No one knew how much time had passed when Elise finally awoke from her faint. What greeted her eyes were countless white squares.
"…The hospital ceiling, huh? I can't believe I actually ended up hospitalized."
Elise had once volunteered at Seidoukan Academy's hospital before, so she was quite familiar with its layout. But she had never thought she herself would one day become a patient. It seemed this time she had really exhausted herself.
But when she recalled her state during the fusion with Sylvia, Elise couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile.
At the same time, she remembered Fan Xinglou's thoughts back then. As the fusion vessel, Elise retained Elyvia's memories.
So, Fan Xinglou wanted me to become that kind of person. But… is that really my true nature?
Despite her body screaming for rest, Elise forced herself to sit up. She wanted to see her current state.
Standing before the floor mirror in her blue-and-white hospital gown, she didn't seem much different from before. But…
Something felt different.
Generally, changes within oneself were the hardest to perceive, since they happened subtly over time. But by relying on her multi-angle perception abilities, Elise still gained some insights.
For example—her state of mind.
In the past, the smile she wore was merely a very convincing facade. But now, Elise realized she could truly smile with genuine joy!
Who would have thought that her battle with Fan Xinglou, and her fusion with Sylvia, could bring about such a change?
Sylvia had lost consciousness partway through the fusion, so afterward, most of Elyvia's behavioral patterns had been influenced by Elise.
"In other words… Elyvia's personality back then was actually my truest self?"
Looking at the enchanting smile in the mirror, Elise seriously reflected on her past behavior.
Could it be that playing the saintess wasn't what she truly wanted? That acting as she had toward Fan Xinglou was closer to her real self?
"But doing that… isn't it bad?"
Building her happiness on someone else's suffering wasn't something a saintess should do!
The memory of Fan Xinglou's miserable state earlier left Elise uneasy. Could she, this so-called benevolent saintess, really have done such a thing?
But why was the reflection in the mirror smiling so happily?
Could it be…?
Elise froze mid-motion, carefully recalling everything she had done before.
Then, she reached into her personal storage pouch—the one provided specially by the Lord God Space.
"Hehe, I can't be as terrible as I imagine, right? Haha…"
But the moment she opened it, a mountain of items spilled across the hospital bed, almost covering it entirely.
There were many photos, plenty of videotapes, even cameras and other devices.
Elise decided to sort through her collection.
First on the list—
Photos from her duel with Laetitia, along with the video of her crying miserably afterward. Plus, a large stash of Laetitia's embarrassing sleeping photos and recordings…
And lastly, a gown soaked with tears.
"This… it's only natural to collect photos of close friends, right? Haha…"
Lots of families collected pictures of friends too, didn't they? Surely this was perfectly normal…
Just some photos and recordings of good friends!
Elise, you are absolutely not that kind of awful person!
…Then came Sylvia's shy photos while trying on underwear…
Mana's pictures where she looked utterly lifeless, and even ones where she resembled a little abandoned animal.
And then countless photos and videos of other familiar people caught in awkward circumstances…
As for the most recent additions—
A video of Zhao Hufeng calling her a terrible person.
And a recording of Fan Xinglou being thoroughly spanked.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"I really am such a terrible person!"
It seemed Lady Saintess had managed to convince herself!
"Having collected so many sinful items, I truly am evil!"
"I'll destroy them all right now!"
Sacred Speech!
"Flame!"
A small fire ignited at her fingertip, and Elise was about to throw it toward the bed.
But she had forgotten one thing—the hospital was equipped with fire sprinklers!
Pshhh!
A torrent of water descended from above, instantly extinguishing the tiny flame in Elise's hand. Just before the water could soak the cameras and photos, she hurriedly stored them back into her Lord God Space, not a single item touched.
"…."
The sprinklers continued to pour, alarms blaring in response.
But Elise paid no attention. She simply stood there silently, staring at her palm.
"Could this be fate?"
"Maybe… I should try it out from now on?"
It wasn't until medical staff rushed in that Elise was transferred to another ward to rest. But she still looked troubled, worrying the doctors and nurses who wondered what kind of worries weighed on the Saintess' heart.
...
One day later, with the aid of her powerful faith, Elise successfully recovered enough to leave the hospital, taking Sylvia with her.
As for Fan Xinglou… she had long since been carried back to Jie Long, never even admitted to the hospital.
Elise had originally wanted to visit her with Sylvia, but Zhao Hufeng explained that his master had entered seclusion upon returning to Jie Long, and wouldn't emerge for some time.
Left with no choice, the two left Fan Xinglou a gift instead.
"So, Ely, why did you drag me out this time?"
Sylvia, holding Elise's hand, was puzzled. Elise had pulled her along insistently, saying there was a surprise waiting for her.
Though doubtful, Sylvia still put on a bright face for Elise's sake. She cherished Elise deeply as a close friend—after all, they had even fused together before, their bond and tacit understanding stronger than most.
But the place they arrived at was… the hospital again?
Could it be that Ely still hadn't fully recovered?
No, if Elise said it was a surprise, then it wouldn't be a lie. Even if she were hurt, Elise would definitely bear it silently alone.
Then… what kind of surprise could it be for her?
They walked through a narrow corridor. Guided by doctors, Elise and Sylvia entered a special sealed ward, where only one patient lay inside.
The instant Sylvia saw the figure lying within the preservation device, her hands flew to cover her mouth, her eyes widening in shock.
White hair, a refined and exquisite face—it was the person Sylvia had longed for day and night.
The very same who had once guided her as a teacher—
Ursula!