The treasure-hunting journey did not go smoothly. Although the River of Souls had receded, it revealed an even larger expanse of the city of Styxia.
Even though Cipher was unrivaled in speed, finding treasures submerged beneath the sea still required time.
That search ended up lasting several days. And while the two were searching for treasure...
An unusual change was taking place in Okhema.
....
Within the ruins of the Abyss of Fate.
The wrecked train still remained there. And an unexpected visitor was examining it.
"...So, this is the car of the Astral Express you've spoken of. My repository of memories has been enriched with another fascinating piece of information. Thank you for leading me here, Lord Dan Heng."
The camera followed the voice and revealed the figure.
It was none other than Lygus, standing beside him was Dan Heng.
The viewers, who had been watching intently, froze at the sight.
...
: How did this guy end up here?
: Did he already settle the score with the Great Herta outside?
: No way it happened that fast.
: Since when did Dan Heng start hanging around with Lygus?
: Relax. Let's see what trick Lygus is trying to pull.
....
"I'm surprised a Council Elder like yourself would be willing to journey so far to inspect the Express." Dan Heng spoke with clear surprise.
When Lygus had sought him out on his own initiative, he had been equally surprised.
Dan Heng still couldn't figure out what this Theoros, whose stance was so difficult to read, was actually thinking.
"Okhemans hold wisdom and knowledge in high esteem. If the citizens knew of your origins, I'm sure more would be intrigued by "the Trailblaze." Sadly, discussions about the "world beyond the sky" remain taboo."
Lygus naturally spoke the name of the Trailblaze. Dan Heng was not surprised.
Since Caenis had previously used knowledge of the outside world to threaten Aglaea within Okhema, it was only natural that the more mysterious Lygus had his own channels for learning such things.
Dan Heng did not dwell on it, nor did he entertain thoughts such as, "Could this guy also be someone from beyond the heavens?"
At least not for now.
"It's been quite some time since you first arrived in Okhema. Presumably you've been looking for a way to leave ever since?"
Lygus withdrew his gaze from the express and looked at Dan Heng as he asked.
"I've been actively gathering clues and testing different things. Sadly, the more I find out, the more powerless I feel."
Dan Heng did not hide the truth. There was a trace of exhaustion in his expression.
He had interacted with Hyacine, Aglaea, and quite a few others.
He had contacted nearly every faction in Amphoreus that he could reach.
Whether through exchanges of interests or persuasive negotiation, everything had been done for the sake of finding a way home.
Unfortunately, it wasn't that the results were minimal.
They were nonexistent. The longer he stayed, the more Dan Heng felt that Amphoreus was like an enormous prison.
To the audiences' surprise, Lygus actually comforted him.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, my lord. This puzzle has stumped Amphoreus' scholars for centuries. It isn't something you can solve overnight... even someone as gifted as yourself."
His attitude left the audience completely bewildered.
Lygus had never seemed like the warm and caring type. So why was he suddenly comforting Dan Heng?
Dan Heng, however, showed no suspicion and instead seized the opportunity to ask:
"In the Grove, I discovered extensive research on the Sky Titan. It appears that many scholars from Amphoreus believe the taboo against the "world beyond the sky" stems from a curse cast by Aquila."
Lygus nodded.
"Exactly. Of the Twelve Titans of Amphoreus, Aquila is known for being the most capricious."
"The weather itself reflects their mood: Tranquil sunshine, mournful rain. Aquila's breath is a brisk wind, and their cries resound as thunder in a storm."
"The sky above affects every citizen. It's clear that Lady Aglaea's decision to confront Aquila at the end of the Flame-Chase Journey was a carefully considered strategy."
This was the shared goal of both the Astral Express crew and the Chrysos Heirs.
If returning Aquila's Coreflame could help them with the so called curse, then Dan Heng and Stelle would no longer need to exhaust themselves searching for a way home.
They would only need to focus on helping the Chrysos Heirs. That was Dan Heng's belief.
