The moment those words were spoken, Lygus' position became even more interesting.
At this moment, Okhema no longer looked like a conflict between two factions, but rather a triangle.
The legitimacy of the Chrysos Heirs came from the Flame-Chase Journey itself. They were the ones standing beyond the city walls resisting the Black Tide, the very foundation of Okhema's survival.
That was the source of their power.
But its fragility was equally obvious, the fact that one had been protected would gradually fade with time.
In its place came citizens, numbed by forgetfulness, beginning to question: why should you rule over us?
Canis's earlier attacks had been aimed precisely at that point.
As for the Council of Elders, its legitimacy came from procedure.
The citizens' assembly, the voting, and the "glory of Okhema" that Canis constantly repeated. These represented procedural justice.
Its authority stemmed from law and procedural legitimacy. The rules are thus, therefore they should naturally be obeyed.
And within this framework, every citizen was given the "satisfaction" of feeling that they too possessed a portion of "power."
But its weakness was just as fatal and obvious as that of the Chrysos Heirs. Rules could not stop the Black Tide. When death descended, no amount of procedures could save anyone from danger.
In truth... These two systems were the naturally formed power structures born from Okhema, the city that had existed for a thousand years.
Together, they united everyone. But only now, as Canis collapsed, completely crushed did the audience suddenly realize that a third party had surfaced.
Previously, everyone knew Lygus was no ordinary figure, yet there had never been any in-depth depiction of him.
People could only vaguely sense it through dialogue and camera shots.
But now things were different.
The audience watching the Citizens Assembly, through the contrast provided by Canis, had already confirmed that he too represented one corner of Okhema's power structure.
He did not exist within the sight of mortals, yet he had always been there.
His legitimacy came from Kephale. Lygus did not speak, did not take sides, did not participate in voting. He merely remained an absolutely neutral witness.
But it was precisely this witnessing that granted legitimacy to both the Chrysos Heirs and the Council of Elder's actions, because beneath the gaze of the gods, everything became lawful.
And amidst this subtle atmosphere, the audience's feelings became especially strange.
From a legal standpoint, after Lygus' identity and status were confirmed at this moment, he faintly seemed to stand above both factions.
Just like now, when Canis needed Lygus to make a statement and stabilize public morale... Lygus did not.
His silence itself was equivalent to rejecting Canis's appeal. And from the expressions of everyone present, the audience could sense that this outcome was likely more fatal than losing any vote.
Because Lygus' witnessing represented Kephale's witnessing,
We govern this city-state beneath the gaze of the gods.
Beyond his transcendent identity within Okhema... The audience vaguely sensed another layer as well.
Because just now, what Anaxa said was effectively transferring divine authority!
Phainon was the next incarnation of Kephale. He had somewhat transferred the legitimacy and authority belonging to Kephale onto Phainon!
That was why Canis broke down. The laws she relied upon for survival had been uprooted entirely by Anaxa.
But even then, Lygus remained silent. Yet his own authority also came from being a Theoros, from Kephale, didn't it?
If Kephale's authority had been transferred away, then logically his position should have been shaken as well.
But Lygus was not anxious in the slightest. It was almost as if... he had never been observing on behalf of Kephale to begin with. He was observing for himself.
That thought... already made some of the smarter viewers feel a chill run down their spines.
If Lygus' authority came from himself, then was he truly still a Theoros?
Or perhaps, the Theoros was never a spokesperson for the gods, but rather someone using themselves to endorse the gods?
....
: Holy shit... this plotline is way too deep, my brain's exploding.
: Just what exactly is Lygus' background?
: Whenever I see this guy, I feel like there's way more hidden behind Okhema than what we've seen so far. Even the truth of the Titans probably goes beyond this.
: I feel the same way.
: Lygus' status and attitude are way too transcendent.
: And the metaphors in this part are insanely deep too.
: How are MiHoYo's writers' brains built? Holy shit, they're so good at writing, and they actually dare to write this stuff?
