Chapter 448

"Sorry to have troubled you again. Just consider this... another one of my capricious requests. It's alright, you have plenty of time to think about it, as long as you can tell me honestly before you leave. Even if it's just a simple 'I don't know'... as long as it comes from your heart, I can accept it, okay?"

Unwilling to continue making things difficult for them, Elysia took the initiative to step in and defuse the situation. Although she was also eager to know the answer, she couldn't make things difficult for others.

"... I understand. I will think about this matter seriously. However, I think no matter how long I think about it, my answer will not deviate from my consistent belief: you are exactly as I know you."

Mei doesn't need to think about this question for long; she can give her answer right now.

"The fact that I am here talking to you, touching your stories, and feeling your emotions does not change because you are memories. Your actions also affect me and shape me, just like everyone else I know. As long as I firmly believe this, your existence has meaning for me, doesn't it?"

Mei's response brought a relieved smile to Elysia. She looked at Shen Gonglin, Shen Gonglin nodded in agreement. Mei was truly Mei; she could say things she couldn't. She was such an incredible girl. So, it seems she really did steal her male lead role after all.

Damn it, Mei seems more like the male protagonist than I am.

Chapter 166 Yearning Yet Daring Not to Hope

"... Haha, thank you, Mei."

Mei's response brought a relieved smile to Elysia's face. As expected of Mei, this answer was exactly what Elysia had anticipated. But hearing her say that made Elysia truly happy. This was the meaning of her existence. As long as they remembered her, she would live on forever. This was what she had always wanted to see.

"I am so lucky to be able to meet you all in this way. You have given me... a gift that I have always longed for but dared not ask for."

Elysia spoke sincerely. Mei hadn't said anything yet, but Shen Gonglin had already lowered his head and fallen into a state of self-isolation. He felt that they were all so eloquent, which made him seem like the only one who was dull. Shen Gonglin also wanted to say something touching and meaningful, but due to his personality, he simply couldn't say it.

I really am a completely unqualified male lead.

"That's an exaggeration."

Mei smiled helplessly. Seeing Elysia regain her spirits, Mei felt much relieved. Witnesses come to witness, and reporters come to remember. For some reason, Mei always felt that there was something extremely profound in Elysia's eyes when she looked at her, but Elysia was unwilling to tell her what it was. But it didn't matter, just as she understood it.

You can always trust Elysia.

"Oh dear, after all this talking, it seems like it's getting dark, and... we still haven't figured out what that fog is all about. Looks like we'll have to wait until dawn. Shall we meet here again tomorrow morning?"

Mei was still deep in thought when Elysia noticed the darkening sky around them. Mei suddenly realized that it was indeed getting dark. Did this Elysian Realm even have the concept of darkness?

"Let's stop here for today. I'll find a way to open the path. Let's go together to that mist-shrouded island, to the site of that the Last Banquet, and then, together, witness... the birth and end of the Thirteenth Herrscher."

After saying that, Elysia waved to Shen Gonglin and Mei and then ran off on her own. Before Mei could call her back, the girl had already disappeared. Her personality was truly unpredictable. Mei could only look up at the darkening sky.

"It's really getting dark... How should I put it, this is very much in her style. After dawn, Elysia will find a way to dispel the fog on the island. Once we get there, we'll know everything that happened at that banquet, the truth about the Thirteenth Herrscher, and... the answers I'm seeking."

Before long, it got dark. Shen Gonglin and Mei sat in a corner of the square. After they were finally left alone, Mei said to Shen Gonglin that she had been in the Elysian Realm long enough, but now she was about to know the truth. Mei was indeed a little melancholy.

After all, after that... she would be leaving this place. Mei wasn't the kind of person who liked to reminisce or even dwell on the past, but the thought that after she left, everything here would become a memory, and those things that were still alive in her memory... were still there.

Will I leave this place?

Mei had never considered this question. Having entered as a successor, she should naturally leave as a successor as well; it was only natural. Mei hadn't even anticipated the possibility of returning like Raven. But from some point onward, reality seemed like a dream from yesterday. And this journey to find the past, and the memories she encountered along the way, had become...so real.

As the time for parting approaches, are she and they truly still just successors and those who inherit? What are they thinking as they bid farewell to one successor after another?

Did the girl who greeted him with a smile at the very beginning foresee this day?

Mei didn't know, and when faced with an unknown answer, her choice was always to seek it out. Rather than spending these last moments in reality, she would rather let herself experience Elysia's memories a little longer.

