"Thank you, thank you all for the cheers. I know this might be sudden and surprising, but Elias and I are truly in love~ So please, bless us!"
Elysia stood on a chair, speaking to the others in the Fire Moth cafeteria.
The pink-haired girl waved to the crowd, her face beaming with utter happiness.
She rubbed the necklace on her chest.
At this moment, Elysia was so happy she wanted to tell everyone—no, the entire world—that she had become Elias' girlfriend.
The warriors and staff of Fire Moth in the cafeteria offered their blessings while simultaneously throwing in their fair share of teasing comments.
"Surprised? Elysia, do you really think we're surprised that you two like each other?"
"Come on! What surprises us is that you weren't already a couple until now!"
"Exactly. The two of you act like you've been together for centuries. That kind of chemistry and you still hadn't confessed? So now that you have, doesn't that mean..."
"We're gonna get sugar overload from watching this!"
"Someone bring out my royal dog food platter! I need to ship this couple hard!"
No one had expected that Elias and Elysia hadn't officially confessed to each other until now.
The two scratched their heads in slight embarrassment. After all, it didn't feel that necessary to say it out loud—confession or not, their relationship had always been like this.
In their hearts, they had long since entrusted each other with feelings that went beyond mere lovers.
While Elias believed in speaking his mind—especially with something as important as a confession—even he had to admit: shy moments were still shy moments.
After saying those words, even a second of waiting for a response felt like an eternity. That kind of chest-tightening nervousness? He'd rather go head-to-head in a mental chess game with Otto.
But now, the rumors between Elias and Mobius were finally a thing of the past. Their official announcement had taken over the top of Fire Moth's internal forums.
"I've finally become your girlfriend, Elias. I've waited so, so long for this day~!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Elysia."
"It's okay. Right now, I feel incredibly happy. No matter what it is, I can forgive you for anything."
"Heh, is that so? Then..."
Elias sat beside Elysia, and when she wasn't paying attention, he stole a kiss from her soft lips and even grabbed her slender wrist as if not allowing her to resist.
He went even further—picking her up in a princess carry and walking boldly toward his bedroom, ignoring the envious and jealous looks of the surrounding singles.
"My dear Elias, aren't you being a bit too bold?! Everyone's watching... Elysia will get embarrassed!"
"You said you'd forgive me for anything. A person has to be responsible for their words. And besides... my sweet Elysia, from how happy you look, I don't see even a hint of reluctance."
Elias smiled, exposing Elysia's true feelings.
Her cheeks immediately flushed red, a little embarrassed. After all, 'crush' was far more bashful than 'love.' But it didn't take long before she admitted it openly.
"I can't help it. I really, really wanted to show off to everyone that I finally became your girlfriend. Hehe~ Elias, you finally belong to your pink elf lady!"
"I can't help it either. My heart was stolen by this elf before me—she's just too wonderful."
Elias nuzzled Elysia's cheek.
Fighting to protect all that is beautiful had always been his vow.
But at this moment, he truly felt—there was nothing in the world more beautiful than Elysia.
The first thing the two of them did after returning to the bedroom was knock a hole through the wall—specifically, the one that separated their rooms. Then, Elysia pushed her bed over.
They joined their beds together into a perfect double bed, and lay down side by side. After four days apart, they finally reclaimed their exclusive cuddle pillow.
Elias and Elysia clung to each other as if trying to merge into one body.
They had done this on occasion before—like the time the pink elf couldn't sleep after watching a horror movie and desperately buried herself into Elias.
But this time, the feelings involved made it all the more special.
In the past, they'd referred to each other ambiguously as cuddle buddies, travel partners, childhood friends, or love interests—as if those titles were excuses.
Now, they no longer needed excuses.
They simply wanted to be intimate. They wanted to be close—physically and emotionally!
With that straightforward desire in mind, both of their hands began to wander…
...
The next day, the two of them walked through the base looking radiant, greeting everyone they passed—or rather, using the opportunity to spread dog food wherever they went.
For some reason, one of the soldiers had an extreme reaction and ran off crying.
When the two walked past the First Research Lab—
"You two, explain yourselves!!!"
Mobius, clearly furious, nearly threw a scalpel at them. She glared at Elias and Elysia with rage burning in her eyes, clearly itching to draw blood.
She had woken up that morning completely dumbfounded.
