One week after the two first met.
"Cecilia, what do you think? The view at the final stop is incredible, right? I think it's absolutely beautiful. Heh, as expected of a great location recommended by my dear Elysia."
"Mm. It really is beautiful. I'll have to properly thank Miss Elysia later."
Cecilia gazed in a daze at the breathtaking scenery before her. The two of them were standing at the edge of a picturesque cliff.
Before them, the setting sun dyed the sea of clouds in shades of gold and crimson. The blazing orb had already touched the horizon and would soon sink beneath it.
Waves crashed ceaselessly against the cliffside. Seagulls occasionally skimmed across the sky. Cecilia felt that if a road were to appear before her at this moment, its destination would surely be heaven.
They had taken a cable car up from the foot of the mountain. Cecilia had never ridden one before and had worried the entire time that it might fall. She had clutched Elias' hand nervously from start to finish.
This was the fourth day since she had been kidnapped by Elias.
Cecilia had completely given up resisting.
After all, no matter what she said, Elias never listened.
Even running away was useless. Around her neck was an invisible collar, connected to an equally invisible chain held at all times in Elias' unseen grasp.
That was the [Discipline] imposed by him.
Without his permission, Cecilia could not even leave a two-meter radius around him.
Although she had struggled during the first two days, she had now given up.
Unable to resist Elias, Cecilia could only obediently continue this forced journey with him.
"Still, I'm really surprised. I always thought you were a very gentle person, Elias. I never expected..."
"You can't blame me. It turned out like this because Cecilia didn't keep her promise."
Elias lightly chopped her on the head with his hand. The girl immediately held her head with both hands and revealed a helpless smile.
Yes. It was all her fault.
Everything was the consequence of breaking her promise.
Yet such an overwhelmingly happy "punishment" left her emotions tangled and complicated.
Cecilia had wanted to stop traveling, but Elias had ignored her will and continued.
He had taken her by force through city after city. It troubled her deeply—and yet the journey itself was so blissful. Every single day was dazzling and wonderful beyond words.
This was freedom forced upon her.
Happiness forced upon her.
It felt like refusing a red envelope from an elder during the New Year, only for them to insist and shove it into your hands anyway.
Of course, the road had not been peaceful.
Schicksal pursued them more than a dozen times each day.
But now...
"Elias, how many people have you captured already?"
"I stopped counting after two hundred."
"Ah... Otto—Bishop Otto—is really persistent."
Cecilia quickly corrected herself. After spending so much time with Elias, she had almost slipped and called him something far less respectful.
Over the past four days, Schicksal had launched more than a dozen assaults daily. Each time they dispatched one or several Valkyrie squads. Every time, Elias defeated them and captured them alive.
Three A-rank Valkyries. Dozens of B-ranks. More than a hundred C-ranks.
No matter what tactics Schicksal employed, Elias resolved everything with a single Seven Thunders of Retribution.
In truth, he didn't even need to use it.
But this was all to mislead a certain fool.
To make Otto believe that Elias' strength was within a challengeable range—so that he would continue sending people over and over again.
By now, even Amber—the modified Valkyrie and Otto's secretary—had been captured by Elias.
And the previous night, he had done all sorts of things to her.
In short, everything was under Elias' control.
No one could stop their dating journey.
Not Otto.
Probably not even a god.
Throughout this trip, Cecilia had experienced more joy than in all her previous years combined.
For these four days, she was Elias' heroine.
His captive.
Though, admittedly, she sometimes felt more like a pet tethered by a chain.
And Cecilia was certain of one thing.
She had truly fallen in love with Elias.
This white-haired boy who had suddenly barged into her life had shown her adventures she had never imagined, revealed the beauty of the world to her, and taught her what happiness meant.
If she hadn't fallen in love with him, that would have been strange.
But...
The journey was ending here.
The scenery before them was the final stop.
Tears shimmered uncontrollably in Cecilia's eyes as she tugged gently at Elias' sleeve.
"Tell me, Cecilia. Are you willing to leave Schicksal, give up being a Valkyrie, and come with me?"
