...
: Has this idiot gone insane?
: No, seriously, sending people to assassinate the Chrysos Heirs and Stelle? Is that for real?
: Can Caenis even say that? These assassins actually dared to do it?
: Who gave them that kind of confidence?
: I can't take this anymore.
: What's the motive? Where's their brain?
.....
Given the current situation in Okhema, this was simply impossible to justify.
Unless Caenis suddenly lost all intelligence like some side character in a power fantasy novel and insisted on walking right into a beating.
But this was Honkai: Star Rail, so that was obviously impossible.
"Black clothing... Masks decorated with golden blood..."
"...Are they "Cleaners"?"
Phainon looked at the masked figures and frowned slightly, recalling knowledge he had only ever seen in books.
The lead assassin sounded surprised.
"Ha... To directly call us by our name, it seems you, Lord Phainon, have studied the forgotten history of Amphoreus quite thoroughly."
"Your friend seems quite interested in us. Perhaps you could explain, Lord Phainon? It would be the polite thing..."
Ignoring him, Phainon turned to Stelle.
"During the Chrysos War, to combat the Chrysos Heirs, several cities formed an underground assassin squad called "the Cleaners.""
"Their task was to erase anyone with golden blood from existence. Assassination, poisoning, political persecution... They would do anything to achieve their objective."
The explanation pleased the assassin greatly. But Stelle's next words instantly froze the smug look on his face.
"Got it. So there's no need to hold back, right?"
Stelle looked eagerly at the assassins, her eyes shining.
"You..." The assassin felt his breath catch in his chest.
Phainon crossed his arms and said to Stelle,
"Keep your cool, Stelle. They've come out of the shadows, which suggests they've got something up their sleeves."
"Alright, let's hear it, what are you hiding? But watch your language, and don't say anything you might regret."
"My shoulders might be sore and my sword a tad dull... but it's still enough to slice off your tongues"
The man who always wore a bright smile now fully displayed the presence of a leader.
It was also the first time the audience had seen Phainon this intimidating.
...
: So cool!
: That's the feeling! Decisive and straightforward!
: Those lines were way too badass.
: That's why Phainon is such a great growth-type character. Compared to Episode 1, he's practically a completely different person now.
: Yeah. Back then he was an energetic and cool character. Now he completely possesses the decisiveness and charisma of a leader.
: No arguments here!
: Hurry up and take care of these idiot assassins!
....
Just as the audience was expecting a massacre... The scene shifted once again.
This was already the third abrupt transition since the second half of the episode began.
Combined with Caenis' sudden outburst earlier... Everything seemed to be vaguely hinting that something major was about to happen.
The audience could sense that something was coming. But they couldn't tell exactly what.
Wasn't everything currently moving in a positive direction?
.....
Inside Okhema, the weather was bright and pleasant.
Hyacine was chatting with Tribbie along with her pet. The chubby, adorable creature immediately stole the spotlight the moment it appeared on screen.
"How's it going, Cinny? This place fits, doesn't it?"
"It's a bit small, but the lighting is perfect!"
"Thank you, Lady Tribbie! With this, the Twilight Courtyard can be reborn in Okhema."
Hyacine smiled energetically. Beside her, Little Ica let out a series of cheerful chirps.
This was Tribbie's gift. And also Aglaea's.
In Okhema, they had specially allocated an entire area, complete with intact buildings, for rebuilding the Twilight Courtyard.
It was essentially a brand-new hospital. Hyacine and Tribbie strolled through the grounds together, chatting excitedly about the future.
Their conversation gradually shifted from the Sky Titan to the Day-Thunder Knight.
This was also the first time the audience heard the story of Seliose.
"With Seliose, the Daythunder Knight, striking down the Eye of Twilight, the divine war between Nikador and Aquila, which spanned centuries, came to an end..."
"Thereafter... the Skyfolk gradually declined, numerous sky fortresses were abandoned, and their descendants began to establish themselves on the land..."
"Finally, those descended from Seliose the Daythunder Knight were welcomed by the scholars under Cerces and established the Twilight Courtyard in the Grove..."
"That's what the history books record."
