Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter introduces the Universal Law of Truth, which states that all things contain Truth.
• Pelaya, a Grand Scholar, explains the Truth Ritual, a powerful tool created by the Tower of Reason, which can modify existing objects by rearranging their faith cores, making them equal.
• It's revealed that the Truth Ritual uses human lives as 'raw material' for its experiments.
• Cheng Shi questions Pelaya about the necessity of using human lives, and she explains that people have the highest and most stable Truth content in their faith cores, making them the most efficient choice.
• Pelaya reveals that the Scholarly Council prohibits self-destructive Truth exploration methods to prevent the nation from self-destructing due to scholars' madness.
• Meng Youfang summons Pelaya and expresses admiration for her devotion to Truth.
• Cheng Shi asks Pelaya why she betrayed the Scholarly Council, and she responds that she doesn't regret it, as there's more to the world than just Truth.

Character Developments

• Pelaya is introduced as a stable, knowledgeable, and devoted believer in Truth. She shows no remorse for the Tower of Reason's use of human lives in experiments.
• Cheng Shi demonstrates critical thinking and questions Pelaya's explanations, showing his intelligence and unwillingness to accept things at face value.
• Meng Youfang is revealed to be delusional, believing himself to be a believer in Truth like Pelaya.

Significant Themes

• The value of human life versus the pursuit of knowledge and Truth.
• The consequences of unchecked devotion to an ideology.
• The tension between personal beliefs and the greater good.

Character Interactions

• Pelaya lectures the Players about the Truth Ritual, showing her authority and knowledge.
• Cheng Shi questions Pelaya, challenging her beliefs and showing his intelligence.
• Meng Youfang interacts with Pelaya, admiring her devotion to Truth and revealing his own delusion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pelaya, the Grand Scholar, reveals that the Scholarly Council plans to rewind time to prevent her betrayal and restore Tusnat.
• The rewind will target the spacetime connection between Pelaya and the [Desolate Walker], potentially eliminating Pelaya's influence.
• The Players learn about this plan, but Pelaya doesn't provide the ambush location due to uncertainty and her own agenda.
• Fang Yuan leaves the group, planning to investigate the southern part of the city alone.
• Cheng Shi decides to split up, sending Hu Xuan to investigate the north and preparing a play involving the Twilight Church.

Character Developments

• Pelaya: Shows her hatred towards Galiusha and the Scholarly Council, hinting at a complex relationship.
• Cheng Shi: Demonstrates strategic thinking and adaptability in changing plans based on new information.
• Fang Yuan: Exhibits independence and a desire to distance himself from the group, possibly due to Pelaya's delusional state.

Significant Themes

• Time manipulation and its consequences.
• Betrayal and its impact on relationships and power structures.
• The struggle between different factions and ideologies (Truth vs. Foolishness).

Character Interactions

• Pelaya and the Players: Pelaya shares information but keeps her true intentions hidden, while the Players try to understand and assist her.
• Cheng Shi, Fang Yuan, Hu Xuan, and Meng Youfang: They discuss and decide on a plan of action, with Cheng Shi taking the lead in strategizing and assigning tasks.
• Cheng Shi and the Twilight Church: Cheng Shi plans to interact with the Twilight Church, implying a potential confrontation or alliance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Xuan leaves the courtyard without acknowledging the new arrival, surprising Cheng Shi.
• Cheng Shi puts on a clerical robe and confronts the Twilight Church's representatives, cursing them and giving orders.
• Galiusha arrives and recognizes Cheng Shi, but doesn't immediately confront him.
• Cheng Shi orders the Twilight Church representatives to create chaos and blaspheme against Order, and they leave.
• Cheng Shi addresses Galiusha, revealing he knows her true identity.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Shows confidence in his identity and ability to deceive the Twilight Church. He's also strategic, using Meng Youfang as a potential scapegoat. He's surprised by Galiusha's presence but maintains composure.
• Galiusha: Shows restraint in not immediately confronting Cheng Shi. She's more guarded and less impulsive than before, hinting at personal growth.

