After finishing her morning routine, Elysia returned to her bedroom, opened her wardrobe, and began pondering what outfit would be most appropriate for her upcoming public address.
Normally, a head of state would wear a particularly formal and serious suit for such an occasion, projecting an image of stern dignity.
But it was glaringly obvious that Elysia, no matter how one looked at her, simply didn't embody the word "serious." Moreover, her wardrobe contained no suits at all; she owned fewer than ten outfits, all of which were cute and feminine dresses.
It's worth noting that these clothes had been "mailed" to her from Firefly through the Chat Group. Since Elysia's figure closely resembled Firefly's, anything Firefly could wear, Elysia could generally wear as well.
Unlike Robin and Sparkle, whose clothes would likely have squeezed Elysia to the point of suffocation.
After a few moments of contemplation, she made up her mind. She randomly grabbed an outfit. Yes, randomly. Given her natural charm, minor variations in clothing made little difference—she looked stunning in everything. Why hesitate?
First, she picked up a pair of white stockings. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she gently lifted one small foot, slipped the stocking over her toes, and slowly pulled it up her calf. The snug sensation gradually spread until it reached mid-thigh. When she released the elastic, a soft snap echoed, leaving a faint indentation on her skin.
She repeated the process with her other leg. Once both stockings were on, she swayed her legs, the nylon fabric gliding silkily against each other. At that moment, the bizarre phrase "white stocking ice cream" inexplicably popped into her head.
To an outsider, the sight might have been incredibly alluring, perhaps even tempting them to lick her legs. But for Elysia herself, these were simply her own legs, something she saw every day. Aside from a silent "Not bad, me," she felt no strange urges whatsoever.
It was like playing a gacha game. When a particularly stunning character is released, you desperately want to pull her. After months of saving and waiting for her rerun, you finally manage to acquire her. Initially, you're thrilled, but as weeks turn into months, your enthusiasm inevitably wanes, your attention drifting to newer, shinier characters.
As the saying goes, "The unobtainable is always the most desirable."
Next, Elysia grabbed a plain white T-shirt and a pleated skirt—a simple, unassuming outfit. She now looked like a fresh-faced college student, radiating youthful charm and utterly unlike the White Eagle Eight member about to take the stage for a formal speech.
Finally, Elysia slipped on her shoes and headed out. At the familiar crossroads, she spotted Carolina waiting for her. Elysia waved and hurried over with a light jog.
"All set! This speech is going to be amazing, right?"
"Mhm," Carolina nodded shyly. But as she gazed at the pink-haired girl before her, studying Elysia's expression, she couldn't help but murmur, "It just feels like... your smile is a little different than before?"
"Eh? Really? Was I not cute enough before?" Elysia immediately pouted.
"No, no, that's not it at all!" Carolina frantically waved her hands. "It just feels... a bit more relaxed, maybe?"
Elysia knew better. It wasn't just relaxation; it was a newfound naturalness. After all, she wasn't playing a role anymore. She was simply being herself—the herself-modified version of Elysia, subtly different from the original.
Looking at Carolina, Elysia tilted her head slightly and asked a question with potentially devastating consequences: "So, Carolina, which do you think is cuter? Me now, or me before?"
Carolina froze, her mouth agape. "Ah... uh?"
...
-
Some time later, a temporary platform had been erected before the White Tower. Even before Elysia's arrival, the area was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with commoners, their faces stretching as far as the eye could see. The crowd was so dense that not a single drop of water could have squeezed through.
When Elysia finally appeared, the crowd erupted in unison, chanting her name:
"Elysia! Elysia!"
"Elysia! Elysia!"
"Miss God, I love you!"
"God! I've seen God with my own eyes! Amen!!!"
"Wait, did someone just sneak something weird in there?" Elysia paused, slightly startled. Carolina, standing beside her, blinked. "Huh? Did they?"
"Um... I don't know." The sheer size of the crowd instantly drowned out any individual voices, making it impossible for Elysia to distinguish them.
Moreover, White Tower staff members had now gathered around Elysia. As they worked to disperse the throng, they shouted through megaphones:
"Make way! Everyone, make way!"
"Please remain calm! Let Lady Elysia through—the speech is about to begin!"
"Don't push! Watch your safety!"
Elysia had long anticipated her immense popularity. After all, she had been "working" at the White Tower almost every day for the past month. During that time, at Baldy Burke's suggestion, she had filmed several short videos.
For example, one ten-second clip had already surpassed a billion views on YouTube.
The video opened abruptly, without any intro or special effects. Elysia simply looked directly into the camera and said:
"Hey... please wait a moment! Don't scroll away just yet~?"
"Um... you're the best, the most wonderful, you know?~"
"I hope you have a wonderful day! Sending you all my love~"
"Okay, promise me you'll have a good day today~?"
This brief clip had garnered Elysia an unimaginable surge in popularity, reminding her of someone from her previous life. No one understands Twitter Governance better than me, she thought.
As White Tower staff gradually cleared a path through the crowd, Elysia smiled and responded to greetings from the surrounding commoners. Finally, she reached the makeshift platform.
Meanwhile, another group had gathered near the White Tower, their eyes fixed on Elysia as she stepped onto the makeshift stage in the distance. One of them couldn't help but murmur, "Hey, shouldn't we go check it out? I feel like we're missing something amazing."
"No, this speech will definitely be recorded. We can watch the replay later," Old John replied after a moment's contemplation. "But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we miss it, it's gone forever. Let's go."