Afterward, the three of them found MEI together. She stood quietly beneath the mottled remnants of broken walls, almost merging with the silent space.
In fact, ever since she had guided Mei's consciousness into Kiana's mental space, she had been standing here.
As if she could stand until the end of time, until the end of eternity.
Prometheus suddenly spoke: "Doctor, do you need me to analyze the scene before us?"
"Although according to my preliminary analysis, there has been no change compared to before."
MEI said: "Thank you, Prometheus, but… there's no need."
"I want to remember everything before my eyes with my own vision."
It seemed that only at this moment did this usually indifferent person finally notice the scenery around her.
And it was only now that she finally showed a trace of emotion resembling reluctance.
Prometheus asked in confusion: "Even if you preserve them in your memory… this memory won't last very long."
MEI smiled faintly: "Prometheus, is this your complaint toward me?"
Prometheus said: "Doctor, in order to improve computational efficiency, my emotion module was not built completely."
"I am not complaining about anything. I am merely stating an objective fact."
MEI didn't mind: "…I would actually like to hear your more subjective opinion, No.17."
"—Ah, they're back."
Before Prometheus could answer, MEI noticed the figures of Kiana and the other two.
The trio arrived before MEI. Looking at her slender figure, for a moment they didn't know what to say.
MEI smiled and said: "Are you ready? Then, it's time for us to say goodbye to each other, right?"
Kiana couldn't help but say: "…Dr. MEI, at the moment we leave the World Bubble, our trajectories may leave behind a fleeting singularity."
"Although this cannot guarantee it will help you in any way, but…"
Bronya continued: "If you can seize this gap and reorganize your form of existence."
"Perhaps there is still a way for you to maintain your existence in the Prime World as well."
MEI laughed in surprise: "This deduction has no other problems except for too many assumptions."
"But if we want this situation to truly become reality, we will indeed need some extraordinary luck."
Prometheus explained: "To be precise, for Dr. MEI herself, the probability of this method succeeding…"
"Is close to the constant determined by the uncertainty principle."
"That is, ten to the power of negative thirty-something."
Bronya said in surprise: "The Planck constant? Doesn't that mean…"
MEI interrupted at this moment: "There's nothing strange about it. If we want to deceive the world, we can only dance on a tightrope."
"Just as the Herrscher of Sentience told me, you should also understand what kind of situation that guy who did something similar was in."
"That so-called Bishop Otto, and what price he paid for deceiving the world."
MEI did not continue. If time allowed, she would have been willing to talk more with these hopeful young people.
But as a shadow from the past, as the mastermind who knew the full picture of the Stigmata Plan.
She understood better than anyone…
The meaning of time.
Seeing that the three remained silent, MEI comforted them: "There's no need to feel guilty."
"Even if you hadn't appeared, whether it's my body or this World Bubble."
"As long as time begins to flow, neither could last much longer."
Prometheus said: "Compared to fifty thousand years, four hours and forty days don't really make much difference."
MEI continued: "So, let's say goodbye to each other happily, just like Senti."
Kiana couldn't help but ask: "The Herrscher of Sentience, she…"
MEI said: "From the very beginning, she very readily respected my choice."
"Of course, it was mixed with a lot of emotional language."
"I really didn't expect at first that the Herrscher who shares memories with Hua in the Prime World would have such an interesting temperament…"
"It actually makes me want to meet the Hua of your era."
"But it's fine. You will say hello to her on my behalf, right?"
Mei: "…"
Seeing Mei lower her head, MEI continued: "Mei, there's no need to make such an expression."
"You… once accepted the end of the entire Elysian Realm, didn't you?"
Mei said in shock: "How did you know…"
MEI interrupted: "Because I saw the mark left by Elysia on you."
"I believe in you. As someone who inherited the will of Fire Moth, you should understand better that all of our efforts have their own meaning."
"I believe in you… just as I believe in Kevin."
"…"
Mei shook her head: "…I just feel that the farewells I have witnessed during this period have been a bit too many."
MEI said gently: "But farewells are worth it, aren't they?"
"When Fire Moth was named as such, they probably never imagined."
"That compared to moths chasing sparks, they were more suited to be the fire that illuminates the path."
"Ah… Mobius, you really chose a good name."
Mei said seriously: "It is also a name worthy of respect."
MEI nodded: "Yes, that's enough."
"Alright, you don't need to grieve for things already buried deep in the past. Move bravely toward the future."
Watching the three turn and leave, MEI's mouth did not move, but her voice sounded in Mei's mind.
"Mei,"
Hearing this voice, Mei subconsciously thought: "Dr. MEI? Is she speaking directly in my mind? Or is it the Herrscher of Sentience…"
MEI continued: "The essence of the Stigmata Plan is to compile the world."
"Once you understand this, sooner or later you will discover the way to use Herrscher power to change it…"
"And then, light the epoch-making flame for a brand new era."
"That is your responsibility as the Herrscher of Human."
Hearing the words "Herrscher of Human," Mei subconsciously stopped in her tracks.
MEI did not say anything more and simply smiled gently.
After the trio left, the Herrscher of Sentience appeared, stretched lazily, and asked:
"Farewells are over? Can we finally leave now?"
Kiana nodded: "…Mm. It's time to challenge the Imaginary Tree God Remains and return to our own world."
The Herrscher of Sentience said casually: "Sure, then let's set off quickly."
Even as she said this, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward MEI in the distance.
"It's perfect, I don't have to say any more unnecessary words. I don't want to waste time on reluctant goodbyes."
The tsundere Herrscher of Sentience did not say the other half of that premise.
—After all, that kind of thing had already been said enough fifty thousand years ago.