Significant Themes

• Deception and identity: Cheng Shi uses his knowledge and confidence to deceive the Twilight Church, while Galiusha hides her recognition of him.
• Power dynamics: Cheng Shi asserts dominance over the Twilight Church representatives, while Galiusha submits to his authority, at least temporarily.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Galiusha: Their interaction is tense and filled with unspoken tension. Cheng Shi acknowledges their history, while Galiusha maintains a guarded demeanor.
• Cheng Shi and the Twilight Church representatives: Cheng Shi asserts his authority, cursing them and giving orders. They submit to his commands, showing the power dynamic between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi encounters Galiusha, now a believer of "Foolishness," who has drastically changed from her previous self.
• Galiusha, driven by her belief in "Foolishness," is purging "foolishness" (wisdom and knowledge) from the world, targeting scholars but sparing ordinary civilians.
• Cheng Shi tries to understand Galiusha's motivations and considers using the Death Amusement Ring to control her.
• Galiusha reveals her belief that humanity's suffering is caused by their pursuit of wisdom, and she aims to remove "Truth" from the masses to prevent further tragedies.
• Cheng Shi realizes that Galiusha's devotion to "Foolishness" is a recent development, influenced by the underground movement.

Character Developments

• Galiusha: From a vengeful individual to a sage-like figure devoted to "Foolishness," believing that ignorance will bring peace to the world.
• Cheng Shi: Realizes the extent of Galiusha's change and her new beliefs, leading him to question his initial assumptions about her.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of pursuing wisdom and knowledge.
• The potential dangers of unchecked human ambition.
• The duality of beliefs and their interpretations (e.g., "Foolishness" as a force for peace or destruction).

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Galiusha: Cheng Shi tries to understand Galiusha's motivations, while Galiusha is suspicious of Cheng Shi's true intentions.
• Galiusha and the Benefactor: Implied interaction, as Galiusha's devotion to "Foolishness" is influenced by the underground movement, which is likely connected to her Benefactor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Galiusha leaves, and Cheng Shi doesn't pursue her, marking her instead for future control.
• Meng Youfang, president of the Worship God Society, interacts with Cheng Shi, recognizing him as an old friend and a subordinate of [Chaos].
• Cheng Shi reveals his true identity as an Emissary of [Deception] and a subordinate of [Void], aiming to accelerate the [Deception] container's speed.
• Cheng Shi tries to convince Meng Youfang to end his trial early, but Meng Youfang refuses, insisting on reclaiming his throne.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates his cunning and manipulative nature, using his intelligence to outwit Meng Youfang.
• Meng Youfang's delusion deepens; he believes he is a God and that Cheng Shi is his subordinate, but he remains suspicious of Cheng Shi's intentions.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Truth: Cheng Shi uses deception to manipulate Meng Youfang, while Meng Youfang struggles to discern truth from lies in his delusional state.
• Power and Control: Both characters seek power and control, with Cheng Shi aiming to manipulate events and Meng Youfang striving to reclaim his perceived divine power.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Meng Youfang engage in a complex dance of manipulation and counter-manipulation, with Cheng Shi trying to control Meng Youfang and Meng Youfang trying to maintain his delusion and reclaim his perceived power.
• Cheng Shi uses his understanding of Meng Youfang's delusion to try and convince him to end his trial, while Meng Youfang remains steadfast in his belief that he is a God and that his trial must continue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi and Meng Youfang meet, and Cheng Shi tries to deceive Meng into lowering the trial's difficulty, but Meng sees through it.
• Wei Zhi, the Martial Expert, appears and offers Cheng Shi the brains of two Grand Scholars as a token of gratitude.
• Cheng Shi accepts the brains but doesn't reveal Zainjil's location, instead fabricating that he's on the Divine Pillar of [Procreation].
• Wei Zhi reveals that the Grand Scholars are in the warehouse at the lumber market in the west of the city.
• Cheng Shi decides not to go to the west but heads in the opposite direction.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Shows his cunning and manipulative nature, trying to deceive Meng Youfang. He accepts the brains of the Grand Scholars without hesitation, demonstrating his ruthlessness. He also shows a lack of respect for the Great One.
• Meng Youfang: Shows appreciation for Cheng Shi's serious attitude towards the trial but is not deceived by Cheng Shi's attempts to manipulate him.
• Wei Zhi: Reveals his desperation to find Zainjil and his willingness to make a deal with Cheng Shi. He shows anger when he suspects Cheng Shi is lying but ultimately chooses not to confront him directly.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Deception: The chapter explores the theme of trust and deception, with Cheng Shi trying to deceive Meng Youfang and Wei Zhi, while Meng and Wei Zhi try to discern the truth.
• Power and Manipulation: The characters use their powers and influence to manipulate each other, highlighting the theme of power dynamics in their relationships.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Meng Youfang: Cheng Shi tries to deceive Meng, but Meng sees through his attempts, leading to a tense but respectful interaction.
• Cheng Shi and Wei Zhi: Cheng Shi manipulates Wei Zhi, accepting his offer but not revealing Zainjil's location. Wei Zhi becomes angry but ultimately chooses not to confront Cheng Shi directly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi isn't rushing to find the Grand Scholar, as there's still time and he has the Twilight Church's decree.
• He witnesses the Bellringer Knights' chaos in Tusnat, with Galiusha preparing to assault the Tower of Tomorrow's Truth.
• The Twilight Church intervenes, ordering a temporary halt to chaos, and a city-wide prayer to the Lord of Chaos is held.
• Cheng Shi searches the west of the city, finding an underground entrance near the lumber warehouse, but feels something is amiss.
• He leaves, and a hidden figure (later revealed to be Wei Zhi) watches him go.
• Cheng Shi continues searching, finding more underground spaces, and returns to the Tower of Tomorrow's Truth as the assembly time approaches.
• Galiusha and the Bellringer Knights are attacking the tower, with brutal and chaotic tactics.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: He's cautious, strategic, and observant, noting anomalies and calculating possibilities. He's not reckless and takes his time to investigate thoroughly.
• Galiusha: She's shown to be more mad and ruthless, using brutal tactics and even desecrating the dead to spread her chaos.

