Chapter 428

The mercenary's expression was somewhat conflicted. Had she really fallen to this level? Being criticized by Shen Gonglin made her feel like her entire life's value had been denied. He was the last person who had the right to criticize her!

"I'm sorry... Actually, I've come to say goodbye. I've been here for far too long, and Gray Serpent is about to come and ask me to leave. He says there's a mission that I absolutely must complete. You can imagine his tone, right?"

There was no other way. After witnessing Mei being taught a lesson, Raven chose to swallow her anger when facing Shen Gonglin. What if this guy did the same thing to her? Assessing the situation is a skill that mercenaries should have. Mei Shen Gonglin is just too terrifying. Raven can't even imagine what Mei must have been feeling at the time. Anyway, she definitely couldn't handle it.

He explained his current situation to Shen Gonglin and Mei, saying that his time off was over and he had been in the Elysian Realm for too long, so long that his superiors couldn't help but come and call him.

"Okay, goodbye."

Mei's crisp and decisive response left Raven speechless. Why was she acting like this when Raven was about to leave? Dealing with this Miss Mei was indeed exhausting. After all, they were comrades who had fought side by side... Was it because Raven had witnessed Mei being punished by Shen Gonglin.

"... Is that all?"

Unable to hold back, Raven thought she and Mei got along quite well, but now that she was leaving, Mei was acting like this. All her good intentions had been wasted, considering how many favors she had done for Mei.

"Then... have a safe journey?"

Mei tentatively added a sentence, which made Raven give up completely. The mercenary said speechlessly, "You don't think this is part of the prophecy, do you? By the way, today is the tenth day. How's it going on your end?"

While Raven could imagine Mei's current situation, he was also certain that Mei must have already come up with a solution. With the girl's abilities, she would definitely not sit idly by and wait for her doom.

"I know some things. But I still don't have conclusive evidence to refute the prophecy itself. And... even if the fate she speaks of is just a lie, with her special nature of discipline and spiritual perception, she could easily make her prophecy come true... So now, I've decided to confront the root of the problem."

With a sigh, Mei explained her current plans to Raven in detail. After all, Raven was her other insurance policy besides Shen Gonglin. If something unexpected happened, she could only rely on Raven. Shen Gonglin could also be relied on, but as a member of World Serpent, Raven could obviously convey more information.

"So, you've found a way to access the Deepest Place?"

It's easy to tell Mei's plan: to confront the root of the problem. Without a doubt, Mei intends to go to the Deepest Place.

"That's right, and we're about to set off now."

Mei took a deep breath. If she wasn't mistaken, the key to her journey to the Deepest Place lay with Vill-V. Through her, she should be able to uncover the secrets of the entire Elysian Realm and obtain the information she desired in the Deepest Place.

"Do you need me to come with you?"

Putting the matter of the Gray Serpent out of her mind, and seeing Mei's serious expression, Raven decided to accompany Mei. Regardless of her thoughts, what awaited her in the Deepest Place was undoubtedly unprecedented danger.

"No, that's perfect... I want you to stay in reality and see what I see, provided you're safe. In the worst-case scenario, after this battle, my spirit might cease to exist."

Chapter Ninety-Six: A Reward

This isn't Mei being pessimistic. After fighting Chakravartin, Mei realized the gap between herself and Flame-Chasers. If things got serious, there were very few opponents she could defeat here. She could probably only guarantee a win against Pardofelis. Against others, Mei had no confidence in winning. So, this was her way of settling things.

No, it should be called double insurance, with Shen Gonglin by my side.

"In the worst-case scenario, my mind might cease to exist after this battle. But if I fully trust her premonition, there's one piece of useful information: Aponia can only confirm the outcome, not the process. Even if I can't escape unscathed today, the decision of whether I get the information I want before then remains in my own hands. I need someone to keep that information, and..."

These words sound pessimistic, but they are things Mei has to do. There are many things that Shen Gonglin doesn't know, and he's not interested in the conversation between Mei and Flame-Chasers at all. If he were to go back and relay information, it would probably be misrepresented. So it's more appropriate to entrust these matters to Raven, who is much more reliable.

