"Mobius, get out here and die!"
Ryan pushed open the wooden door, his eyes red as he looked into the house. He had lost a lot of face tonight and was trying to salvage it.
It was already early morning. He had spent the entire night wandering through the flower sea with Elysia, yet his spirits were remarkably high. Finding his 'True Self' could be considered a form of self-discovery.
But revenge still had to be exacted. However, upon returning, he saw no sign of Mobius. Only Pardofelis weakly raised her hand.
"Mobius said she had an urgent matter and went back to headquarters."
"You leaked the news to her?" Ryan immediately turned to Elysia, who grinned embarrassedly.
"No, I was with you the whole time. How could I have had a chance to tip her off?"
"But you were in the restroom for too long, weren't you? Didn't you say beautiful girls don't need to use the restroom?"
"Nonsense! I was afraid you'd peek, so I specifically went a bit farther," Elysia stuck out her tongue, looking impish.
Ryan was speechless. However, this scene made Vil-V and Eden simultaneously breathe a sigh of relief. 'Thank goodness, she's still the original Elysia.'
They had somewhat guessed something and were very conflicted about Elysia future. Both publicly and privately, they could only leave it to Ryan to resolve, after all, he was Elly's friend and the Supreme Commander of the Fire Moth.
"Ryan, quiet down. Griseo and Rin are already asleep," Aponia made a shushing gesture, gently stroking the girl's hair on the sofa.
She was full of maternal affection, which made Ryan lower his voice: "Hmph, a monk can run, but his temple can't. I don't believe she can hide forever."
Cool down? No such thing. He wasn't like Mobius; he never liked to keep grudges. If he had a score to settle, he settled it immediately.
Walking into the wooden cabin, the bonfire in the room was burning brightly. Ryan felt a bit hot, so he took off his jacket and looked around.
"Where did Kalpas and Su go?"
"Up the mountain. I heard they went for a snowball fight. I apologize, I couldn't stop Kalpas," Aponia gently shook her head, knowing Su was doing it under duress, but she had promised not to use her Discipline, so her ability for talk therapy was limited.
'I swear, these people. Acting like kids.'
Ryan was also speechless, looking at Elysia with a look of utter resignation. It seemed the 'game' wasn't over yet.
"That has nothing to do with me. I'm content now. But for Kalpas matter, perhaps you could ask Aponia for help?" Elysia stuck out her tongue, knowing Ryan had suffered enough because of her.
Tonight, everyone ganged up on him. His social skills were 'too poor'.
"Forget it. For someone like Kalpas, it's better to guide than to block. It's good to let him vent a bit. Besides, he's been very unlucky lately, missing several big battles. A little venting is good."
Ryan felt a bit sorry for Brother Kalpas. Ever since he joined him, the formidable battle maniac had been very frustrated, constantly on standby.
"I'll go for a walk. You all go to bed early. And don't you dare gang up on me again tomorrow."
"Hey, don't you go fighting Kalpas!"
Ryan had already disappeared into the snowy night, only waving his hand silently. He wasn't crazy. Why would he look for Kalpas tonight, when he was in high spirits?
He wasn't afraid of fighting, but damaging these flowers and plants wouldn't be good, and it would also make everyone awkward.
'Tsk, when did I start worrying about other people being awkward?'
Noticing this, Ryan felt somewhat helpless. But as Elysia said, the 'True Self' cannot be changed, and his temper was quite simple.
Since he had decided to do it, he would stop thinking and just see it through.
Snowflakes accompanied by the cold wind blew on his face, making his mind clearer. He had come out alone to reflect, after all, many people knew nothing about Elysia situation.
They didn't need to know, anyway. It wouldn't help, and would only add to their worries.
'What should I do?' Ryan only had some vague ideas. At least one thing was very important: the Fire Moth was now acting entirely according to his thoughts. Even Mei couldn't stop him.
This time, the Fire Moth councilors didn't immediately launch a campaign at the slightest hint of trouble, which was the benefit of power. How to treat Elysia was entirely up to his discretion.
'She can absolutely not become a Herrscher, even if the world line has been completely changed by me.' Ryan thought with conviction. This wasn't due to personal feelings, but strict logical thinking.
Elysia was the Herrscher of Humanity, the Herrscher of Origin, embodying the path of 'True Self'. Thus, she would never be brainwashed by Honkai. And there was a second piece of evidence:
After her demise, she unfettered the Herrschers' fate, spreading the 'human heart' virus into Honkai. That's why the Herrschers of the later civilization all turned against Honkai.
Having spent over twenty years in this world and personally experienced several Herrschers, Ryan understood these beings too well.
