The Garden of Life.
Aglaea stood silently in the center of the garden, clutching a miniature communication device.
A thousand years of emotional knots and longing had finally found their resolution.
She heard footsteps behind her but didn't turn around. Her voice, no longer cold, held a hint of complexity and melancholy.
"Thank you."
Phainon stopped a few paces behind her, his expression calm.
"I am merely a messenger."
"No." Aglaea turned, her eyes earnestly fixed on him, "You are more than just a messenger."
She paused, a touch of inquiry in her tone.
"Cifera asked me to trust you, and I am willing to trust you. However, The Senate is the cornerstone that maintains Okhema's operation. Even if they are corrupt, their complete eradication would plunge Okhema into unprecedented chaos."
This was her last shred of rationality and concern as a leader.
Upon hearing this, Phainon's lips curved into a faint, indifferent arc.
"Aglaea, you are not seeing far enough. Eradicating The Senate has never been my goal. That is merely… an incidental action."
Aglaea's pupils contracted slightly.
Phainon took a step forward, "The true objective is to use the eradication of The Senate as a scalpel to excise the rot of 'public dissent' from Amphoreus."
"We need a grand trial, a trial that all citizens can witness with their own eyes."
"Through the Citizen Assembly, let everyone see that the old guardians of order have colluded with the 'Phainon' who seeks to destroy the world."
"We must show them who stepped forward in times of crisis, and who fought valiantly through bloodshed."
"We must gather all hope, all faith, onto the Chrysos Heirs."
Phainon turned his head, his eyes reflecting Aglaea's shocked face.
"By then, you, Aglaea, will no longer be merely the leader of the Chrysos Heirs. You will be the sole will of the entire Amphoreus."
Since becoming a demigod, Aglaea's humanity had long since withered away, her will as firm as divine iron.
Yet at this moment, facing Phainon's bone-chilling declaration, she still felt a pang of trepidation.
She felt a chill.
The person before her was completely different from the Phainon in her memory—the one who, though powerful, still possessed warmth.
Every one of his plans was precise and efficient, yet also chillingly devoid of emotion.
It was as if the entire Amphoreus, along with all life upon it, were merely pawns on his chessboard.
"You…" Aglaea spoke with difficulty, "You have endured too much… it must have been hard."
She could only say that.
Bearing the memories of over thirty million reincarnations, his perspective could no longer be measured by ordinary standards.
And for herself, to be able to forget her past life and start anew each time—wasn't that a kind of blessing?
Phainon was silent for a moment, seemingly acknowledging her words, "The Citizen Assembly is the moment to act."
He brought the conversation back to the plan itself, "At that time, another 'me' will appear."
Aglaea immediately understood who "another me" referred to.
The Flame Reaver!
"But…" Aglaea found a logical flaw, "If you are not the 'Phainon' of this current generation, then who… exactly are you?"
A faint smile finally appeared on Phainon's face, "I am from the future. A… reincarnation that has yet to begin."
While Aglaea was still processing the immense information, Phainon had already begun calmly laying out his elaborate trap.
"The plan is simple. It is well-known that Teacher Anaxa and you are at odds. And he has already obtained the 'Rationality' Coreflames."
"Those old fellows in The Senate will never miss an opportunity to divide the Chrysos Heirs and win over a powerful demigod."
"You must have guessed it. They will definitely contact Anaxa. And what you need to do is, at the Citizen Assembly, use this as an excuse to lead all the Chrysos Heirs in a fierce attack against The Senate."
"Then…" A glint flashed in Phainon's eyes, "The Flame Reaver will appear and engage in a 'fierce' battle with you all."
"Ultimately, he will be 'repelled.' And the tens of thousands of citizens present will 'discover' 'irrefutable evidence' of the Flame Reaver's collusion with The Senate."
"All the charges will be pinned on The Senate."
"From then on, public sentiment will be on our side, and the tide will have turned. I will then carry out the final purge."
Phainon's voice was calm, as if he had just finished telling a bedtime story.
Aglaea sighed deeply.
One link after another, utilizing everyone's personality, calculating everyone's reactions, even using different versions of himself from different timelines as pawns.
But.
She had no choice.
Since he was Phainon, he was the Deliverer, then all she had to do was trust him.
"I understand."
Phainon showed a satisfied expression.
He turned, preparing to leave, but then paused as if remembering something.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
He didn't turn back, leaving Aglaea with only his back.
"This act must be performed genuinely enough, tragically enough."
"Because in the audience, there is a very important guest."
"You must, absolutely, make sure Lygus… sees it clearly."