"Rebellious Disciple of the God?"
"What the hell is that?"
Ryuga frowned slightly, his palm stroking Cifera's plump thigh, clearly feeling the increasing heat.
It was like a furnace, scorching his palm and unsettling his mind.
"You are the 'God of Creation', and I am currently, no, I am the God's only believer."
"Therefore—"
Cifera nodded heavily, her face flushed, and she gave a slight, arrogant tilt of her nose.
She spoke clearly, word by word, with a mischievous smile.
"I am the Rebellious Disciple of the God."
Ryuga was taken aback, then laughed speechlessly: "Aren't you a believer of Zagreus, the Titan of Trickery?"
"Hmph, what is that?"
"Little cat doesn't understand, and disdains to understand."
Cifera wrinkled her small nose, huffing arrogantly.
(Zagreus: Oh, what are you doing~)
Ryuga was speechless. Good heavens, so the future Demigod of Trickery is just gone?
Sure enough, it had to be you, Elysia.
He remembered Elysia showing Cifera pictures on her phone, and comics.
At the time, Cifera was looking at them while glancing at him, her eyes astonishingly bright.
He thought it was his photo or something, but now he suspects Elysia showed her a comic like Rebellious Disciple of the Master?
Elysia's eyes at the time were indeed meaningful.
That girl.
No wonder she said she wouldn't be sleeping with him tonight, as someone else would be warming his bed.
Was everything planned all along?
Cifera's body was trembling, and her voice was shaking.
She gently leaned her head against Ryuga's neck, her cherry lips slightly parted, breathing like an orchid close to his ear.
The warm breath entered his ear canal, teasing every nerve.
"Demon God..."
"I've been looking forward to this day for a very, very long time."
"Do you know? From the first time we met, from the moment I ran into you, you became my 'Phantom Thief Prince'."
As she spoke, the affection in Cifera's eyes grew more intense.
Listening to the cat-girl's confession, Ryuga's heart tightened.
But?
What the hell is a Phantom Thief Prince?
Shouldn't it be Prince Charming?
Cifera paused, her eyes swirling as she seemed to recall that morning.
The wet little cat, running with blood streaming from a wound, desperately protecting the rye bread in her arms, crashed into Ryuga's stomach.
At that moment, she was disheveled yet stubborn.
Ryuga killed the dog that bit her and eliminated the bad guys who bullied her.
At that moment, Ryuga's image in her eyes was incredibly tall.
If it had been a bread vendor chasing her, it would have been one thing, but it was a cleanser specializing in killing Chrysos Heirs.
Afterward, when she had money, she secretly paid the vendor back.
"The Demon God dispelled the darkness in my heart."
"And illuminated my path forward."
Cifera murmured, her fingertip gently tracing Ryuga's brow bone, then gliding across his cheek, the fervent light in her eyes growing hotter.
"Hehe~"
Suddenly, Cifera chuckled, quickly grabbed Ryuga's hand, and pressed it against her chest.
Ryuga's eyes widened instantly.
"Listen!"
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Her heartbeat was wild, like a clap of thunder, as if it would leap out of her chest.
"If you refuse?"
"You'll never see the little cat of Dolos again."
After speaking, her eyes instantly filled with mist.
Tears could fall at any moment.
"..."
Ryuga opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked, unable to make a sound.
He could only sigh silently.
Knowing this little cat of Dolos, she would actually do it.
The little wildcat is very serious.
Once she decides on something, she will be stubbornly persistent.
Even if it means a thousand years of loneliness, she would gladly endure it.
Just like in the story, she left her beloved mother Aglaea and wandered the wasteland alone for a thousand years because of a lie.
All for the dream of a 'hero' in her heart, all to bear the weight of this world on the verge of collapse.
If he truly refused, this little cat of Dolos might really disappear from his sight.
He had indeed thought about raising Cifera.
But he never expected Cifera to cheat.
While he was silently contemplating, Cifera was also carefully observing his expression.
Her breathing became more rapid, and her chest heaved violently.
Her large, rolling eyes trembled slightly, and the mist filled them again.
He didn't refuse?
That means there's a chance.
Cifera's eyes darted around.
The next moment, tears streamed out, splashing onto Ryuga's chest.
"Goodbye, Demon God. Your believer, the little cat of Dolos, must leave now."
Cifera pretended to sob, struggling to get up, acting decisively, as if she were truly about to leave.
"Heh~"
"The little cat of Dolos is truly cunning."
Ryuga shook his head and chuckled softly. He reached out an arm and firmly pulled her back into his embrace.
Did she think he couldn't see through her 'feigned indifference' trick?
"Your tears come instantly. Your acting is already better than Focalors, and only slightly worse than Elysia."
Ryuga reached out and grabbed her.
"Hehe~"
Cifera instantly 'cried and then laughed.' Her eyes, which had just been feigning deep sorrow, were now bright as morning stars, shining brilliantly.
Feeling the strange sensation on her chest.
Cifera smiled triumphantly.
This was the signal.
Then, the cat-girl's paw skillfully climbed onto the lapel of Ryuga's pajamas, her fingertips hooking the edge, slowly pulling it open.