"Antikytherans have no home to return to, so I understand your concern for your old friends and homeland."
At that moment, Lygus suddenly said:
"I used Antikytheran technology — or "scanning," as you might call it — to assess this car. Assuming my judgment is correct, I might be able to conduct a thorough overhaul of its "power systems.""
Dan Heng abruptly turned toward Lygus. His eyes were filled with uncertainty and shock.
"Really? But..."
....
: Hold on, how did this suddenly turn into a repair technician arc?
: This timing feels really suspicious.
: Can he actually fix it?!
: Holy crap, this guy really can do everything!
: He knows Herta and can repair the Astral Express? He's been hiding a lot.
: Suddenly I'm curious about Amphoreus' history of Intellitrons.
: What if this guy is actually Aquila, the Sky Titan?
: Honestly, that's not impossible.
....
For all this time, Dan Heng had been searching for other ways to escape.
He had never considered repairing the train itself. Yet this man had opened with an offer to fix it.
This was the Astral Express, after all.
Setting aside whether Lygus was telling the truth, the mere fact that he could make such a claim was enough to make Dan Heng reconsider his identity.
Lygus remained calm.
"Of course, that's only if you, my lord, permit me to interact with it."
"...By all means, please proceed. But be careful, the Express's thrusters are extremely delicate."
After a moment of silence, Dan Heng finally spoke.
"You honor me with your trust. I will be very careful." Lygus replied politely.
He then carefully scanned the damaged Express car and began methodically inspecting its internal components.
Throughout the process, Dan Heng remained by his side.
The more Dan Heng watched, the more unbelievable it seemed.
Lygus' techniques were incredibly skilled, even more professional than the researchers Dan Heng had read about in the technical archives.
The fact that he could repair it at all was already astonishing. The fact that he seemed so familiar with it was even more shocking.
The audience was equally dumbfounded.
You're an Intellitron from Amphoreus. Why are you so familiar with repairing an Astral Express Compartment?
Could these Antikytherans actually be professional train mechanics or something?
...
: Master Lygus, what kind of work is it that you exactly do?
: Damn.
: He can actually repair it?
: If Pom-Pom had met Lygus earlier, then after the Express got blown up by Aha, it wouldn't have been out of commission for so long.
: Holy crap, this Lygus is really something.
: The main thing is, this is the Astral Express. And he actually managed to figure it out.
....
The audience was stunned. And Lygus' analysis had just finished.
Having held it in the entire way, Dan Heng finally couldn't resist asking, "This... is unbelievable. You seem to understand its structure perfectly. Have you repaired something like this before?"
Lygus did not answer immediately.
Instead, he turned around and looked at Dan Heng, his arms instinctively crossing over his chest.
Not the relaxed or scrutinizing posture of an ordinary person folding their arms. Rather, each hand gripped the opposite arm.
In psychology, this behavior often reflects defensiveness, contemplation, emotional closure, or a sense of vigilance.
After the camera zoomed in for a close-up of Lygus' posture... He finally spoke.
"Not exactly. But we Antikytherans are inherently sensitive to machinery. Kephale endowed our kind with a unique advantage for analyzing and learning."
As soon as those words fell... The audience's first reaction was,
Bullshit!
What? You're a mechanic, and Kephale is a mechanic too?
Brother, this is the Astral Express we're talking about.
Many viewers clearly remembered that official lore had once detailed the Express's background.
During the years when the Express remained destroyed and inactive... The connections left behind by the Trailblaze still stretched across the universe.
More than one person had boarded the train in an attempt to repair it.
And every one of them had failed.
Among them were many famous figures.
None of them could do it, yet somehow a machine lifeform from an isolated Amphoreus planet could?
Damn. If that's true, then staying here is a complete waste of your talent.
While the audience remained full of disbelief... Lygus continued,
"If you give me some time, I might be able to fully restore this damaged car to its former glory. Then you and your esteemed companion could set off on your return journey sooner."