Everyone in the base was talking about Elias and Elysia's confession. Though she too was surprised they hadn't already been in that kind of relationship—
What mattered more were the subtle stares she got from people around her. Overnight, Mobius had somehow become known as Elias' ex-girlfriend!
This was outrageous!
"I think this one's on you, Doctor," Elias replied casually.
"Hah?"
Mobius blinked.
"If you hadn't said such misleading things last night, none of those misunderstandings would've happened. I probably wouldn't have confessed to Elysia so soon. So in a way... I should be thanking you."
Elias lifted their clasped hands—ten fingers intertwined.
"I... you two..."
For a moment, Mobius didn't know what to say. So this was all her doing?
Not only had she earned herself the title of ex-girlfriend, but she had also inadvertently pushed the two of them together?!
This was beyond soap opera levels of drama!
But to be fair, there was an upside.
Elias, Elysia, and Mobius—the gossip surrounding them was juicy and sweet. Everyone was eating it up, to the point that no one even noticed the "missing" Herrscher corpse anymore.
"Hiss hiss~ huu~ Fine. Since I apparently contributed to your relationship, it's only fair I get a thank-you gift, right? Elysia's little boyfriend is mine for a while. I need him to assist with more research on life sciences."
"No way! Doctor, you wish! Who knows what kind of wicked things you'll do to my dear Elias? I absolutely won't give you the chance!"
Elysia stood protectively in front of Elias like a mother hen shielding her chick. No way was she going to wake up and find herself the ex—let alone take on the title of 'Miss Green Elf.'
Besides, if we're talking about the healthy color green, wouldn't that suit you better, Dr. Mobius?
"Uh, Elysia... Dr. Mobius might have no sense of boundaries and research forbidden topics, but she is doing legitimate anti-Honkai work. So long as it doesn't involve human experimentation, I'm still willing to help," Elias said.
"But what if something happens to you, Elias..."
"If you're really that worried, you can just come along. With you watching from the side, even if I accidentally drink some sleeping tea, Dr. Mobius wouldn't get a chance to do anything."
"Oh, that's true. That solves the problem."
Elysia blinked, then lightly tapped her left palm with a clenched right fist. With her guarding Elias, that sneaky little snake wouldn't stand a chance.
"Hey! My lab is not couple-friendly!"
"Take a step back, Doctor. For the sake of your pursuit of the infinite, just bear with it."
"Elias, you—!"
Mobius was so frustrated she couldn't even get the words out.
They'd only known each other for just over two days, yet somehow neither Elias nor Elysia could be controlled... and worse, she was starting to get played by Elias instead!
But like Elias said—
"Fine! Fine! I'll bear with it!"
For the sake of infinite truth, to uncover the secrets of Elias' body, what's one annoying Elysia? She could just treat her like a pink pet piglet being raised in the lab.
Mobius: (But just you wait! One day, I'll have Elysia tied to a restraint chair, forced to watch while I do all kinds of things to Elias, exploring every secret of his body—and she won't be able to do a thing!)
...
Some time later—
Mobius' lab had grown... lively.
If people in the base had once viewed the First Research Institute as a devil's den—terrifying, cruel, conducting dangerous and forbidden research—
Now, ever since Elias and Elysia became frequent visitors, its reputation had started to shift.
"Little Griseo, what kind of song do you want to hear today?"
Elias gently patted the small head of Griseo in his arms. She, too, was a frequent guest at Mobius' lab.
"Brother Elias, I want to hear the song you sang last time—'La Vaguelette.'"
Griseo's soft voice was full of sweetness.
"Oh? Excellent taste. I like that one too."
Elias chuckled, then gave the little cutie a kiss on the cheek and a lift into the air. There might not be a "Thirteen Flame-Chasers" yet, but this adorable girl would be the darling of any group regardless.
Even Mobius often kept a few candies in her pocket just to give to Griseo whenever she visited.
Elias quickly ran through the lyrics in his mind, then cleared his throat and began to sing.
"Ah, If I'd be one with the springs
Would the world's beauty begin?
Can you forgive our sins, oh dear mother?
The waters flow brings life and dance in our steps
So cities grow and harvest
And you will live on too, beloved
No, true love alone can not avail
Only farewell can now prevail
A love so bittersweet, like a fairytale
Yet I am here, and I remain
The beauty of this world shall reign
I won't be washed away, away..."
