everyone already has death flags!
: This is terrifying! Don't think too deeply about it!
: Relax, everyone. I did a fortune reading, I don't think they'd go that crazy!
: Don't lie to us!
...
The tone of the comments suddenly flipped.
Not long ago, when watching the first episode, many viewers had been extremely confident.
They believed Amphoreus wouldn't actually kill off many characters.
But now, something clearly felt wrong.
Damn it, there were outright death foreshadowing now… And it wasn't just the prophecy.
There was also Trianne's death.
Throughout the first episode, the ones hinted at being targeted were Mydei and Phainon, while Trianne merely carried minor flags.
Yet Trianne was the first to leave, and the departure was abrupt, with almost no emotional buffer.
And narratively, it made perfect sense.
Once that precedent was set… Things became terrifying.
Anyone with a flag could now die. And among the Chrysos Heirs introduced so far, almost everyone carried one.
With this kind of killing pattern, the audience had no way of guessing who would be next, or preparing themselves at all.
The comments exploded with frantic discussion.
As the barrage scrolled past, on screen, Mydei didn't take the prophecy he saw during his ascension to godhood seriously at all.
" I were to be terrified by drivel with no basis, I would not have attracted your gaze and joined the Flame-Chase Journey in the first place."
Hearing this, Aglaea smiled lightly.
"You speak the truth. May you be destined for a powerful fate, and may we reunite in the promised new world..."
Mydei accepted the blessing and then bid Aglaea farewell.
Afterward, Mydei sought out his companions one by one to say goodbye.
Before Hyacine, Mydei asked her to pass along a message to the others.
"...Tell them that there is no longer a need to send scouts behind enemy lines. With a single message, the Lance of Fury will target anyone who dares oppose Okhema."
Later, Mydei found Castorice, said his farewell, and offered to help her in her search for Thanatos.
He also met Chartonus.
Rather than saying goodbye to his own clan, Mydei spoke warmly with the master craftsman.
He entrusted Chartonus with continuing to look after Phainon after he left Okhema.
And finally, he came before the two outsiders.
"Outlanders... no, Trailblazers, I will soon make my way to Castrum Kremnos."
Looking at Stelle and Dan Heng, Mydei said solemnly, "If all goes according to plan, this may be our final meeting. I just want to let you know that I appreciate everything you have done for Amphoreus."
Dan Heng replied politely and sincerely, "Though we never had a chance for a deep conversation, after all we've experienced together... you are also an ally of the Trailblaze, Mydei."
Those words were not empty. Whether it was the battles they fought together, or Mydei's demonstrated character, both were enough for Dan Heng to acknowledge him.
"That means a lot to me. May success accompany your Trailblazing wherever it leads." Mydei accepted it gladly.
But at that moment, Stelle's eyes suddenly spun mischievously.
Recalling her previous bizarre antics, Mydei couldn't help shaking his head with a smile.
"Heh... How about you let me guess what's on your mind?"
The moment he finished speaking, Stelle suddenly put on a sorrowful expression and began sobbing.
" *sob* ...What are we going to do without you?"
The crying sounded anything but sincere, more like a terrible actor putting on a performance.
Mydei's smile instantly froze. Honestly… The thoughts of outsiders were truly impossible to predict.
Beside them, Dan Heng remained completely calm, clearly experienced, this likely wasn't the first time he had faced such a situation.
He even kindly told Mydei, " Just smile if you don't know how to respond."
Hearing this, Mydei forced out a stiff grin.
"…Haha." Their interaction made even the anxiety-ridden audience burst into laughter.
...
: Honestly, moments like this are still the most relaxing to watch!
: As soon as Stelle shows up and starts talking, the atmosphere instantly becomes cheerful.
: I'm dying, Dan Heng has completely given up thinking.
: Even Mydei has no way to deal with Stelle's absurdity.
: No one can predict what kind of nonsense Stelle will say or when.
: Stelle's mental state is unreal.
: My vision went dark from laughing!
: She even left this newly ascended demigod speechless.
: And the camera even gave Mydei a close-up for that moment.
....
Mydei finally let go.
Perhaps… People from beyond the heavens are simply like this.
Even after experiencing so much, they can still smile and move forward.
And so, when Stelle pulled him over for a photo, Mydei unexpectedly relaxed.
Click.
The shutter sounded. Holding March 7th's camera, Stelle captured this precious group photo.
"Mm!"
"A picture of the future Demigod of Time and the current Demigod of Strife together."
Stelle looked at the photo and proudly made her declaration.
"Looks pretty good. What do you think, Mydei?" Dan Heng asked from the side.
Looking at the picture, Mydei said seriously, "Hmph, well... It feels peculiar, I suppose? I'm not talking about your photographic skills. It's just that I rarely take photos..."
Mydei bid farewell once more.
His final stop had already brought him to the gates of Okhema.
No one knew who spread the news to the surviving people of Castrum Kremnos.
At this moment, countless people of Castrum Kremnos gathered along both sides of the city gate.
Children, warriors, their expressions were complicated. Clearly, they already knew of Mydei's decision.