"Oh, should I deliver the information to your companions... or find the right opportunity to rescue you?"

Raven clearly understood Mei's plan. With such a useful Shen Gonglin sitting by her side instead of using her, it seems that Shen Gonglin's unreliability has become deeply ingrained in people's minds.

"I know this is difficult, so the choice is yours."

Talking to smart people is so much easier. This kind of thing is indeed a bit difficult for this mercenary who is always looking for profit and avoiding harm, but she is the only person he can ask for help right now. Moreover, based on Mei's understanding of Raven, she will most likely help him with this favor.

"... Okay, I understand. Speaking of which, aren't you going to find Klein? She knows Elysian Realm much better than I do."

Raven lowered her head in defeat. Mei had been sure she would help her, and indeed she had. Speaking of which, Raven remembered that she could ask someone else for help. Mei had probably already made her decision, so asking Klein for help should be useful.

"I have another favor to ask of her. I promised Griseo that I would give her a kind of paint that is related to me and that I have never seen before. I have tried my best, and this is the only answer I can think of so far."

Remembering how hopeless Griseo had seemed back then, Mei didn't want to disappoint her. So, this was all she could think of now. Looking at the test tube filled with red liquid in her hand, she hoped it would meet Griseo's requirements. This was something she had asked Su to get for her. Since she was the first Herrscher to step into the Elysian Realm, she hoped this thing would be special enough.

"You... are you going to such lengths just to avoid disappointing that child?"

Mei was surprised that Mei would go to such lengths. Her concern for Griseo was indeed beyond Raven's expectations. However, this was something Mei was capable of doing. Perhaps it was because she, like Raven, did not want to disappoint the children that Mei and Mei got along so well.

"Perhaps there's a better answer, but... just in case. I should get going. Goodbye... I hope I can manage."

Mei waved to Raven, then pulled Mei Shen Gonglin back towards Vill-V's workshop. Watching the girl's dashing figure as she reasoned, Raven remained silent.

Seriously, at least... say a few more words.

"Alright, the things have been given to Griseo... But I didn't expect Mei to actually wait here for me obediently, Mei. I thought you would try to face the Deepest Place alone after sending me away. I was even thinking of giving you a good scolding when I got back."

Mei remembered to avoid contact with Griseo, so she asked Shen Gonglin to give Griseo the "paint" containing her own image. Rin Shen Gonglin quickly ran back, but only halfway there did he realize this was possible. He was surprised that Mei actually waited for him here obediently, which was different from what he had expected.

"If I act alone on my own and you catch me, I'll definitely get a beating, right? I'm not Kiana, so forgetting what I've been taught isn't my problem... Besides, you're my ace. If I encounter a situation I can't handle, you'll have to step in. And if I encounter a situation that's truly beyond saving, how could I bear to leave you alone? You definitely won't be happy without me, so you'd better protect me well."

Mei smiled at Shen Gonglin. She had considered facing the situation alone, but in the end, she gave up on that idea. Shen Gonglin would definitely not be happy without her by his side. If something really happened to her, even if Shen Gonglin lived alone, he wouldn't be happy. Mei didn't want to be self-satisfied like those female protagonists in TV dramas. Shen Gonglin used to complain about those kinds of plots when they watched TV together.

Saying she was afraid the male protagonist would be in danger, so she took on the responsibility herself... Tsk tsk, that's the most selfish thought. Mei doesn't want to be that kind of person.

"Yes, Mei, the organization is very happy that you have this idea."

Shen Gonglin nodded approvingly. Mei's behavior pleased Shen Gonglin. No matter what happens, they should face it together instead of thinking about bearing it alone. That's the meaning of companionship. As expected of the person she likes, Mei's thoughts made Shen Gonglin feel like she liked her even more.

"Really? If the organization is happy, shouldn't I receive some kind of reward?"

After talking with Shen Gonglin Mei a while, Mei felt much more relaxed. The girl winked at Shen Gonglin playfully, thinking that if she was punished for making mistakes, shouldn't she also be rewarded for doing things right?

