They All Said This Wasn't a Life Simulation Game! Section 18

Elysia sat up straighter, stretching slightly to ease her body, and said softly.

"But, I am quite curious, you know? After all, seeing the two of you always together, never separating even when carrying out missions… Everyone would not be surprised to suddenly receive your wedding invitation one day, just like Hen and Blanca."

Hen was a captain of the [Anti-Honkai Squad], a colleague of Elysia's, and Blanca was once an assistant to a doctor named Mobius in the [Fire Moth Research Department]. They were one of the rare couples in [Moth to Fire].

"My relationship with Xi Wang is a little more complicated than you think, and as for the kind of relationship you're imagining…"

Sakura thought for a moment and finally shook her head.

"It wasn't before, it isn't now, and in the future… it probably won't be."

"Elysia, you knew Xi Wang before, right?"

Without giving Elysia a chance to ask further, Sakura took the initiative to ask.

"He values you highly, because of something that happened in the past… right? So… can you tell me?"

"...Didn't he tell you?"

"He doesn't say, and I don't ask. Besides, he often says his past is no longer important and doesn't seem to care much, but I know he still values a few things from his past… one of them is you, Elysia."

"Is that so… Then it's not something I can't talk about."

Elysia sighed, placing her hand gently on her chest as if to soothe her surging emotions.

"After all… he's one of the few people I couldn't help…"

Elysia said softly, recounting her time with Xi Wang in a gentle voice.

Whether it was dealing with that detestable priest, the wounds Xi Wang had left, or the process of helping Xi Wang alongside Father Enrique later on – although it ultimately failed.

She recounted all of this.

"I see…"

After listening, Sakura was silent for a moment, then smiled with some relief.

She could understand why Xi Wang had abandoned his original name. Even if it was just discarding one character, the meaning contained within it was completely different.

It was like the somewhat amusing homophone pun name "Xi Wang (Hope)," which indeed made people laugh, and they would even advise others to "change to a more normal name." But that was because most people felt that the name "Xi Wang (Hope)" was too heavy, and most people couldn't bear the meaning it carried. However, if the person himself was willing to accept the name, others would just smile and let it pass. Even if he changed his name later, it would be natural – at least for others.

But for the person who bore that name, changing it held a different kind of significance, as it meant abandoning hope in a way, especially when he was initially willing to accept and acknowledge that name.

Although it sounded funny, that was indeed the case. After experiencing "having hope, only to have it extinguished" several times, Xi Wang gave up that name. After all, if he himself had never possessed it, how could he bear the weight of that name?

Sakura could also understand why Xi Wang valued Elysia so highly – she was his [Anchor], an anchor that prevented him from completely collapsing in such desperate circumstances.

At that time, he had to magnify Elysia's importance in his heart infinitely (and Elysia had indeed helped him a lot) so that he could withstand the subsequent pressures and various events, and endure until now.

Sakura understood, and even empathized – because she had a similar experience.

As expected, the two of them… were the same.

"Then… Elysia, as a return gift, I'll tell you something too."

Sakura wore a calm smile, speaking in the same gentle voice.

"Actually, my feelings for Xi Wang are not pure – neither for me nor for him."

"...Eh?"

"When I first met him, I was still in my hometown, the Far East. At that time, my parents had passed away early, my family was poor, and I had no special skills, so I was just struggling to make ends meet… Later, by chance, I was recruited by the local mafia as an enforcer, essentially doing work that could cost me my life at any moment while earning just enough to eat plain rice. If Xi Wang hadn't come, I would probably still be worrying about my livelihood."

Sakura said softly, reminiscing about her past with Xi Wang.

"Although to others it seemed like Xi Wang brought me into an even worse environment, what happened at that time genuinely helped me. Not to mention that he later helped me a lot, even improving my family's living conditions considerably."

It was precisely because of this that, even when she guessed that everything that happened between her and Xi Wang later was being guided by someone in the shadows, and that she was chosen to be the [Sheath] to receive the [Blade], she still allowed the feelings in her heart to change and spread.

"Although after that I was being led around, neither he nor I cared much – because we had no choice."

It was precisely because they both knew everything clearly, precisely because they both guessed what those people wanted and intended to do, that they had to continue, and were willing to invest their feelings in it.

His feelings for her evolved from his deep regard for Elysia; he was very clear about this.

Her feelings for him were to ensure Ling's safety and a stable life, and eventually evolved into this; she understood this very well.

"It's precisely because we understand each other so well, precisely because we've genuinely started to like each other…"

It was precisely because their feelings for each other were not pure that he rejected her at that time, and she wouldn't be too heartbroken.

It was precisely because genuine affection had indeed grown between them that he invited her in the end, and she readily accepted.

