Above the Sky Screen, Stelle watched Anaxa's figure vanish completely. A trace of uncontainable sorrow colored her voice as she softly said:
"Perhaps Anaxa... didn't make it after all."
Castorice slowly closed her eyes, as though sensing the atmosphere deep within the Tree Court. She shook her head, rejecting Stelle's words.
"I... still don't want to consider that possibility."
"Maybe they simply couldn't transfer the Core Flame, but managed to escape... somehow."
Stelle took a deep breath, pulled herself together, and nodded.
"We need to make a trip to the Throne of Enlightenment."
Just as they were discussing things in low voices, the tightly shut door beside them suddenly began to creak and groan.
It was slowly opening!
Mimi's eyes lit up. She gave a cheerful cry and hurriedly alerted everyone.
"Ah, the door can open!"
"So that message was a key after all!"
Looking at the open doors, Castorice knew this had to be Anaxa's handiwork. She could not help but sigh.
"Alchemy is just... incredible."
The group exchanged glances and stepped inside.
As they continued deeper through the hollow-tree-like passage, they found countless books piled along both sides.
This was likely where the Grove of Epiphany stored its knowledge.
Along the way, an ethereal voice suddenly drifted in from every direction.
The voice was incomparably familiar—it was the whisper of a Titan. "The gods bless the fertile earth, and flames of life flourish everywhere..."
Mimi jumped at the sudden sound, her voice turning shrill.
"W-What was that?"
After passing through the long passage, they entered an enormous space.
At its center stood a stone platform resembling an altar.
Resting silently atop it was a bright red object shaped like a heart.
Mimi looked around curiously and muttered under her breath, "Huh..."
"It doesn't look like anyone's here... Was