After hearing the historical account, the well-read Tribbie blinked in confusion. Because what was written in the books differed somewhat from her own memories.
Yet the events of that time, the details of what truly happened, had long since been forgotten following the passing of time and use of her powers.
"What is it, Lady Tribbie? Do the history books differ from your memories?"
Hyacine covered her mouth and laughed.
"There's nothing that can be done about that. For Lady Tribbie, history isn't just words written on pages, it's an era you personally lived through."
"Doot! Doot-Doot, Doot!" Little Ica chimed in with adorable cries from the side.
Hyacine reached out and rubbed Little Ica's chubby cheeks.
"Heh, Little Ica loves listening to the stories from the legends. I'm sure you're also imagining, one day, you'll be as awe-inspiring as the winged beasts by Seliose's side?"
"Doo-doo-doo-doo!"
Little Ica responded happily. Watching their interaction, the audience couldn't decide who was more enviable.
Little Ica, whose cheeks were being pinched by Hyacine. Or Hyacine, who got to play with such a cute animal.
But at that moment, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from afar. The audience immediately felt a sense of PTSD hearing that sound.
Sure enough. With tension boiling everywhere else, there was no way Okhema could remain peaceful forever.
Yet when the camera moved closer, The newcomers weren't black-clad assassins.
Instead, it was Krateros, accompanied by Aglaea's attendants and several palace officials.
"Miss Hyacine..."
"...And Lady Tribbie, good to see you're doing alright. I heard from the citizens you were nearby and came to check."
"There's been another violent incident at the market. A shop was smashed and looted. It's the third time this week."
The moment he saw Tribbie, he nearly blurted it out.
But before Hyacine or Tribbie could respond, another person rushed to them.
"...Trouble! Miss Hyacine... trouble!"
"...Clementine? Take a breath... What's going on?"
Both Tribbie and Hyacine felt their hearts skip a beat.
"Please! Something terrible has happened at Marmoreal Palace!"
Krateros who was standing nearby also sensed something was wrong, looked at the panicked lady and spoke up, "What is it, doctor? Calm yourself and talk us through!"
"Lady Aglaea..."
"It's... it's Lady Aglaea who's in trouble!"
Clementine could no longer bear the pressure. Tears streamed down her face.
Tribbie and Hyacine stood frozen on the spot.
Hearing this, Krateros clenched his fists and let out a long sigh.
"Even before the Citizens' Assembly began, while I was patrolling the streets, I had already discovered many vicious incidents."
"But... but I thought that with Lady Aglaea around, Okhema's public order had always been peaceful and stable. Perhaps Lady Aglaea was deliberately using them to lure out the villains hiding in the shadows."
"But hearing this, I'm afraid Lady Aglaea was already reaching her limits sometime ago."
"And now the golden threads which have bound this holy city for nearly a millennia have begun to loosen."
At that point... Krateros could not continue.
It wasn't just him who had noticed it. Those with malicious intentions had noticed it as well.
Then, after the Citizens' Assembly ended, at the moment when the Chrysos Heirs had achieved a complete victory, while everyone had lowered their guard... They suddenly struck.
A suffocating feeling began to envelop the group.
The audience outside the screen was utterly horrified.
How could it be Aglaea? How could it possibly be Aglaea?!
Why hadn't Krateros taken it seriously? Because everything Aglaea did had always been flawless.
Whether it was strength, strategy, decisiveness, or plans... She was unquestionably the most perfect leader among the Chrysos Heirs.
Even someone like Krateros, an old veteran of Kremnoans who had served two generations of kings, willingly devoted himself to her service. That alone spoke volumes about her charisma.
A person like that, how could she possibly die to such a cheap and disgraceful conspiracy?
....
: No!!!!!
: I can't accept this! Damn it! How could Aglaea die at the hands of assassins?!
: Those little nobodies!? They think they're worthy!?
: Damn it, I'm getting angry! MiHoYo, are you asking for trouble!?
: Anyone could die, but how could it be Aglaea, especially now?!
: Seriously, if Aglaea was really assassinated, I'm dropping this story immediately!
