Chapter 245

Dr. MEI looked at the index finger that Vill-V had extended, pondered for a moment, and nodded.

"So, as a supplement to that person's divine power?"

"That's right! I believe that even he couldn't confirm all the details of this era."

"Are you sure you don't want to tell Sakura the truth about the Twelfth Divine Key?"

"It's not a question of whether I'm sure or not,"

Vill-V shook her head. "It's Ling's opinion that not telling her is the best option."

"Is this the only option for my sister...?"

"Uh-huh."

Fire Moth, Dr. MEI's laboratory.

Hua looked bewildered, sitting opposite Dr. MEI, staring silently at his toes.

"Although you are on his list, I believe that the best place for you is never to enter the cryogenic chamber and remain there until the next era."

Upon hearing this, Hua suddenly looked up. "What should I do if I'm on her list?"

Dr. MEI paused for a moment, then said, "Execute Seed of the Void Project."

"Then, please allow me to carry out this plan."

"Do you know what this means? Fifty thousand years of wandering is an unimaginable torment for the human spirit."

"Please lend me the Feather of Dust, and I will erase any meaningless Remembrance."

Dr. MEI sighed.

"If you insist on this, I won't refuse your position. However, it's likely that you'll need to undergo further reform..."

I agree.

Just then, a head popped in.

Pardofelis, carrying a pile of "goods," quietly passed by.

Hearing their conversation, he couldn't resist coming closer.

A moment later, her expression became complicated.

Looking at the "goods" in his arms, he frowned deeply, his eyes filled with distress.

A moment later, Hua emerged from inside, his expression no longer bewildered.

She was taken aback when she saw Pardo.

"Pardo?"

"Uh, I... I was just passing by, just passing by, hehe..."

Pardo felt her forced smile was about to burst.

Hua didn't think much of it, simply nodded, and then left.

Looking at her slender back, Pardo gritted her teeth.

Then, I entered Dr. MEI's laboratory.

"Hmm, Pardo?"

The unexpected visitor took Dr. MEI somewhat by surprise.

This Flame Chaser was unusual in the past.

Especially the various laboratories; ever since the Ninth Herrscher incident, she has almost never been willing to go near them even once.

But today, she took the initiative to come to our door.

"Well, I came to see you because... it's about... the list!"

After hesitating for a long time, she finally mustered up the courage to speak.

"I don't understand why I'm on the list, but Dr. MEI, you haven't assigned me any tasks?"

"..."

Dr. MEI remained silent, merely scrutinizing her with a critical gaze.

A moment later, Pardo lowered her head, and the animal ears on her head drooped down.

"She... really didn't leave anything else? About me?"

"Only your name and the unexpected situation that has happened to you warrant further investigation if we have the resources; there are no other issues."

"..."

Pardo kept her head down, but showed no sign of leaving.

Dr. MEI didn't urge him; she simply turned around, picked up her coffee, took a few sips, and waited quietly.

"Um, Dr. MEI."

"I'm listening."

"Actually, during my Fire Moth, I feel that I've been doing much better than before."

"Um."

"These kinds of tasks, they're just so-so."

"What about that time you scouted the Mu Continent before Ninth Herrscher?"

"Hey! I was too greedy. Actually, I had a feeling it was a bit dangerous earlier, but the goods there were really—cough! Anyway, if I hadn't been careless, that mission would have been similar to the others."

"So?"

"That plan could actually utilize my skills, right?"

"Why?"

"Ah?"

Dr. MEI blinked. "Why do you ask that?"

"Well, I think, as a member of the Fire Moth, it wouldn't be very loyal of me to be singled out while my friends take on a bunch of dangerous missions, even though they're on the same list. Right...?"

"You'll die."

Glug...

"No, it's not that dangerous. We don't have the strength to face such a terrifying opponent, do we?"

"It's even more terrifying than you think."

"..."

Pardo wants to run away.

Her legs were shaking, but she still stood there.

"I think I'm pretty good at it,"

She forced herself to straighten her chest. "You see, now there are only the three of us with a second form of Artificial Collapse, right? Even if I'm the weakest among us, I'm still in the second form... I should be able to participate..."

"Okay, I agree."

"What I'm saying is, at worst we'll just stick together. Anyway, I heard this era is almost over—what?"

"I said, I agree to your participation, but your task is not to stay and wait for the next era."

Pardo swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you—well, I was just saying that, actually I still want to live a little longer..."

"Um."

Pardo suddenly remembered what she had just overheard.

If it takes Hua to "wander for 50,000 years," then wouldn't I also have to wait that long?

I'm relieved.

Go do it!

If we succeed, we can continue to live a good life.

Then, as if she had thought of something, Pardo asked Dr. MEI again.

"Then, what about Fu Yan?"

"..."

Pardo suddenly noticed that Dr. MEI, who always had an icy expression, showed a fluctuation in emotion the moment she asked the question, but quickly returned to normal.

She was even a little unsure whether that moment had been an illusion.

"I only have one guess about her whereabouts. But that's probably what Dr. Mobius and her team should actually be investigating..."

"So, she and Kiana actually went back to the original... what kind of timeline?"

"Timeline."

Dr. MEI offered a reminder.

"Oh, so they're from the future and have already gone back. Then Dr. Mobius and the others should see them again in the future."

"Um."

"Sigh, the thought that we'll eventually be Honkai by the Destruction makes everything feel meaningless."

Dr. MEI did not respond, but simply stared at the empty doorway.

New Poison Pupa.

"The final choice has been made, but you are not on his list—"

"If not, then why did she support the in-depth development of my power?"

"..."

"Dr. MEI, I think we can now have an open and honest conversation."

Sakura's tone was somewhat forceful.

"Alright,"

Dr. MEI nodded. "Chrono-Sanctum has become an integral part of the New Divine Key."

"Based on this, the Jizo Mitama, possessing that kind of power, will serve as the first anchor point for this plan."

"Your mission is to find a way for the New Era side to unleash your strongest strike during that one and only moment."

Her cherry lips parted slightly. "Freeze?"

"In fact, although you have already completed your transformation, and are not far from being able to face [the Savior], it is still not enough."

"Should we add the All Things Dormant and the Seven Thunders of Retribution?"

"... Yes, if possible, Dr. Mobius will try to find the next Herrscher of Ice."

Sakura sensed that Mei seemed to have something to say but didn't, but this thought only lingered for a moment; she was quickly drawn back to her task.

"The Chrono-Sanctum also has another identity: one of the three backups of the Epoch."

"I know you have some opinions about it, but for the sake of this plan, I hope you can forget about them."

"Note that it's about forgetting, not suppressing that feeling."

Sakura coldly replied, "I know what I should do."

"Fine,"

Mei sighed softly, then said, "The task of protecting the Chrono-Sanctum is also entrusted to you. Remember, whatever invades the Chrono-Sanctum, you must not hesitate to kill it."

"I see."

"That's all I can tell you. Even so, do you still want to choose that ending, Elysia?"

"That's not the end, Mei."

Elysia jumped up from the sofa and walked to the window.

Her gaze swept across the scene outside the window: countless people bustling about, steam and smoke billowing, a vibrant and lively scene.