Significant Themes

• Order vs. Chaos: The tension between order (represented by the Twilight Church's intervention and the scholars' resistance) and chaos (represented by the Bellringer Knights' actions) is a central theme.
• Madness and Wisdom: Galiusha's character explores the idea that time can bestow both wisdom and madness.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and the Hidden Figure (Wei Zhi): There's a cat-and-mouse dynamic, with Wei Zhi watching Cheng Shi and possibly using him to clear the way.
• Galiusha and the Scholars: Their conflict represents the clash between chaos and order, with Galiusha's actions pushing the scholars to defend their beliefs more fiercely.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Square and Round, Cheng Shi, and Meng Youfang meet at the ruins to discuss their findings.
• They reveal they've found no trace of the Grand Scholars in their respective search areas.
• Cheng Shi shares that he found a hidden space in the west of the city, which could be a trap.
• Chen Yi, who was secretly present, takes the bait and enters the hidden space.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates his cunning and manipulative nature, setting a trap for Chen Yi.
• Chen Yi shows impulsiveness and lack of caution, falling for Cheng Shi's trap.
• Meng Youfang displays his eagerness to face trials head-on and his respect for [Order].

Significant Themes

• Deception and Truth: Cheng Shi's deceptive tactics contrast with the theme of truth in the city of Tusnat.
• Caution vs. Impulsiveness: Cheng Shi's caution is juxtaposed with Chen Yi's impulsive actions.
• Respect and Loyalty: Meng Youfang's respect for [Order] is highlighted.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi manipulates the situation to make Chen Yi enter the hidden space.
• Meng Youfang misunderstands Cheng Shi's intentions and believes he's being cautious for his safety.
• Chen Yi's impulsive action surprises everyone, including Cheng Shi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yi, driven by his devotion to [Memory], decides to break the formation despite knowing it's a trap set by Cheng Shi.
• Chen Yi uses Pelaya, whom he captures, to break the formation by threatening her lover's life.
• Players, led by Cheng Shi, arrive to find Pelaya breaking the formation, not Chen Yi.

