Chapter 430

"... With courage and determination, they fought against everything they did not approve of... What a remarkable spirit, as great as humanity itself, and as meaningless as all their deeds."

Finally, with a sigh, Aponia, who had been kneeling on the ground praying, raised her head. Since Mei had made this choice, there was no point in saying anything now. The nun looked at Mei, her gentle eyes now serious.

"I'm sorry, Miss Mei, you still... disappoint me. I am the only one who sees fate... and the only one who can fight against it. Everyone else... thinks they are rebelling against fate, but they are just unaware of being in it. I just didn't expect... that you are the same. I once thought you brought change to the Elysian Realm, but the opposite is true, so I ended that trial of sharing a room with you. Before sending you on the right path, I have to point out some fallacies."

Her tone had completely changed. Aponia no longer gave off the gentle feeling she had before. This change put Mei on high alert. The girl remained silent and on guard, while Aponia remained completely at ease. It was truly disappointing. Let's see how things turn out according to her choice.

"I can see destiny... though there are parts of it that I have to hide from you, they are not lies. It's a pity I can't show you that scene, but... your destiny will end here and now, that is certain."

Even now, are you still saying such things? Mei snorted coldly and did not respond. Aponia continued to tell Mei about the unchangeable fate, which she had tried many times.

"There is another possibility: that after our fates intersected, they were separated. I could not see any future, only silence. I did not know the reason, so I became curious. Because I was curious, I stepped into it and found the answer at this moment."

So that's how it is. This is the future that Aponia saw. Let's consider this the final exchange before the battle. Mei has already drawn the Key of Punishment from her waist, and the power of the Herrscher of Thunder has condensed into a black and red half-body demon spirit behind her.

"So you saw it, you're here to kill me?"

"Not entirely. Either... I erased Miss Mei, or... I erased the Elysian Realm. Only I can do the second thing, but I haven't found out why I have to do it. Miss Mei, fate has brought us to this point, and you have no other choice."

So there's such a possibility? Erasing the Elysian Realm —only she could do that. I've really received incredible news. Has fate already pushed things this far? Perfect, I wanted this kind of development too. And regarding what Aponia said about the possibility of fate, Mei feels there's another one.

"Perhaps there's another explanation you've forgotten to mention. Aponia, what if... I erased you?"

Faced with Mei's question, Aponia smiled slightly, "This is... another fallacy I haven't been able to point out, Mei. As you already know... initially, I tried to change fate, but I failed; fate is inescapable. Later, I tried to change humanity with precepts, thereby altering their path. But I failed; human nature remains unchanged. Finally, I wanted humanity to become isolated individuals, not influencing each other, so that even if the ending was inevitable, they could be happy and content. But I failed; humanity cannot bear to be alone."

She recounted her efforts, which, unsurprisingly, all failed. Thus, Aponia came to the conclusion that fate was unchangeable, as she herself was part of that fate. At that time, she had almost given up all hope, just like Mei, and realized that she could not change anything.

"Miss Mei, you too have faced life and death, yet you have not grasped that... when that moment arrives, humanity will always... gain a profound understanding of life and death."

After talking for so long, Mei was starting to feel sleepy. Is fate unchangeable? But as far as she knew, the former bishop of Schicksal had accomplished just that. Mei didn't think she was any worse than him. He had already proven with his own actions that fate was not something that could be defied.

"Have you... found a new direction?"

So Aponia had made so many failed attempts, all of which ended in failure.

"Yes, before the shadow of death fell, I thought of... there was still a direction I had never tried, simply because it was impossible. If in some world I became heaven and earth, became destiny itself, would I still be so powerless?"

She uttered unbelievable words, becoming heaven and earth, becoming destiny—what was Aponia thinking? Mei stared wide-eyed in astonishment, wondering what she was about to do.

"Alright, even if everything is already destined, I will still pray for you... This is your last chance... Please leave now."

Does this mean it's an ultimatum? It's a pity that she went through so much trouble to get here, not to leave after listening to this lecture from Aponia. Mei's silence means she rejects Aponia's last bit of goodwill. The nun sighed softly.