If things had continued to develop this way, they probably would have ended up together, letting themselves be submerged by these awkward feelings, letting themselves like, even love, each other.

However, the reunion with Elysia interrupted this process, bringing them back to reality and forcing them to face the possibility of being separated by the Poison Chrysalis, or even abandoned.

They had no choice.

"It's precisely because of this… that we are not lovers, and will not become lovers."

She placed her hand on her chest, gently stroking the cherry blossom pendant hidden beneath her clothes.

"It wasn't before, and it isn't now."

She was smiling, gentle and calm, even smiling happily.

"And in the future… there will probably be no chance."

But she looked so sad.

Chapter 14: So the sky, it's untouchable...

[Time always flies. Elysia and Sakura's conversation was just a small interlude. Although Sakura didn't tell Elysia about the story between you and her at the end of their talk, like the change in feelings or the moments of heart-fluttering, it was as Elysia herself said, she wanted to cherish this memory with you by herself... However, after that, Sakura and Elysia's relationship improved quite a bit.]

[But none of that matters now. After all, the Honkai... to be precise, the Third Honkai Outbreak, has arrived, and it happened to be in Sakura's hometown – the Far East.]

[You and your respective teams went to the rescue... although at the place where the Honkai outbreak occurred, calling it "rescue" meant there were very few people who could actually be saved.]

[Most people were either directly corrupted into monsters by the Honkai's influence, or were harmed by humans who had turned into monsters, and then subsequently transformed into the same or similar monsters. Very few people managed to survive.]

[Not to mention the difficult-to-handle Honkai Beasts. Even "soldiers" like you had to deal with them with extreme caution.]

[But fortunately, the mission you and Sakura received was mainly focused on "clearing the Honkai," which you both happened to be good at. As for rescue missions and the more dangerous task of "killing the Third Herrscher," other teams were handling them.]

[This was not difficult for you, especially for you and Sakura. Your speed in slaying Honkai creatures on the battlefield was outrageously fast. Your team members couldn't keep up with your pace at all, even making them think, "Are we just dead weight for the two of them?" To the point where they eventually went to help the rescue team save people.]

[As for you and Sakura, you walked along the somewhat familiar streets, dealing with the wandering Honkai creatures and looking at the destroyed, familiar surroundings... Of course, if you found any survivors, you would directly report their location to the rescue team for them to take over, while you two would continue to advance, striving to clear the nearby streets.]

[Although, because of you, Sakura had left this place early, taking Ling with her to the Mu Continent. Seeing her hometown destroyed, Sakura couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.]

[Countless people died, the streets turned into ruins, and the cherry blossoms that should have bloomed in full were pushed down and trampled by the wandering Honkai Beasts. Everything familiar and unfamiliar had been utterly destroyed.]

[At this moment, Sakura deeply realized what you were facing and was determined not to let Ling encounter such danger.]

[In contrast to Sakura, you didn't have many feelings. You only showed a little bit of sadness when you saw Sakura, Elysia, and many other colleagues feeling sad about the scene. But that was all, quite perfunctory, one might say.]

[After all, this was not your hometown, nor your home—and you didn't have a place that could be called "home" anyway. You had seen too much death in these years, and the strong smell of blood had long been accustomed to by you.]

[For you, only Elysia and Sakura were worth your attention here. As for the others... it didn't matter, none of them were important.]

[The Third Honkai Outbreak lasted for about three days. The battle to defeat the Third Herrscher was completed on the afternoon of the first day. Although there were heavy casualties, victory was ultimately achieved. The remaining two days were spent dealing with the aftermath, as the scope of this Honkai outbreak was too vast. It not only enveloped the entire Far East but also affected several coastal cities in East Asia, forcing you to spend more energy dealing with it.]

[This Honkai outbreak also made the higher-ups of Moth to Fire realize that they must start recruiting personnel and expand the organization, as according to current projections, such disasters would continue to occur.]

[However, after that, who would lead the gradually strengthening Moth to Fire, and who would hold more authority... that was a matter for separate discussion.]

[Of course, none of that matters to you for now. After all, you had just achieved a major victory. As soldiers on the front lines, you deserved to celebrate. Moreover, with new members joining, a grand welcome party was naturally in order.]

[Well... although those new recruits still had necessary training to undergo before officially joining, who cares when they happened to run into you holding a celebration party? Naturally, they would be brought in to get acquainted!]

[You saw a familiar figure among the new recruits. It was the young man who had sat next to you at Elysia's concert. He seemed to have some impression of you, but couldn't recall who you were—which was natural, as quite some time had passed since that concert.]

