C-CAD05 (Oct 18, 2022)
Puzzle
“Zigzag Dhjvbhlvkhm.”
Cipher | 1 Word
Clue
Hover over the clues if you require!
Clue 1: This is a house Cipher, commonly deployed in the First and Second Cafe.
Clue 2: What does a zigzag look like horizontally?
Clue 3: Down and up and down and up and...
Answer and Explanation
Answer: Rajapalayam
Explanation: This is Cafe Code, with the standard 'Cafe' as the key, but it's zig-zagged such that the first letter is shifted down, then the second is shifted up, the third down again, and so on.
Summary of Receipt
Summary
Transcript
[BRANCH] ASTORIA
[SERVER] EMPLOYEE NO. 26
[DATE] 10/18/22
[INDEX ID] CAD05
[SECURITY] CAFE
Hellhound’s Howl… Thankfully, my little bat is safe and sound in the Necropolis. Never would’ve guessed the safest place for my princess would be six feet under, but it seems like the Necropolis is holding up pretty well amidst all this bedlam. It probably helps that she doesn’t have to worry about guarding Asmodeus’ Key—just the Spire of Night. No. 7 is checking in on Morningstar, and I imagine things are going smoothly there too. No. 512 is keeping an eye on Hauntaurskald, and I suppose No. 44 and I could lend a hand with that. From what I can tell from down here, Mayda seems to be holding its own without Leviathan. As for Esterskald… not sure what we’ll do there, but also not sure it’s our problem to solve.
Nikki: Mom! Dad! …And [No. 2312]. And [No. 71]. And… ugh, Red. What’re you all doing here?
No. 1: We came to check on you.
Nikki: Why?
No. 71: Haven’t you heard about the other Princes yet?
Nikki: No…?
No. 44: Eve is trying to collect the Keys of Hell.
Nikki: Ugh, the Keys? Again? You’d think at some point God would just get rid of those things.
No. 2312: Agreed.
No. 71: That’s not how Hell works, unfortunately. The Debt is structured the way it is for a reason. A reason we’ve all seen.
Nikki: What do you mean?
No. 44: It’s a long story, dear. But... the Devil’s children—they’re his price for freedom.
Nikki: And Eve’s willing to pay that price?
No. 44: Unfortunately, yes.
No. 26: It’s downright unthinkable if you ask me! I won’t let her lay a finger on you, pumpkin.
No. 1: I don’t think Eve cares about Nikki.
Nikki: Thanks.
No. 1: No, I mean it’s a good thing. You don’t have a Key, so… you’re not part of her plan.
Nikki: Wait—how does Eve even have Asmodeus’ Key? I thought Fate had it? Same with Lucifer’s Key?
No. 71: Eve and Fate are working together.
Nikki: Gross, really?
No. 71: It looks that way. Though, I don’t think Eve realizes Fate is helping her.
No. 2312: Is she really that clueless? I thought she had, y’know, knowledge of everything. All that good and evil stuff. She must know Fate’s pulling the strings.
No. 44: She still had a child with Secret. Either she knows what the Cold are planning and is already several steps ahead, or she’s resigned herself to Fate—if it works in her favor.
No. 2312: Mm… always thinking a few moves ahead.
Nikki: Wait, Secret’s child? Eve and Secret are… together?
No. 2312: Oh, right, you missed that whole weird month. Yeah, the Pale is Eve and Secret’s kid. Her first one, actually.
Nikki: Super gross. Anyway, is there anything I can do to help?
No. 44: Just keep the Spire safe, my little Queen of Hell. If the Debt is to be paid and the Devil freed, he might try to use its power.
Nikki: The Devil? What can I do to stop the Devil?
No. 44: It’s often God you really have to worry about.