Then again...
Was Aph Ros truly so heinous that He deserved to be cast into eternity, never to escape?
He'd already been a dual Envoy at the ti. Imprisoning Him ant simultaneously provoking [Birth] and [Corruption] — one being [Life]'s aloof, child-doting origin, and the other the mysterious, unapproachable sovereign of [Descent].
How much audacity did [Ti] need to confront two gods at once?
Even if [Corruption] never showed Himself and never refused anything, did [Birth] truly have no objections?
Cheng Shi frowned. He had a growing feeling that Aph Ros's imprisonnt wasn't as straightforward as he'd imagined.
And another thing: the Dreamless Mirror inheriting pure [mory] power made sense. But the unmistakable stench of [Corruption] seeping from That Dream My Nightmare — could that really co solely from the ancient Mirror People's desires?
Even if [Corruption] had manipulated their desires, they'd never actually defected to [Corruption]. They were still devoted. Could this warped devotion truly "contaminate" a Servant God relic to such a degree?
He'd need to get his hands on That Dream My Nightmare before he could properly research what other secrets lay within — and whether the Nightmare Shadow Dragon King he'd suspected was truly plotting sothing.
Having finished recounting the past in one breath, Aph Ros regained His composure. The fury earlier had been nothing more than an emotional outburst triggered by mory. After countless washes of ti in Dolgod, He'd long grown accustod to it.
He put His clothes back on, returned to male form, walked slowly to Cheng Shi's side, and observed the frowning mortal with interest:
"Deduced anything?"
By then, Cheng Shi's mind had long since wandered. A thought suddenly struck him:
If both the Dreamless Mirror and That Dream My Nightmare were gathered, could they be reassembled into a complete Mirror of Delusion?
He now knew exactly who held both fragnts.
And what power would the whole Mirror of Delusion possess?
Cheng Shi was burning with curiosity. So he asked this final question. Aph Ros blinked — He'd assud Cheng Shi was pondering [Ti], but the man was actually eyeing [mory].
"Nobody knows what that mirror — representing [mory]'s gaze — can do. It never displayed its true power.
But, my brother, why are you thinking about this? Aren't we targeting [Ti]?"
"Ahaha..." Cheng Shi hastily reined in his thoughts and smiled evasively. "Two birds with one stone. Fighting [Ti] is real, but so is getting you out.
I was thinking — if that mirror could be found and reassembled, wouldn't it prove you've recognized your cri and voluntarily atoned for the desire you once stirred? If so, for [mory]'s sake, [Ti] might just... let you go?"
"I! Am! Not! Guilty!"
The words barely left Cheng Shi's mouth before Aph Ros's eyes sharpened and He shook His head in flat denial.
"Embracing desire is life's very nature. I never twisted anyone's desire — I rely made them face the desires already in their hearts.
My brother, I know you an well. But if I were to accept the charges, it would an abandoning my own will, betraying my Benefactor's gaze, and forsaking [Corruption]'s core.
I cannot. Just as I cannot abandon [Birth]'s guidance.
One lives to revel. If even I cannot revel, how could I ever build a paradise of universal joy?"
"..."
'All right — as expected of a dual Envoy whose faith is perfectly self-consistent. You've really nailed that "born to revel, revel to be born" closed loop.'
Cheng Shi nodded, dropped the subject, and told Aph Ros he already had so ideas. The rest required further investigation before he could discern [Ti]'s true intentions and respond accordingly.
They discussed a bit more. Aph Ros, while hostile toward [Ti], was clearly more concerned about His own faith fusion. So the conversation circled back to Zangier.
Cheng Shi hadn't forgotten his other purpose here either — the Doctor's anomalous behavior and the suspected awakening of a second personality. He had to tread carefully to keep the Jokers safe.
With Wang Mou and Galusha's senses still sealed, Cheng Shi could speak more plainly — though he obviously couldn't ntion the Joker audit. He concocted a cover story about player identities, saying he'd brought two [Truth] followers here to see if they could assist Dolgod's "laboratory."
He said one of them still harbored designs on Zangier. If that person tried anything here, they might as well keep him as Zangier's assistant — or feed.
When Aph Ros heard that this [Truth]-following mortal wanted to stand on a predecessor's shoulders and gaze toward distant truth, He burst into laughter.
"What's so funny? What happened with Zangier?" The laughter made Cheng Shi uneasy.
Aph Ros kept laughing:
"Since he so covets that prisoner's power, why not simply grant his wish?
Trust , my brother — this might actually work in your favor.
Co — since you're here, let
show you Dolgod's newly established faith research institution...
The Honesty Court."
"???"
'What now?'
Cheng Shi was dumbstruck.
This place had a track record. The Evil Infant Inquisition had birthed a genuine "evil infant." Would the Honesty Court spawn so bizarre version of himself he couldn't recognize?
This was, after all, [Birth]'s holand. Who wouldn't be scared?
Cheng Shi halted mid-step, suddenly feeling that ending the visit right here would be just fine.
But Aph Ros was visibly excited. With a grand wave, He restored Galusha and Wang Weijin's senses, then led the way with servants clearing the path, guiding the three bewildered visitors toward the city's most massive building.
The Doctor noticed Aph Ros glancing his way repeatedly and frowned slightly. Galusha, having been "silenced" for so long, was brimming with curiosity. Walking behind Cheng Shi, she whispered:
"You're close with Aph Ros?"
Close?
'I am absolutely not close with Him!'
Well — not entirely not close either. Hmm... how to put it? Schr??dinger's familiarity.
When he wanted secrets from Him, he hoped they could talk about anything.
When He started taking off clothes, he only wished [Corruption]'s followers would show so self-respect...
Cheng Shi sighed, said nothing, and walked on shaking his head.
The group soon arrived before the sprawling tribunal. When Cheng Shi saw the two bold Chinese characters for "Honesty" blazoned across the building, he knew: whatever was inside had to be suprely absurd.
"Chinese? So there's a player helping with Dolgod's research infrastructure?
Fate Weaver — is that you?"
The Doctor studied Cheng Shi thoughtfully. Before Cheng Shi could answer, Aph Ros spoke first:
"Not him. A Wise Man far cleverer than any of you.
Compared to your restrained desires, I much prefer that candid, flamboyant puppet master."
Wise Man and puppet — anyone would know that ant Wei Mu!
The Doctor froze. He clearly hadn't expected that Wei Mu had outpaced him in the search — having already located Zangier.
"Co. Let
show you Dolgod's progress in faith research."
With that, Aph Ros pushed the doors open and strode inside.
Cheng Shi twitched at the corner of his mouth, politely letting the other two enter first. Only after all three had disappeared inside did he grip the doorfra and cautiously peek in.
But that single glance sent a seismic tremor through his pupils. He froze on the spot.
"This is..."
Both players stopped in their tracks. Wang Weijin's eyes blazed with piercing light, his voice trembling with excitent:
"The Stars Dagger!
The auras of [Birth] and [Corruption] are colliding and interweaving — yet not violently. As if they've found a path to fusion! This is nothing short of a flawless replication of a [Truth] experint!
Only... that doomsday Hanged Man, holding the sun and moon aloft... why is he wearing a mask?"
"???"
'Yep — things are getting absurd. Just as I predicted.'
...
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