Phainon's oratory skills were no less than Canis's. "Until I made up my mind to swing my sword at them and give them a dignified death, they were still murmuring to me—"
"What's wrong, Phainon? Aren't we best friends?"
"This is the Black Tide, the imminent threat to Okhema. Perhaps Canis promised that with the Three Titans of Calamity fallen, Okhema will surely return to the ' Golden Age'— "
"But now, I'm going to disappoint you all. Because I'm going to tell you: even though the demigod of ' Strife ' has shielded us from much, 'it' is coming."
The name "that black-robed swordsman... the Flame Reaver " has probably already spread throughout the streets and alleys.
"Now," Strife sends its signal with its thunderous roar, telling us: it has risen from the ashes and thirsts for the Core Flame of the gods.
Upon hearing this, a gasp rippled through the crowd, while some arrogant citizens, skeptical of the claims, retorted:
"Nonsense! If such a terrifying enemy were so close, how could Okhema continue to enjoy the peace she enjoys?"
Phainon replied, "Indeed! The wonderful civic life in Okhema shows no signs of stopping."
"Think about it carefully, everyone. Is this citizens' assembly able to convene peacefully because the crisis has disappeared?"
"No! It's because the Chrysos Heirs stood up and kept the Calamity outside the walls of Okhema — Aglaea used her golden thread to maintain and defend everything you could enjoy!"
" The Senate said she would abandon everyone because divinity was consuming her body and soul."
"But have you ever considered why those benefactors who would have instinctively reached out to her chose to stand by and push Okhema away from the cause of Flame-Chase?"
"That unspeakable truth... that bloody truth buried by greed, fear, and vanity, I will dig deep and reveal it to you."
" The Senate, which once bore the weight of Okhema's long history and prestige, and the citizens' assembly, which we were so proud of—are now riddled with worms!"
Phainon raised the volume several times, as if afraid that some elders and citizens might not hear it.
"How dare you! How dare you do this in the Holy Land—"
"Yes! Aglaea is now fighting alone—because while the insects are openly plotting and scheming, she is painstakingly weaving a defensive network for the Holy City to combat the ever-present malice of the world!"
"She has never disappointed Okhema's expectations, yet she deserves such immense humiliation simply because of the attack and biting of insects?"
"Aside from that later 'divinity,' isn't her true nature always one with 'humanity'?"
Phainon's gaze swept over everyone present, his tone firm and resolute:
"They want to deceive you, crudely reducing this conference to a conflict between 'man' and 'god.'"
"Do you remember my request? Citizens of Okhema, open your eyes wide and carefully examine the people standing beside you!"
"Look more closely! See if what's hidden beneath those luxurious robes is a person's kindness or the poisonous glands of a pest?"
"Once you've made your judgments, then turn your gaze to them—and see if those demigods you thought were indifferent still possess the light of humanity?"
"And those who masquerade as humans and hurl insults, are they perhaps bewitched by the lust for power?"
"But whatever your answer, and to whom you ultimately throw the pottery shard... you need not worry about the consequences."
"Because of me, Aglaea, Tribios, we will remain your most loyal protectors, vowing to defend to the death all your choices--"
"This promise will continue until the end of our lives and will be passed on to future Flame-Chase— "
"Never cease, never waver!"
This statement successfully ignited the " Demigod Council," and the audience erupted in discussion once again.
Amidst the uproar, the leaders of different city-states in Okhema threw the shards of pottery they were holding into the pottery jar.
"As of now, public opinion in Talanton is evenly split between those who want to continue the Journey of Flame-Chase and those who want to suspend Journey of Flame-Chase..."
"The votes are tied, resulting in an excellent tie," announced ' Lygus '.
"As expected, this is the closest the Journey of Flame-Chase to 'end' has ever been."
"Now, it's your turn, Anaxagoras."
' Lygus ' shifted the attention of the elders and citizens to Anaxa.
"Are there any other people who haven't voted?" Anaxa asked.
"You are the last one. Think carefully; your solemn vote could break this perfect deadlock."
"I was confident all along."
"Excellent. I sincerely hope you will bring real change to this illogical world."
The Citizens' Assembly's discussion on "suspending the Journey of Flame-Chase " is drawing to a close, and everyone will witness what "the tomorrow chosen by the vote" will look like.
The final shard of pottery that held the fate of Amphoreus was in Anaxa's hands, and the citizens speculated about where Anaxa would throw it.
Canis scoffed, "Don't forget the vision we envisioned together, Your Excellency."
' Lygus ' watched this scene silently, while Silver Wolf's rant continued:
"Tsk, why would she be so greedy for that one sentence? She definitely won't vote for the Senate now."
"Who knows? The final decision rests with Anaxa Ke... The 'outcome' isn't important."
"You did a great job, Phainon. In that situation, using strong words to stir up emotions was a brilliant move." Anaxa walked up to Phainon and said in a low voice.
Then he turned around. "Thank you all for your patience. I, Anaxagoras, on behalf of the Seven Sages of the Grove of Epiphany and all the scholars, cast my solemn vote."
"However, to be fair, Ms. Goldweaver, I will ask you the question in front of everyone—"
At that Anaxa looked up, and the 'non-existent spotlight' shone on Aglaea as well:
"Tell me: are you truly as Phainon says, that you will defend the solemn resolutions of this conference, whatever the outcome?"
"To be fair... I will not make any promises to you, so as not to interfere with your judgment."
"Oh, that's wonderful." Anaxa crossed her arms. "Thank you for your kind words."
At that Anaxa held the crucial pottery shard in her hand, her mind oscillating between "continue the Journey of Flame-Chase " and "pause the Journey of Flame-Chase," unable to make a decision for a long time.
Canis couldn't stand it any longer and spoke up, reminding him, " Your Anaxa, don't forget..."
But before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Anaxa's sharp words:
"First, don't call me Anaxa; second, don't interrupt me—silence is golden."
"I can't help but wonder if you use all the hardships in the world as a means to make the most of them." Cerces appeared beside him.
"Hehe~ Isn't this how you use the body and soul when they're separated into two?"
"My master, Cerces, or perhaps Calypso, accompany me one last time—"
"Let's go to the Underworld —to see how she will provide perfect proof for your questions and my choices."
"Just follow the sound of the tide..."