"Please let everyone stop their futile curiosity. The desire for knowledge... is arrogance. Those who once broke down barriers and stepped into the unknown... met a tragic end. Embrace your loved ones, there's no need to look up at the sky... the stars are cold and unattainable. Fate cannot be changed, we can only look down at each other. Miss Mei, it's inevitable to make mistakes, please don't... sink deeper and deeper."

"The end is near... I can't stop it. But I could have made it... come more mercifully."

Chapter 104 Threatening

Since things have come to this point, there's no need to say more. Mei doesn't want to hear such Christian-like Mei. Aponia has already stood up, and the blue star ring slowly rotates behind her. The nun floats in the air. A battle is inevitable, and this is also Mei's purpose in coming here. Whether she will kill her or break free from the fate woven by Aponia, it all comes down to this one battle.

"Mei, since you insist on this, then let me cut off this wrong path completely."

"Then come on, Kalki!"

The power of the Herrscher of Thunder was fully unleashed, and a purple star ring appeared behind Mei. With her summons, Belenaus transformed into a red Tyrannosaurus Rex and appeared at Mei's feet. Whatever it is, Submit to me!

The great battle between the Flame-Chasers and the Herrscher erupted completely. Just as she had thought, none of the Flame-Chasers were simple. Even though Aponia seemed so weak before, when they really fought, she made Mei understand what Flame-Chasers was. In the midst of the red lightning, Aponia retreated safely. From Mei's offensive, she saw the girl's determination. Since that was the case, then she would also have to get serious.

"Since even binding cannot bring you back to your senses... then I can only inflict pain upon you. Aponia is no more here. I have given will to destiny, and... I have obtained its majestic and beautiful name, Herrscher of Thunder, awaken... and be saved!"

Like a butterfly, golden wings appeared behind Aponia. Is this Aponia's liberation form? Like Chakravartin, Mei had also witnessed Chakravartin's liberation mode. Without a doubt, the battle to come will be even more intense.

"That's how it happened. Vill-V made a casual gesture, and Mei disappeared, and Vill-V disappeared too. But I'm still here. Raven, do you have any ideas?"

Meanwhile, in the hall of the Elysian Realm, Shen Gonglin ran around like a headless fly. His intuition told him that Mei needed his help, but Shen Gonglin had no way to get to the Deepest Place the world. He originally wanted to find someone to help him, but after wandering around, he only found the Raven preparing to leave the Elysian Realm, and he panicked a little.

"So, Mei alone in the Deepest Place right now? Don't worry, if I'm not mistaken, she's probably facing Aponia right now. We need to think of a way to get to the Deepest Place."

Having understood what Shen Gonglin had said, Raven temporarily put aside her plans to leave Elysian Realm. Regardless, aiding the Red Dragon was now her top priority. Raven had felt comfortable leaving earlier because Rin Shen Gonglin was by Mei's side; as her best colleague in World Serpent, Raven had to help in every way possible. But to reach the Deepest Place ...

"Then think of something quickly. I can't use the Herrscher of the Void's ability to jump over there. There's no spatial imprint left there. Elysia is also missing, and we can't find Vill-V either. I really have no other way."

Thankfully, Raven was there; otherwise, Shen Gonglin would have had no one to consult. Seeing Shen Gonglin's growing agitation, Raven first calmed Shen Gonglin down. The mercenary then racked her brains, trying to figure out who else could reach the Deepest Place in this situation...

The girl's mind raced, and then she saw Klein carrying out her routine maintenance work as if nothing had happened. Raven's eyes Raven. That's right, how could she have forgotten about her? As the administrator of the Elysian Realm, she must have a way.

However, it's not certain that they will cooperate.

"You, don't look at me like that. I cannot lead you to the Deepest Place. It's against the rules, so it won't work."

Klein was wiping the table with great effort, doing his daily routine. He noticed the Raven's gaze and felt a chill run down his spine. He felt like a bird being watched by a snake. He wished he had left sooner. Now that he was being watched, there was no time to run.

"That's against the rules, which means that Klein, really do have a way to get us to the heart of the Elysian Realm. In that case, I'll leave it to you."

