Chapter 200
[IV·Gold·Eden VII·Wisdom·Su
"This glass, I offer to this vast heaven and earth."
On the tree, fallen leaves drifted as Eden held her wine glass, offering a toast to the world.
Su sat beneath the tree, gently closing his eyes in serene contemplation. "May time forever remain in this moment, may this world—"
"Shine as brilliantly as gold!"
VI·Annihilation·Kalpas VIII·Instant·Sakura
"Let it end here, Kalpas."
"That girl is already dead."
Sakura sheathed the blade in her hand, speaking to the man still engaged in slaughter: "Continuing to slaughter won't have any meaning."
Kalpas burned with rage, fighting endlessly amidst the enemies— "Slaughter never had any meaning to begin with..."
"But their deaths cannot be meaningless!"]
[Silver Wolf]: "This structure, this introduction sequence, now feels even more similar to Amphoreus."
[Elysia]: "Eden, it's you, and Sakura, Su, and Kalpas too♪"
[Theresa]: "So, does this mean what's being told next is the story of our world's previous civilization?"
[Raven]: "Looking at this environment, it's more likely someone's trial story within the Elysian Realm, right?"
[X·Infinity·Mobius XII·Vicissitude·Hua
"Death is not the end of life."
Countless water droplets floated, revealing various moments from Hua's past. "Life evolves through death, thus gaining rebirth."
"Yes, we will redefine—what it means to be human."
The small, jade-green loli wore a dangerous smile as Gray Serpent served respectfully by her side, their shadow cast on the floor resembling a giant serpent.
I·Savior·Kevin
"Kevin, it's not that only heroes can save the world."
"Rather, it's because they saved the world that they're called heroes."
Kevin clenched his fists tightly, expressionlessly gazing at the pink light pillar ahead as he replied to
Elysia: "But we all know this world can no longer be saved."
"Yet we still must become [heroes]."
The scene froze, then shattered like glass.]
[Stelle]: "Wait a minute, what the hell is that thing next to Mobius? Gray Serpent!? Give me back my Guanxing!!"
[Gray Serpent]: "...? Please don't confuse parallel universe characters."
[Silver Wolf]: "Tch, unlucky Gray Serpent. But this Kevin with the [Savior] Sigil even has similar framing to that white calamity from the Hero's Chronicle."
[Kiana]: "This is Class Monitor's past? It feels so sad."
[Herrscher of Sentience]: "Hey now, with my help, the old fossil has already recovered her memories and is doing just fine in the Elysian Realm."
[Xuanyuan Scroll]: "Help! I don't want to work overtime!!"
[Qingque]: "This is...?"
[Herrscher of Sentience]: "Nothing much. I brought Xuanyuan Scroll to the Elysian Realm, Klein charged her up, and now she's alive and kicking, right?"
[Herrscher of Sentience]: "It's just that because of the light screen's existence, the Elysian Realm's data volume increased, so Klein grabbed Xuanyuan Scroll to organize the data."
[Qingque]: "Hope she's okay."
[Crystals swirled, reflecting dazzling light that illuminated their past. "See, they once lived so proudly, remaining true to themselves to the end."
"Playing the civilization's ode with their lives."
"This is the story of people called [Flame-Chasers]."
"The unfinished journey of thirteen fire-chasers."
Elysia held a shattered crystal flower, speaking gently to
Mei: "But visitor, your path will still continue, won't it?"
"Then, just advance according to your heart."
"Follow the footprints beneath your feet to witness that fire-chasing journey."
"Finally, cross the final resting place of the departed—"
"To create the future [we] couldn't welcome."
II·■■·Elysia.]
[Stelle]: "Why are Elysia's sigils ■■? Could it be [■■]
[Silver Wolf]: "This is clearly not wanting players to know her sigil in advance. Probably something that would involve spoilers if revealed."
[March 7th]: "Could it be that Elysia is the big villain? Pink-haired but black-hearted?"
[Elysia]: "Little March, if you say that about me, I might cry♪"
[Stelle]: "You're the pink-haired but black-hearted one, March 7th!"
[Kiana]: "Stelle... you change sides pretty fast."
[Opening her eyes, what met her vision was rather peculiar architecture. Mei cautiously yet curiously surveyed the surrounding buildings. "Hi♪"
An unfamiliar voice sounded silently, like someone whispering in her ear yet also like a shout from far away, as elusive as this scenery. "How does it feel♪"
"Fine, no abnormalities. It feels just like reality."
"Mm, that's good. Some previous visitors couldn't stand properly the moment they entered [Elysian Realm]."
"Like drowning... being overwhelmed by memories doesn't feel good, right?"
"But it seems this worry was unnecessary for you."
"Herrscher physique really is different from ordinary people. So nice, I'd like to try it too... ah, did I get off topic?"
Mei replied flatly: "Quite a marvelous sight... Is this First Era architecture? What was it used for?"
Elysia familiarly moved closer to
Mei: "How about it? Must feel pretty avant-garde to you? But in my era, this was just an ordinary residence, common everywhere along the streets."
"This sense of temporal dislocation is one of the pleasures of exploring [Elysian Realm]. Before encountering even more unbelievable sights, just look forward to it~"]
[Elysia]: "Wow~ Future Mei really came to find me. I'm so happy♪"
[Kiana]: "Why did Mei go there? Why wasn't I by Mei's side?"
[Kiana]: "No no no, Elysia why are you so close to Mei!!"
[Elysia]: "Ahem♪ Kiana, you can come challenge the Elysian Realm too. I think Kevin wouldn't mind♪"
[Kevin]: "...I don't mind."
[Stelle]: "Kiana, you're totally jealous. Be careful or you'll fall into Elysia's hands too! Damn it, I want to go too!!"
["Remember well, this counts as your first attempt. There's no penalty for failure, and no one will blame you for poor performance. Don't worry, I'll always be by your side."
"But giving up on the spot isn't really encouraged."
"So at least try to persevere until the end."
"Is there any other purpose?"
Raiden Mei asked: "What's my objective? Defeat someone? Or find something?"
Elysia chuckled: "Objective? There's no objective. This is just an attempt, or perhaps... a tutorial?"
"No Herrscher has ever set foot here before, and I've never guided a Herrscher either. For both you and me, this is... how should I put it? [First experience]?"
"Anyway, just follow your heart and explore freely. I'm quite looking forward to how deep you can go... without help from other Flame-Chasers."]
[Stelle]: "So this is... Mei and Elysia's first time?"
[March 7th]: "Your wording really lends itself to misinterpretation."
[Elysia]: "Ahem~ Unfortunately, I won't get to meet the cute and energetic Stelle. What a pity♪"
[Kiana]: "Mei, if you go to the Elysian Realm, you have to go with me, okay~"
[Raiden Mei]: "I don't have any plans to go to World Serpent right now. Alright now, stop fussing. I promise! I'll make you something delicious tonight!"
A/N: ................ Hearing Elysia's initial voice again feels somewhat cold—not like how she sounded later, and she didn't even have the ♪ as her exclusing voice yet. But Elysia is still Elysia. Always has been like this.