Tree King: What? I've become the Abundant Pharmacist?

Chapter 570 Citizens’ Assembly

"period?"

"It might have been an accidental touch." Eve suddenly sensed something was wrong as she was about to turn off her phone.

"How did Danheng, who has mild mysophobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, accidentally touch it?"

"Could something have happened?"

Just as Eve was pondering, Xia Die was already standing in the pool, waving at her.

"Mom, let's go."

"it is good."

Eve didn't have time to think; Aglaia was still waiting for her there, so she could only release Chabao to check on Danheng's situation.

Chabo was a modified search robot discovered by Eve in the lower city of Belloborg. In addition to having extraordinary search capabilities, it was also equipped with star-level weapons and a void system.

After leaving Belloberg, Chappo was always carried by Eve, and when Eve's main body separated into an intelligent clone, she also transferred control of Chappo.

It's fair to say that Cha Bao is a professional when it comes to finding people, and so is Mie Xing.

"let's go."

Eve also stood in the pool, and the two of them headed together to the heart of the cosmic vortex.

................

The primordial vortex.

"You've arrived."

Aglaia's golden thread sensed Eve and the Butterfly.

"Does this also mean that you are willing to accept Oronis's trial?"

“I guess so,” Eve said.

"After all, Oronis entrusted it to me."

Suddenly, Mimi popped out from behind Eve, hands on her hips, nodding in a daze.

Aglaia nodded. "Mm."

"This sacred beast has intricate connections with the Titans, and may be equally indispensable."

Mimi then laughed, "Hehe, thanks to you, I've gone from a 'puppy' to a 'sacred beast'!"

"So you've already admitted you're a puppy?" Eve asked with a smile.

"Mi!! Mimi didn't!" Mimi immediately realized.

“But I still prefer to call you the pink mammal rather than a puppy,” Eve teased Mimi again.

"Humph!"

At this point, Aglaia continued to speak.

"Returning the flame is the duty of the Golden Descendants. I am truly grateful for your great help."

"But please carefully consider the risks of accepting the trial: becoming a demigod means you will relinquish your human identity, take over the divine authority of Oronnis, and bear the 'years' of Onpharos alone."

"From this day forward, your fate will be intertwined with ours, with no possibility of separation—until the end of creation."

"It sounds like you're trying to persuade me to give up?" Eve asked.

Aglaia shook her head. "On the contrary, in terms of the qualifications to become a god, you are the only one I can rely on. But that's precisely why I don't want to coerce you."

"So, I'm just trying to make the pros and cons clear, and I hope you won't regret your decision."

“A very sincere suggestion.” Eve nodded slightly.

"If I change my mind now, do you have a Plan B?"

“Qualified Golden Descendants are extremely rare. If this path is not feasible, I will have to lower my standards.”

“There are still many priests of Janusapolis and their descendants in the city. If there is no other choice, I will select suitable candidates from among them,” Aglaia said.

“The plan is very well-thought-out, but it’s too cruel,” Eve said.

She was aware of the outcome of participating in the trial.

Even Bai E almost lost himself during the trial, let alone the common people.

“Then…” Aglaia said with some anticipation.

“I’m sorry, I’m planning to agree, but a risk assessment is still needed,” Eve said, changing the subject.

"I know about the trials of the Titans of Strife, but I know nothing about the trials of the Titans of Time."

"this....."

"Don't worry."

At that moment, Mimi flew out.

"That person... although a bit willful, has never hurt us."

"Myths say that Eulonius resists mortals, but people think he's just a little timid, like a... child?"

Aglaia asked curiously, "Are you very familiar with that Titan?"

"It's strange. No one else has any experience interacting with it, but the moment Oronis opened his eyes and saw the Pioneer, the memory was already in his mind."

Instead of answering directly, Mimi began to reflect.

"Memory that exists independently of experience?"

Xia Die, standing to the side, spoke up: "Although I don't know the reason, I can testify for Mimi. Earlier in Chongyuan, I heard that Titan's low murmur. Its words were full of pain and resentment... but there was definitely no malice."