Having made such a decision, Mei suddenly felt a touch on her head. Shen Gonglin was gently stroking Mei's head. He could sense Mei's struggle, and he knew that Mei would eventually understand because she had always been strong, both in terms of strength and mindset. But being strong did not mean facing the storms alone. She was still here, wasn't she? Shen Gonglin always had the greatest confidence in himself.

If a story is imperfect, then use your own strength to make it perfect.

This is something Otto once proved to Shen Gonglin. That bishop did everything in his power to turn what he considered an imperfect story into the way he wanted it to be. Could Shen Gonglin be any worse than him? Obviously not.

"Thank you... Please walk with me, and while you're at it, let's feel these things that remain in Elysia's memories."

Sensing Shen Gonglin's heart, Mei looked up and smiled gently at him. Then, the girl stood up and took Shen Gonglin's hand. The Eternal Elysium, where night had fallen, seemed quite lively. The people from Elysia's memories were also chatting quietly nearby. It felt just like taking a walk in St. Freya at night before.

"Good evening, Shen Gonglin, Mei."

The two were strolling through this palace of memories when a familiar voice suddenly called out to them. Looking up, they saw a familiar figure standing to the side, whose upright and meticulous posture confirmed the person's identity.

"Hua? Good evening... It's evening. I didn't expect to see a normal day-night cycle in the Elysian Realm."

Seeing the person emerge from the shadows, Mei stopped and began to talk to her. This ordinary greeting seemed magical in the Elysian Realm. The alternation of day and night made it all the more unexpected for Mei to happen in the Elysian Realm.

"Yeah, I was surprised too. It's been a long time since I've seen such an ordinary night. It feels like returning to a long-lost daily routine. The war, the apocalypse, the memories... it all feels like a long dream. And... Shen Gonglin, what are you doing?"

Hua also made such a remark, but at that moment Hua noticed Shen Gonglin's actions. What was he doing?

Chapter 167 Do I Look Handsome?

Think about it carefully; that posture should be...

As Hua's gaze shifted from confusion to shame, Shen Gonglin performed a move that would make the girl faint on the spot. In Kosma's memory, Shen Gonglin had seen Elysia trick Hua into learning the Kamen Rider transformation moves. Shen Gonglin had memorized those moves and was planning to demonstrate them to the Class President when she got home. Now, demonstrating them in the Class President's memory first was quite a good idea.

"Look, am I handsome?"

She did it with such confidence and ease. With Shen Gonglin personality, doing such a move was second nature to her. Her cocky movements easily awakened the memories that Hua wanted to bury deep in her mind. Visibly, the girl's face turned red. How could Shen Gonglin know about this!

"Alright, I want to create this scene of day and night alternation, to make you feel this way, which may be one of Elysia's goals."

Mei was a little worried that Shen Gonglin would act like this in front of the person involved. She was afraid that Hua would get angry and beat Shen Gonglin up. The Hua in front of them now was not the Class President who had been tamed by Shen Gonglin. She might still be able to hit Shen Gonglin.

"...I'm sorry, I said some silly things. I was also fooled into doing some silly things before. I hope you don't mind."

Forcing herself to ignore what was happening with Jingu Shen Gonglin, Fu Hua focused on talking to Mei. Mei shook her head. Mind? Of course not.

"No, I understand. I guess that's just human nature. Only after experiencing turmoil and strife can one truly appreciate the value of the everyday. Eternal Elysium, what a beautiful place."

Mei couldn't possibly dwell on the fact that Elysia had tricked Hua into doing that. Mei focused her attention on Eternal Elysium and became increasingly convinced that this was Elysia's deliberate act. She always wanted the Flame-Chasers to enjoy life in places like this.

"Yes, apart from those elusive enemies, there doesn't seem to be any other danger... I wonder why Aponia hid this place?"

Fu Hua clenched her fists, forcing herself not to look in Shen Gonglin's direction. That guy was still in the same position as before, which reminded Fu Hua of how she had been deceived by Elysia in the past. Was it her fault for being too honest? Shen Gonglin and Mei said that she seemed to have lived in their era. After being washed by the years, she should have become incredibly smart and clever, right?

Hmm? Hua doesn't seem to know much about the secrets here. But I should be able to ask her about that matter...

"Hua Elysia told me something. She said... the Flame-Chasers system was never actually approved."

Mei knew that it was best to be straightforward when communicating with Hua, so she didn't beat around the Mei and asked directly. Hua looked extremely surprised and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm surprised that Elysia would tell you this. I thought... she was very bothered by it."

Elysia even told Mei about this. She really does do things that are hard to imagine.

"She did care a lot, but she still told me, so I chose to believe her."

