After three days, Ai-chan finally updated her video again.
As soon as the playback page opened, the screen was instantly filled with comments.
[First!]
[Even though it's only been a few days since the last update, why does it feel like a whole month?]
[Ai-chan, why are you getting lazier and lazier? Could it be you got infected by my "waiting for updates sickness"?]
[My bro, she's calling you out! Where's today's update!]
[By the way, at the end of the last video, didn't Elysia already admit she was the Thirteenth Herrscher? Does that mean there's going to be a battle with Mei later?]
[Impossible! Absolutely impossible!]
[I bet a pack of spicy strips… Elysia definitely won't stand on the opposing side of the protagonist group. Most likely, she'll eventually return and team up with them to fight the BOSS.]
[Hope so… just depends on whether the Mihoyo writers still act like humans.]
And so, under the netizens' eager anticipation, the video began to play.
However, unexpectedly, the beginning of the video didn't continue from the last plot, but instead showed something like a chatroom page.
[What are they even talking about? Why so mysterious?]
[These people are saying they want to live, that they want to go to the outside world. Could it be these people are from the Elysian Realm?]
[Holy crap! That's actually possible!]
[This green anonymous user is very likely Mobius. She's always wanted to go outside.]
[So then these four could be the traitors among the Flame-Chasers?]
[Nonsense. If there were traitors among the Flame-Chasers, why would Kevin have kept their memory data?]
[Bro, is there a possibility that while the Flame-Chasers were indeed heroes who saved the world in the previous civilization, as time went on they too began to be corroded and darkened by the years?]
[Damn! It feels exactly like the "slaying dragons only to become the dragon" trope!]
———
[In the Video]
Just as people speculated, the screen shifted, finally turning to Raiden Mei and Elysia's side.
In a courtyard where cherry blossoms fluttered, the pink sky looked like it had been painted with watercolors, the clouds glowing with soft light.
Elysia stood by the bench, smiling like a flower.
"Welcome to the place preserved by the 'Deepest Depths,' the deepest secret of the Elysian Realm, composed of the memories of 'Elysia,' a perfect reproduction of all that 'Elysia' loved, the inner world of 'Elysia.'
I wonder if the name 'Eternal Elysian Realm'… can spark your curiosity?"
Raiden Mei looked around, her eyes sweeping over the dreamlike scenery, yet showing no ripple of emotion.
"Eternal Elysian Realm… this is your memory space."
"Doesn't it make you excited?" Elysia leaned closer, her eyes shining.
"In the successors, you're the first to come here, and the first to experience the 'entire true heart' of Elysia. Mei, it's okay if you show a bit more happiness…"
Mei glanced at her, her tone calm, "To be frank, I don't feel much of anything."
"Eh?" Elysia blinked, her large eyes full of confusion. "How could that be? In such a beautiful place, even I can't help wanting to stay longer."
"Coming here lets me know the truth?" Mei didn't respond to her words, only said faintly, "From what I know about you, it probably won't be that simple."
Elysia sighed, covering her chest with a hand in mock sorrow, "Heavens, how could you think that way? Who turned you into this?"
Raiden Mei silently looked at her, without speaking.
———
[I'm dying! That look Mei gave, it said nothing, but also said everything.]
[Riddler Kevin, cult-leader Elysia, body-snatcher Mobius… and you're asking who turned me into this?]
[I get it now. It must be Mihoyo's fault!]
———
[Back in the Video]
Facing Raiden Mei's meaningful gaze, Elysia awkwardly brushed her bangs.
"Well… you see, you've already proved yourself to everyone, uh… maybe not everyone, but at least the vast majority. If I kept trying to cover things up, wouldn't that be too much?"
"Look, even your 'other identity,' I've already told you openly, haven't I?"
Mei fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "Indeed, the Thirteenth Herrscher."
Elysia blinked, suddenly leaning so close she was almost touching Mei's face. "Hmm, how strange. Somehow… you don't seem very surprised?"
"To say I wasn't surprised would be wrong. But compared to 'finding out,' my current feeling is more like 'confirmation.'"
She lifted her head to gaze into the distance, her tone filled with something indescribable.
"The Thirteenth Herrscher… as far as I know, that name was never recorded in any of the previous texts."
"A Herrscher, yet without leaving any trace of information… I don't know what caused this result, but this aura of mystery… it really suits you."
"'If it's Elysia, then it's not so strange', that's what I can't help but think."
Elysia froze for a moment, then her smile bloomed even brighter. "Ah… so that's how you've always seen me?"
Raiden Mei didn't respond to that, only stated directly, "I have many questions I want to ask you. About your powers, the truth behind you being a Herrscher, whether you have deeper ties to Honkai, how I should face you, and… what exactly happened between you and Van…"
Elysia's smile briefly faltered, but quickly returned to normal.
"I thought so. Of course, you'll be able to find all those answers here. That's the very meaning of the 'Eternal Elysian Realm.'"
She suddenly reached out and gently held Mei's hand.
"But… isn't it a bit unsuitable to talk about all this in the plaza? The atmosphere right now is just right, and I don't want anyone else 'butting in' again~"
Raiden Mei let her hold on, only replying calmly, "Indeed, this isn't the right place for 'conversation.' Besides… I want to understand more about this 'Eternal Elysian Realm.'"
She looked at Elysia, her gaze serious, "Your style has never been just 'empty words.' Since this place is entirely made of 'Elysia's memories,' then for the truths I seek, they must be crucial, right?"
Elysia paused, then smiled deeper.
"Mei, you really are such a clever girl, and… in sync with me."
She let go of her hand, turned, and walked toward the distance, glancing back with a wink, "Come on, I'll slowly tell you everything about 'Elysia' and the 'Thirteenth Herrscher'… and of course, the question you most want answered…"
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