"What happened?" Dan Heng asked Caelus with concern.
"Such a long stretch of memory… it feels like a lifetime ago…"
"Long? What are you talking about? You were just standing there in a daze. No matter how we called out to you, you didn't respond. The whole thing lasted less than a minute, and then…" Dan Heng looked speechlessly toward the space behind Caelus. Mem was floating there in the air without the slightest restraint.
Caelus slowly turned his head and met Mem's gaze.
Phainon was somewhat amazed. "What a peculiar creature — it should be an animal, right? I've never seen anything like it."
Even Castorice couldn't help but let her girlish heart overflow at the sight of Mem. "What an adorable little one… Is it a gift from Oronyx?"
Caelus shook his head. "I was glimpsed by Fuli."
The moment these words left his mouth, everyone's reactions differed.
Dan Heng's eyes widened involuntarily. "Fuli? Just now?"
"「Fuli」… What is that?" Phainon asked in confusion.
"On the way to Okhema, I mentioned the 「Aeons」 from beyond the sky to you — Fuli is one of them, presiding over the Path of 「Remembrance」."
Phainon suddenly understood. "Ah… 「The deities of the world beyond the sky, miracles that cannot be gazed upon directly with the naked eye」… Right? Does obtaining a glimpse from an Aeon mean…"
Caelus pointed at Mem beside him and explained to everyone that Mem could help reshape the memories of Castrum Kremnos. This would allow them to uncover secrets related to Nikador, but they first needed to locate the necessary memories.
Thus, everyone hurried back to Okhema.
— —
After returning from the Abyss of Fate, the group discussed splitting into two teams.
Dan Heng and Phainon would go support Mydei, while Caelus, together with Mem and Castorice, would collect memory fragments and find a way into the past of Castrum Kremnos to break Nikador's immortal divine body.
After gathering a segment of a wandering bard's memory fragments and the master craftsman's memory fragments, Mem led the two of them to stand behind an old acquaintance.
"Memi! Memimemi. (Here. Here! Memory, photo… collect!)"
Castorice stopped and observed carefully for a while before speaking. "That's… Damionis? Has Lady Aglaea already released him?"
Caelus's mouth twitched. "That guy almost got us killed!"
"He does carry some bad reputation… If it weren't for his actions, you and Lord Dan Heng wouldn't have been subjected to Lady Aglaea's interrogation. Since Mem has determined he holds valuable memories, let's ask him directly."
Castorice approached Damionis and asked politely, "Excuse me, sir…"
"Hm? Who is it? I'm busy framing a shot, please don't…" The moment he turned his head, however, his expression shifted from impatience to delight. "Ah, it's actually the 「Outlander」 sir. Long time no see? It hasn't been long since our last meeting…"
Caelus kept his hands in his pockets. "You almost got me killed last time!"
"Very sorry. It was all my fault before. I was solely focused on proving the existence of the 「world beyond the sky」… Fortunately, Lady Aglaea is very merciful. She only made me swear an oath and then let me go home.
Please rest assured! I will never make the same mistake again. To take it a step further, if I dared to break my agreement with that lady, how would that be any different from digging my own grave?"
Caelus waved his hand, too lazy to listen to any more of his rambling. "Do you have any memories related to Castrum Kremnos?"
"Castrum Kremnos? For us unarmed civilians, Nikador's territory is forbidden ground. Even back then…" Damionis scratched his head. Suddenly his pupils contracted sharply. "Wait, you reminded me, sir… I did go to Castrum Kremnos once. Please give me a moment…"
Damionis rummaged through his satchel…
A moment later, he finally pulled out an unremarkable photograph.
"That's it… Yes, this one! Incredible. I actually still kept it…"
Caelus picked up the photo and examined it carefully. There was a deep crease across the middle of the paper, and the image showed the majestic Castrum Kremnos.
"May I ask what story this work has?"
"Many years ago, as the Golden War was nearing its end, Castrum Kremnos held its final festival. But given the situation at the time, very few foreign citizens dared to participate in the competitions.
I gathered my courage and went to Castrum Kremnos, only to find the festival's atmosphere… different from usual. The people there seemed more like they were preparing for some mysterious ritual.