"I see. Then it seems... she thinks you have the right to know everything. I'm sorry, out of respect for her, neither I nor anyone else can tell you this."

Knowing that Elysia trusted Mei. She didn't mean to not tell Mei about this, but she thought that Elysia cared a lot about this matter, so in order not to touch her scars, she and the other Flame-Chasers did not mention it. But now that Elysia had told Mei, she no longer needed to hide it.

"It's nothing. I'm just a little curious why this system was rejected so thoroughly, without any room for maneuver?"

Mei certainly wouldn't have any opinion about Flame-Chasers because of this. In fact, in her opinion, the fact that Flame-Chasers kept quiet about it showed that they were more humane. And now that she knew, they didn't need to hide it from her anymore.

Speaking of which, Shen Gonglin is still maintaining that posture. Doesn't he get tired? Or does he think that being tired is a matter for a while, but whether he can stimulate Hua is a matter for a lifetime?

"Huh, didn't she tell you what happened next? The Flame-Chasers did indeed reject the initial proposal... but later, they came up with a compromise. The Five Flame-Chasers, consisting of five people who passed the review, will continue to promote the Flame-Chasers system envisioned by Elysia."

He then recounted the aftermath of that incident, something Mei didn't know: who were the five people who initially passed the test?

"It's Elysia, Kevin, Vill-V, Sue, and me, but Elysia is adamant about not compromising. She said if it's not all of them, she'd rather have none at all. I think... this is probably because those outside of the Five Flame-Chasers have already faced more criticism, and Elysia wants to fight for their rights."

Perhaps because she was too honest, Hua told Mei everything after learning that Elysia had told her about it. According to the compromise proposal from the higher-ups, they should first establish the Five Flame-Chasers and then continue to develop. She was one of the five people whose proposal was approved.

"Wait a minute, those five people you mentioned... even Eden was rejected?"

Mei was quite surprised by these five choices. To be honest, apart from Vill-V, Mei found the other five choices to be expected, because they were all relatively normal people, much better than the likes of Mobius and Aponia. But why wasn't Eden among them?

Is she not normal? Mei thinks Eden is much better than Vill-V.

"... I'm also very puzzled, but the reason given by the Flame-Chasers is that there's no need for someone without a future. She's clearly more qualified than me."

Hua also had many questions about this matter. In Hua's opinion, Eden was definitely more qualified to become Flame-Chasers than herself, but she was one of the first five people to be nominated and approved, while Eden was excluded. It was really strange.

"Don't belittle yourself like that, Hua. You are also a hero in name only."

Mei didn't agree with the girl's modesty. Whether it was Hua in the past or the current Class President, they were both very reliable and respectable people in Mei's heart. It's just that their ability to educate and cultivate people might be a little problematic. Let's not talk about the Mount Tai Xu incident for now. Even Shen Gonglin, whom she is currently under the supervision of, has been raised to have the habit of being a subservient person. Maybe the Class President really isn't good at teaching people.

Chapter 168 The Person Who Gathered Everyone Together

"This... I am truly flattered."

Unexpectedly, Mei lowered her head somewhat embarrassed, feeling that she was still far from being good enough. However, Mei said that being recognized is always a happy feeling, because it is proof of all her hard work.

"By the way, I've already heard the reasons why Chakravartin, Mobius, and Aponia were rejected. What about the others... For example, what about Sakura? Wasn't she always working for the Flame-Chasers?"

The question might have been raised by others, but Sakura wasn't even among the first group to pass the proposal. She's a pretty normal girl, after all. Mei couldn't understand why Flame-Chasers would reject her. She seized this opportunity to get an answer from Mei Fu Hua.

"The Poison Cocoon participated in the early power struggles of the Flame-Chasers, and some people in the decision-making circle still have connections with her in the past. Having witnessed the sharpness of the blade, they are even more afraid of the possibility of that blade being held to their own throats."

When Mei was told this inside story, the girl nodded knowingly. As the former young lady of ME Company, Mei naturally knew about this kind of thing and could imagine Sakura's situation.

"What about Kosma...? It can't be because of his appearance, can it?"

"His physical condition has never been ideal, and no one can say for sure when Vishnu's influence will completely corrupt Kosma's mind... This makes him a fearsome figure."

So that's the reason. Although she didn't know what to say, Mei had to admit that this reason for refusing didn't seem to have any problems, at least it was irrefutable.

"And then there's Griseo. Although her transformation contains some unknown power, she herself is just a simple child."

It's as if Mei has also projected herself into the roles of those unrecognized Flame-Chasers, and without realizing it, she wants to stand up for them. Not to mention Chakravartin, Aponia, and Mobius, but Griseo ...

