Chapter 73: Catching the Person Red-Handed
You thought for a moment, a little hesitant: "Didn't we just exchange a lot of valuable clothes from Aglaea? And it's an unfamiliar place here, what if… Let's just forget it. This money should be enough for us to live for quite a while."
Cipher heard this and reached out to tap your head: "Little Silly Cat! Have you forgotten what we became Rogues for? How much of this money can we use ourselves?"
"Dolos still has so many homeless Little Wildcats waiting for us to return! How can this little bit be enough?" Only then did you suddenly remember, yes, in Dolos, a city where trickery and poverty coexisted, there were many children like you who once struggled to survive on the streets, and they were all eagerly looking forward to the famous Rogue of Dolos City bringing them their only glimmer of warmth and hope.
"So," Cipher said, hands on her hips, righteously, "the more money, the better! Only when there are no more Little Wildcats in Dolos who can't get enough to eat and are left uncared for can we truly retire successfully and enjoy life! It's still too early for that!"
You looked at her sparkling eyes, and the hesitation in your heart gradually dissipated. You nodded: "Alright then, in Ohema, let's pull off a big one!"
Cipher happily hugged you and vigorously rubbed your hair: "That's more like it! This is my Little Cat! Let's go, we'll get ready!"
The operation was set for a "late night" in Ohema... although it was still as bright as day, there would be relatively few pedestrians on the street. You successfully infiltrated the heavily guarded mansion. You were responsible for keeping watch on the periphery, carefully observing the surrounding movements. Cipher, like a true night cat, stealthily entered the treasure room. Everything went unusually smoothly; you didn't find anything amiss.
Time passed minute by minute. You calculated the time; at Cipher's usual speed, she should have come out long ago after getting what she wanted. But at this moment, there was no movement from the treasure room. An uneasiness gradually spread in your heart... Could something have happened to her?
You couldn't wait any longer. You immediately set off, using the techniques you learned from Cipher, quietly climbed over the courtyard wall, and infiltrated the interior of the mansion. As soon as you entered the corridor leading to the treasure room, you sensed something was wrong. Vaguely, there seemed to be voices coming from within.
Your heart tightened, and you quickly pressed against the wall, cautiously moving to the entrance of the treasure room. You heard an incredibly familiar voice say: "...Oh dear, you have quite a few treasures in this room, but isn't your hospitality a bit too rough?"
It's Cipher, she's really here! You didn't have time to think, stepping into the room. The sight before you made your pupils contract. Cipher's petite figure stood still in the center of the hall, her back to you. She seemed to want to move but couldn't.
You looked closely and realized that she was entangled in countless extremely fine Golden Threads, which were almost imperceptible in the lamplight but bound her firmly. And in front of Cipher, under the bright candlelight, an elegant figure stood quietly. Simple attire, soft light-gold hair, green eyes... Aglaea?!
Your mind buzzed; how could she be here? And what were those Golden Threads?!
Aglaea's gaze slowly shifted from Cipher, passing over her, and accurately landed on the corner where you were. "Since you're here, come out. No need to hide anymore."
Cipher heard the movement and tried to turn around abruptly, but the Golden Threads pulled her, making her let out a muffled groan. She twisted a little with difficulty, saw you, and her azure cat eyes instantly widened, urgently shouting: "Little Cat... run, don't mind me! She's very powerful!"
You looked at the trapped Cipher, then at the composed Aglaea, your mind racing. Run? With her in this state, how could you possibly leave alone! Instead of retreating, you took a step forward, standing not far in front of Cipher, directly facing Aglaea.
"Let Cipher go!" Your voice was hoarse with anger, and your golden pupils flickered fiercely, like a young wolf cornered. "Otherwise... I'll fight you to the death!"
"...Little Cat, what are you doing?" Cipher looked at your slender back, and a layer of mist actually clouded her nimble cat eyes.
Aglaea saw your appearance, first stunned, then a hint of interest appeared in her eyes: "Oh? Fight to the death? How do you plan to fight me?"
You said no more, suddenly rushing towards Cipher, wanting to pull her away first. However, before your hand could touch Cipher's clothing, Aglaea's fingertip merely moved slightly.
"Whoosh--" A barely audible sound echoed in the air, and you suddenly felt your limbs tighten. Countless identical Golden Threads appeared out of thin air, instantly wrapping around you tightly, rendering you unable to move!
"Let go of me!" You struggled desperately, the Golden Threads digging deep into your flesh. A sharp pain came from your arm; a cut was made by the tough Golden Threads, and golden blood slowly seeped out.
Aglaea's originally calm expression wavered abruptly upon seeing that unique golden hue. She looked at the wound on your arm in surprise, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. Her original composure dissipated somewhat, and her fingertips trembled. The Golden Threads Entanglement around you suddenly all receded.
The restraint suddenly disappeared, you staggered, but you didn't care about yourself, immediately rushing to Cipher's side. "Cipher, are you alright?"
Almost simultaneously, the Golden Threads that bound Cipher also unraveled. "What could happen to me!" Cipher stretched her limbs, still with a hint of playfulness. But when her gaze fell on the golden-blooded wound on your arm, her cat ears twitched uneasily, and her azure eyes were full of distress.
"Little Cat, why are you so reckless!" She was a little angry. "Have you forgotten the rules we set before? If one of us can't get away, no matter what, the other person must take the treasure and leave first!"
"But, right now, I only want to take you..." In your heart, Cipher was far more important than any gold or treasure.
Cipher was stunned by your words. Her nimble cat eyes blinked, seemingly understanding your unspoken meaning, and a blush actually spread across her fair cheeks. "N-next time, don't do that! It's very dangerous!" She then saw the wound on your arm, still bleeding, and frowned. Ignoring everything else, she leaned forward and gently licked the wound on your arm with her cat tongue.
A warm, moist sensation came, and you stiffened all over, your earlobes instantly burning. "Cipher! You... what are you doing?"