Chapter 115: Pioneers Arrive at Amphoreus
Before the Ohema city gates, a familiar voice sounded. "Orion-kun."
Aglaea stood there, her short golden hair shimmering in the dawn. She walked quickly, her longing undisguised in her eyes. "How have you been all these years?"
"Very well," you replied gently. "My studies at the Tree Garden were very fruitful."
Aglaea reached out to hug you, but stopped at the last moment. Her gaze went past you, landing on Castorice. "Castorice is back too." Her voice was unnaturally calm. "I heard you both performed very well at the Tree Garden?"
Castorice lowered her head, standing far away from you. "Mainly, Lord Orion contributed many excellent research findings to the Tree Garden." Her voice was very soft, deliberately keeping her distance. "I just… did my humble part." (You noticed Castorice had changed her address for you. Yet, at the Tree Garden, she had always called you Orion.)
"And Phainon," Aglaea turned to the white-haired youth beside her. "Thank you for your hard work."
"Orion-kun! Die! Xiao Bai!" Three red-haired girls rushed over simultaneously.
"Welcome home!" Tribbie hugged you tightly.
"We missed you all so much!" Trianne held your hand with her left and Phainon's with her right.
"We prepared so much delicious food!" Trinnon also looked at you all happily.
Phainon smiled a little sheepishly. "Teacher Tribbie, I'm not a child anymore."
"You'll always be in our eyes!" the three girls said in unison.
Amidst the lively reunion, only Castorice quietly followed at the back. She looked at your back, surrounded by everyone, and a hint of loneliness flashed in her eyes. But she quickly suppressed it.
Days later, life back in Ohema seemed as calm as ever. But you keenly sensed that Aglaea had changed. She was still the elegant Weaver, and she would still show a gentle smile when she saw you. But the moment you touched her, trying to replicate her ability, a cold divinity instantly surged forth. That was not something that belonged to humans. It was a pure divinity, high above, indifferent to everything. And the part that belonged to Aglaea, the human part, had been squeezed into a corner, like a flickering candle in the wind.
"Three evildoers were executed today," Aglaea calmly cut bread at dinner. "I had Castorice do it. It was clean, without pain." She spoke as if discussing trivial matters with you. "Oh, right, you said… if those old guys from the Council were killed, would the Journey of Chasing the Flame go smoothly?"
You looked at her, saying nothing. She thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No, that would be irrational. It would cause greater turmoil. Don't worry, just kidding."
Although she said she was joking, you saw the struggle in her eyes. Inside her, the war between humanity and divinity was nearing its end. The former Aglaea would not have been like this. But now, she merely weighed the pros and cons calmly, making the most correct decision. Except when facing you.
"Orion-kun, what do you want for breakfast tomorrow?" She put down her utensils and looked at you earnestly. "I'll get up early to make it for you."
At that moment, the coldness in her eyes receded a little, as if she was trying hard to grasp something, yet was powerless to do so. You held her hand. It was colder than in your memory. You thought, if one day, even this last warmth disappears… Would she still be Aglaea then? Or, would it be best to grant her release while she was still herself…?
At 1000 years old, you met more Chrysos Heirs. The most special among them was Wan Di from Xuan Feng. Xuan Feng City had fallen, Nicadori went mad, and the entire city was swallowed by the Black Tide. Wan Di brought his surviving clansmen to seek refuge in Ohema.
"You are Orion?" The first time you met, Wan Di scrutinized you with a judging gaze. "I heard you are Aglaea's lover."
"Yes."
"Impressive." He suddenly laughed. "To conquer that woman, you're quite something."
In the days that followed, you gradually became familiar with each other. Though arrogant, Wan Di was very loyal to his companions.
At 1010 years old, without warning, Nicadori suddenly attacked Ohema. The mad Titan brought a twisted army, surging like a Black Tide.
"It's Nicadori!"
"The God of Strife has gone mad!"
"Run!"
