As she passed through the crowd, Stelle heard the people gathered together either complaining or staring fearfully at the three figures before them.
A panicked priest trembled as he tried to dissuade the complaining crowd. "Are you insane? That blond man is the crown prince of Kremnos! Mess with him, and every last person in the city could wind up dead!"
Another, somewhat more rational priestess reassured them, "Calm yourselves. The Holy Maiden has everything under control. We need only wait patiently..."
It seemed that Phainon and the others had come bearing orders from the Holy City to evacuate the people from the Temple of the Three Fates.
But in Stelle's memories, the temple had already been on the verge of destruction when she first arrived here.
This did not seem to be the same point in time as her first arrival.
Just then, Lygus' voice sounded in Stelle's mind.
"As you know, though Mydeimos was proud, he did not engage in needless violence. He challenged the elders of Okhema to a duel, not for glory, but for the rights and dignity of his people. To ensure they wouldn't live as second-class citizens in foreign lands."
"After Aglaea's mediation, Phainon met Mydeimos's challenge as the elders' representative. This duel was to change the course of the Flame-Chase Journey itself..."
Like a commentator, Lygus provided Stelle with the necessary background. After finishing, he once again became that nonexistent ghost.
Stelle frowned.
Ignoring the elusive Lygus, she thought of something. She had arrived in Amphoreus in the year 4931 of the Light Calendar.
In other words, from Stelle's perspective, this had happened three years earlier.
But had this really happened three years ago? Why had neither Phainon nor Mydeimos ever mentioned it to her?
Moreover, by the time Stelle arrived, the integration of the people of Castrum Kremnos into Okhema had already been underway for many years, hadn't it?
Although Stelle was confused, the viewers had already realized what was happening.
…
: A cycle…
: This isn't the Flame-Chase Journey Stelle knows. It's another one…
: Is this the original ending Lygus spoke of?!
: It should be!
: So the story of Aedes Elysiae we watched at the beginning, as well as Phainon's story, belonged to another Phainon… not the Phainon whom we know.
: In other words, this happened before he became the Flame Reaver, right?!
: Holy shit! That's the only possible explanation.
: OMG… Although I expected it, I still can't reconcile Phainon with the Flame Reaver.
: I, I feel the same way!
: That innocent and cheerful boy from Aedes Elysiae, that Phainon who kept declaring that he would choose to save the world and broke down after killing his family when they became monsters of the Black Tide… How could he possibly become the merciless Flame Reaver who kills without batting an eye?!
…
Phainon and the Flame Reaver. Although the connection between the two had basically been confirmed long ago, unfortunately, no matter what, the viewers could not reconcile that mask with that smiling face.
After four full episodes of characterization, Phainon had already become incredibly vivid in the viewers' minds. They were absolutely certain that someone like Phainon would never undergo some bullshit descent into darkness.
He was an ordinary person. But he was also a Deliverer!
He was someone who, if saving the world required him to sacrifice himself, would surrender everything he had without the slightest hesitation! How could someone born to protect others become a murderous monster?!
The corruption arcs that appeared so frequently in other shows simply could not work with Phainon. Not unless Phainon's entire characterization collapsed.
Other than that, the viewers could not think of any reason why Phainon would become the dark Phainon they knew. The plot was becoming increasingly mysterious and confusing.
…
But no matter how many questions and doubts the viewers had, the story continued.
On the screen, Mydeimos and Phainon, who had come for the duel, were listening to Trinnon explain the rules.
Unlike the duel they had imagined, this was a special kind of contest.
Its judge would be Talanton, the Titan of Law.
As for how the duel would be conducted, each of them would place something upon Talanton's scales, something heavier than the fate of the world.
"Which means only those who understand the world's weight are worthy to carry it... Is this how you plan to test our convictions?"
Phainon interpreted those words through his own understanding. He turned toward Mydeimos. "Well, Kremnoan, looks like you won't be able to punch your way through this one."
