That moment, Anaxagoras looked around.
"Hand of Shadow, Thanatos? Hmm, could this... possibly be the nether realm?"
He murmured to himself.
Logically speaking, he should certainly have died. But Cerces had said he could at least live a few more days.
However, the shadow beside him heard Anaxagoras's words and spoke in a trembling, hoarse voice:
"Not... nether realm..."
"The nether realm... Nothing but an illusion..."
"Titan... Rejects... You... Me..."
Those words were somewhat blasphemous. But Anaxagoras was hardly a defender of divinity.
On the contrary, those murmurs stirred a tremendous curiosity within him.
These souls, clearly connected to the Death Titan, were claiming that the Underworld was nothing but an illusion.
This was too interesting!
Following the direction of the shadows' finger, Anaxagoras turned his head.
At first, his expression held a trace of confusion. Gradually his eyes widened, and in the end, it turned into surprise.
"I look in the direction they are pointing and listen closely. There, a massive shadow brought the sound of rushing tides."
"I can hear it."
"I hear it, deep within the tides, beyond the closed gates of the void world..."
"A voice about to recount something."
Anaxagoras's inner voice came from the screen. From the sound of it, one could tell he had discovered something extraordinary.
The audience outside the screen were itching with curiosity. They wanted to know the crucial clue.
But suddenly!
All the images shattered together with Anaxagoras' voice.
Beside Anaxagoras, there were no longer any mist or shadows, only the fresh air and blue sky of Okhema.
Cerces stood beside him.
Around her elegant figure, traces of Titan power that had not yet fully withdrawn were still dissipating.
"Oh, you have awoken. Welcome back to the mortal realm."
"Your consciousness is dissipating much faster than I expected... Ultimately, it seems like the Titan's Coreflame is incompatible with a mortal body."
Cerces let out a soft laugh. Anaxagoras narrowed his eyes.
So the mysterious space just now did indeed have something to do with Thanatos.
But it wasn't the Underworld. Thoughts flashed through his mind.
Anaxagoras did not continue investigating the dreamlike scene he had just experienced or what it might represent.
Instead, he directly turned and asked, "How much longer can my consciousness remain in the mortal realm?"
Cerces replied calmly, "In my estimation, at best, you'll see fifteen more Entry Hours."
"Heh, fifteen days and nights..." Anaxagoras was momentarily stunned. Then a smile appeared on his face.
In Okhema, Anaxagoras was not ignorant of everything.
Of course, the specific circumstances were unclear.
Cerces, however, did not think that deeply. She observed the scholar with interest and said, "What is it? Are you finally starting to become attached to the mortal world now?"
For her, whether it was death or downfall, she neither worried nor feared it.
Instead, it was Anaxagoras who truly intrigued her.
Facing Cerces' teasing, Anaxagoras spread his hands and said calmly, "On the contrary, fifteen days feel a little too long for solving a singular problem."
"Hehe..." Cerces let out a laugh of unclear meaning.
After all, everyone has the desire to live. She didn't believe Anaxagoras was any exception.
Anaxagoras didn't mind the Titan's mockery and urged, "Stop giggling. It's time for us to go. The messenger from the Council of Elders is almost here."
But Cerces did not move. Instead, she suddenly asked, "Let me ask you one more question, are you really planning to betray Aglaea's will?"
Anaxagoras's expression did not change. He replied calmly, "What betrayal is there to speak of when I was never loyal to her to begin with?"
Cerces found it even more interesting and continued, "What about that white-haired student of yours? Acting so recklessly... Do you not care about what might happen to him?"
Hearing Phainon's name, Anaxagoras fell silent for a moment, then suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"There will be a price to pay for blind faith. This is also a lesson for Phainon."
Cerces said nothing more.
The audience outside the screen, at this moment, also showed expressions of "just as expected."
Although they did not understand what these two were planning, the information revealed between the lines was already enough to prove that Anaxagoras indeed had dealings with the Council of Elders.
Cerces had even directly questioned him about Aglaea.
If the audience remembered correctly, after Anaxagoras entered Okhema, Aglaea had strictly warned him.
And judging from his contact with the Council of Elders and refusal to obey Aglaea's orders, Anaxagoras had clearly not taken that warning seriously.
In fact, this was already betrayal.
And not just any betrayal! It was the betrayal of a Chrysos Heir carrying a Coreflame!
...
: He absolutely needs to be dealt with!!
: Anyone with even a bit of normal moral sense, forget saving the world, just the fact that Aglaea and the Chrysos Heirs of Okhema saved his life means he shouldn't be causing trouble for Aglaea.
: No wonder many don't like Anaxagoras.
: It's not just challenging and disrespecting divine authority. He feels a bit too self-centered.
: That said, he does have the same "doing whatever they want" vibe as the geniuses in the Genius Club.
: When Phainon was mentioned, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled…
: That sudden smile… who knows whether it's good or bad.
: A sudden grin! Something bad is definitely going to happen!
...
On screen, Anaxagoras passed through the corridor and headed straight to the upper level of the Marmoreal Palace.
It was the familiar garden plaza. The plaza was circular, and the overall design seemed to imitate the Vortex of Genesis.
At the center of the plaza stood a marble cup sculpture that resembled the big Chalice.
But on the wall behind the cup, instead of twelve Coreflames, there was a sun mural symbolizing Kephale.
A strangely shaped individual was waiting there for Anaxagoras.
As the camera zoomed in, the audience could finally see clearly the appearance of the person representing the Council of Elders.
The moment they saw clearly, all the audience froze.
Because this guy was obviously not human!
