At the same time.
"Hah, I won this escort of the bathers."
Phainon and Mydei arrived at the Garden of Life together.
He turned his head, his brows no longer furrowed, and his tone became cheerful.
He had finally walked out of the shadow of failure.
The corners of Mydei's mouth lifted. He clearly cared about Phainon's current state, but he still maintained his tsundere attitude. "A competition that was unilaterally started—how can that count?"
"Look at you. It won't cost you a layer of skin to say a couple of nice words."
"HKS."
"Sea… what are you saying? Your hometown dialect?" Phainon asked, somewhat confused.
"'Hyena'—I'm comparing you to a scrawny hyena. By the way, your accent is completely wrong."
Phainon shook his head, finding it hard to believe. "We've known each other for some time now. The number of times I've heard you speak ancient Castrum Kremnos… can be counted on one hand."
"Because I'm not good at this language either. Listening and reading aren't problems, but if you ask me to write in the ancient tongue…"
Phainon's eyes lit up instantly. "You can write too?"
[ Hahaha, when will these two grow up? ]
[ Laugh, just laugh. Laugh more now. After all, the more beautiful something seems, the more it hurts later. ]
— —
Mydei glared at Phainon. "Your words sound like they have no brain."
Phainon laughed it off. "Haha, I was just joking. No wonder, after all, you spent your childhood… drifting far from home."
Mydei let out a soft sigh. "Worry about yourself first, Deliverer. Aside from when you introduce yourself, you never mention your hometown."
"Heh… because there's really nothing to say. Aetherium was just a small village. Because of the war, it no longer exists. The only place I can see it is in my dreams. And also…"
Mydei quietly watched Phainon. "And also?"
Phainon fell silent for a moment before continuing, "In the trial of the 'Lance of Fury.'"
"As expected." For Phainon, his hometown had always been a taboo he was unwilling to mention. He must have seen something unbearable in the trial, which caused him to lose control.
This time, Phainon did not choose to avoid it. He told Mydei the truth in full detail.
"Yes, I saw it—burning Aetherium. My family, friends, and clansmen… everyone was lying in a sea of flames. Hanging in the sky was a half-wheel of blood-red sun, just like back then. That culprit killed Cyrene right in front of me. But this time, I clearly saw its appearance: a black cloak, a bizarre mask, and a shattered greatsword that emanated an ominous aura…"
[ Wait? ]
[ Maseka! So the black-robed person from the Grove is the culprit? ]
[ Holy crap! ]
[ So how did Phainon survive? ]
[ He just survived, what else? ]
[ I mean, the black-robed person is so strong, and Phainon was just a village kid. There's no way he could have beaten the black-robed person. ]
[ Don't ask. If you ask, it's the writer's divine power! ]
[ I know. Actually, the culprit is Kevin, and the weapon is Judgment of Shamash. ]
[ Uh… kicked out. ]
[ I feel like it's future Phainon. ]
— —
"In the trial, I fought that guy. But even after so much time has passed, even though I've fought, grown stronger, and become more determined… I still couldn't defeat it." Phainon couldn't help but sigh.
Mydei warned him from the side, "Hatred clouded your eyes. You almost lost yourself in that trial."
"Yes… so I sincerely thank you, Mydeimos."
Hearing this, the corners of Mydei's mouth couldn't stop rising.
"Hmph, you finally learned some manners. Not too late, I suppose."
"What about you, Mydei? What did you see in that trial… and what is your fear?"
Mydei remained full of confidence. "First of all, the dictionary of Castrum Kremnos does not contain the word 'fear.'"
Phainon couldn't help but tease, "Does your dictionary even have any words in it?"
[ Actually, Castrum Kremnos doesn't have a dictionary at all. ]
[ The dictionary of Castrum Kremnos has no words in it. ]
[ So what exactly is in Castrum Kremnos's dictionary? ]
[ Phainon is like this—he'll roast Mydei at every opportunity. ]
[ Official roasts are the most lethal! ]
[ Honestly, Mydei and Phainon are basically complementary personalities like a couple. ]
[ ??? ]
[ Bro, don't ship them. If you ship them, I'll start shipping them too! ]
[ No, this is just objective analysis. If we're talking about the partner template that suits Phainon best, it's actually someone like Mydei. The same goes for Mydei—the one who suits him best is someone like Snowy. ]
[ Sguo Yi! ]
— —
Mydei selectively ignored Phainon's teasing.
