ebookland Chapter 581 The Road to Titans
Chapter 581 The Road to Titans
"The debate is now over."
"Please leave in an orderly manner. The Citizens' Assembly will convene soon."
As Lai Gushi announced the end of the debate, the attendees dispersed one after another.
Katniss also left, looking quite pleased with herself.
At this point, the focus of the discussion shifted from the journey to the fire to the Golden Age.
Because of the support of the Senate for the "Return to the Golden Age" by Theodolite and Anaxagoras, the "Suspension of the Fire Chase" became a new topic in the Assembly.
Just as Xia Die and Na Ke Xia were about to leave, Bai E stepped forward and stopped Xia Die.
"Xia Die... what's going on?"
"I....."
Xia Die glanced at that moment in summer.
Xia smiled slightly at that moment, "I disdain to participate in your debate."
"You can say whatever you want."
After saying that, Xia left.
At this moment, Aglaia also came over.
"It seems that sending you to find Na Kexia has actually facilitated your cooperation with him?"
"I..." Xia Die didn't know what to say for a moment.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I know you have a lot of questions to ask, and I will not hide anything from you."
“Please tell us everything.” Aglaia’s tone was devoid of any emotion.
"Xia Die, tell me, what exactly happened when you went to see Teacher Xia?"
"Did he force you?" Bai E asked immediately.
Xia Die shook her head. "No."
"Actually, he showed me... a long and heavy past."
.............
Let's go back in time.
The butterfly yearns for that summer moment.
"Secondly, why do I say this? As I just explained, the answer lies in that journey to death."
"Teacher, you... went to the underworld?"
“That’s right, because I’m a living dead now. But that’s not important. What’s important is—I overheard a conversation between a group of heroes.”
As Xia spoke, a scene of numerous unfamiliar faces discussing the trials of the Journey of Chasing Fire appeared before Xia Die.
Polycia: "Have you heard of it?"
Polycia: "The story of our homeland, the apple of the eye of the sea god—"
Polycia: "It was a small seaside town, enjoying the sea breeze and bright, peaceful times under the rule of a wise queen."
Polycia: "One day, a dragon descended. Its wings could block out the sun, and its claws could cleave the waves..."
Polycia: "It broke into the tower, devoured the queen's most beloved daughter, and now it lingers in the palace, looking every bit like a tyrant."
Polycia: "The Queen gathered three hundred warriors and subdued the dragon with chains. But when she cut open the dragon's belly, she found that the princess had already turned into bones inside. She was heartbroken and wept for days..."
Polycia: "Just then, a smooth-talking scholar arrived at the court. He proposed resurrecting the princess using dragon bones and blood—a secret method the charlatan calls 'alchemy' in the story."
Polycia: "The princess has been reborn. The queen was overjoyed, unaware that the soul of a dragon resided within her. In his quest for revenge, the dragon swallowed the poor queen, the cunning liar, the valiant warrior, and all the innocent people of the city."
Polycia: "What's even more terrifying is that the souls of the dead die with regrets and are rejected by the underworld. The vengeful spirits that linger in the human world form the River Styx, which cannot recede for a long time."
Polycia: "A terrible death devoured everything, and our homeland was destroyed along with it. Until..."
Calypso: "...until?"
Polycia: "Until what? Actually, I don't know either."
Calypso: "Oh dear... Little Polycia, you still love to keep people in suspense as always."
........
"According to you, this is what I used to look like? It is indeed exactly the same."
Serhis looked at the scene before him and couldn't help but ask.
"But what exactly is this?"
"The miracle I created through alchemy. As for what exactly it is and how I did it, I'll keep that a secret for now."
Cecilia said with some displeasure, "Oh dear, is one more trick to keep you in suspense?"
"Quiet down, Titan. Continue to enjoy this wonderful drama, and the truth will naturally come to light."
At that moment, Xia seemed to have pressed the play button, and the scene began to repeat itself.
Calypso: "Dragons... I have heard of that legend."
Polycia: "So what's your take on this story?"
Calypso: "In my opinion, this so-called 'alchemy' is a far-fetched invention by later generations. After all, I doubt you've ever heard of any alchemical tradition in your homeland, have you?"
Polycia: "Indeed. Before I went out to study, I had never even heard of anyone studying this subject."
Calypso: "So just treat it as a fable for children."
Polycia: "A fable... So what lesson do you think this story is trying to teach children?"
Calypso: "I suppose it's something like 'equivalent exchange'?"
Polycia: "Oh? I thought it was something like 'respect for the dead'."
Calypso: "Hmm..."
Polycia: "What, have you been convinced?"
Calypso: "No. I've just realized that I think the same thing as you: life is priceless, and there's little in the world that can compare to it, isn't there?"
Polycia: "Indeed. No wonder you are the most intelligent scholar on earth."
Calypso: "Heh, thank you for the compliment. In that case, on the basis of equivalent exchange, let me return the favor with a question, shall I?"
Polycia: "Of course. What's the problem?"
Calypso: "If I were to teach you the art of alchemy..."
Calypso: "Would you... be able to use this skill for someone you cherish, to bring them back to life?"
Polycia: "What a strange question... Ah, I know! You're trying to trick me into thinking I have someone I like?"
Calypso: "Heh, let's just say that's how it is. I was being presumptuous..."
Polycia: "...Yes."
Calypso: "Hmm?"
Polycia: "All mortals must die. In the future, there will surely be people I cherish most who leave me..."
Polycia: "If such great power truly exists, I should... use it without hesitation."
Polycia: "After all...you, me, and everyone else, we will all eventually face that destined 'moment.'"
It seems that at the heart of the primordial vortex, only the "Death" flame remains unlit among the twelve flames.
The scene shifts, and the scene in front of everyone has become the center of the cosmic vortex.
