Chapter 948: Aphros

......Aphros

This was probably Cheng Shi’s masterpiece as a Messenger, and the most convincing disguise in history.

The door radiating the new power of [Defilement], the vessel absorbing surrounding desires, the figure protected by the Chaos Performance Art, and the lingering resentment of Goryth—swaying between void and reality, ever ready...

No one could expose Cheng Shi in this disguise; even Aphros himself, upon seeing this, would believe he had merely found a mirror.

Too real...

If this could be called fake, then no true Aphros could exist in this world.

So from the moment He descended, Hroberos never doubted—it merely assumed He had been a step too slow, allowing Aphros to drag that jester who had angered the Master into His own [Time] prison.

This jester truly has some significance; the gods all seem to care deeply about him.

But how could a prisoner locked away by [Time] appear here to “protect” him?

Hroberos leapt out of the void, coldly surveying everything around, casually tossing Lin Xi—who had been stunned by the thunder while resisting it—to the side, then turned toward Cheng Shi and spoke in a low voice:

“You escaped?”

“Escaped?” Cheng Shi snorted, embodying Aphros’s indulgence and distortion with perfect precision, “Why escape? Can’t I just step out for a walk?”

Hroberos frowned, letting out a cold snort: “If you could have escaped, you wouldn’t have waited until now in this era. Have all your mad ideas been fulfilled?”

“So what if they haven’t, Hroberos? Eras change. If everything else changes, why can’t I?”

“That has nothing to do with you. As long as [Time] does not relent, no matter how you transform, you will never be forgiven.”

With the precedent of the [Mirror of Delusion] shattered, He will never allow you to corrupt any believer of any [Existence] again.”

“!!??”

What the hell?

I always said you gotta get your gossip straight from their mouths—what did Hroberos mean, the shattering of [Delusion] is tied to Aphros?

Huh?

Could it be that my good brother shattered that [Memory] mirror?

Then why was He imprisoned by [Time], not [Memory]!?

Cheng Shi was stunned, but he masked his shock perfectly, twisting his face into an expression of furious spasms.

“Watch your words, Hroberos. I, Aphros, have never needed forgiveness!”

This was said with force—but not to the Hroberos before him. It was meant for the real Aphros behind him.

Cheng Shi knew this was a dangerous gamble: impersonating Aphros at his own doorstep, even summoning Goryth’s resentment as backup. Without a plausible excuse, even if he survived this crisis, a new one would brew.

So to minimize future explanations, Cheng Shi decided to learn from poison—appease Aphros’s twisted desires.

In plain terms: flatter him first.

He firmly believed this wasn’t corruption by [Defilement], but the most rational, wise choice after his desires and emotions had been absorbed by the vessel.

Hroberos heard this and sneered.

“Whether or not you’re forgiven isn’t your decision. You should be grateful you’re a prisoner—otherwise, your actions today would have brought you true annihilation.”

Hroberos wasn’t afraid of Aphros. Whether dual Messengers or dual faiths, to them, it was merely another set of tools and authority. Faiths never settle through simple confrontation. Under the Master’s protection, Hroberos dared annihilate anyone who stood in the way.

But this one... was specifically a prisoner of [Time].

Even when beating a dog, you must consider its master. Until [Time] pardons Aphros’s crimes, Hroberos truly dared not lay a hand on His prisoner.

The Master might protect Himself from [Birth], and [Defilement]—staying indoors—needn’t be feared. But [Time] is different...

Even if unwilling to admit it, [Annihilation]’s defeat at the hands of [Void] was an undeniable fact. Thus, [Existence], equal to [Void], was not a good enemy to make.

Hroberos didn’t think Himself cowardly. He was merely considering the Master’s interests and the faith’s position. So He withdrew, abandoning this mission despite Aphros’s mockery and interference.

“I will find time to explain today’s events to [Time]. I hope by then you can still laugh as easily as you do now.”

“Also, keep a closer eye on your toy. I don’t believe you have the freedom to stroll out whenever you please.”

Saying this, Hroberos turned and left, though before departing, He frowned and glanced toward the distant Borogao direction, muttering, “Why is He here too?”

Cheng Shi didn’t hear this whisper. He only saw Hroberos depart decisively, never once glancing at the believer who had summoned Him.

Lin Xi lay like a stray dog abandoned by the roadside—ignored by all, still unconscious.

Even though Hroberos had vanished from the trial, Cheng Shi dared not relax. He kept tossing the vessel in his hand as if playing, eyes darting left and right, fearing a sudden return.

Only after a long while, as Goryth’s resentment began to fade, did Cheng Shi finally confirm the crisis had truly passed.

But this matter... was far from over.

For just as Cheng Shi was about to exhale in relief, a familiar voice suddenly emerged from behind the door leading to the abyss of desire.

“Stop looking. He’s already gone.”

“!!!”

Cheng Shi froze, his body snapping rigid. He hastily retracted the [Defilement] vessel, then approached the door with trepidation, hand on the frame, whispering into the empty void:

“You... heard all of that?”

“Ha, of course. You always bring me new surprises. This performance was nothing short of brilliant—but my brother, don’t you owe me an explanation?”

This performance was hardly unimpressive, but my brother, shouldn’t you give me an explanation?

“Never mind why Hroberos chased you, or why you stole my identity to scare Him off. I only want to know: where did you get that vessel?

I smell a familiar scent. You... did something to Him?”

I smelled a familiar aura—you... acted against Him?

Before the sentence finished—“Bang!”

Cheng Shi slammed the door shut.

The pale-faced jester forced calm as he slipped the door key back into his pocket, then let out a long breath.

The one good thing about that Lord’s gift: as long as I don’t step through the door, you can never touch me.

As for how to explain this to Aphros later...

I’ll think about it. When I’ve crafted a perfect lie, then I’ll face him.

But if I can’t think of one...

Why should today’s me bear tomorrow’s Cheng Shi’s troubles?

Thus, Cheng Shi convinced himself to stop worrying about Aphros’s interrogation and refocused on the present, turning his gaze back to the trial.

This sudden confrontation between divine messengers brought one good piece of news and one bad one.

First, the bad: Chun was gone. This avenger had either been banished or annihilated—she had not returned to the trial.

But the good news? Even if she died, her enemy would soon join her. For the moment Cheng Shi turned around, the stunned Lin Xi slowly stirred awake.

And when he saw Cheng Shi unharmed, while the Messenger who had granted him summoning power had vanished, Lin Xi’s heart lurched, his eyes flooding with boundless terror.

“W-Where is Lord Hroberos!?” he gasped, disbelieving.

Cheng Shi’s eyes rolled, and he smirked mockingly:

“Dead. You know I’m a famed Weaver of Fate. I’ve redirected His lifelong path of [Annihilation] to the Hall of Death.

Now, He is the most prominent skull at that Lord’s feet—and now...

It’s your turn, Lin Xi!”

“!!??”

In that instant, someone’s terror shattered its limits.

In that instant, someone’s fear shattered its limit.