Chapter 408

Huh? What's going on? Why can't I connect with my consciousness? What's happening?

Using the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness, Shen Gonglin tried to travel to that the Deepest Place with Mei as a medium, just like last time, but this time she failed. It was as if something was blocking her way. Shen Gonglin opened her eyes in confusion. What was going on? Why couldn't she succeed?

"It's probably a restriction set up by Aponia. Only Mei can be invited to the Deepest Place by her. Don't worry too much, Mei should be fine. Aponia... she shouldn't hurt Mei."

Seeing Shen Gonglin's confusion, Sakura offered this explanation. Reassured by Sakura's words, Shen Gonglin finally relaxed a little. Based on his own feeling, that "gentle and mysterious" woman probably didn't have any ill feelings towards Mei. But this problem of her fainting so often still needed to be resolved. He should go find Elysia later; perhaps that girl would have some solution for this situation.

As for now, all we can do is wait for Mei to wake up.

After letting Mei sit down against the steps, Shen Gonglin looked at Sakura's ears again, really wanting to touch them...

"Sakura, can I touch your ears? Mei doesn't know about it right now, and I won't tell anyone if I touch them, really, just once."

Hearing this guy's "sincere" request, the fox-eared girl secretly rolled her eyes. This guy really is a bit unreliable.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Waking Up at the Wrong Time?

... So, I've come here again.

In the dark corridor, Mei stood there, looking at everything familiar around her, and finally confirmed it. She no longer felt unfamiliar with it; she had been brought here again. Everything... seemed to have started from when she touched Raven's pendant. That pendant must have been given to Raven by Aponia. She said that Raven was not the person she was looking for, but that pendant would bring the person she was looking for to her.

In other words, he was the one she was looking for?

With this in mind, Mei stepped forward, knowing that Aponia was waiting for her ahead.

"You've come, Mei."

Sure enough, after walking for a short while, Mei stood in front of the prison again. She still couldn't see the woman's face clearly through the iron bars, but the woman took the initiative to greet her after seeing Mei.

"... You brought me here."

Mei stopped, exuding the same sense of danger as always. Mei didn't sense any malice from her, but the moment she saw her, a sense of danger began to spread through Mei, as if every cell in her body was reminding her of this. This feeling was really uncomfortable.

"Yes, that's true. But... please forgive me. For now, this is the only way we can communicate and understand each other."

It was that strange feeling again. After she said "please," Mei seemed to unconsciously forgive her for bringing her to this strange space. This feeling was not right. Aponia was a psychic Flame-Chaser. Her current feeling was very abnormal.

"Understand each other? But when we first met, you didn't even tell me your name, Aponia."

Mei questioned the woman opposite her, saying that Mei had nothing to understand about this kind of riddle-solving person. The basis of understanding is mutual trust, but Mei didn't feel any trust in her at the moment.

Now that Mei finally understood why Shen Gonglin Mei the Riddler so much, she felt her blood pressure rising.

"Mei, mutual understanding sometimes doesn't require too many prerequisites. And revealing everything you know... might not be the best choice, and can sometimes backfire. So, Mei ... let's start with some simpler questions, okay?"

The gentle voice from behind the iron bars flowed through Mei's heart like a clear spring. The girl fell silent for a moment. It felt like she was about to follow Mei's rhythm again. No, she couldn't fall for it so easily. Mei took a deep breath, and the purple eyes of the Herrscher of Thunder seemed very sharp.

"I have no obligation to answer you."

Mei didn't know what this woman wanted to do, so Mei could only continue to resist. But it seemed that she didn't care too much about it.

"Hmm, you're right. Well... how about we start with my own question and answer? In this process, Mei can also try to relax, just like me... Okay, let's begin... Mei, what kind of animal do you like?"

It was almost like hypnosis when Aponia suddenly asked this nonsensical question. Mei pursed her lips, not intending to answer, and Aponia didn't seem to care much about Mei's attitude. Just as she said, she asked and answered her own question. All Mei needed to do was relax. It didn't matter if she didn't get an answer from Mei.