"Huh? Mei, it's not a good thing for a comrade to casually ask the organization for rewards. You should work hard and continue to strive to improve yourself, instead of asking for rewards for every little bit of progress you make."

When it came to rewards, Shen Gonglin became wary. Verbal rewards were fine, but when it came to other things, Shen Gonglin immediately thought of money. She didn't have any money in her pocket. Although she was now the Archbishop of Schicksal, all her power had been stripped away, and she didn't have a single penny.

Chapter Ninety-Seven

This kid is really stingy. Whenever this kind of thing is mentioned, Shen Gonglin seems to become wary all of a sudden. Mei has no way to deal with it. Heaven knows what's going on in Shen Gonglin's mind. She asked him for a reward, but in the end, the reward is still for him. Who is he putting on this wary act for? It's really hard to figure out what Shen Gonglin is thinking.

"Hey, isn't this Mei and Shen Gonglin? What are you two doing here? Did you two have a fight?"

At the entrance of Vill-V's workshop, the Great Magician peeked out and saw the two staring at each other. "Well, let's get down to business first," Mei sighed and looked at Vill-V. "Very well, when it's time to talk business, Mei prefers to be with a more normal version of her."

"We didn't argue, Vill-V. I came here specifically to see you. Thankfully, you're back to normal now."

Mei stared directly at the Great Magician. If her reasoning was correct, Vill-V's help was exactly what she needed right now, and only she could help her in this matter.

"Normal? That's hardly a compliment to me. But it's truly flattering. The reason you came all this way to see me... is it because you need me to teach you some more amazing methods...? Ahem, you are the destination of my journey. Does that sound much better?"

Vill-V deliberately imitated this behavior, and Mei, undisturbed, expressed her true wish. "I don't need surprising methods. There are some questions I want to confirm with you."

Mei looked at Vill-V with a serious expression, while Flame-Chasers's smile gradually faded; he seemed to have some questions he wanted to confirm with her...

"Oh? What's the problem? And why me?"

"Since there is someone here who can shape the minds of others at will... I think it is less likely to go astray by seeking confirmation from someone who believes they can break free from the influence of precepts."

Mei spoke directly. Elysia had not been subject to any rules, so she didn't need to refer to her. As far as she knew, the only person who had been subject to rules but had also broken free of them was Vill-V. Based on her deduction, Vill-V should also be special in the Elysian Realm, and she would probably need her help to do what she was about to do. That was Mei's purpose in coming here—to persuade Vill-V.

"I am truly honored. However, you have reopened someone else's wounds, haven't you? The price I paid for this was very heavy. Killing one of my own selves is not as simple as others think."

Although she still had a smile on her face, the words that Vill-V spoke this time were incredibly heavy. Mei could only remain silent. She really hadn't thought about this before. Killing one of her own... Mei couldn't understand such heaviness, but without a doubt, it was a burden that ordinary people couldn't bear. She had indeed reopened someone's wounds this time.

"...Feel sorry."

Mei apologized sincerely, but her demeanor made Vill-V feel a little embarrassed. Had she been too heavy-hearted? This Herrscher of Thunder was truly a polite and well-behaved child.

"Uh... there's no need for that. Your politeness makes me feel a little awkward. Being Flame-Chasers is indeed a troublesome thing. If I were alive, I would have sent you away long ago. So... what exactly do you want to verify?"

It seems that Vill-V doesn't want to dwell on this matter, or rather, she doesn't want to bring it up too much. Mei is happy to see her change of topic. Before she died... Putting this matter aside for now, Mei talked about her true purpose in finding Vill-V. Aponia, what was her ultimate goal?

"Aponia ... In any case, like all other Flame-Chasers, the ultimate goal of all her actions is still to save humanity itself. I admit this, even Mobius, who has designs on me, does the same. But Aponia's direction changed several times in trying to do this."

Mei organized her thoughts and began to express them, but Vill-V seemed to be used to it all along. This was normal, after all, that's what people are like.

