Whether it was regret or hatred, after Phainon put away the bracelet, for all the Chrysos Heirs...
There was only the final stretch of the road left before them.
That was to conquer the last Titan and bring back it's Coreflame!
....
That night.
As news of Phainon taking over the Chrysos Heirs spread like wildfire, from the Council of Elders to the citizens of Okhema, reactions varied greatly.
The Council of Elders was unexpectedly silent. Or rather they had already run out of options.
What Caenis had hoped for was that after Aglaea was killed, the Chrysos Heirs would fall into internal strife or be left leaderless.
Then she could step forward and guide the overall situation. But the story had developed far beyond her fantasies.
First came the intelligence reports sent back by the Cleaners stationed across various regions.
Not to mention the others, who had barely made moved so far, just the news that Phainon alone had wiped out an entire Cleaner squad was enough to throw Caenis into panic.
After that, at the Marmoreal Palace, Phainon quickly stabilized the situation. Once he returned, the Chrysos Heirs displayed extraordinary stability. Her hopes of taking advantage of the chaos were shattered as well.
At this point, forget exerting influence, even showing her face was something Caenis no longer dared to do. She had the greed to seize power through rules and political maneuvering.
But when it came to facing blood and steel directly, she lacked the courage.
A demigod!
In the end, that was power no mortal could surpass.
Assassinating Aglaea had been her most insane plan. But even after succeeding, she did not receive the sweetness she had imagined.
Instead, all that remained were troubles. Because after Aglaea's death, Caenis suddenly realized...
These young Chrysos Heirs were not like Aglaea.
She could stand before Aglaea herself and repeatedly test her limits with all kinds of despicable methods.
Because Caenis knew that Aglaea would never disregard the bigger picture.
But these youngsters, who could say for sure?
She had no confidence in betting that they would continue to "prioritize the greater good" the way Aglaea had. What if a few of them lost their temper and stabbed her to death on the spot?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
The assassination had clearly succeeded. So why had she become the one in the worst position?
Within Dawncloud Cliff late that night, Caenis's furious roars and the sounds of things being smashed echoed throughout the entire night.
....
The citizens awake in the dead of night were equally unable to sleep.
After losing Aglaea, all that remained in their hearts was panic and unease.
Especially those who had opposed her before. They had believed the Council of Elders' claims, thinking Aglaea's use of her demigod authority to monitor them was an infringement on their freedom.
But now that Goldweaver was truly dead, many of them began to regret it.
Those golden threads that encircled all of Okhema may indeed have restricted their freedom. But at the same time, they had restricted the freedom of criminals as well.
At the very least, while Lady Goldweaver was alive, anyone intending to commit a crime had to consider whether her golden threads might be trembling in secret.
Now, there was no such concern. The truly wicked were already stirring.
And those fools who had been manipulated were only now beginning to understand the pressure that had protected them.
....
One scene after another unfolded across Okhema, displaying every aspect of society before the audience.
And the audience could only sneer, feeling no sympathy whatsoever.
....
: What were they doing before?
: These people are seriously pathetic. They only remember someone's good qualities after losing them.
: To hell with your freedom and democracy. These idiots are making my blood pressure rise.
: The writers aren't even pretending anymore. They're openly mocking them through the story now.
: They want absolute freedom and absolute security at the same time. Since when has the world ever worked like that?
: If I could transmigrate into Aglaea, the first thing I'd do is give these idiots all the freedom they want and let them experience the cruel reality firsthand.
: The more I watch, the angrier I get. Aglaea didn't deserve this!
: But we're about to recreate the world anyway. Only one Titan remains. Just let Phainon cook!
: I hope nothing else goes wrong! Especially that Flame Reaver. At this point I don't even dare hope he's Phainon anymore, my heart can't take it.
....
While the audience continued discussing.
Dawn rose over Okhema as usual.
Only this time, before the sun had fully emerged above the horizon. Countless people had already gathered outside the Marmoreal Palace from every direction.
Merchants, civilians, soldiers, craftsmen, beggars, nobles. Nearly everyone in Okhema had come.
Elderly people with difficulty walking forced themselves into the crowd with canes. Women still nursing infants could not stay away either, bringing their children with them.
Their identities were different. But the anxiety on their faces was the same.
"How will the holy city continue without Lady Goldweaver..."
"I never agreed with Aglaea's methods, but... but the Holy City truly can't be without her."
"Just yesterday, after news of Lady Goldweaver's death spread, several streets experienced robberies... I was there myself. Fortunately, the guards arrived in time."
"Hmph, you hypocrites! Where was all this concern before?!"
"Lady Aglaea devoted herself to all of you and was assassinated in the end. Yet none of you even dared curse the Council of Elders's lackeys! Cowards!"
"Get lost! You ignorant fools!!"
Arguments and curses filled the air. All kinds of voices mixed together.
The tension among the crowd steadily grew. Several hundred City guards and Kremnoans stood around the perimeter of the Marmoreal Palace, nervously watching the masses.
"Do not move any farther forward!"
"Lord Phainon will be out soon!"
"The other Chrysos Heirs as well!"
Some guards shouted loudly, hoping to stabilize the situation.
Instead, it only made the already noisy crowd even more restless.
And just as things were about to spiral out of control, the curtains of the Marmoreal Palace were drawn open.
A group of people walked out.
Phainon, Trinnon, Tribbie, Stelle, and Dan Heng.
Every Chrysos Heir who could be present had come.
The moment the crowd saw them. The commotion suddenly fell silent.
"...Look! Lord Phainon is here."
"Will he step up to lead Okhema?"
People whispered among themselves, nervous yet hopeful.
Ironically, many of them had already forgotten.
