Earlier, Okhema
"Ms. Aglaea, the injured woman who appeared on the outskirts of Okhema has survived after several days of major and minor surgeries."
Hyacine reported to Aglaea and Tribbie that she had been quite busy these past few days, first running errands for the High Priest and then treating the wounded in the city.
"I've added to your troubles again, Hyacine."
"He was severely affected by the Black Tide, resulting in particularly severe fibrosis in his organs. It's a miracle he survived; I can't guarantee when he'll wake up..."
"Don't feel pressured, you've done your duty. Don't rush back to the Grove now, get some rest first."
After Hyacine left, Aglaea looked at Tribbie beside her. "Master, I have something else I want to tell you. The origins of that injured person... are somewhat suspicious."
"He is not from Okhema. The way the stitches are hidden in his clothes is quite special... it's the work of Grove."
" Grove? Could it be...?"
"Judging by the time, Castorice and the others should be here by now."
As soon as Aglaea finished speaking, Tribbie sensed something:
"Ah... Trianne sent a message!"
Receiving the message from Trianne, Tribbie's face paled slightly. "'We'...'We've seen that Grove has been invaded by the Black Tide Creatures..."
"Through the golden threads, we still haven't sensed the presence of any survivors... What... what should we do, Aya?"
"... The Black Tide threat has indeed intensified, but I never expected that Grove would be the first to bear the brunt."
"Ah... 'we' saw it... the Core Flame is still there, but..."
Aglaea looked at Tribbie: "Just?"
"However... they can't confirm whether Titan has also been infected by the Black Tide..."
"Sigh... The most urgent task is to quickly identify and remove the Core Flame, and search for survivors in order to clarify the details of the Grove disaster... Let's pass this message on to them."
"Also—make sure to confirm Anaxa's whereabouts. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, he must still be alive."
Tribbie relayed the message truthfully, "They've set off; I hope everyone is safe and sound..."
"But Aya... how did you know that Anaxa?"
"I know his nature all too well. If this blasphemous ' Grand Performer ' knew his days were numbered, he would surely plot to seize the Core Flame and make the Titan pay with their lives," Aglaea said.
"Is this also... a joke?"
"No, this time I'm serious."
Compared to Tribbie's slightly pale face, Aglaea was more worried:
"Internal and external troubles indeed. Though the painful slaughter has ceased, Okhema's archenemy continues to hone its strength right before our eyes..."
"Now, they may have already prepared the noose for us." She looked down at Tribbie. "Even with the divine authority of ' Strife ' suspended, this black wave has come far too quickly... I suspect this tragedy is more than just a natural disaster."
"Unfortunately, now that it has come to light, I fear the Senate will seize the opportunity to take further action... I will do my best to suppress the news, and you must also be vigilant and take precautions."
"Hmm... So... should we tell Little Hyacine?"
"Let's do it later... She's been undergoing surgeries for days and is exhausted. I don't want her to be overwhelmed by this sudden bad news."
"Sigh... I hope the people of Grove can get through this difficult time... the more the better."
Tribbie looked up. "Perhaps, 'we' should try explaining this to the High Priest?"
Aglaea shook her head. " The High Priest at the Vortex of Genesis won't act easily; she's paying extra attention to the arrival of those extraterrestrial visitors."
"Master, judging from the condition of that wounded man, we should prepare for the worst... Unless he manages to escape at all costs, Grove's chances of survival are slim."
In the " Whispering Woods " Grove of Epiphany, the originally oppressive atmosphere eased somewhat thanks to the mediation of Xing and Trianne.
Mimi seemed thoughtful. " Aglaea said that Anaxa is still alive, so there should be hope for the others too..."
"... But who exactly is this person? I always feel that everyone has an inexplicable trust in him?"
"Well..." Castorice thought seriously for a while, "Lady Aglaea's attitude towards him is probably quite the opposite."
"Sounds like someone important," Xing said.
Castorice explained to Xing and Mimi, who were unaware of the situation, " At that Teacher Anaxa, despite being Chrysos Heirs... firmly believed that ' Titan ' and ' Prophecy ' were both a joke."
"At the regularly convened citizens' assembly, one of the votes against the Journey of Flame-Chase always came from his hand."
"Huh? This kind of person is doing research here... Didn't you just say that Grove was an academy built around Titan?"
" Little Mimi, you're silly!"
When it was Trianne's turn to explain to Mimi and Xing, " Trianne knows this! Everyone says that Cerces, who symbolizes Reason, is the most tolerant of new ideas—it's like Kephale, the best Titan for us."
"Even this 'new idea'... it seems this Cerces is indeed tolerant."
"Yes, so we made an agreement with these Titan who are benevolent towards humanity: they will provide us with support during our Journey of Flame-Chase, and we will only return their Core Flame to us at the very last moment of the journey."
"Except for... Oronyx."
The mention of ' Oronyx ' brought another moment of silence. They still didn't know what had happened inside the ' Sanctum of Prophecy,' or whether Oronyx was still alive.
The eerie curtain, and the endless abyss behind it, remain shrouded in mystery.
"However, it's also fortunate that these few deities were not affected by the Black Tide and did not fall into madness..."
" Trianne believes Cerces will be alright! After all, everyone in Grove is very smart."
"So, Little Little Grey, Little Little Castorice, and Little Mimi! Let's leave the task of finding Anaxa and everyone else to Trianne — Trianne is amazing at finding people, she can fly!"
"Very well. Then Trianne, please take ' Guiding Jade ' with you. The golden thread should be more effective at higher altitudes."
Xing sighed, "Sigh~ Flying is ultimately more useful than running. The ' Flipping Coin ' are useless now."
"But... please promise us... to protect yourselves."
"Okay! If Trianne is in danger, she will definitely come to find everyone. Of course, if you are in danger, remember to call for Trianne — Trianne will come and open the door for you!"
"This is the second thing I want to tell you," Castorice cautioned. "Unless absolutely necessary, don't 'open the door.' Your health isn't good."
"Yes, 'we' remember. Trianne just wanted to help everyone..."
"Of course we know, after all, Trianne is the most powerful 'demigod' among us."
"Remember the great heroes in the stories? They always saved their powerful abilities for last, so they could be absolutely certain of success, right?"
Trianne nodded. " Little Little Castorice is right! Then, brave Trianne, you'll lead the way for everyone!"
"My health condition isn't good... Teacher Trianne, please wait!"
Before Trianne could fly away, Xing called out to her.
"Oh? Little Little Grey, what's wrong?"
Xing took a cup of milk tea from the hourglass necklace and thoughtfully placed it in Trianne's hand:
"If you feel thirsty, have some water."
At the same time, Xing silently recited in her heart, setting Trianne as the target of the " Eternity Oath of Beauty ":
In the name of " Eternity," imbue it with the form of " Beauty "—
"The place where this body stands, the moment in which this body is formed—"
"Though entropy surges and decay whispers, only the Pure White Domain... forever refuses to wither."