Raiden Mei's pupils shrank ever so slightly, clearly recognizing that word,
"The Sixth Eruption… I remember there was a record in the files. That Herrscher, before dying, unexpectedly displayed emotions and consciousness similar to a 'human'…"
"Kevin, because of this, wavered and held back his hand, but later it was proven that it was only an illusion the Herrscher simulated in order to beg for survival…"
"Yes." Elysia lightly nodded, her tone heavy, "Maybe right now, Mei, it's hard for you to imagine? But in that era, after becoming a Herrscher, being able to 'turn back into a human' again… as far as I know, not even once."
She lifted her head, her gaze as if piercing through time, returning to that moment full of hope yet ending in despair.
"At that time, we chose to 'believe' in that one-in-ten-thousand possibility."
"And reality also let us deeply feel… that this thing called 'believing' is sometimes so heavy and costly."
"Perhaps… it was from that moment on, that the outcome of certain things was already destined."
"Just like someone planting a seed early on, even if afterward you do nothing more, it will quietly take root, sprout… and in the end, bear a fruit no one can predict."
As Elysia's slightly heavy words fell, that ancient typewriter once again began to operate on its own.
———
[Memory begins]
Inside the Fire Moth base, the lights were soft.
Elysia was humming a tune, strolling leisurely, when she suddenly saw a small figure sitting alone on a bench not far away.
It turned out to be Griseo, holding her drawing board, seemingly in a daze.
Elysia's eyes lit up at once, her face blooming with a bright smile as she cheerfully walked over.
Elysia greeted her in a sweet voice, "Griseo~"
Griseo lifted her head, replying obediently, "Big sister Elysia."
"Nope~" Elysia raised a finger and playfully shook it, "You should call me 'Elysia little sister' instead~"
At these words, a big confusion appeared on Griseo's small face, "Why?"
Elysia bent down, leaned close to Griseo, and lowered her voice, "Because, just think, if everyone hears you call me that, they'll definitely be super shocked!"
"Everyone will wonder, 'Why? Did Griseo see something we can't see?'"
"By then, the expressions on their faces will definitely be especially, especially funny! "
Griseo half-understood, but still nodded, "Then… I understand, Elysia little sister."
"Good girl~"
Elysia happily patted Griseo's head, then suddenly remembered something, adding, "Ah, right! There's also this, remember, from now on call her 'Mobius Grandma.'"
This time, Griseo was even more puzzled, tilting her head slightly, "Grandma…? Won't big sis Mobius get angry?"
"Oh my, Griseo, you don't understand yet."
Elysia put on a deliberately profound sigh, then quickly laughed again, "Compared to 'Grandma,' actually it's the word 'Auntie' that hurts a girl's heart more, you know?
But it's fine. One day you'll understand. By then it'll still be in time to change what you call her, right?"
Griseo thought for a while, then said softly, "Mm… okay then. It just feels like big sis Mobius is rather pitiful. Recently she's been so busy working late, she doesn't even have time to eat."
———
[In the Real World]
[I'm dying, all the juicy gossip's being stolen by Elysia!]
[So that's how Mobius's title in the hierarchy came about?]
[I can already imagine the scene when Mobius hears Griseo call her that.]
[Mobius: Please enter text]
[Damn Elysia, too cute!]
———
When Mobius saw this, she finally understood why the usually so obedient Griseo would say such words.
Thinking of this, she immediately turned her head toward Elysia's direction, gritting her teeth, "Elysia!!!"
Elysia, seeing this, smiled and acted cute, "Ehehe~"
———
[Back to the Video]
After listening to Griseo, Elysia nodded and said, "Probably some urgent project, so she can't rest. But Griseo, how did you know?"
"Mama went to see Papa, so she couldn't keep staying in the lab. She was worried big sis Mobius and big brother Van would be too exhausted, so she planned to introduce Mobius-nee a new assistant."
Griseo recalled the conversation she had overheard, "When I heard them talking about work handover, it seemed they mentioned… 'modification'? And also… 'surgery'?"
Just then, a tall figure walked quickly past them, head lowered, face dark.
The two turned to look, turns out it was Kevin.
But at this moment, he seemed immersed in his own world, his brows tightly furrowed, not even hearing Elysia's enthusiastic call.
Elysia looked at his departing back, her tone carrying a touch of teasing and concern, "Oh… my, look who's back?"
Griseo also noticed, speaking softly, "Kevin-uncle seems like he didn't hear. And… his face looks really bad."
Elysia put away some of her playful expression, and said quietly, "After all… we just barely managed to defeat the Seventh Herrscher. He might not have completely recovered yet."
"Dr. Mei persuaded him to see a psychologist, he should be just coming back from there."
At this, Elysia patted Griseo's head and said goodbye, "I'll go have a talk with him. Griseo, can you stay here by yourself for a while? Be good, okay?"
Griseo nodded obediently, "I understand, Elysia little sister."
"Good girl~" Elysia smiled as she patted her head again.
"Dystopia said she'll be back soon, so just wait here for her."
After speaking, Elysia turned and quickly followed in the direction Kevin had left, the smile on her face faintly replaced by worry.
The corridor was left with only Griseo, quietly sitting on the bench, waiting.
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T/N: As you all already know my 2nd Account(Ambitious_Guy) is susp*nded, due to obvious reasons. But, the novels in it are still on the platform. Due to which I can't repost them on my new account(Ambi_Guy). Because everytime I try, the book just gets blocked because of 'Spamming'. So, those novels will now be exclusively available on ScribdleHub. For more details and novels please check announcement on Discord (discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y).
Another thing, from now I will post my new novels via 2nd Account(Ambitious_Guy_2) that used to be my 2nd Patreon(ZenonTL). It has some good fanfics and novels, you can try.
I am afraid of getting another block or susp*nsion so I am not saying more and censoring any trigger words.
[P.S: There is a new Honkai Novel there as well.]
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