During the Citizens' Assembly, they had questioned Phainon's age. They believed he was too young to lead Okhema.
But now, they desperately hoped that he would shoulder that responsibility.
Under the gaze of countless people, Phainon slowly walked to the steps of the Marmoreal Palace. He swept his eyes across the crowd. Everywhere he looked, the people carried all kinds of thoughts.
There was affection, confusion, hope, anxiety, suspicion, and resentment. Phainon's expression remained calm. He accepted all of it, the love and the hatred alike.
"Everyone." He spoke, and the surroundings instantly fell silent.
"Not long ago, I spoke at the citizens' assembly at Dawncloud."
"I wrestled with every word, searching for the right ones to rally support and keep the Chrysos Heirs' Flame-Chase alive."
"In the end, I remembered a lesson from one of my teachers: In battles where words are weapons, outrage and blind passion often overpower reason."
"I followed his strategy. I painted my opponents as nothing more than pests, tore apart their character, and laid out their crimes."
"The strategy worked. I secured enough votes to achieve my goal."
The people of Okhema listened quietly.
Yet none of them understood why Phainon had chosen this story as his opening.
Indeed. It had been a beautiful victory, one that completely convinced the people to accept Aglaea's arrangements for Phainon.
But what did that have to do with today? Was Phainon trying to relive that victory?
As the crowd speculated, Phainon spoke in a heavy tone:
"But afterward? There wasn't even a flicker of joy."
"I realized, that apparent victory masked a deeper failure. In my pursuit of success, I fueled division and strayed far from the very purpose that led me to the Flame-Chase Journey."
Hearing this, the people of Okhema were stunned and instinctively looked toward Phainon.
It was a natural reaction. Yet faced with countless gazes, Phainon met every one of them openly.
There was only sincerity in those eyes.
"This journey was supposed to unify, not divide. To strengthen us, not weaken us."
"Everyone!"
"Now she is gone, yes, as you have heard, the demigod Aglaea, who guarded the holy city for a millennium, has indeed fallen."
"I felt the same as all of you initially."
"I wanted to stand here beside you, to condemn the sinners, to discuss retribution, and to see justice brought down upon them..."
"...But my perspective has changed."
"The golden threads that once bound this city have unraveled, yet no one is celebrating their freedom from control. In the empty markets and bath chambers, one feeling lingers: Unease."
"Deep down, we all know, the last safeguard against the harm we may do to each other is gone. No divine power will protect us from the malice in our hearts. From now on, only the moral code we choose to uphold for ourselves will stand between us and the abyss."
Phainon's words struck directly at the source of their anxiety.
Yes. That was precisely why they felt uneasy, and why they regretted their actions.
As they looked at Phainon, amidst their unease, a hint of expectation emerged.
Without realizing it, they found themselves drawn in by his words.
Phainon continued:
"The Flame-Chase Journey is nearing its end, with only one Titan left for the Chrysos Heirs to conquer: Aquila."
"Before I rise to the skies, I challenge you, cast out the shadows and malice within your hearts. Let your spirits shine brighter than the sky itself!"
"Let me bear witness: Even without the divine authority of Romance, Okhema will remain a sanctuary in these end times. A place for the kind people Aglaea dreamed of, the kind of people foretold in prophecy..."
Before that tomorrow arrived, people needed words that could inspire them.
People needed hope. Even though Phainon knew very well that it was only an idealistic wish, that there would inevitably be those who indulged their darker impulses amid the chaos.
Still, this shared understanding, this hope, was something he had to personally promise to everyone.
As long as that consensus remained, Okhema would retain its resilience and would not completely descend into a city of chaos.
And when he returned victorious, carrying Aquila's Coreflame, everything would return to the right path.
At that moment, after hearing Phainon's speech, the crowd first fell silent.
Then the gloom on their faces vanished completely.
Inspired, the citizens erupted into cheers.
"A better people!"
"....Better people!"
"Better people! Better people!"
The cheers spread outward from the Marmoreal Palace like waves, surging through every corner of Okhema.
Those in the distance could not even hear what Phainon had said, but seeing others cheering, they joined in as well.
That was enough. Cheering was a good thing, wasn't it?
And outside the screen, the audience was equally amazed.
...
: After Aglaea's death, he forcefully created a new consensus from nothing. That eloquence and insight are incredible.
: He turned his victory at the Citizens' Assembly into his own failure, contrasted division with unity, rallied people around a greater cause, and forged a shared consensus. Damn, are you really just some country boy from Aedes Elysiae?
: What a pleasant surprise! The moment Phainon appeared, things immediately became satisfying!
: What people need most right now is hope! Phainon directly pointed out that only the final Titan remains, that the re-genesis is within reach, and then reassured the people with such sincere words. The timing couldn't have been better.
: I can finally rest easy! Aglaea, did you see that? Phainon is the perfect leader!
: The Council of Elders has truly become a roadside joke. The chaos they created ended up becoming the very staircase Phainon used to unite everyone!
: This is probably what Aglaea wanted to see as well!
: Before Phainon arrived, the crowd was clearly divided into opposing camps. The people who had opposed Aglaea before were practically being cursed out.
: But Phainon didn't bring that up at all. He even openly revealed his own thoughts, which was basically reassuring those who feared retaliation.
: He really feels human. Every word he says comes from the perspective of ordinary people, which is why he can move everyone.
: Caenis is probably crying right now.
...
On the screen, amid the thunderous cheers, Phainon took a deep breath and shouted:
"Please wait patiently in the Holy City. It is time for us to embark upon the final journey. See you tomorrow."
With that, amid the cheers of countless citizens of Okhema, he turned and left without looking back.