Eve remained silent for a moment.

“Alright, in that case, I am willing to accept the trial of the fire.”

Hearing Eve say that, Aglaia finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Since you've made up your mind, go back to the Bathing Palace to rest. Once the ceremony is ready, my master will summon you both."

"etc....."

Before the farewell was over, Eve interrupted Aglaia.

Aglaia immediately understood and said, "As the one who led the way, I am to blame for how things have turned out this way. You have stood up for Ohma time and time again, and a mere cup of honeydew is not enough to express our gratitude."

"In my personal capacity, I would like to present two additional bottles of honeydew to Lady Eve as a token of my gratitude for her help."

"Furthermore, once the dust has settled, I hope we can have another long talk about your journeys home and the curse of the sky... It's time to break the taboo and put these issues on the table."

Eve was finally satisfied after hearing Aglaia say that.

"Mimi? What about me?" Mimi asked, pouting.

"As for sacred beasts, how about trying our special feast in Ohema? You can eat anytime, anywhere, whenever you want."

"Mimi! Yay! Yay!" Mimi was so happy she felt like she could fly.

Eve frowned slightly. "Why do you look more and more like some kind of emergency food?"

"Huh? Emergency food?" Mimi tilted her head in confusion.

"Mom, we should go." Xia Die tugged at Eve's sleeve.

Lady Aglaia still needs to prepare for the trial, so it's best if the core of the Genesis Vortex isn't disturbed.

“Mm.” Eve nodded slightly and left the center of the cosmic vortex with Mimi.

.........

Private bathhouse.

After finishing her business, Eve yawned again.

Although my energy has been almost fully restored, I'm still sleepy.

"Mom, I'm leaving."

"it is good."

Eve nodded as she scrolled through her phone.

So much time has passed, and Danheng's chat box still shows the same period, while Chabao hasn't sent any news yet.

"Mom, I'm leaving..."

"Ah."

Eve continued scrolling through her phone.

Xia Die, meanwhile, kept turning back to look at herself as she slowly made her way towards the door.

"Mom, I'm leaving..."

"understood."

Eve still didn't respond, and Xia Die lowered her head in disappointment, heading towards the door.

"Okay, I know what you're thinking. Come here and give me a hug."

Eve's voice suddenly came, and Xia Die stopped in her tracks, immediately turned around and threw herself into Eve's arms.

It's still that familiar warmth, that familiar fresh scent of grass and trees.

Xia Die immediately felt completely relaxed.

I haven't hugged anyone since Shuting came back.

And Mom has turned into a little girl, so I can't hug her at all.

Now that Mommy is finally back to normal, I can hug her as much as I want.

Just then, a "thud" sound came from beside my feet.

"Mimi? Hmm?"

Mimi flew over and picked up the book that had fallen to the ground.

"Mimi, what's this?"

Eve's gaze was also drawn to the book.

Xia Die saw this and immediately explained.

"This is a collection of poems that I lent to Lady Aglaia before, and it was given to me by Lady Tian. Going back further, it was a memento left to her by a bard."

"After the master passed away, his personal belongings should have been disposed of. But Lord Tian knew that I liked reading, so he gave them to me."

"A bard?" Eve asked curiously.

"Could you tell me about the contents of the book?"

"of course."

Xia Die nodded. "It's an allegorical poem: In a faraway land, there was a city-state called Stikosia. One day, a giant dragon, corrupted by a black tide, descended from the sky, like death itself."

"The dragon swallowed the princess of the city-state, and was thus besieged by warriors. The people defeated the dragon, only to find that the princess inside its belly had already died."

"The grieving queen summoned an alchemist who resurrected the princess using dragon's flesh and blood. But she lost all memories of her past life, transforming into another 'dragon' that wreaked havoc... and the prosperous Stikosia was thus destroyed."

“What a dark story…” Eve sighed.

"However, this reminds me of Dulin's matter."