: Didn't you notice how similar Canis is to certain kinds of people? People obsessed with justice while detached from reality. Once faced with a real crisis and the truth, their legitimacy instantly collapses.
: Huh? Besides Lygus, was there anything else being written here?
: Of course there was. Lygus, the Chrysos Heirs, the Council of Elders, isn't that basically a classic separation of powers?
: That's crazy. So much stuff was hidden in there.
: And not only that, Anaxa's actions were full of symbolism too.
: What symbolism?
: Science, obviously.
: Anaxa forcefully tore apart the power structure Okhema had maintained for a thousand years. And what did he use? Rationality and scientific thought.
: Damn, this is way too interesting. At first I thought it was just some classical heroic king story, but it actually smuggled science and rationalism into the narrative.
: What's even more interesting is how all these metaphors are perfectly fused with the supernatural powers. It doesn't feel forced at all.
: Amazing!!
: MiHoYo is amazing, and the big-brain viewers are amazing too!
: This is such incredible writing!
....
The smarter viewers were already able to imagine many things.
But there was one thing they absolutely could not predict. That the image of Lygus at this moment would eventually merge together with his later story.
The audience's perception of Lygus' position, was not wrong. But the truth was far more outrageous than anything they could possibly imagine.
On screen, Canis completely collapsed beneath everyone's gaze.
Meanwhile, after remaining silent for a long time, Lygus casually used his identity as a Theoros to affirm the outcome of this citizens' assembly.
In other words, The gods acknowledged Anaxa's transfer of divine authority onto Phainon.
"Lady Aglaea, the Goldweaver, I humbly ask that you take on the responsibility of overseeing this judgment, in the name of the fairness of Talanton and the justice of Kephale..."
"...Considering the circumstances, and in accordance with Okhema's Codex, as the only demigod among us, you shall rightfully wield this authority."
And afterwards, Lygus turned towards Aglaea.
"...The honor is mine to bear."
"Elders and citizens, silence, if you please!"
"First, Elder Caenis of Okhema and Lygus the Theoros stand accused of neglecting their duties and abusing the law, leading to the egregious blasphemy against a god..."
"In the names of Talanton and Kephale, Okhema is to form a committee before the seventh Action Hour to conduct an investigation and disclose the findings to the public for subsequent judgment!"
"Now, concerning Anaxagoras of the Grove of Epiphany, he has confessed to grave blasphemy against Kephale..."
"In the names of Talanton and Kephale, the accused must be allowed to hear the "people's voice" prior to the execution for a chance at a reduced sentence and possible pardon!"
Originally, there was no need to go through this process. But Aglaea still spoke the words aloud.
The so-called unanimous acclamation... meant listening to the will of all the people and passing judgment accordingly.
But it would almost result in a death penalty.
Whether it was the citizens standing behind the Chrysos Heirs or those from the Council of Elders side, none of them could tolerate Anaxa's trampling of divine authority. Even if some among them had been the victors.
"Heh." The corner of Anaxa's lips curled upward, his face filled with a contemptuous smile.
Listening to the cries of execution that filled the sky, Aglaea took a deep breath.
The audience could clearly hear it.
The voice of Aglaea trembled slightly:
"Then, in light of the "people's voice"..."
"O Talanton on high, may you bring death upon him."
The contempt at the corner of Anaxa's lips gradually spread into an utterly unrestrained smile, mirroring his madness.
Phainon clenched his fists and closed his eyes.
The audience unexpectedly felt no sorrow at Anaxa's death.
After all, what was there to mourn? No regrets. No remorse.
At last, the man had, within this foolish and ignorant civilization, struck open the colossal gateway called truth.
At this moment, the audience felt only admiration.
....
: The grand play has finally come to an end.
: For Anaxa, this ending could be considered getting exactly what he wanted.
: No matter how rebellious and unruly he was, no matter how much he defied worldly conventions, he always walked the path of truth. And truth is sometimes just that difficult for people to accept.