"Then, I saw Okhema in it. And… my former comrades."
Mydei paused. Images of them flashed through his mind one by one.
"Hephaestion, Perdikkas, Leon, Ptolemy, and Pousheta… Ever since I returned from the Sea of the Dead, those five have always guarded my sides. During our years of exile, they lived and died with me. Those ten years were full of hardship and displacement, but they are worth remembering. Every night, we would gather around the campfire, drink honey wine, and sing heartily… The wild winds of Amphoreus carry the smell of rust. Hephaestion always laughed at me for drinking honey wine mixed with goat's milk, saying it ruined the bright red color. He was small and thin, but ferocious on the battlefield, slaying enemies like cutting grass. Perdikkas was skilled in medicine and always came up with weird remedies. Leon was good at running and was the most trusted messenger. Ptolemy loved to talk in a scholarly way. When we left Castrum Kremnos, he took quite a few ancient books from the great library—they were from my family anyway, so no need to return them. As for Pousheta… heh, he didn't talk much, but he played the lyre beautifully…"
Phainon thought for a moment. "These five… this is the first time I've heard their names."
"Of course. They died in battle long before the Castrum Kremnos isolated forces joined with Okhema."
As Mydei recalled, scenes of his comrades' deaths slowly appeared.
All five were warriors of Castrum Kremnos. They never retreated in the face of traps.
And in their final moments, their only wish was—
For Mydeimos to become King of Castrum Kremnos!
As Mydei spoke, Phainon couldn't help but frown.
He thought back to how he had just asked if Mydei's hometown had a dictionary. He really wanted to slap himself right now.
"It really was… a heavy trial. I can understand now why you view 'immortality' as a flaw—even a curse."
Mydei shook his head. "The former king threw me into the Sea of the Dead to sever the old karma, but he didn't expect that it would instead grant me an undying body, bringing the revenge of fate upon him. After his death, I once thought of leading my people back to our homeland. But at that time, Castrum Kremnos was already a wasteland. Only darkness and madness could grow there. Despite opposition from many—including Krateros—I had the isolated forces of Castrum Kremnos stay in Okhema. But I understand that their glory cannot be erased. …The moment of 'Strife' will eventually come."
— —
Phainon instantly understood the meaning.
"As long as you take Nikador's Coreflame, you must embark on the journey home. So you think it's better for the clan to stay in the holy city?"
Mydei looked toward the Dawn Machine in the sky. "I don't know."
He turned his head back to Phainon. "But because I have never been crowned king, those five were never officially knighted… and no one knows of their glory."
"It really is… a complicated situation you're in." Phainon patted Mydei on the shoulder. "It's hard for me to give useful advice. Perhaps… you can talk to more people, like the Great Artisan. The people of Chartonus should have experienced similar dilemmas. And your teacher, Krateros…"
Just then—
Tribbie fluttered her small wings and flew in front of the two.
"Dee—something terrible has happened!"
"Teacher Tribbie? What happened to make you so panicked?"
"Quick, go save someone! Trinnon, Trinnon… was taken by Krateros!"
— —
Not long after…
In the Vortex of Creation.
"Krateros! What is the meaning of this?" Mydei clenched his right fist. Before him stood the heavily injured Krateros.
"Ah, Mydeimos…" Krateros laughed self-mockingly. "I never thought I would be the first to show weakness… Heh."
Hearing this, Mydei looked to the side at the expressionless Aglaea.
"Aglaea! Give me an explanation."
Aglaea slowly explained:
"This man used force to abduct Trinnon and forced her to bring him to the Vortex of Creation. Then, he even boldly stepped into the trial of the 'Lance of Fury'… Of course, he failed."
After hearing the explanation, Mydei was extremely puzzled. "Is what she said true? Why did you do this?"
"Because I couldn't wait any longer. Your hesitation is despairing." Krateros shouted at Mydei, "If you want to escape the destiny of becoming king, then go ahead and escape. Someone will eventually step forward to fill the vacancy of 'Strife'… and lead our clan home."
"Teacher, how have the years made you so blind? Haven't you seen it clearly yet? The reason for my hesitation is precisely your recklessness and impulsiveness that have seeped into your bones."
