"As for those self-proclaimed 'Trailblazers' from beyond..." Only then did Cerydra lift her eyes, looking towards Aglaea's figure, her gaze calm.
"They owe nothing to our Amphoreus. What right do we have to forcibly bind the fate of others to the fate of Amphoreus? Moreover..."
She shifted her tone, picking up a white piece and deftly removing a black piece from the board with a backhanded move.
"If they truly helped us with all their might for no reason at all, that would be even more deserving of our vigilance and suspicion."
"But if such a thing really happened, they're either truly noble, or truly despicable. There's no third possibility. Besides, there's no such thing as a free gift in this world."
"Yet they remain an unstable variable," Aglaea added the final touch of spirit to the eyes of Hysilens in the painting. "Allowing them to move freely within the holy city might inevitably lead to some unforeseen trouble."
"Then assign a few clever individuals to accompany them. Serve as guides and ears," Cerydra seemed to have already considered a countermeasure, her tone relaxed.
"Then, we'll find a suitable opportunity to formally meet with them."
"This way, we avoid them accidentally revealing information about the 'world beyond' in front of the unaware populace, which could cause unnecessary panic or unrest. It also prevents outsiders from saying we of Amphoreus lack hospitality and manners."
She paused slightly, her tone becoming more serious. "However, establishing friendly relations with the visitors from beyond can only be, and will only be, a peripheral move for us."
"Our primary focus must still remain on collecting the Coreflames and completing the 'Flame Chase Journey'—the great undertaking concerning our very survival."
"Don't worry, Cery, we already notified Trianne to receive them," a young yet steady voice came from below.
Trinnon was sitting on the soft carpet beneath the divan, holding a bright red fruit in her arms. She took a small bite, her cheeks puffing out roundly.
Hearing this, Cerydra also set her mind at ease and stopped her pondering.
She agilely crawled from one end of the divan to Aglaea's side and curiously leaned in to look. "Aglaea, let me see, what have you made my 'Dux Gladiorum[' look like?"
At the same moment, Hysilens's performance reached its conclusion. As the last note dissipated into the air, she set down the bow, shook out her long hair damp with sweat from playing so long in the sun, and walked gracefully to Aglaea's side to admire the painting together.
"The willful golden trout, though always sneaking snacks at night, isn't half bad at painting," Hysilens said, looking at the painting of herself immersed in music, seemingly glowing. A slight smile lifted from her lips as she addressed Aglaea with this quirky yet affectionate nickname.
Then, she turned to look at Cerydra, her tone becoming familiar and casual. "What are you planning to eat tonight?"
"Caesar salad," Cerydra answered almost instinctively. Then, as if thinking of something, a faint blush tinged her cheeks.
"Eating that again?" Hysilens furrowed her beautiful brows, her tone carrying an unyielding firmness. "Though it's cheap and convenient, you can't eat it every day. You need a balanced diet. Come to my place tonight. I'll treat you to some truly good food."
"Who knew using my 'Law' authority, every time I enact an ordinance, would consume so many balance coins..." Cerydra muttered under her breath, a pained and regretful expression on her face.
"With a casual revising of a few trivial laws, over a hundred thousand balance coins will vanish like water. Had I known, when I submitted my wish with the Coreflame, I shouldn't have wished to 'grow ten centimeters taller'... I should have wished for 'an endless supply of balance coins'..."
...
When the Express crew stepped out of the shimmering Infinity Gate, the scene that unfolded before them was a world apart from the desolate, dangerous wilderness of the apocalypse they had just left.
An indescribably prosperous and immense city lay before them.
Towering buildings stood in orderly rows, their styles diverse yet coexisting in harmony.
Gleaming white stone and shining metal reflected the light of the eternal dawn.
Wide streets bustled with traffic. The air was filled with a mingled aroma of food, flowers, and fruits, brimming with vitality.
In the distance, the massive Dawn Device at the city's center shone like a gentle sun, casting light and warmth into every corner.
"Honored guests from afar, this is the Eternal Holy City of Okhema, the safest place in all of Amphoreus." Tribbie landed lightly in front of the group, introducing the city with a hint of pride in her voice, which remained clear amidst the surrounding clamor.
"Huh? ...The Deliverer? Back so timely?" A voice as bold and resonant as a bell came from the direction of the city gate. A burly warrior, bare-chested, was striding over with large steps.
"Didn't expect you to return just as Nikador and his lot are preparing to attack the city. How about it? Want to join me heading out to meet the enemy? Perfect chance to hone your martial skills!" Mydei gave Phainon's shoulder a hearty slap, his fighting spirit palpable.
"Attacking the city?" Stelle, hearing this, looked questioningly at Phainon, then at the peaceful, prosperous scene before her. "Didn't Tribbie say Okhema was an absolutely safe place earlier?"
Phainon gave a light laugh, sunlight catching on his white hair. "But we also said Amphoreus is in an apocalypse, fraught with dangers everywhere."
"However... rest assured, Okhema being called the safest place is no empty boast." He pointed towards the sky, where an extremely faint halo was barely visible.
"Look, that's the holy city's defense net woven by the Demigod of Romance, Lady Aglaea herself."
"It is impregnable. Unless Lady Aglaea herself wills it, no enemy can possibly breach this protection to harm the residents within the holy city."
After explaining, he turned to Mydei, a spark of eager combat fire also igniting in his eyes. "They say good timing is better than good planning. I didn't get to fight to my heart's content the whole way while escorting civilians back today. Let's go, I'll join you to meet this Nikador!"
"Good! Straight to the point!" Mydei boomed with laughter that seemed to shake the surroundings. "Last time at the Castrum Kremnos arena, we didn't settle it. This time we continue! Same wager—whoever loses treats the other to a proper home-cooked feast at their place!"
"Remember to leave a message for your parents on the message slab beforehand," Phainon laughed in response, his tone carrying the kind of teasing only found between close friends. "I'm expecting the most authentic, most classic Castrum Kremnos cuisine tonight!"
"Hmph, Deliverer, who wins and who loses isn't decided yet!" Mydei's lips curved into a blood-boiling smile, not backing down in the slightest. "Maybe tonight's meal will be the flavors of your Aedes Elysiae!"