They could learn, they could pretend, but they would never be like humans, because they could laugh but didn't understand what 'happiness' felt like. Naturally, they wouldn't understand 'compassion' and 'kindness'.
In psychological terms, they were a group of absolutely rational individuals suffering from emotional apathy.
"Elysia used her life to give 'emotions' to the later Herrschers. With emotions, even the darkest and most tragic past could be influenced by 'love', leading them to stand against Honkai. After all, they were once human. Wait a minute, doesn't this mean..."
Ryan stopped abruptly, his entire being instantly becoming serious. His past memories were already blurred, but he vaguely remembered that after Elysia demise, the End closely followed?
Could it be that the Herrscher of Humanity's choice was even greater than the entire Previous Era's resistance? To prevent traitors from appearing, Honkai simply rebooted?
It's possible. Ryan had compared the differences between the Herrschers of the two eras.
One had emotions, the other had an active Herrscher core, meaning even if the vessel died, the core could be transplanted, which was like having a cheat.
Sirin was hard to influence, but after being transplanted into Kiana, she eventually became a loyal ally. Not to mention the First Herrscher, who sided with humanity from birth, something unimaginable in the Previous Era.
No wonder they gave Sirin four gems. What kind of fight is that? Most of the Herrschers in the later civilization seemed to have turned against Honkai, while a certain pure-love archbishop had a lot of villainous screen time, and later a crazed Kevin continued it, with Honkai itself lacking a strong presence.
Haha, in that case, I'm really lucky.
Ryan suddenly felt like laughing. The problem he faced was difficult yet pure. If he were in the later civilization, things would be much easier. Perhaps he could truly enjoy everyday academy life while saving the world.
"Too bad I can't switch. Even a vacation has to be related to operations. The suffocating pressure makes it hard to breathe."
He faced the flower sea in the valley. This idle fantasy lasted only an instant, because what Ryan could think of, Honkai could also think of. How could they let him go to the later civilization to 'fish in a pond'? His scattered thoughts gathered, summarizing into one sentence:
If Elysia could be bound to him, there would be no need for sacrifice, nor would there be a need to sacrifice.
"Then, begin the plan to resolve Elysia situation. Currently, there are three clues..."
Ryan began creating new folders in his mind, sorting them from difficult to easy, placing the difficult options first, and the simplest as an emergency plan.
He wasn't panicking at all. Elysia was a Herrscher, true, but whether she was an enemy was for him to define. This was also one of Ryan motivations for usurping the Fire Moth. At worst, he could hide Elysia in the Sea of Quanta. Could Honkai really search mountains and seas?
The most troublesome part was Elysia herself. Although temporarily suppressed, she loved humanity too much, loving it far more than her own life. So Ryan had two preparations.
If talk therapy worked, great. If not, he would be tougher. His phrase 'I will bear it' wasn't just for show.
"Get Mobius to make some sleepy tea. If that doesn't work, take her to the Sea of Quanta. There are plenty of ways."
Thinking of this, Ryan was eager to act, but the alert from his continuously scanning Wind Authority made his hand, holding the phone, retract.
'Someone's coming? Very close.'
The snowflakes distorted. He instantly vanished into the air, then from behind the pine trees, he saw a few figures: Elysia and the others. It was a case of 'speak of the devil and he shall appear.'
In their holiday state, they weren't very vigilant, or perhaps they were too engrossed in conversation, completely missing the footprints on the ground. Eden, carrying a wooden bucket, even walked right past Ryan.
"Ellie, you didn't intentionally scare Mobius away, did you?"
"Eden, do you really think I'm a bad woman? Saying that will make me cry, you know." Elysia rubbed her eyes, saying innocently: "I really just mispoke when I got excited, otherwise, how could I have secretly notified Mobius?"
"I'm just kidding, actually Mobius will probably thank you."
"Why would she thank me?"
Eden glanced at Aponia nearby. Since the younger girls weren't around, she could impart her experience without reservation: "Because Mobius is a platypus, she needs a reason for Ryan to approach her proactively. She's probably secretly pleased after figuring that out. And Ryan is also a competitive person, sometimes thick-skinned, sometimes thin-skinned. He also needs an opportunity to 'punish' Mobius."
"Oh, I didn't realize you knew so much! Have you dated before?"
"No, I just have a talent for emotions," Eden smiled subtly, spreading her hands. "Even without much time, I can understand Ryan."
"Right, you're the latest to arrive, so you're at a disadvantage. Then I'll tell you a secret. Aponia, should I tell it or you?"
"Elly, you tell it. I don't want to desecrate Ryan image," Aponia gently nodded.
'So listening is fine, right?'
Elysia chuckled softly, lowering her voice: "In the Slums, Ryan..."
The quiet laughter and exclamations gradually faded. Behind the trees, the air distorted, and a gritting-toothed Ryan emerged.