I felt something was off, so I only took a photo outside the city and left… Who could have imagined what happened afterward?"
[Wait a minute, this guy forcing the scene — isn't there some important foreshadowing here?]
[I have the same feeling. Since he's a side character, doesn't he have too much screen time?]
[Honestly, his appearances are even more than Mydei's debut.]
[Skott is also just a side character, but he gets a lot of screen time.]
[Skott is different. Everyone likes watching him because they want to see how much Elation he can bring. This Damionis clearly isn't that kind of character.]
[And characters like this are usually killed off directly. After all, he knows too much. Don't tell me Aglaea is soft-hearted — rulers can't afford to be anything but ruthless.]
[Who knows. I've caught that old "everything is foreshadowing" disease. Damn it, everything looks like a plot point to me now.]
— —
After obtaining Damionis's photograph, Mem pulled out a book, signaling that everything was ready and they could now head to Castrum Kremnos.
Castorice immediately exchanged information with Aglaea. After receiving a reply, the team of two people and one pet officially set off.
At the same time, in the Garden of Life.
An elder named Caenis, who looked somewhat aged, stood before Aglaea and Tribbie with a superior attitude.
"Remember, Aglaea — whether it is the Chrysos Heirs or the Council of Elders, our status is granted by the citizens of Okhema.
Before you attempt to overstep your bounds and make judgments beyond your duty, carefully recall the Golden War. Think about the final fates of those 「heroes」. If you are not very familiar with that history, let her give you another lesson."
Aglaea remained neither humble nor arrogant. "Please rest assured, Lord Caenis. Under the guidance of the oracle, we will overthrow the gods. In the new world promised by prophecy, no god will tower above mortals."
"Heh… I'll tentatively accept your promise then." The next moment, Caenis spoke sarcastically. "The pampered girl from back then has now grown into a shrewd political animal. Should I offer congratulations? Or lament?"
"The times are changing drastically, and people must adapt. I am not the only one who has resolved to change, Lord Elder. My teacher and I still have important matters to attend to. Please forgive us for not seeing you off."
Caenis snorted coldly with a smile. "Heh… I sincerely hope that the next time the Council of Elders convenes, the one standing trial in the center of the circle will not be you."
With that, he left with a cold laugh.
Tribbie breathed a slight sigh of relief and looked at Aglaea. "Agy… Are you alright?"
Aglaea smiled faintly. "It was just another empty threat, no different from before… It is merely a manifestation of the fear in their hearts."
"I'm really sorry, Agy… If we could be a little more mature, you wouldn't have to bear everything alone…"
"Why apologize? You and I are simply each performing our duties."
"But seeing you constantly being made things difficult by them… we still feel sad, and angry…"
Aglaea slowly raised her right hand. A golden thread circled her fingertip. "Do you want me to use the golden thread to slit their throats? It would be as easy as turning my hand. With just your approval, I could make the Council of Elders history."
"Y-You… What terrifying words are you saying! D-Don't scare us like that, Agy!"
"Haha." Aglaea laughed from the heart for the first time. "I was joking."
Tribbie patted her chest. "I knew you were joking… Your way of comforting people is far too unusual!
But… after you said that, we actually feel… somewhat relieved. Thank you, Agy."
"Because our humanity still remains, that is why we seek joy even in bitterness."
Suddenly, Tribbie changed the subject to something more serious. "Then… the 「infiltration」 Snowy and the others mentioned — do you have any leads?"
"Rest assured. Even without their intelligence, I have already detected the undercurrents beneath the city. It is merely some minor trouble. I can resolve it personally."
"No need to notify the Holy City guards?"
"That would alarm the citizens of Okhema. If they learned the enemy has means to bypass the Chrysos Heirs and infiltrate Okhema, the situation could spiral out of control."
"Then… do you need us to help with anything?"
"No need, my teacher. Let us follow the previous division of labor. You must prepare for the 「Lance of Fury」."
"We understand… Agy, please act within your limits."
With that, Aglaea left the Garden of Life alone.
— —
After communicating with the Weaver, she learned the locations of several anomalies.
