"Everyone, I have a bad premonition." Castorice subconsciously clenched her fists. "Thanatos's dead mist… seems to be approaching."
Trianne nodded her head like a rattle drum. "Oh… Trianne will be very vigilant!"
The group continued forward, but the surroundings were still deathly silent.
They came directly to a flight of stairs, where corpses of some unknown monsters were scattered everywhere.
[What are these? Antimatter Legion?]
[Black Tide, probably. But Old mi is being lazy here, reusing assets?]
[Understandable. If everything was made with real money, no amount of budget would be enough.]
[But… what about miHoYo's interactive city then? Old mi would rather not buy green screens and insists on real stuff?]
[I have a question. What exactly is the Black Tide? Is that black stuff on the ground the Black Tide?]
[Probably.]
[Then why does it look so much like data streams?]
[You should ask miHoYo. Anyway, after watching, there will be a bunch of up videos predicting stuff.]
— —
Faced with the disgusting monsters, Caelus and the other two expressed their confusion.
Only Castorice knew the truth. "These are Black Tide creations, twisted and hollow shells formed when life is eroded.
Everyone, stay alert… No matter what happened to the Grove, seeing the remains of Black Tide creations here is definitely not a good sign."
At this moment, Trianne suggested, "Should we… tell Agy first?"
At that moment, the Black Tide creations that should have been lying on the ground stood up one by one.
Caelus and Castorice subconsciously stepped forward, shielding Trianne behind them.
Castorice nodded toward Caelus. "Sir, let's go together."
Caelus didn't speak. He directly took out the Flame Lance as his response.
Castorice gently exhaled. Countless butterflies began to dance around her. Purple liquid swirled around her wrist and eventually gathered into a death god's scythe.
[I knew it. Castorice's weapon is really a death god's scythe.]
[Isn't it normal for the Death Titan to have a scythe?]
[The more I look at this Castorice, the more I like her. Hehe!]
[Butterflies dancing, death god's scythe! How should I put it — miHoYo has completely mastered the contrast.]
— —
As a Chrysos Heir, Castorice, together with Caelus who had long been battle-hardened, made short work of a few mere Black Tide creations.
Until Castorice beheaded the last one, everything finally quieted down.
Trianne quietly emerged from behind a tree trunk and breathed a sigh of relief. "T-Taken care of! Little Gray, Little Cas, so awesome..."
"Mem? (But these black guys… shouldn't be here, right?)"
Castorice furrowed her brows tightly. "Although the Grove's geographical location is relatively remote, the Black Tide has spread here so quickly... The world that lost 「Strife」 is probably far more dangerous than we imagined."
Trianne patted her head. "Wuu, then isn't Okhema in danger too?"
"Judging from this mess… the scholars should have at least withstood the first wave of attacks. It's just unknown how much it cost them..."
— —
At the same time, in Okhema.
After treating the wounded, Hyacine met with Aglaea and Tribbie.
However, Aglaea used the excuse that Hyacine needed rest and once again arranged for her to stay in Okhema.
After Hyacine left, Aglaea's expression became a few degrees more solemn.
...
"My teacher, there is something else I want to tell you. The origin of that injured person… is somewhat suspicious. He is not from Okhema. The way the stitches on his clothing are hidden is quite special… It's craftsmanship from the Grove."
Aglaea reported her discovery to Tribbie.
"The Grove? Could it be..."
"Calculating the time, Castorice and the others should have arrived by now."
Suddenly, Tribbie shuddered violently. "Ah… Trianne sent a message!"
She began to concentrate. "Mm... We… We saw that the Grove has been invaded by Black Tide creations...
Through the golden threads, we also haven't sensed any survivors yet… W-What do we do, Agy?"
"The Black Tide threat has indeed intensified. I just didn't expect the Grove to bear the brunt of it. Can they sense where the Coreflame is now?"
Tribbie looked at the psychic connection as she began communicating with Trianne. "Wuu... We saw it… The Coreflame is still there, it's just..."
"Just?"
"Just… they can't confirm whether the Titan has also been infected by the Black Tide..."
"Sigh..." Aglaea let out a heavy sigh. "The top priority is to confirm and transfer the Coreflame as soon as possible, search for survivors, and clarify the cause of the Grove's disaster… Relay this to them.