Character Developments

• Chen Yi's obsession with [Memory] deepens; he's willing to do anything to please It, including threatening Pelaya's life.
• Pelaya, driven by her love for Galiusha, risks her life to break the formation and save him.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and its consequences (Chen Yi's love for [Memory]).
• Love and sacrifice (Pelaya's actions to save Galiusha).
• Manipulation and power dynamics (Chen Yi's manipulation of Pelaya, Cheng Shi's scheme).

Character Interactions

• Chen Yi and Pelaya: Chen Yi threatens Pelaya to break the formation, showing his ruthlessness and obsession.
• Cheng Shi and Chen Yi: Cheng Shi suspects Chen Yi's involvement in Pelaya's appearance, leading to a tense standoff.
• Pelaya and the players: Pelaya's unexpected appearance raises questions and concerns among the players, especially Cheng Shi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi, realizing the trial's severity with Destiny's appearance, observes the array's breaking and Pelaya's capture.
• He decides to investigate the Grand Scholars' situation and determines the trial's difficulty.
• Cheng Shi, Square and Round, and later Fang Yuan encounter Grand Scholars Asgis, Burza, and Nellyville, who seem controlled and hostile.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Shows caution and strategic thinking, demonstrating his ability to adapt to unexpected situations.
• Square and Round (Fang Yuan): Exhibits wariness and determination, refusing to be used as a test subject by Cheng Shi.
• Grand Scholars (Asgis, Burza, Nellyville): Revealed to be controlled, possibly by Galiusha, and hostile towards the players.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Cheng Shi's actions raise questions about his intentions, while Square and Round's wariness highlights the theme of trust in the face of uncertainty.
• Control and manipulation: The controlled Grand Scholars and Galiusha's potential interference emphasize the theme of external forces manipulating events.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Square and Round (Fang Yuan): Their interaction shows a mix of cooperation and tension, with Square and Round being cautious of Cheng Shi's deceptive tactics.
• Cheng Shi and the Grand Scholars: The hostile encounter with the controlled Grand Scholars highlights the players' lack of understanding about the true situation and the Grand Scholars' intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi and Fang Yuan are attacked by three Grand Scholars controlled by an unknown entity.
• Cheng Shi uses his abilities to evade Nellyville's attacks, while Fang Yuan uses his staff to create a barrier of flames.
• The Grand Scholars attempt to cast a large-scale magic, Tusnat's [Truth] Strangling Array.
• Cheng Shi decides to investigate the inner space, promising to return in 5 minutes to help Fang Yuan.
• Fang Yuan threatens the Grand Scholars with the key to the [Wrath of Abomination] cage to buy time. The Grand Scholars stop their attack, awaiting Cheng Shi's return.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates his agility and ability to evade attacks, as well as his trustworthiness in promising to return to aid Fang Yuan.
• Fang Yuan shows his strategic thinking by attempting to negotiate with the Grand Scholars and using the key as a threat.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust is highlighted as Cheng Shi promises to return and Fang Yuan believes in his promise.
• The theme of negotiation and diplomacy is explored as Fang Yuan attempts to buy time through a threat rather than immediate combat.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Fang Yuan work together to defend against the Grand Scholars, showing a level of teamwork and understanding.
• The Grand Scholars are revealed to be puppets, controlled by an unknown entity, highlighting the theme of manipulation and lack of autonomy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi infiltrates the experimental site, discovering that the Grand Scholars are puppets and the experiment is proceeding smoothly.
• He learns that many scholars are about to be sent back in time as part of the regression experiment.
• Cheng Shi spots a potential threat in the first echelon of regressing scholars and raises the alarm.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates his quick thinking and adaptability, managing to infiltrate the experiment site and identify a potential threat.
• The Grand Scholars are revealed to be puppets, suggesting a level of deception within the Scholarly Council.

