The Flame Reaver, capable of teleporting or crossing through time, seemingly capable of anything.
At this moment, he stood silently in midair, like a puppet that had lost its soul.
What happened? While the two guards were still stunned, Stelle suddenly reacted. She casually pulled out her baseball bat, intending to seize this opportunity and launch a dishonorable sneak attack on the Flame Reaver.
"No, don't get too close!" Dan Heng stopped Stelle.
After such a bitter battle, Dan Heng's eyes were also filled with exhaustion. Panting, he said, "That thing's black flames are burning hot. I don't know what's happening, but leaving is the best option."
If a sneak attack could really succeed, he would have already done it.
"Huh? Is that so..."
Stelle disappointedly put away her baseball bat and gave the Flame Reaver one last unwilling glance.
The two guards ignored the Flame Reaver and instead earnestly said: "Please hurry and leave, you two."
"I don't know which demigod graced us with this miracle... Please, come with us!"
"You've already done enough for Amphoreus. Lord Phainon only hopes that you can leave safely!"
This wish wasn't just Phainon's, but that of every citizen in Okhema.
At a time like this, there was no need for explanations. Those who had survived until now more or less understood.
Stelle and Dan Heng were most likely visitors from beyond the skies. Those powers that did not belong to Amphoreus, along with their distinctive appearances, were enough to prove it.
But that wasn't important. As outsiders, they had already sacrificed much for Amphoreus. With Amphoreus now teetering amid the storm, allowing them to leave safely was the shared wish of every living being in Amphoreus.
Afterward, under the guards' guidance, Stelle and Dan Heng quickly made their way through Okhema.
Along the way, the Flame Reaver indeed did not pursue them again. They traveled completely unhindered until they reached the city gates.
"The Flame Reaver isn't pursuing us... Could this really be some kind of divine intervention?"
"We can't stay here for long. Lady Trinnon's Century Gate is just outside the city, let's keep moving."
The guard pointed toward the road outside the gates and urged them anxiously.
However... when Stelle and Dan Heng truly stood here, their hearts weren't at ease.
"Is this... really what Trailblazing is supposed to be?" Stelle asked herself.
"I still feel like someone should stay behind... and help Phainon."
She looked back at the burning Okhema, then glanced at the three Titans.
As long as they walked out, with Aquila already dead, no one would stop them anymore.
Hyacine, who remained in the sky, would only sincerely rejoice at the Nameless' departure and open the way for them.
After struggling in this place for so long, all they had wanted was to find a way back to the Astral Express.
And now, that path was right before them.
Yet Stelle simply couldn't feel satisfied. Amphoreus' problems had not been resolved. In Stelle's understanding, this couldn't be considered a complete Trailblazing expedition.
"Our experience in Amphoreus has far exceeded expectations. If our goal was just to replenish fuel, then mission accomplished. But you're right..."
Dan Heng also shook his head. He could see Stelle's unwillingness, and he himself felt somewhat reluctant as well.
"I... feel the same. Someone should stay and help Phainon complete Era Nova."
But out of rational consideration, Dan Heng still advised, "For now, let's get back in contact with the Express and plan our next move. That's the safest course of action. We need more information."
No matter what their reasons were, neither of them could possibly abandon Amphoreus.
Their temporary retreat was only so they could contact the Express and return to Amphoreus better prepared. Besides, they had already been missing for so long. Everyone aboard the Express must surely be worried.
And the viewers watching this weren't worried either. Instead, they strongly agreed with Dan Heng's idea.
...
: They really should go back now!
: Relying on just the two of them, they've already done incredibly well to make it this far in Amphoreus!
: Exactly! They've dealt with so many Titans already. That's impressive enough!
: Right now, not only is Amphoreus itself shrouded in mystery, there are even deeper threats lurking outside in the universe. Those Lord Ravagers are eyeing this place like tigers watching their prey, and no one knows what Destruction's next move will be!
: Retreating to the Express and discussing countermeasures with Himeko and Welt, or even contacting Emanators of Erudition like The Herta, would be the safest choice!
