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"Mr. Anaxagoras, would you be willing to assassinate the tyrant of Okhema for us and liberate the Holy City from her dictatorship?"
Caenis leaned forward slightly.
The "Fool" of the Grove of Epiphany sat opposite the leader of the Cleaners. The long conference table concealed his expression in the dim candlelight. The shadow behind Caenis was somewhat agitated by this brief silence.
"Certainly." The scholar raised his head haughtily and replied.
On the first day of the Month of Zagreus, the sage of the Nousporists, Anaxa, submitted a visit request, hoping to meet Aglaea at the Curtain-Fall Hour.
"Oh?" Aglaea took the note card from a Tailor's hand, somewhat surprised.
"I see. Postpone the originally scheduled itinerary and have him wait for me at my private bathhouse."
When Aglaea arrived at the bathhouse, Anaxa was indeed standing there waiting. He looked rather irritable. The misty steam had moistened the tips of his flowing hair, and the high temperature had cast a pale pink glow on his cheeks.
She changed her bath outfit on her own, immersed herself in the pool water, and then let out a long, comfortable sigh.
"Why don't you soak yourself for a while first? Is the water temperature not to your liking?"
Anaxa lowered his head and rolled his eyes. "You know what I'm here for, right?"
"Are you in a hurry? If not, just stay with me for a while. This is the only free time I have in a day."
"Have you arranged everything?" "
Aglaea sighed, "Pour me a cup of honeyed wine, please, 'Sage' Anaxagoras."
Twenty years ago, they met for the first time, also in the Month of Zagreus. The newly appointed sage took his turn to lead teams to Okhema for academic exchanges. After the meeting, he strolled alone to the Garden of Life. The square, which was known to be exclusively for scholars and Chimera to enjoy the sunshine, was filled with interwoven gold threads. And in the center of the woven silk net , a twisted giant beast was hanging, constantly struggling.
"My apologies for letting your distinguished guest see Okhema in such an unseemly state." A voice as bright as jade rang out, and the golden goddess landed lightly on the silk thread in mid-air. The gold thread wrapped and tightened behind her, silently strangling the giant beast in the silk cocoon.
“What's that?”
“A giant combat creature illegally hybridized by the Goat School from Dromas and Nikador's dependents. Someone with ulterior motives contaminated it using the Black Tide.”
Anaxa frowned and said, "What a sacrilegious experiment!" "
"It's surprising to hear that word from you." The demigod chuckled and extended a hand to Anaxagoras. "A pleasure, Anaxagoras."
Anaxa took her hand and released it with a touch. To him, this was already a rare friendship.
"What does the great Chrysos Heirs leader want from me? Pardon me for speaking frankly, I have no intention of joining your Flame-Chase Journey."
"Don't worry. I'm not going to such lengths now." Aglaea shook her head with a smile, "It's just a little curiousity about the founder and the first sage of the Nousporists."
"Forgive my ignorance. I had no idea that the Lady of Gold Weave was interested in conducting research."
"Well when I was a teenager, I also briefly studied at the Grove. However unfortunately I didn't have enough time for further education. As the Dresser of Okhema, now I must be responsible for the safety and prosperity of the entire region."
"Then you may rest assured. I am not pursuing any plans that would gamble with the world, at present."
"You don't seem to be in the mood for casual conversation today." Aglaea slightly tilted her head, her golden hair gently swaying in the sunlight. "I apologize for the earlier incident. As compensation, the Hero's Bath shall prepare its finest services for you."
"I've said that I have no intention of getting involved with the Flame-Chase."
Aglaea smiled gently, "The Hero Bath is open to all Chrysos Heirs. If you have time, you might as well try it. The baths of Okhema are sufficient to wash away all weariness."
Anaxa didn't reply. He was gently nudged by Aglaea's attitude that was both sincere and calculating. There was a kind of vague sense, a certain danger of losing control.
The scholar who seeks precision and clarity found it somewhat difficult to adapt to this. But while he was still self-examining and adjusting, Aglaea had already left alone.
Until the day he stepped into the Marmoreal Palace, Anaxa still hadn't completely sorted himself out.
"Go and give it a try, sir. You won't be disappointed at all!" The student handed him the "Song of Ice and Fire" deluxe bath package ticket. "Bacchus by the cold bath is a relative of mine. Go find him. The honeyed wine flows generously, and you'll leave satisfied!"
