Ryan was like a knight guarding her side, suppressing evil, calling for support, and bringing a whole medical team. Helicopters landed and took off continuously, taking away the people who were willing to leave.
He supported Elysia's work. No wonder he was teased by Mei for spoiling her too much. For a long time, Ryan had never objected to anything Elysia wanted to do. He just silently provided help and used his own eyes to confirm the meaning of 'Amen.'
She liked men, women, the elderly, and children, as well as heroes and brave men. She encouraged cowards and corrected evil people. Her love seemed great, but she was very careful with the boundaries. At least Ryan couldn't find any faults.
"Oh, I'm so tired. I've brought back so many patients for Mobius. I hope she's not secretly scolding me for meddling."
Elysia stretched. There were not many people left in the gloomy underground railway. She didn't force the ones who insisted on staying to leave, as if she respected everyone's choice.
"If Mobius is going to scold someone, she'll scold me. That's what happens when we're together." Ryan finally spoke, shaking his head helplessly. "I guess I was used by you this time. I was wondering why you suddenly ran off."
"Hehe, you saw through me. But Ryan, don't you think we've done a lot of meaningful things?" Elysia held her hands out and walked forward along the tracks, completely ignoring the resentful looks from the people around her.
The 'hostages' had all been taken away by her. These people immediately went from being 'kings' to scavengers. They wouldn't have a good life from now on.
Should I kill them all?
The 'devil' glanced at these people. Seeing that Elysia hadn't made a move, he didn't do anything extra. This was something she wanted to do. He would just simply provide help.
As the saying goes, as long as you're happy.
"It is indeed meaningful. Fifty of these three hundred people should be able to survive."
"You think that's too little?"
"The value can be ignored, but as long as you're happy."
"That's right, I'm very happy!" Elysia suddenly turned around and said cheerfully, "I heard from Sakura that you also helped a lot of people in the collapsed areas. I've always thought that if I had the chance, I could also do some good things with you. Now my wish has finally come true."
So she was talking about the things in Britain.
Ryan remembered. That time he went on a mission with Sakura and saved a lot of people in northern Britain. It had only been about two years ago, during the Fifth Herrscher's time, but it felt like so many years had passed...
His eyes became deep. He had gone through too many things in the past two years. Now, looking back, he felt a sense of unreality, as if it was a different lifetime.
He had killed seven Herrschers, wiped out the entire upper echelon of the Fire Moth, and pushed the plan to its current stage. He didn't feel it usually, but at this moment, he felt a sense of surrealism?
A pure face suddenly appeared in front of him, making Ryan instinctively lean back. He then saw that Elysia had her face very close to his. First, she was confused, and then she started to giggle and covered her mouth.
"Ryan, you look like an old man right now."
"Do I? I was just reminiscing about the past." Ryan looked at the cramped, gloomy underground railway, and the people in military uniforms who were transporting the wounded.
"We did do a good thing, but don't be so proud yet. If we can't get past the Herrscher of Binding, they will all die."
"We will definitely get past her." Elysia pulled her head back, clenched her fist confidently, and then saw Ryan giving her a sidelong glance.
"Did your plan work?"
As soon as he said this, Elysia's expression changed instantly. At first, she was a bit surprised, and then it gradually turned into a bit of 'resentment,' accompanied by complaints like 'it's hard to deceive smart people, you guessed it all along.'
She hadn't fully explained her Authority at first and was planning to show off, but Ryan had already guessed it, which made her feel discouraged. Even her 'wings' drooped powerlessly.
"Ryan, you're really not good at charming girls. Why do you have to be so blunt?"
"Sorry, we steel-willed straight men are like this. Besides, don't you like me?" Ryan answered casually, and then he felt a numb sensation on his shoulder. Elysia had punched him.
"Don't be so improper. What are you talking about?" Elysia rolled her eyes at him, looking particularly charming. Seeing that Ryan wanted to argue, she simply covered his mouth with her hand.
"Alright, alright, I won't keep you in suspense anymore. I am indeed using my Authority to change her, to bring a human heart back to an emotionless body, to make a machine of destruction regain emotions. If she can feel pain, she can also feel happiness. If this continues..."
Elysia spoke softly, but her right hand remained on Ryan's mouth. The girl was so happy, but the man was not infected in the slightest. Instead, his eyes became more and more serious.
He guessed right. This idiot was indeed doing something extra. Why couldn't she just listen to him and control her hands?
Ryan was infuriated. He wanted to reach out and fiercely pinch that beautiful face right now, but he also came to a realization. It would be strange if Elysia could control herself. As a Flame-Chaser who followed her 'True Self,' she would never be his puppet.