: And right now, none of the outside factions know anything about Amphoreus. They desperately need Stelle and the others to bring intelligence back!
: But Phainon...
: Sigh, Phainon doesn't even have any allies left now. He's truly all alone. I'm so worried about him!
: The pressure is still way too much. This plot is making me feel suffocated!
...
However, just when everyone thought the two Nameless were about to retreat, an abrupt voice rang out.
"On that note, I have a proposal, I hope to convey a message to the two "Nameless.""
The voice was measured and orderly, its tone carrying a mechanically calm elegance.
"...Who's there!?"
Hearing the voice, the two guards immediately became vigilant and drew their weapons.
"Don't panic, he's... he's not our enemy!" Stelle excitedly stopped the guards.
The guards might not recognize it, but how could she not?! That reassuring voice and tone. Only one Intellitron could bring them such a sense of security!
"Mr. Screwllum?!" Dan Heng shouted in surprise.
The scene shifted. There stood Screwllum, appearing in projected form.
"It has been a while, Nameless of the Astral Express."
"I'm glad I arrived in time to stop that black-clad one from harming you further."
Screwllum spoke calmly.
He's here! He's finally here! The viewers were like drowning people who had suddenly grabbed onto a lifeline, instantly becoming excited!
...
: I! Can! Breathe! Again!
: GOAT!!! Who understands that feeling when Screwllum appeared and suddenly even breathing became easier?!
: Wuwuwuwu! The genius is finally making his move!
: So the Flame Reaver was forcibly restrained by Screwllum!!!
: The moment he makes a move, it's extraordinary! Too strong!
: Screwllum! The true big daddy!
: The moment Screwllum makes a move, my sense of security shoots through the roof!
...
"So, it was you." Dan Heng also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Never thought the Express Crew would bring in a genius for backup..." Stelle too had a look of relief.
Screwllum nodded and truthfully explained, "Indeed. Madam Herta invited me to meet with you Nameless. Rest assured, Stelle, Madam Herta and I have come here for the sake of Amphoreus."
The three were finally reunited here after such a long separation. But the two guards behind them were completely baffled.
They looked at Screwllum's strange form, his entire body flickering with blue light, and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "You two know this... Antikytheran? Does he come from the same people as Councilor Lygus?"
"Uh... you could say that." Stelle scratched her head as she replied.
In a sense, the guards' guess wasn't wrong.
"This gentleman is an ally of the Trailblaze. Would you mind giving us a moment to speak in private?" Dan Heng asked politely.
"Of course. We'll wait nearby. Please stay safe."
The two guards tactfully moved away from the three of them and stood watch in the distance.
Screwllum got straight to the point:
"I fully understand your situation. For now, the only thing I can do is temporarily freeze that black-clad one in place. Time is limited. So, I'll keep this brief-"
"The place where you stand, Amphoreus, is a world constructed from data and memoria, an experimental field of a certain Aeon."
"And now, this isolated sandbox world is rapidly falling into a third Path - Destruction."
"Conclusion: If Amphoreus continues unchecked on this course..."
"A Lord Ravager will complete its evolution and metamorphosis, and emerge from the surging tides. The cosmos as we know it will suffer irreversible consequences."
The audience knew that Amphoreus was the Emperor Scepter, but they weren't aware of the deeper connections involved.
As Screwllum clearly revealed this information, they were all dumbfounded.
So Amphoreus wasn't sealing away a Lord Ravager, but rather nurturing a Lord Ravager that had yet to be born?
Data and memories... That wasn't particularly surprising.
Memoria itself was highly compatible with Oronyx's divine power. If Remembrance hadn't gotten involved and become one of the foundations supporting Amphoreus' existence, that would have been strange instead.
As for this place being an Aeon's testing ground, which Aeon's testing ground was it?
Remembrance? Destruction? Or Erudition?
Would the disaster erupting from Amphoreus sweep across the universe and cause irreversible damage?
This... this was no longer just a perilous Trailblazing journey, was it? This was practically a matter concerning the fate of the entire universe.
...
: Holy shit... so that's how it is...
: Now it all makes sense.