"Of course, people change. Just look at Kevin. And then what?"

People change. Vill-V gave Kevin as an example. Mei wanted to know what she wanted to say, and since she was in a good mood, she could answer her questions one by one.

"And so it was with Aponia, whom I met. Her actions revealed two purposes, one of which was her own... but the other was completely unrelated to her beliefs, even contrary to them. She explained this with fate, but I don't think so... that was someone else's purpose. During this ten-day prophecy, Aponia had a companion."

Mei explained her reasoning, but Shen Gonglin had completely given up trying to think. Although he was quite intelligent, he instinctively rejected anything complex. He was the type who didn't care about the game's background and only knew he wanted to wreak havoc. So, he hadn't really thought about what Mei was saying. However, Vill-V did listen. She said that Aponia had a companion...

"Uh... you're not thinking of accusing me, are you?"

"Hmm? Why would you think that? Of course not. My sole purpose in coming to the Elysian Realm is to reach its deepest depths and obtain the true secrets of the Flame-Chasers. Aponia appeared during my journey. And everything she did was to prevent me from going any further. I have reason to believe that something exists in the Deepest Place that will drastically change my journey. And Aponia's prophecy, perhaps, its true purpose is..."

Mei took a deep breath and looked at Vill-V's increasingly serious gaze across from her. She felt that her reasoning was probably correct. The reason why Aponia did this was because...

"She wanted to shift my attention away from this point and focus it on her, and the secret that would change everything would never see the light of day again. Now, I finally have a deeper understanding of the nature of the Elysian Realm, a space constructed by cognition. On this basis, the Flame-Chasers seem to have their own areas. These are the places that truly preserve their personal memories, and they cannot enter without the corresponding permission."

Mei paused slightly; there was a reason why she made such a deduction.

Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Academic Prodigy's Deduction

"Just as the operating room was to Mobius, the art studio to Griseo, the Deepest Place to Aponia, the workshop to you... they are all like that."

Mei stated her opinion, but Vill-V didn't seem to care much about it, and the Magician nodded.

"Oh... your judgment is accurate, but it's not a secret. However... isn't the matter of permission a bit too absolute?"

Vill-V admitted that Mei's reasoning was correct, but so what? She didn't think Mei could draw such a conclusion based on that alone, so she should have more to say.

"Indeed, Elysia once helped me enter the realms of Mobius and Griseo, but with Aponia, she seems unable to do something similar. Although I still don't know the reason, Aponia is clearly very special to the Elysian Realm."

Continuing her reasoning, Mei drew upon her own experiences. This girl was very good at thinking; she could glean what she wanted to know from the slightest clues. You see, girls don't usually see these things. Even Kiana knows that screaming and crying are essential lessons for girls, but Mei's mind was clearly more meticulous.

This made Shen Gonglin a little scared. Someone as innocent as herself... if she didn't have this strength to beat up anyone she didn't like, she would probably have been eaten to bits long ago. That's why Mei stole all the Mei in the Elysian Realm.

"Well... I don't want to make any rash judgments. And then what?"

Without making a judgment on Mei's reasoning for the time being, Vill-V wanted to see what other deductions Mei had made. This girl had indeed completely exceeded her expectations.

"However, after confirming that the Deepest Place belongs to Aponia's memories, a question arose in my mind. Assuming that the Deepest Place has existed as an important memory in the minds of different Flame-Chasers, then... will these two completely different subjective perceptions of this place intertwine, or will they remain independent?"

Mei explained her thoughts step by step, and Vill-V listened with her head nodding repeatedly. "And then? And then?"

"I found it a long time ago... but I haven't had the chance to use it until now. Kevin once told me that the Flame-Chasers is made up of subjective memories, which may even contradict themselves when pieced together. So my first guess is correct. Moreover, the memories that are pieced together from the Deepest Place do not belong to just one person."

It's amazing that she could actually get useful information out of Kevin. Vill-V looked at Mei in amazement; she was truly remarkable. She herself couldn't imagine getting anything useful out of Kevin; that guy was a complete riddle-maker.