Significant Themes

• Deception and trust: The puppets and potential traitors highlight the theme of deception and the importance of trust in this world.
• The consequences of failure: The smooth progress of the experiment contrasts with its historical failure, raising questions about the potential consequences of this attempt.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi interacts with the puppet Grand Scholars, trying to expose the danger without revealing his true identity.
• He encounters Galiusha among the scholars about to be sent back in time, indicating a potential conflict or alliance between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Galiusha, a member of the Brotherhood of Extreme Desire, infiltrates the Tower of Reason's experiment site.
• Cheng Shi discovers Galiusha's true identity and realizes he's been tricked.
• Galiusha activates the regression experiment early, causing a massive explosion.
• Cheng Shi, a Time Walker, uses his ability to rewind time and restart the trial.

Character Developments

• Galiusha demonstrates her cunning and determination to disrupt the Tower of Reason's plans.
• Cheng Shi shows his quick thinking and adaptability, using his Time Walker abilities to retry the trial.

Significant Themes

• The theme of deception and counter-deception is prominent, with Galiusha's infiltration and Cheng Shi's subsequent discovery.
• The power of time and its manipulation is explored through Cheng Shi's abilities.

Character Interactions

• Galiusha and Cheng Shi have a tense interaction, with Galiusha trying to provoke the Grand Scholars and Cheng Shi trying to stop her.
• Cheng Shi's interaction with the Grand Scholars is brief but significant, as he tries to warn them about Galiusha's plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi returns to the underground laboratory, disguised as a scholar.
• He alerts the university scholars about Galiusha's infiltration and her subordinates among the scholars.
• A review is initiated to identify the infiltrators.
• Cheng Shi recognizes a suspicious scholar, Kolius, who attempts self-destruction but is stopped by Cheng Shi.
• Explosions occur on two other experimental platforms, revealing more of Galiusha's subordinates.
• Galiusha reappears on the departure platform, dragging scholars' corpses, and reactivates the experimental apparatus.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates his resourcefulness, quick thinking, and combat skills.
• University Scholar Volent shows decisiveness and trust in Cheng Shi's words.
• Galiusha's desperation and madness become evident as she attempts to sabotage the experiment.

Significant Themes

• Trust vs. Suspicion: Scholars initially trust their peers but must grapple with the possibility of infiltration, leading to suspicion and vigilance.
• Sacrifice: Galiusha and her subordinates are willing to sacrifice themselves to achieve their goals, highlighting the theme of self-sacrifice for a cause.
• Time Manipulation: The ability to travel through time and the consequences of such actions are central to the plot and character motivations.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi interacts with the university scholars, providing them with crucial information and assisting in identifying infiltrators.
• Galiusha and her subordinates interact with the scholars, attempting to sabotage the experiment and further their own goals.
• The scholars interact with each other, displaying trust, concern, and vigilance towards their peers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi is puzzled by Galiusha's actions, as she's activating experiments instead of sabotaging them.
• Cheng Shi decides to devise a plan to outwit Galiusha and races against time.
• He encounters Chen Yi, an Old Day Hunter, and manipulates him into helping by offering to create a replica of [Memory]'s eyes.
• Cheng Shi infiltrates the experimental field by impersonating a Grand Scholar, aiming to cooperate with Volent, the top-ranked Grand Scholar.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates strategic thinking and manipulation skills, showing growth in his ability to handle complex situations.
• Chen Yi struggles with his faith and temptation, revealing his devotion to [Memory] and his willingness to do anything to keep [Memory]'s eyes close.
• Volent shows unflappability and deep thinking, proving himself a worthy ally for Cheng Shi.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Deception: Cheng Shi uses deception to manipulate Chen Yi and infiltrates the experimental field by impersonating a Grand Scholar.
• Faith and Temptation: Chen Yi's struggle highlights the theme of faith and temptation, showing how far he's willing to go for his beliefs.
• Trust and Cooperation: Cheng Shi's decision to work with Volent emphasizes the importance of trust and cooperation in achieving their shared goals.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Chen Yi: Cheng Shi manipulates Chen Yi into helping him by playing on his devotion to [Memory].
• Cheng Shi and Volent: Cheng Shi decides to trust and cooperate with Volent, recognizing his strategic thinking and unflappability.
• Chen Yi and Cheng Shi: Chen Yi, despite knowing Cheng Shi is manipulating him, agrees to help, showing his desperation to keep [Memory]'s eyes close.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi realizes the Scholarly Council has been infiltrated by Galiusha's moles, including the security scholars.
• He speculates that Galiusha might be guiding the experiment to achieve her own goals.
• Cheng Shi infiltrates the experimental area again, discovering that a significant portion of the scholars are moles.
• He encounters Aciel, a scholar he previously knocked out, and they have a brief exchange about adaptability and [Truth].
• Galiusha repeats her actions from the previous experiment, killing the scholars on the departure platform and sending two unknown scholars back through the spacetime channel.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Becomes more suspicious of Galiusha's motives and decides to follow her plan to see where it leads.
• Aciel: Shows resilience and adaptability in their response to Cheng Shi, revealing their understanding of [Truth] as something that can adapt.

