Moreover... Phaethon was no fool.
Simply aligning his core objective and behavioral logic with the words "continuation" allowed him to receive Nous's "blessings"—authority elevation, rule interference, even altering some experimental parameters—almost unconditionally.
What did that resemble?
Wasn't this freakin' training an AI?!
Providing a preset goal (Continuation), then "rewarding" (blessings, authority) behaviors aligning with that goal, constantly reinforcing this behavioral pattern, ultimately obtaining a highly specialized, highly efficient tool for executing that goal...
He realized it, but he didn't care. He didn't care whether "continuation" was the universe's ultimate truth, or life's sole meaning.
What he cared about was that, among all possible paths, only this "Continuation" path, relying on Erudition, could make the outcomes for his companions slightly "better."
After all... Phaethon had never sought to prove Continuation to verify some truth. He chose to prove Continuation so he could persist alongside his companions.
As for now... Phaethon only needed to wait, wait for the person bearing the gaze of another Aeon to arrive at Amphoreus.
And then... Amphoreus would proceed towards the ending chosen by all life of Amphoreus together.
...
The Astral Express hovered silently before an unfamiliar star sector. Beyond the windows lay a planet shrouded in chaos, isolated from the world, shaped like an ∞ symbol.
It was utterly different from any world the Express had explored before.
The Memokeeper—Black Swan—stood gracefully in the center of the observation car, a hint of pride born from uncovering secrets about her, as she presented the unique sight outside to the Express crew.
"Behold, this is that almost entirely isolated lost world, with no records in the Data Bank, a place even the great Akivili (Aeon of Trailblaze) never set foot upon—'The Eternal Land, Amphoreus.'"
Her fingertip traced the star chart, leaving faint trails of light. "According to the Garden of Recollection's observations, only three Paths converge stably in this star sector, an exceedingly rare phenomenon even in the vast universe."
"So, according to you," Himeko's gaze shifted from the overly tranquil planet outside back to Black Swan, her pupils holding a hint of scrutiny, "ordinary Pathstriders would find it difficult to leave such clear, intense Path echoes in such a closed world. Therefore..."
She paused, her tone growing more serious. "Within this isolated star system, at least three existences with strength comparable to Emanators have been born."
"Miss Black Swan, I must confirm with you once more, in my capacity as the Express's Navigator—can you truly ensure this journey deep into the unknown, this trailblazing expedition, is safe for the Express, and for every person aboard?"
"As the Express's head of family, safeguarding every passenger's safety must be my foremost consideration."
"Absolute safety on the path of Trailblazing is itself a luxury," Black Swan responded frankly, yet her tone remained confident. "I believe the Garden dispatching only me for this liaison is itself a signal—even if problems exist, their severity should remain within controllable bounds." She offered Himeko this assurance.
"Hmm? ...By the way, where's March?" Welt Yang's voice interjected. He looked around, seeming to notice something.
"March..." Stelle also reacted. The car seemed a bit too quiet, missing the usual lively voice of the pink-haired girl.
"She should be in her room," Dan Heng provided a clue timely. "I remember before the Express departed, she said she wanted to organize photos from the previous journey, and then never came out."
"Strange... Let's go check her room together." The vague unease in Himeko's heart grew clearer. She took the lead.
A long-held worry about this journey resurfaced in her mind.
Was the Trailblaze Path warning her, its Navigator? Or was this merely her own excessive caution?
...
Inside March 7th's room.
"Stop... stop arguing..." The pink-haired girl clutched her forehead painfully, trying to shake out the chaotic murmurs filling her mind.
*Find him... that thief... robber... find the thief who stole the power of the 'Flawless Lord'... retrieve that power... stop... this is... the duty of all Memokeepers...*
An extremely faint streak of red light flashed at the edge of her vision.
Then, the noise in her mind receded slightly. External sounds became clear again.
"March? March?" Familiar, concerned calls from her companions.
"Wha, what's wrong?" March 7th snapped back to awareness, her face pale. The worried faces of the Express crew filled her view.
"March, your face was terrifyingly pale just now." Himeko stepped forward, gently supporting her shoulders. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"Maybe... a little..." March 7th's voice carried a rare weakness and confusion, utterly devoid of her usual vitality.
"It seems to be a mental issue. Let us examine you..." Almost simultaneously, Sunday and Black Swan offered their assistance.
...
A short while later.
Welt stood outside March 7th's door, speaking softly to Stelle and Dan Heng who were waiting outside. "Mr. Sunday and Miss Black Swan have both done preliminary examinations. March's condition... they cannot fully determine the cause."
"But they both gave the same suggestion: until the cause is identified, temporarily keep March away from Amphoreus. That world might possess some power that resonates with or conflicts with her current state."
"So, this trailblazing journey might have to be entrusted to you and Dan Heng..." Before Welt could finish, his words were interrupted by a burst of manically joyous laughter.
"Ahahahaha! Aha suggests—this man who looks very reliable and steady should go down and take a look too!"
An exaggerated red mask, like a ghost, pressed against the Express's outer window. Ignoring physical barriers, it transmitted its voice into everyone's ears from the vacuum outside.
Welt's expression instantly turned extremely grave. Almost instinctively, he stepped forward, shielding Stelle and Dan Heng behind him, his cane thudding heavily on the floor.
"The Elation Aeon, Aha..." he said grimly, his tone full of vigilance.
However, Aha clearly had no interest in any logical conversation. "Aha knows nothing—Aha only knows how to laugh hahaha!"
Accompanied by even more cheerful laughter, the red mask vanished as abruptly as it appeared, leaving only a disquieting aftertaste lingering in the car.
Welt exchanged a glance with Himeko who had hurried over upon hearing the commotion. Both their faces were etched with unspeakable gravity.
Aha's intervention never meant anything but trouble and variables. Never anything good.