Chapter 413

This wasn't the first time she'd felt this way. When she lost consciousness, Mei even adjusted the direction she was falling. Shen Gonglin instinctively wrapped her arms around the girl's soft waist. Looking at her as if she had fallen into a deep sleep, Shen Gonglin felt a headache coming on. It had happened again. Ever since she used Mei as a medium and then used the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness to enter that the Deepest Place, it was as if Mei had placed a prohibition on herself. In this situation, all she could do was wait for Mei to wake up on her own.

"... It's that kind of situation again, isn't it?"

Raven looked at Mei, who had fainted in Shen Gonglin's arms. Excluding the fact that this hot-tempered young lady suddenly wanted to assert her dominance, the only explanation was this: she had been pulled into her own space by that Flame-Chasers named Aponia. This situation was really a bit of a headache.

"Hmm, just like before, I still can't pinpoint the location of that space... But according to previous practice, Mei should be fine and will wake up in a little while."

Holding Mei, Shen Gonglin carefully placed her on the sofa in the Elysian Realm lounge. She estimated that Mei wouldn't be unconscious for long and would wake up soon. They would see if she had any clues when she woke up.

"It seems you two are already experts at handling this kind of situation. In that case... would you like to come with me now and clear your face of all this paint? Otherwise, it's really unpleasant to look at you."

Mei is alright, but Shen Gonglin couldn't bear to look at Rin Raven covered in paint. Perhaps this mercenary girl really does have a caring heart. She used to help others clean their clothes when she was taking care of Xiao Kong and the others. But Shen Gonglin... this girl seems to only get herself dirty.

"Hey, I didn't even notice... It must have been done in Griseo's studio. No wonder Kosma was glaring at me earlier. He must be annoyed that I was messing with Griseo's paintings... I love that look on his face when he wants to mess with me but can't bring himself to do it."

Obediently followed Raven to clean up. After hearing Shen Gonglin's words, Raven rolled her eyes. This guy is really awful.

Chapter 42 I'm Going to Kill You

"Hoo... Aponia."

Looking at the familiar darkness around her in the Deepest Place, Mei couldn't help but sigh. Just as she had thought, when she came to her senses, she was already in this place. She had asked Pardofelis to bring her to the Deepest Place, but Aponia had closed the door to the Deepest Place. And now she had summoned her here in this way. What exactly did she want to do?

"Yes, it's me... Mei, you did even better than I expected, and you really brought about changes to this Elysian Realm that shouldn't have happened."

The female voice was gentle in every way, but Mei only sensed danger within that gentleness. It contained not a trace of malice, yet it gave her that feeling of danger. Aponia... This feeling was more unsettling than the pure malice of Mobius.

"Change... what do you mean?"

Mei had warned herself not to follow Aponia's path, but once she opened her mouth, Mei found herself falling into her rhythm again. This Flame-Chasers was just too difficult to deal with.

"It was you who made those two children leave that dream world. Since the Elysian Realm was built, they have rarely made such a decision. I think Griseo must have seen something in you, which is why she wanted to leave there."

Aponia's gentle tone was soothing, and what did Griseo see in herself...? Mei recalled her conversation with Griseo, and wondered what she had seen...

"A new color... I don't know what she's referring to. And I don't understand, Aponia, what does this have to do with our repeated conversations?"

Having asked this question, Mei truly didn't understand why Aponia had brought her consciousness to this the Deepest Place so many times. This behavior had indeed caused her a lot of trouble, and she wanted Aponia to give her an explanation, or rather, to stop bothering her like this in the future.

"Ah, Mei, at first... I was just curious. I wanted to see what kind of person the Herrscher came here as her successor was... whether the changes she brought to the Elysian Realm were good or bad, and now I have the answer. At this moment, my heart is also filled with... regret and sorrow."

Aponia's voice seemed to carry a hint of sadness. It was truly regrettable. She was such a good girl, so why did she have to see such a future?

"Regret and pity? What do you mean?"

Mei frowned slightly. She knew that everyone in the Elysian Realm was a riddle teller, and she didn't expect Aponia to explain it clearly. But her intuition told Mei that this question was important. In this dark prison, it was hard for Mei to see anything clearly, but at this moment, for some reason, Mei was very sure that she saw a gentle and beautiful smile on the other side of the iron bars. That was Aponia.

"Please, let me hold your hand, Mei."

That eerie feeling returned. After she said "please," Mei's body responded before her will. The girl reached her hand over the railing, and Aponia gently took Mei's hand in hers. What a delicate hand it was, so pitiful...

"I can feel your steadfastness, your determination, and... the sadness and loneliness hidden deep in your heart. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes... how I wish that tragedy wouldn't have happened in ten days."

It sounded like she was talking to herself, yet also like she was speaking to Mei. The tragedy that would happen in ten days? These prophetic words made Mei frown. What did Aponia mean by saying this?

