A few days later, at Dawncloud Cliff
The basic preparations for Canis's funeral have been completed, Ye Yan successfully evacuated with the Fool's Mask and the ice coffin before Cipher arrived.
"Ah, Dawncloud Cliff... My Remembrance of this place are truly a mix of emotions."
"I remember back then... looking down the mountain from here, you could easily spot the ' Goldweaver ' sign."
Cipher shook her head. "A thousand years have passed, and my eyesight isn't as sharp as it used to be..."
A thousand years ago, the Cloud Stone Market
Cipher ran anxiously over to the front of the " Goldweaver " weaving workshop.
" Cifera, you..."
"Seamstress, I ask you! Does Okhema have any rare treasures that even you... um... even our shop doesn't have?"
Aglaea smiled slightly after hearing this, "Of course. I've heard that somewhere in Dawncloud Cliff lies a ' All-World Gem,' said to be a fragment that fell from the Dawn Machine."
"As part of the body of the god Kephale, it is truly priceless; even the ' Goldweaver ' cannot tarnish its pearly luster."
" The All-World Gem..." Cipher repeated the name, a slight smile playing on her lips, "... Ha, I've got it! You go back to work at the shop, I'll go first..."
"... Let me guess what you're thinking, Cifera."
Aglaea ruffled Cipher's hair. "You're probably already planning how to infiltrate Dawncloud Cliff and get your hands on that gem, aren't you?"
"... Hmm." Cipher remained silent.
"You probably also have a next step in mind: to sell it for a good price and then distribute the proceeds to the poor and refugees of the holy city..."
"... Seamstress, were you really not using gold thread to spy on my thoughts?"
"You're only good at covering up lies. But your compassion is always written all over your face."
"Don't deceive yourself. Be honest with yourself... Do you think this is the right thing to do, Cifera?"
Cipher asked, puzzled, "... What else can I do? This is all I can do with my abilities."
"Seamstress, you often said that I have the potential to become a good person, even a hero in everyone's eyes..."
"But I don't know what to do... I can't weave shimmering fabrics like you, nor do I have a beautiful singing voice like Sister Hysilens, and I certainly can't be as knowledgeable as Tribbie..."
Cipher turned around and looked at the milk tea shop opposite the weaving workshop:
"He can't even make a cup of milk tea."
"The only thing I'm good at is what I learned on the streets—those shady jobs that everyone considers shameful!"
"Even so, I still want to be worthy of your choice. Even thieves have the right to dream, right..." Cipher wiped her eyes.
"Ah... I understand, Cifera... I understand."
Aglaea said gently, "You have a million reasons to complain, because fate is just that unfair."
"The road you are about to take is destined to be more winding... On this journey, you will inevitably have to endure people's misunderstandings in the shadows."
"But you must believe one thing: everyone is a unique being in this world."
Even including the legendary three hundred rogues of Dolos... I still firmly believe that you are the only chosen one capable of bearing the divine duty of " Trickery."
"Ah... Aglaea..." Cipher stood there, "If only I could make everyone believe me..."
"I want everyone to believe that the world is a beautiful place... that people in the world are simple and kind."
Cipher asked urgently, "Even if I know it's a lie, if enough people believe it... can a lie become the truth...?"
"A lie is always a lie, Cifera..."
"However, at times... it can indeed be nobler than honesty."
Not long after, Cipher walked into the milk tea shop and told Ye Yan exactly what she had said.
The demigod of " Trickery " hopes people will be kind, while the demigod of " Strife " hopes there will be no more fighting in the world—how ironic!
Ye Yan was fiddling with milk tea at the workbench. "Actually, Guild make a cup of milk tea isn't difficult."
"Um?"
Cipher looked at Ye Yan. So, the shop owner was concerned that he didn't know how to make milk tea?!
"Haha~ If Miss Cipher wishes, I can also offer you guidance."
Ye Yan wiped the workbench with a towel. This milk tea shop will be passed down to March 7th a thousand years later, so cleaning is essential.
As the memory ended, Cipher looked at Kephale, who was carrying the " Dawn Machine."
"Are you planning to just stand there like that? Excuse my bluntness, but that sneaky style doesn't suit you— World-Saving Boy."
Phainon emerged from the shadows. "Hahaha~ I didn't intend to hide it from you, Miss Cipher. I just vaguely sensed that you were preoccupied with your thoughts and didn't want to disturb you rashly."
"Ha... kid, you still have that charming way of speaking."
Cipher put her hands on her hips. "Your presentation at the public bathhouse was pretty good. I admit, I was slightly moved by it."
"Thank you for the compliment. Intuition is a wonderful thing; I had a vague feeling that you were there too."
"... Oh? Then why didn't you call me out then? Why did you wait until now?"
"Because... I guess you also need some time to process your emotions and grieve for her passing."
"Hmph, mind your own business." Cipher looked at Phainon. "Enough with the pleasantries. Tell me, what trouble have you run into that you need my help, as a senior?"
"We've only met a few times, and each time you've gotten straight to the point... I appreciate your straightforwardness," the "senior" said. "Then I'll be frank with you."
"As you can see, Aglaea has won the support of the entire city's citizens for the Chrysos Heirs. The people unanimously believe that the anti- Flame-Chase faction in the Senate murdered her, and the citizens' outrage has left the lurking evil nowhere to hide."
"Even so, the alarm is not completely over. The leader of the ' Purgers,' elder Canis —we still haven't found her body."
"Oh, I see." Cipher rolled her eyes. "You're afraid she'll do something desperate, right?"
Phainon was stunned. "Why would a dead person resort to desperate measures?"
"It's come back to life!"
Phainon:...
"Ahem... Never mind that. The Core Flame of the Kephale has always been enshrined above the Council Theater. I think it will be the last resort for the opponents to hinder the Chrysos Heirs."
" World-Saving, that was a bit of an abrupt shift in topic."
Even if Canis dies, the Senate will send out a second ' Canis '.
This was Phainon's main concern. "In a few days, we will set off to attack Aegle."
"The time when the Chrysos Heirs is away from the Holy City is the best opportunity for them to strike..."