: But actually, when we learned this place was the Emperor Scepter, we should've realized it already. Sigh, we're still not perceptive enough.
: True. No matter what, it's something Rupert created. Whatever happens, it's bound to give the universe one hell of a surprise.
: But if I remember correctly, in Rupert's PV, the underlying computational logic of the Emperor Scepter wasn't Destruction, but Life, right?
: How could a genius like the Emperor, who was willing to burn the universe itself just to make the cosmos flourish, possibly fall into Destruction!! I refuse to accept this!
: Exactly. How could it calculate a Lord Ravager into existence?
: Fuck, don't tell me it's something like the Mechanical Emperor Wars again, where someone tampered with something!
: There's a traitor among us!
: Rupert: Who the fuck messed with my Scepter's code?!
...
The audience threw out all kinds of guesses.
On screen, Stelle and Dan Heng were also somewhat stunned, still digesting the enormous amount of information.
A moment later, Stelle frowned and asked, "A Lord Ravager... Like Phantylia?"
Screwllum shook his head:
"The styles of different Emanators vary greatly. Strictly speaking, the calamity Phantylia intended to cause has already taken root. It merely requires time to slowly ferment. That is her style."
"But the Emanator who has yet to be born in Amphoreus is far more direct."
"The disaster that this Lord Ravager intends to trigger may be far more severe than the Luofu's Stellaron Crisis. Because its goal is..."
"The Aeon of Erudition, Nous."
An Aeon!? Stelle and Dan Heng looked at each other.
Neither knew how to respond.
Screwllum continued: "Putting aside the complex details of the inferences involved, I have a request to make, for one of you Nameless, to stay behind on Amphoreus, acting as an informant, in order to prevent the wrath of Destruction from ravaging the cosmos."
"This world is enveloped in a "firewall" that defies explanation, and the flow of time here is also different from reality. Madam Herta and I can only tear open a gap and project images inside."
"However, the accidental crash landing of the Express Car notwithstanding, both of you were able to successfully land here. There must be some principle behind this we have yet to fully grasp."
"It will take time to uncover the reason. Before then, if one of the Nameless is willing to stay and witness the fate of this world, or to push it along when necessary, it would be of great assistance."
Screwllum's proposal was exactly what Stelle and Dan Heng wanted.
They had never intended to give up on Amphoreus in the first place. Thus, Stelle placed her hands on her hips and assumed an expression that said no one else was better suited for the job.
"I'll do it!"
Dan Heng didn't compete with Stelle for the position. Instead, he asked seriously, "Mr. Screwllum, I believe you, so I only have one thing I'd like to confirm with you. As Amphoreus is already facing its end, how can we guarantee the safety of the person who stays behind?"
"Look at this, if you would."
Screwllum had already prepared for this and revealed an object in his palm. It was a product created by combining a crystal fragment of the Path of Trailblaze with a die of the Path of Erudition.
"This Curio is called a "Chronocognitive Anchor." The two of you may view it as a kind of Space Anchor in the world of Erudition."
"As long as you carry it with you, your individual data structure will be protected and will remain unaffected by the influence of digital tsunamis. When required, it can also serve as a bridge for communications between the internal and external world."
The moment Stelle took the Cognition Chisel Anchor, she heard Screwllum's voice begin to break up, becoming like a radio with a poor signal.
"Of course, ███ it is not ███ Curio with unlimited uses ███ may only be held by one person"
"The connection ███ being ███ interfered with, decide ███ quickly as possible ████"
"Two ███ final ███ messages"
"One: The Intellitron ██████ named ███████ Lygus ████ possibly █████ the primary culprit behind everything ██████"
"Two: Herta ██ discovered a clue ██—"
"—Miss March █████ has ████ already been ████ drawn into ███ Amphoreus██"
Amid the crackling static, Screwllum was still able to accurately convey the information.
The electrical interference did not affect Screwllum's message.
Interestingly, after the interference began, these important pieces of information should have been filtered out. But with Screwllum, it was almost as if he had deceived those filtering waves, causing them to fail to obscure anything.
Although his speech came through intermittently, not a single piece of important information was lost!