"I prefer... um... brightly colored butterflies, or... birds with glossy feathers. I really like these animals that always showcase the splendor and beauty of life. And birds... would also be great as pets. However, for Mei... I think cats might be more suitable as pets than birds."

Like a casual chat between friends, Aponia spoke to Mei in a calm tone, and the girl's previously tense nerves relaxed. Aponia was right about wanting a pet; a cat would indeed be suitable, because Shen Gonglin felt very much like a cat—that proud yet irresistibly affectionate feeling, just like a large cat. Besides cats, Mei also wanted to keep a Kiana ...

"Maybe... But my family was very strict when I was a child... I didn't have that opportunity."

Mei felt confused as soon as she opened her mouth. Hadn't she already decided not to cooperate with Aponia? Why did she still say such a thing? It was as if it just came out naturally.

"I see... Then perhaps you could try a rabbit, or a fluffy hamster. They are both very cute and gentle pets, and Mei can hold them in her hands anytime. That way... they won't leave you, right?"

Aponia continued speaking, and Mei couldn't help but nod. Her reaction was exactly what Aponia had expected, because...

"It seems you really are a very gentle person, Mei. I think those two children... they will definitely like you very much."

Two children? Mei grasped the key point Aponia was making. What two children? Who exactly was Aponia talking about?

"Don't worry, they are two very cute and gentle children... You will meet them soon... Although I want to say something more, it seems I have to stop here for now. Well, although it's a bit of a shame... Mei, I hope you can get along well with those two children."

Aponia's words trailed off, followed by a familiar wave of dizziness. Mei felt disoriented; this sensation meant she was about to leave this space. She hadn't obtained any useful clues again. Two adorable, gentle children... what was going on...?

"Um... this is... Elysian Realm... What are you two doing?"

As her consciousness returned to her body, Mei opened her eyes. However, just as those purple pupils focused together, she saw an unbelievable scene before her. These two... when did this start?

How long had I been unconscious? Why were those two doing such a thing?

Before Mei, a fox-eared girl with cherry blossom hair was biting her lip and lowering her head to offer it to Shen Gonglin. Shen Gonglin was stroking Mei's ears with a satisfied expression. Mei thought to herself, "Should I have woken up at this time?"

Chapter Twenty-Five: You'll Get Used To It

"Ah, Mei, you're finally awake... It was a misunderstanding. It was Shen Gonglin. He insisted on doing this, and I couldn't persuade him otherwise. I tried to run away but couldn't, so I had no choice but to..."

Sakura could tolerate it at first, but after being stared at by Mei, she couldn't take it anymore. The girl quickly backed away. With Mei's eyesight, she could even see the fine downy hairs standing up on Sakura's fox ears. Listening to the girl's somewhat flustered explanation, Mei patted her shoulder understandingly. She had experience with this kind of thing, and Mei knew that Sakura couldn't be blamed.

"It's okay, you'll get used to it. He just has an inexplicable fondness for furry things."

Deeply moved by Mei's comforting words, Sakura thought, "As expected of Mei, such a gentle girl is rare these days. It's good that she understands." Sakura straightened up slightly, then remembered Mei's problem and asked with some concern.

"Mei, are you alright...? Just as we were chatting, Miss Mei, you suddenly fainted. Was it because you've been too tired lately? You were only unconscious for about a minute. Is something wrong with your body?"

The fact that she suddenly fainted while speaking was indeed worrying. This was the second time this had happened to her. However, it only lasted for a minute... The time she was unconscious was not long, but Mei was concerned about something else. The girl looked at Yae Sakura in front of her with a strange look. This girl's bottom line was even more impressive than she had thought, or perhaps it was just that Shen Gonglin was too amazing.

"One minute... In other words, within this one minute, Sakura, you agreed... cough cough, were forced to agree to let Shen Gonglin touch your ears?"

