Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

"Unable to...break..."

Saifeier was annoyed by the Fire Thief's words.

"...What cycle, destiny, don't kid me! Who doesn't walk their own path? Those who rely on gods and prophecies for protection every day are the ones who end up looking like this, neither human nor ghost, right?"

"I was even worse back then... cheating, swindling, and doing all sorts of bad things, just to survive in this damn world! If only I had accepted my fate earlier..."

"Then this pathetic world would probably have turned into a dark, rubble-filled wasteland long ago!"

Unfortunately, no matter what Sai Fei'er said, it couldn't change the Fire Thief's purpose.

"Tinder..."

"It has to be me..."

She shook her head. "Sigh... It's my fault. How could I expect a complete madman to listen to good advice?"

"Do you know why I brought you here, Mad Dog? I heard you had a big fight with that golden-haired lion cub before?"

"I doubt I can escape your grasp. I've done my warm-up exercises properly today. Next..."

"How about some contact sports?"

[Sai Fei: I'm fighting the Firewalker, really?]

[The Fire Thief: Beginning the Cycle of Reincarnation...]

[Little Candle: You all better be careful. Now that it's been confirmed that we are the next incarnation, it means the Fire-Stealing Walker finally succeeded.]

[Walter: The fire has been almost entirely returned to the vortex of creation. Was he waiting for this moment? From Sorapis's words, we can infer that the Fire-Stealers appeared a thousand years ago.]

[Star: So, the sparks we painstakingly collected became his wedding dress.]

[Aglaia: This time, I will stand with my master and Sefaria at the heart of creation, awaiting your return.]

[Hu Tao: Where's Miss Xia Die? Come quick and save her!]

[Xia Die: I have become the Titan of Death. Because of the life-and-death restrictions of Onpharos, I cannot go there in my true form. I can only rely on the power of the Death Authority for assistance.]

[Silver Wolf: It keeps looping, has the Fire-Stealing Walker completed the game multiple times? A large-scale, realistic exploration game about stealing fire from Onphalus.]

Chapter 475 Deceiving the World

Saifeier said, "As heirs to the divine authority of calamity, my experience as a demigod is a full thousand years longer than that little lion's."

"Now, let me test your mettle as a fire-stealer!"

"I've lived for a thousand years and I've never seen an opponent who can keep up with my speed... You're the first one!"

"But my skills aren't limited to just running fast—today, I'll show you!"

As soon as she finished speaking, several afterimages flashed out from Sai Fei'er's body, and in the blink of an eye, the Fire Thief could no longer distinguish which one was the real body.

Saifeier used the Speed ​​Force to travel back and forth.

The Fire Thief wielded her longsword, and several dark crescent-shaped sword lights shattered her illusory clones. With a wave of her hand, four gray phantoms appeared on the left and right, simultaneously attacking Sai Feier.

Her voice echoed, "Clones... you can have as many as you want!"

No matter how many clones the Fire Thief destroyed, he still couldn't find her true form; he could only watch a bunch of cats circling around him.

"Hahaha! Good dog, is that all you've got?"

"It seems I overestimated your swordsmanship!"

The Fire Thief's longsword blazed with black flames, "Obstruction... is ultimately futile..."

Saifeier frowned when she saw the burning blade. "I've played with you long enough... it's time to make a run for it!"

"...See you later, stray dog!"

She did a 360-degree spin in the air, the longsword pierced her chest, and the dust settled... It was still a clone!

The Fire Thief realized what was happening and looked down from the top of the tower. He saw Sai Fei'er smiling smugly and turning to use the Flying Coin to leave.

Sai Fei'er's pupils contracted sharply, and she touched her neck.

On the tower, the Fire Thief raised his hand, and a coin that had been flying around slowly fell down. He seemed to have seen through the trick and flaw of the Speed ​​Force in advance.

The wind was howling, and Sai Fei'er transformed into a bolt of lightning as she rushed toward the tumbling coin that was about to fall.

At that moment, the Fire Thief suddenly grabbed her neck and slammed her into the city wall, the powerful impact shattering her chest cavity.

Saifei coughed up golden blood in pain, her arms hanging limply, only able to support her body by leaning against the city wall behind her.

The Fire Thief held up the fire of the Kippur in one hand, while the ritual sword in his other hand vanished.

"Ha ha……"

"Only a mindless fool would fall for the same trick three times in a row," Sai Fei'er said sarcastically, rubbing her neck and raising her head slightly.

A smile played on her blood-stained lips. "...I won, monster!"

The Fire Thief tossed aside the earthenware jar he was holding, drew a longsword wreathed in flames from thin air, and raised it high...

[Aglaia: No!]

[Navia: What? How did the Fire Thief know that Miss Sephiroth's Speed ​​Force relied on the Flying Coin? Could it be that he was just teasing her the whole time?]

[Star: Your true form... is a flying coin?]

[Fu Xuan: I see. Everyone thought Sai Fei'er possessed the Speed ​​Force after inheriting divine authority, but they didn't see through its true nature. The medium through which she activated her power was that coin.]

[Walter: Seifer must catch the flying coin before it falls.]

[Star: Ah, you wretched Fire-Stealing Walker, give me back my cat!]

[Nicole: To be fooled by the same trick three times, the Firewalker is something else. I wonder what's beneath that mask; I'm going to have a good laugh at him.]

[Fufu: What kind of Fire-Stealing Walker is he? I think he should be called Jar-Stealing Walker.]

[Ying: My mentality is shattered. Unfortunately, Miss Saifei still couldn't escape the Fire-Stealing Walker's hunt.]