Anaxa was first frostbitten by the cold bath, then almost fainted in the hot bath, and finally was dazed by a cup of strangely flavored honeyed wine. When he awoke, he found himself already at the entrance to the Hero's Bath, talking animated ly for more than an Hour, surrounded by a circle of people wearing expressions ranging from terror to admiration.
Anaxa decided to write a comprehensive improvement paper on the Marmoreal Palace as soon as he got back. Then, with a mindset of exhausting all research materials, he ended his speech and walked into the Hero's Bath.
Objectively speaking, everything is perfect. Anaxa did receive the best service. Everything was just proper. Listening to the gurgle of the flowing water, he admitted that he had indeed felt a long-lost relaxation.
Aglaea didn't show up that day.
That academic exchange meeting led to a long-term cooperation project between the Grove and Okhema. As a result, Anaxa then lived in Okhema for three years. His series of private experiments had to be put on hold, but fortunately, the project yielded fruitful results.
Okhema was too small. Wherever he went, he would hear her name. At that time, this holy city was in the honeymoon period with Aglaea and never hesitated to respond enthusiastically to her every move. After a counterattack war, Aglaea returned to the city with her troops. For the first time Anaxa saw Okhema with the streets packed by people mountain people sea. The crowds filled both sides of the street, and the link curtain on the roof of Marmoreal Market was soon trampled through. Aglaea stood upon the back of a parading Dromas and raised her finger from a distance. Gold threads stitched through the air to catch a pedestrian about to fall. The revelers burst into cheers once more, the waves of sound shot up into the sky one after another.
There were always people holding Lyra, wine, flowers and jewels, passionately or shyly expressing their love in the places where Aglaea had appeared. Anaxa knew that these people didn't really expect to have her, and the hopelessness made them even braver. If all one desires is just a glance back, one can speak out his heart loudly. But if there are more delusions, many shackles will also arise out of thin air.
Back to the bathhouse twenty years later.
Anaxa sneered at Aglaea's clumsy way of changing the subject, walked to the cabinet, and took out a bottle of mint green honeyed wine.
"No mint flavor." A voice, tinged with lazy warmth by the steamy mist, rose from behind.
"Well, you have no choice."
Aglaea sighed for the third time tonight. "All right, all right."
Anaxa carefully lifted the hem of his robe by the pool, dropped on one knee, and handed over the honeyed wine giving off a faint green glow. He was so agitated that he didn't notice his long hair, the same color as the wine, hanging down and gently resting on Aglaea's shoulder.
Aglaea took the honeyed wine with one hand and placed it on a wooden tray in the pool. With her other hand, she touched his smooth long hair, then pulled him down with sudden exertion.
Caught off guard, Anaxa only had time to let out a half-cry of alarm before plunging face-first into the water. Aglaea quickly lifted him out, preventing the frail scholar from drowning in a pool only half a person's depth.
He sent out a cough destructively. "What's wrong with you! I didn't bring a change of clothes!" Anaxa finally managed to catch his breath, but was so furious that his neck and ears turned red. Now his beautiful long hair was soaked and clung to his shoulders. No matter what words came out of his caustic mouth, they would hold no sting.
"The Tailor will take care of it for you. Relax for a moment now. Your eyebrows are almost higher than Georios’ back.
“Besides, if you walk out spotless, how are you going to explain that to them?”
A Tailor stepped out of the wardrobe with a thud and presented him with a perfectly sized garment.
Anaxa glared at the Tailor for a while, and finally covered his forehead with a long, resentful sigh.
Anaxa finally developed the habit of bath. From time to time, he would run into Aglaea at the Hero's Bath. And as the time went by, they gradually became familiar with each other. They soon found that they could both offer good insights on matters beyond Flame-Chase Journey, which was a rare surprise for two decision-makers in their respective fields.
Those were very good three years. The spread of the Black Tide nearly came to a standstill, allowing the entire Land of Amphoreus to remain stable on a tightrope. In this city-state that was most adept at prosperity, people almost forgot their fears. When Anaxa departed for the Grove, several colleagues and students who had briefly worked with him came to see him off outside Kephale Plaza. Just as he was about to leave, a sudden gust of wind blew, scattering petals along the Path of Parting. One thought struck him; he looked up to see Aglaea seated atop the high triangular gable, unfallen petals between her fingertips. Below her, laurel branches celebrating victory swayed in the wind, and ochre-red banners fluttered. A whole magnificent holy city studded with lapis lazuli and gold surrounded her, shining brightly in the grace of the throne of the world. This was spring in Okhema.