Polycia: "My moment has arrived. But perhaps it is precisely because I firmly believe that life is priceless..."
Polycia: "I...I'm the one who can't complete the trial."
Calypso: "You will wither, and the dead will sprout from the remnants, and the fire that died with you will be reborn..."
Calypso: "Poor thing, fate is so cruel."
Gnaeus: "Isn't there another way to interpret this?"
Polycia: "I'm afraid its meaning is quite clear: one of us, my sister and I, must make a sacrifice—at the cost of our lives—in order to complete 'our' trial."
Polycia: "Perhaps that's why... the prophecy chose a pair of twins."
Gnaeus: "What a cruel twist of fate."
Polycia: "My sister is prepared to sacrifice herself... but I can't..."
Polycia: "How ridiculous... I already don't have much time left, yet I'm afraid to face death..."
Polycia: "What... should we do...? What if... what if I can't make up my mind in the end..."
Calypso: "Since Caius has left us guidance to save this trial for last... then you have plenty of time to ponder."
Gnaeus: "Good, don't let the fog of the future cloud your mind."
.........
"Trials, prophecies... the topics they're discussing seem vaguely familiar."
As Serhis listened to their conversation, a sense of familiarity arose in his heart.
"But none of these three have ever left their names in the epic. Otherwise, I certainly wouldn't have no recollection of them..."
"Isn't it surprising that the history of Onpharos was a 'chaotic' place before the Titans came into being?" Naksha asked.
Serhis remained silent.
"I have three guesses about this. But for now, let's continue to see."
“Calypso, Polycia… and this warrior… I’ve seen him somewhere before….”
Xia Die felt increasingly familiar with that soldier.
She seemed to remember now, wasn't this the embodiment of the Titan of Strife, Gnaeus?
........
Calypso: "That's all I have to say..."
Calypso: "Gnaeus, are you confident in your trial?"
Gnaeus: "Of course. What worries me is what happens after we defeat it..."
Calypso: "It seems you've made up your mind."
Gnaeus: "Yes, that's the safest way."
Calypso: "Separate 'courage,' 'honor,' 'tenacity,' 'sacrifice,' and 'reason' entirely..."
Calypso: "Sigh...you really know how to pose difficult questions."
Gnaeus: "I entrust this to you, young lady, to bear witness to my fall. Lord Calypso, the 'Soul-Splitting Ritual' will now be performed by you."
Polycia: "I don't understand... why would you dare to sacrifice yourself for a future you can't even witness?"
Gnaeus: "Because that is our destiny. My power is so violent that one day it will engulf me as well."
Gnaeus: "Besides—'To die in battle rather than return in glory'—I have already walked this path. I believe that if it were your sister, or Caius, they would have chosen the same way."
Polycia: "I...I'm not that brave. I don't know how to face something so heavy..."
Gnaeus: "As the chosen one of 'Death,' I still don't know how to face it..."
Gnaeus: "Let's talk, young lady. Perhaps my journey shouldn't have ended so abruptly."
Gnaeus: "There is still time, and I am not afraid to let fate wait a little longer."
........
"Indeed, this warrior... is Lord Gnaeus."
After looking at it for so long, Xia Die can finally confirm it.
"As the divine incarnation of Nicardo, he entrusted his life to us...so that humanity may end his madness with its own hands."
"So, the scene before us is...."
At that moment, a smile appeared on Xia's lips. "It seems that part of my conjecture has been proven: 'These heroes were indeed the Titans in their pre-godhood forms.'"
"If that's the case, then this 'chosen one of death' he spoke of..."
"Polysia...is that what Senatos used to look like? But her appearance..."
Xia Die was somewhat incredulous.
"If that's the case, knowing where she went will naturally lead to the location of the Death Titan."
The butterfly remained silent.
"But before that, we must first witness the outcome for Lord Gnaeus..."
..............
Calypso: "Glory, courage, perseverance, sacrifice..."
Polycia: "In the end... is only 'reason' left?"
Gnaeus: "Cheer up, little girl. There's no need to shed tears for a glorious death."
Polycia: "All partings in this world are sorrowful, Your Excellency."
Gnaeus: "No, little girl: As a warrior, I have seen too many violent deaths. But now, I can only feel tranquility... I didn't know there was such a way to live in this world."
Polycia: "Even though your soul is almost gone, you are still so optimistic... Or is it that you are no longer capable of feeling sorrow?"
Gnaeus: "Frankly, I don't know. But I can confirm this: it's not acceptance of fate, indifference, or despair..."
Gnaeus: "It was just for fun."
Polycia: "Enjoy yourself...?"
Gnaeus: "Exactly. Along the way, I have changed the world and myself by traveling with you."
Gnaeus: "Now, I have reached the end. Looking back at the magnificent poem we have written with our own hands, how can I not feel exhilarated?"
Polycia: "But once you leave this world... won't all of this just vanish?"
Polycia: "Separation and death are two sides of the same coin... How can mortals easily reconcile them?"
Gnaeus: "Finally, let me tell you my own story, little girl."
Gnaeus: "When I first returned from the battlefield, I felt an immense emptiness."
Gnaeus: "On the battlefield, calamity devoured everyone. Only when I returned to the city-state did people hold a rather unpleasant banquet for me. I also felt as if I had remained on the battlefield, and all that had returned was an empty shell."
Gnaeus: "The party ended late at night. I was dizzy and returned to the barracks alone. It was on my way back that I met someone."
Gnaeus: "He was a mad scholar, muttering to himself to the night sky by the roadside. I tripped over him, but didn't get angry. Perhaps it was because I felt so much like him, but I inexplicably asked him a question—"
Gnaeus: "Do you think it would be better for us to die by the roadside like two stray dogs?"
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