Chapter 158 You are the forgotten hero of Onpharos, Sephalia.
More than a thousand years ago, at dawn on the cloud-covered cliffs.
As dawn broke, the Dawn Machine emitted a warm and sacred light, enveloping the entire city of Ohma.
Sephiroth, disguised as Atticus and assuming the identity of the new High Priest, stood beneath the Dawn Machine and addressed the entire citizenry of Ohmar, proclaiming:
"Citizens of Ohm – today I bring you two pieces of news: one sad and one good."
"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..."
"But, fellow citizens, please do not grieve for his passing!"
"Because the great priest was happy in the last moments of his life, because while his hearing and sight were still clear, he heard the Father's final instructions..."
"That is the good news I have to bring to you all!"
Before the great Titan of Necrostic fell silent, it whispered these words in the ear of my mentor… Now, I will pass them on to all the people of Onphalus!
She took a deep breath, her voice suddenly rising, impassioned and sacred, filled with compelling hope:
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 to create miracles... 'Forever!'"
Upon hearing this solemn chant, an elderly citizen with white hair trembled all over, his voice filled with immense emotion:
"Until...forever?"
Another young citizen had tears in his eyes and his voice was full of gratitude:
"The Father's love transcends time... and will continue for countless eons!"
Saifeier, disguised as Atticus, gazed at the massive and sacred Dawn Machine, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and gratitude:
"Citizens, friends! As the newly appointed High Priest, I hereby propose—"
A 100-day banquet will be held at Dawn Cloud Cliff to give thanks for the Father's gifts!
"Our mission is to transform the Father's word into unwavering faith!"
"This continuous hundred dawns of singing and dancing will convince every son of Onphalus—"
"—The light of the Dawn Machine will never be extinguished…The protection of the Kefaller has no end!"
On the Douluo Continent, everyone watched the exciting speech in the sky.
They instantly understood that the Dawn Machine could only last for three hundred years before it would shut down, plunging Onpharos into eternal night.
However, Sephiroth lied to the people of Ohm, saying that the light of the Dawn Machine would shine on the holy city forever.
Isn't this blatant deception?
But soon, everyone remembered the previous plot.
Saifei once invited Little Grey to search for treasure in the River Styx. At the time, she disguised herself as the Fire Thief, which startled Little Grey and Mimi.
He also introduced his abilities:
Her cunning can turn falsehood into reality; as long as someone firmly believes in it, it will become a reality!
Seifer deceived all the citizens of Ohmma, making them believe that the Dawn Machine would never be extinguished.
And the people of Ohmma truly believed this!
Everyone was incredibly surprised; the power of trickery was truly astounding.
Just a lie, a belief, allowed the Dawn Machine of Ohm to continue for more than seven hundred years!
No one expected that this "deceptive little mouth" would possess such enormous power.
The entire city of Ohma was able to continue for over seven hundred years because of this lie told by Seifer.
It is precisely because of this that Ohma has seen one Golden Blood after another who are capable of succeeding the Titans!
However, even at this point in the story, the people of Douluo Continent still couldn't guess why Sai Feier wanted to leave Aglaia.
She's just lying here; as long as she doesn't say it, the previous high priest is already dead.
The secret of the Dawn Machine will never be known to anyone else in the world.
Moreover, Cypher's cunning is immune to Aglaia's golden threads, so there's no need to worry about being discovered.
What exactly happened that made her resolutely leave that warm little home and her beloved Aglaia "mother"?
The image reappeared above the sky.
Saifeier collapsed on the cold ground, barely breathing, her voice incredibly weak, as she intermittently recited her prophecy:
"You will walk with greed, and you will perish for a single penny..."
"Ha…that 'dividing' in the prophecy…"
"So it meant exactly what it said..."
She gazed at the gray sky, coughed violently, and spoke with deep regret:
"Atticus…cough…is a good boy…"
"I stole your identity... I... want to apologize to you..."
"But I owe you more than just an apology...and you too, Aya..."
A deep longing appeared in Sai Fei'er's eyes. She turned her neck with difficulty and looked to the side.
I saw a golden nymph radiating golden light all over its body; it was a symbol of Aglaia's power.
Her voice was deep, and she coughed up several mouthfuls of golden blood as she explained with all her might:
"At that time, I… cough, cough… I had to leave Ohma…"
"Because you are so perceptive of people's hearts... If I could stay by your side..."
"My fragile lies... will be exposed sooner or later."
Saifeier caught her breath, her vision gradually blurring, and then Aglaia's back appeared before her eyes, so gentle, so familiar.
"Your weaving workshop... I wish... I could just happen to pass by it again..."
She was lost in her fantasy. In the scene, a little girl with short red hair walked up to Aglaia. It was Tibo.
The two seemed to be discussing something in hushed tones.
"I was scolded by you and Sister Tibo..."
Sai Fei'er gazed at that illusory figure, her eyes filled with guilt:
"Ah... I'm sorry..."
"In the end... I... still..."
"He overestimated himself..."
At this moment, she was severely injured by the Fire Thief and was on the verge of death, no longer having the strength to speak.
She slowly closed her eyes, focusing her mind, communicating with Aglaia with her heart, and conveying her final thoughts:
"But... at least one thing... I did it..."
"The flame of Cephalus isn't here... It's... safe now."
"Even if in the end I'm just a thief... I..."
"...So you did make some contribution to the Fire Chaser, right?"
Saifei stared at Aglaia's back, which had been turned away from her the whole time, and her vision became increasingly blurry.
It wasn't until her deathbed that she finally understood what she had longed for most in her life.
Her eyes were vacant as she stared at that retreating figure, a deep, yearning cry emanating from the depths of her heart:
"Aya...can you hear me?"
"Please say one more thing to me..."
"Please..."
In the end, as Saifei's world gradually descended into darkness, she still didn't see Aglaia turn around.
Filled with endless regret, she was about to fall asleep forever when she suddenly felt a familiar, warm presence approaching.
With her last ounce of strength, she struggled to open her heavy eyes.
The first thing that catches the eye is Aglaia's pair of white, jade-like feet, adorned with delicate sandals.
Saifei slowly raised her face and saw Aglaia squatting in front of her.
He looked at her with eyes full of worry and heartache, eyes brimming with tenderness and approval.
Aglaia slowly opened her mouth, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze caressing the surface of a lake:
"You are the forgotten hero of Onphalus, Cephalia."
"You saved us all."
"You betrayed the world..."
"...It was used to buy a mortal's remaining life for a thousand years."
Aglaia acknowledged all of her contributions.
At the same time, he slowly reached out his hand, wanting to take this cat, who had suffered countless grievances and silently devoted its life, back to his home.
Upon receiving the approval of the person she cared about most, a faint blush immediately appeared on Sai Fei'er's pale face.
Looking at the warm hand that was being extended to her, she slowly raised her own small hand, painted with gold nail polish, and reached out to Aglaia.
A smile, the happiest and most fulfilling of her life, appeared on her face, and the blush on her cheeks was as beautiful as the splendid sunset in the sky.
Finally, she closed her eyes contentedly and fell asleep peacefully under Aglaia's gaze.
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(End of chapter)