A sinner of the Elysian Realm.
That was what Aponia called herself.
It was a novel term.
Ye Feng couldn't help but smile. "In that case, what sin did Mama Aponia commit?"
The compassionate sister lifted her eyes to look at Ye Feng. Her gaze held a sense of helplessness, but even more so, doting affection.
"Even if the cage of fate is unlocked, one will only fall into a larger whirlpool. That which is [Destined] cannot be defied."
"Really? I don't believe it."
Aponia said softly, "Because I cannot resist you."
"I see. So Mama Aponia is blaming me."
"[Please] do not say such things again. You know that I would never blame Little Feng."
A look of anguish appeared in Aponia's eyes.
Ye Feng had no choice but to carry the sister back to the bedroom to comfort her properly, allowing her to temporarily forget the troubles of the mortal world.
...
Mei still couldn't find Mr. Ye Feng.
Back in reality, Kiana claimed to know nothing about anything.
Although Mei could clearly sense something was fishy with Kiana, her good upbringing as a young lady prevented her from pressing the issue.
However, Kiana seemed to be in very high spirits.
So, naturally, there was no need for Mei to worry.
The little tuna had many reasons to be happy.
She had gotten news about her father.
And after a whole night, the number had only gone down to 97.
This was a sure win.
Kiana had grasped the secret to victory: the best defense is a good offense.
As long as she took the initiative, Ye Feng would have no time for anything else.
"Hmph hmph, you're still too green to fight me."
Kiana clenched her fist slightly. She was already imagining the look on Ye Feng's face when he was defeated in six days.
Haha, it will surely be a delightful sight.
But while that was a happy thought, the things that had happened in those hazy dreams... was that really her?
Kiana didn't ask Ye Feng.
Even if she denied it with all her might, Kiana probably already had an answer in her heart.
No, perhaps it was precisely because she had the answer that she didn't ask.
Kiana looked up at the sky, feeling a little lost and bewildered.
"No, no!"
She immediately shook her head forcefully.
"Even that utter bastard Ye Feng is no match for me. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore!"
The little tuna clenched her fists, full of confidence.
Her aura was so powerful it was as if she could crush the entire world under her heel.
"Kiana."
Bronya floated over from behind.
"Hm? Oh, it's Shorty."
Kiana was getting a little carried away.
Usually, she only used that name when they were bickering. Today, she called her Shorty right off the bat.
Bronya: (ᗜ ‸ ᗜ)
"Is something wrong?"
"Forget it. The Bronya won't stoop to your level. Teacher Himeko is calling us to her office."
"What for?"
"It's probably about the Stigma ruins. The exploration mission has been assigned."
Mei also walked over and said happily, "Our new battlesuits are ready, too."
The little tuna froze. "Why didn't I know about this?"
Bronya said with a deadpan expression, "Because the idiot Kiana overslept."
"Eh, is, is that so. Aihehe."
Kiana scratched the back of her head, feeling a bit guilty.
Mei glanced at her, and Kiana lowered her head even further, not daring to meet her gaze at all.
---o---
Elysian Realm.
Within the holy church, a murky, dark green shadow of light appeared.
Aponia awoke from her dream and stared straight ahead.
"..."
Silence.
"..."
Regret.
"..."
And then, resolve.
"What's with that expression?"
A bewitching and dangerous voice drifted out from the point of dark green light.
A sensual and enchanting figure then appeared, a sickly sweet yet bewitching posture—and beneath her turquoise-to-purple pupils hid the secret of "Infinity."
"Mobius... I never thought the first to arrive would be you."
This was Aponia's "Deepest Place."
Even for the other Flame-Chasers, arriving here was no easy task.
Sometimes, it even required paying a price.
In fact, over the course of fifty thousand years, the other Flame-Chasers had almost never come.
After all, the Aponia in the Elysian Realm was fundamentally different from the other Flame-Chasers.
"Aponia~~"
Mobius's petite, snake-like body leaned against her accompanying armor. Her vertical, serpentine pupils stared at Aponia, her smile sweet yet exceptionally dangerous.
"You... you left the Elysian Realm just now, didn't you?"
"..."
"No need to deny it. I know everything that happens here like the back of my hand."
"I never intended to deny it, nor will I resist. Since it is the arrangement of [Fate], I shall embrace it."
"Heh, that's why I say we really don't get along. Isn't something like [Fate] meant to be broken? The meaning of life shouldn't be imprisoned by fate. The [Infinite] possibilities are what I seek."
Mobius stretched her enchanting figure, her boneless waist twisting as she leaned her upper body slightly forward.
"However, even people who don't get along can cooperate, as long as there is value in it. Aponia, would you like to make a deal with me?"
"A deal with the serpent? Mobius, this is not as simple for you as you might think."
"That should be for me to judge. I only want to know, are you willing, Aponia?"
"Do you really want to make a deal? The price... may be very high."
"On the path of evolution, I have never cared about any cost."
Mobius gave a bewitching smile. "Come now. Tell me, how exactly did you leave the Elysian Realm?"