Meanwhile, somewhere in the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace, Mydei, who had passed the " Strife " trial, found Craterus.
" Mydeimos, I saw it... In the end, you still embraced your destiny."
"Now..." The power of " Strife " surges within me.
Mydei raised his hand, feeling the immense power within his body:
"My bones have turned to steel, my blood is boiling and burning. The kings of the Kremnos could only look up to this power, but I—have already become one with it."
"I made history. After me, gods and kings could coexist."
"Indeed, you have fulfilled the ambitions of every former king of Kremnos. Now, you can finally lead your people back home to rebuild Kremnos's glory."
Craterus stood beside Mydei, but Mydei shook his head. "... Unfortunately, I had no such intention."
"What... does this mean?"
"More than two thousand years ago, people who worshipped the power of Nikador gathered at its foot and established a city-state. The Kremnosians became the blade of the god of war, following in the footsteps of the Titan to conquer all directions."
"But now, as I look down upon this history from the perspective of 'God'—I finally see everything clearly."
Mydei looked down at the fleeing people, "This is an absurd and despicable history. People rushed to the battlefield like ants, greedily plundering and killing, and like ants... were trampled upon."
"The city-state, faith, and so-called 'tradition' that the Kremnosians are so proud of—in their eyes, they are nothing more than an anthill that crumbles at the slightest touch."
"You..." Craterus's lips twitched, "Do you intend to strip the Kremnos Clan of their millennia-old pride with just a few words?!"
"--That pride is nothing to speak of, Craterus. Now, I have taken over the divine authority of ' Strife.' And what follows..."
"I will relinquish the title of 'King'."
Upon hearing this, Craterus panicked. "... No, no!"
"Pass my words upon every Kremnosians. I command you."
"Don't do that, Mydeimos..."
"I beg you...!"
Mydei's stance remained resolute. "From the year 2506 of the Light Calendar to the year 4931 of the Light Calendar, I, Mydeimos, the last tyrant of Castrum Kremnos, son of Georios, hereby declare—"
"Today, the Kremnos Dynasty officially comes to an end."
Thus, the meaningless " Strife " came to an end.
"You killed us..." Craterus closed his eyes tightly, his voice trembling, "You killed us all..."
No, I have given you new life.
Mydei produced a Kremnos Signet Ring and handed it to Craterus: "This is my mother's ring. It was originally a mark of royalty, but now I will give it a new meaning."
"Take it, and gather those who have lost their identity. Tell them that Mydeimos, who has ascended to the divine throne, proclaims to the world—"
"You no longer need to pursue fleeting honors, nor should you regard dying in battle as your only destiny. But you must change and integrate into this city-state that once watched with indifference."
" Amphoreus will face a cruel tomorrow. With a formidable enemy at hand, even the most glorious dynasty will be nothing but a pile of rubble."
"But you will embark on a single path, the end of which will lead to a brand new world."
"Why do you want me to be your mouthpiece? Why don't you go and explain all this to them yourselves?" Craterus asked.
"Because the path that humanity must walk can only be led by humanity itself. Not by those who covet divine power and fall into madness..."
"But rather, they are 'people' who are willing to raise their shields to protect the creatures behind them."
After listening, Craterus remained silent for a long time, then raised his head to look at Mydei: "That night, you persuaded Aglaea to release me... Was it you, Mydeimos?"
"It's me."
"She's not one to give in so easily. What conditions did you offer?"
"I staked my mother's honor on her, pledging to her the integrity of your soul. And... I promised her that I would dedicate everything to the journey to the Flame-Chase."
"And now, Mydeimos?" Craterus looked at Mydei, "Where... are you going?"
"Go and fulfill my promise, return to where I belong. That madness that torments Nikador, that darkness that devours all of Amphoreus..."
"Now, it's my turn to fight against it."
Mydei said that he would take over Nikador's duties and destiny, fight against the Black Tide, battle in the darkness, and protect the last dawn of Amphoreus.
Before setting off, he had some people to meet...
The first person to meet is naturally Aglaea. Upon arriving at the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace, Xing and Tribbie have already left and gone to the " Pink Fairy " milk tea shop to inform March 7th that she will inherit the " Years " Core Flame.
"You've come, Mydeimos..."
"Um."
"You've helped Okhema through yet another difficult time; words cannot express my gratitude," Aglaea said.
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
"Not everything went according to plan," Aglaea said, arms crossed. "In this world, I can only proceed cautiously. Besides..."
"Even without making any promises to me, you're ready to give everything, aren't you?"
"During my time in the Holy City, I have been learning from you: developing strategies, leading people, responding to changes... but only recently have I seen your truly compelling qualities."
What is it?
Mydei said earnestly, "You possess a 'gravity' that draws people to you willingly, inviting them to listen to your guidance."
"They don't want to disappoint you, not out of fear of punishment, but because they genuinely agree with your ideals. That's precisely what the successive tyrants of Castrum Kremnos have lacked."
Aglaea smiled. "... I'm honored that you think that way. You've become the most powerful demigod in the world, Mydeimos. How do you intend to use this power?"
"I will complete Nikador's unfinished work and become the strongest wall of Amphoreus, resisting the onslaught of the Black Tide."
"I will buy enough time for the Journey of Flame-Chase, until you lead everyone to the miracle of ' Creation '."
" Amphoreus will be reborn, Mydeimos..." Aglaea shook her head slightly, "However, it doesn't necessarily have to be you and me who lead people to the end."
"Ha..." Mydei's reaction seemed to have been expected. "After taking over Moneta's divine office, what did you see?"
"... Even after a thousand years, the words of that prophecy remain clear." Aglaea said slowly:
"You will take your final bath in warm, gleaming gold."
"... Ha, just as expected, a nonsensical doomsday prophecy."
"Ha ha..."
Mydei suddenly laughed.
Why are you laughing?
"I was just thinking, if an ordinary person saw these words, they probably would never set foot near a bathhouse again in their lifetime."
"But I can't give up the blissful pleasure of bathing. So, do you see that too, Mydeimos?"
Mydei read aloud truthfully, "One day, you will die with a wound in your back."
"But if I were to be terrified by a sudden, out-of-the-way tale, I would never have caught your eye and joined the journey to Flame-Chase."
"You are right. May a powerful destiny await you, and may we meet again in the promised new world..."
Goodbye, Mydei.