As expected, the little creature's abilities and power as the administrator were far greater than she had imagined. With a smile that could charm a child, Raven knelt down in front of Klein, trying to persuade Klein with words. This was the only way to get her to lead them to the Deepest Place.

"No, because that's against the rules..."

Klein refusal, and Raven was not surprised by her reaction at all. The mercenary girl revealed a beautiful smile. What is the purpose of rules if not to be broken?

"Really not allowed?"

Raven stood up. The long-legged beauty looked down at Klein, who wasn't even as tall as her legs. If her kind words didn't work, she would have to use other methods.

"You really can't."

Klein shook his head and refused. As the administrator, his duty was to maintain the stability of the Elysian Realm. If he were to lead them to the Deepest Place, it would clearly go against the natural order, so it was absolutely unacceptable.

"Then it seems I have no choice but to resort to some extreme measures. Klein, you know, I have to leave Elysian Realm now because of work, so whatever happens in the Elysian Realm now is none of my business... But since I'm already here, it would be a waste not to take some souvenirs back with me. So, I think you're quite good."

Smiling at Klein, the cute little thing only felt fear. What did Raven mean by saying such a thing?

Are these souvenirs referring to myself?

Realizing what the Raven was saying, Klein's pupils contracted and she tried to run away, but it was too late. The little girl tried to slip away on her short legs, but in front of the tall and long-legged Raven, it was simply humiliating. The Raven caught up with Klein with just one step. Anyway, she had been a bad guy for a long time, so what difference would one more time make? The Raven reached out and grabbed Klein.

"So, choose: take us to the Deepest Place or let me take you away. To tell you the truth, I eat children, and you're the administrator of the Elysian Realm, right? If this place becomes a mess, I think... that's not what you want to see either."

Watching Raven skillfully threaten Klein, Shen Gonglin felt a chill run down her spine. How could she be so adept at it?

Chapter 105 It's all an illusion

The battle at the Deepest Place continues. Mei has used every trick in the book, only in this way can she possibly fight against this Flame-Chasers. The woman in front of her is showing a different kind of charm than usual, but Mei doesn't care. Perhaps this is Aponia's true nature.

"You say I ravage the soul? Since that's what you think, then I'm happy to admit that if you want the noble to sacrifice for your survival, you must first... abandon the base."

Golden butterfly wings carried Aponia high into the sky. In this state, Aponia was like a god. Unfortunately, Mei was no longer the little girl who feared gods. Divine radiance spread from the sky. Mei held her sword with both hands and struggled to support herself. Aponia was indeed not simple. From her tone, Mei could feel her deep disgust for mortals. At this moment, Mei also saw a different color in the sky.

This is... Griseo? Has she already used the color I gave her?

"What a petty trick... Is this the ugly state of a Herrscher struggling in the torrent? Such things... cannot be changed."

Aponia spoke casually, as if such a change was insignificant in her eyes. Mei had no more words left to say. Was this the power of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers of the Previous Era? It was hard to imagine that these people from the Previous Era, who were so powerful, could not survive the Honkai... Now was not the time to think about such things. It was still not enough. Although Griseo's help was unexpected, it was still not enough. If this continued, she would definitely be defeated.

"Oh, Mei, it's rare to see you in such a disheveled state. I bet you miss me a lot right now, don't you?"

A familiar voice rang out, and Mei's eyes widened in surprise. Several feather-shaped throwing knives shot down from the sky, blocking Aponia's attack route. Upon seeing the knives, Mei immediately recognized the person: Raven. Why was she here?

"Sorry, I finally convinced Klein... Don't struggle, or I'll throw you down. Just stay put... Not only me, but also a very useful reinforcement, Miss. You must survive."

Amidst the Raven's cries, Mei also heard Klein's struggling voice. It seemed her persuasion hadn't been as effective as she'd imagined. But that didn't matter; the most useful reinforcement she'd mentioned... could only be him.

"A real lightning strike!"

A bolt of blue lightning, as thick as a bucket, descended from the sky onto Aponia. It shone with golden light, and Shen Gonglin, in her Herrscher form, appeared beside Mei. This was the first time Shen Gonglin had used her Herrscher of Thunder form at full power. Her horns were identical to Mei's, and even her clothes had changed to a red and black style. Using her Herrscher of Thunder form to exercise her electromagnetic control ability made things twice as effective!