Also — be sure to confirm Anaxa's whereabouts. If nothing unexpected happened, he should still be alive."
"They have set off. I hope everyone is safe..."
At this point, they could only take things one step at a time. But Tribbie was still somewhat puzzled. Since the Grove was attacked by the Black Tide, why was Aglaea so certain that Anaxa was still alive?
"But, Agy… How do you know Anaxa is still alive?"
Aglaea replied calmly, "I know his character all too well. If this blasphemous 「Great Performer」 knew his time was short, he would definitely set his sights on the Coreflame and make the Titan accompany him in death."
Tribbie forced a smile. "This is also… a joke, right?"
"No, this time I'm serious. Internal troubles and external threats. Although the painful slaughter has stopped, Okhema's old enemies have been sharpening their blades right under our eyes until now... Now, they may have already prepared the noose for us."
"You mean..."
"Even if the divine authority of 「Strife」 is suspended, this black giant wave came far too swiftly… I suspect this tragedy was not just a natural disaster.
Unfortunately, since it has already happened, I'm afraid the Council of Elders will take the opportunity to make moves again… I will do my best to block the news. You must also be careful and prevent problems before they arise."
[Is all of Okhema now facing internal troubles and external threats?]
[There should be traitors inside, especially that Council of Elders. Remember Caenis?]
[No wonder the Strife Titan was so important. That means Nikador was always blocking the Black Tide. Once Strife is gone, the surrounding cities will slowly be eroded away?]
[Then Mydei must accept the Coreflame trial.]
[Aglaea is still quite smart.]
It was precisely because of this that Aglaea was unwilling to let Hyacine return to the Grove.
Moreover.
If this injured person truly came from the Grove, then it was obvious that the chances of survival were slim.
— —
The perspective returned to Caelus's group once more.
Trianne also used the spindle and psychic connection to exchange information with the others.
"Trianne thinks… everything will be fine! Everyone in the Grove is very smart. They definitely drove away the Black Tide."
"Mem? (And since Aglaea said that Anaxa is still alive, the others should have hope too… But who exactly is this person? I always feel like everyone has an inexplicable trust in him?)"
"How should I put it..." Castorice held her chin with one hand and pondered for a moment. "Lady Aglaea's attitude toward him is probably the complete opposite."
Caelus's binding experience had not yet faded. "Now I completely understand..."
Mem tilted her head. "Mem? (Hm? Good partner, have you encountered some trouble too?)"
Castorice took over the conversation. "Believe me, sir. Her attitude toward the two of you is far better than toward Anaxa.
Teacher Anaxa is a Chrysos Heir… yet he firmly believes that 「Titans」 and 「oracles」 are all a joke.
In the regularly held citizen assemblies, there is always one vote against the Flame-Chaser journey that comes from him."
[Oh? Enemies?]
[Didn't you watch the Easter egg from last season? Anaxa should be that eyepatch-wearing Earth Beast chef who charged straight at Aglaea without hesitation when he saw her.]
[Badass!]
— —
Castorice and Trianne continued to explain some information about the Grove.
There were also three Titans who had not been affected by the Black Tide and had always stood on the side of humans.
The Rational Titan, the Time Titan, and the Negative World Titan.
Trianne volunteered to take on the task of finding Anaxa.
Castorice also instructed that regarding Trianne, unless absolutely necessary, she must not open the gate.
The audience naturally didn't miss this. The flag was already fully planted!
[I knew there were knives. Don't keep bringing it up, okay?]
[I feel like I'm already completely immune.]
[Yeah. Hometown treasure, unless absolutely necessary, not in good physical condition. Sigh...]
[Can miHoYo really bring themselves to do it?]
[Previously the knives were still background settings. Now it feels like Trianne is already in danger.]
[Nooo, Trianne is my favorite one! miHoYo can't do this!]
[You're still too young.]
[miHoYo, you have no heart!]
[Let's just watch. What if? What if it's just a smoke bomb? Maybe Old mi just wants everyone to be on edge, then suddenly wraps up the dumplings.]
[Uh... If it were other companies, I think it's fine. The key is this company is called miHoYo!]