After that, he set about continuing to advance his personal experiment that had been stalled for three years. The previous collaboration did bring a lot of inspiration, but he found that his thoughts often drifted away from the long summer of the Grove during breaks in work, recalling the distant mural of golden butterflies dancing and the fountain flowing with blessings.
Why didn't he notice before that there were so many Mnestia butterflies in the Grove?
"Why do you need to go this far?"
“The inheritance mechanism of the Cleansers is very troublesome. I need a chance to uproot them."
Although they couldn't be cleaned up thoroughly, at least it could keep them well-behaved for a while. The next few centuries would be very busy. Okhema wouldn't have time to be on guard against these vipers all the time.
Anaxa frowned tightly. "I'll remind you one last time. Alchemy involving life and death is extremely perilous. Even brushing against that boundary for a moment might draw the attention of Thanatos, who watches the boundary day and night."
"Sounds like you speak from experience?"
"That won't directly help you return from the River Styx."
"Do what you shall do." Aglaea remained noncommittal.
So I can never agree with you, Anaxa thought to himself. Autocratic and stubborn to the point of near-paranoia, just like Caesar. Even worse. At least that Caesar would not be pricked by her own authority.
But he had never been able to do anything about her. All he could do was crawling out of the pool, totally wet, and carving an array of divine sigils on the bathhouse floor. He knew that if he refused, Aglaea would try every possible way to find that Dolos' cat for help. Once the matter involves the power of Trickery, it will become extremely uncontrollable. In the worst case, they would not be able to break this lie of death.
"If anything really goes wrong, please take care of my teacher and Cifera for me." She sounded very calm.
Anaxa's hand paused.
"Three important Chrysos Heirs will enter the Grove of Epiphany in this millennium. I'll have to ask you to teach them a bit."
A sharp pain pierced his heart, followed by an uncontrollable rage. What's this?
"Anaxa, What I have promised and will promise to Flame-Chase can never be redeemed. But as long as you are willing, I can still give you 'this moment'."
What an alluring promise!
He turned around and looked at her figure submerged in the pool water. Her golden hair shone as brightly as when he first met her, as if centuries had never passed.
A moment of daze.
"Don't count me among you. My soul belongs only to Truth." After a while, he said coldly.
Judging the possibility of success of a research plan is an essential skill for scholars. Anaxa was not afraid of failures, but some failure were different from others. He would bet on the slimmest possibility for a sufficiently valuable outcome, willing to spend a vast time, make endless attempts, and even risk his life to increase slightly the weight on the side of success. However, there are always things in the world that no matter how much "human effort" is exerted, one cannot reach them. He was unwilling to step into a river that is doomed to dry up. So he stood on the shore, ignoring the golden willows in the water as if his heart had never wavered.
When did he realize the crack beneath her beauty? Mnestia used gold thread to link lovers' fates, while Aglaea used it for surveillance, intelligence transmission, execution, and assassination... going to great lengths. People gradually realized that she was not the kind, gentle, saintly, and compassionate Romantic demigod they had dreamed of, but a ruler whose decisiveness was no less than that of Caesar. When the frenzy of the feasting subsided, they finally discovered that the Holy City, along with the throats of all its people, had been clutched into the talons of a colossal creature that could kill any enemy without a trace of blood.
But for Anaxa, even during those three years when everyone was still dreaming happily, her constant self-tearing could no longer be concealed. Bearing the power of the Titans with an ordinary human's body was like forcibly performing advanced alchemy with unqualified materials. Disintegration was an inevitable outcome. Thanks to his dabbling in certain taboos, he was more familiar with the fluctuations of Titan power than the old antiques of the Worship School. The price Aglaea paid was clearly visible to him.
"You are simply destroying yourself."
Who would tear their soul to pieces and blend them into the gold threads that detects the fluctuations of people's hearts? Anaxa knew that she couldn't be the second Caesar long ago. All joys and sorrows touched by the threads were transmitted to Aglaea at the center of the web, whether she wished it or not, and regardless of her purpose for using the thread. And when her humanity was completely lost, these ripples would become a dose of poison she couldn't resist, preventing her from treating people as tools to maintain her rule like a qualified politician. The only handy tool left would be herself.