Mydei remained calm. He lifted his head and strode toward the end of the road.
He felt the gazes from both sides, yet sensed little resentment within them.
Instead, there was confusion, incomprehension, fear of the future… and expectation, along with admiration and blessings toward their demi-god.
At the edge of the crowd, Mydei saw Chartonus and Kreateros.
The three met each other's gaze in silence. No one spoke. This was a wordless farewell.
"This is for the best…" Mydei sighed inwardly in relief.
He did not wish to face grieving faces when leaving this place. Now it seemed their acceptance was stronger than he expected.
The road was not long. Yet to Mydei, every step felt unbearably heavy.
When he finally reached the end, Phainon was leaning against the wall, waiting for him.
"It's been a while, "Guardian." I'll accompany you for the last stretch."
Phainon showed a bright smile. Mydei did not refuse, and the two walked side by side.
Neither spoke along the way. Only after leaving the city did they stop.
"Well... thank you for aiding me in defeating my archenemy, Mydeimos." Phainon finally spoke.
"No need to thank me. This triumph brings no delight, nor does it signify closure, you understand that more than me." Mydei shook his head.
"...Indeed. In the end, I still haven't unraveled the mystery behind that black-robed swordmaster, and I can't even ascertain their demise."
"Maybe I've never managed to cut off my destiny."
Phainon dropped his relaxed facade. He had not intended to reveal such sorrow at a moment like this.
"Can you genuinely let go of everything as soon as that swordmaster is dead? That's impossible. Revenge is merely an obligation that must be carried out, and no one can find mental fulfillment through it."
Mydei comforted him, speaking with a philosophical calm before adding solemnly,
"Look forward. Chew up and swallow your past, then make sure emptiness and bitterness are not the only flavors you know."
"Remember that there is a whole world behind you waiting to be saved."
Phainon's restless heart gradually settled.
That was right. He still had more important responsibilities. He could not remain trapped in hatred.
"I'll be on my way, Deliverer. Remember to stay alive till the final act." Mydei smiled faintly, waved, and turned away.
"Yes!" Phainon nodded firmly.
"Same goes for you. Don't die too easily."
Their bond no longer needed words. Whether it was their simple blessings or the trust they placed in one another, everything was understood in silence.
Click!
With a roar, crimson lightning surged into the sky. Mydei vanished beyond the horizon.
On screen, Phainon, the Kremnoans, and Okhema grew smaller and smaller.
Until another city appeared in view.
Castrum Kremnos.
After becoming the Strife Demigod, Mydei no longer needed to travel like a mortal.
Lightning struck down, taking the form of Mydei as he descended onto Castrum Kremnos' iconic grand avenue.
In the night, the road was peaceful and silent.
Mydei did not fly directly into the city. Instead, he stepped onto the road and walked forward with his own feet.
Though no one was present, countless voices of praise suddenly resounded.
Mydei fell into a daze. The Castrum Kremnos of the past at its peak, seemed to reappear before his eyes.
The empty road bathed in night transformed into a lively scene.
Soldiers. Crowds. Laughter and playful shouts. Everything appeared vividly before him.
Above, the blazing sun shone.
Under that radiant light, Castrum Kremnos was full of vitality.
Mydei walked among them. Countless people brushed past him, his father, his mother, and companions from his years of exile.
One after another, they smiled and called out the name Mydeimos.
The music grew increasingly grand and sacred.
When Mydei reached the end of the road, his mother's gentle voice sounded beside his ear.
"Welcome home, Mydeimos. Have you found something worth protecting?"
As the voice faded, the bustling illusion vanished completely.
Before him once again lay an empty road.
Night filled the sky. Mydei's expression did not change. He closed his eyes.
A dangerous horn sounded. A vast voice began to sing.
The camera circled around him, finally freezing on his face, on the instant his eyes snapped open.
What Mydei saw was no longer the ruined Castrum Kremnos, but its most glorious time.
Ahead, upon the stairs, rows of soldiers stood in formation. They struck shields and spears while roaring thunderous battle cries.
Everything was bathed in golden sunlight.
"The son of Gorgo will be crowned in blood!"
"The son of Gorgo will be crowned in blood!"
Amid the cries of his people, Mydei ascended the steps walking steadily toward the throne.
As he advanced the music grew increasingly ominous. The scene flickered between glorious past and ruined present, until he approached the blood-stained throne.
He gently touched the seat. then suddenly turned sweeping his cloak aside. War drums and horns sounded together, announcing the new demigod.
With an invincible bearing, he sat upon the throne, his gaze fixed forward.
The camera rapidly pulled back, past the road, the gates, retreating all the way beyond the city walls.
In the final second of the scene, countless creations of the Black Tide surged in from all directions.
The Demigod of Strife, Mydeimos, now sat on the throne in Castrum Kremnos, holding back the Black Tide all alone.
-----
Year 4931 of the Light Calendar, Month of Balance
Nikador, the Strife Titan, Lance of Fury fell. Mydeimos, king of Kremnos, triumphed over the trial, and the new god was born.
On the following day, the Kremnoan dynasty, which had lasted for a thousand years, came to an end.