"The tragedy that will happen in ten days?"

"Yes... a tragedy that no one could have foreseen and no one wants to look back on. Your arrival will bring destruction to the Elysian Realm, and none of us want to see this place reduced to rubble because of you. Therefore, in ten days, I will have to... personally end your life."

Aponia's words shocked Mei. The girl instinctively withdrew her hand. Did she know what she was saying? To end her own life, and for the Elysian Realm to be destroyed because of her?

"Alas... I also don't want to believe that the fates intertwined between us will end in this way. But it's a story that has already been written, and it's our... predetermined ending."

Aponia's voice was filled with sorrow, but Mei smiled disdainfully. "This is the same old story about fate. If everything can be decided by fate, then how do you explain all the choices I've made so far? Is it all an arrangement of Steins; Gate?"

"Absurd. I don't believe in fate. I decide my own future."

"Yes, Mei, it's good that you believe in it. But please understand that there is only one destiny, and no one can escape it."

After saying this, Aponia withdrew her hand, and darkness separated the two of them once again. She was sorry to bring her this news, but Aponia believed that she had the right to know her own destiny.

As soon as she finished speaking, Mei's consciousness began to wane. She could vaguely feel a cool sensation on her face, and then she heard a voice in her ear. It was... Raven?

"You're finally awake. If you hadn't woken up, Shen Gonglin would have splashed water on your face."

Seeing Mei wake up, Raven breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did Mei realize her current situation: she was on the sofa in the Elysian Realm Hall, and Shen Gonglin was pressing her cold little hands against her face. She had made them worry.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

Sitting up, Mei rubbed her temples, processing what she had just heard. It was indeed hard to accept—to be killed in ten days... If you're so capable, then come and try it.

"... It's her again, isn't it? What did she say to you this time? Was it still those words you couldn't understand?"

Raven asked with some concern. Mei seemed a little off this time; the girl clearly had something on her mind. Was it because Aponia had said something to her?

"No, this time, I understood perfectly. She told me that I would die at her hands in ten days."

Looking at Raven and Shen Gonglin, Mei hesitated for a moment before telling them what Aponia had told her earlier: she would die at Aponia's hands in ten days... This was simply absurd.

Shen Gonglin and Raven exchanged a glance. What had just happened between them that made things escalate to this point? Was it because Mei smashed Aponia's cooking pot?

Chapter Forty-Three: The Magician's Invitation

Now, what should we do?

On the steps of the Elysian Realm Hall, Mei sat with her chin in her hand, lost in thought. Raven was drawing with Griseo, and Pardofelis had disappeared somewhere. Only she and Shen Gonglin were there. Everything that had happened before Mei feeling conflicted. What exactly had happened? Or were there still no new clues?

The prophecy that she would kill herself in ten days was something Mei couldn't help but care about. What should she do now? The girl unconsciously stroked the hair of Shen Gonglin, who was resting on her lap. Just like petting a cat can relieve psychological stress when you are anxious, this method can also make Mei feel much better.

The current situation... not only do I not know why Aponia left behind a prophecy about herself, but my plan to go to the Deepest Place has also made no progress... within ten days, I should at least figure out the meaning of what she said.

Mei is a very smart girl, but in this situation, she feels that no matter how smart she is, it's useless. There's just too little valuable information. What exactly is Aponia trying to do? Lost in thought, the girl didn't notice the hurried footsteps. Pardofelis came running over from somewhere, panting heavily, like a thief returning home.

"Mei, Shen Gonglin! Come quick! I've got some more amazing stuff, absolute gems!"

Pardofelis excitedly shouted to Mei, "It's time to make a fortune again! When business comes, there's no stopping it! A customer as generous as Mei will definitely sign an IOU without even haggling. This kind of fat sheep... no, this kind of rich young lady who treats money like dirt, is what Pardofelis loves the most!"

However, Mei did not respond to Pardofelis's voice at all. The girl was still immersed in her own thoughts. Within the ten-day limit, she had to figure out some things, or rather, find a way to reach the Deepest Place and meet Aponia in advance.

"Mei- nee? Mei-nee-nee-!"

Seeing that Mei didn't react, Pardofelis cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted loudly, which woke up Shen Gonglin, who was sleeping on Mei's lap. What was going on? She woke up and felt like she was going bald. Who had pulled her hair while she was sleeping?

"...Huh? Pardofelis, why are you yelling so loudly? What's wrong? Sorry, is there something you need?"

Finally snapping out of her reverie, Mei looked at Pardofelis in confusion. What was wrong with her? Why did she look so angry? When did she get back?

"They really didn't notice me at all. I thought I had a pretty strong presence... But for a businessman, having too much presence isn't a good thing. Take Shen Gonglin for example, he definitely couldn't be one... Never mind, Mei, you'll see when you see it. Canned Food, quick, give Mei some really good stuff!"