"It was precisely because she was too naive that her power became even more uncontrollable, and the child... that was also a problem. As for Pardofelis... the person who made the decision probably had never even heard of her. Before that tragedy, Pardofelis was just one of many second-stage Flame-Chaser, with no war achievements to speak of. No one in the higher-ups of Chasing Fire even knew who she was."

When Mei explained why the two girls weren't selected, her expression became subtle. Griseo 'Mei situation, but the reason Pardofelis wasn't selected was a bit... well, let's just say it was because Mei was in logistics. But the real reason... was Pardofelis unexpected and perfectly logical.

The girl said that she always deliberately completed the tasks at the last minute, giving others the impression that she was weak, so that no one would give her tasks and she could slack off. It was understandable that she would be treated this way.

"As you can see, the name of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers has been passed down. Upon closer examination, many of the things she did were simply for the sake of ritual, rank, imprints, and even the Golden Courtyard used as a council hall. Not everyone was willing to follow her lead, but in the end, everyone complied with her. It might sound strange to say that... but the things Elysia organized us to do were quite interesting."

At this point, Hua's face showed a faint smile. Perhaps because the girl had been keeping a straight face, the smile was particularly noticeable on her face. At this moment, she seemed to be recalling many interesting things from the past. However, when she saw that Shen Gonglin was still in the same posture, the girl's face darkened again. Of course, this did not include the kind of thing she had done to fool herself.

"I don't know if she achieved her goal of loving each other, but no one should be completely unmoved by her enthusiasm. From that perspective, she has succeeded. Whether it's out of understanding, genuine need, or simply cooperation... Although the Flame-Chasers system has never been officially approved, we all acknowledge our own Flame-Chasers identity to some extent. At least, we won't deny it in front of her."

They spoke their true feelings. The Thirteen Flame-Chasers of the Flame-Chasers had united everyone because of Elysia. That girl had bound everyone together in a way that only she could do.

"Everyone... that's already a remarkable thing."

Mei nodded in agreement. Each of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers had their own unique personality, and for Elysia to be able to do such a thing was unimaginable. Elysia was indeed no ordinary person.

"This sense of identity and belonging is, to some extent, a kind of redemption. A kind of... redemption from losing hope and the future."

I don't know what others think, but that's what Hua thinks, and Mei agrees. Given her personality, this might actually be her goal.

"Perhaps this is exactly what she wanted."

"I don't know. I don't quite understand what she's thinking, but... she truly treats everyone around her with sincerity. Always."

Mei hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement with Elysia's assessment. She did indeed think so; it seemed she had always thought so. The girl looked up and sighed softly. At this moment, the moon was obscured by clouds, and the Eternal Elysium welcomed the night. She hadn't expected to feel the atmosphere of the night here; it was truly a novel experience.

"... Shen Gonglin, can you stop this position? Putting aside how it feels to me, aren't you sleepy...?"

Feeling that Shen Gonglin could keep this up if she didn't say anything, Hua could only sigh in defeat. Shen Gonglin was trying to embarrass her by posing like that, and now that she had given him his wish, she could consider it enough.

"Whether I'm sleepy or not, I really think this pose is cool. Hua, you should do it with me too. Mei, you come too... Don't look so disgusted. Listen to me, do it with me."

Mei Shen Gonglin invited her enthusiastically. As always, she was capricious. Anyway, Mei was her person, and she would agree to whatever pose she wanted to be.

"...I see."

To Hua's astonishment, the dashing Mei actually did that with Shen Gonglin! What was going on? Was she spoiling Shen Gonglin too much? If it were her, she would never let Shen Gonglin act so recklessly.

Chapter 169 The Past, Already Known

In the Elysian Realm Archives, Sakura silently held the documents printed from the typewriter. The words on them pulled her memories back to a long time ago, so long ago that... at least tens of thousands of years ago.

"Are you ready to go, Sakura?"

The sudden sound made the girl tense and prick up her ears, but she relaxed after realizing that it was Elysia.

Yes. I told Ling the meeting point, and we'll set off separately... I'll act as bait to shake off the pursuers.

This sounds like a very risky plan...

There's no time to devise a safer plan; I have no choice but to take the plunge. Are you alright, though?

[Me? Do you mean I'll miss you? Of course, it's important.]

The woman's voice was as playful and cute as ever, which soothed Sakura's mood somewhat; she was still herself.

[You told me that Rin had been identified as the Twelfth Herrscher. If we were to disappear... you would likely be suspected and even held accountable.]