Following the pupa transformed by her power, she arrived before the first anomaly.
Hundreds of tough golden threads probed into the polluted void and pulled out what was hidden within.
"Ow, ouch! Who is it? Which blind fool—"
A slime that looked like a snowman was dragged out by the golden threads.
"Bartholos?" Aglaea curiously sized him up.
"Ah… Ah! Hehehe, so it's Lady Aglaea! Praise 「Phagousa」, every inch of your skin shines as brightly as that dawn machine in the sky!" Bartholos instantly recognized his superior.
"You still can't remember the Heavenly Father's name? It's Kepha—" Aglaea paused. "Forget it. I suppose you're doing it on purpose. Tell me, Spirithief, why are you hiding in the filth?"
[Uh, this line feels very deliberate.] [Deliberate, as if telling you this is an important foreshadowing.] [Have I gone crazy? Everything looks like foreshadowing now?]
— —
"Uh, of course it's… of course because we want to eliminate harm for the citizens of Okhema, hehehe!" While speaking, Bartholos pointed to the cave entrance nearby. "Look, that crazy stone monster that was originally hiding inside — I've already dismembered it into pieces with my nimble craftsmanship… Hehehe!"
Aglaea probed inside with the golden threads. "Hm… The traces of pollution have indeed disappeared."
"We wouldn't dare deceive you, Lady Aglaea~ You are the most respected person in all of Okhema…"
"Save the glib talk, Spirithief… You know I can read your unease."
But the next moment, Aglaea's attitude suddenly softened. "On second thought, since you've already appeared before me… then answer one more question: Where is Cipher?"
[Pardo?] [Finishing blow!] [miHoYo really loves abusing cats — now they're abusing dogs too!]
"Uh… You might have some misunderstanding about our line of work? That lord and I are indeed in the same profession, but that doesn't mean we're on the same side! Our relationship should be considered 「rivals」 — enemies don't want to meet on a narrow path, hehehe!"
Aglaea didn't ask further. "Forget it. If you meet Cipher next time, pass on a message for me: As demigods, we can never escape our duties."
Just as Bartholos was about to slip away, Aglaea stopped him.
In the end, everything he had worked so hard to obtain entered Aglaea's treasury.
This left Bartholos seething with rage.
"You… you woman who gilded a black heart with gold! I don't want to see you again — goodbye!"
With that, he vanished into thin air with a whoosh.
"Goodbye, Bartholos — don't forget to pass the message to Cipher for me."
[Did you notice? Aglaea's expression becomes very rich when she mentions Cipher!] [Shouldn't it be rich?] [Aglaea seemed to have said before that after becoming a demigod, she doesn't have much humanity left.] [That's right. This is another major foreshadowing!]
— —
As the plot progressed, Aglaea arrived in a marketplace alleyway.
She saw a little girl hesitating in front of her, yet unwilling to leave.
"Hello, child."
The girl remained unmoved.
Aglaea used the golden thread to touch her. In an instant, she understood — this was a girl who could not hear sounds.
Sigh…
She unconsciously let out a breath and gently touched the girl's shoulder.
The girl shuddered and immediately turned around.
Aglaea extended her arm, signaling the girl to do the same.
The golden threads gently wrapped around the girl's palm… Now their hearts were connected.
After learning that the girl's protective charm had fallen into the filthy space, Aglaea used her powerful strength to directly eliminate the monster.
Finally, she retrieved a bracelet.
She was about to return it to the little girl, but the girl instead gave it to Aglaea.
Simply because the little girl thought Aglaea was truly very beautiful — just like the goddess Mnestia recorded on the stone tablets, shining with golden light.
Then the little girl skipped away.
Only Aglaea remained, looking at the bracelet in her hand, lost in thought.
…
Not long after, after everything was dealt with, Aglaea returned to the Garden of Life.
She stopped in her tracks. "Who's there? Show yourself before my golden threads are stained with your blood."
"Tsk tsk. As expected of a demigod. Even an assassin like me who has been doing 「cleaning」 for most of my life can't escape your senses." The Caenis who had appeared earlier showed up once again for some unknown reason.
"Lord Caenis, what is the meaning of this?"