The Garden of Life.
The plants here stretched their branches and leaves under the radiance of Kephaler, and the air was filled with tranquility and holiness.
However, Aglaea's mind was far from as peaceful as this garden.
She slightly raised her eyes, her highlight-less greenish-yellow pupils reflecting the flowing clouds, appearing somewhat unfocused.
"My Master, do you really think… these two people are trailblazers from outside the heavens?"
Her voice was ethereal, yet carried a hint of doubt.
"Are they truly 'pioneers' who know the future, as they claim?"
Tribbie's petite figure came to her side.
"Aya, this really isn't like you!"
Tribbie looked up at the Chrysos Heirs leader, who was much taller than herself, her tone filled with a sense of certainty.
"I've already communicated with Trianne, and the message she sent back is completely consistent with what Little Gray predicted. The true body of Nikadoriis indeed hidden in Castrum kremnos."
Aglaea sighed softly, "That's what worries me the most."
She made no attempt to hide her concern, and her golden veil swayed gently with her movements.
"I couldn't find any flaws in them through the golden threads. Their words, their actions, their emotions are terrifyingly real."
"My Master, as the Saintess, what do you think of the 'divine oracle' they speak of?"
Tribbie took two steps forward and stood in front of Aglaea, "As one who conveys divine oracles, I believe that a divine oracle is not merely a prophecy."
She raised her head, her clear blue eyes firm and resolute.
"It is more a hope that inspires people. Because we yearn for tomorrow, we strive with all our might to move towards tomorrow."
Tribbie's gaze fell on Aglaea.
"Aya, haven't you noticed?"
"Since their arrival, in just a few days, the fear of doom hanging over Okhema has been greatly diluted."
"Now, hope has rekindled in everyone's eyes."
Upon hearing these words, Aglaea's tense shoulders unconsciously relaxed a bit.
A relieved smile appeared on her face.
"Hmm… Thank you, My Master. I understand."
With her knot untied, Aglaea's curiosity followed.
"Then, My Master, could you tell me what… our two distinguished guests have been doing these past few days?"
Tribbie immediately perked up. She extended her small hand and excitedly began counting on her fingers.
"First! They somehow found out about an adventurer named Damianus, cornered him in an alley, and gave him a good beating!"
"Second! They've been spreading a legend about a 'Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden' throughout the Okhema market, telling it so vividly that many people believe it!"
"Third!"
At this point, Tribbie's expression became a little strange.
"They've been… quite close to the Senate lately."
The three words "the Senate" made Aglaea's recently relaxed nerves tense up again.
"It's not surprising that the Senate would approach them," her voice deepened.
"They have always opposed the Chrysos Heirs, and even more so the Path of the Fire for everything. It seems they want to win over these two powerful 'prophets' to increase their leverage against us."
"No, Aya." Tribbie quickly shook her head, her small face full of barely suppressed laughter.
She mysteriously waved her small hand at Aglaea.
Aglaea understood and immediately knelt down gracefully, leaning her ear closer.
Tribbie stood on her tiptoes and whispered in her ear, "Little Gray said that every time she saw someone from the Senate, she would beat them."
"And then? My Master?" Aglaea pressed.
Tribbie chuckled, "Then… she really did beat them every time she saw them."
"The guards sent by the Senate were no match for Little Gray and the other one. Now, when people from the Senate see the two of them, they walk the other way."
Aglaea was stunned.
In her mind, she pictured the gray-haired girl, wielding a baseball bat, chasing members of the Senate all over the streets.
"At least… for now, Stelle and Dan Heng seem to be firmly on the side of the Path of the Fire."
Aglaea rubbed her forehead, coming to this conclusion that left her both amused and exasperated.
However, at least she felt much more at ease now.
The way these extraterrestrial visitors conducted themselves was truly… unique.
—
Meanwhile.
Okhema Market.
Amidst the bustling crowd, Stelle and Dan Hengwalked side by side.
"Dan Heng, is it really okay for us to promote the story of the 'Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden' here every day?" Stelle asked somewhat uncertainly as they walked, "After all, Aglaea is strongly against it."
Dan Heng's steps didn't falter, and his voice was as steady as ever.
"It should be fine."
"According to Phainon, March will arrive at Amphoreus over a thousand years before us."
"What we need to do now is to deeply embed the memory of the 'Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden' like a seed into the epic history of Amphoreus's civilization."
"Doing this is to deduce the 'cause' from the 'effect'. It ensures that the fact of March 'having arrived at Amphoreus in advance' becomes an unshakeable, established fact recognized by the laws of algorithms."
Stelle scratched her head, her gray hair running through her fingers.
"Reversing cause and effect? That phrase… why does it sound a little familiar?"
"The Hunt, right?" Dan Heng nodded slightly, stating the obvious.
Stelle's eyes brightened involuntarily.
Dan Heng's gaze looked into the distance, his eyes deep, "Indeed. The entanglement between Phainonand the Emperor Archer is far deeper than I initially expected."
He changed the subject, his tone becoming a little heavier, "Moreover, I always feel that Phainon is hiding something from us."
Dan Heng stopped, turned his head, and looked at Stelle seriously.
"Since this cycle's 'Phainon' is still here, it proves that our partner can only come from the next cycle."
"But the cycle has not yet begun, so why did he appear on the Space Station and meet us?"
"Of course, I'm not doubting him…"
Dan Heng's voice paused, each word seemingly carrying weight.
"I just have a feeling."
"He might have been preparing to sacrifice himself from the very beginning."
This sentence struck Stelle's heart like an invisible heavy hammer.
The ease and curiosity on her face instantly faded, and her eyes widened.
"No… way?!"
"He promised me! He promised all of us that he would definitely come back!"
Stelle's voice unconsciously rose, drawing glances from passersby.
She still remembered the wish she had secretly made in her heart, clenching her fists.
—Everyone, come back safely together.
Seeing Stelle's agitated reaction, Dan Heng's gaze softened slightly, "That's why we need to be faster."
He soothed her, "We must complete all preparations before he does something irreversible, and then… go to him."
Dan Heng's expression returned to their usual coldness and determination.
He looked at Stelle, outlining the upcoming action plan clearly, word by word.
"We need to hurry."
"Go to Chongyuan, and let Fuli glance at you. This is the foundation of all our subsequent plans."
"Then defeat Nikadori, allow Mydei to complete his ascension, and let him become a true 'Strife' demigod."
"In this way, the Condemnation Legion will instead become a force to help Okhema resist the Black Tide."
"And then…"
Dan Heng's gaze turned to the distance, "Go to the Divine Enlightenment Tree Garden and rendezvous with 'Phainon'."
He took one last look at Stelle, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness.
"Finally, together with Phainon, we will destroy the Senate and completely clear all obstacles for the Path of the Fire!"
"We will bring him back."
Stelle nodded vigorously.
The confusion and unease in her eyes were replaced by an unprecedented determination.
"Don't worry!"
"I can recite this game guide with my eyes closed!"
"Partner, companions, not a single one will be left behind!"