The end of Aglaea was as clear as water. She would become unrecognizable, abandoning everything she cherished in life for a so-called mission, and then murder herself in the suspicion and wariness of others. She would surely be betrayed by the city-state she deeply loves, for one day they would no longer be able to understand each other.
Without an oracle, he could foresee Aglaea's future. The gods were no wiser than humans. On what basis, then, did they impose iron laws and constraints to tear apart the path of the Daughter of Human?
"I can't see any wisdom in discarding oneself to the illusory prophecy. Aren't both the Savior and the saved slaves to the oracle? Whether it is a Titan or a re-creation dream, the greatness of fame cannot add even a shred of true meaning to a life driven by rules and fate. The Flame-Chase Journey is nothing but teaching everyone to betray herself!"
"Mind your words, Anaxagoras. You won't be happy to know the consequences of slandering the Titans and the Flame-Chase Journey on other occasions.
"I don't care whether it's an oracle, a human scheme, or a message from the heavens."She said, "As long as it's a feasible way to prevent the destruction of Amphoreus, it's worth a try. Since it requires flame, then I shall chase it.
"Freedom and meaning are worth discussing only after success or failure has been determined. You reject the life arranged by the oracle, but what's the use of breaking it?"
Of course, they could argue endlessly. Anyway, they would never be able to convince each other. Anaxa looked into Aglaea's lackluster green eyes and swallowed back all the words that were about to fall on his lips.
Then why did you appear before me in such resplendent brilliance?
Have you taken into account my wavering, my rejection, my rage? Are they part of the destiny you have woven, or are they not worth mentioning?
Anaxa hated himself for appearing so inopportunely. If it had been a little later, time would have been long enough to abstract Aglaea from a human into a symbol of god. It was precisely at the moment when she had not yet solidified, when this rose had already been watered with rusty blood, the waves of joyous feasts, and sweet saffron wine, when in her flowerbed that a long-wandering cat had lain down. She had been a child and a mother. She killed ROMANCE and brought it back to life. Every role in Aglaea's life had been vividly portrayed, each leaving her a mark that would shine eternally in her future. But when Anaxa met her, she was already prepared to temper herself into a stone and build it into the tottering foundation of this world.
The first time the fox saw the rose, he knew he had lost the chance to be tamed.
So, do you want me to stand by and watch you torture yourself to death, to observe a long and cruel withering up close?
No way, Aglaea. You wish!
Anaxa let go of his hand, and the demigod slipped from his arms. Her face was like an exquisite, perfect marble statue, making one can't help but imagining how vivid and charming her eyes would be when awake.
Romance! How dare you call yourself Romance!
He lowered his head expressionlessly to examine for a moment, straightened his robes, and then walked out of the bathhouse. If one didn't look closely at the water stains spreading from the tips of his hair onto his robes, he still appeared quite decent at the moment.
Anaxa announced to the air before him, "Aglaea, the Lady of Gold Weave, is dead."
A Cleaner rushed in to confirm. Soon, Anaxa heard waves of uncontainable cheers.
"Did you hear that? He said the Gold Weave is dead!" "The Gold Weave is dead!" "The Gold Weave is dead!"
The coiled serpents, long bound by the gold thread, poked their heads out one after another, breathing in the long-lost freedom. Caenis stepped forward from the shadows and patted Anaxa on the shoulder. "Thank you, Mr. Anaxagoras. You are truly a trustworthy and loyal ally."
Anaxa curled the angulus oris of his mouth perfunctorily.
The next day, the puppet put out by the Cleaners announced at an emergency citizens' assembly that Aglaea, Governor of Okhema and the leader of the Chrysos Heirs, had been assassinated by the "Mad Sage of the Grove of Epiphany", Anaxa. In a time of turmoil, the Senate, as always, stepped forward to take charge and lead Okhema to continue surviving the end times.
The venue erupted into an uproar. Amid the panicked chatter, Anaxa burst into laughter. Just as he was about to fully display his sharp tongue, he was interrupted by a golden voice.
