"That's fine. We have nothing to hide, we simply need a space free from interference." Welt adjusted his glasses, his gaze sharpening behind the lenses. "Now, let's convene a brief Trailblazer meeting."
He continued: "We have a preliminary understanding of Amphoreus's background, but numerous contradictions remain perplexing."
"Even a closed world like Jarilo-VI, its inhabitants possess basic knowledge of the stars, Paths, and even Aeons. Yet here, at the convergence point of three Paths..."
"Amphoreus clearly gave birth to three powerful beings comparable to Emanators, yet its people seem utterly ignorant of the concepts of 'Paths' and 'Aeons'? This is far from normal. There must be hidden reasons behind this."
Dan Heng added, his voice cool and clear: "Not only that. When looking up at the sky on Amphoreus, what I feel is not boundlessness or freedom, but more like... a sense of suffocation, of being trapped."
"They possess technology and supernatural abilities that are far from backward, yet they place all their hopes and futures entirely on a nebulous 'prophecy' and 'Recreation of the World.'"
"When a civilization faces an existential crisis, exploring the stars and seeking new homes should be instinctive. Yet they seem to have never considered the option of 'leaving.'"
Welt said gravely: "Remember that impenetrable, anomalous substance enveloping the entire world we observed when approaching Amphoreus?"
"I'm increasingly inclined to one judgment—Amphoreus has been artificially sealed. And that so-called 'prophecy' likely hides something far more complex than what we currently know."
"And then there's that girl named Cyrene," Dan Heng's brows furrowed slightly. "Her very existence is an enigma. During our first meeting, the fleeting emotions in her eyes were extremely complex—not mere curiosity... They were mixed with profound pain, sorrow borne of great hardship, and something else... an indescribable joy? The questionable aspects of Amphoreus are simply too many."
Beside them, Stelle buried half her face in the hot water, listening as Mr. Yang and Dan Heng dissected the points of suspicion one by one. She felt her head was about to boil over, just like the pool water.
So she decided to give up thinking and dutifully play the role of a pure "bathhouse enjoyer." At the same time, she gave a mental thumbs-up to her companions: Having you guys is a blessing on my Trailblazing journey. Not having to use my brain is just too good.
When the conversation among the Express crew members reached a natural pause and the atmosphere returned to the relaxed state of ordinary tourists, the two Sanctuary guards who had been waiting at a distance opportunely approached.
"Honored guests," one of the guards spoke politely, his voice softened by the steam, "we hope your experience at the bathhouse has been satisfactory?"
Welt and Dan Heng exchanged a knowing glance before responding calmly: "It was very comfortable. It effectively eased the fatigue of our journey. We quite enjoyed it."
"It's good that you like it," the guard smiled. "The demigods sent us originally to guide you to your accommodations. Earlier, upon hearing you wished to relax at the bathhouse, we waited here, not daring to disturb your enjoyment."
"Thank you both for your consideration," Welt responded courteously. "Then, we shall trouble you to lead the way now."
"It's our duty. Please follow us." The two guards made an inviting gesture, their attitude humble and attentive.
The Sanctuary guards led the Express crew through quiet streets, finally stopping before the gate of an elegant little courtyard.
The courtyard walls were built of warm white stone, harmonizing with Okhema's overall architectural style.
"Honored guests," one of the guards bowed slightly, indicating the courtyard. "This residence has been prepared by the demigod lords as your temporary lodging. May you find peaceful rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, the demigod lords will formally summon you."
With their task complete, the two guards politely turned and departed, their figures swiftly disappearing from view.
"Familiar procedure, familiar arrangements," Stelle murmured, watching the direction the guards vanished, a hint of vigilance in her tone. "Looks like I'll have to keep the bat by my pillow tonight. What about you, Dan Heng?"
The first Trailblazing experience on Jarilo-VI had clearly left a deep impression on her heart.
"My Cloud-Piercer is never far from hand," Dan Heng's reply was brief and definite. His gaze swept over the various rooms before he headed towards one with an attached cold-water plunge pool, an environment more suited to his habits.
Hearing this, Welt smiled gently, his voice carrying a reassuring steadiness: "Stelle, perhaps you're being a bit too tense. Remaining vigilant is an excellent trait for a Trailblazer, but there's no need to keep your nerves constantly strained. Rest well. I'm here."
Mr. Yang's voice was exceptionally steady, carrying the composure born of weathering many storms, as if no turmoil could shake him in the slightest.
Deep in the quiet of night.
Stelle sank into the depths of slumber. Yet, fragmented whispers, like bubbles in water, kept rising and bursting, disturbing her sleep.
The voice seemed to come from an extremely distant place, blurred and distorted, carrying a frantic, exasperated tone:
"Why... having chosen to bathe in the grace of the 'Master of Anāsrava' and tread the Path of Remembrance, why must you still oppose the Memokeepers?"
Immediately, another voice arose, gentle yet firm, vaguely familiar:
"Don't think I don't know what you Memokeepers are really after. Amphoreus... is not welcome to you."
"Absurd! We are both Memokeepers. We should stand on the same side!"
"The same side?" the familiar voice scoffed, its warning unconcealed. "I advise you, stop trying to observe him. Stay away from this place."
"If he truly gets the chance... you will truly cease to exist. Even if you are Memokeepers, even if you are memes existing beyond reality... the outcome will not change in the slightest."
"Hmph, bluster! I want to see just how long you, alone, can protect this land within the torrent of 'Memory'! Now that the Garden of Recollection has noticed this place, 'visitors' from now on will only come in an endless stream until we achieve our goal!"
The sounds of argument faded like a receding tide. Stelle's eyes snapped open. The eternal artificial dawn-light of Okhema was already filtering through the window lattice.
Instinctively, she reached out and tightly grasped the baseball bat by her pillow. What the hell? Was there a fight in my brain last night? Kept me up all night.
When she pushed open her door, she saw Dan Heng was already standing in the small courtyard downstairs, his posture upright as if he had never relaxed his guard.