Elysia let out a playful hum.
Then, she continued advancing the plot.
Mei's conversation with Kosma had come to an end.
Elysia didn't immediately move the character onward, but instead rotated the camera from Kosma's position, overlooking this Elysian Realm from above.
Cotton candy–like pink clouds drifted across the sky. The ground was filled with dreamlike decorations like something from a fairytale...
And in the distance—an island shrouded in mist.
Of course, the most, most, most important thing was that if players looked closely, they'd realize the map of the Elysian Realm was shaped like Elysia's [Ego] Signet.
Everything appeared resplendent and filled with that unmistakably cute girlish charm—or more precisely, that special sense of romanticism unique to Elysia.
Elysia even said, "Actually, the locations where the Flame-Chasers stand were all arranged for a reason."
"'Otto'-san told me this is his recommended sightseeing spot. When you're progressing through the story and finish talking to each Flame-Chaser, don't rush to find the next one—stand here for a bit and enjoy the view."
"Don't let 'Otto'-san's thoughtfulness go to waste."
[So there's meaning even in that? MiHoYo's attention to detail never fails.]
[Rather than calling it MiHoYo's detail, it's probably his obsessive-compulsiveness.]
[Having a game producer who truly loves the game—what a blessing for us.]
[I have such mixed feelings about that MiHoYo guy.]
Elysia took the audience on a tour of the beautiful Elysian Realm before she finally controlled Mei to move forward.
Soon, they encountered Sakura.
To be precise, Sakura found Mei.
As it turned out, Sakura had just arrived in the Elysian Realm and ran into Elysia, who then asked her to keep Mei company.
Naturally, Mei had no objection to Sakura accompanying her.
The two began to stroll through the Elysian Realm.
And along the way, the atmosphere gradually grew more harmonious.
Mei took the chance to ask, "Sakura... what kind of person do you think Elysia really is?"
Sakura replied, "Elysia? Among the Flame-Chasers... I'd say she's the purest one."
"Pure?? Elysia??"
Mei was visibly stunned.
Even Elysia, outside the game, was a little indignant.
What? What? Does Elysia not look pure??
Sakura clearly understood why Mei was surprised.
"I get what you're thinking, Miss Mei. Her actions are always unpredictable, her thoughts elusive... her wild ideas have given me quite a bit of trouble."
Players, meanwhile, grew curious—what kind of "trouble" did Sakura suffer?
As they thought about it...
Their gaze instinctively drifted toward Sakura's model—and those long fox ears.
Is that what they were imagining?
Sakura continued.
"But there's one thing I'm certain of—she's always sincere toward everyone around her."
Mei countered, "But I've heard more than one person call her a [traitor]."
"I remember you bringing that up before, so it wasn't just my imagination. But... facts aren't always as others describe them—sometimes not even as they appear to be."
"This is something I, who once lived in darkness, have come to understand deeply—regardless of the truth, what matters is what you believe."
"Sometimes, even the truth itself isn't what's important. What you choose to believe about the [truth] carries more weight."
Facts... Truth...
After hearing Sakura's words, Mei seemed to understand Elysia's intent a bit more.
She decided to seek out others to talk to as well.
After bidding farewell to Sakura—
Mei continued her ascent.
In this beautiful Elysian Realm, she came across all kinds of memories from the Previous Era.
These included, but weren't limited to, Eden's advertisements, Pardofelis's wanted posters, and Mobius's lab recruitment flyers.
These posters were interactive for the players.
For example—
Mobius's lab recruiting volunteers... Transparent, open, absolutely safe...
["Absolutely safe"]
[Now I'm curious—was Mobius recruiting researchers or research subjects?]
[Why not both? (sarcastic emoji)]
["Hello, new colleague. What's your field of study?" "Being studied."]
[LMAO. Netizens never disappoint.]
While the audience bantered away—
Eden paused in front of an old cosmetics ad posted on the wall, a little sentimental.
"To think there's even one of my old makeup ads here."
It was an actual ad she had filmed in the real world.
She had been so inexperienced back then.
That was also when she first met Elysia—
A girl... difficult to describe in mere words.
"It was my idea with 'Otto'-san to add this into the Elysian Realm~~"
Elysia adjusted the camera view as she spoke: "Eden, what do you think of this little addition of mine?"
"Mm... it's very you, Elysia. You always like recording every little interesting detail."
Knowing Elysia well, Eden didn't find it strange that she would suggest to Hokuto to add those posters into the new map.
"As expected, Eden, you understand me best~~"
Elysia cheerfully responded and, after admiring the posters, guided Mei into the residential area.
There, Mei encountered Eden.
The two began to discuss the [Thirteenth Herrscher].
Unlike Hua, Kosma, or Sakura before her, Eden clearly knew more about the [Thirteenth Herrscher].
However, she was vague in her response.
"The [Thirteenth Herrscher]... it's more like... the [wedding dress] Elysia prepared for herself."
["Wedding dress"? That sounds so romantic.]
[Knowing Elysia's personality and her ending, that "wedding dress" must be her way of marrying the world, huh?]
[No... is this going to be another knife?]
[Sob sob sob, thank goodness we still have the memory version of her.]
...
Hearing Eden's words, Mei couldn't help but feel puzzled.
It was clear Eden knew something, but she didn't say it.
Was that for Mei's sake?
Or for Elysia's?
Eden didn't explain further—only saying she was off to visit an old friend, then took her leave.
If Mei had known that Eden's so-called "old friend" was Aponia, she might've had a different reaction.
After all, Eden once said—
Only Elysia could guide Mei to the depths, which is what allowed Elysia to sneakily grab her horns.
But clearly, Eden could've helped Mei too.
Would Mei start to wonder if she was tricked—by a scheme between Elysia and Eden?
Maybe that pink-haired girl had rolled around on the floor in front of Eden for a long time before Eden finally agreed to help.
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