Significant Themes

• Infiltration and manipulation: Galiusha's moles within the Scholarly Council raise questions about trust and loyalty.
• Adaptability vs. rigidity: Aciel's response to Cheng Shi highlights the theme of adaptability within the pursuit of truth.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Aciel: Their brief interaction reveals Aciel's understanding of [Truth] and their adaptability, contrasting with Cheng Shi's initial expectations.
• Galiusha and the Grand Scholars: Galiusha's bold actions challenge the authority of the Grand Scholars and the Scholarly Council.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi, disguised as a scholar, infiltrates the experimental field to find the two scholars he previously saw but didn't recognize.
• He sneaks in using deception and manipulation, convincing the guard, Cadil, to let him through.
• Cheng Shi discovers that the two scholars are Grindel (deputy captain of the seventeenth small team of Iron Law Knights) and Melina (Galiusha's former personal guard), who had been sent to infiltrate the Grand Inquisition.
• Galiusha and other scholars rush in, and Cheng Shi holds Grindel and Melina hostage. He reveals that he knows about their true identities and the experiment's purpose.
• Melina (disguised as Pelaya) speaks, shocking Cheng Shi, and Galiusha attacks him, leading to a massive explosion that sends Cheng Shi back to Tusnat City.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Shows his cunning and adaptability in deception, but is also shown to be bewildered and confused by the revelation about Melina/Pelaya.
• Galiusha: Reveals her desperation and willingness to do anything to save the Tower of Reason, including manipulating her own people.
• Melina/Pelaya: Reveals a connection between the two, with Pelaya's voice coming from Melina's mouth, suggesting a deeper relationship or manipulation.

Significant Themes

• Deception and manipulation: Cheng Shi uses these to infiltrate the experimental field, while Galiusha uses them to control her people and the experiment.
• Identity and loyalty: The true identities of Grindel and Melina/Pelaya challenge their perceived loyalties and the nature of the experiment.
• Power and desperation: Galiusha's actions show her desperation to maintain power and save the Tower of Reason, even at great cost.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Cadil: Cheng Shi manipulates Cadil into letting him through, showing his ability to deceive and persuade.
• Cheng Shi and Galiusha: Their confrontation reveals the truth about the experiment and the scholars' identities.
• Cheng Shi and Melina/Pelaya: Their interaction reveals a surprising connection and leaves Cheng Shi bewildered.
• Galiusha and her scholars: Galiusha's actions show her willingness to sacrifice her people for the experiment's success.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi discovers that Galiusha, not Pelaya, was the one obsessed with love.
• Cheng Shi summons Chen Yi, who controls a Pelaya, to learn about her relationship with Galiusha.
• Pelaya appears, injured, and Cheng Shi learns that she is Melina from the past.
• Pelaya refuses to explain her actions, and Chen Yi extracts her memories related to Galiusha.
• Cheng Shi reviews Pelaya's memories and finds a connection to Melina's diary.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Becomes more motivated to uncover the truth, using gossip as a driving force.
• Chen Yi: Reveals his loyalty to his 'Lord' (a True God), showing disdain for mortal love.
• Pelaya: Struggles with her feelings, showing suicidal intent when cornered.