Pardofelis patted the back of the big tabby cat at her feet, wanting to show it off to Mei with a smug look. Well, the big cat actually tilted its head at her in a very human way. Is there something wrong with her? If she really wants to give her something really good, then she should be the one to give it to her.

"Ah... so it was here! Hehe, look at me... this is it!"

Pardofelis scratched her head sheepishly, then took something out of her bosom and handed it to Mei. The girl was holding a rolled-up piece of paper, the part sealed with sealing wax had obviously been opened, and its ancient shape seemed out of place here. What was this?

Mei glanced at Pardofelis, whose face was beaming with the same bright smile as always. Mei took the paper and unfolded it, and the contents on it now seemed very strange. What was this? Shen Gonglin also came over, and the contents on it gave her the feeling of encountering the Herrscher of Domination again. Was this an invitation?

[The greatest magic show of the century unfolds in the Deepest Place... Vill-V]

The letter wasn't long, but its contents left Mei and Shen Gonglin somewhat confused. What did this invitation mean? The two looked up at Pardofelis, puzzled. Where did she get this? And wasn't this the place Mei wanted to go to?

"Hehe, Mei- nee was just thinking about this, wasn't she? A successful businesswoman like me, of course I understand my clients' needs. You've always wanted to go there, haven't you? Now that we have Vill-V- nee's invitation, it's no longer a problem! This is a very precious thing; even I've only received a few! If it were anyone else, I would definitely... squeeze some money out of them!"

Pardofelis explained with a cheerful smile, and almost let slip at the end. Just when Mei thought she would change her mind, Flame-Chasers said it honestly, or rather, she had already changed her mind. She originally intended to say that she would make several payments.

What a shrewd businessman! But at times like this, I really need his help.

A magic show... Vill-V ...If my guess is correct, then this Vill-V must be the last Flame-Chasers I haven't seen yet.

"Mei, do you remember when Elysian Realm was in complete chaos for a while? Now it seems that was part of Vill-V- nee's magic show. I just came back from there, and it was a complete mess everywhere. There were several Mobius flying in the sky!"

Pardofelis excitedly described the strange changes happening in the Elysian Realm to Mei and Shen Gonglin. She could assure Canned Food that everything she said was true. As expected of Sister Vill-V, only she could create such a commotion. Seeing so many Mobius flying in the sky, Pardofelis was so scared that the fur on her tail stood on end. It was extremely terrifying.

Are there several Mobius flying in the sky?

Mei silent for a moment. She really couldn't imagine what this situation was like. Could it be that this Pardofelis was talking nonsense? And why was she exaggerating? She didn't even need to think about it.

"Hehe, so, Mei- nee, for your safety, I must once again introduce a shrewd and experienced guide. She knows the way inside and out, and... her price is fair!"

As expected, in the end, Pardofelis revealed her true colors. The cat-like girl pointed to herself with great energy, saying that there was only one guide in the entire Elysian Realm who deserved that title, and that was the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, Pardofelis!

Chapter Forty-Four

"... Alright, no need for the self-introduction. I see. It's really kind of you to go through all this trouble. You're after my wallet, aren't you?"

After a long silence, Mei's voice was filled with helplessness. This guy really didn't hide his shrewd businessman identity at all. After talking for so long, it turned out to be just to promote himself. In short, he wanted her to hire him as a guide. Mei understood.

"How can you say that, Mei! I... people say I'm a philanthropist who makes money off others!"

Pardofelis felt a little embarrassed by the warning not to expose her true colors. The cat girl raised her tail and corrected Mei's mistake, telling her that she was a very loyal person and that she wasn't just after Mei's wallet; at most, it was just a little bit.

Just a little bit!

"Phew, I understand you mean generous... But they're right, and you're right, I do need a guide. As for payment... just like before."

Pardofelis had indeed helped her a lot, and Mei understood the girl's little hobby. Although Pardofelis was the kind of person who was obsessed with money, she was indeed very reliable.

"It's okay, it's okay! Just like before, I was prepared! After all, it's Mei, and Sister Elysia said you're very honest and trustworthy..."

Pardofelis looked around, then picked up her cat from the ground, and deftly took out an IOU from her backpack and handed it to Mei. This was clearly something she had been planning for a long time.

"There's no need to say anything more. One day, I'll make Elysia apologize... Now that I've signed my name, can we set off?"

Mei knew what Pardofelis was going to say next—it was about Elysia spreading the word about letting her touch her horns. Mei didn't want to hear about this anymore; she was exhausted. Couldn't she just deal with her own affairs as soon as possible? Mei was so annoyed.

Sensing Mei's feelings, Shen Gonglin very considerately reached out and gently stroked her head. Mei was initially enjoying it, but when she realized that he was actually taking the opportunity to touch her horn, the girl became angry and embarrassed. What is this idiot doing?!