"Tonight, I, Cifera, will be the Demon God's sacrifice!"
What the hell is a sacrifice?
What exactly have you been reading?
Ryuga burst out laughing.
The little cat of Dolos is truly playful. Marrying her would be very interesting.
Cifera softly declared, her eyes filled with piety and fervent desire.
As her voice fell, she leaned down...
The night wind snuck in through the window crack, fluttering the sheer curtains. Moonlight spilled in, coating her in a layer of pale, silvery light.
A moment later.
"Meow—"
... The next morning.
Ryuga opened his eyes, and the space beside him was already empty.
The residual warmth was still in the covers, but Cifera had already quietly slipped away.
If it weren't for the few strands of black, white, and black-and-white gradient cat tail fur scattered on the bed, he would have thought the soft, enchanting touch of the night before was just a dream.
"Uh, that was a bit too much force."
"I can't be so rough when stroking the cat-girl's tail in the future. Hmm, maybe I should help her condition her tail?"
Ryuga sat up, scratching his head.
Last night, when stroking Cifera's cat tail, he got carried away and accidentally used too much force, pulling out some cat hair.
Looking at the few strands of cat hair, he was thoughtful.
"I heard fish oil can make fur shiny and prevent shedding."
Uh, fish oil, Hesperus?
"Doesn't Pardofelis have the same issue?"
He remembered that Pardofelis sheds cat hair seasonally.
People with cat hair allergies should be cautious around her.
And one of Sakura's most disliked things is cats.
She's allergic to cat hair.
This detail is mentioned in the Flame-Chasers' relationship network.
Ryuga suddenly laughed out loud: "Tsk, no wonder."
No wonder every time Cifera appeared in the courtyard, Sakura would immediately keep her distance, as if she had seen a plague god.
She even walked around her when serving food.
She looked terrified of accidentally inhaling a single cat hair.
He should collect Cifera's cat hair.
If Sakura were to conduct a surprise inspection and find cat hair flying everywhere, she would probably put Cifera on a lifetime ban list.
Thinking this, Ryuga bent down, carefully picked up the cat hair from the sheet one by one, and put them into a sealed bag in the bedside cabinet.
He would make a doll for Cifera out of the cat hair in the future.
Pfft—
He got dressed and adjusted his collar in the mirror.
He had promised Aglaea yesterday to help her debug the World Wide Web.
It was a good opportunity to spend more time together and deepen their relationship. Why not?
...
Half a month later.
"Yo~, isn't this the little thief cat? Finally willing to show your face?"
"Who was so brave, who shouted 'I'm going to be the Rebellious Disciple of the God' right in front of me, and then became all timid afterward?"
"I couldn't even find a trace of you?"
Ryuga lifted Cifera by the scruff of her neck, holding her suspended in mid-air like a chick, and deliberately swung her back and forth twice, his eyes full of playful amusement.
That night, the little cat of Dolos was so brave.
She even sat on him, declaring she would be the "Rebellious Disciple of the God".
And the result?
She was only brave for that one moment.
He had thought he could sleep with the little wildcat every night after that, but she disappeared the next day.
"I, I just... went... to find the Rogues, that's all!"
"Who, who said I was shy? I'm not!"
Cifera struggled to defend herself.
She crossed her arms over her chest, pouting like a hamster, her ears already bright red.
Her sapphire-like eyes darted around.
Her tail, which usually swung lively, was now stiffly drooping to the floor.
"Oh~"
Ryuga drew out the sound, his smile deepening.
Then, he slowly leaned close to Cifera's ear, huffing a breath, the warm air brushing her earlobe.
"I never mentioned 'shy' or 'timid' once. Who is feeling guilty and jumping out to confess?"
"Eek~~"
Cifera's shoulders suddenly shrank. Her earlobe felt ticklish, and her whole body felt itchy.
A puff of white smoke seemed to rise from her forehead, and her body stiffened.
"I'm, I'm not shy or guilty! I, I just... just went to find the Rogues."
"Oh?" Ryuga raised an eyebrow. "Then how many Rogues did you find? Tell me."
"Uh... zero... I didn't see any."
Cifera shrank her neck, deflated, and her ears drooped.
I knew you didn't look.
Ryuga chuckled softly, a hint of indulgence in his eyes.
"Alright, Castrice is coming back soon."
"After she returns, you will go to the Divine Enlightenment Tree Court and study properly."
"Aglaea, she's all yours."
Saying this, he lifted his arm and tossed Cifera out.
Cifera shrieked, but was firmly caught by a golden thread.
"What a pity, Cifera."
"Since you've grown up, you can't be so mischievous anymore."
Aglaea smiled, and the golden thread in her hand wrapped around Cifera in circles, tightly binding the struggling little wildcat.
As the golden thread slowly tightened, Cifera deflated, like a salted fish that had lost its dream, her eyes dimming slightly.
"By the way, Weaver-girl, how did you find me? I was hidden well enough."
Cifera sighed, biting her lip, the flame in her eyes stubbornly flickering.
