Tiresias leaned in closer.
Her hand, suspended in mid-air, was hesitant, as if she wanted to touch and comfort Aglaea, or perhaps snatch the stone tablet from her hand, signaling her to stop looking.
But due to her chaotic thoughts, and perhaps being at a loss in such a situation, her movements completely froze for a moment.
"Um, Agy..." Tiresias said with Hesitation, "How about we stop looking?"
"Anyway, it's all in the past. Besides, it's not just me; everyone... is well aware of your contributions over the millennia, and even every millennium before that."
After her words fell, the red-haired girl wanted to say more, but the words were all stuck in her throat.
It wasn't that she couldn't speak.
It was that no language could express the weight of these millennia.
After waiting silently for two seconds.
Aglaea returned her gaze, but only shook her head at Tiresias with a faint smile at the corner of her lips:
"It's alright, My Teacher."
"I'm not a child anymore. How could I get angry or sad over a little criticism and debate?"
"Agy..."
Indeed, she wasn't wrong.
This situation was certainly not a first or second experience.
In over thirty million cycles of reincarnation, as the leader of the Fire Chasing, she had faced defamation and insults again and again, possibly from Okhema citizens, possibly from enemies, and possibly from the Chrysos Heirs themselves.
Yet, she still stood at the forefront of the team, leading the Chrysos Heirs forward with a resolute determination to burn everything to ashes.
What did all this mean to her now, compared to before?
However.
At this moment, Tiresias understood that the person before her, or rather, standing before her, was no longer the leader of the Chrysos Heirs.
The Journey of Chasing the Fire had ended; she was merely a girl, a clear-eyed girl who could cry and laugh.
This infamy should not be borne by her alone.
"I know, Agy. Agy has always stood selflessly before us."
"But sometimes," Tiresias's expression was a little stubborn, "please also believe that we are all with Agy!"
"Uh..."
Aglaea's pupils widened slightly.
"If Agy feels sad, I think we can change it, right?"
Tiresias smiled gently: "Perhaps, we can show more of Agy's gentle side."
She glanced at Xu Qiong's room; the door was ajar, as if left open for someone.
Tiresias's lips curved upwards silently.
A moment later.
Aglaea put down the stone tablet in her hand and also smiled with relief: "There's no need for that, My Teacher."
"Actually, I think the me in the game is also a true representation of myself."
"If I had to say anything I felt sad about, or regretted... it would be that I still owe him an apology when I think back."
Following Tiresias's gaze, Aglaea also looked towards the ajar door.
Creak—
With a soft sound, the door was quietly pushed open.
Xu Qiong, who was observing, heard the movement and looked back.
The golden-haired Weaver came into view, dressed in a golden-white gown carved with golden leaf patterns, elegant and luxurious, as exquisite as a sculpture, her aesthetic sense worthy of Okhema's Tailor.
Aglaea had arrived.
Looking at her, she probably wanted to say something to him because of the plot.
In fact, after everything ended, everything that needed to be said had been said, and everyone who needed to be seen had been seen.
If there was one thing left undone, or rather, a regret, Aglaea felt it was this missing apology.
Just like the day the person before her descended upon Amphoreus.
She knew very well that doing those things would cause his resentment and hatred.
But being able to use the opportunity to bring Phainon and Castorice closer to him was enough.
As for her?
Tribbie once asked her if she regretted it?
And her answer was as always: she was already a dying person. If others hating her alone could save Amphoreus, if only her sacrifice was needed to save everyone, then why not?
Perhaps she had thought of apologizing for her previous actions of interrogating him, or perhaps not?
But none of that mattered anymore.
Because that day would never come.
death would arrive sooner than tomorrow; Amphoreus's doomsday was imminent.
Time did not grant this selfless demigod even a trace of pity.
Just like the high platform that day.
Just like.
You shall bathe in the warm, dazzling gold one last time...
Xu Qiong shrugged and smiled at her, "Agy is here? Could it be that you're dissatisfied with the plot?"
"No."
Tiresias stood behind her, seeing Aglaea shake her head without dissatisfaction: "Rather than dissatisfied, I'd say it's very vivid."
"It just reminds me that regarding what happened back then, I still have a small regret."
Her voice was soft and pure, just like her beauty and romantic virtue:
"I want to say I'm sorry."
Time seemed to freeze for a second.
Hesitation was still sweetly sleeping on Xu Qiong's lap, with no sound around.
Just like this Weaver, she didn't explain why she was like this, nor did she echo for forgiveness. It was just the purest, simplest apology, with a frank smile, wanting to put a period to her own story.
Xu Qiong stared at her; he, of course, knew best.
The most selfless demigod of Amphoreus.
Although the situation at the time was slightly different, Xu Qiong imitated Phainon's actions, revealing a little secret of Amphoreus's second playthrough, thereby ending Aglaea's interrogation.
But to maintain the original timeline and avoid too much of a butterfly effect, he did not change the previous plot, so this could still be considered betrayal and distrust.
It was also a fact that Aglaea had never defended herself in that lifetime.
But no matter what, it was all over.
"I see." Xu Qiong nodded knowingly, his expression much more relaxed, "If it's about the interrogation."
"Actually, I never truly resented you."
All was silent.
Gentle sunlight streamed through the window onto Xu Qiong's shoulder, forming scattered dust like the Tyndall effect.
The two just looked at each other.
Just as she didn't explain why she had to apologize to Xu Qiong.
Just as he didn't explain why, after all that, he didn't resent her.
The two seemed to have reached some kind of unspoken reconciliation.
The scattered sunlight passed through them. Outside the door, Cipher had, at some point, pressed her ear to the crack, wanting to hear what was happening inside.
Anaxa was not far either; he had seen Tiresias and Aglaea's discussion earlier.
But this time, he did not interrupt; instead, his expression seemed to show more contemplation and seriousness.
The atmosphere was quiet for a while.
Seeing that neither of them was speaking, Xu Qiong was the first to joke: "But, don't be in such a hurry."
"Isn't this plot just beginning? For card sales, when Agy goes offline, they'll definitely make it a grand event, haha."
Offline?
Tiresias precisely caught the point of interest.
Why would Agy also go offline?
Isn't this miserable enough?!
But seriously, all the other Fire Chasing members did go offline, so it doesn't seem to be a problem?
Aglaea breathed a sigh of relief, a sweet smile once again gracing her lips: "Well, thank you very much."
"Also, I've actually been preparing for quite a while. I want to give you a special gift."
Xu Qiong was taken aback.
Another special gift?
Again?!
"This shouldn't be a trap this time, right?" Xu Qiong quipped.
"Heh, of course not. I hope you'll come and get it yourself then."
Compared to a leader's concern, her simple smile at this moment seemed more sincere.
Alright.
Xu Qiong glanced at the horizon again; it was dawn, the time of the 'gate'.
So, he probably shouldn't say goodnight now.
Then...
"Then I'll see you tomorrow, Agy."