At that moment, Mydei, Tine, and Phainon stood before Yan Huan.
Many civilians were nearby, exchanging uneasy looks, their faces drawn.
One priest rubbed his forehead.
"Why did we suddenly have to evacuate the entire Hall of Three Phases of Destiny...?"
The other priests chimed in.
"Are you out of your mind? That blond man is the prince of Castrum Kremnos! If we make him angry... everyone in this city-state could die!"
"Don't panic."
"The Saintess Lord is handling things. We just need to wait..."
As Yan Huan listened to the priests, Laigushi explained:
"What you see took place during Gate-Closing Moon in the year 4926 of the Light Calendar."
"At the time, Prince Mydeimos of Xuan Feng had led a lone force to the gates of Okhma City."
"As you know, Mydeimos was proud, but he was not a man who glorified violence."
"He challenged the elders of the Holy City to a duel solely to win rights for his people, so they would not have to live in a foreign land as inferiors."
"Fair enough." Yan Huan looked toward Mydei and nodded in approval.
"If they didn't show some strength, what was to stop people from treating them like slaves?"
The Xuan Feng people had always prized their dignity. Even if they submitted to Okhma City, they wanted to save face.
Laigushi nodded slightly.
"With Aglaea mediating, Phainon accepted Mydeimos's challenge as the Holy City's representative."
"This 'duel' would change the course of the Flame-Chasing..."
"So, as Phainon's most important companion throughout his life, please continue witnessing his memories."
Ahead, Mydei stood among the refugees and spoke to Tine and Phainon in a low voice.
"...You intend to replace an honorable duel with this?"
Tine nodded gently. "Fighting and killing are no good."
"Aya and the rest of