"That's also a story about a bard."

"It's quite remarkable that Mi Die can narrate so calmly..."

“The author of this book is named Alcypia, a bard who traveled to many city-states,” Xia Die continued to explain.

"Among her belongings were poems, dictionaries, and mostly tragicomedy scripts. Books involving mythology had underlines and notes in them, and her handwriting was very elegant."

"While flipping through these books, I felt as if I were witnessing the life of Alcypia... It was like traveling with a complete stranger."

"It's as if she never left, as if she's still alive."

“She probably didn’t think that much about it when she was creating it,” Eve said.

"However, it is precisely this kind of unintentional work that can become the key."

“Yes…” Xia Die nodded.

"Writing, painting, taking photos—wanting to record something in various ways seems to be human nature."

"Speaking of taking photos, when I took photos of my mother before, out of politeness, I couldn't look through the photos in the camera. But I'm also very curious about the story of that 'Pink Cloud Fairy.'"

"I have traveled through many cities of Onphalus, but I have never known the world beyond the heavens. If I had the chance..."

Xia Die suddenly realized something and immediately shook her head: "Never mind, that's all for later... Right now, I just hope that my mother can get through the trial safely and receive the blessing of Eulonis."

Xia Die let go of her hand and picked up the book.

"Then, Mom, I'll take my leave now."

Eve nodded, and Xia Die left the room.

Before Eve could even catch her breath, someone stood at the door and knocked.

“Eve, I’m Bai Er, may I come in?”

"Come in."

Upon hearing the sound, Eve lowered her guard.

Bai E pushed open the door, looking hurried.

"Mi! Is there something good, Xiaobai?" Mimi asked curiously.

She was still thinking about the banquet she had just attended.

"A good thing? I'm afraid not." Bai E shook his head.

"Remember the Senate I told you about? They seem to have some new moves."

“The Senate?” Eve frowned slightly.

When she arrived in Ohmado, she naturally knew some things about the Senate.

Even Aglaia was subject to the Senate.

“Let me add some background information: The Senate is a powerful body composed of representatives from the city-states of Onphalus. It holds the legislative power of the Holy City and is responsible for presiding over the annual citizen assembly,” Bai’er continued.

"This is the most important social event in Ohm, and its influence is so great that it can even affect the direction of the Fire Chasing Journey."

“A citizens’ assembly? Something like the ancient Greek city-states? And ostracism?” Eve had a concept in mind.

"Um... it should be about right, right?" Bai E asked, somewhat bewildered.

Although I couldn't understand what Eve was saying, I still responded anyway.

He continued, “Every five to ten years, the Senate holds a citizens’ assembly at Dawn Cloud Cliff.”

"At that time, the delegates will vote on major issues. For example, whether the Golden Blood, led by Aglaia, has the right to govern the Holy City, and... whether the conquest of the Titans should continue."

“Mimi…it sounds like a mechanism to balance heroes and mortals,” Mimi pondered.

“That’s right.” Bai Er nodded. “But the problem is that there are malicious extremists in the Senate. They see the Citizens’ Assembly as a means to check the Golden Blood and want to use it to completely control the Fire Chasing Journey.”

Let's call them the "opposition" for now.

"At the more than ten conferences held over the past century, the voices supporting the opposition have been growing in the shadows. It is thanks to Aglaia's presence that the Fire Chasing Journey has been able to continue to this day."

"But with the next citizens' assembly about to convene, the situation has taken a new turn..."

"Was it that summer moment in the tree garden?"

Eve immediately pictured the man's face in her mind.

"As expected of Eve." Bai Er nodded.

“I’m worried that Professor Xia will be used by the Senate at that moment.”

“Aglaia will definitely reclaim Cesis’s flame, but the teacher’s current state is extremely special. No one knows the possible effects of removing the flame.”

"The professor has always only cared about his own research, and he must also want to escape the surveillance of the gold thread and protect himself. If, at this time, the opposition extends an olive branch to him..."

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