Chapter 453

"...Um, I'm sorry, I was a little too impulsive just now."

After calming herself down, Mei realized that her behavior earlier was indeed a bit willful, although she didn't regret it.

"It's okay. Emotions are called emotions precisely because they are uncontrollable. People who can always control their emotions are the scary ones. Mei, you've done a great job. Just keep doing it."

Shen Gonglin tiptoed and patted Mei's head. Mei also showed a docile expression. Shen Gonglin was the epitome of both salty and sweet. Sometimes he could make people so angry that their livers would hurt, but sometimes Mei needed him to comfort her. The seriousness on the girl's face slowly melted away, but just then, Shen Gonglin noticed that Mei's expression became a little stiff, or rather... awkward.

What's wrong?

"Su is watching from over there."

Mei whispered, while trying to move her head away from Shen Gonglin's hand. Although it felt good to act cute towards Shen Gonglin, it was really embarrassing to be discovered. It was so shameful.

"Ah... it's okay, he can't see it."

Shen Gonglin followed Mei's gaze and turned to look. Flame-Chasers, with his eyes closed, was standing there. Shen Gonglin didn't care about such things. He whispered to Mei, feeling a bit pressured, as if he were bullying a blind person.

"What I can see..."

Su spoke up. He had been observing for a while, and now he had finally managed to break free from the continuous observation. However, the confusion in his heart was getting deeper and deeper. If the condition for becoming an enlightened being is a moment of enlightenment that happens to leap out of the sea of thoughts, then is the self still indispensable for seeking answers?

Sue did not know the answer, and then he met these two visitors. He felt it necessary to explain that although he kept his eyes closed, he could actually see.

"Su, you've been showing surprise more and more lately, Su."

After escaping from Shen Gonglin's clutches, Mei composed herself and began talking to Su. As long as she wasn't embarrassed, it was others who would feel awkward.

"After all, it's difficult to be distracted for the time being. You've already been to the place where the records are kept?"

Sue, with her personality, certainly wouldn't delve too deeply into anything. There were clearly more important matters at hand now. Mei, Shen Gonglin, and Kevin had said they were going to the archives to investigate, but now only Mei and Shen Gonglin had come...

"Hmm. But the typewriter... it had already been destroyed before we got there. And whoever did it left no clues."

He shared the information he knew with Su. Su raised his hand to his chin, and sure enough, strange phenomena appeared there as well, or rather, that was where the strange phenomena first appeared.

"Sure enough, where is Kevin?"

When Mei asked about her friend's plans, Mei expression turned unhappy again as soon as he was mentioned.

"He said some strange things, and he seems about to do something strange, just like before... Also, Su, what did you mean by 'as expected'?"

Unwilling to continue discussing Kevin's matter, Mei felt quite disappointed with everything he was doing as the leader. Mei keenly sensed the problem in Su's words; he had just said "as expected," which meant the changes in the archives were all within his prediction. Mei wanted to know how Su had arrived at that conclusion.

Chapter 181 Spiritual Dependence

"In my observation, everything that happened in the archives last night appeared stagnant or missing, impossible to explore... as if space itself had been frozen at that time."

Sue shared his observations with Mei: the description of frozen space felt strangely familiar to Mei, just like that man.

"Freezing space—besides that man, who else could do that?"

Mei raised her question, and there were too many answers to that question. Freezing space is not something that only ice-type abilities can do, or rather, that statement is just a symbol. It seems that Mei now considers Kevin as the culprit for any bad thing that might happen.

He's not the cancer of the world.

"Too many, Mobius, Aponia, and even... me."

"... That is indeed a bit much."

Mei knew from just a few examples of people who could do this that the chances of locking down a suspect based on this alone were extremely slim. Su also started to use his perception at this time. For someone like him who was a mentalist, perception was the most convenient way to synchronize information.

In Su's hand, the floating new leaf suddenly rippled out a faint ripple, which disappeared in an instant after entering his eyes. From this, he also deduced what Shen Gonglin and the others had found in the archives.