Mydeimos snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain. "It makes no difference. One last chance, new recruit. Walk away, and I'll spare your life."
"Otherwise, come and face me! I'll give you a warrior's death!"
The hostility between them was far more intense than it had ever been between the two people Stelle knew.
"Hard to imagine they once clashed like this..." Stelle clicked her tongue inwardly.
Mydeimos then entered the temple first.
Phainon did not immediately follow him. Instead, he asked Trinnon doubtfully, "Holy Maiden, I can't help but feel like a pawn that has stumbled into some greater political game."
Trinnon gently reassured him, "Every hero was once a child. And every child must grow."
Phainon did not commit himself to an answer. With a troubled expression, he looked toward Mydeimos's retreating back. "That so? I don't even know why I'm standing here right now."
"Look at me, just a common soldier. Since swordsmanship won't decide the winner, Lady Goldweaver should be here instead. My devotion to the holy city could never compare to hers."
Although Phainon's way of thinking had always been simple, that did not mean he was unintelligent. There were many things he could sense.
Trinnon answered honestly, "What if we told you this duel isn't about winning or losing, but rather in the choice you make?"
Phainon froze, then lowered his head and looked earnestly at the diminutive Trinnon.
"Are you saying that Lady Goldweaver is testing me?"
Trinnon nodded.
"Every Chrysos Heir is indispensable to the Flame-Chase Journey. And you and the crown prince of Kremnos are both a part of the prophecy."
"What the duel marks is not an ending, but a beginning. So, listen to your heart. We wish only to hear your answer."
My choice? Phainon was stunned for only a moment before he understood what she meant.
In Lady Goldweaver's eyes, he was not merely an insignificant soldier, but someone of great importance.
The situation had not turned into some complicated political game, nor was there any kind of disgusting bargain involved.
Phainon had also confirmed Lady Goldweaver's attitude toward him. But how should he answer so as not to disappoint Lady Goldweaver's high regard for him?
However, that thought remained in Phainon's mind for only an instant before he cast it aside.
Just like when he was young. Listen to the voice in his heart, follow its guidance, and then make his choice.
That was all.
And so... The "Nameless Hero" would have to take the stage once more.
Phainon turned his head and looked at Stelle.
"That's right, comrade! It's time for us to teach that proud prince a lesson together!"
Just as Cyrene had said at the beginning. He had long since grown accustomed to speaking with the friends in his imagination.
Stelle was no longer unfamiliar with it either. Like a spectator sharing her thoughts after watching a performance, she gave her reply:
"C'mon, we've got this."
Cheerfulness and confidence returned to Phainon's face.
"Haha! Now that's what I like to hear!"
Having regained his confidence, Phainon stepped into the Temple of Fate.
As he walked, he recalled the past while telling his "companion" about it.
"Here we are, at the temple of the Time Titan, and I don't even know how Cyrene's studies are progressing... We haven't really had much contact since I set out..."
"Still, I hope she's doing well. Anyway, let's go, comrade. It's not every day you get a chance to see Talanton's Scales of Justice."
These wistful words... once again confirmed that this was not the story of Phainon with which the audience was familiar.
...
: Cyrene is still alive...
: In the story where Stelle landed, Cyrene was already dead.
: Without a doubt, this is the very beginning, the story belonging to the Flame Reaver.
: At the point in time we're familiar with, Cyrene never made it out of the village. Phainon embarked on his journey alone.
: But that only makes this even harder for me to accept...
: The Phainon from that time clearly said that Cyrene and Aedes Elysiae were both destroyed by the Flame Reaver, not by Black Tide-
: Whether it was for that Phainon or for the Flame Reaver, Cyrene was their closest companion... How could he bring himself to do it...?
: Exactly! Black Phainon, how could you possibly do it? Didn't your heart hurt...?
: You've clearly lived such a... painful life yourself... When you saw yourself from another point in time, didn't you wish that he and Cyrene would no longer have to endure all of this?
: Ah... I don't even dare imagine it. Just thinking about it carefully makes my heart ache.
