However, contrary to Cyrene's expectations, Anaxa did not immediately ignore or rebuke this "boring" question.
He actually pondered for a moment, a look of earnest recollection appearing on his face.
"Highest... aesthetic value?"
Anaxa repeated, seemingly weighing his words, "If we look solely at appearance, temperament, and the 'radiance' emitted by their very existence, this is a multi-dimensional assessment, not a simple ranking."
Cyrene widened her eyes slightly, finding it hard to believe that Anaxa would actually consider this question.
"Hyacine, the physician of the Twilight Courtyard. She has pink twin-Tail curls, a warm smile, and an optimistic personality, skilled at healing both body and mind. Her 'beauty' lies in a vitality-filled affinity and inclusiveness, like a glimmer in the eternal night, capable of diluting heaviness and bringing hope."
He evaluated his teaching assistant first.
"Castorice, the 'Mortician' of Okhema, daughter of the River Styx. Her temperament is quiet and profound. Her 'beauty' accompanies the theme of 'death,' carrying a kind of illusory, fragile, yet solemn mystery, like a night-blooming cereus under the moonlight."
Next was the companion who listens to the voices of the dead.
"Aglaea, leader of the Golden Descendants, the 'Gold Weaver' of Okhema. With golden hair and green eyes, dressed in luxurious attire, her elegant temperament carries a god-like detachment and majesty. Although I personally reserve my opinion on some of her working styles, objectively speaking, her appearance and demeanor are indeed recognized as 'number one' within Okhema city, symbolizing an ultimate 'beauty' of the 'romantic' theocracy."
He mentioned the leader who weaves fate with golden threads; the evaluation was quite... objective and critical.
"Cipher, the swift-footed thief star, a demigod of the Titan of Trickery. Silver hair and cat ears, agile in movement, with a cunning and lively personality. Her 'beauty' is closer to a kind of wildness, agility, and unruliness, like an elusive meteor or a cunning cat, possessing its own charm within the scope of 'trickery' and 'freedom'."
He didn't even forget the cat-girl who had just tormented him with "cognitive influence."
... (Tribbie, Cyrene)
Finally, he concluded: "As for Hysilens, Kerythra, and others, my contact with them is limited, lacking sufficient samples for a fair assessment. Furthermore, the value of 'beauty' lies not only in appearance, but also in the beliefs, capabilities, and contributions to the world that it carries. Therefore, any single-dimensional ranking is biased."
The words were logically clear and the comments were on point; it could be called a small academic report.
Cyrene listened in a daze, not expecting that someone usually so serious and rigid would, in private... observe so carefully?
Although Elysia's eyes were covered by sunglasses, her slightly parted lips and the way her body leaned forward showed that she was listening with great interest, perhaps even silently taking notes.
She nodded with satisfaction: "Mm-hmm! Very detailed! It seems Mr. Anaxa observes very carefully! As expected, beautiful things are always worth remembering and savoring~♪"
Seeing that the topic was really about to slide in a strange direction, Anaxa stopped it in time.
"Let's end the small talk here."
His tone returned to his usual calmness, "Cyrene informed me that you intend to assist Black Herta in the subsequent liberation work of the Golden Descendants?"
Talking about business, Elysia also reined in her overly jumping thoughts, although her sitting posture remained relaxed: "That's right~ I heard from Madam Herta that those children are still locked in a very sad place. As helpful and loving Flame-Chasers, we are of course willing to help! However..."
She spread her hands, her pink sunglasses turning toward Kevin and Vill-V: "Madam Herta seemed to mention that for us 'visitors from another world' to directly contact the Golden Descendants who are in a special state of imprisonment might cause some... hmm, 'rule' conflicts? Or rather, our existence forms and power properties need to go through some kind of 'Path simulation' adjustment before we can safely and effectively carry out 'persuasion' work?"
Kevin, who had been silent all along, finally nodded.
Vill-V finally switched out of "cool mode," snapped her fingers, and a light flashed across her sunglasses: "That's right! Path simulation! It sounds like a grand 'role-playing stage play' that requires precise planning and extraordinary acting skills! I'm very interested! However, the specific simulation methods, risks, and what kind of 'character settings' and'skill scripts' we can obtain still require further discussion on technical details."
Anaxa nodded slightly; this was one of the core purposes of his trip.
"Regarding 'Path simulation,' the information I have also comes from Black Herta's brief explanation. It seems to be based on a cornerstone rule of the universe called 'Aeons' and 'Paths.' It involves temporarily adjusting your data bodies to simulate traits consistent with specific 'Paths' in order to better confront the imprisonment status of the Golden Descendants."
He looked at Vill-V, "For specific details, you might need to communicate directly with Black Herta's system."
Elysia's smile seemed to brighten even more: "It sounds very challenging! To save our beautiful companions, Elysia will definitely give it her all! ♪"
Kevin still didn't speak, but the corners of his mouth under his sunglasses seemed to move ever so slightly, not knowing if it was in agreement or if he felt the discussion was too childish.
Perspective shift.
The door to the office of Hanya, Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission, was pushed open with a "bang." The dull thud of the door hitting the wall interrupted the silence in the room, where one could hear a pin drop.
Hanya's hand, which was reviewing case files, paused slightly; the tip of her vermilion brush hovered in mid-air, a drop of ink about to fall.
She looked up, her cold, clear gaze directed at the doorway.
Huo Huo was standing there, still wearing those large black sunglasses that covered most of her face. Her Ten-Lords Commission judge uniform was a bit messy, and there was still some dust on the hem of her clothes that hadn't been brushed off.
Her chest rose and fell slightly, as if she had walked back quickly all the way, but her posture was straight. Her cyan Tail was flicking restlessly in small movements behind her, revealing a sense of forced bravado.
Without waiting for Hanya to ask, Huo Huo strode to the desk, took out a somewhat crumpled, folded piece of paper from her bosom, and without even looking at it, slapped it with a "slap" right on top of the pile of official documents waiting to be processed in front of Hanya.
"Mission accomplished!"
Huo Huo's voice came through the sunglasses, muffled but exceptionally crisp, even carrying a hint of impatience, "Abandoned old house, anomaly, has been investigated clearly. It was the remnants of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus playing tricks; everyone has been caught and tied up in the house. This is the report!"
She spoke at lightning speed, as if afraid of being interrupted, finishing in one breath, then taking a deep breath and announcing with all her might:
"So! I quit! Now! Immediately! Right away!"
As the last word fell, she didn't wait for any reaction from Hanya—whether it was to look at the report, ask questions, or remain silent—she simply turned around cleanly, took a step, and walked out the door without looking back. Her footsteps echoed with a thud in the empty corridor, quickly fading away.
The office door was still swaying gently due to inertia.
Hanya put down the vermilion brush, her gaze first falling on the crumpled report paper that had been slapped on top of the pile of official documents.
She didn't pick it up immediately, but quietly looked toward the door, as if she could still see that petite yet inexplicably "aggressive" figure.
After several seconds, she slowly reached out, picked up the paper with two fingers, and unfolded it.
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