"Elysia is dead, and there's also Sakura's matter... It seems that this is all you've seen."

"Hmm, the same scheme is scattered all over there. Has something similar happened before?"

Since Su already knew, Mei didn't need to waste her breath explaining the matter in the archives to him. Mei wanted to find out if this had happened before, and if so, there should be a solution.

"Never has there been, and the typewriters you have ever seen have never recorded any information other than the facts."

Sue's answer made Mei's heart sink again. She had never recorded any information that was not true. So, did that mean that Elysia was really dead?

Mei closed her eyes. Just thinking about this possibility made her heart ache terribly. Shen Gonglin Mei her hand and gently tightened her grip. The awakened girl closed her eyes and adjusted her mindset. Now was not the time to accept this "reality." Mei had to experience any conclusion for herself before she would believe it.

"Putting aside whether the chain of evidence is conclusive, Sue, do you really believe this kind of thing could happen? That Elysia..."

Mei rallied her spirits; she couldn't believe things had turned out this way, but Sue spoke in such a way.

"Isn't what we call facts precisely what we are unwilling to accept, yet powerless to refute? Every visitor has their own limits, whether it's Elysia or me, no one is an exception. Perhaps you should try other types of assistance."

Sue's words didn't really affect Mei much; it was something she'd already thought of. Mei did indeed have this plan. Currently, it seemed that Klein, and even the Kevin in reality, could offer her significant help in this matter, but...

"Before that, I wanted to hear Flame-Chasers's opinion on this. In any case, I was certain that the answer I was looking for lay with Elysia, and just as I was about to reach it... everything fell apart. This made me feel like I had been fooled by some unknown force. And I have been unable to tolerate this kind of fooling for a long time."

Thinking of certain things she had experienced in the past, Mei clenched her fists. It was because she didn't want to be fooled like this anymore that she had come to this point. Therefore, she was determined to do it.

"I understand... So, visitors, would you mind if I accompanied you? Of course, in a different way than Kevin, as I will still apply my thinking to observation."

Having made this suggestion, Su wanted to explore this matter with them in a way that Kevin had used before, because only in this way could she help them find the truth.

"Is another way your unique spiritual connection?"

"Hmm. I believe this will at least provide you with some minor assistance along the way. And... rest assured, I will not spy on you in any way; I will merely attach myself to the surface of your mind."

Sue explained it this way, and Mei didn't disbelieve Sue's actions. In Mei's mind, his reputation was much stronger than that of Aponia, Mobius, and Vill-V. But why would he do this? Mei didn't understand. With Sue's abilities, he didn't need to establish a mental link with her at all, and he didn't need this exploration process.

"But what's the point of this for you? You... don't need this so-called visiting process at all."

"No, as a doctor, taking a patient's history is an essential skill. Believe me, visitors, these psychic-sensory Flame-Chaser are most effective when they are facing humans."

Su explained it this way, but there was one more thing he didn't mention: there was always a lack of synchronization between Flame-Chasers, which was why he had to spare a sliver of his energy to accompany Mei in exploring this process.

"Okay, I understand."

Mei hesitated for a moment before nodding in acceptance. Then, without knowing what Su did, she nodded slightly a moment later.

"I hope this doesn't bother you, visitor."

Is that all? The mental link has been established? It feels like he hasn't done anything at all.

"Is this what a mental link is? I can't feel anything."

She had already left Su, but his voice could still echo in her head. Shen Gonglin's spirit could not attach itself to him, so only Mei could have this feeling, which seemed quite strange.

This technology was originally intended to manipulate the bodies of comrades who were no longer fit to fight. However, I was never able to directly control Herrscher as powerful as you, so it remains indifferent to your image.

Controlling the bodies of comrades who can no longer fight... Upon hearing Su's explanation, Mei felt a sense of unease. This seemed to be the Shen Gonglin in the games that Rin occasionally played. It shouldn't be what she was thinking, otherwise... it was really too strange.

