In the "Holy City" of Okhema, Phainon and Xing arrived at the Garden of Life, but they did not find Tribbie there.
"Strange, isn't Teacher Tribbie here...?"
Phainon searched everywhere, but only found a slightly damaged envelope containing a message from Aglaea:
" Phainon, my humble student, my trusted colleague—"
"As I write these words, you are arguing with the debating experts of the Senate, fighting for the survival of your Journey of Flame-Chase on a battlefield where the smoke of battle is invisible."
"I feel deeply apprehensive and guilty about the decision to hastily put you and Xing on the debate stage."
"But please forgive me, at that time, I absolutely could not show cowardice in front of you—because that would certainly damage your morale."
"I had come to regard this debate as a routine affair, assuming that I would prevail simply by virtue of the public opinion and experience accumulated over a Years."
"But I underestimated both the cunning of Canis and her cronies, and the decline of my own synesthesia."
"That trap was probably set by the debater Callictes. He had prepared the cut gold thread beforehand and suddenly revealed it to everyone when Canis was losing the argument."
"He claimed that I was using gold thread to read people's thoughts, thereby cheating during the debate."
"I had a hundred ways to deal with that low-level underhanded tactic, but the words slipped out of my mouth without being examined by thought..."
"It is precisely because the people are full of despicable villains like you that I need to use golden threads to monitor everything in this holy city."
Upon seeing this sentence, Xing and Phainon's tightly furrowed brows immediately relaxed.
Oh, it was written during the "Citizens' Assembly" period, then it's not surprising.
Xing couldn't help but marvel at how far Aglaea's vision had gone... She had already written her 'last will' back then.
"The reaction to those words is self-evident; I don't need to explain. At that moment, I suddenly felt that my days were numbered."
"The divinity within this body may endure—but it is ultimately not the origin of 'me'."
"I am a human being, born from my mother's placenta, and I will die as a human being."
"As I realized my humanity was nearing its end, I began planning my exit."
"How should I leave this room so as not to waste this belated death? I haven't yet found the ideal answer."
"But I knew I couldn't leave peacefully in my sleep like ordinary people. Those venomous snakes, fearing having their heads severed by the golden thread, remained lurking in the darkness."
"If my departure were peaceful and uneventful, a swarm of snakes would surely follow. Sadly, a peaceful death is a luxury I can never attain."
"I must deliberately show weakness to provoke those venomous snakes into losing patience and becoming restless."
"When they think they're about to get what they want and bare their fangs to bite my heel—I will set fire to the snake's nest with my last flame, burning away the threat in the shadows."
Xing continued reading; Aglaea had long been prepared to sacrifice herself, so it would have been inappropriate for her not to leave the scene...
It's truly unexpected that Canis, with such a perfect start, could still ruin things herself. She overestimated the Senate... especially Canis.
After all this, will the Senate still have a voice? In any case, Canis has permanently lost her right to speak.
"The towering flames may cause confusion and fear, but I'm not worried that they'll lose their way. Because Okhema still has you, Phainon."
"You are not perfect, Phainon. Countless dawns have witnessed your confusion, recklessness, and sentimentality unfold before me. The heavy weight of the past weighs on your shoulders, causing you constant pain."
"But you are also 'perfect.' Because you understand and accept everyone's imperfections, and you are willing to discern the most precious qualities beneath the rough edges of ordinary people with unconditional goodwill."
"I think that might be what makes Father Kephale different from other gods."
Xing and Phainon simultaneously raised their heads, looking towards the distance at Kephale, who was carrying the " Dawn Machine ":
"It discovers the flaws in its creations, yet it still chooses to shine upon them, protecting them with unconditional love..."
" Phainon, I want you to understand—while you were passionately pursuing ' Strife,' believing that was the destiny you should be throwing yourself into—my thoughts have never changed from beginning to end:"
"You are the destined Worldbearing One of Amphoreus, the gateway to Amphoreus's future."
"Go and complete the Journey of Flame-Chase ordained by the Prophecy. Go and light up the stars, bringing hope to humanity."
"I will wait at the end of the west wind for the miracles you will create."
After reading the letter, Phainon still had many questions in his mind, " Aglaea, what have I done to deserve... that you would pass the burning torch to me?"
"Is that what you're focusing on?!"
Mimi flew out of the hourglass necklace. If they didn't know that Aglaea wasn't dead at all, they would have cried after hearing the message!
What a wonderful girl, she's worried herself sick over the " Journey of Flame-Chase "... Canis is truly wicked!
"So... why are Tribbie and Aglaea missing?" Xing asked the most crucial question.
Good question, buddy.
Phainon quickly came up with a solution and looked at Xing... Mimi beside him:
" Mimi, please pass on a message to Craterus, instructing him to gather the Holy City Guards and the Kremnos Clan, and deliver the message door-to-door: at dawn tomorrow, Phainon will preach at the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace."
"Huh?" Mimi pointed to herself, "Should we let them go?"
"Please tell everyone that any citizen who has concerns about the future of the Holy City and the Journey of Flame-Chase should attend this rally."
"Tell them that Aglaea left the seeds of hope for Amphoreus."
Aglaea has done too much for the " Journey of Flame-Chase," she really deserves a rest. This heavy responsibility should be shouldered by Phainon.
" Demigod Council " Dawncloud Cliff, a familiar location, a familiar ' Lygus ', but a different Fool's Mask.
Not long ago, the "Citizens' Assembly" was held here.
"The wise think they know everything... cough cough, sorry, wrong channel."
' Lygus '... Ye Yan started rehearsals ahead of time, and said with a serious expression:
"We gather here today to commemorate our good comrade— Canis."
"We deeply mourn the passing of Canis. Her sacrifice deserves a full half-day of remembrance for all of Okhema..."
" Aha ~ Why only half a day? Aren't there too few villains like her who are so dedicated and conscientious?"
"What do you know? The actual shutdown period is a ' Eternity ' half-day."
" Aha, that's a bit too much."
Ye Yan's face darkened. "What do you mean? Are you looking for trouble?"