The Real Golden Finger in Honkai Is Elysia!

Though his expression remained fairly calm, every word Gwen spoke landed in Raiden Ryoma's ears like ice, chilling the man who had been stirred by the unexpected rescue just an hour ago to the core.

Raiden Ryoma, who had weathered countless storms, would not be completely intimidated by just a few words from Gwen. Yet the disparity in absolute power and the seed planted in his heart by the conservatives' inaction still made him involuntarily imagine the scenario Gwen described, until a chill ran through him—

If it really was as he said, then his daughter, the crystallization of the love between himself and his late wife, would inevitably...

"Whew..."

Taking a deep breath, Raiden Ryoma, who had unconsciously closed his eyes while thinking, opened them again. There was less sharpness in his gaze now, and more depth. Meeting Gwen's calm eyes once more, he asked:

"Indeed, compared to me, you can better protect Mei. You can stabilize her condition, allow her to safely become a Herrscher, and wield the power that belongs to a Herrscher.

But you are with Schicksal.

If Mei stays by your side, she will inevitably come into contact with Schicksal.

How can you guarantee that your Bishop will not get any ideas?

Or are you like those ordinary Valkyries, believing that your Bishop is someone striving to protect all the beauty in the world?"

As he spoke, Raiden Ryoma tilted his head slightly, expressing his doubt.

"Heh... Bishop Otto..."

With a Light Laugh, Gwen was not angered by Raiden Ryoma's somewhat deliberate provocation. He merely smiled and asked:

"Mr. Raiden Ryoma, there is something I seem to have forgotten to mention—

To someone who has had everything taken from him by a Herrscher, if I could not be certain that Mei was still Mei, and not a Herrscher...

Then..."

Raiden Ryoma: Mei, I'm Sorry... ### Though Gwen still wore a smile, Raiden Ryoma could not feel any warmth from it. And though his words remained calm, there was not the slightest hint of gentleness in them...

Therefore, even though Gwen had not finished speaking, Raiden Ryoma clearly understood what he meant, as well as the will hidden behind those words...

Sure enough, this world had always been ruled by the strong preying on the weak...

That thought flashed through his mind. Feeling powerless once more because of his own weakness, Raiden Ryoma did not look again at those eyes glimmering with cold radiance and weakly closed his own.

Seeing Raiden Ryoma like this, Gwen Breathed a Sigh of Relief. He withdrew his divine power and said nothing, merely watching Raiden Ryoma quietly as he waited for what came next.

Raiden Ryoma did not make Gwen wait long. He quickly came to a decision after questioning himself and opened his closed eyes.

However, compared to before, his expression now carried more weariness and the marks of time.

Just as Raiden Ryoma was about to speak, Gwen beat him to it:

"As for your question, Mr. Ryoma...

Perhaps Bishop Otto is not a good person in the conventional sense, but he has a brain. He is not a mad dog like Cocolia.

He knows very well what he wants, and he also knows what he ought to do.

Whether a piece of power should be kept in his hand or pushed away, he will calculate it very clearly.

And even if he truly becomes blinded by profit and makes the choice you fear, I am confident that I can take Mei and escape Schicksal—

After Mei and I merge, we will become a complete Herrscher, perhaps even stronger because of my power.

If an enhanced, complete Herrscher is determined to escape, then even if the Authority they wield is not space but electromagnetism, humanity will still not be able to stop them easily."

Considering that most of the powers he possessed did not fit into this world, Gwen simply used Herrschers, which Raiden Ryoma was familiar with, to explain.

"...Whew—"

Listening to Gwen's explanation, the unpleasant look on Raiden Ryoma's face faded somewhat. He silently watched Gwen for a while before finally seeming to come to terms with it. He let out a soft breath, said nothing, stood up, and turned toward the bookshelf behind him.

Then, after a sequence of actions that seemed like something out of a movie, Raiden Ryoma took a flat, long box from a hidden compartment concealed behind the bookshelf.

Under Gwen's watchful gaze, Raiden Ryoma set the box on the desk and slowly opened it, revealing what lay inside—

An ice-blue katana.