"Alright, I will continue to explore. Next, I need to find the other Flame-Chasers and ask them about the situation. There are things I want to know."

Since spiritual dependence wouldn't bring any negative effects, Mei stopped dwelling on the matter. After saying goodbye to Su, Mei continued on her way. The Flame-Chasers ahead was her next target for battle.

Chapter 182 If I'm Gone

Searching for the traces of Flame-Chasers in the Elysian Realm, Mei quickly found her target ahead. A gorgeous and elegant woman was leaning against the wall, gazing into the distance. In her hand, she held a golden wine glass. Seeing her was like smelling the rich aroma of wine. Eden, it was not unexpected to meet her here. She and Elysia had a very good relationship. Perhaps she could get some information from her.

[Visitors, please be mindful of your approach. Kevin said he doesn't want anyone else to know about this...]

Su's voice echoed in Mei's mind. This Flame-Chasers reminded Mei of this, but the Herrscher girl's actions surprised him greatly. Flame-Chasers walked up to Eden and started talking to him, and the content of her words... Su felt Mei had not taken Kevin's words to heart at all.

"Eden, have you... seen Elysia?"

Isn't this a bit too direct? Sue was a little flustered. Did she really take Kevin's words to heart, or was he doing this on purpose? But this kind of action would be more appropriate for Rin Shen Gonglin. Raiden Mei isn't the type of person to do something like this.

It's alright, I know what to do.

Because Su was one of the few people in the Elysian Realm who was willing to help her, Mei reassured Su in her mind that everything was going according to plan.

"Huh? Mei... what are you talking about? You know what to do... why did you still come to me?"

Eden was quite drunk. The woman, with her golden eyes wide open, looked at Mei with some confusion. It had been a long time since she had had this kind of dialogue with her inner self. Ever since the Queen of Thunder gave her all her power, making her a true Herrscher of Thunder, Mei hadn't had this experience. So, she had unconsciously blurted out her conversation with Su earlier, and Eden had overheard it. How embarrassing!

"Uh...that was...referring to something else. I have some questions for Elysia, but she seems to have disappeared. I've searched many places."

Slightly embarrassed, Eden quickly changed the subject, thankfully Mei seemed a bit tipsy. Hearing Mei's words, the elegant woman raised her glass to the distance, as if inviting someone to drink with her, or perhaps Eden was simply raising a glass to the scenery.

"Isn't this... natural? Eternal Elysium is her paradise. If she wants to be alone for a while, no one can find her. We all crave solitude sometimes, don't we?"

Good, it seems Eden didn't notice anything amiss. Seeing Eden's reaction, Mei breathed a sigh of relief. However, in the situation she described, Elysia's disappearance was quite natural.

Has this happened before?

"More than once. Elysia ... she's very concerned about how everyone will feel when she's not around. I once saw her hunched over her desk, deep in thought... and when I asked her what she was doing, she said..."

I want to write a long letter that everyone who reads it will remember me by.

As if recalling Elysia from that time, a nostalgic smile appeared on Eden's flawless face. A long letter that anyone who reads it would feel nostalgic—could it be the "Memorial on Dispatching the Troops"?

Shen Gonglin had no reason to think that.

"If you can't find her, Mei, maybe Elysia is secretly watching this place from somewhere, wanting to see how much people miss her?"

Eden seemed quite optimistic. Seeing Flame-Chasers like this, Mei was even less willing to tell her what she had discovered. Perhaps, as they said, Elysia was hiding somewhere, secretly watching this place, seeing how anxious people were about her disappearance. Even Mei couldn't help but think that way at this moment.

"Then... Eden. What if Elysia really disappears completely? I mean, what if."

After carefully considering her words, Mei tentatively asked, wanting to know what Eden's answer would be if such a situation were to occur.