[Sai Fei'er: Heh, that should be enough time. Savior, I risked my life to keep my promise to you.]

[Bai E: I...I will definitely kill him with my own hands.]

[Bartleus: Big sister, what would I do without you?]

[Cats must die, right? I'm going to sue you for cat abuse!]

More than a thousand years ago, at dawn on the cloud-covered cliffs.

Atticus stood on the pulpit and said, “Citizens of Ohma—today I bring you two pieces of news: one bad news and one good news.”

"I propose that all of you offer your blessings to the deceased: Our beloved High Priest Forros, who recently returned to the embrace of the Father Cephale. May he rest in peace..."

"At that time, citizens, do not grieve for his departure! For the great priest's final moments were blissful, for he heard the Father's final instructions while his hearing and sight were still sharp..."

Countless people in the audience looked up, their eyes filled with longing for the future.

Atticus did not keep everyone waiting for the moment to announce this destiny.

"That is the good news I have to bring you! The words that the great Titan of Necrostic left in the ear of my mentor before it fell silent... Now, I will pass them on to all the people of Onpharos!"

It said: "The divine oracle has been delivered; my mission is nearing its end, and I shall now fall into silence—"

"Eternal night is coming... but the dawn machine will illuminate the Holy City, awaiting the golden-blooded Son of Man to create miracles... forever!"

The citizens, filled with gratitude, knelt and prayed, "Until...forever?"

"The Father's love transcends time...lasting for countless eons!"

Atticus continued, “Citizens, friends! As the newly ordained priest, I hereby propose… a hundred-day feast to be held at Dawn Cloud Cliff, in gratitude for the Father’s gifts!”

"Our mission is to transform the Father's word into unwavering faith! This continuous celebration of a hundred dawns will convince every Son of Onphalus—"

Saifeier: "—The light of the Dawn Machine will never be extinguished... The protection of Cephalos has no end!"

[Star: So, the one who truly bears the burden of the world for a thousand years is Sephiroth, the demigod of cunning... Sephiroth. Onpharos exists only because of her.]

[Fireworks: Ah, greatness needs no salt.]

Wendy: No wonder the oracle said you would walk with greed. Isn't the lie that has lasted for a thousand years a form of world-class greed? Ms. Cypher, even trickery can save the world; you are a true hero.

[Vivian: Even a demigod would feel tired and aggrieved if she upheld a lie for a thousand years.]

[Billy: So why can't she be with Aglaia?]

[Nicole: You idiot Billy, the Trail Blazers experienced the Golden Thread's ability shortly after entering the Holy City; it allows them to sense people's deep emotions and consciousness.]

[Ambi: Miss Saifeier dares not gamble, for it concerns the lives of everyone in the Holy City.]

[Fou: Oh no, does that mean the trick's power will also fail after Saifei dies?]

[Saifei: Sigh, now it all depends on the abilities of the Savior Boy and Grey. They must either recreate the world before it shatters, or enter the next cycle.]

Sambo: Deceiving the citizens of an entire city, this trickery is really effective.

[Gui Naifen: I suddenly remembered something; she will walk with greed, and she will also perish because of a single penny… that single penny is, the flying coins!]

Chapter 476 Eternal Night

Back in reality, Saifei leaned against the empty doorway and murmured, "You will walk with greed, and you will perish for a penny..."

"Ha...that portion of the prophecy..."

"So it meant exactly what it said..."

She smiled wryly, realizing that she had tried to prevent the prophecy from being stolen or robbed, but the prophecy still came true.

“Atticus…cough…is a good boy…”

"I stole your identity... I... want to apologize to you..."

Sai Fei'er's gaze gradually became unfocused, and her voice became extremely weak, but she still had a trace of unwillingness...

“I owe you more than just an apology…and you too, Aya…”

In her final fantasy, the golden nymph representing Aglaia appears and watches her quietly from the side.

“At that time, I… cough, cough… I had to leave Ohma first…”

"Because you are so good at seeing through people's hearts... If I stay by your side... my fragile lies... will be exposed sooner or later."

Saifeier recalled her past memories and let out a very soft laugh, "Your weaving workshop... I wish... I could just happen to pass by it again..."

"I was scolded by you and Sister Tibo..."

In her final lie, she chose to deceive herself.

Aglaia and Tibo's figures seemed to appear in front of her, their backs to her, still as beautiful and gentle as ever.

"Ah... I'm sorry..."

"In the end... I... still overestimated myself..."

Sai Fei'er's eyes were dim and lifeless. She had pushed herself to her physical limit and didn't even have the strength to speak. She could only silently chant in her heart.

But... there's at least one thing... I did it...

The flame of the Kefalcon is not here... It is... safe now.

Even if in the end I'm just a thief... I... I still made some contribution to Chasing Fire, right?

She strained to lift her head and look at the phantom in the distance. "Aya... can you hear me?"

Please say one more thing to me...

As darkness gradually replaced her vision, Saifei slowly closed her eyes.

In her final moments of lucidity, Saifei vaguely heard Aglaia's footsteps. She stood before her, like the warm light of her childhood.

Aglaia whispered, “You are the forgotten hero of Onpharos, Sephalia. You saved us all.”

"You betrayed the world..."

"...It was used to buy a mortal's remaining life for a thousand years."

As Aglaia reached out her hand, a light shone in Seifer's eyes. She acknowledged me... I am Onpharos's hero... hero...

She smiled with relief.

Looking again, Saifeier had already fallen into an eternal slumber, and the ordinary nymphs beside her seemed to be foreshadowing that everything before was just a self-deceiving lie.