— —
After parting with Trianne, they continued forward along the path.
A large door blocked the way.
Caelus rubbed his chin and looked at the door. A flash of inspiration came to his mind. "Flame Lance, charge—!"
Castorice verbally stopped Caelus. "No need to exert yourself, sir. Janusopolis's power… is far more resilient than we imagined.
Since it's a creation of the Three Disaster Titans, perhaps we can borrow Oronyx's eyes to find the trick..."
Suddenly.
A figure appeared before Caelus, and it seemed only he and Mem could see it.
"Ridiculous. It's just a door. The first thought is to appeal to the gods..."
Mem was startled. "Mem?!"
The figure continued. "Before opening the lock on the door, you should first try to open the lock on your eyes.
My name is Anaxagoras, one of the Seven Sages of the Grove of Epiphany, founder of the 「Intellectual Species School」. Ugly words first: First, don't call me Anaxa."
Mem looked confused. "Mem... Memimi. (Ana… Anaxa… Eh, whatever. I'll just call you Anaxa. Now, can you answer...)"
"Second, don't interrupt me — silence is golden."
Mem's ears drooped. "Mem! (This person is so hard to get along with!)"
"At this moment, the one standing here conversing with you is not a remnant of memory, but the crystallization of my science — noble, pure, irrefutable, and undoubted truth.
Through the 「alchemy」 path, I shattered my soul, refined it into gold, and buried it here. I recorded these words so that those who come may understand where they should go."
Mem looked at Caelus beside her. "Mem? (「Alchemy」 can do this kind of thing?)"
Anaxagoras's phantom took over Mem's words. "Anything is possible, but note that alchemy is not a foolproof technique. What you can hear depends on the soul equivalent I paid. It is not created from nothing."
"Mem... Mem? (How did you pick up my words again… Are you really an echo of memory?)"
"Because my calculations are meticulous. I also know that you have discovered the Grove has suffered from the Black Tide and mistakenly believed the scholars have been completely wiped out.
But you are greatly mistaken — the sages had already found a way to evacuate the vast majority of people before the Black Tide approached. They are now on their way to the Holy City Okhema.
Only a small number of scholars stayed behind with me to defend the Grove. If nothing unexpected happened, Cerydra's Coreflame should arrive in Okhema soon as well...
…But since you have read this message, it means the unexpected has already happened. Now, please continue forward to the Throne of Enlightenment — recover the Coreflame and our remains.
「Thus, the project is complete. My words end here.」"
Castorice blinked. It seemed like Mem and Caelus had been standing there for a while.
"Trailblazer sir, from the looks of you… you found valuable memories?"
Caelus pondered for a moment, then relayed all the information to Castorice exactly as it was.
According to what Anaxagoras said, the group must next go to the 「Throne of Enlightenment」.
— —
The scene changed. The two people and one pink puppy walked along a tree hollow. There were quite a few human corpses around.
After emerging from the hollow, a throne appeared before them.
Caelus looked around. Rather than a throne, it looked more like a library!.
A Titan-like voice echoed in his ears. "「The gods favor fertile soil, everywhere flourishing like fire...」"
"Mem? (Wh-What voice?)" Mem nearly had her fur stand on end.
When she listened carefully, the sound was gone again?
"Memimemi? (Eh... There seems to be no one… Was that singing voice an illusion?)"
"No, it wasn't an illusion. I heard it too." Castorice chimed in. "I'm afraid someone is nearby. We don't know if they're friend or foe… Everyone be careful."
At this moment, the background sound rang out again. "「The twelve constellations like eyes, the giants raise their cups to drink together...」"
"Mem! Memimemi. (It's here again! This time the voice is coming from... I can't tell. This library has too much echo!)"
However, Caelus had a serious expression at this moment. "Don't be afraid. I have experience catching ghosts!"
Mem showed a speechless expression. "Mem? (How did you even do that…?)"
[Hahaha, is it that plot with Huohuo catching the Suicune?]
[Interesting.]
[Too much to say, afraid of scaring Mem to tears.]
"Found it." Castorice's voice interrupted the two's discussion. She pointed at a cave opening. "The voice is coming from… over there."