: Anaxa doesn't feel like a sage of the Grove of Epiphany anymore, he feels more like a butcher of intellect!
: Amphoreus' very foundation is memory and Erudition. Looking at it this way, maybe this is how Erudition manifests in this world?
: If the Aeon of Erudition is watching, please grant Anaxa a glance!
: Did you hear that, droid head? Give Anaxa an Emanator position already. Make it happen for me.
: Hahahaha, damn, the teacher's already about to die and you people still won't let up.
.....
The audience's comments were completely different from how they treated the other characters.
But it also proved that Anaxa had gained the audience's recognition, and that they fully understood the core of his character.
On screen. As the citizens' assembly came to an end.
The scene shifted once more, returning to Styxia.
Stelle was no longer within the city. Instead, Castorice had brought her into the Underworld. Amid that gentle sea of flowers, she stood there absentmindedly, staring at the scenery around her.
Stelle instinctively knew that Castorice had become a demigod.
And now, they would use the power of a demigod to send her back from the Underworld, returning her to the world of the living.
"Perhaps it is fate, once again fulfilling its own design. Or perhaps it is the laws from beyond the sky, so familiar to you, Stelle, that intertwined our destinies long ago..."
Castorice had become far more lively, smiling as she teased Stelle.
"I get that. But I just need to walk through this flower field?"
Coming back to her senses, Stelle scratched her head awkwardly.
"It just feels... too simple."
"What else were you expecting..." Castorice smiled and shook her head. Walking behind Stelle, she gently gave her a push.
"Go on, Stelle. But remember, no matter what voices try to make you stay here, do not answer them. Ignore them completely."
With a push, Stelle stumbled forward a few steps.
When she steadied herself and turned back again, nobody remained behind her.
And all around the flower sea, fragments of countless memories suddenly surfaced.
There were scenes of talking with Aglaea. There was Phainon, Mydei and Mem, Castorice.
One figure after another appeared around her in reverse chronological order.
Remembering Castorice's warning, Stelle walked forward while savoring those moments from her life.
And the more she watched, the softer her gaze became.
How wonderful...Her adventures with everyone, and all the stories they encountered along the way, were experiences she had never known before.
"This young lady's gonna punch you!"
"I'll be behind you."
At that moment, the figures of March 7th and Dan Heng appeared before Stelle's eyes.
It was one of their shared memories. March 7th was lively, Dan Heng calm and composed.
Then came Welt, Himeko, and Pom-Pom.
"Want a cup of coffee?"
"A mech battle? Hmph, sounds manageable."
"Passenger Stelle! Why are you rolling around on the floor again?!"
Seeing them, the smile on Stelle's face grew even warmer.
"Soon... very soon, I'll be able to see all of you again."
Stelle took a deep breath, anticipation filling her eyes.
As long as she left this place, she could return to the Astral Express.
But Stelle suddenly stopped, hesitation appearing in her eyes.
"But... I never said goodbye to everyone, did I?"
"Should I turn around and say farewell first?"
The thought surfaced abruptly in Stelle's mind.
She didn't think there was anything strange about it, and her mind even quickly reassured itself.
See? Nobody's actually talking to you or tricking you into staying.
After thinking it over carefully and finding the logic sound.
Stelle prepared to turn back.
Suddenly! A vivid crimson instantly flooded Stelle's vision.
That red descended like lightning. Gigantic distorted words began appearing.
"Do not turn back!"
"Do not turn back!"
"Do not turn back!"
And amidst the densely packed text, a familiar figure appeared.
It was Acheron!!
The figure who had only appeared in Penacony now stood there holding her blade, calmly gazing at Stelle.
And the thought inside Stelle's mind was instantly cut to pieces the moment Acheron appeared!!
Stelle was stunned! The audience was stunned too! No one had expected to reunite with Acheron here!
And even less had they expected that a figure from memory could help Stelle like this!
She's still carrying! Still carrying!
Is this the sheer power of a Nihility Emanator?!