'That Elysia is truly a bigmouth. Wait a minute!'
Ryan suddenly paused, realizing an overlooked problem. How did Elysia know about the Slums?
Also, how long had she known, and why hadn't she shown it? Could she be waiting to make him utterly mortified in the end?
Ryan suddenly found a blind spot. He and Mobius had been fighting back and forth, but he had overlooked that Elysia knew more.
The Slums, a novel—his two biggest weaknesses were in her hands. The most terrifying thing was that he had never known.
'Good thing this happened by chance, otherwise it would have been troublesome if I was caught off guard later.'
Ryan looked at the dark mountain path, somewhat wanting to chase after them and explain: Adam was a man. He just chose the most effective bait.
But he suddenly remembered the wooden buckets in their hands. His expression changed, and he once again concealed himself in the wind, quietly approaching.
'You want to mess with me, huh? Then don't blame me for not being a gentleman.'
Using the moonlight, Ryan stealthily moved forward. Not far along, he saw mist drifting in the snowy night, and two fair backs facing him, slowly taking off their clothes and placing them on nearby rocks.
Everything was faintly visible. The drifting mist couldn't hide their exaggerated curves. In that instant, Ryan thought, 'No wonder Hua feels inferior. Compared to these three, the Immortal is more than just a flat board from Shenzhou; she's like the Mariana Trench.'
This made him think of some fruits, such as lychees or peaches, incidentally answering Ryan question.
'Why do people use 'thinking of peaches' to describe someone overthinking? Who wouldn't want to eat such ripe, juicy peaches?'
As a gentleman, he wouldn't get too close, or rather, if discovered, it would be even more mortifying. So he stood far away, through the mist and falling snow, carefully listening to the legendary intimate conversations.
"Oh, open-air is the most comfortable! It's a shame Hua refused to come no matter what. Is she mad at me?"
Elysia, wrapped in a bath towel, stepped into the natural hot spring water, then let out a sigh of pure contentment.
"It concerns you, but it's certainly not anger," Eden secretly glanced at her. She felt that Elysia had reverted to her old self. "You seem very happy?"
"I've always been an optimist! Sakura said that at times like these, you should put a towel on your head, though I don't know why." Elysia lay on a nearby rock, revealing her smooth back, propping up her chin, smiling at the memory.
"Ryan is really good at showing off. I unconsciously agreed to him for now. Since that's the case, before confirming anything, I might as well forget all the unhappy things."
Eden and Aponia exchanged glances. Both were highly emotionally intelligent and, of course, wouldn't ask what Ryan had said.
"Then I'm relieved. I had wanted to have a deep conversation with you."
"Eden, we can have a deep conversation now," Elysia turned around, her wet pink hair clinging to her flushed face, only to find Eden looking away. She couldn't help but tilt her head.
"Ellie, some things need to be said by Ryan," Aponia suddenly spoke. She was usually a woman of few words: "If I'm not mistaken, he must have made a promise. Don't overthink it. Destiny cannot hold Ryan steps, and what you need to do is believe in him, just as I do."
Her expression was somewhat fanatical, completely devoid of her own opinions. If Ryan said it was right, then it was like a divine decree.
"Just as there is good and evil, people are inherently different. Like how God loves the world, but if a choice truly had to be made, I would rather place Ryan above all humanity. Philanthropy is not a problem; selfishness is also human instinct."
Philanthropy and selfishness? It sounded like Ryan had said something similar.
Elysia smiled noncommittally. To love all things in the world with all her heart was her instinct, but she also had to admit that Ryan was indeed a bit special. At the very least, he had taken on the fate of the world.
"Aponia, you seem much more eloquent after becoming the Pontiff."
"Expounding truth is inherently my mission. To become such a special existence, one must transcend destiny. As far as I know, only two individuals can achieve this."
"You and Ryan?"
"Yes, only people like you can transcend 'Discipline,' making it impossible for me to observe the future, and also freeing me from the need to atone," Aponia knelt in the hot spring, revealing her delicate collarbones. "Ryan is salvation to me, so I choose to obey all his demands."
After acquiring 'Discipline', she hadn't used it many times because Ryan told her that good intentions would inevitably lead to bad outcomes. What she couldn't grasp, she left to him, and Aponia completely trusted his judgment.
Although using the term 'person,' Elysia and Eden both knew that Herrschers couldn't be affected by Discipline. Now that Elysia memories had resurfaced, then Ryan...
"He's different from me. Ah, I understand now where the word 'special' comes from. No wonder I had such a strange feeling when I first met him."
Ryan was inherently special, so special that all of humanity couldn't find a similar existence.
[I hope one day I can transcend humanity and become the most special individual.]