"This blade is called Plasma Shadowshow. Like the Titan Mechs Cocolia took away, it was one of the preparations I made in case Mei became a Herrscher..."

Gently stroking Plasma Shadowshow's icy blade, Raiden Ryoma's face once again showed a complicated expression. But he quickly suppressed it, gripped the blade in reverse, and offered the hilt to Gwen.

"Mr. Gwen, I hope you can accept this blade and protect Mei, carrying my share as well."

Though saying it was somewhat dispiriting, from Raiden Ryoma's observations, the technological sophistication of the armor Gwen wore far surpassed Plasma Shadowshow, which had been developed using the finest scientific resources at his disposal.

Therefore, in order to make the young man before him accept Plasma Shadowshow and place a little more importance on his daughter, Raiden Ryoma could only do this.

"I believe that, years from now, Mr. Raiden Ryoma will not regret the decision he made today."

As he spoke, Gwen accepted Plasma Shadowshow from Raiden Ryoma without ceremony. With a casual swing, energy flowed into the blade, causing it to emit a soft blue glow. In an instant, the study turned freezing cold, and a thin layer of ice covered everything.

"..."

Though he had great confidence in the Plasma Shadowshow he had personally created, seeing the blade display such power in Gwen's hand with just a casual swing made Raiden Ryoma unable to help thinking, It seems Plasma Shadowshow suits him quite well.

Having already made his decision, Raiden Ryoma no longer concealed his feelings. A smile appeared on his weathered face as he said:

"It seems Plasma Shadowshow suits you very well."

"It feels quite good in the hand."

Slightly surprised by the "frozen wasteland" he had created, Gwen calmly put away Plasma Shadowshow and said with a smile:

"Then I'll gladly accept Plasma Shadowshow."

"I hope this blade can be of help to you."

Raiden Ryoma smiled and nodded.

With the key issue resolved, the atmosphere between them relaxed and grew much friendlier. After chatting for a little while longer, they left the frost-covered study and returned to the living room.

However, the moment they opened the study door, they were greeted by two pairs of concerned, beautiful eyes—

"Mr. Gwen/Dad, Gwen, are you/are you two all right?"

Rita and Raiden Mei had been chatting pleasantly when they suddenly sensed the chill emanating from the study, prompting them both to wait outside. As soon as the door opened, they spoke in unison.

"We're fine. Gwen and I had a very pleasant conversation."

Raiden Ryoma shook his head.

"Uncle Raiden gave me this blade as a gift. The chill just now was caused while I was testing it. Sorry for making you worry."

Gwen briefly explained as he showed them the Plasma Shadowshow he had put away.

Only after hearing them did Rita and Raiden Mei breathe a sigh of relief and finally relax.

Seeing his daughter's expression and recalling the decision he had made, Raiden Ryoma felt conflicted. Yet he hesitated no longer and spoke directly:

"Mei, I'm sorry. There's something your father decided without asking for your consent."

"Hm?"

Raiden Mei froze slightly at his words—

In Raiden Mei's memories, Raiden Ryoma had always been a stern, taciturn father in the traditional sense. Even when he cared for her, he never expressed it openly, leaving her to notice it herself.

This was the first time she could remember him solemnly apologizing to her over something in front of outsiders.

"Mei, we may have to remain apart for some time longer."

Seeing his daughter's reaction, Raiden Ryoma began to reflect on whether there had been problems in how he had treated her in the past. Still, his expression remained unchanged as he continued explaining:

"During my time in prison, all the resources and power I once controlled were taken from me.

As I am now, I no longer have the strength to protect you.

Rather than staying by my side and continuing to live in fear, there may be another path that is safer for you..."

"Dad..."

Listening to the indescribable heaviness in Raiden Ryoma's voice, Raiden Mei was stunned. But when her gaze fell on Gwen beside him, she immediately understood the reason behind his words and instinctively wanted to say something.

Before Raiden Mei could speak, however, Raiden Ryoma continued:

"From now on, I hope you can go with Gwen to Schicksal...

Compared to Anti-Entropy, Schicksal's methods of training Valkyries may be more suitable for you.