Hearing Mei's seemingly sarcastic words, Sakura's fox ears turned red, her snow-white face became incredibly rosy, and her pale purple eyes became somewhat embarrassed and angry. She glared at Mei slightly, thinking, "Don't hit someone in the face, don't insult someone by revealing their shortcomings. Don't you know how clingy Shen Gonglin is?"

"Ahem... About a minute, right? Only a minute? I feel like I've been there for a long time... Anyway, Sakura, I want to ask you a question. What kind of animal do you like?"

Mei awkwardly changed the subject, realizing that what she had said to Sakura was indeed somewhat impolite, all because of Shen Gonglin Flame-Chasers in the Elysian Realm, and Mei didn't want to ruin her relationship with her. So Mei suddenly asked this question out of the blue, while Sakura tilted her head, looking completely bewildered.

Favorite animal? Should I say fox or cat?

Still no clue, no solution. This feeling of suddenly fainting and having one's consciousness pulled away is really not a good thing. We have to find a way to solve it, otherwise it will definitely cause a lot of trouble.

After saying goodbye to Sakura, Mei and Shen Gonglin suddenly felt lost. They were Mei very troubled by Mei's problem, but neither of Shen Gonglin had a good solution. The girl sensed that she would definitely experience that situation again. She was relatively safe now, but what if it happened again in the future...?

For example, if I were to suddenly lose consciousness while I was getting close to Shen Gonglin ... that would probably cause Rin Shen Gonglin a lot of psychological trauma. Just thinking about it gives Mei a headache, so I have to find a solution. But when it comes to finding a solution...

It seems the person who can solve this problem has appeared. Looking at the pink-haired girl sitting on the sofa not far away, waving at her, Mei sighed slightly. She had no choice but to ask her.

"Hey! Shen Gonglin, Mei, I heard you found Natasha and even became friends with Pardofelis? Things are going really well, and... let me guess, you've already met Aponia? Right?"

With a genuine smile always on her face, Elysia looked at Mei and Shen Gonglin with a grin and said those words. The girl invited the two to sit down beside her, but only Shen Gonglin sat down next to her. She didn't seem to mind Mei's state. Elysia leaned against Shen Gonglin as if she had no bones. Mei was about to speak, but after hearing Elysia's unmistakable words, the girl fell silent again. Sure enough, this Elysia always gave people the feeling of knowing everything.

"...Don't tell me you figured it out from the aura too."

Mei was starting to doubt if she really had some kind of smell on her, otherwise why could everyone tell? Sakura did, and so did Elysia, but she had just let Shen Gonglin smell her all over, and he said she still smelled nice and didn't have any other strange smells.

"How could that be? Being able to discern those extremely subtle differences in aura is a talent unique to Sakura. I don't have that ability, but... I do have a girl's little thoughts. Look at your expression right now, Mei. You really want to go there, you really want to befriend her again. These complex and understanding feelings are almost overflowing. It's a good thing you're a girl, otherwise, these little thoughts in your heart would feel like signs of cheating."

Elysia shook her head. She didn't have Sakura's talent. Elysia didn't understand anything about changes in aura. But she had her own way. After all, she was so familiar with Aponia. She could see the clues from Mei... and with the girl's obvious appearance, it was easy to deduce.

"...Enough of the small talk, so what exactly is the Deepest Place ...? Is that also Aponia's ability as Flame-Chaser?"

Cheating? Mei scoffed at the idea. How could such a thing happen to her? Mei trusted herself, so she didn't have any opinion on it. This Elysia always liked to talk nonsense. It was more important to get down to business. Did she bring her to that place called the Deepest Place because of her unique ability?

"Ah, no, as I mentioned before, the Elysian Realm is a space constructed from the memories of Flame-Chasers. Thirteen flowing consciousnesses dispersed, converged, and wove together to create such a vast and magnificent world. But some people... their memories are too intense, too vivid, so much so that they can exist independently without needing to merge with the cognition of others."

