The audience was already stunned.
...
: Holy shit, Stelle's already stepping onto a new Path?
: That fast?!
: In the past, it always happened at the most critical moment, clutch saves every time.
: Doesn't the Path of Remembrance feel a bit different from the other Paths?
: This kind of entrance, and this almost casual acquisition...
: MiHoYo wouldn't just casually drop a moment like this, would they?
: It really feels like there's some kind of conspiracy behind this!
: Could there be some hidden truth? A knife coming?
: Probably not, right? It's released so early, there hasn't been enough emotional buildup. How could they stab us already?
: Or maybe it's like Rupert, hiding some explosive truth?!
...
The audience's speculation ran rampant. Because this time, the appearance of the Path of Remembrance came far too early.
Destruction. Preservation. Harmony. When Stelle obtained the power of those three Paths, every single one of them occurred at a critical moment.
Only Remembrance, was obtained during the journey itself, inside a "memory."
It didn't feel nearly as explosive. Based on the audience's understanding of MiHoYo, they deeply suspected that an unknown secret was hidden behind this.
Some guessed there would be a knife. Some guessed a tragic future. The audience's interest was completely hooked.
They really wanted to see what method MiHoYo would use to make the Path of Remembrance leave an equally shocking impression in their minds, just like the other Paths.
On screen. After obtaining the new power, Stelle withdrew from that peculiar, memory-like space.
Inside the Temple of the Three Fates, Dan Heng, Phainon, and Castorice were gathered around Stelle, keeping watch in all directions.
Everything that had just happened in Stelle's mind had, for them, lasted only a brief instant.
Just as the three were on high alert, space rippled, Mem popped out, and Stelle opened her eyes at the same time.
The moment they saw Mem, all three pupils shrank, and they instinctively prepared to attack.
"Mem...?" Mem timidly hid behind Stelle, staring at the three with wide eyes.
"W-wait... She's not an enemy."
Stelle had just exited the memory space. She felt as if a long time had passed, and seeing the three of them again made her feel momentarily dazed.
But sensing their hostility toward Mem, Stelle hurriedly spoke to stop them.
"What happened?" Dan Heng asked.
"That was such a long memory, it seemed like a completely different world..." Stelle held her head, taking a moment to digest everything.
Only then did she briefly recount what had just happened to everyone present.
After hearing Stelle's explanation, Dan Heng looked at her in astonishment. "You mean… just now, you stepped onto the Path of Remembrance?"
Stelle glanced at Mem beside her, then nodded. "I met Fuli, and then… I gained some control over the power of Remembrance."
"Fuli?" Phainon and Castorice exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.
"What is that?" Phainon asked.
"Remember the Aeons that I spoke to you about on the way to Okhema? Fuli is one of them and presides over the path of Remembrance."
Dan Heng replied.
Fortunately, Dan Heng had already talked about Aeon's before, so he only needed a few words to explain the situation clearly this time.
"A god beyond the stars... a miracle that can't be directly perceived by mortal eyes, right?"
Phainon stroked his chin, a trace of interest flashing in his gaze. "Ahh... A god from the worlds beyond the sky. A miracle that is hard to see with the naked eye... Right?"
Castorice looked toward Phainon.
She knew nothing about this, but at the moment she didn't interrupt, only silently committing it to memory, planning to ask later when she had the chance.
Suppressing his curiosity, Phainon shook his head and gave a wry smile.
Whether it was Fuli, the Aeons, or this suddenly appearing Mem, Phainon's interest only lasted for a brief moment.
To him, all of that was too distant.
The most important thing right now was to deal with Nikador and rescue Mydei.
"No." Dan Heng shook his head. "If Mem truly are a creation of Fuli, or have some connection to that Aeon, I'm willing to believe they can wield a power greater than Oronyx's Miracle"
Mem's origins were a mystery, but at the very least, from Stelle's attitude and her account just now, Dan Heng could tell that this little creature was deeply intertwined with Remembrance.
Perhaps the key to breaking the deadlock lay here. Dan Heng's guess wasn't wrong.
After Stelle stood in place and communicated with Mem for a while, she finally figured out Mem's power.
Its ability left even Stelle utterly shocked.
Simply put, Mem's power was as Dan Heng guessed, greater than that of Oronyx's Miracle.
If conditions allowed, Mem could take everyone back into the past.
After hearing this, Phainon's eyes went wide. Clearly, this utterly unreasonable power shattered the simple worldview of this white-haired warrior.
"So that means... For Miss Stelle, history holds no more secrets?" Castorice also was surprised.
Even someone as serene as her couldn't keep the tremor out of her voice. The audience was equally stunned by how absurdly overpowered Memory was.
...
: Holy crap? Isn't this ability a bit too broken?!
: Is the Path of Remembrance really this insane?!
: It's not just memory? It can interfere too? This is way too inflated!
: My god, there have to be conditions or limits, right? Otherwise it's way too bugged!
: Just what is Mem anyway? Such a cute little thing!
: If that's the case, they can break the deadlock! Mydei might finally not have to die again and again!
: Hurry and save Mydei!
: The plot is completely unpredictable now, because the timeline itself can change!
: Amphoreus' hype level just keeps rising.
: Hype is maxed out, are they going to use this power next to go into Nikador's past and try to change things?
: But I still feel like getting this kind of power so easily has to come with a catch. Given MiHoYo's track record, some kind of blade is probably waiting to fall.
: Don't say it, I'm scared! But I still really want to see it!
...
The comments swept past. Most of the audience had misjudged one thing.
Mem's ability cannot change the past.
However, based on the information revealed so far, this misunderstanding was understandable.
