A few days later, without Dan Heng and Xing's company, March 7th took Mimi and entered the Vortex of Genesis from the washbasin in the private bath palace.
Looking ahead, Aglaea and several others had been waiting there for quite some time.
"Hmm~ Mimi, this seems to be our first time working together, right?"
"That's true! As fellow pink-loving beauties, this trial is sure to go incredibly smoothly!"
March 7th smiled. With the psychological guidance of Teacher Ye Yan, she knew the details of the "Trial of Years " in advance, and had nothing to fear anymore.
"Gentlemen, the position of the Totem of Oronyx awaits. If you are ready to become pillars of Amphoreus, then step forward," Aglaea said.
Before officially participating in the " Years " trial, March 7th sought out Castorice and Phainon, deciding to have a chat in case he could glean some crucial information.
"Your Excellency March 7th... I'm sorry, I don't know what to say to ease the tension."
After a moment of silence, Castorice raised her head. "By the way, for example... as long as this trial ends safely, there's nothing to be afraid of on the Journey of Flame-Chase?"
"No, something seems off... Don't worry, it won't take too long. Hmm... Don't worry, you'll definitely come back alive?"
Two sentences in a row almost made March 7th freeze on the spot.
" Castorice, isn't this a bit... a bit too outrageous?"
"..." Castorice, who had finally managed to lift her head, lowered it again. "I'm sorry, the atmosphere seems to have become more heavy. Anyway... I wish you all the best, sir."
"Hmm~ We appreciate Miss Castorice's kindness, let's see what Phainon has to say."
On March 7th, she walked up to Phainon again. After all, Bai E had participated in the " Strife " trial in advance, so he must have some experience than her... but not much.
"The feeling of undergoing the Titan Trial is strange... I'm at a loss for words to describe it accurately; Miss March 7th, you'll have to experience it for yourself. But I believe you can do it."
"I still vividly remember the first time I brought you into the heart of the Vortex of Genesis. At that time, I never imagined that these extraterrestrial visitors would shoulder the destiny of Amphoreus."
"Don't feel burdened. Just like with the ' Strife ' trial, Trinnon and Phainon will be there to provide support. If the situation changes, they will intervene in the trial to rescue you."
" Kephale blesses you, hero."
Trinnon nodded in agreement. "Your resolve is beyond question. Praise be to your pure selflessness and courage... May Kephale illuminate your path."
"Prepare to take over the priesthood from Oronyx, March 7th." Tribbie addressed March 7th by his name, a rare instance of formality.
Wow~ This is the first time I've seen the two teachers so formal. I'm definitely accepting this " Years " divine authority!
On March 7th, Trinnon and her companion headed towards the " Tides in the Basin," following the familiar routine.
"The position of Oronyx has been vacant for many days... We can sense that the trial chamber is closing. The ritual must be completed before it completely vanishes."
"Let's begin. I'm used to putting out fires."
On March 7th, hands on hips, who says "firefighting" doesn't count as " Flame-Chase "?
"The eighth Core Flame of miracles, once belonging to the great ' Veil of Eternal Night,' Oronyx."
"And those who return it here are two heroes chosen by us, the Chrysos Heirs: an upright and kind traveler, and a sacred beast that summons miracles."
"It's one person, but it's also one person," Mimi corrected.
Trinnon continued the ceremony, "Please come forward, both of you. Join 'us'—"
March 7th and Mimi stepped forward simultaneously, and the three of them recited in unison:
"The majestic twelve Titan, the pillars supporting the world—"
"What we seek here is divinity to mend the cracks in the world—"
"To infuse the flesh with golden blood, to willingly wither and dry up for Prophecy..."
A similar scene played out again. March 7th suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Trinnon: "I don't seem to have the Golden Blood?"
Trinnon also felt that this conversation was familiar, as if it had happened not long ago:
"... These few words were simply to make the prayer sound more solemn."
"Please concentrate... and offer up the ' Core Flame '."
As soon as the words were spoken, the " Years " Core Flame, engraved with the pattern of " Veil of Eternal Night," automatically appeared above the Tides in the Basin, placed there by March 7th.
As the " Core Flame of Years " completely merged into the " Tides in the Basin," a bright but not dazzling golden wave rippled out from within.
Witnessing the Core Flame " Years " being ignited, Aglaea smiled knowingly.
" Oronyx... its soul has waited for a long time."
"Perhaps it is also silently waiting for its successor to arrive."
March 7th took a deep breath, "We've come this far, let's not set any goals yet. Mimi, let's go!"
"That's right~ We haven't built up the emotions yet, let's save the farewell for later!"
Watching March 7th and Mimi's figures gradually disappear, Trinnon was moved:
"Traveler from beyond the heavens, we pray that the Titan will recognize your worth."
"Although Miss March 7th is usually busy with matters related to the milk tea shop, her determination is as firm as that of the Chrysos Heirs. She will definitely succeed," Phainon firmly believed.
"While she was away, Aglaea... I wanted to talk to you."
"Go ahead and speak, I'm listening."
Meanwhile, on the other side...
The indigo starlight, like a crumpled piece of silk, spread across the wild wilderness, soaking every grain of earth into a bone-chilling cold.
At that Anaxa stood in the center of this forgotten land, her gray hair being tossed by the night wind, the silver ornaments wrapped around her neck obscuring half of her face.
The sky hung low, the starry night was filled with shards of diamonds left behind in the cold night, the earth beneath my feet was cracked, and the wild atmosphere seeped into my bones through the seams of my boots, overlapping with a fragment of my Remembrance.
He remembered the dream, an endless dream that gnawed at his consciousness.
In the shadows beside him, the man in black robes, his hood hanging low, stood like a silent tombstone, a shackle he could not escape.
The red light in his left eye flickered faintly in the fog. He gazed at the distant horizon swallowed by the mist, his voice as soft as the wind:
I remember this dream. A cold, silken mist hung in the air, and the land was wild and cruel. People thronged together, their footprints covering the fields.
At that Anaxa opened his eyes. "Hey! Excuse me—what is this place, and where in Amphoreus is it located?" He grabbed a wandering tourist.
However, the traveler murmured in Anaxa could not understand.
Or perhaps, he was simply absent-minded and ignored Anaxa's question.
"Tell me, which Titan rules this place? How can I find it?"
Anaxa, and the only response he got was a hoarse murmur.
"The Hand of Gray..."
" The Hand of Ashen Gloom, Thanatos?" Anaxa seemed to ponder. "Hmph, could it be... the Underworld?"
"Not... the Underworld..."
"Where is this? The outer edge of the Underworld, the River of Souls? Are you going downstream to the Underworld?"
" The Underworld... is a complete fabrication..."
" Titan... rejects... you... I..."
Listen...
Anaxa, "What?"
The traveler lifted his withered fingers, then fell silent.
At that Anaxa followed the fingertip and listened intently. A huge shadow carried the scent of tides from that direction.
"The sound of the tide...?"