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Trade of Touching

Elysia shrugged. "It's just that some of their Flame-Chasers traits are a bit too dazzling. But that's true, each of the thirteen heroes has their own brilliant life, and that's what they should be like."

"And the Deepest Place you see is such an example. It is a realm born solely from the memories of Aponia. Because of this, everything in this realm is created by Aponia's subjectivity. Its appearance is also very different from the Deepest Place that actually existed in history. Rather than memories, it is more like... the Deepest Place of the Elysian Realm is Aponia's inner world."

After all that talk, Mei didn't seem to understand anything. But that wasn't important. What mattered was whether there was a way to resolve the situation. Shen Gonglin could ignore it, but Mei couldn't. As for the solution, Mei felt she had to go back into the depths of the Elysian Realm once more.

"Eden said, 'You can take me to the Deepest Place, Elysia. I need your help.'"

The girl in front of her was like a guide to the Elysian Realm. Mei felt that she could do anything, so she could only ask Elysia for help with this. The fairy girl looked extremely surprised. What was going on? Had she said something she shouldn't have?

"Oh my, Mei... that's really bold of you. After me and Mobius, do you want to get into Aponia's heart now? I didn't expect you to be such a dangerous and proactive girl. It's terrifying, but I like you so much."

Elysia clutched her heart, looking terrified. Mei was being so proactive! She didn't know what to do. Should she just agree, agree, agree to her?

"...That's not what I meant, I like men."

Mei was speechless. This girl was really strange. She was just saying that on purpose, wanting to see Mei panic. Mei helplessly explained that she was a 100% normal girl and that she liked Shen Gonglin, that was a certainty.

"Who isn't? But I can accept girls too, even if that's what you mean. I said it when we first met, I don't dislike bad girls. But, going to the Deepest Place... well, even for me, that's a very, very difficult thing. Maybe I'll need Mei's help."

Elysia's eyes darted around rapidly. Sitting next to her, Rin Shen Gonglin sensed the girl's mischievous intentions, while Mei was clearly unaware of Elysia's little scheme. Upon hearing that Elysia had a plan, the girl became somewhat tempted.

"My help? If it's something I can do, then of course..."

After all, it was her own business, and it was only right that she put in the effort. But before she could finish speaking, Mei finally realized what was happening. She noticed Elysia's malicious gaze. Mei noticed Elysia's gaze directed at her, just like always. Then, it slowly moved upward, upward... and finally stopped at a perfect angle. But there was nothing in that direction, only... her horns.

Could this woman mean that?

"Hmm~"

Mei remained silent, while Elysia made a sound that was difficult to understand. The meaning was all too clear: she had finally caught her chance. Mei's eyes showed rejection, while Elysia remained unchanged.

"Let me think, this should be considered... a foreshadowing resolution? Mei, you won't let me touch your horns, this is going to be difficult."

Elysia blinked her eyes. She had been eyeing Mei's horns for a long time, and this time she finally got her chance. It was great. Looking at those two red horns, Elysia felt her hands starting to itch. If she didn't get to touch Mei's horns today, she probably wouldn't be able to get this done.

"... Change it, change the request."

"How could this woman be like this!" Mei said, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. Why did she have to touch her horn to get her help? Mei seriously doubted Elysia's motives. It must have been very simple for her to send her to the Deepest Place, right? Why make it sound so difficult just to touch her horn? No one except Shen Gonglin had ever touched her horn!

"No, that's my request. If you don't agree to it, even if it's Mei, there's nothing I can do to help you."

Elysia shrugged, and the girl even whistled in a cheeky way, making Mei grit her teeth in anger. But now that she was under someone else's roof, she had no choice but to bow her head. If she didn't agree, given this girl's personality, she definitely wouldn't let it go. But... Mei looked to Shen Gonglin for help, hoping for some advice.

Understood.

Shen Gonglin received Mei's look and knew he couldn't let her suffer alone. Shen Gonglin nodded, then stepped between the two and spoke.