"…"
The Herrscher of Sentience was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Let's go, let's go."
Kiana looked at the Herrscher of Sentience's awkward attitude and thought to herself: "The Herrscher of Sentience… she also…"
Mei came to Kiana's side: "…Let's go."
Prometheus's voice sounded beside their ears: "Next, I will use the energy this World Bubble has accumulated so far to guide Kiana in restoring the Imaginary Tree God Remains to its complete form."
"You only have one chance. I suggest you prepare for battle in advance."
Kiana took a deep breath: "…Then, shall we begin?"
The Herrscher of Sentience said impatiently: "What nonsense are you still saying? Hurry up and finish this quickly!"
Mei encouraged: "Go ahead, Kiana — just like always."
Bronya also said: "Mm. The current Kiana will definitely be fine."
With everyone's encouragement, Kiana's heart was unexpectedly calm as she walked step by step toward the Imaginary Tree God Remains.
Prometheus guided: "Yes, this distance is just right."
"Now, imagine that in front of you… yes, imagine that what's in front of you is that legendary fake god Otto who just wouldn't die no matter what."
"You must end his infinity and confine all his life force within the finite…"
"Yes, just like that!"
Nationwide Audience: "…"
None of them expected the dog director to be so ruthless as to even drag out and whip the corpse of a character he himself acted as.
However, under Prometheus's guidance, the process of restoring the Imaginary Tree God Remains went very smoothly.
Before long, the remains lying on the ground began to continuously aggregate amid Honkai energy and Authority.
It had to be said that the Mysticism Imaginary Tree God Remains was completely different from the previous Nihilism.
The intensity was simply not on the same level.
Even though Kiana had regained her Flamescion power, she did not gain the upper hand at the beginning.
But… who said she was fighting alone?
Come on, when facing something like an Imaginary Tree God Remains, who would talk about Jianghu rules!
So the Imaginary Tree God Remains, which had just been revived not long ago, once again welcomed its end.
"…It's over."
Mei panted a few times: "Mm, it's over."
Kiana said slowly: "Then next…"
The white-haired girl held her breath and focused, capturing the veins left in the space by the Imaginary Tree God Remains.
Prometheus noticed and couldn't help but smile: "You're already quite skilled at this…"
"Very good. Doing it to this extent is more than enough."
"Then next…"
Before she finished speaking, Kiana's gaze was drawn to the large gate that suddenly appeared before her.
"This gate, could it be…?"
Prometheus confirmed: "Mm. Just as you sensed."
"This is the passage for you to return to the Prime World, and also our final opportunity as we struggle to keep ourselves alive."
Looking at the spatial gate on the distant bridge, Kiana led everyone to Prometheus.
"You have done everything you could."
"Everything that comes next… we can only rely on our own abilities and each take our chances."
With Prometheus's farewell, the group finally arrived in front of the spatial gate.
Kiana said at this time: "Are you ready? We're going back!"
Mei and Bronya said at the same time: "Of course." ×2
The Herrscher of Sentience shrugged: "I'll just hitch a ride with you guys."
Kiana said gladly: "Sure, then you better hold on tight!"
As she activated the power of the Herrscher of the Void, a dazzling beam of light began to bloom.
...
The real Moon ruins.
Durandal, Li Sushang, and Seele gathered together chatting.
But before Li Sushang could finish complaining, the ground suddenly shook violently.
At the same time, the scenery before her eyes flickered and trembled in the silver-glowing air like stirred soap bubbles.
The connection between worlds had changed.
On the other side of space, the beacon called reality slowly spread like ink dropped into water.
Making the boundaries of space no longer distinct at this moment.
And within the dazzling white light, several familiar figures gradually appeared.
Durandal immediately recognized one of them and shouted impatiently: "…Kiana!"
"Kiana, finally… I finally see you. I'm so glad you're okay."
Before she finished speaking, the golden-haired silly goose had already grabbed the silver-haired girl's hands, her tone quite unsteady.
Kiana said somewhat helplessly: "Y-Yeah, Durandal. We finally meet again."
Durandal murmured: "That's really great… Mm, really great."
Seeing Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie so emotional, a question mark appeared above Kiana's head.
"…Durandal? Did something happen?"
Only then did Durandal barely come back to her senses: "Ah?"
Noticing that Kiana was looking at her own hands in confusion while still tightly holding her soft hands.
Only then did Durandal realize…
Compared to her usual self, how abrupt her actions must seem to Kiana right now.
Durandal let go: "Sorry, I got too excited without realizing it."
When Durandal said this, a trace of hesitation flashed across her eyes.
That hesitation disappeared in an instant, leaving behind a relieved smile.
Durandal said slowly: "…Anyway, it's good that you're all back."
"Long time no see, Raiden Mei, Bronya Zaychik."
Mei was momentarily stunned: "Oh, long time no see."
Bronya also responded: "…Long time no see, Durandal, Miss Li Sushang."
—Although Bronya greeted them politely, her gaze did not turn toward the two.
Her gaze was obviously, or rather from the very beginning, unreservedly fixed on Seele.
Of course, Seele was the same.
After all, the usually innocent and gentle good girl had lost the other self she relied on most while on the Moon.
"Whew… Thank goodness, everyone is okay…"
Seele patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
Durandal said at this time: "Please rest here for a bit."
"After resting for a while, we will head to the new area together."
"After the World Bubble from fifty thousand years ago has been merged… we should be able to continue exploring downward from here."
Kiana nodded: "Mm. Everyone rest first."
"This way we also have time to exchange more detailed information with each other."
Seele asked curiously: "However… what will we encounter in the areas further ahead?"