The city was in chaos. As you were about to make a move, you saw two unfamiliar figures. Phainon and Tribbie were escorting them into the city. A gray-haired girl, looking lively and energetic. A black-haired youth, calm and steady in expression.
"Brother Orion!" Phainon's eyes lit up when he saw you. "You came at just the right time! These two are…"
"They call themselves Trailblazers," Phainon quickly explained. "Named Stelle and Dan Heng, they are from outside this world."
Outside this world? You narrowed your eyes, a sense of vigilance rising in your heart. Appearing at this point in time, and from an unprecedented outside world… this was definitely not simple.
"Hello." You showed a friendly smile. "I am Orion."
"Wow, another handsome guy!" Stelle said excitedly. "Are all the people in this world so good-looking?"
Dan Heng coughed lightly. "Stelle, mind the occasion."
"Oh oh, sorry!" Stelle scratched her head sheepishly. "I'm the Galactic Baseballer, Stelle! He's the Cold-Faced Little Dragon, Dan Heng… We are both Trailblazers!"
Trailblazers… You silently repeated the word in your mind, maintaining a smile on your face.
"Now is not the time for chatting," you said. "Nicadori's army has already attacked."
"Brother Orion is right," Phainon nodded. "We must first resolve the immediate crisis."
The battle quickly began. You noticed that these two so-called Trailblazers were exceptionally skilled. Especially the girl named Stelle, who wielded her baseball bat with a certain ferocity. And Dan Heng's marksmanship was exquisite, and his combat skills were outstanding. Interesting.
"Watch out!" Castorice's voice suddenly rang out. She had appeared on the battlefield at some point, the aura of death enveloping the surroundings. Wherever she went, enemies fell one after another.
"Castorice?" You were a little surprised.
She glanced at you, then quickly shifted her gaze away. "I just… happened to be passing by." Having said that, she continued to clear out enemies, deliberately keeping her distance from you.
"Wow, what an amazing older sister!" Stelle exclaimed. "Who is she?"
"Castorice, one of the Chrysos Heirs," you briefly introduced.
Afterward, you all went to the source of the invasion of Ohema—where Nicadori was located—and challenged him. Wan Di also joined the battle; his immortal body was invincible on the battlefield. "Hahaha, well met!" He laughed loudly. "I was just looking for a place to vent!"
Finally, with everyone's combined efforts, Nicadori was defeated. But afterward, you discovered that the one you had just defeated was only a clone of Nicadori, not his true body.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work," Aglaea appeared on the battlefield, Golden Threads dancing around her. Her gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on the two strangers. "Welcome to Amphoreus, guests from outside this world."
"Hello, madam," Dan Heng responded politely.
Stelle, meanwhile, curiously observed her. "Madam, you are so beautiful…"
"Thank you." Aglaea smiled. "I already know about your arrival." She gracefully stepped forward. "I am deeply grateful for your assistance in our time of crisis. I would like to invite you two for a chat, to tell you about this world." She turned to you. "Orion-kun, you come along too."
"Alright." You nodded. You walked to Aglaea's side and naturally took her hand. It was cold. Colder than before. "Aya, these two helped us a lot," you said. "We should treat them well."
"Of course." Aglaea nodded. "Please follow me." Before leaving, she whispered in your ear: "Be careful of these two, Orion-kun. There's a… very unusual aura about them."
You nodded slightly. It seemed you weren't the only one who noticed. These two who called themselves Trailblazers would likely bring significant changes to Amphoreus. Whether it was a blessing or a curse remained unknown. But for now, you needed to ascertain their true background.
"Let's go." You showed a gentle smile to Stelle and Dan Heng. Seeing your friendly demeanor with Aglaea, Stelle and Dan Heng exchanged glances and were willing to go along, then followed Aglaea's footsteps.
You watched their retreating figures, but in your heart, you were pondering another matter—If these two truly became trouble, how would you resolve it?