Hearing Kiana's words, Mei thought for a moment and said: "Oh, that's actually quite simple."
"Right now, there is still quite some time before Prometheus finishes certain preparations."
"Why don't we learn from someone and hold a tea party for the girls?"
The Herrscher of Sentience's face was full of question marks upon hearing this: "…What?"
Bronya couldn't help but ask: "Are you serious…?"
The audience outside the TV could no longer hold back and began complaining one after another.
"I really like some of the Herrscher of Sentience's lines. 'What?' 'Ah?' 'What's wrong with you?'"
"Wuuu, a tea party for the girls… my Elysia…"
"Without warning, a knife has already stabbed into my heart. The dog director really deserves to die!"
"Elysia, I have to say, the dog director really shaped her perfectly!"
"Yeah, she's clearly so beautiful, but just thinking about her makes me want to cry!"
"Dog director, please let Elysia come back for a cameo! I miss her!"
"…"
The topic unknowingly shifted to Elysia and became unstoppable.
However, even if the nationwide audience submitted ten thousand blood-written petitions, the plot on the TV continued.
Mei ignored the reactions of the Herrscher of Sentience and Bronya and said directly:
"Prometheus? Help me activate Scene No.1."
Prometheus's voice sounded: "Understood, my Doctor."
The next moment, the Moon scenery in the World Bubble disappeared, replaced by quite a beautiful landscape.
Beautiful cherry blossom trees took root in the air, and even the sky had turned pink.
Mei asked in surprise: "This is…?"
MEI reminded her: "Careful, Raiden Mei. I am merely using the functions of the World Bubble to deceive our respective senses."
"It's like wearing VR glasses. It's not the complete virtual space like Elysian Realm."
Mei nodded: "…Understood. It's just that suddenly seeing the scenery of Elysian Realm again makes it hard not to feel emotional for a moment."
Even as she spoke, although she tried her best to stay calm, the sense of loss and nostalgia in her tone was obvious.
Kiana said at this time: "Hmm, so this is what Elysian Realm felt like."
"It has a very surreal beauty."
The Herrscher of Sentience snorted lightly: "What's there to admire about this?"
"Since we're having a tea party, how can we do it without proper tea and snacks?"
As she spoke, the Herrscher of Sentience waved her hand casually, and a tea table along with a full set of tea ware immediately appeared before everyone.
There were also plates of exquisite Lushan tea cakes.
After doing all this, the Herrscher of Sentience said somewhat regretfully: "It's a pity that my current power is limited."
"So I can only let you experience flavors I'm more familiar with. I can't do English black tea."
"But Doctor — you don't have any special abilities, so why can you do something similar to me?"
MEI explained: "Prometheus and I are originally part of this World Bubble… does that make sense to you?"
"The scenery we are seeing now is a holographic projection constructed by Prometheus herself."
"And precisely because we are part of the World Bubble, from the very beginning it has been impossible for us to leave this place the way you can."
"—Mm, the combination of tea cakes and tea is quite good."
The Herrscher of Sentience said tsundere-style: "Hmph, of course. Cloud Mist Tea like this isn't something you can taste every day."
Mei: "…"
She suddenly felt the topic had been derailed.
Bronya refused: "Bronya will pass. Bronya is not very used to drinking green tea."
Kiana went straight to the point: "Dr. MEI, you don't want us to get involved with matters concerning this World Bubble itself, right?"
MEI admitted: "Of course, because that would not help with what you want to do."
"On the contrary… it would make you pay an unbearable cost, only to ultimately gain nothing."
"Don't forget, time is Kevin's and the Stigmata Plan's friend — that is to say, your enemy."
"Using the Imaginary Tree God Remains can ensure you return to your own world in the shortest time."
Kiana nodded: "We naturally trust the Doctor's judgment, but…"
MEI proactively said: "But as individuals, you and all of you find it hard to accept the conclusion of simply leaving us be, right?"
Kiana said: "…If there is any opportunity we can try, of course we want to attempt it."
Mei remained silent.
Bronya also spoke: "We are not unable to accept the situation the Doctor described."