: This is ridiculous! Completely ridiculous! How can the Council of Elders and Caenis possibly assassinate a Chrysos Heir?! What, are they treating Aglaea like Caesar now!?
: I don't believe it! There has to be a twist!!
: That's right! Unless I see Aglaea's corpse with my own eyes, I refuse to believe this nonsense!
....
The chat completely lost control.
Although Aglaea had never received detailed direct characterization, no flashbacks, no personal history.
To the audience, she was practically a blank slate.
But that did not stop her from becoming the most respected Chrysos Heir in their hearts.
Her perfection and character were not portrayed through stories about herself.
Instead, they were reflected through the stories of the other Chrysos Heirs.
Okhema was home to countless people and factions, yet it remained orderly and stable.
What was that built upon? The Council of Elders? The soldiers?
No. It was built upon Aglaea's golden threads alone.
When Nikador went mad and attempted to use his followers to break into Okhema from within, it was once again Aglaea's golden threads that stopped them.
By her own efforts, she forcibly created an era of peace and prosperity for Okhema.
And because of that, the manpower and Chrysos Heirs she freed up could all be invested into the Flame-Chase Journey.
Otherwise, how could Okhema still have enough forces to send aid the moment trouble arose at the Three Fates Temple, despite being surrounded by dangers on all sides?
Wasn't it because Aglaea had been carrying far too much on her own?
When Castrum Kremnos stood on the brink of civil war, she remained calm under pressure, made decisive choices, guided Mydei, and reassured the people.
When the Chrysos Heirs were battered by fierce internal conflicts, she was the one who stabilized the situation.
The greatest warriors often earn no glorious fame. Though she carried herself with nobility, she never indulged in luxury.
Though her status was supreme, she never clung to power. No matter the background of a Chrysos Heir, she treated them with kindness and taught them patiently.
To put it bluntly, aside from Tribbie's trio, Aglaea was practically the real backbone of all the other Chrysos Heirs.
Phainon, Castorice, Cipher, Mydei... The future hopes among the Chrysos Heirs.
Which one of them had not grown under her protection? None of these things were ever explained directly.
Yet they were woven into every storyline. Like rain nourishing the earth in silence, they had gradually changed the audience's feelings toward Aglaea.
That affection, much like Aglaea's own way of doing things, had remained hidden in the shadows.
Until now, when it suddenly erupted.
Transforming into overwhelming grief and fury, leaving the audience stunned and their minds completely blank.
....
The screen suddenly went black.
The perspective shifted once more.
Moments ago in Marmoreal Palace...
Inside the luxurious palace, Aglaea stood alone beside the highest bathing pool, overlooking the baths below.
From here, she could see the entirety of the palace.
Within her eyes, devoid of any highlight, was reflected the bustling crowd enjoying the baths below.
No emotion could be seen on her face.
Suddenly, she spoke.
"I still remember, this bath that overlooks the entire Palace was built by the Council of Elders nine hundred years ago."
"Its purpose was to commemorate the first Flame-Chase Journey, and to remember the heroes who made great sacrifices for Amphoreus a millennium ago."
"Rules were set then. No one was allowed to enter, apart from guests invited by the Goldweaver."
"But, I guess... you're no longer pretending to follow the rules, are you, Lady Caenis?"
Behind Aglaea, more than a dozen shadowy figures emerged from the darkness, escorting Caenis forward.
"Aglaea, Aglaea..."
Caenis repeated Aglaea's name through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with venomous hatred.
"You ageless witch, hiding behind a divine facade to deceive mortals... We've been far too kind with you."
Even now, she continued to hide behind self-righteous words and those words caused the already enraged audience's blood pressure to skyrocket.
Merciful? Shouldn't that be what Aglaea says to you?!
With power on Aglaea's level, if she weren't merciful, Caenis would have died five hundred thousand times over by now!
Every kind of profanity exploded across the chat.
Countless viewers expressed, through bullet comments, their sincere wishes regarding Caenis and her immediate family.
Others even declared their intention to change careers and become grave robbers, purely to pay special attention to the condition of Caenis' family tombs and family registry.