Because she was born a Herrscher / Elysia: This is way too embarrassing, aaah!

The gate, which was once so close, began to gradually recede into the distance.

"Is it because my memory is insufficient, or...?"

"It's the Herrscher of Corruption... She's still trying to influence the plan."

Without a doubt, the eye patterns that appeared around them confirmed the identity of the disruptor.

After all, this supplement was not perfect, and with the strength of the Herrscher of Corruption, there was naturally an opportunity to exploit it.

This is another problem in the plan: can Elysia's long life really be fully revealed in just a few months of memories?

The answer is obvious: no.

So...

"Ah, lovely human, I've finally found you!"

The Fairy Elysia's voice came from in front of them.

"Honestly, you all promised to take me with you when you played hide-and-seek, but you all ran away, and we've been looking for you for ages!"

"Us...?"

Mei and Kiana exchanged a glance. At that moment, they finally understood what the last of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, Eden, was in charge of.

"That's right, and I have my helper too. Look, she's right here!"

The hazy gray fog was instantly dispelled by a burst of light, and the world before their eyes returned to pure white once more.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Miss Mei."

Eden was sitting in front of them, with the Fairy Elysia floating beside him.

Behind her was the door that the two of them had been searching for.

Just as the two had guessed, Eden's purpose was indeed to use his memories to complete Elysia.

But in a world made up of memories, this also means...

"It means I will always be a part of Elysia... Isn't that a very romantic thing?"

Eden smiled beautifully.

"I am not afraid of any form of death. To me, life is just a long drama."

"As long as you can take your final bow at the most appropriate time and in the most beautiful way, your performance will be perfect."

"This... is also her wish."

Eden opened her hands, and two streams of light, one gold and one purple, flew out from her hands.

Those were two crystal flowers, and also the remaining two [keys].

The two hadn't forgotten that the four crystal flowers were the necessary collectibles to unlock the Ending 4, while the crystal standee fragments were the necessary collectibles for the Ending 5.

"Four crystal flowers, four keys..."

"Sharing the same past..."

Inside the backpack, two crystal flowers, one blue and one black, also radiated a bright glow.

Chapter 107 Because of her, she was born a Herrscher

The biggest secret of the Elysian Realm is not Elysia's own memories; in fact, the two of them had suspected this before.

After all, the memory system has its limitations. After Elysia went to that final banquet, she couldn't possibly come back to synchronize her memories again. Therefore, the memories of that banquet must belong to the other attendees.

"So... these four crystal flowers actually represent four people who attended that banquet?"

"That's right. That banquet was a farewell that Elysia prepared for herself. She arranged everything for the banquet, including her final moments as Herrscher."

Eden nodded gently, looking at the four floating crystal flowers with a complicated expression.

"Now, the four crystal flowers have gathered, representing that the custodians of the secret have all acknowledged your will."

"Then... it's time to bring everything back to light."

The light from the four crystal flowers shone brightly, and Eden's body began to gradually emit tiny specks of light—those were her memories.

The final step in bringing Elysia back is being completed, and the greatest secret of the Elysian Realm is constantly flowing into the gate behind Eden amidst the shifting light.

Without a doubt, as long as they push open that door, they can find Elysia and learn the secret of that banquet.

But... this stage is not over yet.

Because... Xia Ling had prepared a "big gift" for them next.

"Eden, can you answer a question for me?"

The story continues, causing Mei and Kiana, who were about to walk towards the door, to stop in their tracks.

From their perspective, Eden is not able to "talk freely," so they certainly wouldn't ask that question like in the original work. Therefore, Xia Ling chose to have Mei ask the question in the story.

"Of course, Miss Mei, the rest of my life belongs to you."

There's something I just can't understand...

"As the Fire Moth were shattered and she herself faced doubt and annihilation, Elysia volunteered to become the Thirteenth Herrscher, standing against humanity, in order to unite the remaining members..."

"This is the history I deduced from fragments of information about the Elysian Realm."

"But... is that really the case?"

"Regardless of how she chooses to become Herrscher and how she uses a sacrifice to make people repent, if this is Elysia's true ending, then why is the Thirteenth Herrscher a piece of history that has been erased?"

As Mei asked her question in the story, everyone, including the two people beside her and the crowd outside the trial, couldn't help but prick up their ears.

Everyone already knew that there was a significant difference between the Herrscher of the Previous Civilization and those of the current civilization.

One of the most important points is that among the Herrscher of the Previous Civilization, apart from Rin who remained in the current civilization and the mysterious Elysia, the other Herrscher seem to lack a sense of self, or rather... humanity.