: I don't dare put myself in Phainon's place anymore. I don't even dare put myself in Black Phainon's place, because it hurts too much!
...
Unable to restrain themselves, the audience bombarded questions in the comments. Even though they knew that the characters could not hear their thoughts at all.
Meanwhile, on screen...
After hearing those words, Stelle looked utterly dumbfounded.
"Did he just say Cyrene's studying here? But how is that possible? Wasn't she..."
Stelle rubbed her chin, her thoughts in complete disarray.
But at the moment she most needed an explanation, Lygus fell silent once again.
Damn it...
Stelle cursed inwardly. She simply set the matter aside, followed in Phainon's footsteps, and entered the Temple of Fate with him.
Not long afterward... She once again arrived before that magnificent pair of scales.
Mydeimos had already been waiting there for some time.
When he saw Phainon arrive, he said coldly, "I hope you still remember your purpose, new recruit."
Phainon had already received guidance from the Nameless Hero and had now returned to the familiar person everyone knew. Smiling, he folded his arms across his chest and responded to Mydeimos's provocation.
"You seem awfully confident, Kremnoan. Let's see how you define the idea of "weight.""
The chill in Mydeimos's voice intensified.
"For your information, in Castrum Kremnos, the punishment for profaning a duel with such crooked words is impalement."
"But as we're in foreign lands, I'll indulge you—"
"The Signet of Kremnos, the crown jewel of our people. That's my choice."
Phainon could hear the confidence in Mydeimos's words.
Yet he paid it no mind and spread his hands.
"A ring? Not just any ornament, I'd wager. What's the story behind this little treasure?"
Mydeimos frowned, clearly displeased by Phainon's attitude.
"Don't push your luck. Think I'd pour my heart out to you?"
"Just know that Kremnos's thousand years of glory could bring a Titan to its knees, let alone a nobody like you!"
Phainon stopped provoking Mydeimos.
He had already learned what he wanted to know. It seemed that, compared with the world itself, Mydeimos cared far more about his people and their honor.
For Stelle and the audience, that realization struck even more deeply than it did Phainon. The honor of his people, this was the destiny borne by the Mydeimos they would come to know in the future.
As for Phainon... He was also considering what he should place upon the scales.
"Now this is a tough one. What can I possibly offer against a ring that signifies so much?"
"Well, comrade? What does your gut tell you?"
After pondering fruitlessly, he once again instinctively asked the Nameless Hero.
Thinking back on everything she had experienced with Phainon, Stelle considered it briefly before saying:
"The "Deliverer" card..."
Her words perfectly matched what Phainon had been thinking.
"...Looks like we really are on the same wavelength."
Phainon took out the Deliverer card that he had always kept close to his body and absentmindedly stroked its surface.
That day... The Deliverer had appeared in his life.
Ironically, even now, he still did not dare look directly at this card, much less accept its guidance.
Merely recalling the sight of Aedes Elysiae being engulfed, along with the people he had personally killed, was enough to make his entire body tremble uncontrollably.
He could not forget that flames or the people's screams. Even more than that, he could not forget his own powerlessness, could not forget that, in the end, he had failed to protect anything.
But if one were to ask what a country boy from Aedes Elysiae possessed that was worthy of being placed upon the scales...
For Phainon... There was only this single card.
"Speaking rationally, I know it's not nearly enough. Aedes Elysiae was just a small village, its loss barely a scar on Amphoreus's face."
"But here and now, my heart says something else..."
"This card... It's everything I have left. Nothing weighs heavier."
Hearing Phainon's innermost thoughts... the audience's hearts once again filled with sorrow.
But was this card truly enough? They did not know either.
In truth, it did not carry enough weight.
And so, Cyrene showed up. As someone studying here, she should have been evacuated along with everyone else.
But after hearing that there was a white-haired young man beside the Holy Maiden, she secretly slipped away while no one was paying attention. She arrived just as Phainon was about to place the Deliverer card upon the scales.