[As for his reason for joining Moth to Fire, it was honestly a bit amusing—he followed his girlfriend here. When they heard this answer, several people present burst into laughter, even thinking he was joking at first. Of course, when everyone learned who his girlfriend was, they expressed their admiration instead.]

[After all, she was the super "Genius" praised and favored by many experts and doctors—Mei.]

[At the same time, among the new recruits, there was a slightly younger girl with a silver-grey ponytail that was also quite striking. Although her eyes held confusion, they still appeared determined. Even though she knew it was a welcome party, she subconsciously maintained a serious expression and a straight posture, causing you to unconsciously glance at the girl twice, thinking she would be a good soldier in the future.]

[It's just that she's too nervous, and seems to have no experience with such gatherings. She's clearly trying her best to appear "proper," but with a noticeable stiffness... This child probably doesn't have many friends.]

[Hmm... I heard she's a survivor brought back by Captain Himiko of the Fifth Squad? If it's Himiko, then it's not bad. With such an "enthusiastic" captain leading her, I believe she'll make many friends in the future... probably?]

[Ah, at this point, I have to mention a little anecdote from this celebration and welcome party – due to most people's habits, this celebration was still held in the form of a "dance party." Since it's a "dance party," there's naturally a dancing segment.]

[And then... many people saw you, invited by both Sakura and Elysia, showing an expression of extreme conflict and embarrassment, which amazed everyone and also made them laugh.]

[Later, rumors even spread that you were two-timing... If you knew who was spreading the gossip, you would definitely tie his tongue into a knot and stuff it down his throat.]

[However, as the saying goes, happy times are always short. After a day of revelry, everyone had to return to their posts and undergo sufficient training for the upcoming battles, as what you were facing was no ordinary disaster.]

[The training for new recruits was also accelerated, with them being assigned to teams almost as soon as they passed the tests, indicating the urgency of the situation.]

[And that white-haired young man also showed astonishing talent. His monstrous physique made many instructors exclaim, "Is this person really just a student?" In the final assessment, he even broke all the records previously held by Elysia, and achieved the fastest legend of "becoming a formal member from a new recruit," making many people in Moth to Fire remember his name—Kevin.]

[As for you and Sakura, not much changed. You were still going back and forth between missions in Poison Chrysalis, missions for Moth to Fire, and strolling around the base. Sakura only took some time to go back and see Ling once in between, but otherwise, there was basically no change.]

[However, Elysia introduced you to many people, such as Dr. Mobius, who had various rumors surrounding her in Moth to Fire, and her assistant, Klein. Midway, you also met Hen and Blanca, who already had children.]

[These two, a rare couple in Moth to Fire... now husband and wife, were a bit surprised when they came to Mobius's laboratory and saw you and Elysia. After all, this was not a place that ordinary people liked to visit. However, when you think about it, Elysia was the one who brought you here, so it didn't seem so strange anymore.]

[Hen and Blanca greeted you warmly and introduced you to their daughter—Griseo. She was also a very cute girl, lying in her mother's arms, curiously observing everything around her with her beautiful purple eyes.]

[You quite liked this child, or rather, you liked "children."]

[After all, they represent the future, they represent hope—although you had given up that "name," it didn't mean you disliked it. On the contrary, you liked it very much, and therefore were quite tolerant and gentle towards children... This was something that others hadn't noticed.]

[Unexpectedly, this child also liked you very much. Although it was the first time meeting, she proactively reached out her hand to you and was even willing to be held by you, which surprised everyone else. Elysia, after knowing something, laughed very happily.]

[However... whether it was your illusion or not, as you spent more time getting closer to Griseo, Mobius began to feel some subtle "displeasure" towards you, and eventually even some... uh... "hostility"?]

[What is this? Jealousy?]

[Of course, you didn't mind this, nor did you care.]

[Perhaps because of Griseo, Hen and Blanca also became your friends and took good care of you in normal times. It's just that for some reason, Dr. Mobius's attitude towards you became increasingly hostile. Her sharp words were somewhat difficult for you to handle, but she didn't actually target you, at least not in action.]

[The days suddenly became somewhat peaceful and relaxed, which made you feel unaccustomed.]

[But... you didn't dislike it.]

At night, Xi Wang casually opened the notebook in his room, took out a pen, and habitually wrote down what happened today.

[■■ Month 14, 39th. Elysia wasn't here today. It seems Moth to Fire issued a mission for her to catch someone who had secretly slipped out of Moth to Fire... The person seemed particularly willful. It's said that they had caused a lot of trouble for Moth to Fire in the past, even openly declaring war on Moth to Fire. It's also said that they once sent a challenge letter to the conference room's projector, which terrified everyone present at the time.]