Words from long ago echoed in her mind again. Elysia suddenly discovered a possibility, just as Aponia regarded him as a god, could she regard him as the entirety of humanity?
Because from their acquaintance until now, through so many days and nights together, coupled with Mei subtle influence, she had long accepted a truth:
If civilization truly could overcome the End, the flag-bearer would inevitably be Ryan. Even the incredibly intelligent Mei admitted she couldn't do it.
"Every future I can see leads to a destructive end, making one want to stay in the deepest places, to sing a lament for this unsolvable destiny. Do you know why I still smile?"
"Because of him," Eden answered immediately. She could discern that Aponia was an extreme pessimist and thought she had been too simplistic in believing it was comfort brought by the Golden Courtyard.
"Yes, because his future is completely unknowable. It always makes me wonder: Is there a possibility of breaking through the finale, just like he showed me before, taking a different path of destiny? So, Elysia, you should listen to His words, obey His actions, because—"
"He is humanity, He is the world."
Aponia eventually switched to a choir-like emphasis, adding a sacred touch, but the girl reflected in her clear blue eyes looked very strange.
Her fair face flushed, as if from a surge of blood. Elysia was not a shaman, and her imagination had long since soared into the clouds.
'If I regard Ryan as the entirety of humanity, then can I love him with all my heart?'
No, no, Super Ellie can't be so shameless. She promised to be a gold-medal wingman.
But what about that tiny bit of expectation? Have I really changed?
It's all his fault, for showing off and planting a 'dislike' seed in my heart.
Under Eden and Aponia's gaze, the pink-haired girl slowly submerged herself in the hot spring.
She blew bubbles, making gurgling sounds. Like, a boiling kettle.
...
Well done, Aponia! You get credit!
Ryan had quietly moved away. He ungentlemanly eavesdropped on the three women's private conversation. There was nothing explosive, but Aponia and Eden also cared about Ellie, building psychological defenses in their own ways.
He couldn't fathom the emotional fluctuations in Elysia heart, but it sounded pretty good, except Aponia's flattery was a bit too much, making him somewhat ashamed.
Pathfinder is also an Apostle. Who says Aeon aren't gods?
Ryan quickly adapted to this notion. He had no interest in theology, but being worshiped himself felt very comfortable. One must remember that Aponia was now the new Pontiff, with the ability to 'speak and it is law'.
'Good thing I had her hide my existence, otherwise being surrounded by fanatical believers would also be troublesome.'
He knew the terrifying nature of religion. Doing this was just to reduce obstacles for the 'Wandering Humanity' plan. Things like 'land of gospel' and 'new paradise' sounded very intimidating.
"Finally convinced Elysia. Now it's my turn," Ryan lightly patted his face, feeling the pressure. All trust was pressure. Fortunately, he didn't care about many people, otherwise he would have collapsed long ago.
With a mind full of worries, Ryan returned to the cabin. The fire in the hearth was burning brightly. Griseo and Rin were asleep on the sofa, while Hua was dozing, hugging her knees. Hearing the door open, she quickly looked up.
Having been thoroughly scared tonight, the girl was full of vigilance. Seeing it was Ryan, her eyes instantly softened.
"Senior Brother, you're back?"
"You didn't go out with Elysia and the others?" Ryan took off his scarf and hung it on the rack, walking to the fireplace, letting the flames dispel the chill.
"I'm bad with words, I didn't know what to say, so I just stayed to guard the house."
"Oh, you also noticed something was off with Elysia?"
Hua pursed her lips, feeling somewhat despised. 'I was the top student in Canghai No. 1 Middle School, okay? I'm not stupid.'
"Sister Ellie's venting method is too singular, like her final burst of madness." Hua sat next to Ryan, gently leaning her shoulder against him, staring intently at the flames. "For you, Sister Ellie is also a very special existence, isn't she?"
"Yes, that optimism has long influenced me. In this cruel world, it's especially precious. The true backbone of the Golden Courtyard is her. I'm just the initiator," Ryan answered expressionlessly, the firelight illuminating his eyes.
No matter how bloody the battle, no matter how dark the future, that pink beam of light always existed.
"Sister Ellie is also the only person I won't envy," Hua said blankly, staring at the fireplace, resting her head on Ryan shoulder, "It's amazing. It makes me forget that ten days ago, I was still in a bloody battle in the jungle. It's like I was instantly transported to another world. Senior Brother, how long can this comfortable life last?"
Everyone thought about this question, and everyone avoided discussing it, as if speaking of it would jinx it.
Ryan couldn't answer either. He just gently stroked the back of the girl's delicate hand.
"That depends on you, and on me. But if possible, I hope it's—"
"Eternal."