Styxia.
In the realm of the dead, Cipher stood calmly on the bridge with her hands in her pockets, gazing down at the deep-purple seawater below, her eyes unfathomable.
"Ugh, this place is seriously bad luck."
What a shame Castorice had to remain in that sea of flowers. Otherwise, it would not have been so lonely here.
"If I'd known, I wouldn't have become a hero."
Behind her, the black-robed swordsman stood in silence, staring straight at her.
Cipher slowly turned around and smiled faintly.
"Black-clad swordsman, Flame Reaver, whatever you call yourself—"
"You really are like a starving hyena... following the scent of the Core Flame all the way here."
"Fine, fine. I'll tell you the truth. I did swap out Aegle's Core Flame, and it's on me right now."
Cipher shrugged at the Fire-stealer.
"You want it? If you do, I'll give it to you."
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Or are you too lazy to talk?"
"Or maybe... you really are like some stupid dog that can't even understand human speech?"
"..." The Fire-stealer took a deep breath, his gaze at Cipher growing colder.
"Seat of All Worlds... Core Flame..."
"Must... reclaim!"
"Pfft—hahahaha!" Hearing his voice, Cipher burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
"Your voice is hoarse and you stutter too. Oh my god, you sound like a zombie..."
"You pathetic thing, I've already figured you out."
"Let me guess. You'd actually been eyeing these last two Core Flames all along, hadn't you?"
Cipher said smugly,
"You were just waiting for the Seamstress to fall, and for Huanzi to leave the holy city."
"As for Aegle's Core Flame, you had no wings and no companions, so even if it was sitting up in the sky, you couldn't get it."
"You could only wait miserably for the Chrysos