Chapter 221
[When Mei was chatting with Kosma and Griseo in the hall, Aponia instead directly pulled Mei into the Depths.
"Mei, you've done better than I imagined, and you've indeed brought changes to this Elysian Realm that should not have been."
"I wanted to see what kind of person this Herrscher who came here as a Successor is... whether the changes she brought to the Elysian Realm are good or bad?"
"I have obtained the answer. At this moment, my heart is also filled with... regret and sorrow."
"Regret... sorrow...?"
In the pitch-black prison cell, Mei could hardly see anything. But for some reason, she was very certain that on the other side of the iron bars, she saw... a gentle smiling face. "[Please] let me hold your hand, Mei."
Aponia's words were filled with endless sorrow as she told Mei her fate—ten days later, Mei would die by Aponia's hand.]
[Silver Wolf]: "This is also a prophecy?"
[Stelle]: "Rules are meant to be broken!! What fate? Not familiar!"
[March 7th]: "Wait, if Mei will be killed by Aponia ten days later, then can't she just leave the Elysian Realm? It's not like Aponia can leave the Elysian Realm."
[Kafka]: "This prophecy... seems too easy to change, but it appears it's not just that simple."
[Elio]: "Correct. If this is the predetermined fate that Aponia saw, then Mei will inevitably fulfill it no matter what, even if it means the destruction of the Elysian Realm."
[Although Mei had grown accustomed to the cryptic ways of the Elysian Realm's inhabitants, she was still deeply puzzled by this seemingly nonsensical prophecy.
While pondering in the hall, Pardo came over with an invitation to Vill-V's magic performance. "Mei-nee, do you remember that time when the Elysian Realm was in complete chaos?"
"Now it seems that was probably part of Vill-V-nee's magic performance. I just came back from there, and everything's a mess—several Doctor Mobiuses are flying around in the sky!"
Mei couldn't imagine several Mobiuses flying in the sky at all—guess she just hasn't seen enough of the world.
Mei wrote another IOU. As a guide, Pardo dutifully led the way for Mei. After entering the realm, Mei indeed saw a grand performance. Then, through one of Vill-V's little tricks, Mei successfully became part of the performance props.
After going through two performances (two life-and-death crises), Mei completely lost her composure:
"What kind of magic show is this? Pardo, are you sure she doesn't have malicious intentions?"
"That's just how Vill-V-nee is... Actually, compared to before, her style this time is quite tame..."]
[March 7th]: "You're telling me this kind of performance is called tame?!"
[Silver Wolf]: "This kind of performance has a beauty that disregards whether the audience lives or dies."
[Stelle]: "Standard procedure for the Flame-Chasers! In the Elysian Realm, you can choose not to live, but you can't choose not to have flair!!"
[Sparkle]: "Actually... I'd really like to see what Vill-V's previous magic performances were like. Don't you think this kind of interesting show would suit us Fools perfectly, Sampo?"
[Sampo]:'Oh dear, this old bones of mine can't handle any more stimulation.'
[Mei didn't gain much information from Vill-V either, only learning from her that the reason for the previous abnormalities in the Elysian Realm was because they were testing a weapon—Anti-Kevin Weaponry!
After communicating with Mei, Vill-V was quite satisfied and prepared to bestow her Sigil upon her: "Reverse [meaning], subvert [common sense], Use [truth] to create falsehood; With [unknown] forge miracles--The curtain has been raised, listen to the applause of gears meshing... Behold, the contradictory [Spiral]!"
But for the sake of her magic performance, Vill-V tampered with her Sigil, causing Mei to immediately faint. However, Aponia, who was monitoring Mei at all times, directly woke her up because the time for the prophecy had not yet come. But because Pardo thought Mei had died, as a kind merchant, Pardo prepared to bury Mei to let her rest in peace.
Then at that moment, Mei opened her eyes, and she and Pardo stared at each other in extremely awkward silence.]
[Theresa]: "Do you Flame-Chasers really enjoy tampering with your Sigils so much? Last time it was Mobius, this time it's Vill-V."
[March 7th]: "Wait... what kind of prophecy is this? To ensure the accuracy of the prophecy, she won't even allow Mei to have accidents ahead of time?"
[Elio]: "That's how prophecies work!"
[Stelle]: "So, did Teacher Vill-V's Anti-Kevin Weaponry succeed?"
[Mobius]: "Hehe."
[After explaining to Pardo what had happened earlier, Mei began communicating with Vill-V again, then learned from Pardo about a place called Twilight Street.
Then, after discussing painting with Griseo for a while, Aponia appeared once more. After another round of cryptic talk, Mei was sent out of the Depths. After coming out, Griseo was painting again. Mei greeted her kindly: "Griseo, painting again?"
"Hello, Sister Mei."
Griseo looked up and responded.
Kosma: "..."
"Ah, Kosma's here too. Am I disturbing you?"
"It's fine. I'm just looking for... some new inspiration."
Kosma: "..."
"...Speaking of which, there's something I've been wondering about."
"Griseo, why are you always barefoot? Aren't you cold?"
"Mmm... because Kosma said he prefers it this way..."]
[Kosma]: "...I didn't!"
[Stelle]: "Kosma truly is a man of culture! No, I despise you, Kosma!!"
[Silver Wolf]: "Being horny for everything will only harm you..."
[Stelle]: "No! Being horny for everything will keep me nutritionally balanced!!"
[March 7th]: "This question... @Clara, @Yunli!"
[Clara]: "Clara just thinks being barefoot is more comfortable."
[Yunli]: "I like it!"
[Mei's look toward Kosma instantly changed, somewhat surprised as she said: "Kosma... you...?"
Kosma's silence—no, he couldn't remain completely silent anymore—rarely speaking normally: "I don't think I said anything like that."
"You shouldn't lie, Kosma."
Griseo interrupted Kosma's defense with an innocent expression. "You told me that running around with shoes on would dirty the canvas, and they'd soil the blankets when sleeping..."
"So I stopped wearing them. You said this was fine, and I think it's more comfortable too."
Kosma breathed a sigh of relief: "Next time remember to include these explanations when you say it."]
[Elysia]: "I told you~ everyone in the Elysian Realm is pure and kind-hearted♪"
[Stelle]: "Fraud! Fraud!!"
[Qingque]:'Kosma has never thought this quickly in his entire life.'
[Guinaifen]: "Well, if he didn't speak up quickly, he really wouldn't have any face left to show people."