By now, Dan Heng's heart was already filled with suspicion. Stroking his chin, he looked directly at Lygus.
"But... isn't the real issue with Aquila?"
Even if the Express were repaired... wouldn't they simply crash again if they were attacked after leaving the world?
But today, Lygus was practically like Doraemon. Faced with Dan Heng's difficult question...
He actually had a solution.
"Hypothetically, Lord Dan Heng, if I could open up a path out of Amphoreus that circumvents Aquila's divine punishment..."
"Would you consider ceasing your support for the Flame-Chase Journey?"
...
: Holy crap?
: He can actually send them out?
: Wait, if Lygus has a method like this, why didn't he tell Dan Heng earlier? Why wait until now?
: Could it be because of Herta?
: Did Herta put pressure on Lygus from outside and directly demand their return?!
: I don't think so.
: Yeah, yeah, it feels more like he wants them to leave as soon as possible.
: Is this a feint? Is he testing Dan Heng?
: Stop helping the Flame-Chase Journey? Does Lygus not want the re-genesis to happen?
: What side is he even on? Why would he do that?
: Something's definitely wrong!
: Dan Heng is smart. He shouldn't get fooled, right?
...
The Express that had been unable to leave despite all their efforts could suddenly depart.
Yet the audience felt no joy at all. Only confusion. From their perspective... Lygus' sudden proposal might have been influenced by Herta.
But his eagerness to send Dan Heng and the others away made his motives seem highly suspicious.
Not to mention... The Express Crew and the Chrysos Heirs had already forged deep bonds.
The coming re-genesis was something both Stelle and Dan Heng wished to witness.
The Nameless usually lived by the philosophy that since they were already here, they might as well see things through.
How could they leave without saving a world first?
Dan Heng calmed himself. The instincts honed over his lifetime led him to begin probing and testing Lygus.
"I don't understand... Does the Council of Elders possess some secret means of counteracting divine punishment?"
But Lygus had no intention of revealing the answer so easily.
"It's best if you don't delve too deeply into that question, my lord. All you need to know is, I can make it happen."
Hearing this response... Dan Heng already had his answer.
This was not the Council of Elders intention. It was Lygus' personal intention.
And Lygus continued, "The crucial point is, if you and your companion are unwilling to halt your support for the Chrysos Heirs... it could offend certain interests."
Dan Heng narrowed his eyes. After a brief moment of consideration, he chose to advance by retreating.
"Forgive me, Lord Lygus, but I must be frank. When visiting Dawncloud, I reviewed the records of many Council Elders..."
"Among them, only your background was nearly blank. I'd like to accept your goodwill, but given such a mysterious background and motives, anyone cautious would have doubts."
If Lygus truly wished to help the Astral Express... Then Dan Heng could never accept concealed origins or hidden motives.
Back then, during the Vidyadhara crisis... Dan Feng claimed he could resolve it.
And he really could. He really did.
But at what cost? No one understood that better than Dan Heng.
"..." Lygus fell silent for a moment before finally sighing.
"Your prudence impresses me, just as expected..."
Even when faced with the most fundamental interests and temptations... This man could still maintain absolute clarity.
No matter how Lygus tried to persuade, conceal, or distract him, Dan Heng could always see the essence of the matter.
That quality earned Lygus's genuine admiration.
As his words faded, numerous masked figures suddenly emerged from the surrounding ruins.
Silent and unnoticed, they surrounded Dan Heng.
"Is this a trap? Is that why you accompanied me here?"
Dan Heng frowned, staring at the assassins whose killing intent was impossible to hide.
"Please don't misunderstand, Lord Dan Heng. As the Theoros, I have no allegiance to their plans nor am I obliged to obstruct them. I am neutral."
"Out of respect for you, I hope to offer a peaceful solution to ensure the safety of you and your companion."
Lygus spoke calmly.
"...One against four, then." Dan Heng showed no panic.
His gaze swept across the assassins, then back to Lyugus.
"Just to confirm: if things turn ugly later... will you help?"