Caelus's voice spread to the ears of everyone in the Sacred Flame Arena.
The faces of the people of Natlan first showed expressions of astonishment, followed by blank bewilderment, and then shock once again.
"What did the Pyro Archon say?"
"He said the Holy Night of the Return of Flame and the Night Warden War are to be terminated!"
"This is our Natlan tradition! How can it be stopped just like that?"
"Without the Night Warden War, how are we supposed to earn honor?!"
"Forget honor! If the Holy Night of the Return of Flame is also suspended, then we won't be able to maintain the Sacred Flame through competition."
"Natlan will be finished!"
The arena suddenly became noisy. People could not believe that the Pyro Archon would actually make such a decision, and they felt lost and fearful about their future.
"Caelus really said it."
Mualani's eyelids lowered slightly, her beautiful red eyes looking at Caelus standing high above, a hint of worry and unease in her gaze.
"The arena is already in chaos."
"No, it's not just the arena; the whole of Natlan might fall into chaos later."
Kinich quickly imagined a grim future.
"Are the Holy Night of the Return of Flame and the Night Warden War really going to be suspended?"
Kachina was still immersed in shock.
She had put in so much effort to participate in the Night Warden War; was it all going to be for nothing now?
"Don't worry, there's still a chance for a turn of events."
Kinich comforted her. "The people of Natlan place extraordinary importance on these two events, even more than their own lives."
"Someone will definitely stand up and resist."
High above the Sacred Flame Arena,
Caelus could hear the noise below, but he did not care.
His attention was entirely focused on the System's prompts.
[Emotion Points from Mualani +10]
[Emotion Points from Kachina +20]
[Emotion Points from Mavuika +100]
...The people of Natlan were continuously providing Caelus with Emotion Points, and in the blink of an eye, they had already exceeded 1,000.
In other words, Caelus could now maintain the Sacred Flame through the System.
The duration of maintenance would be as long as a full year.
It was enough time for the Traveler to reach the next nation.
"Increase more."
"Increase a bit more."
Caelus would not be satisfied with just 1,000 Emotion Points.
He wanted even more.
However, the increase in Emotion Points suddenly slowed down.
Caelus looked out and saw a streak of crimson flame descending from the spectator stands into the arena, attracting the attention of everyone present.
Her long red hair was like a burning flame, her pupils were as bright as the sun, and she wore black biker attire.
It was none other than the strongest warrior in Natlan besides Caelus — Mavuika.
During the battle to determine the Pyro Archon, Mavuika had also defeated all challengers, reaching the finals with overwhelming strength.
If it weren't for Caelus being even more powerful, the one who became the Pyro Archon should have been her.
In the eyes of the people of Natlan at this moment, only Mavuika could represent them in questioning the new Pyro Archon.
"Lord Pyro Archon, why have you suspended the Holy Night of the Return of Flame?"
Mavuika lived up to expectations, showing no fear of the Pyro Archon's authority as she voiced the thoughts of everyone present.
"Mavuika..."
Hearing how she addressed him, Caelus couldn't help but smile.
In the original history, Mavuika had been the Pyro Archon 500 years ago.
To complete her plan to save Natlan, she had come to this era 500 years later to once again assume the position of Pyro Archon.
Now, she had to address Caelus as Lord Pyro Archon, just like any other citizen of Natlan.
It had to be said that her resolve was truly strong, and she was also showing Caelus respect.
However, Caelus's actions had clearly disrupted her plan to save Natlan, forcing her to step forward and question him.
"Mavuika, are you defying a divine decree?"
Caelus spoke calmly, yet his words carried immense pressure.
If it were an ordinary person, their legs would already have gone weak under such pressure.
But Mavuika, as a former Pyro Archon and a warrior of Natlan, remained unaffected and spoke steadily.
"Lord Pyro Archon, I am merely representing everyone in voicing the doubts in our hearts."
"The Holy Night of the Return of Flame and the Night Warden War are of great significance; they relate to the spiritual beliefs of the people of Natlan and also affect their safety."
"If Lord Pyro Archon does not provide a sufficient reason, I believe it will be very difficult for the people of Natlan to accept this."
After she finished speaking, the people in the spectator stands echoed her words.
"That's right!"
"Lord Pyro Archon, you must give us a reason!"
"To have us accept the suspension of the Holy Night of the Return of Flame and the Night Warden War without explanation—"
"We can't accept it!"
Kinich looked at the red-haired woman below and nodded slightly.
"Mavuika has stirred up everyone's emotions. Now everyone wants an explanation from Lord Pyro Archon."
"Then can Caelus be persuaded to give up his plan?" Kachina asked with concern.
"Hard to say," Kinich shook his head, "but at least everyone is united now."
Caelus looked at the arena, which had become noisy again, and refocused his attention on the System.
[Emotion Points +1]
[Emotion Points +1]
...Driven by Mavuika, the people in the arena were once again highly emotional, generating more Emotion Points.
"Very well, then let the performance become even more exciting."
Caelus's body turned into a streak of crimson flame and disappeared from everyone's sight.
"Did Lord Pyro Archon retreat?"
"No, he's in the arena!"
At first, people thought the Pyro Archon had withdrawn under pressure.
But when they looked down, they discovered that Caelus had already appeared in the arena.
"Lord Pyro Archon..."
"He couldn't be planning to fight Mavuika, could he?"
The people of Natlan couldn't help but worry.
Even before obtaining the Gnosis, Caelus's strength far surpassed Mavuika's.
After acquiring the Pyro Gnosis, his power had risen tremendously.
If they truly fought, it would not be a battle — it would be completely one-sided.
However, Caelus's next words exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Anyone who shares Mavuika's objections may step forward."
"If you can endure two seconds against me without being defeated..."
"I will revoke my decision."
"How about it?"
Caelus raised two fingers and smiled confidently.
"Fight the Lord Pyro Archon?"
"Endure two seconds?"
Upon hearing this, the warriors of Natlan were momentarily tempted.
This was an opportunity to fight the Pyro Archon.
Even in defeat, it would be a form of honor.
"Of course, you may also die."
Caelus's final words shattered the warriors' fantasies.