Chapter 264: Mephilia Purpose The heavy cell door opened before Aiden. He gripped his lantern and strode into the cell. Mephilia was awake today, staring straight at him. "Oh my, such a... serious expression today. Anyone unaware might think you're here to catch an adulterer," Mephilia grinned, flashing her usual playful smile at him. "Looks like next up... is another round of your questions and my answers?" "You want to play a game?" Aiden asked. "I'd love to, but you don't seem to be in the mood," Mephilia smiled. "It doesn't matter to me. We can talk while playing, as usual," Aiden replied calmly. Aiden indeed had no desire to play board games with the goddess before him, but from the moment he entered, he sensed Mephilia anticipated the purpose of his visit. Seeing her attitude, Aiden realized getting agitated was useless. Before the composed goddess, no matter how darkly he scowled or how loudly he questioned, he would only appear ridiculous. Mephilia eyes widened slightly, seemingly a bit surprised, then she narrowed her eyes with delight. "Not bad. I quite attitude of yours." "Then what shall we play?" "The usual," Mephilia used her psychokinesis to bring out the Ludo set they often played. "What do you want to ask?" "You told me before that you grew tired of your worshipping Blood Moon Cult and abandoned them... But wasn't it actually the 'Mr. Bloodcloth' behind them who betrayed you first? Is that right?" Aiden asked while rolling the dice. On his first throw, he rolled a six. "My, my, your luck is quite good today!" Mephilia first commented on Aiden's roll, then unhurriedly answered the question. "Looks like you already know the other conditions for the 'Hatred' Authority?" "Did you, perhaps, once use him as your pawn, having him seize the 'Hatred' Authority for you?" Aiden pressed. Based on the information from the God of Death's Agent, Mephilia had once granted Mr. Bloodcloth her blessing. The God of Death's Agent obtained powers by killing people for his master and acted according to the God of Death's will. Kyle received immortality from the Progenitor because the Progenitor needed him for tasks. Then Mr. Bloodcloth, at that time, was likely Mephilia "Agent." His specific act of seizing the "Hatred" Authority from the "Vengeance Sanctuary" was probably also under Mephilia direction. Snatching an Authority from one Dominator likely required the backing of another Dominator; otherwise, it would be nigh impossible. "Correct. You haven't disappointed me," Mephilia showed a gratified smile. "He was a pawn of rather good quality. At the time, I gave instructions for him to seize the 'Hatred' Authority and hold it for me—because 'I' couldn't directly absorb the 'Hatred' Authority. But that fellow unhesitatingly chose to betray me and monopolize the Authority. Truly disappointing." Finally, it was Mephilia turn. She rolled the dice, also getting a six. "Disappointing?" Aiden picked up the dice, glanced up at Mephilia, and suddenly sneered. "Don't joke around." "You, a mind-reading goddess, how could you not anticipate his betrayal?" Aiden answered calmly. "It would be difficult for a mere mortal to deceive you, wouldn't it?" "Then what are you implying?" Mephilia asked with keen interest. "His betrayal was actually within your expectations, wasn't it?" Aiden stared at the game board, moving his piece as he spoke. "Then why would I do that?" Mephilia asked, her tone less like a question and more like posing a riddle. Aiden didn't answer directly but posed a question back: "Tell me first, if a person fulfills the conditions for an ascension ritual before obtaining the Divine Utterance and the corresponding sole Authority, in that situation..." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel·fiɾe·net "The moment they grasp the Divine Utterance and obtain the sole Authority, they will be acknowledged by the Authority," Mephilia answered before he finished. "Just as you thought, the order of completing the ritual conditions and obtaining the Authority doesn't matter, even if... the ritual was completed unintentionally." "So, your purpose was to cultivate an 'Enemy,' to complete your act of 'Vengeance' before obtaining the Authority?" As Aiden spoke, he rolled the dice again, getting another six. He could choose to bring out another piece or move his current piece forward six spaces. Counting six spaces ahead, Mephilia piece happened to be right there. "Oh dear, you got me," Mephilia watched as Aiden knocked her piece back home, landed exactly on a square of his own color allowing him to "fly" forward, and then advanced four more spaces according to his additional roll. She used her psychokinesis to "pick up" the dice and roll, but only got a one, effectively skipping her turn. "But the question is..." Aiden held the dice, looking directly into Mephilia eyes, "Why didn't you kill him yourself?" "And what is your take on that?" Mephilia tilted her head. "Don't tell me you intended... to use me as the springboard for the 'Betrayal' ritual?" Aiden frowned. Aiden's current predicament, looking back now, could be said to be entirely of Mephilia making. Mr. Bloodcloth, who killed the previous Aiden, obtained the 'Hatred' Authority with Mephilia help, and his act of betrayal was premeditated by Mephilia. Afterward, Mephilia guided the Inquisition to dismantle the Blood Moon Cult and secretly reached some kind of "agreement" with the previous Aiden. It was likely her actions that caused Mr. Bloodcloth to designate "Aiden Galord" as his nemesis. Then, she placed an insurance policy on Aiden, making it impossible for Mr. Bloodcloth to kill "Aiden." After Aiden learned of his situation, to protect himself, he could only rely on Mephilia, strive to obtain divine powers, seeking the strength to defend himself against Mr. Bloodcloth's "Vengeance." And during this process, Mephilia could choose, at some point, to commit an act of "Betrayal" against him. But hearing his answer, Mephilia, contrary to her earlier gratification and approval, shook her head somewhat helplessly. "How could you suspect me ? Towards you, I am truly—" "Don't spout that kind of cheesy line that even ghosts wouldn't believe. It gives me goosebumps," Aiden cut her off preemptively. "So unromantic," Mephilia muttered, then gave Aiden a meaningful smile. "But, you don't really think I needed to do all that, do you?"