"La Vaguelette" was a relatively short song. Though it leaned toward pop musical style, its lyrics were written in a more classical poetic form.
It started off gentle and melancholic, but the melody soon rose boldly—as if a girl was lifting her head high, striding down a path of tragedy, until she found hope at its end.
Griseo listened, completely enchanted. Of course, it wasn't just her—Elysia beside them, Griseo's mother (Mobius' assistant), and Mobius herself had all relaxed their brows.
Normally, singing in a lab would annoy researchers deep in concentration.
But Elias always picked his timing masterfully.
He sang only when Mobius hit a creative wall, calming her mood instantly—and more often than not, sparking new inspiration in her.
"How many times do I have to say it? No singing in my lab. Research requires a quiet environment conducive to thinking."
Still, Mobius had to keep up appearances. If she wasn't stubborn, she wouldn't be Mobius.
"Oh? So you hate it that much, Doctor?"
"Hmph! I'll let it slide just this once since you made Griseo happy. That kind of noise I can tolerate—for now. So do as you wish."
"Yes yes~ In that case, I'll keep doing as I wish."
Elias softly hummed the tune again. Truthfully, he really wanted to hear Eden sing this classical-style song.
The so-called "Gold" Flame-Chaser, the greatest artist of the Previous Era—the angel of the strings—would surely elevate the song to a new level.
Unfortunately, she hadn't made her debut yet.
"A tsundere Mobius is so cute~"
"Elysia, no one would mistake you for mute if you just stayed quiet. And take back that damned pink frilly dress you gave me last time—now!"
Mobius looked at the pink elf with undisguised distaste.
She had no fondness whatsoever for this pink fatty who sang worse than Elias, always gave her terrible ideas, and even devoured the lab's snack stash.
If Elias hadn't said he'd stop helping with authority research unless Elysia was allowed in, Mobius would never have let her step foot inside.
"Griseo, Papa's done with work and here to play with you!"
At that moment, Ato walked in.
Mobius' expression darkened even further.
Immediately, Ato flinched.
Even though the lab's reputation had somewhat improved, it still took guts to enter Mobius' domain.
But for the sake of seeing his precious daughter, this father had clearly summoned the courage.
However—
"No, Papa. I want to play with Brother Elias."
His daughter didn't seem particularly interested.
Griseo snuggled into Elias' arms, burying her face in his chest, her small hands tightly gripping his shirt—leaving no ambiguity about her preference.
Ato was utterly devastated.
"Elias, what have you done to my Griseo?!"
"Uncle Ato, don't be mad. Even if you are, it won't change the fact that little Griseo likes me more now. Hahahahaha~~!"
"Damn it! I never should've let you take care of her!"
Ato clutched his chest in regret.
Ever since Elias started helping care for Griseo—who lacked supervision due to her father's workload—it had only taken three days for her to grow completely attached.
If both Elias and Ato held out their hands now, Griseo would run straight to Elias without a second thought.
"Griseo, come to Papa. I'll give you a horsie ride, okay~?" Ato offered with a forced grin.
"Uncle Ato, that might not be outdated, but it's definitely not very effective."
Elias shook his head.
When it came to children, he was a pro. Though Griseo was even younger than Sirin, Bronya, or Seele had been, his methods still worked.
And honestly, compared to a busy father who only had a few minutes to play—and had no special talents—
Who wouldn't prefer a cool big brother who sang to you, played with you outside, and happened to be really handsome?
"Don't be discouraged, Uncle Ato. Little Griseo is just trying not to trouble you so you can focus on your work."
"R-Really?!"
"Ahem... Just my guess."
"...Ugh, damn it! Griseo, my precious Griseo! Elias, I'm warning you—you better not make a move on my daughter, or it's war!"
Elias just shrugged.
Seriously, if you two actually spent more time with your daughter, maybe this wouldn't be happening. It's not his fault he had almost nothing on his schedule except weekly deployment tasks.
The Third Herrscher might be arriving soon, but for now, he was incredibly free.
His days were filled with dating Elysia, playing with little Griseo, or assisting Dr. Mobius with research. Life was peaceful.
But at that moment—
Beep beep!
A new message popped up on Elias' terminal.
"Hmm? A mandatory mission? Capture—the magician who's been infiltrating Fire Moth repeatedly as of late?"
Immediately, an image surfaced in his mind—a certain Helix Flame-Chaser.
"Heh... Finally, something fun is here."