MGSFV?! Chapter 503: With v2v Around, How Can We Lose? / What's "Elysia-Flavored"?
[Why did she suddenly bring up Dr. Tesla?]
Clearly, it wasn't just Mei who had questions.
[Yeah, exactly! I was looking forward to Kiana having some kind of special reaction after learning Mei went on an amusement park adventure with a certain pink-haired fairy (Elysia). But this? My review: the writer doesn't get it this time.]
[Hey hey, don't expect weird things now.]
Still, compared to why Kiana mentioned Dr. Tesla, some players seemed more invested in Kiana's reaction to Mei's dream.
After all, just mentioning the trio—Kiana, Mei, and Elysia—was enough to inspire countless whimsical little stories.
And yet...
Kiana's reason for mentioning Dr. Tesla wasn't even what Mei suspected—it wasn't about Vill-V at all.
"You remember what the doctor once said, right? 'Before facing the Herrscher of Finality, Anti-Entropy's plan still has huge room for improvement.'"
"I think what Mei found could signify a major... 'improvement opportunity.'"
Totally normal. Almost boringly so.
[...Expectation shattered.jpg]
[You were never gonna get those weird fantasies fulfilled anyway (angry).]
Elysia: …
She honestly thought Kiana reacting this way was perfectly natural. In fact, the real Kiana's reaction just earlier had been about the same.
At most, she'd said something heartfelt about remembering Teacher Himeko.
Expecting anything more from her was just expecting too much.
Kiana was never that complicated.
She was someone Elysia… understood completely.jpg
...
Back to the story.
Bronya, ever so "considerate," waited for Kiana and Mei to finish talking before chiming in with her own view.
"But it's also possible that the compass is just like Durandal's keepsake."
[Durandal's keepsake… must be that childhood photo with HoYo-chan, right?]
[If I recall, Siegfried only regained his memories of exploring the Stigmata Space with Durandal thanks to that photo. And let's not forget—Cecilia's phantom too.]
[!!!] *N
[Does this mean we might get an Elysia illusion later??]
Since Hokuto had made several narrative adjustments in this timeline compared to the previous Honkai Impact 3rd, players now had even more room to speculate.
And some of those guesses?
Pretty close.
[It's Vill-V's compass. If there's an illusion, it should be her, right?]
But of course, not everyone agreed.
[I don't think it'll follow the same formula. Would miHoYo really let us guess the next move that easily?]
[We can't beat the Sly Writer.jpg]
[Wait, shouldn't the real concern be... if Vill-V's compass works just like Durandal's keepsake, doesn't that mean the compass is kinda... optional?]
[You there—have faith in Professor V! Say it with me now—V-GATE!!]
The players were clearly still full of faith in Professor V.
So much so that they completely ignored Bronya's subtle suggestion not to pop the champagne early.
Herrscher of Reason...
As for Mei—who should have taken Bronya's warning to heart—her attention instead got pulled by one specific word in Bronya's sentence.
"Durandal's keepsake?"
"Ah… You'd never guess this, Mei,"
Kiana scratched her head and offered an explanation:
"Actually, Durandal is the original Kiana—the one whose genes I was cloned from. She lost her memory in an accident and ended up going through all kinds of twists and turns—"
"Until recently, when we rescued Dad. Thanks to a keepsake found in the Kaslana Stigmata Space, the truth finally came to light."
"Oh, I see." Mei nodded lightly after hearing it.
"Huh? You're not surprised at all?"
Now Kiana was the one caught off guard by Mei's calm response. The Kiana—revealed to be the strongest Valkyrie—wasn't that a big deal?
"Not surprised." Mei shook her head.
"It might sound incredible… but it actually makes perfect sense."
[???]
[If General Mei says it makes sense, it makes sense. ()]
[We've matured. No more shock and awe. (Respect)]
[People already guessed this back when Durandal entered the main plot. You tell me if that's "reasonable."]
[Seriously? I was floored when they confirmed Durandal was the real Kiana at Kolosten. I never believed the Durandal-is-true-Kiana theory until then.]
[Mystery background, absurd power—either she's a chosen one, or her parents are OP. This isn't a xianxia story, so that only leaves the special parent angle. Just couldn't confirm it at the time.]
Anyone who looked back on early player discussions would see that many did suspect Durandal's identity. But her blonde hair never matched the Kaslana family's signature white hair, so doubts always remained.
So if the players guessed it early on, Mei being prepared for the possibility wasn't far-fetched.
Besides—even if Durandal was the real Kiana…
To her, the girl in front of her mattered more—
Ahem.
In short:
Kiana and Mei filled each other in on what the other didn't know.
Bronya chimed in now and then—but mostly just watched them talk with remarkable social grace.
Until Theresa showed up.
Ah, right—Theresa only came because the Herrscher of Sentience told her Mei had returned.
Said she was going to "rest"... and then went and did actual work.
Senti really is such a soft-hearted Herrscher.
"Mei, I'm so glad you're safe."
As Theresa spoke, she struck her signature pose.
That pose being—
In-game, she put one hand on her hip, the other resting on her knee, and bent forward…
[I've always wondered—what exactly is Theresa's pose for? (We're this deep into the plot, feels like it's now or never to ask.)]
[Nah nah nah, she's pushing fifty. Probably just back pain from walking all day (confirmed).]
