Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 401 Lies Hidden in the Fog
"The place where the fog is thickest is often where the truth is most obscure."

People are always waiting for a guide to dispel the fog and bring the dawn.

But could that glimmer of hope just be another, even deeper lie?

—Excerpt from *The Secret History of Trelian: The Mist and the Crown*

Marlene's soft voice drifted from the bedroom, as if carried by the cool morning mist, floating onto the balcony.

With a hint of cautious worry and a barely perceptible probing:

"Your Highness, the open class at the Gate Mirror Academy is about to begin. Do you still intend to attend today?"

Liseria paused slightly, then raised her head, her slender fingers gently rubbing her temples, as if trying to sort out her chaotic thoughts.

A moment later, a gentle yet polite smile appeared on her face, and her voice was soft yet firm:
"Oh... I almost forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me, Marlene, I'll get ready right away."

Several days ago, the invitation from the Mirror Academy was sent to the Lion Castle, hoping that Princess Liseria could personally visit the academy and give a public lecture on fate markings and celestial calamities to the noble children.

Liseria did not hesitate or refuse; instead, she readily agreed.

"Commoners or nobles, as long as they are citizens of Trelian, they are all people I should protect, educate, and guide, aren't they, Marlene?"

When she said those words, a subtle and complex look flashed in Marlene's eyes, a mixture of relief and worry, like a thin mist that was hard to dispel in the morning light.

Since Queen Medusa's ascension to the throne, the fog over Alleston has grown thicker, like a silent storm quietly enveloping Terry's safety.

The Church of Our Lady of Procreation was established as the state religion of the empire, and its influence rapidly penetrated every inch of land like deep roots and dense branches.
Even the traditionally highly autonomous aristocratic council was unknowingly and completely strangled.

Since His Majesty Henrian's passing, the council of the Twelve Duchies, which they once took pride in, has been paralyzed and thrown into chaos.

Queen Medea, with only three cardinals at her disposal, dismissed the Speaker and three renowned dukes on charges of patricide by the eldest son, Orion.

Under the cold gaze of the cardinals, the once proud nobles fell silent.

Because they clearly understand that, nowadays, Alleston only needs one ill-timed remark...

That would be enough to turn the honor of one's ancestors, the power accumulated, and even the fate of one's family into dust that is mercilessly crushed.

But the nobles' silence was not a surrender, but rather the patient forbearance of a ferocious beast waiting for its chance.

Their gazes had already quietly turned to the young princess who inherited the power of the Azure Lion—Liseria.

Although Prince Edel held imperial military power, he detested court intrigue and strife, and had long since led an expeditionary fleet to expand his territory in the North Sea, no longer participating in the power struggles within the kingdom.

Thus, the girl who was once considered delicate inevitably became everyone's hope and reliance.

They hoped that she might become the banner against the queen's tyranny—at least, she was the only one who could awaken the sleeping lion.

It was with this in mind that the late Duke von Het, the former Chancellor, quietly pushed forward with the invitation from the Mirror Academy.

He needed to test her, and also to ascertain the young princess's resolve.

Liseria stood before the magnificent and ancient mirror, her expression calm and resolute.

Her reflection in the mirror was like a mirror on a tranquil lake, revealing a clearly discernible determination.
It was as if at this moment she was no longer the little princess who was well protected, but an heir who was preparing to face an unknown fate alone.

She understood, of course, that today's open class was far more than just a simple lesson.

Rather, it was her first real test and choice.

The Mirror Academy, standing in the center of Aleston City, was originally founded by King Henrian of the Lions, signifying the opening of the door to the mysterious world for all.

However, history often carries an unspeakable irony—today, this academy is hindered by exorbitant tuition fees and a cumbersome recommendation system.

What was once a magnificent gateway to knowledge and mystery has gradually evolved into a place of extravagance where aristocratic children dine and socialize, forming alliances through marriage.

Liseria quietly stepped onto the podium. Her simple and elegant white silk dress, like the soft moonlight, made her already beautiful face appear even more noble and ethereal.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, falling on her slightly upturned lips and revealing a gentle yet meaningful smile.

Her slender fingers gently turned the pages of the book on the podium, her gaze calm and resolute, as gentle as when she told the children about stars and mysteries in the Lion Keep at night:
"Today, we're going to explore the connection between mystery and destiny patterns. But before we begin, I'm reminded of a fable I once heard, and I'd like to share it with you first."