Significant Themes

• Love and obsession: Galiusha's love for Pelaya drives the plot, while Pelaya's feelings are complex and conflicted.
• Truth and deception: Characters use lies and manipulation to achieve their goals.
• Mortality vs Divinity: Chen Yi's devotion to his divine 'Lord' contrasts with Pelaya's human emotions.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Chen Yi: Cheng Shi manipulates Chen Yi to extract Pelaya's memories, while Chen Yi remains loyal to his 'Lord'.
• Pelaya and Chen Yi: Chen Yi kicks Pelaya to the ground and crushes her signal flare, showing no mercy.
• Pelaya and Cheng Shi: Pelaya refuses to explain her actions to Cheng Shi, leading to the extraction of her memories.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Melina, a follower of [Truth], is commissioned by the Scholarly Council to deal with renegade scholar Therius.
• She becomes Galiusha's personal bodyguard, aiming to bring her closer to [Truth] to reduce conflict between the Grand Inquisition and the Tower of Reason.
• Melina is targeted by a faction within the Grand Inquisition investigating Kainlaur's connection with [Truth].
• Galiusha changes her perspective due to Melina's influence, viewing the world through the lens of [Truth].
• Therius establishes a connection with Galiusha, causing internal conflict for Melina.
• Grindel eliminates Therius during a death match performance, leading to Galiusha's death due to Melina's momentary lapse.
• Melina becomes obsessed with Galiusha's memory, attempting to engrave her traces into her genes.
• Pelaya, Melina's descendant, inherits her obsession with Galiusha, confiding in her reflection.
• The real Galiusha appears, revealing herself to Pelaya and offering solutions to her experimental failures.

Character Developments

• Melina: Starts as a dedicated follower of [Truth], becomes obsessed with Galiusha, and eventually tries to engrave Galiusha's traits into her genes.
• Galiusha: Initially a precocious young girl, she evolves into a follower of [Truth] under Melina's influence, but dies tragically.
• Pelaya: A genius in [Truth], she inherits Melina's obsession with Galiusha, confiding in her reflection until the real Galiusha appears.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and Inheritance: Melina's obsession with Galiusha is passed down through generations, affecting Pelaya's life and perception.
• Conflict between [Truth] and [Order]: The tension between the Grand Inquisition and the Tower of Reason is a recurring theme, influencing Melina's actions and motivations.
• Mentorship and Education: Melina's relationship with Galiusha and Pelaya's admiration for Galiusha highlight the impact of mentorship on personal growth and worldview.

Character Interactions

• Melina and Galiusha: Melina's mentorship of Galiusha evolves into an unhealthy obsession, leading to Galiusha's death and Melina's descent into paranoia.
• Pelaya and Galiusha: Pelaya's admiration for Galiusha, fueled by Melina's obsession, leads her to confide in Galiusha's reflection until the real Galiusha appears.
• Melina and Grindel: Their partnership in dealing with Therius and rising through the ranks contrasts with their individual motivations and actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi reviews memories revealing Galiusha's manipulation of Pelaya to infiltrate the Scholarly Council and destroy the Tower of Reason.
• Pelaya confesses her love for Galiusha and her plan to return to the past to find a 'perfect' Galiusha, accepting eternal imprisonment in the 'cage of Time' for it.
• Cheng Shi plans to trick Chen Yi into going back in time to prevent Galiusha's rise by eliminating Therius, hoping Chen Yi's belief in 'Memory' ensures his return.

Character Developments

• Pelaya: Realizes her love for Galiusha and accepts imprisonment in the past to be with the 'perfect' Galiusha.
• Cheng Shi: Becomes more deceptive and manipulative, using Chen Yi's desire to meet 'Time' to convince him to go back in time.
• Chen Yi: Desperate to meet 'Time' and gain 'Memory,' agrees to Cheng Shi's plan without questioning its risks.

Significant Themes

• Love and sacrifice: Pelaya's willingness to be trapped in time for her love.
• Deception and manipulation: Cheng Shi's use of Chen Yi's desires to achieve his goals.
• Power and control: 'Truth' seeking to seize 'Time's authority, and 'Time' being too preoccupied to intervene.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Pelaya: Cheng Shi learns Pelaya's story, and she confesses her love for Galiusha.
• Cheng Shi and Chen Yi: Cheng Shi manipulates Chen Yi into agreeing to go back in time, using Chen Yi's desire to meet 'Time.'