"Remember this, Miss, this time... you owe me another favor."

Physics convinced Klein, and the little guy finally brought him and Shen Gonglin to the place where Mei and Aponia were fighting. With two Herrscher of Thunder fighting together, and him assisting from the side, plus Griseo's support, even the Flame-Chasers would be defeated here!

"Thank you, you've been a great help! Shen Gonglin, attack with all your might!"

This was the moment she had been waiting for. Although she was alone when she was sent to the Deepest Place, Mei Shen Gonglin be able to get there. Now that he had finally come to her side, Mei's pressure was greatly reduced with his help. The girl took a deep breath and her gaze was firm. Her cooperation with Shen Gonglin was perfect. If this continued, defeating Flame-Chasers was not impossible.

"Mei, just focus on attacking with all your might, don't worry about anything else."

Lightning bolts swept across the entire area. Shen Gonglin's gaze was fixed on the large, golden, fluttering moth that darted through the lightning. At Shen Gonglin's signal, Mei, sword in hand, rushed towards Aponia. Facing Aponia's attacks, Mei neither dodged nor evaded. Shen Gonglin had his reasons for instructing her to do this. Sure enough, whenever an attack was about to strike, a golden aura would unfold around Mei, diverting the attack elsewhere. This was the power of the Herrscher of the Void... This girl can already use two Herrscher powers simultaneously?

As expected of him.

"One slash, and it's severed!"

With such support, Mei focused all her attention on the attack. The Key of Punishment shone with a sharp light, and with this strike, the golden butterfly wings on Aponia's back vanished into thin air. You lost, Aponia.

"I lost? Mei, did we really come here for the sake of winning or losing, Mei...? Do you still firmly believe that?"

As Aponia fell from the sky, she murmured these words softly. Then, Mei's mind jolted violently, as if glass had shattered. Everything around her changed. The previously devastated battlefield became as if nothing had happened. Aponia remained kneeling before her, praying as before. The sky was clear, devoid of Griseo's colors, and the Raven's cries had vanished, as if nothing had occurred...

No, it really happened. It wasn't my imagination. Shen Gonglin was still by my side, still in her Herrscher of Thunder form. But what was going on?

"Mei, welcome... to the Deepest Place in person."

The girl kneeling on the ground raised her head and looked at Mei gently. This contrast made Mei wonder if the "manic" Aponia she had seen earlier was really her. Had all of that just now... never happened at all?

Mei and Shen Gonglin looked at each other, wondering if what had just happened was an illusion.

"Mei, I told you, I wouldn't hurt you."

As if sensing Mei's confusion, Aponia gently comforted Mei, but the girl did not relax because of her demeanor. She had said that she would kill her in ten days, and Mei could not trust Aponia at all.

"Aponia... was that anger you just displayed just a facade?"

After a moment of contemplation, Mei asked the question. The current Aponia was completely different from the Aponia she had fought before. This made Mei wonder if everything she had seen before was a disguise, or rather, something Aponia wanted her to see. Flame-Chasers, what a nuisance.

Chapter 106

"How could I have lost my composure when it came to you? But... that wasn't an illusion, it was the real future. Now take out your weapon and come toward me, and everything you just saw will repeat itself. If you want to experience it again, I won't stop you."

With a warm smile on her face, Aponia gazed gently at Mei Shen Gonglin. Everything from the battle had disappeared, such as Griseo and Raven's help, but Shen Gonglin remained. Was this his special ability?

"In other words, I still fell into a trap. You avoided all possible accidents in such a simple way... You won, Aponia."

She didn't choose to try again. She had indeed expended considerable energy in the previous battle. Even if it was just an illusion, it felt far too real. If she were to try again, Mei couldn't guarantee a better result than the last time. Rin Shen Gonglin should still have sufficient fighting power, but as for herself... Mei gave up the chance to try again. This ability was simply too unfair.

"Please don't say that, Mei... We didn't come here for the sake of winning or losing. The arrangements were indeed beyond my expectations. That painting that appeared in the sky just now was Griseo's work. Was this your plan to inject a part of yourself into this battle in this way?"