Elias stared intently at the girl before him, waiting for her answer.
Cecilia trembled all over. Even hidden behind the crystalline lenses of his mask, his sincere gaze reached her clearly.
If she simply took his hand now—
This beautiful dream could continue forever.
But...
"I don't know... I want to go with you, Elias. I want this journey to continue. But... should I really give up being a Valkyrie? Give up Schicksal? I... I don't know."
"Heh... I see. So you're still hesitating. In that case... forget it."
As he spoke, Elias released the [Discipline].
Sensing the restraints vanish, Cecilia's eyes widened slightly. The sudden return of freedom felt strangely uncomfortable.
"This time, I won't stop you."
"E-Elias..."
"But you'll regret it, Cecilia. I can tell you with certainty—after this, you will never have another seven days like these. I won't take you traveling again."
As he spoke, Elias removed his mask.
That flawless face—so perfect that even the sunset before them seemed to pale in comparison—was revealed to Cecilia for the first time, striking straight into her heart.
She stared at him blankly, as if she had forgotten how to breathe.
For a fleeting moment, she even felt wronged.
How unfair...
During this week, he had taken her to see countless beautiful sights.
Yet he had hidden the most beautiful view of all behind a mask until now.
"Elias... are you angry? Have you already decided you don't want me anymore...?"
Cecilia raised her hand and gently touched his cheek, as though handling the most precious work of art in the world.
"There's nothing I can do. Forcing a melon off the vine won't make it sweet. Since you're unwilling to come with me, Cecilia, I can only set you free. From now on, live well on your own."
Elias mischievously avoided her touch. Truly, she was the hardest woman he had ever pursued in his life—far more difficult than a certain pink fairy.
"Is there anything else you want to say to me?"
"There is. I like you, Elias."
"Oh? Is it like—or love?"
"...I love you."
Cecilia took a deep breath and forced out words she once thought she would never have the chance to say in her lifetime. Her cheeks were redder than the sunset-stained clouds behind her.
"That's more like it~"
Elias curled his lips in satisfaction and patted her head, all the while suppressing the urge to keep her by force. He kept reminding himself that now was not the time.
Cecilia had to stay of her own free will.
Otherwise, all he would be doing was locking her inside another cage.
A certain great emperor once said—forced goodwill is no different from hostility.
Love was the same.
Cecilia had not yet reached the resolve to abandon Schicksal for the sake of their feelings. But if he waited a little longer, the answer would eventually come.
There's still plenty of time. This time-travel has only lasted seven days. No need to rush.
Holding the soft, fragrant girl in his arms, Elias thought so quietly.
At that moment, however, a small figure carrying an enormous cross climbed up the cliff, panting heavily.
"F-Finally found you... you despicable... bastard... kidnapping Cecilia... I won't... won't forgive you... I'll smash you flat... with Judah... huff... huff...!"
"Theresa? Why are you here?!" Cecilia exclaimed.
"Looks like your best friend came to pick you up, Cecilia. By the way, didn't she notice there's a cable car down the mountain?"
Elias looked at the little white-haired ball before him. It was his first time seeing Theresa in 1991. Honestly, she looked no different from the future version—especially in terms of height.
"I didn't expect Otto to be willing to send you."
Elias was somewhat surprised. Though that fool had long since lost his conscience, he was genuinely protective of Theresa.
After so many failed attempts, Otto should have realized that Theresa was no match for him. Elias had assumed the next move would be a Honkai Fissile Bomb.
Yet here she was.
"Grandpa didn't agree... so I snuck out... I'll rescue Cecilia... and all the Valkyries you captured... prepare yourself!"
Theresa stood with her hands on her hips, still catching her breath.
Seeing Cecilia in Elias' arms, flames practically burned in the little girl's eyes, as if declaring: Hands off my best friend, you bad man.
She placed Oath of Judah on the ground. Though wary, her gaze toward Elias was full of confidence.
Grandpa worries too much. If he'd let me deploy earlier, it wouldn't have turned out like this. Hmph! No matter how strong this guy is, before Judah's Elysion Pedion, he'll be rendered powerless! I'm counting on you again, Judah!
