Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace, inside the bathhouse
"Even today, I still find it incredible. In the crumbling Amphoreus, this is the only place where light still shines. The people of Okhema still use voting to solve problems..."
Watching the arguing Titan believers, Castorice sighed, "This peaceful scene... it doesn't feel like the end of the world at all."
Your expression... seems a little confused.
"Before coming here, I lived for a long time in a snow country called ' Aidelia.' It was a city-state that worshipped Thanatos and was famous for its unique funerary culture."
Castorice told Xing about her past, "And I was once an important part of that tradition."
"Because of your curse?"
"That's right. Now, I am the 'Emperor' of Okhema... but in the past, I was the 'War Saintess ' of Aidelia."
" The Aidelia found me wandering alone in the icy plains, and took my curse as a blessing from Thanatos."
"They believed that my hands could end the errors of the Golden Age and lead the people to meet the great god of death."
"They offered me a place to rest, and in exchange... I needed to treat death row inmates, prisoners of war, and heroes alike, granting them 'merciful deaths.'"
Xing frowned slightly. "Isn't this the executioner?"
"Is that what you think too? But... in my view: whether violent or dignified, death is death..."
"Taking another person's life is never something worth believing in..."
After a while, Xing stood beside Castorice and listened quietly to her story.
"A long time ago, Teacher Trinnon interpreted a prophecy for me."
She said, "At the end of the sea of flowers, the souls of the living will warm your fingertips; after the embrace, there will be Eternity farewell."
Xing keenly grasped the key phrase: Is there such a thing as " Eternity " in this?
"I wasn't surprised by this, because what she said didn't seem like a prophecy, but rather a reflection of my entire past."
"Embraces in this world are meant to be for meeting, but my hands can only say goodbye. At that time, I also had reason to believe that this destiny would ultimately run through my entire life..."
"But now things have taken a turn for the better: now that I can finally have an audience with Thanatos... I still have the chance to write another interpretation of that destined prophecy."
Castorice raised her head and looked at Xing: "... For your sake, and for my own."
Xing smiled back, "I'm glad you're so honest with me."
"However..." she changed the subject, "Should I pretend I didn't hear these things?"
"Ah, I... I'm sorry, I've said too much... I hope I haven't bothered you."
Castorice and Xing talked about the gifts she had given to the other Chrysos Heirs, they unknowingly walked up to "Xing's Gift".
"Let's not talk about that now. We've arrived, sir."
"The item I'd like you to accompany me to retrieve is a small, handmade gift I prepared for you. I wanted to leave a small token of my appreciation for everyone."
"To pay homage to the Titan of Death, this journey is likely uncertain... I think, if I can seize every moment before departure, I'll leave no regrets."
"Giving a gift at this time..." Xing vaguely sensed something was off, but didn't think too much about it. "By the way, is it my big head brooch?"
Even Xing is always glued to his phone; these kinds of gadgets are still quite popular throughout the universe.
Moreover, she specifically inquired with Teacher Ye Yan about whether there were any " Aeon " related merchandise items.
The answer is yes, Ye Yan has a batch of them. If Xing wants, He can ask other Aeon colleagues for a signature.
Hmm... Could the signature of the Aeon also contain unparalleled power?
At crucial moments, draw upon the Aeon's signature, and traveling the world freely is no longer a dream!
Wait... How should Nanook sign " Destruction "?
Besides magnificent beings like Aeon, Ye Yan also possesses a large number of ordinary peripheral items... of course, limited to the " Church of Eternity ".
"No, you'll know as soon as you see it." Castorice turned around. "Look, it's it..."
As a result, the table was completely empty.
Castorice stood there, stunned. "The gift... is gone?!"
"How... how could this happen...?"
"Could we have gotten ourselves into trouble with some kind of 'mysterious phantom thief gang'?" Xing wondered.
"I... I'm not some corrupt adult, am I...?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Castorice noticed what appeared to be a strangely shaped coin and a stone slab on the table.
"Huh? This is... Zagreus's coin, and this stone tablet..."
Castorice seemed to realize something, "It really was her."
"Holy crap, a Cat Phantom Thief... who is it again?"
"As Aglaea Cipher before, the demigod of Zagreus is a thief whose myths and legends have spread throughout Amphoreus..."
"Long time no see, her entrance is still as... awful as ever."
Castorice picked up the stone slab. "Your Excellency, let's follow the instructions on the slab and find Cipher."
Then, Xiang and Castorice began to examine the letter left by Cipher:
Dear " Shut-in Princess ":
Passing by the bustling garden, I discovered exquisite gifts prepared by the " Shut-in Princess " herself. They were exceptionally beautiful, and I loved them.
I also liked the little gifts you prepared for the other Chrysos Heirs.
In the living room on the right side of your residence, there are beautiful felted dolls, tapestries in alternating beige and light purple, and a traditional Aidelia. In the living room on the left, there are pieces of jewelry and small, exquisite works of art prepared as gifts. I noticed them all.
There's also a... very tempting sweet drink?
This time, I only accepted this small gift. I believe it would easily be targeted by a petty thief with no taste, so I reluctantly agreed to keep it for you for the time being.
Of course, I have offered a reasonable price and left a coin here.
If you are not satisfied with this price, you are welcome to contact me to discuss redemption.
However, in that case, I would naturally not be satisfied with the price of a single coin.
If you want to find me, you might as well come to the ' Cloud Stone Market '. There you will find a piece of my golden spear that I left behind. You know what to do; it will lead you to me!
In case you have any questions -- I don't accept any questions.
Please forgive this small intrusion, and please accept my highest respect.
P. S.: Who keeps a bunch of biological specimens at home? It looks kind of creepy. I suggest you put them away when you have guests.
P. S.: Although you spent a lot of money to buy the painting " The Aidelia's Ossuary " for the living room, it is just a fake.
The original work was secretly replaced by the malicious scholars of Grove of Epiphany long ago. For details, please refer to the unpublished " Cifera's Memoirs ".
P. S.: Hmm~ This milk tea tastes good, where did you buy it? Remember to tell me~
Sincerely, Cat Phantom Thief.
After reading the phantom thief's letter left by the Cat Phantom Thief Cipher out of "etiquette" and "morality," Xing and Castorice both fell into deep thought.
" Your Cipher..." Castorice didn't know what to say.
Xing murmured, "Sure enough, no one can escape the 'curse' of milk tea..."
In order to retrieve the gift and teach the Cat Phantom Thief a lesson, Hoshi and Castorice immediately set off for the market.