Although he had a humanoid shape, his body was carved from marble and metal. Clear mechanical structures were exposed at the joints, and his body was covered with simple yet densely arranged lines.
And his chest was a deep purple. Some metallic-gloss patches were attached to that deep-purple chest, outlining the trajectory of planetary orbits.
A pair of hands, also made of metal, were positioned below the chest, forming an embracing posture, holding the universe on his chest within their palms.
From a distance, no one would think this was a living being. They would only regard it as a sculpture filled with artistic beauty.
....
: ??? Wait, what the hell is this thing?
: This can't be a person, right!
: Does Amphoreus even have this kind of lifeform? Is this an Intellitron?!
: It really looks like an Intellitron.
: 6666, Amphoreus really is full of hidden talents, even Intellitrons have shown up.
: I'm now seriously doubting whether this place is really isolated.
: In a mythological world, suddenly a guy that looks like an Intellitron appears. Isn't that a bit too out of place?
: But Amphoreus already has plenty of strange things, one more doesn't matter.
: What background does this Intellitron have?
....
The comments scrolled past. The curious audience continued watching.
In the scene. This Intellitron who looked like a sculpture began to speak.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Anaxagoras."
"I greet you on behalf of all the citizens of Okhema and express my deepest regret about what happened at the Grove of Epiphany."
The voice was calm and steady, somewhat magnetic, very pleasant to hear. It sounded like someone extremely rational.
"It's you?"
Anaxagoras looked somewhat surprised. "I never expected that you would personally come and meet me."
As he spoke, Cerces also appeared from the side.
She was equally surprised.
"There are Antikytherans here? They have been a rare sight ever since the Chrysos War."
Antikytherans. Chrysos War.
The audience noted down new pieces of information. For a moment they couldn't hold it in.
This Intellitron actually really was a local!
At this moment, the Intellitron slightly lowered his head in a polite posture and said, "By Kephale and Talanton above, I have come as a testament to the justice of the Council of Elders."
"I extend to you my utmost respect, revered Titan."
"I am Lycurgus, though you may call me Lygus. Holding an honorary position within the Council of Elders in Okhema, and as the Theoros, I stand to protect the right of all upright citizens to express themselves freely."
Lygus spoke in an orderly and precise manner. His attitude toward the Titan was neither servile nor arrogant.
Coupled with the nature of his race. The audience immediately became extremely curious about him.
And at this moment, Anaxagoras asked with interest, "Heh... You can see them, too?"
Lygus naturally knew the other party was referring to the Titan's remnant soul.
He did not hide it and calmly explained, "You know about us. We Antikytherans perceive the world through the amplitude and frequency of souls..."
"...Just as I am conscious that Lady Aglaea is secretly listening in on our private meeting from afar. If necessary, Lord Anaxagoras, I can sever the golden thread to protect your fundamental rights."
Originally curious, the audience instantly gasped when they heard this.
Holy crap. What background does this Intellitron have?!
....
: This Lygus speaks really well.
: Feels similar to Screwllum, not like those un-intelligent machines.
: The voice sounds really nice.
: Wait, he can directly see Cerces' soul?
: Not an ordinary Intellitron.
: 6666, he can even sense Aglaea's golden threads?! And even counter them!
: That's at least demigod-level strength, right?!
: There are people like this hidden in the Council of Elders? No wonder they can contend with the Chrysos Heirs.
: Are all Antikythera people like this? Then why is only this Lygus left? That doesn't seem right.
: 666, Amphoreus is getting more and more mysterious. Feels like it has everything inside.
....
The comments scrolled wildly.
As soon as Lygus appeared, he sensed Aglaea's golden threads and established tremendous prestige.
The audience instantly formed a preliminary judgment of his strength.
In short! He's a big figure!
On screen.
After hearing that Lygus intended to defend his rights.
Anaxagoras shook his head and said with a tone of disgust, "The demigod should know better, for such is her station. Spare those poor threads, and just let her listen to my words. They shall serve only to unveil her own folly."
"I don't need any countermeasures. Apart from surveillance, she can't do anything."
"I need not any plan, because she can do nothing other than petty espionage. As the citizens' assembly approaches and with Oronyx's fall, any attempt to capture the Coreflame within me will only usher chaos and calamity, a truth she undoubtedly comprehends."
"While I, Anaxagoras, serving as the Grove's special envoy to Okhema's citizens' assembly, have long known the extent of your abilities... Let's forego the formality of asserting authority, Lord Lygus. Lead the way."
Anaxagoras was extremely calm.
"Very well."
After saying that, Lygus slightly turned to the side, extended one hand, and invited, "Very well. Surely Lady Caenis would appreciate such assertiveness in an ally."
"She's been waiting. Follow me, please."
Under Lygus' guidance, Anaxagoras walked toward a higher place.
That was the place closest to Kephale.
Along the way, he also saw how seriously Caenis took this meeting.
Every place they passed was lined with formations of Okhema warriors, waiting in ranks to welcome them.
And the closer they got to Kephale. The more uncontrollably a thought arose in Anaxagoras's mind.
"Is there something on your mind, Lord Anaxagoras?" Walking ahead, Lygus suddenly asked without warning.
Having his thoughts interrupted, Anaxagoras raised his eyes and glanced at Lygus.
"What? Can the Antikytherans even sense when someone nearby is thinking?"
"You jest." Lygus chuckled lightly. "I simply saw you frowning in silence. For a scholar, isn't that precisely the sign of being deep in thought?"
Hearing this, Anaxagoras did not pursue the matter further, nor did he hide what he had been thinking about.
"Nothing really. It's just a question that I contemplate every time before I ascend Dawncloud: For the Titans, does the falling equate to death?"