"This sentence is the key to the Deepest Place. And the corresponding door... is you, Vill-V."

Finally, they got to the point. Mei's gaze locked onto Vill-V in front of her. If her reasoning was correct, Vill-V was the key to her access to the Deepest Place. Everything now rested on Vill-V.

"Oh, so this is the real reason you came to see me? Or rather... the most important reason?"

Having said that, Vill-V stopped changing the subject. She never expected this successor to have such abilities. She was able to find the real clue from these fragmented pieces of information and then unravel the mystery to find the answer to everything. She was truly amazing.

"That's right... the builder of the Deepest Place. Even though Aponia's memories played an absolutely dominant role in its formation, you... your perception could not possibly be uninvolved in it. That is the key that allowed me to enter without permission. So, in conclusion, I have come before you."

Mei took a deep breath. This was the answer she had come to: Vill-V, someone who was not bound by Aponia's abilities and whose understanding must possess the Deepest Place.

At the time, Vill-V did say that she could not go to the Deepest Place on her own, but at that time, I didn't know her well enough. A magician would certainly not have any connection with the Deepest Place, and Vill-V... or perhaps another Vill-V, that was another matter.

Multiple personality disorder can be so convenient sometimes.

After Mei finished speaking, she waited for Vill-V's response. After a long while, Vill-V showed a very conflicted expression. This girl was too smart. She couldn't refute what she had guessed.

"Strange... What's going on? Did you really figure these things out on your own? Oh... cough cough, that's really impressive. I'm starting to look at you in a new light. Herrscher of Thunder... no, has anyone ever said that you're more suited to Herrscher of Reason? That's right. If the memory spaces belonging to the Flame-Chasers are connected to each other to form this place, then the connection between me and Aponia is the Deepest Place."

Without holding back on praise, this Herrscher of Reason's driver's license was definitely a mistake. This Herrscher of Thunder's brain is perfectly capable of wielding the powers of the Herrscher of Reason. This is too smart! This brain is definitely stronger than most people's. It's really amazing. Since Mei has already guessed it, I'll tell her more about it.

"But...you've been to the edge of that area, so you wouldn't think that...those sanctuary-like scenes were my subjective interpretation, would you? I can certainly help you get there, but anything that happens after that is beyond my control."

After explaining to Mei, Vill-V admitted that she could indeed get Mei there, but she couldn't help with anything after that. Vill-V smiled at Mei, leaving it up to her to decide whether to choose that method.

"That's enough, thank you."

Getting this much help from Vill-V is enough. As long as I can be taken to the Deepest Place, everything will be solved. If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to get the answers I want there.

"Hey! Don't thank me yet. I really want to help you... but this time is different. You know, this is like building a bridge between our understandings. In other words... to reach the Deepest Place this way, you have to traverse my sea of thoughts, and I must lay bare my entire heart to you without any reservations. If it were you, would you be willing to take on this kind of responsibility just to help someone?"

Vill-V raised the question, and the choice is up to her.

Chapter Ninety-Nine: You Old Women

I've been feeling really bored lately. Where on Shen Gonglin Jingu gone?

At the Salt Lake Base, after her daily training, Kiana stretched and yawned while leaning on the railing. Looking at the clear sea, the girl yawned listlessly. Although she longed for a peaceful life, her life had been too quiet lately. Most importantly, she didn't know where Shen Gonglin had gone. Honestly, everyone had already forgiven Shen Gonglin, so why hadn't he come back?

Am I supposed to kneel down and beg him? That's not impossible, but at least tell me where you've gone! You're completely out of touch now, you're not acting like an Archbishop of Schicksal at all... Wait a minute, that former archbishop, it seems he also frequently disappeared. Is this a common problem among Bishop of Schicksal?

With these random thoughts swirling in her mind, the girl sighed deeply. It had been a long time since she had replenished her Rin element, and Kiana felt a bit listless. She hadn't been eating well lately, managing only three bowls of rice per meal before she couldn't eat any more.

"Kiana, what are you doing?"