"It seems it really likes this. You and the Earth Beast get along very well... I'm truly envious..."
"Aren't you going to touch it?" Xing asked.
To be honest, this Earth Beast is quite outgoing, mainly thanks to the [ Eternity ] Wonderful Milk Tea. After drinking it, it automatically develops a high level of affinity for anything associated with [ Eternity ].
"Me? I don't need to, it's alright..." Castorice waved her hand.
"Miss Castorice, is there something you're worried about? We're new here and hope to use our actions to get closer to everyone."
"You two have misunderstood. Your help to Okhema has already shown your goodwill. I just..." Castorice looked hesitant, "... I'm not very good at socializing, whether with people or with these children."
Please don't take it to heart.
Dan Heng nodded, "... Okay. Let's take a picture of the Earth Beast too; these amazing creatures are rarely seen elsewhere."
"Would you two like to take a photo with this child? If so, I might be able to help."
"There's no need to force yourself..." Xing said.
"It's not forced. Taking photos is just a hobby of mine."
"Oh, March 7th is right. Beautiful girls really do attract each other. It's a pity she's not here, otherwise you two would have gotten along really well."
"That's fine then, thank you for your help, Miss Castorice."
"No trouble at all... Please place the photo recorder on the ground."
Xing and Dan Heng were taken aback. "Put it on the ground? Can't I just give it to you directly?"
Could the effects of death really extend to an object like a phonograph? That's a bit far-fetched; it should at least be blessed by a Emanator.
"... Let's do as she says for now."
As Dan Heng spoke, he placed the camera from March 7th on the ground, Castorice bent down to pick it up...
"The colors are beautiful, they feel... very cute. Aperture, ISO, and preset filters... although the appearance is different, the actual structure is the same. No problem."
"Please take your positions, both of you."
Castorice raised her camera, took the picture, and then thoughtfully showed it to Xing and Dan Heng.
"Black and white filter..." Xing seemed hesitant to speak.
"... But, was there a reason for using a black and white filter?"
"Ah... sorry, it's just a personal preference; I like black and white photos. If you two mind, I'll take another one."
"No need. This is fine."
The thought of this black-and-white photo appearing in the train carriages in March 7th made Xing want to laugh. After Trailblaze so many planets, this was still the first black-and-white photo.
"I'm glad I could help. Please excuse me, you two, and continue playing with the Earth Beast."
After saying Castorice, Dan Heng and Xing Tong rubbed their chins, feeling something was off...
"Did the Script also include a stand-in for the photographer?"
"... That sounds like something Stellaron Hunters would say. As for that Miss Castorice, should I say she's taciturn? No, not quite, just a bit enigmatic."
"The same thing happened when I met her before; she seemed very reluctant to have physical contact with people..." Dan Heng sighed. "These Chrysos Heirs all have very different personalities. Compared to them, Phainon is probably the most normal one."
"Now that Teacher Dan Heng has mentioned it, I'm a little Curiosity Phainon's 'abnormal' side."
As many novel readers know, those who seem simple are often the most complex!
Based on the Astral Express Crew's current understanding of Phainon, it's quite unusual that it could be associated with [ Eternity ]...
A world that can only be reflected by the Mirror of the Garden of Recollection, but they didn't see any elements of Remembrance at all. The only one closely related to Remembrance was March 7th, who was cleaning up the milk tea shop.
Another question also troubles Xing: where is the real ' Lycurgus '?
The scene shifts to the Vortex of Genesis —a great sanctuary housing the primordial divinity of the twelve Titan, and the place where the miracles of Creation were promised in the Prophecy.
But... this is not the Vortex of Genesis of the Astral Express Crew's current [ Eternal Recurrence ], but rather a special version of the Vortex of Genesis from the [ Church of Eternity ].
Here, the Core Flame above the starry sky have all been replaced with various milk tea patterns, and the " Creation " Core Flame in the very center has been changed to an [∞] symbol radiating colorful light.
The sense of sacredness diminished considerably, but that didn't matter. The original " Tides in the Basin " disappeared, replaced by a prison made of special materials.
Inside the cell, the Intellitron, bound by soap-shaped chains, sat upright in a chair.
Da--Da--Da--
The heavy footsteps approached from afar, Intellitron raised its head to look at the blond Chair who was gradually walking towards it.
"It's a pleasure to meet you... the executioner loyal to [ Eternity ]."
Lygus began politely, noting that humility is a virtue of the wise.
Blake chose not to reply after reading the message, walked over to the imprisoned Lygus, and conjured a chair from soap.
"Sigh~ A genius who won't listen to reason." Blake rubbed his temples. The flow of time here was almost identical to that inside the Scepter, so he threw Lygus in.
This is a common tactic of the Church of Eternity: when they encounter hostile forces, they throw them into the Eternity Space to reflect on their lives. And this time, they even encountered someone who was a perfect match for them.
"You should know that patience is my most powerful weapon. To me, 'waiting' and 'victory' are the same concept."
"[ Eternity ] waiting..." Blake murmured, scrutinizing Lygus. "Your stance is [ Destruction ], yet you frequently mention [ Eternity ]. You've put our Church in a difficult position."
"It's alright. The dead have no fear of death." Lygus's mechanical voice remained unwavering, then he took the initiative to bring up the topic:
"Generation after generation of Chrysos Heirs heroes, some willingly torn apart, others steadfastly guarding their solitude, poured out their hearts and souls, attempting to conquer fate..."
But unfortunately, fate will not be defeated.
" Eternity has imprisoned my body, but my will will not be silenced."
"Isn't it beautiful? Amphoreus is like a microcosm of the Milky Way. People always love to depict the Romance of the starry sky, but in their words they forget another, more real universe."
"When the ancient Antikytherans drew geometric shapes on the beach and recorded the earliest numerical symbols on parchment, the universe was transformed into a silent equation, appearing in the writings of these tireless codebreakers."
"[ Erudition ] -- It was once the Creator's mother tongue, the pen of God, and the earliest lyric poem written by free will."
"Even at this moment, he doesn't forget to mention the Nous; truly a genius who created Him." Blake smiled slightly.
"Heh, I only hope you understand: I have no intention of being hostile to [ Eternity ]."
Lygus slowly raised his head, "Throughout the long years, I have devoted myself to protecting the calculations of the Scepter, hoping that the [ Prime Mover ] will sprout from them."
"Now, my goal is almost achieved," Lygus said without any concealment. "Neikos496... Khaslana's downfall is only a matter of time."
Lygus concluded. " The Iron Tomb will eventually be completed."
"This has nothing to do with my plans, nothing to do with their resistance, nothing to do with the wisdom of the [ Church of Eternity ]—it is an indisputable fact, just as the moment the Nous had calculated."