After a long silence, Eden's lips moved, but she didn't answer immediately, or perhaps... her voice was absorbed into the silence. There was a kind of attraction emanating from her, visible to the naked eye, difficult to describe, but Mei felt it nonetheless.

This languid singer was once a warrior in the distant past.

"... Looks like I'm drunk, how embarrassing. Mei, in my opinion... that kind of assumption is simply impossible."

After saying that, Eden closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, gently swirling the golden wine glass in her hand. This drunkard seemed a little unsuitable for conversation in this state, but thankfully, Mei had already gotten the answer she wanted from her.

"It seems that's true. In that case, Eden, you should rest well. I'll go look for Elysia's whereabouts elsewhere."

After saying goodbye to Eden, Mei pulled Shen Gonglin away. She was worried that if she didn't, Jingu Shen Gonglin would secretly drink Eden's sake and reveal everything. It seemed Eden truly didn't know. So, which Flame-Chasers should she go looking for next...?

"Hey! Class President... Pshaw! Hua!"

Just as Mei was considering this matter, Shen Gonglin saw Hua passing by in the distance. After hearing Shen Gonglin's voice, Hua turned her head and stared. Then, the girl nimbly flipped and jumped over the garden fence. To be honest, looking at Hua running in front of her and Shen Gonglin, Mei suddenly had a bad feeling.

If it had a tail, it would look even more like one.

Shen Gonglin came running the moment she called... it really felt like she was a loyal dog. Whether it was this Hua or the Class President Fu Hua that Mei knew, they both gave Mei that feeling. No, no, she had to treat Hua with respect.

"Shen Gonglin, Mei, what are you doing here?"

Feeling that Mei was looking at her strangely, Hua tilted her head, somewhat puzzled. However, the girl wasn't one to dwell on such things, and it was quite unexpected to run into them here. It seemed like they had something to do; could she help them?

"It's nothing... Could I take up some of your time, Hua?"

How could Mei possibly tell Hua that she had just imagined her as Shen Gonglin's loyal dog? Mei shook her head. Perhaps she could get some information from Hua.

Chapter 183 Differential Treatment

"Please go ahead, time is not important to us."

"I remember... you periodically delete some unnecessary memories of yourself. But given your current state, doesn't that also mean... you're losing a part of yourself every time?"

Knowing that Hua was doing such a thing, even though she hadn't experienced it with the Class President, Shen Gonglin had talked to her about it. Fifty thousand years of memories would be too heavy for people to move forward, so the Class President would do this, burning her memories and such. It sounded incredibly heavy, and if she could, Mei didn't want to bring it up.

However, it seems that the current Class President no longer has such worries?

"Mei, I don't quite understand what you mean. Memories are proof that a person has lived. For everyone in reality, it's also equivalent to losing a part of themselves."

He raised his hand and tapped his forehead with his finger. Not only in his current state, but for everyone, whether in the Elysian Realm or reality, losing a part of one's memories is equivalent to losing a part of oneself.

"...Excuse me, but what about those deleted memories?"

"Completely disappeared, and can never be found again."

Fu Hua's answer was concise and to the point, but it wasn't the answer Mei had hoped for. Was there no possibility of getting it back?

"What would happen if... you deleted all your memories at once?"

Mei raised the question, but this time Hua didn't answer immediately. The girl looked at the Herrscher before her, her quick thinking prompting her to consider many things. Mei's current state was somewhat off, and this unease was likely because...

"Mei... something happened, right?"

I didn't expect Hua to be so sensitive. Well, it's understandable that she would think of that, but even so, I can't tell her directly.

"Um... I'm sorry, for some reasons I can't tell you the truth, but I won't hide anything from you, except for the fact that I'm hiding something."

That's all I can say. I do have something to hide from her, but I can't tell her the specifics. If it were Hua, she would probably understand.

"... I understand. Regarding that question... if all memories are erased, all traces of me here will also disappear. For any Flame-Chasers who has sacrificed himself, this means that the last thing he left behind in the world will also cease to exist."