This is so troublesome. Is she trying to draw hatred?
No matter how happy Elysia sounded, Ryan was very clear about the essence of this matter. The Herrscher of Human could use her life to undo fate, but she was also useful while she was alive. The link to the heart had a kind of feedback. The overflowing emotions from the good deeds she had just done would all be fed back to the Herrscher of Binding.
'As expected of her. This link must be two-way. Even if she gave me this Authority, I would probably be influenced by the Herrscher in return.'
Ryan was a bit impressed. He knew how 'stubborn' Herrschers were. If it were him, he might even be corrupted and end up helping the Honkai.
"Elysia, what can I even say to you?" Ryan held the hand that was covering his mouth and slowly moved it away. "You should be very clear that doing this will expose you and make you a huge trouble. The Cocoon of Finality will see you as a thorn in its side."
"I know. But you'll protect me."
"Hey, what you're doing might make the Herrscher fight desperately, leading to an unpredictable outcome."
"Yeah, but Ryan, you'll protect me."
The flawless girl nodded lightly again, leaving Ryan speechless for a moment. He pointed at her with a slightly trembling finger.
You, you, you're a repeater.
He didn't know how to punish Elysia anymore. He even resented his own intelligence. The reason no longer needed to be said by Elysia herself.
She was using herself as a shield, hoping to be responsible for the lives of the people participating in the 'Wandering Humans' plan. The progress of the war was now at a stalemate. Neither side could take a step forward, but there was more than one Herrscher, and they could cause millions or even hundreds of millions of casualties.
For the stability and success of the overall plan, in Ryan's and Mei's eyes, these costs were worth it. But Elysia would never stand by and watch. She wanted to accelerate. She wanted to break this stalemate, even if it meant putting herself in danger.
Was it worth it?
Ryan didn't know the answer yet, but Elysia's thoughts were clearly certain:
It was worth it!
Was it naive? Or was she unable to distinguish between what was important and what wasn't?
Who cares. What's wrong with spoiling Elysia a little?
"Alright. I can't stop you anyway. I'm sure you've already thought of an excuse." Ryan twisted his neck. His tone was light. He then saw Elysia's eyes suddenly become very bright, like flowers blooming in an instant.
"Aren't you going to scold me?"
"Why would I scold you? If there's a problem, we'll face it together. As for the risk, didn't you just keep repeating it?" Ryan raised his hand. His fingers brushed through her pink hair. He said with an unyielding tone.
"I will protect you. I will solve all the problems!"
If anyone else said this, it would sound like bragging, but the person who said it was Ryan. It sounded more like an unquestionable guarantee. He could say it and he could do it. Thinking about it again, a more aggressive plan wasn't so bad. The inability to use lives as a percentage of success was the biggest difference between humans and Herrschers.
Elysia's reaction was not as intense as he had expected. Instead, she looked away calmly, staring at the burning brazier on the tracks.
"Ryan, it's foul play for you to act all cool like that."
"I'm not bragging."
"I know. That's why it's so cool. In this dangerous world, reliability is very attractive to girls."
Ryan was speechless for a moment. He didn't quite understand what Elysia meant by that. Was she referring to Sakura, or was she referring to herself?
If I jumped in and admitted it, would I come off as too sleazy? Oh no, she's 'eavesdropping' on my inner thoughts.
But this time, Elysia didn't joke with him. Instead, she became silent. She took off her white, long legs and led Ryan away from the underground tracks.
The morning light shone, making her gem-like purple eyes even brighter. It reflected the helicopters hovering in the air, startling a flock of birds that wandered over the vine-covered city. Only then did the two of them realize that they had been in the dark underground for an entire night.
So what did I do all night?
Ryan was a bit lost. This was different from the battle plan he had originally imagined. After landing, he didn't even see a shadow of the Herrscher of Binding. It was as if he had come out this time just to do good deeds with Elysia. The presence of this Herrscher was very faint.
But he didn't ask. Just as Elysia trusted him, he also absolutely trusted Elysia.
"Where to next? I've already had Mei arrange the second round of evacuation. The survivors from other cities will also be sent away. After experiencing the hardship, I guess not many people will insist on staying."
"Aren't you going to ask about the Herrscher's movements?"
"You didn't say, so there's no problem. There's no point in me caring about her."
This trust made Elysia's lips curve into an arc. Then she looked around and suddenly her eyes lit up.
"Hey, I've thought of a good place to go. It's not too far from here. Should we go check it out on the way?"
"What place has you so excited?"
"A place full of memories." Elysia flew up, reached out her hand, and enthusiastically extended an invitation.
"My birthplace, the place where this magnificent dream began!"