"Because the World Wide Web has already been laid out in Okhema in its first phase. Every breath you take is in my ear."
"Tch—"
Cifera was completely defeated.
Until she was led away by her mother, Aglaea.
Ryuga was contemplating. For Cifera to become the Demigod of Trickery, the Rogues of Dolos played a part.
The City of Thieves, Dolos, is located south of Janusapolis and north of the Divine Enlightenment Tree Court.
Cifera spent four years and seven months, leading three hundred Rogues, who appeared on the outskirts of Dolos on the eve of Ghost Day.
The next day, the three hundred Rogues, with the help of Tiba, scattered to different city-states, launching the most spectacular tricks of their lives.
Then, on Ghost Day, they completed the most unprecedented feast of trickery, achieving the feat of deceiving the gods.
And Cifera, with the help of Tiba and Aglaea, captured Zagreus.
She took on the divine authority of Trickery.
However, the search for the 300 Rogues happened after Castrice disappeared.
The first Flame Chase ended with the complete defeat of the Chrysos Heirs.
Afterward, the Golden War started again.
The nobles of Dolos took the opportunity to issue a ban on fraud, and many thieves then traveled far away, using their talents to deceive people and steal goods.
By the time Cifera made her move, there were a total of three hundred Rogues who had made a name for themselves.
They were called the "Three Hundred Rogues of Dolos" by the bards.
There are no 300 Rogues now.
But he trusted Cifera's judgment; she wouldn't just recruit anyone into the team.
"Hmm? Indeed."
"After the Butterfly Coreflame is returned, it's time to start the trial for the cat-girl's Demigod of Trickery."
Ryuga stroked his chin, pondering.
Then, he quietly took out the 'Copy Mirror'.
...
Another half month later.
Castrice conquered the last city-state: Corinth.
The lord of Corinth knelt on the ground, swearing allegiance to Castrice and promising to no longer pursue the Saintess.
With this, the long-running Golden War came to an end.
On the day of the triumph, the main road of Okhema was covered with gold and red woven carpets.
The morning mist had not yet dispersed, but the citizens of Okhema were already lined up along the streets, holding wreaths, eagerly awaiting. Castrice was, as always, seated on the back of the Earth Beast. Yes, she still had thick books padded under her butt.
She sat with her legs crossed, arms folded, and her nose slightly upturned, looking utterly arrogant.
"Lord Castrice!"
"Long live Lord Castrice!"
"Oh—"
Cheers surged like a tide.
Flowers and ribbons rained down on both sides of the street.
Castrice, who was originally arrogant and had her eyes closed, was momentarily stunned by the sudden 'click' and 'flash' of light.
She snapped her eyes open and looked around.
She saw that the people on both sides of the main road each held a smooth, mirror-like stone slab, 'flashing' at her.
Some people even held the stone slab to their ears, whispering softly.
"Mom, I saw Lord Castrice! Look, I just took a picture. She's sitting with her legs crossed, still so cool. I'll show you when I get back!"
Castrice: "???"
(What do you mean, 'still so cool'?)
(I'll punish you to lead two separate armies against the Black Tide!)
Castrice narrowed her eyes, staring intently at the strange stone slabs.
Some people were even writing and drawing on the stone slabs with their fingertips, as if writing, but without any ink?
Strange.
The more she looked, the more confused she became. Castrice couldn't help but turn her head, looking bewilderedly at Hesperus, who was slightly shorter than her.
"I was only away for a month. Why does it feel like the whole place has changed when I came back?"
Hesperus smiled knowingly: "It's the divine authority of the Titan of Romance. I assume Aglaea is behind this."
...
Cloud Stone Palace.
The King's private bathhouse.
Castrice only invited close confidantes, all women, with Ryuga being the only man.
They were all wearing swimsuits, soaking in the bath.
Washing away the fatigue and soreness of the campaign.
"So this is the 'Communication Stone Slab'? This thing is excellent. It will surely help the Golden Weaver manage the Holy City better."
Castrice studied it repeatedly for a while before nodding.
"..."
Ryuga glanced over, barely suppressing a laugh.
Sure enough, Sakura and Hesperus were keeping their distance from Cifera.
"Are you ready to start the Flame Chase journey?"
"Mhm, I plan to reorganize the civilian life. We'll officially start the Flame Chase journey in a year, to conquer the Titans and return the Coreflames."
Castrice said confidently.
"Alas!" Just as expected. Ryuga took a sip of red tea and sighed softly. "What I'm about to say might overturn your understanding of the world. Please don't be afraid."
The girls blinked.
Castrice and Hesperus exchanged glances. Castrice arrogantly tilted her nose: "I am the 'Crowned Flame-Chaser', the 'Dictator', the 'Empress', the 'Commander', the 'Caesar'. I... will not be afraid."
Ryuga took out the 'Lie 800' and drank it down.
"Burp~"
"For the next hour, whatever I say will be known by Lygus."
'Lie 800': After drinking, whatever is said will be the opposite of the truth.
In other words, Lygus will never know.
"This world is fake."
"Ah!?"
To be continued…
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