When she recounted what had happened during the battle, although her tone remained unchanged, Mei felt that Aponia's voice had turned cold. After a moment of silence, the girl spoke truthfully.

"That wasn't a plan, it was just an accident. I... I was just fulfilling a promise to Griseo. I only realized what had happened when I saw it. It was just a series of coincidences. If any one link were missing, the situation wouldn't have happened. I'm not the kind of person who can calculate to that extent."

Although she is very intelligent, Mei knows that she is not the kind of person who can scheme against others to the core. She is not an Alto. However, the arrival of Shen Gonglin Jingu is indeed in Mei's plan. No matter what happens, he will be by her side. That's for sure.

Looking back at Shen Gonglin Mei's serious face melted into a smile, all thanks to him.

"Is that so? That's good. Defeating me... or even killing me, doesn't matter. But if you're deliberately using that child... even if it goes against my conscience or her expectations... I can only eliminate another Herrscher for future generations. You see, now that you've told the truth, stopping you has become much simpler, hasn't it?"

Aponia's words sent a chill down Mei. She didn't doubt the truth in what she said. If Mei truly used Griseo, Gretsch would be serious. What she had just said had also startled Mei. Griseo's previous assistance could only be considered accidental. Now, if Aponia was deliberately prepared in this regard and engaged in battle again, the balance of power would shift, and Mei might truly...

Gentle yet ruthless—that's how Mei perceives Aponia.

"Just kidding, please relax. You should understand that we have never been enemies. I know you still have some doubts, but... I do possess that extraordinary talent. However, just as you thought, the prophecy about you was just a test. The end is near, Mei, can you tell me why you are so determined to step into it?"

Seeing Mei become wary, Aponia gently tried to persuade Mei to relax, perhaps she wasn't good at joking? She seemed to have taken it seriously.

Mei moved closer to Mei Shen Gonglin make sure she could react immediately in a fight. She had no reason to hide anything from Aponia, and it seemed that she could communicate with her for the time being.

"At least as I set off, I still had doubts about the truth of the prophecy. But at the same time, I also confirmed something else, right when Elysia told me about your past experiences. I realized that even if you can see the destined ending, the process can still be changed."

Mei shared her insights, such as the time of death she had foreseen for that person. Although the person did die in the end, the manner of death was completely different from what she had predicted.

"So, in your opinion Mei... the result isn't important?"

"I believe it can be changed, and even if it can't... I want to decide for myself the process of reaching that outcome. My companions and I... for a long time, we were caught in a web of intrigue, manipulated by certain people in secret. Being arranged by others... and being arranged by fate, it seems to me no different. There are too many endings we cannot change, but there are just as many things I can do before that. And the ending will therefore take on a completely different meaning."

She poured out a lot to Aponia, explaining that she and her companions, including St. Freya, had ended up like this because they had been manipulated and arranged by others. For the sake of the Herrscher of the Void's resurrection, the former Archbishop of Schicksal had shattered the life that Mei cherished. And now that she had been manipulated enough, was she going to be manipulated by fate? Mei would never accept such a thing again.

"Mei, do you know that... someone once said the exact same thing to me? Back then... she too rushed headlong into an already predetermined ending. From beginning to end, I couldn't see her fate. So I thought things had taken a turn for the better, that she had achieved what I couldn't do in a way I didn't know. But as you know, the ending didn't change that once glorious civilization, and now even the sand can't be found."

Mei in front of her reminded Aponia of that person, but the ending remained unchanged; the Previous Era still perished.

"So... you've chosen to continue searching for answers in this Elysian Realm?"

Unable to convince Aponia with her own ideas, just as she couldn't convince herself, is that why Aponia remained in the Deepest Place?

"I choose to remember everything about that person, with the gifts God has given me. I record every moment of her life that intertwined with mine, and I carefully peruse it over the long years... I see how she survived, how she fought, how she walked through the mud, how she was crowned with thorns... attending her the Last Banquet in new attire. In her life, I discovered things I had previously overlooked."

As she recalled that person, a look of reminiscence appeared on Aponia's face. She was indeed a very special person.