"Haha, you two have such a great relationship... No problem! Let's set off now, Canned Food, lead the way!"

At Pardofelis's command, her cat ran ahead, and the group re-entered Elysian Realm. They were greeted by Elysia standing at the Elysian Realm entrance. Upon seeing the fairy girl, Mei instinctively wanted to draw her sword, while Elysia, as if she had foreseen this, shrank back into the presence of Shen Gonglin. Mei was still angry; unlike herself, Elysia was a very magnanimous girl.

"Oh dear, Mei? Do we really have to enter Elysian Realm now? Right now... it's a bit of a mess inside."

Hiding behind Mei Shen Gonglin, Elysia gave Mei a sweet smile, trying to fool her. Mei stared at her coldly without saying a word. This was the girl who was using a megaphone to announce in the Elysian Realm that she had been touched on the corner of her head. She really wanted to cut this Miss Pink Fairy in half. After cutting her in half, she would definitely be black!

"Hi, Sister Elysia! Mei asked me to take her to find Vill-V -nee!"

Pardofelis greeted Elysia as well, calling girls "sister" and boys "brother. "Pardofelis had a very sweet tongue; after all, this would lower their guard and allow her to successfully purchase the goods.

"Wow... It's already developed into a three-person relationship? Mei, you're getting bolder and bolder. Should I be more careful about my safety? But if it's a three-person relationship... then can I have Shen Gonglin?"

It seems like anything said by Elysia comes out of her mouth tastes different. Mei looked at Elysia speechlessly, and then the girl, still angry, walked past Elysia into the Elysian Realm. The fairy girl watched Mei's back with a smile. How funny, she's connected with all the Flame-Chasers. As expected of Mei, she's become everyone's favorite so quickly.

"Sister Elysia, we're leaving now."

Pardofelis waved to Elysia and followed Mei. After watching them leave, the fairy girl smiled and returned to the Elysian Realm Hall. She hoped Mei and the others would enjoy Vill-V's magic show.

Meanwhile, Mei, who had entered Elysian Realm, hesitated upon seeing the somewhat eerie scene before her. Elysia was right; Elysian Realm was in complete chaos. Normally, it resembled a trial ground, where normal enemies would appear, but now... looking at the giant HOMU appearing in the middle, what was going on with this strange enemy?

"Pardofelis, do you know why this phenomenon occurs?"

Mei glanced to the side, where Shen Gonglin was also looking puzzled. If Bronya were here, she would probably be very happy, as she preferred things like HOMU. Mei passed the question to Pardofelis, since she was the only one who was familiar with the Elysian Realm.

"Of course, I have absolutely no idea! Such an earth-shattering event is obviously not related to me. I'm a rather low-key person, so I don't want to attract attention. This is the survival wisdom of Twilight Town. Don't go around spreading this around, okay? I charge other people for saying this."

Pardofelis shrugged. How could Mei associate such a grand occasion with herself? She was just a lazy bum; such grand events were beyond her reach. Heroes had their way of living, and ordinary people had theirs. To insist on living like someone else... well, it wasn't impossible, but was it really necessary?

"...Alright, just stay behind me from now on. Shen Gonglin, you too, the situation here is unclear, so don't do anything too reckless."

After giving a warning to the two freeloaders behind her, Mei sighed, drew her sword, and charged towards HOMU. The entire Elysian Realm had become strange, but if she continued forward, she should be able to find out the truth.

As expected, just as Mei had thought, after defeating the giant HOMU, a strange sound suddenly rang out from somewhere. The three of them frowned slightly, and Pardofelis's cat ears twitched.

"That voice... Mei, did you hear it?"

"Hmm, this voice is..."

Before Mei could investigate further, a vibrant voice rang out. How should I put it? This feeling was exactly the same as the feeling I had when I was in the Domination Theater.

Chapter Forty-Five: The Magic Theater

[Oh dear, our distinguished guest... has finally arrived. Please allow me to postpone my self-introduction for now; for my show, identity is meaningless. I have prepared some surprises for you... Before this grand show begins, you can decide for yourself which one you wish to choose!]

This smell is just too much like a thousand-person Herrscher! Shen Gonglin has a phobia of this kind of thing. She wouldn't be surprised if a Shen Gonglin suddenly popped up now. Or is it that all performative personalities are the same? Not quite understanding the current situation, Mei and Shen Gonglin could only focus their attention on the "local" Pardofelis. What exactly is going on?

"Don't look at me, this... this is Sister Vill-V's voice! This is way too fast! It's never been like this before!"

The cat-like girl was dumbfounded. How long had it been? Was she already about to start her performance? There wasn't even a prelude. Pardofelis really didn't understand. However, her reaction was enough for Mei to understand the current situation.

"So, we've already stepped into that so-called magic show?"