Putting aside those follow-up arrangements—
After learning about Griseo's special nature from Elysia, Mei understood that she really shouldn't get too close to her.
She didn't disturb Griseo while she was painting and quietly left to continue her investigation.
Along the way, some side conversations cropped up.
For example, Vill-V, who merely had the ability to split her consciousness, tricked Mei into believing that her body could host other people's minds.
If not for Elysia snapping her out of it in time, Mei almost believed her.
In fact, not just Mei—players believed it too.
They had thought Vill-V was some humanoid Herrscher of a Thousand Minds.
But it turned out—she was just a fraud.
[The Elysian Realm is certainly full of joy, but it still lacks a bit of sincerity. If there were an Elite who didn't speak in riddles or tell lies, it would be perfect.]
[Vill-V lies, Snake-sis lies, so is this pink-haired one in front of us also lying?]
[The more beautiful the woman, the better she is at lying.jpg]
Like Elysia's newly unlocked Reminiscence—
[Immaculate Reminiscence: Part Eight]
In this memory, Elysia became curious about Mei's eyeshadow.
With a small trick, she touched Mei's face.
"Mei, I guessed right. You're not wearing makeup. That gorgeous eyeshadow is actually from Herrscher powers."
This resolved a tiny mystery in players' hearts.
So the Lightning Empress's eyeshadow came from her Herrscher powers.
Honkai really can do anything.
Elysia marveled at how practical Mei's Herrscher powers were, so naturally Mei asked her, as a memory—did she really put on makeup every day?
To that, Elysia shook her head and said:
"I only wore makeup once for a public appearance in reality."
"Back then... I looked truly stunning."
That line planted a subtle narrative seed.
But players couldn't sense it—yet.
Instead, they were excitedly saying:
[Elysia with makeup? I want to see it!]
[A made-up Elysia must be even cuter—will it show up later in the story?]
[It must!! Writers!! Please!!]
Hokuto saw the player comments, smiled faintly, and replied:
"Honkai Impact 3rd will always respond to everyone's expectations."
Although when that moment actually came, most players would probably end up thinking:
[I wish I'd never seen it.]
Still, that didn't affect their enthusiasm—until it abruptly ended after unlocking the new archive: [The Actor]
This file described what happened after humanity was nearly wiped out by the Herrschers of Corruption.
At that time, the surviving humans had mostly fallen into despair. Upon realizing this, Elysia made her decision.
"What could possibly unite the survivors again?"
"An enemy so powerful they have no time to argue, forcing them to band together?"
"In that case... it wouldn't be bad if the story's heroine plays a charming villainess for once, right~♪"
[So that's what the "traitor" reference earlier meant?]
[Elysia pretended to betray humanity on purpose, hoping to reignite their hope against the Honkai? Self-sacrifice?]
Some viewers analyzed her decision, and the chat grew briefly silent.
A moment later, someone posted:
[Honestly, if we didn't already know most of the Elites were gone, I'd be devastated right now.]
[Yeah, I just feel a bit melancholy. Totally manageable.]
[I realized the real knives in the Elysian Realm are hidden in the Reminiscences… but that's fine. At least they don't affect the present.]
Amidst the viewers' slight relief—
Kiana continued the story.
Aside from the previous tangents, the main plot still focused on Mei visiting other Elites to learn about Aponia.
Their attitude toward Aponia's prophecy was surprisingly consistent.
Mei, do whatever you want to do right now. Eat whatever you want to eat. You may not get the chance later.
Faced with such eerily similar advice, Mei was finally forced to take Aponia's prophecy seriously.
Then, Elysia appeared again by her side.
"Hi! Mei, don't pretend you don't see me. Ah—your complexion… it looks terrible."
"Let's go rest for a while and do something fun, okay?"
"If I don't take this chance now… I might never be able to leave this place again."
Of course, Mei had no intention of resting. After all, if Aponia's prophecy was true, she didn't have much time left.
Elysia, hearing that, blinked playfully and asked:
"You mean… you're afraid if you stay here too long, you won't want to leave me anymore?"
This pink one really knows what she's doing.
Viewers saw that line and instantly realized—Mei was about to go speechless again.
Sure enough—
Mei's dialogue box displayed a row of ellipses.
But what came after stunned the viewers.
Mei actually said:
"Alright. Being with you… really does make it hard to feel down."
[Commander Mei didn't deny it?!]
[Enter the Realm → Learn the Realm → Fall for the Realm. Commander Mei is definitely in stage three now.]
"Mei's finally being honest~"
Elysia said brightly in the stream. "That's it—follow your heart and enjoy these happy days in the Elysian Realm with me."
She paused:
"I just wish Mei in real life could be as straightforward as in-game Mei."
Mei calmly replied: "I've always been straightforward, Elysia."
"Then… will you call me 'Dear Elysia'?"
"..."
Mei went silent.
"Hehe~~"
Hokuto couldn't help but chuckle at their exchange.
Should he say that Elysia's luck has always been good?
The things she wishes for always come true in some form.
"'Otto'-san, what's so funny?"
Elysia turned curiously toward the unexpected laugh from Hokuto.
"I just suddenly thought of some post-Elysian Realm main story content," Hokuto replied honestly.
"Post-Elysian Realm main story? You've already planned it out, 'Otto'-san?"
"Mhm."
"What kind of… eh, I better not ask too much."
Elysia stopped herself halfway. Since it was enough to make Hokuto laugh out loud, it had to be a very cheerful story.
She figured she'd leave herself some suspense—and something to look forward to.
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