[????]
[Now that you mention it, the Principal really does look like a tired old lady stretching her back.]
[Stop. Please stop. I'm not gonna recover from this ()]
And wherever that kind of joke showed up—
A certain class of responses was sure to follow:
[Execute the one above.]
[That 500kg Judah looks really nice sitting on your head ()]
[Theresa: Is it that I can't lift Judah anymore? Or have you gotten cocky?]
Endless snark flooded in.
[??????]
...
Alright, alright, that's enough of that.
Otherwise, Theresa might start pulling a Raben move out of sheer frustration.
That'd be… actually kinda awesome? Ahem—not ideal.
Back to business.
In the plot:
Theresa didn't come just to check on Mei.
She was here to personally escort Kiana and Mei to the Salt Lake Base to meet Anti-Entropy's scientists.
Of course, the Herrscher of Sentience would go with them as escort, space-hopping to ensure safety.
As for St. Freya's defense—Theresa entrusted it to Bronya.
And Bronya accepted without hesitation.
She was now the true Herrscher of Reason. She could do anything!
"So, when are you heading out?" Bronya asked with ease. "The Herrscher of Sentience seems to have gone off to rest."
"Huh?"
Theresa looked surprised.
"She promised me she'd—"
She hadn't finished when—
"Oh please!"
A familiar voice rang out.
[That voice…]
"I'm not your errand girl."
And then, a familiar figure leapt into frame, dead center.
[Senti!]
[Herrscher of Sentience-sama.]
"You think I'm on-call 24/7?!"
[Then what are you doing here, huh? Still showed up. Just admit it.]
[Weren't you resting, Senti? (Dog head)]
['You think I'm on-call 24/7?!']
[Professor Senti lying to the boys and to herself too.]
[Hahahaha good one.]
Senti's appearances always lifted the mood.
In a good way.
It's all because—
"If I weren't so kindhearted, afraid you'd get tricked again by someone like Hare… why would I even bother with you?"
"Herrscher of Sentience…" Kiana blinked. "So you were here the whole time?"
Senti: "..."
Her expression twitched—then she let out a dismissive snort.
"Hmph, some people just don't listen."
"What I promised Theresa was: 'Find Raiden Mei and ensure Kiana and her safety.'
When did I ever say I'd travel with you?"
"..."
Theresa could only sigh.
[Theresa: Why is she just like Kiana used to be?]
[Because you people squeeze every last drop out of her!]
"Theresa, you're the Overseer of Schicksal now. All S-rank Valkyries are under your command. Isn't that enough?"
Senti blasted back with full force.
[Herrscher of Sentience's hard-hitting commentary on the corrupt Overseer of Schicksal ()]
[Should record this and play it back when Theresa becomes respected one day. Let future Valkyries see how their 'senior' once roasted their boss.]
[Nice idea, but unrealistic (Dog head). Will Theresa ever become a respected Overseer?]
[Only if she defies the heavens (serious.jpg)]
Funny thing is—
Theresa really did become the "Anti-(Entropy) Heavenly" Overseer later.
...
After all that roasting—
Even Mei felt the need to step in.
Theresa may be… flawed, but she did get things done.
Still, Mei knew she couldn't just say it directly to Senti.
Time to apply the proper touch:
"Herrscher of Sentience… your authority is unique."
You have to praise kids sometimes.
["独一劌无二"?]
[Activating coax-child.jpg]
[At this point, everyone knows you have to flatter Senti.]
[With Mei here, feels like everything is under control.]
Under control? Really?
The times have changed~~
Upon hearing Mei's words, Senti folded her arms behind her back, raised her chin proudly, and struck a "master among masters" pose.
"Naturally. I don't need your flattery."
She replied with zero hesitation—no trace of embarrassment.
And she added:
"—Don't think you'll be getting anything else out of me."
Sweet talk in—
Grenade out.
The kid had learned.
Was it trauma from past scams?
Well, even if prenatal education was lacking, the antique's early childhood training taught Senti something.
But Mei wasn't someone who'd get thrown off by a few snippy words.
She smoothly continued:
"Of course. After all, you're a Herrscher of freedom."
Then pivoted:
"But I meant—
Even if you're far away, I believe you'll keep your promise to protect us when it counts."
"—You!!"
Senti: "..."
She froze.
Eyes wide, mouth open.
But no words came out.
[Still got it. Still under control.]
[Mei's been to Elysium and back. She learned from the best. Handling Senti is a cakewalk now.]
[Mei's words got that Elysia flavor.]
"Elysia flavor? What flavor is that?"
Kiana, who had been watching the story seriously, suddenly noticed the comment float across the screen—and asked with genuine curiosity.
[It's…]
"It means—passion. Looking forward to every new encounter. Embracing life and the future with hope. Greeting each day and everyone with a smile."
Before the chat could answer, Mei had already spoken.
"And lots of compliments. Spotting the brilliance in others—even when they don't see it themselves. And generously using every fitting adjective."
"Also—being cute. Choosing words that are pink, girlish, and beautiful: lovely, pretty, darling… And of course, the all-purpose '~' and '♪.'"
"It's not hard, but it's not easy either."
"I think I get it."
Kiana nodded slightly after Mei's summary—and couldn't help but remark:
"Come to think of it… I never realized you could describe it all so well, Mei."
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