Very soon, after obtaining power sufficient to change the current situation, the group left the place and prepared to leave.
Before departing, only Castorice turned back to look at Oronyx once more.
The Titan was no longer whispering. She did not know whether it had seen the person it longed to see, or whether it had used up a great deal of power to help Stelle.
Facing Oronyx, Castorice spoke softly, "I don't know who the "Mother" that you're referring to is, but..."
"Thank you for all your hard work. If Titans can dream... May your dream be a sweet one."
Gentle Castorice, once again massively boosted her favorability in front of the audience.
After that, everyone left the Temple of the Three Fates.
With Tribbie's help, they passed through the Century Gate and returned to Okhema once more.
As the situation was extremely crucial, Phainon did not meet with Aglaea again. He headed to Castrum Kremnos to support Mydei.
As for uncovering Nikador's past secrets, that task was handed over to Stelle.
Of course, there was also Mem. The little Mem which always said things that were childish, yet especially cute. Once again driving the audience into a frenzy.
The group split into two paths, but let's speak of one side first.
Within Okhema City, Stelle and Castorice began searching for "materials."
Mem's power to recreate the past required some details or memories about the past of Castrum Kremnos they were trying to recreate.
And within Okhema City, such specific memories really could be found.
For example, the Mountain Dweller Chartonus, as well as various people who were from Castrum Kremnos. The special memories extracted from these people's memories were the materials.
This task was not difficult. On screen, time flowed rapidly, scenes flashing one after another.
Stelle and Castorice were shown conversing with Chartonus, or talking with a bard from Castrum Kremnos and people in the streets and alleys.
Meanwhile, Mem next to Stelle, captured the memories quietly, recording those fragments.
At the same time, in another place.
In the sky garden of the Marmoreal Palace, Aglaea and Tribbie were meeting with a special guest.
This white-haired lady carried herself arrogantly, her face always wearing a look of disdain.
Before the two Chrysos Heirs, she showed not the slightest respect a mortal should have, instead, she acted as if she were the true master.
"Remember, Aglaea, whether it be the Chrysos Heirs or the Council, our positions are entrusted to us by the people of Okhema."
"Before you attempt to overreach and make decisions beyond your place, take a moment to recall the Chrysos War and what became of those "heroes.""
"If you're not well-versed in that history, have her refresh your memory."
The white-haired lady spoke bluntly, then finally turned her gaze toward Tribbie.
Tribbie rarely showed such a aggrieved expression. She clenched her small fists tightly, yet said nothing.
Aglaea's expression did not change. She said calmly, "Do not be concerned, Elder Caenis. Following the prophecy's guidance, we shall cast down the gods, in the new world, no god will stand above humankind."
Caenis snorted coldly, staring at Aglaea with a scrutinizing, disgusted gaze, speaking without the slightest courtesy: "Heh... I'll hold you to that promise for now."
"The pampered little girl has grown up to be a shrewd politician. Should I be pleased or concerned?"
Clearly unwilling to entangle herself further with Caenis, Aglaea replied politely yet distantly, "My teacher and I have other pressing matters to attend to. Please see yourself out."
A sinister smile appeared at the corner of Caenis' mouth. She understood Aglaea's meaning, she was being dismissed.
But instead of feeling awkward, Caenis seemed to finally receive the reaction she had been expecting.
"Heh..." She chuckled meaningfully, her tone suddenly turning dangerous: "I genuinely hope that at the next Council meeting, you won't be the one standing in the middle, facing the judgment."
The previously bewildered audience, seeing this, finally caught on.
And many began to frown at Caenis. It had to be said, Caenis on screen possessed a strange kind of power.
Even people who knew nothing about her felt immediate irritation the moment she spoke.
Almost all audience shared the same thought.
Who the hell is this idiot? The moment Caenis appeared, she displayed undisguised hostility toward the Chrysos Heirs, along with that inexplicable superior posture.
She felt both idiotic and venomous, like a poisonous snake.
...
: Holy crap! Who is this woman?! She's disgusting!
: Every sentence is dripping with sarcasm, and that look in her eyes is infuriating.
: What gives her the right to talk to Aglaea and Tribbie like that?! This Holy City is being held together by Aglaea alone!
: Damn it, is this bastard still playing power games at a time like this?!
: So damn gross! The Chrysos Heirs are holding everything up, and she's still clinging to her seat of power?!
: You can tell Aglaea and Tribbie are holding back too.
: Suddenly Aglaea feels so much more imposing, damn, as a Chrysos Heirs and leader, she can really endure trash like Caenis for the greater good!
: This part is insane. Just a short scene, and my hatred for Caenis is already maxed out.
: I really want to punch this idiot!
: Scott is ten thousand times better than her!
: Hey! Don't insult my brother Scott, putting him next to this woman is an insult to the Lone Wolf, okay?!
...
In the planet of of Amphoreus till now, only Caenis, in less than three minutes of screen time, through her arrogance, conceit, malice, and contempt for the Chrysos Heirs, successfully earned the strongest negative reaction from the audience.
In the current viewing experience, this was the first time the audience had encountered such a character.
By this point, most people clearly understood how Amphoreus operated.
A city-state entirely sustained by the Chrysos Heirs, yet Caenis still dared to boss them around, even when those Chrysos Heirs were truly risking their lives for these citizens.
All of a sudden, the audience felt their earlier criticism of Aglaea might have gone too far.
Aglaea was still too kind. She wasn't cold, she just wasn't cold enough!
If it were them, they'd have killed this idiot long ago.
With the audience's emotions already stirred to the limit, no one expected, that Caenis still had even more disgusting moves coming next.