"Elysia, your request is also difficult to fulfill... Unless you agree to let me touch your ears, Mei will not agree to let you touch her horns!"

Under Mei's shocked gaze, Shen Gonglin said these words. She couldn't let Mei suffer alone, so Shen Gonglin's solution was to make Elysia suffer with her. That way, Mei would probably feel better.

What a load of rubbish! This guy just wants to satisfy his own ambitions. Think about it, Shen Gonglin has touched my horn, grabbed Pardofelis's tail, and stroked Sakura's ears. Now he's set his sights on Elysia. And the most important thing is that he's making this deal with me!

"Make a deal!"

Elysia's reaction also surprised Mei. How could this girl agree so easily, as if letting Shen Gonglin touch her ears was no big deal? Mei couldn't understand how she could do that.

In her own eyes, this was an extremely embarrassing thing, but why could Elysia do it? Was something wrong with her or was something wrong with the world? Mei couldn't figure it out. No, there couldn't be anything wrong with her. The problem was with the world!

Elysia said that it was no big deal at all. After all, it wasn't like Shen Gonglin hadn't touched her ears before. Elysia didn't resist being touched by him and felt quite comfortable instead. If Shen Gonglin touched her ears while she touched Mei's horns at the same time... that would be the ultimate enjoyment!

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Discovered

Endure, endure... This is something Shen Gonglin promised, and I am his person, so of course I cannot disobey... Therefore, in this situation, I must endure.

In the Elysian Realm Lounge, Mei gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, the girl lowering her head to endure the strange sensation. This Mei felt like countless tiny insects crawling all over her body; it was incredibly bizarre, but she had to bear it...

But, I can be patient, but can Elysia please stop making those strange noises? Can't she just bear with it for a little while?

Mei felt uneasy all over as her horns were touched, and what she couldn't stand the most were the suggestive sounds Elysia made. She could see Elysia's flushed cheeks when she looked up slightly. At this moment, Mei was looking down as Elysia touched her horns, while Shen Gonglin stood behind Elysia, touching her beautiful elven ears. Although Elysia had caught her red-handed, she was also in Shen Gonglin's hands.

Mei wanted to convince herself of this, but strictly speaking... it seemed like only she was hurt. Heh, a world where only she was hurt had been achieved.

"Hmm... Oh? Hmm... I see... So this is what it feels like... This is really... completely different from what I imagined..."

Although the sensation in her ears made Elysia's legs go weak, the girl was not going to waste this hard-won opportunity. She tried her best to enjoy the time she could touch Mei's horns. Finally, she touched Mei's horns. So this is what it feels like. It felt like she had finally solved a mystery of the world.

"Have you touched enough?"

Mei's patience was almost at its limit. If it weren't for the need to resolve the situation of being dragged into a Mei room at the drop of a hat, how could she have made such a humiliating choice? If she didn't speak up, Mei was worried that this guy would keep touching her, not knowing how strange this feeling was.

"Phew... I'm all better now, okay, okay, that's enough. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity, I'll be happy all day. Shen Gonglin, are you all better now? If not, you can keep touching me, I don't mind."

Finally, Mei released Mei horns, and the Miss Pink Fairy leaned back and rested her head on Shen Gonglin's body. Her big, watery eyes stared at Shen Gonglin without blinking. Just now, while she was enjoying Mei's horns, this guy was also enjoying her ears. It must have felt just as good.

"Um... I'm all better now."

Shen Gonglin originally wanted to continue; she could touch Mei's horns anytime, but she had to seize the opportunity to touch Elysia's ears. However, at that moment, a pair of cold eyes were cast from Mei's direction. Who could resist that? Shen Gonglin could only quickly restrain herself and not be too arrogant.

"So, Elysia, the way to the Deepest Place..."

Mei took a deep breath. She had made such a huge sacrifice for this moment. If Elysia didn't give her a clear explanation, Mei would have to chop her up today. She had better think things through before she spoke.