Chapter 137: Cipher, Aglaea, Castorice, and Hyacine
Reality, Amphoreus.
A slender figure silently snuck into the mansion; it was the Trickster Demigod, Cifera. "Seriously, the security here is too lax, it's boring."
She deftly evaded the guards and skillfully pried open the safe. Just as her fingertips touched the priceless gem—an unusual sensation came from her fingertips. Next to the gem, a special item lay quietly.
"A ring? No… is it a Flipping Coin?" Cifera recognized the material at a glance. She picked up the ring, examining it carefully. Tiny words were engraved on the edge: Cifera & Orion—
The last word was blurry, as if worn away. "Orion…?"
The moment she uttered that word—memories suddenly flashed back. Countless fragmented images flooded her mind: the figure of a black-haired young man.
"Sure enough, there's a Little Wildcat hiding here."
"Stupid Little Wildcat… I don't need you to protect me!"
"Little Wildcat, find a safe place and live well. This is my… last wish…"
And that name— "Orion…"
Cifera suddenly opened her eyes, finding herself kneeling on the ground, cold sweat soaking her clothes. The ring was still in her hand. She tremblingly put it on; it fit perfectly. The guards' voices sounded, and Cifera, not bothering with the gem, stumbled out of the mansion.
Back at her hiding place, she stared blankly at the ring. "A coincidence? Or Zagreus's prank?"
Starting the next day, Cifera began searching for a person named Orion. She went to the population registry, found an information dealer, and even snuck into the temple to search ancient texts. But she found nothing. As if this person had never existed.
"Could it really just be my hallucination?"
Tears unknowingly streamed down her cheeks. Sometimes, she would suddenly turn around in a crowd, always feeling there was a familiar figure. But there were only unfamiliar faces. A corner of her heart felt as if it had been hollowed out.
"Little Wildcat…" Cifera continued searching.
Okhema, Golden Threads Weaving Workshop.
Aglaea was working at the loom when her hand suddenly stopped. A strange yet familiar feeling surged in her heart. She saw a black-haired young man—gentle, resolute, always by her side.
"Aglaea, I will always support you."
"Orion?" she frowned. The weaving thread slipped from her fingertips, and a dull ache came from her heart. She always felt something was missing. Missing someone who would offer her a warm drink when she was tired. Missing… someone she deeply loved.
In her room, Castorice was organizing her tools when she found a small box. Inside were some simple handmade ornaments. She picked one up, and suddenly—a wave of dizziness washed over her. She saw a young man's smile.
"Castorice, this flower suits you very well."
The memory abruptly stopped, but the ornament in her hand was real. "Orion… Who are you? Why do I…" A tearing pain came from her soul. She remembered that she had once deeply loved someone.
Faintlight Courtyard.
Hyacine was tidying her medicine box when she found an unfamiliar notebook. It meticulously recorded some class notes, but the handwriting was not her own. She flipped to the last page: Hyacine, take care of yourself, don't push yourself too hard. —Orion
"...Orion?"
Throughout Amphoreus, subtle anomalies began to appear. Memories that shouldn't have existed gradually surfaced. As if a person had once existed. These traces were like ripples, quietly spreading. Cifera continued searching, believing that one day she would find him.
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