"But… at least Bronya needs some time to process her own feelings."
The Herrscher of Sentience said impatiently: "…Hey, look at the three of you. Why are you being so dense?"
"It's normal in this world for a captain to be unable to abandon a silent warship. Enjoying a moment of peace together with a relaxed mood is definitely not a bad thing."
"Moreover — next, Kiana will have to face an even more difficult challenge than repairing the bridge earlier, right?"
Seeing the Herrscher of Sentience speaking to her, MEI couldn't help but smile: "Mm."
"I didn't expect you to be so sharp in this regard, Herrscher of Sentience."
The owner of the illusion retracted the nostalgic light and shadow, leaving only the mental creations to continue emitting their faint tea fragrance.
The Herrscher of Sentience said unceremoniously: "Of course. A person can't take on a porcelain job without the diamond drill, right?"
Mei couldn't help but ask: "…So, what exactly does this refer to?"
Bronya had a guess and murmured in her heart: "Could it be…"
Kiana suddenly said: "Ah, is it about the success rate of renormalization?"
Mei asked in confusion: "Success rate? Weren't you already in front of Otto — I see."
Kiana smiled and said: "Right? Back then, I only managed to enter that state by borrowing the power of a hundred people."
Bronya also said: "…Indeed. For the current Kiana."
"She has only used the techniques of Taixuan Sword Qi to bypass the seal the Stigmata Plan placed on Herrschers."
"Compared to the final state during the battle with Otto, this is far from being in perfect condition."
The Herrscher of Sentience praised upon hearing this: "Not bad. Looks like being the Herrscher of Reason wasn't for nothing."
"To achieve the goal preset by Dr. MEI, relying solely on Taixuan Sword Qi is not a reliable approach."
MEI continued: "Therefore… Kiana, I want to arrange for another person to enter your mental world."
"To help you break free from the shackles imposed on you by the Stigmata Plan."
Kiana couldn't help but ask: "…Is that possible?"
The Herrscher of Sentience placed one hand on her waist: "Of course. Since you can already mobilize your Herrscher power through Taixuan Sword Qi."
"Then we can use that as a breakthrough point and have another person possess you to help you break the shackles and fully recover."
"Hmph, you know?"
"While you three were busy running around earlier, my brain wasn't idle either."
Seeing the smug look in the Herrscher of Sentience's eyes, Kiana silently complained in her heart: "You were probably just bragging to Dr. MEI back then…"
MEI also couldn't help coughing twice and said: "Fundamentally, the Stigmata Plan uses the Herrschers themselves to suppress Herrscher Authorities."
"At the current stage, the consciousness of another Herrscher from outside can relatively easily destroy this mental shackle."
"And once that is achieved, this other Herrscher's abilities will also recover to varying degrees."
Kiana nodded: "Understood. However… how exactly should we do this possession of consciousness?"
MEI spoke eloquently: "For Herrschers, this is not difficult. Either I or the Herrscher of Sentience can guide you to that state."
The Herrscher of Sentience waved her hand: "…Hey, I'll pass."
"Letting me guide them to do that kind of thing would be too weird."
Kiana asked: "Weird?"
The Herrscher of Sentience clicked her tongue: "You'll know soon enough. Just remember not to be too shy."
As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Kiana show a puzzled expression, but they also piqued the curiosity of the audience.
Mei: "…"
Bronya: "…"
The two of them felt something was a bit strange, especially the former, whose head seemed to feel itchy.
MEI spoke at this moment: "In any case, it seems Kiana first needs to choose one person between Mei and Bronya to help her."
"…"
Without much hesitation, Kiana looked at Mei and asked: "Mei, can you… help me?"
Mei answered without hesitation: "Of course."
"Bronya, then I'll leave things here to you."
As soon as these words came out, not to mention the nationwide audience, even many Kiana-Mei CP shippers in the company couldn't help showing aunt-like smiles.
Simply summarized as — Woohoo, we're taking off!
Bronya hooked up the corner of her lips: "Mm… I wish you both all the best."
She wasn't a single dog, and the Kiana-Mei CP was genuinely very shippable.
