Elysia wore a cheerful smile.
If Mobius knew what she was planning, she would surely curse her out.
What Elysia truly wanted was to get some leverage on Ye Feng… but that seemed entirely hopeless.
Therefore, she settled for the next best thing. This time, what Elysia desired was the authority bestowed by Ye Feng.
Just like Mobius, she wanted to possess "Permissions" within this world.
"Since it's a request from my dear Elysia, how could I possibly refuse?" Ye Feng said. "However, it will have to be after Bronya obtains the Core of the Herrscher of Reason."
"The Core of the Herrscher of Reason?"
"That's right. I don't care how you do it. Even if you don't lift a finger and it's just a coincidence of fate, as long as Bronya obtains the Core of the Herrscher of Reason, I will grant you [Permissions]. Simple, isn't it?"
"This…" Elysia's expression was hesitant. After a moment of thought, she asked, "Mr. Ye Feng, you wish for Bronya… to become a Herrscher as well?"
Ye Feng stared at the Herrscher of Human: Ego before him and said, "Of course. After all, I love Herrschers the most."
If any other beautiful girl had said this, Elysia would have bloomed with joy, happily retorting, "Heeey, so you like me that much? That makes me so happy."
But in front of Ye Feng, Elysia didn't dare to "tease" him in the slightest.
Because he would genuinely press her down onto the bed.
"How can a man become a Herrscher? That's a betrayal of the Honkai!" Ye Feng declared.
"Huh?" Elysia didn't understand what betrayal Ye Feng was referring to… alright, she could vaguely guess, but she really didn't want to think about it too deeply.
"Elysia wouldn't want to see a man become a Herrscher either, right?"
"Mmm…" Elysia lowered her gaze. "If possible, I would rather Herrschers didn't appear at all."
Whether it was in the Previous Era or the current one, the arrival of a Herrscher was always accompanied by immense disaster.
"That won't happen anymore."
Elysia paused. "What won't happen?"
"The part where the appearance of a Herrscher is usually accompanied by immense disaster."
"..."
"So, Elysia, you'll help me, won't you?"
"Even if I wanted to, I'm powerless. After all, I can only exist within the [Elysian Realm]."
"Mobius's body reconstruction is already close to one hundred percent complete. I'm sure my dear Elysia won't be any worse than her."
"..." Elysia lowered her head, silently looking at the "Stigma" Ye Feng had once drawn on her body.
It truly possessed a miraculous power, capable of reconstructing her original body. This reconstruction was by no means as simple as "cloning" or some other biological science. It was a true, one-hundred-percent restoration of her original form.
Elysia was still hesitant. "But… the current Herrscher of Reason seems to be on humanity's side, doesn't he?"
"Mhm, to the humans of this world, he's basically an ally of justice."
"Then…"
"Because Old Yang isn't a beautiful girl. Do you need any other reason?"
"Uhm…" Although Elysia also loved beautiful girls, she was still clear-headed when it came to major principles.
"Oh, I almost forgot. My dear Elysia is so kind, you must be worried about what bad consequences might arise if the current Herrscher of Reason loses his core. Don't worry, even without the Herrscher Core, the impact on him won't be significant. Besides, he's looking for a successor himself. It's a mutual desire."
"..." Elysia's eyes flickered, clearly still conflicted.
But Ye Feng was growing impatient.
He slid his fingers into the opening of her white thigh-high stocking, pulled it back, and let it snap.
The flawless, jade-like flesh rippled.
"Eek—!"
Elysia lifted her leg as if electrocuted, shooting a resentful glare at Ye Feng.
Doesn't this guy know how to show even a little tenderness to a woman? She was a delicate and pitiful beautiful girl, too!
"If you're not willing, then forget it. If you won't do it, there are plenty of others who will."
"Eh? Who?"
"Mobius, Aponia. Either of them."
"Aponia…?" If she remembered correctly, hadn't Aponia already merged with the Elysian Realm? Her situation was even worse than that of a memory simulation. A memory simulation just needed a new body to have a chance of getting out. But Aponia…
"No need to worry about that. Honkai energy is omnipotent… ah, no, that's not right. This time, 'my contract is omnipotent'." Ye Feng's lips curled into a smile. "After all, I perform a [Chāoxiàn] on Mama Aponia every week."
[Chāoxiàn]?
Ye Feng had never explained this word to Elysia. But the clever Miss Elf, seeing his lewd smile, could pretty much figure out its meaning on her own.
"Alright, I can try," Elysia nodded.
After all, Ye Feng had said, "even if I don't lift a finger, as long as Bronya obtains the Core of Reason, I will grant you permissions."
Agreeing to it was a win-win situation, wasn't it?
Seeing through Miss Elf's thoughts, the smile on Ye Feng's lips deepened. "Now that's my good Elysia."
Ye Feng rolled up his sleeves and looked at his non-existent watch. "Sigh, time is such an annoying thing, don't you think? If it weren't so pressing, I would love to leave more memorable traces with Elysia on this stage."
"Does Mr. Ye Feng have something to attend to?"
"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm actually a very busy man. I have many, many things to do. However, there will always be a spot reserved for you on my schedule. So, is there anything else, Elysia?"
"Ah, no, no! Mr. Ye Feng, please go attend to your business."
Elysia was startled and waved her hands repeatedly. After a full day, her legs were still trembling and weak. Besides, she was quite happy with the new clothes she had just changed into. She really didn't want to get them dirty again.
---o---
"Bronya, Bronya? Use your ultimate! Quick, use your—heeyah, we died again! It's all your fault!"
Kiana slumped and put down her controller. The game screen had turned black and white; the characters they were controlling had been killed by a giant fox's fireball.
In response, Bronya showed no expression at all.
Kiana had more or less noticed that something was wrong and tried to awaken Bronya's "vitality" with her words. But she just continued to stare blankly at the screen.
Although she usually had a similar demeanor, Kiana could clearly feel the difference. The old Bronya, despite her "three-no face," had a certain vigor.
But the current Bronya felt lifeless, as if she had lost her soul. She even spaced out while playing a game…
Kiana couldn't help but exchange a glance with Mei, who was sitting beside them.
Their eyes met, confirming one thing.
—Something was seriously wrong with Bronya.