Aglaea was about to rebuke Krateros.
"Krateros, do you truly believe you are qualified to touch the trial and profane the divine oracle? In your eyes, is the mission of us Chrysos Heirs nothing but child's play?"
Krateros was completely disdainful.
"Do you want to know what you look like in the eyes of the people of Castrum Kremnos, Aglaea?"
He continued speaking on his own.
"A hypocrite… an opportunist! The divine oracle of Creation and the Flame-Chasing Journey are nothing but excuses you use to seize power."
"Shut up! Krateros!" Mydei rudely interrupted Krateros's words. "Do you even know what you're saying?"
"Are you going to defend this woman, Mydeimos? In the past thousand years, how many wars have been ignited around her—and the oracles they preach? How many city-states have slaughtered each other?"
As he spoke, Krateros's voice unconsciously lowered.
"Even if the so-called 'Creation' really exists, will there be a place for the people of Castrum Kremnos in that new world?"
[ After reading this part, I feel like Mydei really has it hard. Why doesn't Mydei want to take the trial? Because he doesn't want to lead his people back to Castrum Kremnos to die. After all, Mydei has the curse of immortality, so he can only watch his comrades fall one after another. ]
[ Yes, and if he doesn't bring them back, he's afraid his people will become restless and eventually clash with the people of Okhema. ]
[ It's too difficult, Dee! ]
[ If only Mydei were a bit more reckless. Instead, he's the type with a fierce tiger in his heart, yet delicately sniffing the roses. ]
— —
"Have you finished speaking?" Aglaea listened to Krateros's words but remained unmoved, as if the person he had just spoken about had nothing to do with her.
"According to the agreement between the Chrysos Heirs and the Senate, anyone who trespasses into the Vortex of Creation can be dealt with by me personally without needing a parliamentary trial. Krateros, your actions are unforgivable. I hereby sentence…"
"Agy! Wait!" Tribbie stepped in front of Aglaea. "We… have a proposal. Someone has to step up to resolve this conflict between city-states."
[ Here it comes, the classic move. ]
[ One plays the bad cop, the other the good cop. ]
At this moment, the person in question, Trinnon, responded softly, "Lord Krateros did not use violence to harm us. We can sense that his anxiety stems from concern for his clan's future."
Tribbie nodded earnestly at Aglaea.
"Please, Aglaea, listen to our idea first."
Aglaea took the opportunity and followed Tribbie's lead. "I'm listening."
Trinnon approached Krateros.
"I'm sorry, Lord Krateros. We have been preoccupied day and night with deciphering fragments of the prophecy, yet we neglected those who were not favored by the divine oracle… Your accusations may be harsh, but they are reasonable. We want to earn your trust, and the trust of the people of Castrum Kremnos. I think the best way… is to let you witness the source of the prophecy with your own eyes."
Krateros's attitude softened slightly. "How will you show me something so intangible?"
"You have heard about that foreigner, haven't you? For some reason, he has established a connection with Oronyx, the Titan of Time, and can fully recreate scenes from the past. We will ask for his help. Tomorrow, at the Abyss of Fate, in the temple of Janusopolis… Krateros, we are willing to show you that distant memory without holding anything back."
After a moment of silence, Krateros nodded. "That sounds fair. I accept this proposal."
At that moment, Aglaea's majestic voice rang out once more.
"But before that, you will be stripped of your freedom of movement. This is my bottom line, and there will be no compromise."
Krateros still didn't give Aglaea any goodwill. "Heh, this isn't the first time I've been someone's prisoner. Do as you wish, 'Demigoddess.'"
Seeing that the situation had finally been alleviated, Mydei asked from the bottom of his soul:
"Teacher… why did you go this far?"
"I'm sorry, young master… I couldn't endure it any longer," Krateros sighed. "Ever since your father passed away, my clansmen and I have been waiting for the chance to restore Castrum Kremnos. We placed all our hopes on you, but we have yet to receive any response."
"The obsession with returning home has become a sickness in our clan! You are so wise—I refuse to believe you can't see the simple truth…"
"You are clear-headed, which is why you are so profoundly lonely. Wise people can only choose to sink with the mundane world. If you can truly lead our people to break this bloodstained fate, then prove it to me once more, Mydeimos. Just like you did back then…"