The classroom quieted down, and the students looked up, their eyes filled with curiosity.

They found it hard to imagine that this gentle and quiet princess would tell fables in such a public lesson.

Liseria's voice was soft and slow, like a night breeze gently rippling across a lake:

Once upon a time, there was a young singer. He was born with the most beautiful voice, and his singing was like the purest light in the world.

It can dispel darkness and soothe every lonely or sorrowful heart.

She paused for a moment, a hint of hidden sorrow suddenly appearing in her eyes:

"But fate is always harsh and merciless. One day, the singer's beloved was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was about to die."

In despair, he knelt before the temple of fate, pleading to exchange his song for his lover's life.

"The god of fate may have hesitated for a moment, but ultimately granted his request out of pity, though with an extremely cruel condition attached—from then on,"
The singer can only sing the world's saddest songs; everyone who hears them will be immersed in eternal sorrow, never to experience joy again.

The atmosphere in the classroom gradually became oppressive, as if some invisible force was gathering from all directions, enveloping everyone's mind.

The students looked focused yet bewildered, their eyes gradually losing focus, seemingly immersed in the atmosphere created by this bizarre story, unable to extricate themselves.

The singer agreed. He willingly sang those sorrowful melodies, each song filled with the deepest regrets and pain in the world.

Over time, people gradually forgot smiles and hope, their hearts filled only with an inescapable despair and nameless sorrow.

"In the end, even the singer himself forgot his original purpose. There was no longer any light in his eyes, only endless darkness."

He could only endlessly chant the world's most sorrowful elegy, gradually losing himself until he too transformed into endless sorrow itself…

Liseria's words faded into the air, like a tear falling into a boundless lake, creating subtle yet undeniable ripples. A long silence fell over the classroom; many students even forgot to breathe, their hearts seemingly seized by some invisible tentacle.
A profound and chilling sadness silently takes root in the depths of everyone's soul, quietly waiting for the moment it sprouts.

A moment later, Liseria's lips curved into a slight smile, as if unintentionally. She gently clapped her hands and softly said:
"Alright, that's the end of the story. Let's get back to today's real lesson—there are still many things worth exploring more deeply about the manipulation and mysterious nature of fate."

The students nodded, slightly dazed, unaware of the deep-seated shadow within them.
It has been quietly growing in the narrative just now, like a black flower about to break through the soil, waiting for the moment of blooming.

Almost at the same time that Princess Liseria was softly recounting that sorrowful fable, in the distant headquarters of the Shining Star Secret Realm, Siming was also attentively listening to the lecture, only the lecturer's expression was completely different.

Leng Ji stood at the podium, dressed in a black bartender uniform with his collar slightly open, his brows and eyes revealing obvious impatience.

She leaned lazily against the blackboard, the chalk twirling casually between her fingers as she rapidly recounted the secrets of the mystical world:
"In fact, even the Mysterious Masters Guild doesn't know who was the first to discover the Star Calamity Extraordinary Path."

All knowledge is like a pre-written script, which we passively receive.

Perhaps it was a pioneer who stepped into the realm of 'time traveler' who transmitted knowledge of the future through the river of time;

Or perhaps, something even more ancient and obscure is secretly orchestrating and driving this.

In short, we are merely pawns on a chessboard, and our knowledge of the truth is always partial and incomplete.

Leng Ji pressed her temples, as if trying to dispel a nagging headache, before reverting to her usual indifference and coldness.
"But the guild doesn't care about that."

More than the mysterious origins, we are concerned with how to use the power of the Star Calamity to transcend the limits of the twelve planets and embark on that higher, darker path of transcendence.

By arranging specific Mystery Cards in a specific combination, the Mystery Master can touch the Gate of the Star Calamity, undergo the trials of the Star Calamity, and advance to become a 'Star Calamity Mystery Master.'

At this point, without warning, she raised her hand and swung the chalk tip, which accurately struck Si Ming, who was lost in thought in the corner, startling him awake.

Si Ming rubbed his forehead and gave a helpless bitter smile: "Alright, Leng Ji, I've already read through these basic theories in books."

