Inside the room, the two sat facing each other.
The mattress sank slightly beneath their weight, and the faint sound of their breathing intertwined within the quiet space.
For a moment, it felt as though everything had returned to the beginning.
Meng Xingyao quickly accepted the fact that her backside no longer hurt.
After all, she had personally experienced Cat Sister's miraculous abilities more than once.
At that moment, Cipher's gaze landed on the slight crease between the little princess's brows.
All her emotions were hidden deep within her eyes.
Then she calmly brought the conversation back to the main topic.
First came the reason for her anger today.
Naturally, she concealed the truth regarding the Power of Deception and instead used a vague explanation to gloss over it.
Meng Xingyao lowered her eyes and listened quietly.
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothing.
Even after Cipher finished speaking, she showed little reaction.
Her hands remained resting on her knees.
Because halfway through the explanation, she had already started suspecting that Cat Sister was tricking her again.
After all, she looked perfectly healthy.
Cipher narrowed her eyes.
She immediately caught the lingering grievance hidden within the girl's gaze.
It was obvious.
This little princess didn't take the explanation seriously at all.
She was still stubbornly convinced that Cipher was simply finding excuses.
That reaction was understandable.
After being beaten for no apparent reason, any young girl would feel wronged.
Cipher (๑òᆺó๑): This girl... she probably still thinks I just wanted an excuse to hit her.
Her cat ears drooped slightly.
Then she shook her head helplessly.
She wasn't some unreasonable cat without principles.
Well...
At least not most of the time.
Her standards were simply a little flexible.
Thinking of this, she looked at the little princess with a somewhat sympathetic expression.
Since she couldn't reveal the truth directly...
Why not use another lie to prove it?
The next moment, Meng Xingyao, who had still been sulking with a resentful expression, suddenly froze.
Then...
"Aaaaaahhh!!!"
A piercing scream erupted throughout the room.
...
"Pfft... Ahem... Well? Little princess? I wasn't lying, was I?"
"...Cat Sister, were you just laughing?"
"No. I simply thought of something happy."
"Get lost! You were obviously laughing at me!"
"Pfft...Hahahaha! Sorry, little princess!"
At this moment, Cipher's hand was gently rubbing the burning area behind Meng Xingyao.
Her movements were incredibly careful.
Unfortunately, her shoulders were shaking uncontrollably.
Like a cat desperately trying not to laugh.
Moments earlier, Cipher had temporarily removed the deception.
As a result, Meng Xingyao, who had been sitting lazily on the bed with her chin resting in her hands, nearly ascended to heaven from the sudden pain.
Cipher had witnessed the entire process.
Needless to say, she laughed without the slightest bit of guilt.
Meanwhile, Meng Xingyao's body was still trembling.
Her eyes remained lowered.
Yet the resentful glare she shot through her lashes seemed capable of piercing straight through Cipher's body.
In the end, she clenched her fists.
Swallowed every complaint she wanted to make.
And chose silence.
Once Cipher restored the deception.
The pain disappeared once again.
Only then was Meng Xingyao able to sit properly across from her.
"So? You believe me now, right?"
"I wasn't just trying to scare you."
Cipher asked while struggling to suppress another burst of laughter.
Hearing that, Meng Xingyao shot her a dissatisfied look.
But she didn't argue.
Facts spoke louder than words.
Cipher truly didn't possess some miraculous healing ability.
Everything she had done was only suppressing the symptoms.
The injury itself still existed.
It was like covering a crack with beautiful paint.
The crack remained beneath the surface.
Meng Xingyao (´.＿.｀): So that's why...Compared to me, Sister Xiyue always looked exhausted these past few days. Even though my mental strength is stronger than hers, my condition was far too normal. It turns out Cat Sister has been protecting me the entire time...
After understanding the truth, most of the frustration in her heart vanished instantly.
However, another question soon appeared.
"Cat Sister. Then why don't you just heal me directly? If you're really a god...Shouldn't something like this be easy?"
The moment she finished speaking, Cipher looked at her as though she were an idiot.
The next second.
Flick.
"Ouch?!"
Meng Xingyao immediately covered her forehead.
"No, little princess. Although This Cat is talented in many fields, medicine isn't one of them. Why would you assume I can solve everything?"
Cipher couldn't help complaining.
Blind confidence was one thing.
Treating her as omnipotent was another matter entirely.
Meanwhile, Meng Xingyao rubbed her forehead miserably.
But after hearing those words...
She suddenly froze.
Her breathing slowed.
Her head lowered.
The painful expression gradually disappeared.
In its place came an unusual calmness.
The sudden change in atmosphere caused even Cipher to become slightly tense.
Although she wasn't entirely sure why.
Looking at the girl's complicated expression, Cipher wisely remained silent.
She simply waited.
After a long while...
Meng Xingyao's eyelashes trembled slightly.
She slowly raised her head.
Her clear eyes met Cipher's blue ones directly.
As though she wanted to see through everything hidden within them.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of her clothes.
When she finally spoke, her voice was extremely soft.
"Cat Sister...At the Anime Convention...You promised that no matter what I asked afterward...You would answer me honestly."
She paused.
Then stared directly into Cipher's eyes.
"So...Can you tell me who you really are? Or rather...Are you truly just an ordinary Cat Girl? The blood flowing through your body...Why is it golden? Why does it look like liquid gold?"
This was the first time Meng Xingyao had asked the question so seriously.
So directly.
Because she needed an answer.
Looking at the serious expression on the little princess's face, the playfulness gradually faded from Cipher's own.
The teasing smile disappeared.
In its place remained a rare solemnity.
Then she chuckled softly.
"Cifera. Also known as Cipher. The name travels faster than the wind."
Her gaze became distant.
As though she were looking beyond the room.
Beyond the city.
Beyond this world itself.
Then she slowly spoke.
"I am one of the Twelve Demigods from a world called Amphoreus."