"After that... the Sky Folk gradually declined, many Sky Fortresses were abandoned, and their descendants began to take root and survive on the earth..."
"Finally, the clan that inherited the bloodline of the Knight of Dawn's Thunder Senios was accepted by the scholars of Cerces, and the Duskglow Courtyard was established in the Grove..."
Tribbie frowned slightly. "Hmm, I always feel that the historical records differ slightly from 'our' Remembrance of the events..."
"But we can't quite remember the details from that time."
"I almost forgot... For Teacher Tribbie, history is not just the words on a book, but also the era you personally experienced."
"Beep! Beep beep, beep!" Little Ica agreed.
"Hehe~ Little Ica really enjoys listening to these legends. You must also imagine yourself one day being as majestic as the winged beast beside the hero Senios, right?"
"That day will come, I believe! As long as you grow up well..."
Da-da-da--
Footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, and Craterus arrived.
"... Ah, Lord Craterus?"
"Miss Hyacine... and Tribbie, it's good that you're alright. I heard from the citizens that you were nearby, so I came to check on you."
"Another serious security incident has occurred at the market; some shops have been vandalized and looted. This is the third time this week."
Hyacine covered her mouth, incredulous. "This... how could this be? I always thought that with Lady Aglaea around, Okhema had always been peaceful and stable..."
"That was true in the past. But these days, if I may be so bold, her senses are probably not as sharp as they used to be."
" Aya..." Tribbie's voice was full of worry.
"In my opinion, it's likely that someone with malicious intent noticed the loosening of the gold thread and began plotting a scheme to seize the opportunity to provoke conflict."
"The citizens' assembly just ended recently... why would anyone want to cause trouble?"
" The Chrysos Heirs won by a single vote, Tribbie. Based on my many years of experience in warfare, Pyrrhic victories and upheavals often go hand in hand."
Just then, a cry of surprise came from outside the " Duskglow Courtyard ".
"... Something terrible has happened! Miss Hyacine... something terrible has happened!" Healer Clementine rushed to the door in a panic.
"... Clementine? You... don't rush, catch your breath first!"
"My lords! Something terrible has happened at the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace!"
"What's wrong, Healer? Calm down and explain the situation!"
"Lord Aglaea..."
Before the words were even finished, Tribbie's pupils suddenly contracted, already anticipating what the Healer was about to say.
"Lady Aglaea is safe and sound, but... Canis..."
"Huh?"
Not long ago, the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace
Aglaea watched the residents moving around in the bathhouse and closed her eyes.
"I also remember that this bathhouse, which overlooks the entire Heavenly Palace, was advocated for by the Senate nine hundred years ago."
"It was originally built to commemorate the first Journey of Flame-Chase, and to remember the heroes who made great sacrifices for Amphoreus a thousand years ago."
"The rules were established from that time onwards. No one other than guests invited by ' Goldweaver ' was allowed to trespass here."
Aglaea turned around and looked at Canis, who was surrounded by a group of " Purgers ".
"But I suspect... you've already lost interest in pretending to be law-abiding, haven't you, Lady Canis?"
" Aglaea, oh, Aglaea... you immortal witch, you deceive the mortals in the guise of a god... all this time, we have been too lenient with you."
"Mercy? Why use that hypocritical word to cover up your..."
""inability"."
" Anaxagoras has made you lose face before the citizens. If you have any shame left, you should leap from the Dawncloud Cliff during the veil of darkness to preserve your last shred of dignity."
Canis was not afraid at all; she was determined to succeed. Now that the identity of "demigod" had lost its deterrent power, she couldn't understand what chance Aglaea still had to turn the tables.
"Demigod, why not use the pool water as a mirror and take a good look at your current wicked appearance?"
"Now you are not only blind and senile, but also senile..." The " Purgers " was born for this moment.
"When all Order, rules, and laws can no longer restrain you, then it's time for the dagger to judge."
Aglaea looked up. "If you're really so desperate, you might as well give it a try."
"Hmph... hmph..." Canis chuckled inexplicably, "A direct confrontation with a demigod? We're not that stupid."
"The dagger flew towards your neck, but..."
Canis glanced at the citizens in the bathhouse, and a slight smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.
"... Ha. Your most serious accusation against me is that I'm devoid of humanity, and you also accuse me of feigning concern for human joys and sorrows."
"If the charges are upheld... what makes you think the lives of these civilians would make me compromise?"
"No problem, then I'll waste some more breath and expose your demigod mask."
"I told you long ago, you're not only blind and senile now, but also muddle-headed. Lately, your control over Okhema has weakened."
Canis took a step forward; by all accounts, she held the advantage. Aglaea was merely at the end of her rope; those who are about to die are bound to perish.
"You couldn't see our deliberate theft at the market, nor could you overhear the rendezvous at the Earth Beast Workshop."
"You remain unmoved by the open conspiracy brewing right under your nose."
"Humanity is waning? Ha, Aglaea, why don't you use your proud golden threads to read my thoughts and see if the gift we've carefully prepared for you can move a cold demigod?"
Aglaea crossed her arms. "In this situation, I only regret that I wasn't cold enough. Because your evil... is incurable."
"Finally figured out what I was thinking? Ha, you really have become slow-witted. I've been trying my best to keep that image in my mind so you could see it clearly."
Imagine a girl who can neither speak nor hear... what would happen if she also 'accidentally' lost her sight?
"You know better than anyone what it's like to lose your sight," Canis sneered.
"Imagine, a thousand years ago, if you had gone blind as a child and were also deprived of your vocal cords and hearing—could you still be the Aglaea we know today?"
"Look at your pitiful, clumsy eyes... it's really disappointing. We overestimated your skills."
"If this plan fails, we had prepared dozens of wonderful parting gifts... Demigod, would you like to hear them?"
Tell me about it.
Aglaea did not refuse, and her aura subtly shifted at that moment.
Canis:?
Hmm... it seems a little different from what I expected, but it's not a big deal. What difference would it make if I told her Aglaea?