I've already discussed it with Gwen. He'll be responsible for your safety in Schicksal...

Mei, perhaps this is cruel to you, but... please forgive your father's incompetence.

I once believed that I had the ability to protect you, and I continued striving toward that goal.

But reality proved that all my so-called efforts were worthless in the face of those who truly harbored malice.

Give your father some time. Once I've dealt with those who mean you harm, I'll definitely come and bring you home myself, all right?"

"...Mm..."

Raiden Mei could hear both the struggle and resolve in Raiden Ryoma's words. She did not object; her eyes merely welled with tears again as she pressed her lips tightly together, refusing to let herself cry—

She had been separated from her father for nearly half a year, only to be separated again just after reuniting. It was only natural that Raiden Mei's emotions would surge.

"I'm sorry, Mei. It's all Father's fault..."

Seeing his daughter like this, Raiden Ryoma felt a sharp ache in his heart. Just as he was about to say more, Raiden Mei interrupted him.

"No... it isn't, Father..."

Holding back her tears, Raiden Mei shook her head and said in a slightly trembling voice:

"You've already done so much. I know everything you've done for me.

You don't need to apologize to me. Mei should be the one apologizing to you.

If Mei hadn't been so useless, if I could have controlled my own power, you wouldn't have suffered through this disaster..."

"..."

As Raiden Ryoma listened to Raiden Mei's words, he felt comforted by his daughter's growth, yet his heart also ached for the hardships that had forced her to grow...

After the father and daughter finished saying their farewells, Gwen spoke with Raiden Ryoma for a little longer. Once Raiden Ryoma said that Gwen need not worry about him, as he had a way to contact the conservatives and escape, Gwen did not linger. He departed with Rita, the red-eyed Raiden Mei, and the two little ones who remained unconscious—

With the help of Valkyrie Knight: Moonlit Sky, even without transforming into its normal size, flying several people from Changkong City in the Far East back to Schicksal headquarters was not particularly difficult for Gwen after replenishing his energy with energy potions.

They did not have to wait long. Raiden Mei had not even finished composing herself before the group had already arrived on the floating island that served as Schicksal Headquarters.

"It seems, Mr. Gwen, that you can start considering promotion to S-class..."

Looking at the familiar Schicksal Headquarters, Rita could not help but sigh softly—

Even though she had already anticipated Gwen's speed, the velocity that far surpassed her own transport vessel, along with the power it revealed, still left Rita slightly dazed.

However, Gwen had always left Rita with an impression unlike that of ordinary people. After a brief sigh, she regained a maid's elegance and composure, looking toward Raiden Mei, who was gazing in surprise at the surrounding clouds and the hazy land below, as well as Gwen, who was removing his armor.

"You flatter me, Rita. My normal strength has yet to reach that level. For now, I'm only relying on the armor's excellence."

Responding to Rita with a light laugh, Gwen looked at Raiden Mei beside him. Though somewhat uneasy in this unfamiliar environment, she had been slightly entranced by the magnificent view. Smiling, he said:

"Mei, welcome to Schicksal Headquarters."

"Mm..."

Nodding gently, Mei did not deliberately hide her surprise as she asked Gwen:

"This floating island is Schicksal's headquarters?"

Although she had already gained a vague understanding of Schicksal's power from the documents, it was only now, upon seeing this floating island that theoretically existed only in science fiction novels and films, that Raiden Mei truly grasped Schicksal's strength.

"That's right."

Gwen nodded, his gaze turning toward Rita.

Rita also spoke at the right moment, beginning to introduce Schicksal Headquarters to Raiden Mei—

Compared to Gwen, Rita was clearly better suited for this task.

While Rita introduced Schicksal Headquarters to Raiden Mei, the Schicksal terminal on Gwen's body quietly vibrated.

Gwen opened the terminal and found an email. There was no ornate wording within it, only a simple address and the sender—Otto.

"It seems our bishop can't wait to meet us..."

By then, Rita, who had roughly finished introducing Schicksal Headquarters to Raiden Mei, had also received an email.