"This resolution will be posted before the Wall of Honored Heroes. Every citizen must know the path ahead for our city-state."
"Good! Excellent!!" The assembly erupted in cheers again. Only a few noticed that something was wrong.
"Wonderful! The Golden Age! The Golden Age! The Golden Age!"
"Golden Age, come back to us!!"
Amid the cheers, several councilors frowned and whispered to one another.
"Given what just happened, shouldn't the motion be 'Suspend the Journey of the Spark'? How did it become 'The Possibility of Returning to the Golden Age'?"
The first would have put the Journey of the Spark itself on trial. The second put the question of whether the Golden Age was an illusion at the center.
If it had been the first, every councilor's gaze would have fixed on the Chrysos Heirs' faction.
But the second... put the focus on Kenis's faction instead.
"Hmph. So it's come to this after all? No matter." Anaxa folded his arms and looked across the room at Aglaea's calm face.
"Aglaea, Aglaea... what softened your heart and dulled the sharp tongue you once had?"
Aglaea replied coolly:
"Talk all you like."
"The Journey of the Spark is ordained by prophecy. We will not fail."
"Heh... is that so?" Anaxa smiled. "Then we'll see."
Kenis's faction questioned Laigushi afterward, but he overruled their objections, declared this stage of the debate concluded, and dismissed the assembly.
As the attendees dispersed, only a handful of people remained.
Aglaea watched Castorice approach and said in a low voice:
"It seems sending you to find Anaxa brought about a partnership between the two of you instead?"
"I..." Castorice looked pained by the question.
"I'm sorry, everyone."
"I know you have many questions. I won't hide anything."
Aglaea nodded, her expression unreadable.
"Then... tell us everything, one