Starting as Cipher-The Flame-Chaser Identity System(Honkai Star Rail)

During dinner, Aria appeared dejected, keeping her head bowed throughout the meal. Feidric had just finished explaining the Oath of Vengeance to her, and the news had clearly unsettled her.

Aria was now desperate to learn more about the Black Knight's past. If Viscount Braun had truly committed terrible deeds, she wouldn't hesitate to help her.

However, it was clear that their previous encounter had been a mere coincidence. Meeting the Black Knight again wouldn't be easy.

Feidric, meanwhile, kept sniffling and coughing throughout the meal, clearly unwell.

He could have sought out a priest, paid for a Cure Minor Illness spell, and gotten rid of his cold instantly. But Feidric figured it was just a minor illness—not worth the trouble.

As for Douglas, this was Cipher's first time seeing him without his plate armor. Dressed in loose brown clothing, he ate while surreptitiously observing the other adventurers in the guild hall.

Cipher followed Douglas's gaze and spotted a woman in a mage robe. She pursed her lips and casually said, "Why don't you grow some courage? What's the point of just staring from over here? Go say hello."

Douglas chuckled sheepishly. "Ah, I just finished a quest and I'm exhausted. Next time! Definitely next time!"

After completing the "Clear the Underground Tomb" quest, Cipher received twelve Gold Dragons and five Silver Lions—a very fair share. The group unanimously decided to rest for a while longer before accepting any new quests.

Cipher asked Feidric how many more quests of this level she needed to complete to advance to Silver Adventurer status. Feidric replied, "If they're all like the Underground Tomb, probably about ten more."

Cipher exclaimed, "Huh? That many?"

Feidric added, "If you were willing to reveal that you're the Phantom Thief Cat, you'd likely jump straight to Silver Adventurer, and maybe even skip ahead to Gold."

Cipher immediately waved her hand in refusal. "No, no, no, let's just forget about that."

As time passed and night fell, Cipher once again ventured out to Viscount Braun's manor. The journey was uneventful; she knew the route so well it felt like returning home.

Then, as she passed the vault on the second floor, Cipher was astonished to find its door wide open. Not only that, but all three treasure chests inside were also unlocked and ajar.

Curiosity piqued, Cipher stepped inside for a look around. She discovered a note inside one of the chests:

To the esteemed Mr. Phantom Thief Cat,

You are welcome to take as many Gold Dragons from the vault as you please—consider it a small gift from me. Beyond these, I possess other... intriguing items that might interest you. If you wouldn't mind, would you be willing to meet? I trust these offerings will not disappoint.

—Viscount Braun

Even more absurdly, beside the note lay a neatly packed coin pouch. Cipher hefted it, estimating its weight to be roughly the same as her previous hauls—around five hundred Gold Dragons.

Cipher: "???"

No way, is this for real? Had she really frightened Viscount Braun so badly last time that he was now leaving his vault wide open for her to raid at will?

Wait, maybe it wasn't out of fear. Perhaps this was actually the wisest course of action. After all, no lock could keep Cipher out anyway. Better to leave the vault wide open and make a good impression on this unknown master thief. Still, even if that was the logic, Viscount Braun must be a man of considerable resolve to actually make such a decision.

Though not explicitly stated, the letter used "a valuable treasure" as leverage to arrange a meeting with Cipher. In his eyes, forging a connection with such a formidable thief might make a few Gold Dragons seem like a trivial price to pay.

But Cipher wasn't here to steal money this time. Stealing without announcing it first would be out of character. So she turned and left, strolling leisurely through Viscount Braun's manor at Divine Speed, contemplating where to begin her investigation.

Rounding a corner, Cipher spotted a vaguely familiar figure. The man wore the standard uniform of a guard, a longsword hanging at his hip. He appeared to be just finishing his shift and heading towards the exit. Cipher recognized him as one of the guards from Pieck Braun's escort quest—the very one who had delivered the money to Cassie's House.

As a guard, he undoubtedly met the physical requirements, so the man was robust. As Cipher passed him, she casually lifted his sleeve to take a quick peek. She froze. A conspicuous X-shaped scar marred his arm. Could this so-called distant relative of Cassie's family actually be the murderer of her parents?

Stunned, Cipher deactivated Divine Speed and trailed the man out of the Viscount's Manor. Once they were out of sight, she pinched her nose to disguise her voice and hissed, "Why did you kill Cassie's parents?"

The sudden voice startled the guard. What unnerved him most was its proximity—it sounded as if someone were standing right behind him, whispering into his ear. Cold sweat broke out as he drew his weapon and warily scanned his surroundings. "Who's there?!"

His formal training as a guard had taught him how dangerous it was for someone to approach so closely unnoticed.

He spun around, but found no one. The dim glow of the kerosene lamps lining the street barely pierced the shadows lurking in the corners, where something seemed to hide, silently watching him.

Cipher's voice echoed again, "Don't be afraid. I'm your conscience. Haven't we talked like this in ages? Help me remember what really happened back then."

After regaining some composure, the guard tentatively asked, "Are you... that Catfolk adventurer from the escort quest?"

"???"

Cipher, who was pinching her nose to disguise her voice, froze, her mind reeling with question marks.

"Your voice is too distinctive," the guard explained. "Even when you lower it, it's unmistakable..."