Afterward, Kiana and Mei followed MEI to a quiet, undisturbed corner.
MEI looked around: "Let's do it here…"
"You should know that Herrschers like yourselves who possess ring-shaped singularities can store their consciousness within their Cores, right?"
Kiana subconsciously thought: "Is she referring to something like Mr. Welt… or the former her?"
That "her" naturally referred to Sirin, or the Queen of the Void.
Shaking her head, Kiana quickly came back to her senses: "I have indeed heard of similar things."
"I have even had my own consciousness compete with another personality for control of the body."
"But as for actively sending my consciousness into the Core… I have never done that before."
MEI comforted her: "It's fine. This time it won't be you dominating unilaterally."
"You are both Herrschers — as long as you fully open your hearts and minds to each other, it is very easy for one side to enter the other's mental space."
"Kiana, you only need to fully relax and feel all of Raiden Mei as a person."
"And Mei, you can make full use of your experience entering and leaving Elysian Realm to naturally let your consciousness enter Kiana's body."
Mei couldn't help but ask: "But… how exactly should I do it?"
MEI thought for a moment: "There are many theoretical methods, but… let me choose the one with the highest success rate for you two."
As MEI's words fell, the nationwide audience could no longer sit still.
"Bowing to heaven and earth, second bow… forget it, just send them straight to the bridal chamber!"
"Aaah, I ship this CP so much! Lock Kiana-Mei forever!"
"Damn, this counts as official confirmation of the couple, right?"
"…"
Not only the audience, but also in Fire Moth Interstellar Entertainment Company.
After seeing this scene, everyone subconsciously shifted their gaze toward Kiana and Mei.
The two girls had slightly flushed faces but still sat together.
Elysia couldn't help but sigh: "Ara, when will we be able to drink your wedding wine?"
Although in the plot Mei was already locked with Kiana, the real-life Elysia had Hessian as her husband.
So she was quite happy to see this scene.
"Wedding… wine?!"
Hearing these two words, Mei, whose face was only slightly red earlier, instantly looked like she was about to turn into a steam girl.
Kiana quickly explained: "We just have a good relationship, that's all. Elysia, don't say random things."
As she spoke, the white-haired dumpling couldn't help glaring at the culprit. What kind of ridiculous plot was the trash dog director thinking of?
Hessian showed an innocent expression and made a bear spreading-hands gesture.
After all, when filming this scene, he had clearly obtained Kiana and Mei's consent.
However, this only made Kiana feel even more itchy with anger.
Joking aside, the plot still had to continue.
For example, SAKURA and Aponia had barely taken their eyes off the TV the entire time.
On the TV, Kiana said: "Like this… and then like this… is this okay?"
MEI hummed: "It's not that complicated, right?"
Mei couldn't help but say: "However… this really feels… a bit strange."
MEI comforted: "Relax. Don't have any distracting thoughts."
Mei quickly said: "Ah… okay. Sorry."
MEI shook her head: "No need to apologize to me. We are all girls."
"Just stay calm and focused, and concentrate only on the entering and receiving itself."
For this segment of the plot, a certain dog director did not broadcast the visuals in real time and instead added a layer of hazy darkness.
This instantly caused countless viewers nationwide to curse.
What was there that they, the audience, couldn't watch?
The dog director must be getting carried away again!
However, at the very end, the scene was still shown. Mei and Kiana had their hands pressed together.
Both beautiful girls had their eyes closed, and the difference in height was obvious.
Mei appeared slightly taller, and her onee-san aura was fully on display.
Of course, at this moment no one cared about that. They only wanted to see the pretty girls getting close.
They even felt that Kiana and Mei's current posture wasn't exciting enough.
...
Studies have shown that when a person concentrates fully on a simple, monotonous task.
They usually perceive time as passing more slowly.
For example, at this very moment, although not much real time had passed, both girls felt anxious without exception.
After all, the longer it dragged on, the more it might indicate.
That the long period of separation had, in a subtle way, faded away a crucial part of their former rapport.
—Even though their feelings of trust toward each other had not changed at all.