Now all I want to know is, I've collected all three Star Calamity cards, how do I initiate the Star Calamity ritual? And what exactly do I need to do?

Leng Ji was silent for a moment, a hint of obscurity and complexity flashing in her eyes. She slowly shook her head, her tone carrying a barely perceptible warning:
"The path to advancement is different for each type of Star Calamity path, and the distinction between authority and symbol means that the rituals and trials are also completely different."

The union has no record of any 'lie weaver' successfully advancing, and there's no clear path forward; you have to figure it out yourself.

Si Ming frowned slightly, his gaze unconsciously falling on the thick ancient book in his hands.

The yellowed pages trembled slightly between his fingers; the paper felt damp, cold, and eerie, as if it held unspeakable whispers and murmurs.

The book's title is written in an ancient and distorted script: "The Liar Weaver's Path to Cataclysm: Unraveling the Mysteries".

Si Ming opened the book again, reading the words on the pages in a low voice, his heart feeling as if an invisible hand was gradually tightening its grip:

"The weavers of lies weave together the truth and falsehood of the world with lies and truth as their warp and weft."

What the world perceives as truth is nothing more than the most exquisite lie told by those who weave lies.

The words gradually wriggled, like indescribable tentacles in the dark depths of the sea:
"To embark on the path of the calamity of the lie weavers, one must first master the whispers of the ancient stars and recite lies that no one can decipher with the 'tongue of deception'."

This lie must skillfully blend truth and falsehood, plunging all who hear it into a state of utter disbelief and madness.

Si Ming's fingers were icy cold, yet she couldn't resist continuing to read:
"The power of a lie depends on the faith of the deceived; the deeper the faith, the more powerful the lie."

When lies reach their peak, the weaver must offer up the very truths he once cherished as a sacrifice.

By offering a sacrifice to illusion itself, forgetting the boundary between reality and illusion, and completely accepting lies as truth, one can then touch the blessings of the ancient stars.

Si Ming suddenly felt an extreme chill slowly creeping up his spine. He seemed to hear countless eerie and distorted sounds struggling to emerge from between the pages of the book, tearing at his sanity:

"The ceremony must be held on a night when the stars are silent, in a theater that can hold endless lies and souls."

The theater must use the blood of the deep sea to draw symbols of lies, with runes scattered in every corner, bridging the gap between reality and illusion, making the audience believe that the events in the play are the real world itself.

When tens of thousands of people completely submit to the performance in the theater, truth and lies will intertwine and merge, and the gates of calamity will be opened for the Weaver.

Siming gasped for breath, her fingers frozen on the pages, unable to tear her gaze away:

"If the ritual fails, the weaver's soul will be forever lost in the lies he has woven."

Unable to escape the chaotic boundary between reality and illusion, they become meaningless fragments wandering between the world and nothingness.

The symbols on the pages gradually twisted and converged into a huge, chilling eye, staring intently at Si Ming.

He slammed the book shut, cold sweat beading on his forehead, yet the eerie whisper still echoed in his ears:
"A lie is the truth...and the truth is nothing but the greatest lie..."

Leng Ji stared at Si Ming, his gaze complex as he asked:

"I've never understood why you have Celian."

If you use her as your Life-type Mystic Card and choose the 'Gambler of Fate' sequence, a path confirmed by the guild, you can safely ascend to the position of Cataclysm.

Why choose this path, destined to be fraught with thorns and madness, that of a 'lie weaver'?

Siming slowly raised her head, her gaze fixed on the smiling young girl on the shopping street, who was excitedly holding up her newly purchased clothes.
He waved in his direction. A slight smile played on his lips as he said softly:
“Because Celian has never been my Mystery Card, nor is she my servant.”

He paused for a moment, his eyes firm and clear:
"She is my companion."

Leng Ji was stunned for a moment, then smiled with relief.

She didn't speak again, but silently watched Si Ming's departing figure, and sighed softly:
"I hope you won't become one of those remains in the book, consumed by your own lies..."

"Truth is a lie, and a lie is truth."
People are always fascinated by the truth, yet they never realize that the truth is the very weapon that destroys them.

When lies are everywhere and the truth disappears...
Above the stars, only boundless illusion and mad songs remain.
Singing an eternal song.

—From *The Secret History of Liars: The Tragedy of Promotion*

(End of this chapter)