After offering condolences to the deceased's family with Anaxa, Trianne, having faced off against the black-robed swordsman for so long, couldn't say she wasn't upset. She went back with her milk tea in her arms.
After everything was done, Xing received a message from Aglaea:
[ Aglaea: I have learned the whole story of Grove. I am deeply grateful for everyone's efforts; words cannot express my gratitude.]
[ Aglaea: However, the world is in turmoil, and the Holy City has recently been embroiled in numerous complications and busy affairs, preventing me from personally welcoming you. I am deeply sorry.]
[ Aglaea: Besides, the journey has been tiring; rest is essential. As for the details of the unforeseen events, we can discuss them tomorrow. This is my instruction.]
Xing frowned. Why was Aglaea speaking in such a formal, bookish way?
Castorice added from the side, "This writing style must belong to Garmentmaker."
Then, Castorice borrowed Xing's phone and typed a few more messages:
[Star: Garmentmaker, please tell Lady Aglaea: We are aware of this and will rest for the day. Best wishes.]
[ Aglaea ( The Garmentmaker ): Yes, sir.]
"It's truly fortunate that I don't have to confront that woman with my ailing body. Castorice, and this friend I didn't even have time to meet, I must take my leave now."
"That Titan did something to me without thinking... My head is still throbbing. If possible, I don't want to wander around this boring city for another second."
Anaxa's face was a little pale as she looked at Xing and Castorice.
"Please be careful. Okhema is not Grove, this place..."
"--Her gold threads are everywhere, I know. That woman is quite confident, certain I can't escape her grasp."
"Don't worry, just like I said before, I will keep my distance."
Watching Anaxa leave, Castorice turned her gaze to Xing: "Lord Xing, this trip to the Grove... far too many unexpected things happened. We had no intention of involving you in danger, let alone facing the Black Tide..."
Xing waved his hand. "Trouble is an old friend. Coming back alive means the Black Tide isn't so bad after all."
"Your Excellency, the threat posed by the Black Tide must not be underestimated," Castorice said solemnly. " The Black Tide is a formidable enemy of Okhema, and indeed, of the entire Amphoreus."
"Once, Strife forces coveted the Holy City, but it cannot be denied that those war dependents also kept the Black Tide at bay outside Castrum Kremnos."
"Now that the Nikador Core Flame is gone, the Black Tide has returned... As the academy city-state with the deepest research on the Black Tide, Grove was by no means a weakling, yet it collapsed overnight, leaving behind only the blood and tears of its heroic souls..."
The trial of " Strife " is imminent; hopefully, Mydei... can make a decision as soon as possible.
Xing seemed to be deep in thought when she asked, "Is the Grove's terrifying enemy also a creation of the Black Tide?"
" Tribbie embarked on a journey to fight the Black Tide, but from the very beginning of her journey, through countless city-states, she had never encountered such a formidable foe amidst the Black Tide."
"Perhaps the fall of ' Strife ' has secretly stirred up even more terrifying consequences..."
Castorice recalled the powerful black-robed swordsman and guessed.
"As for me... I sensed a strong aura of death emanating from it—not because it has any connection to Thanatos, but perhaps... simply because it has held the deaths of countless others in its hands."
"Speaking of Thanatos... Your Excellency, there is one more thing I would like to confirm with you."
"You should already know about the... curse I bear," Castorice said, her head bowed. "I was born a shadow of death, a deadly poison that all living things avoid..."
"But back then, in the Grove, when that black-robed swordsman attacked me, you grabbed my hand first..."
Castorice blushed slightly, "... I'm just Curiosity, why is Lord Xing unaffected by my power?"
"I wouldn't have remembered this if you hadn't mentioned it." Xing then took out the familiar milk tea. "When you're wondering, why not ask this magical ' Eternity ' milk tea?"
"I'm sorry, my question was too abrupt."
Castorice realized her 'loss of composure,' "Throughout my life, I've always pondered: what does death mean to me, and why am I so intricately connected to Thanatos...?"
"After several days of travel, Lord Xing must be quite exhausted," Castorice changed the subject. "Please put the tragedy at Grove aside for now and take a good rest for a day."
Xing nodded. Castorice was right. Since things had come to this, they should go back and rest. Mimi must be exhausted too; she hadn't uttered a sound since being thrown away by the black-robed swordsman.
However, during her battle with the black-robed swordsman, she seemed to sense a power within him that was of Mimi same origin as, or even purer than, that of Mimi—was it the divine authority of " Years "?