...
A few seconds later—
"What's going on?! Judah, why are you targeting the wrong person?! The enemy is that white-haired bad guy—not me! Waaaah! It's so high! So scary! Let me down!"
At that moment, Theresa was tightly bound by Oath of Judah itself and suspended off the cliff. Looking down at the crashing waves below, her soul practically floated out of her mouth.
Elias sighed and shook his head.
Using a Divine Key against him—this was the inevitable result.
He did not even need to move. Oath of Judah had defeated its own wielder.
"Truly delivering yourself from afar. The gift may be small, but the sentiment is appreciated. Though, I was planning to release people anyway."
"Um... Theresa will be okay, right?" Cecilia asked nervously.
"She's fine, she's fine. Don't worry. At worst she'll just be scared silly. Anyway, it's about time the others gathered. They should have enjoyed themselves these past few days, right?"
Elias gazed down the mountain.
The more than two hundred Valkyries he had captured were currently sightseeing at nearby tourist spots like ordinary girls.
Of course, every single one of them had been placed under [Discipline]. They were now obedient servants of Elias.
At the moment, their command was simple—have fun to their hearts' content.
Unlike the future St. Freya Academy, Schicksal's Valkyries did not live easy lives. Every day was either training or missions against Honkai Beasts. They lived nothing like ordinary girls.
And in the end, most of them either died on the battlefield against Honkai or succumbed to Honkai erosion due to incomplete artificial Stigmata.
Elias found it pitiful.
So he simply forced them to take a vacation.
As for their attempts to attack him, the magnanimous savior decided to spare their lives.
In truth, in Elias' eyes, they were far too weak. So weak he could not even be bothered to hold a grudge.
Though he did not care, the Valkyries themselves felt extremely conflicted.
Captured after a failed mission—yet instead of being mistreated, they were forced into paid leave.
Following Elias' travel route these days, they had to admit—they had a wonderful time.
Even if Otto issued orders for them to fight Elias again, few would truly put in effort. Many had already decided that next time they would just put on a show, then conveniently collapse to the ground.
"Elias... will I ever see you again?"
The time of parting had arrived. Cecilia looked at the white-haired boy with reluctance.
"Who knows? Maybe not."
"...I see."
Her hands tightened.
At that moment, Cecilia truly felt the urge to abandon everything and stay with him.
She took a deep breath, deciding to be bold one last time.
She cupped the white-haired boy's face in both hands, then rose onto her tiptoes and offered him her first kiss.
"We'll definitely meet again. Definitely!"
She spoke as if making a solemn vow.
...
That night.
Schicksal Floating Island Headquarters.
"Damn it... how did it come to this?!"
Otto's expression was grim as he stared at the report before him. It showed that Theresa had already deployed with Oath of Judah.
He had nothing but a bad feeling.
In theory, Judah's Zeroth Power could defeat any enemy who used Honkai energy. But considering the more than two hundred Valkyries captured over these days, Otto had little confidence that Theresa could defeat Elias.
He had already realized that Elias was hiding his true strength. There was no way a single Divine Key alone could capture over two hundred Valkyries alive.
If this continued, Schicksal's Valkyries would practically be captured to extinction.
"Is there no choice but this..."
Otto hesitated, staring at the missile launch button before him.
He no longer hoped to reclaim Cecilia or seize the Third Divine Key.
He only wanted to cut his losses and eliminate Elias immediately.
But that would mean over two hundred Valkyries' combat power would vanish along with him.
Even for a massive organization like Schicksal, that would be a devastating blow.
Anti-Entropy might even surpass them.
As the scales in Otto's heart wavered back and forth—
Suddenly, a message breached Schicksal's firewall and appeared directly on his screen.
[Otto, here's your chance to redeem your captives.]
[A-rank below: 500 million each. A-rank: 3 billion each. Cecilia and Theresa: 10 billion each.]
[Give me 150 billion, and I'll release them.]
Otto: "Pffft—!!"