"Speak less, Anaxa. There is no need to add a sage's words to such definite and simple facts." Aglaea walked into the venue with clear, crisp footsteps. A Tailor threw Caenis, in shackles, into the center of the crowd and took out a communication tablet to project images of her private dealings with the senators.
"Caenis, leader of Cleaners bandits, poisoned the Chrysos Heirs at Marmoreal Palace and, after the incident, colluded with the 27 senators of Okhema to attempt a coup. All participants in the rebellion have been apprehended by the Tailors and are awaiting trial. The evidence will be displayed on the Dawncloud for three days to reveal the truth. Anaxa was my old friend. Last night, he was unexpectedly drawn into the assassination scene at the Marmoreal Palace. He had nothing to do with the coup.
"The above is the full account of the incident. If any doubts remain, you may view the recordings made by the Tailors after the assembly.
"The precious time of citizens' gathering should not be wasted on conspiracy. Since there are no other arrangements, I hereby propose a motion: regarding the resettlement of refugees from friendly countries...
She had secretly eliminated all dangerous factors in a single morning and thus ensured Okhema's internal stability for centuries to come. A very beautiful victory.
"Haven't you ever thought about what to do if I really give you poison?" "
"It doesn't matter to tell you." Aglaea said with a light smile. "On the day I received the flame, I learned my fate from Mnestia: 'You will take your final bath in warm and dazzling gold.' "
"So, just because of one oracle, you think it doesn't matter if you die there? The Titan's delirious words are so effective against Okhema's Gold Weave, making you accept all so-called fates, no matter how absurd their endings are?" Anaxa bit out each word one by one. Only in this way could he maintain the dignity of a scholar.
"It has been two centuries since I received the prophecy, and I have never given up one private bath chance because of it."
"Oh! Your unwavering love for bathing must even make Phagousa feel inferior. Truly an honor for me to be part of it."
Aglaea was amused by him again: "Don't behave this way, Anaxa. We both know that I have decided long ago to give everything for the Flame-Chase Journey. I have never doubted that you understand this, even if you don't agree.
"Of course I will be prepared for my death, whenever it comes. You needn't doubt that If you had really tampered with the honeyed wine that day, I would have you and other Chrysos Heirs taking the responsibilities you should bear as I wish. However, if possible, I would still enjoy pleasure and romance to the fullest while death has not yet arrived and I have not completely lost my humanity, whether it is a bath or something else."
Anaxa once again felt the danger. Here it came again. She had always been so self-willed, caring not at all—
"I just think that if I were destined to find eternal rest in the Marmoreal Palace, then perhaps archive it that night would not be a pity. For a demigod of ROMANCE, nothing is more romantic than—"
"No." Anaxa's jaw tightened from the strain of control. "Enough! Stop talking."
I would never enter such a relationship. I would never let both of us fall into the most absurd and sorrowful foreseeable situation merely because I couldn't control a momentary desire.
So he made an exaggerated bow. "The fool, Anaxagoras greets you," Anaxa placed his right hand on his chest, "May you be fortunate, may you succeed, may you attain what you seek!"
Aglaea looked at him and nodded. "I see."
For centuries after that "incident", Anaxa rarely left the Grove of Epiphany. His name and arrogant remarks still spread from time to time on the streets of Okhema. But when people came to their senses, they hadn't seen him for a long time.
The new Caenis was a senior of prominent birth. Her intelligence network gradually recovered through the gaps in the gold threads.
Two Chrysos Heirs entered the Grove of Epiphany to study. Previous reports claimed they were strong contenders for the flames of Strife and Death.
"Grove of Epiphany? Was that Aglaea's arrangement? Who is their teacher?"
"Anaxa, a sage of the Nousporists."
"That blasphemous lunatic? Seems they were just two ignorant country folk acting on their own. There's no need to pursue this line further."
"We have screened the information of 148 Chrysos Heirs. Among them, the list of those most likely to cooperate with the Cleaners at the new citizens' assembly is as follows: First, Anaxa, sage of the Nousporists, long opposed Flame-Chase Journey..."
"Let's take the first one. Bring him over tonight. Be quick and agile."
"Aglaea." As he left that day, Anaxa called out to her once more.
The Lady of Gold Weave turned sideways at the temple door. Backlit, only her silhouette was visible.
"Sometimes I feel that I would must regret not killing you one day."
"You can try again anytime."
Without hesitation, she stepped out of the magnificent temple.