As for this question... whether you ask Xia Ling or Elysia, they will only shake their heads with a mysterious smile.

Now, part of this secret is finally about to be revealed.

However, this answer... seems to differ somewhat from their guess.

"Thirteen is a false number."

Eden's voice carried a hint of sadness.

"She told the world a lie, just so that on her deathbed, she could tell the truth to the people she loved."

"The second of the Flame-Chasers, Elysia, the One Who Insignia of True Self, this girl who deeply loves everyone..."

"She was born a Herrscher."

As Eden finished speaking, a moment later, everyone—from Mei and Kiana standing to the side, to Theresa outside the trial, and even the three in the preparation area—fell into an unspoken silence.

The truth was quite unexpected, and it was an answer they had never imagined.

"Elysia... was a Herrscher from the very beginning?"

Kiana's voice trembled slightly.

"In other words, in the Previous Civilization era when Herrscher were absolute enemies, she... endured the loneliness and torment of being Herrscher, and... deeply loved humanity?"

As the person who spent the most time with Elysia among them, she had been quite curious about this mysterious person who appeared next to Xia Ling.

Of course, this curiosity is not the kind of curiosity that involves suspicion, but rather a simple curiosity about her past, about what kind of past would have shaped her into such a person.

Because her lucidity in Sirin's dream was accidental, she was able to observe more details.

For example... Elysia is quite concerned about her conversations with Sirin and Xia Ling. Apart from Xia Ling herself, the conversations are basically about the two of them.

At the time, Kiana took this unusual treatment as simply a form of care.

For example, Elysia is very curious about the stories behind every Herrscher in the current civilization, and once pestered Bronya for a long time to ask about the history of Anti-Entropy.

However, they also took this as curiosity about the outside world.

And now it seems... all the doubts, all the differences, have ultimately become a boomerang hitting my heart because of this truth.

[That's true... I really did tell a huge lie, the only lie in my entire life.]

After all, I get scared too.

I wonder how I performed, and what everyone will think of me?... Judging from their reactions, the result should be good, right?

Otherwise... there wouldn't be Elysia in the Elysian Realm.

Looking back on those casual conversations from the past, it becomes clear that she had already revealed the answer.

Kiana felt her eyes sting a little. Unlike the sadness she felt before when Flame-Chasers left, this time it was a heartache from the bottom of her heart.

Or rather, it's a feeling of sadness for that innocent girl, and regret for all the speculations he had made.

And this feeling wasn't unique to her.

"Hmm... Xia Ling."

Elysia glanced at the split screen outside, then gently tugged at Xia Ling's sleeve.

"Is Theresa really alright?"

As one of the most "steadfast" doubters of Elysia, Theresa's feelings at this moment are easy to imagine.

"This is indeed a situation she's never encountered before. After all, she's someone who blames herself very easily. Judging from the later plot, she blamed herself for a long time simply because she didn't recognize Durandal..."

Looking at Theresa's appearance, Xia Ling couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. "How about... I go and comfort Theresa after they enter the Fifth Floor?"

"Then, shall I go with you, Lu Y958 Lin Si Ling K Wu Ling Meng?"

"Huh?" Xia Ling was taken aback. "Didn't you say before that you would personally accompany the characters on the Fifth Floor, which is about your past and the amusement park?"

"You can do two things at once!"

Elysia winked playfully.

"Beautiful girl, you can do anything!"

Chapter 108 Elysia: This stuff is way too embarrassing!

As the last question was answered, the door in front of Kiana and Mei slowly opened.

Once they cross this door, they will learn the whole truth and see everything about that banquet.

"Let's go..."

Perhaps because the answer to the previous question was too shocking, both of them felt a complex and inexplicable feeling.

But what they didn't know was... there was something even bigger behind them.

As we passed through the gate, the four crystal flowers emitted light together.

They intertwined, combined, and finally... transformed into an invitation.

[Unsent Invitation]

[This allows the Fifth Floor to enter a special level— Flawless Elysian Realm —and leads the exploration to different endings.]

I believe that since human civilization nurtured me, I can certainly make it bloom again... a flawless and eternal flower.

Of course, Kiana and Mei didn't notice this at the time.

Because... their attention was completely captivated by the banquet.

This memory has not yet appeared in images, only in crystal flowers of different colors and fragments of sound, but this does not prevent them from feeling the deep sorrow of the person involved.

For example... Kevin.

"As for Kevin, I don't have much to tell you."

"You are a true hero, the undisputed leader of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers."

"If there is one person who can support humanity toward a future without Honkai, then... that person must be you."

"However, I have one last request, which is about that question you've consistently refused to answer..."