"We've been waiting for quite some time, Tiba... Er, it should still be Tirixipios now, right?"
The refined young man wore a gentle smile on his face as he extended his hand toward her.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm that thief who's been trying to meet with you lately, only to get chased around by the guards and the other Golden Progeny."
"Also, the chaos outside? That was me and my accomplices."
"Of course, our goal is simple..."
"I've heard that Miss Tirixipios is no stranger to bold deeds yourself. We're here today to invite you to join us on the mountain..."
Join you on the mountain?
To become bandits?
Me, a herald Saintess of Janusapolis, tagging along to play bandit? Is that appropriate?
"Of course, our goal isn't to become robbers. It's... to chase the fire."
The moment the young man uttered those two words—"chase the fire"—endless joy surged in Tirixipios's eyes.
They were fellow Fire Chasers?!
"But before you officially join us, Miss Tirixipios, go fulfill your mission first. That Titan has been waiting for you a long time."
"...I understand."
Tirixipios nodded slightly, stepping past the two standing before her, and finally stopped in front of the obsidian glowing with a soft luminescence. It was the Titan's Fire Seed, one of Omphalos's authorities.
The master of "Portals" and "Paths."
Its name was,
"Janus, I have come."
"'Tirixipios, step forward, and you will bury yourself with your own hands (Titan tongue).'"
"I understand."
"'Leave now, or you shall shatter into a thousand pieces, withering in foreign soil.'"
"But I will not leave, Janus. I am here... to take up the mission you bear."
The Titan fell silent for a moment, then after a long pause, whispered once more,
"'Daughter of triple life, you shall have no path of retreat.'"
"I have already made up my mind."
"'Then go. Overthrow the gods—/Return the Fire Seed—'"
"'Bear the divine authority—/Forge miracles—'"
"'Hunt our kin—/Mourn our fates—'"
"'Yet remember this—'"
"'The many shall part from the one, and only that one shall behold the miracle—'"
"'This is fate's decree—'"
With those words, the Fire Seed flickered faintly before dimming completely. The fading rationality within dissipated entirely. Janus, one of the twelve Titans who upheld the heavens and earth, master of portals, departed at this moment.
The Saintess of triple life took up the Portal Fire Seed.
Thus,
The progeny flowing with golden blood turned a new page in Omphalos's history.
Humanity's first Demigod
was born at this instant.
And the very moment this first Demigod was born, Yi Zhen saw a B+ rating leap onto the interface visible only to him.
"Assisted Tirixipios in successfully acquiring the Janus Fire Seed. Base rating: C."
"Disruption to Janusapolis city-state's old nobility faction reaches 35%. Rating increased."
"Early invitation of Sun Thunder Knight Senexios to join the Fire Chaser camp. Additional rating boost."
"Overall rating: B+. Eligible for A+ rating—unlocks special plot scene and special plot rewards."
"Proceed with 1-1 map settlement?"
No need to ask, system bro. You've already said A+ unlocks a special plot scene—what's there to hesitate about?
If I don't chase this dream now, wouldn't it be a total waste of the two or three months I spent running around, plus sacrificing Xilian to trick this stats monster into helping?
"Killing just two leaders only got us 35% disruption. Looks like I still need Sis Senexios to go on a real rampage."
Janusapolis might not be full of bad eggs, but the upper crust definitely has hardly any good ones. Anyone with eyes could see that this Janus Saintess was nothing but a cash cow they controlled and exploited.
The Golden Age had only just ended, and people longed for those carefree days,
free of death's fear, unburdened by survival's worries, no need to clash blades with others.
Back then, all it took was offering faith to the gods, and one could live freely upon this land.
But now, things were different.
The gods had retreated, and life's eight sufferings had become harsh realities no one could escape. The more people refused to accept it, the more desperately they prayed to the gods, seeking answers from their proxies.
And so,
the tragedy of the Saintess lineage was born.
They possessed power, yet lacked the strength to protect themselves.
Tirixipios wasn't the first Saintess to be imprisoned, nor was her mother. The Janusapolis elite had been devouring the bloody steamed buns of the Saintesses for longer than a day or two.
Two words: Kill them!
Besides, system bro had made it clear—35% disruption was chump change. Time to pay homage to Caesar and crank it up.
That said,
He couldn't just tell Senexios to charge out with her spear and slaughter everyone.
That would violate her knightly code.
Plus, straight-up saying "Teacher Tiba suffered so much here" might not hit home with this tigress right away. Yi Zhen figured it'd be hard for her to empathize too deeply in the moment.
Worse, if she empathized too much and went full berserk mode mowing down the grass, it'd be overkill.
"Fire Seed anomaly! Seal the site—!"
"Find the Saintess, quick! We can't let anything happen to her!!"
"There's only one exit from the treasury—they're not getting out!"
As Yi Zhen pondered how to rein in this tigress's superhuman power to deal with those blood-munching nobles, shouts from the guards and the clamor of footsteps echoed faintly from nearby.
The instant he heard those voices, Yi Zhen's eyes lit up. He was about to speak when,
Tirixipios, having fully absorbed the power of the Janus Fire Seed, snapped back to attention. She turned to Yi Zhen and Senexios.
"I have a request—one that may seem terribly rude to you both."
"But I hope you won't kill the guards who are about to arrive."
"They are innocent folk too, who have poured their efforts into protecting their homes every day."
She had taken up the gods' authority to spread the gospel to the earth, not to raise arms against all living beings.
"Then we'll strike at the root of evil!"
A delighted smile bloomed on Yi Zhen's face. Teacher Tiba was so understanding—he'd been racking his brains for a reason to give their Gundam a clear target.
"Dear Lady Senexios, I'll have to trouble you to put in some extra effort this time."
The future Sun Thunder Knight glanced at him sideways, then slowly nodded.
"I don't know if this power of mine is being used correctly."
"But that girl gave everything... so I'll trust you."
"Yi Zhen, I only ask that you truly lead us out of this world's deepest darkness."
"Then my power is yours, until my heart stops beating."
"So no need for hesitation. If you need something, just command me directly."
"My spear shall be with you."