She had softened for a moment.
That resulted in everyone in the entire city dying without a single survivor.
That was his mistake, his sin...
Even Dr. Mei couldn't guarantee whether the Herrschers truly possessed reason and thoughts.
Although all kinds of signs suggested that they really did retain some of the thoughts they had possessed as humans, more of it seemed like an obsession. Was it truly reason? No one could say for sure.
After all.
Every Herrscher was essentially a unique specimen.
Where would they have had the chance to prove any of this?
Where would they have had the chance to study them?
The so-called research—their understanding of the Honkai and of the Herrschers—was no more than research concerning the Herrscher core.
At most, it included the Herrscher's mangled corpse.
Trying to capture a Herrscher alive was simply asking for trouble.
They didn't have the ability, nor did they have the time!
Since it was uncertain.
Then, to be safe and avoid the risks, the best option was naturally to find a way to kill them outright.
Wasn't it?
Mobius, however, felt that a Herrscher? A living Herrscher? Wasn't that a coincidence? Elysia was one!
The future Little Griseo had spoken of—the Herrschers who were supposed to appear—had yet to emerge. But Elysia alone had been a Herrscher from beginning to end.
Even now!
"Elysia... For the sake of humanity, you have to cooperate with me~" Mobius had long felt that Elysia was extremely abnormal.
She had wanted to study Elysia for ages, to find out exactly what she was made of.
But every time, Elysia had managed to brush her off.
Now, her interest was even more intense.
Her feverish gaze locked onto Elysia, like a king cobra that had spotted its prey—precise and elegant.
Elysia hadn't even had time to calm down over her own identity before her heart began pounding with fear.
She instinctively took half a step back.
Putting a little more distance between herself and Snake Snake.
She seemed to be somewhat afraid.
She was completely out of sorts.
Just like Sakura, who had heard about her little sister and herself during the 12th Great Honkai and still hadn't recovered.
So was she!
She was still flustered and disoriented.
That normally playful energy of hers, the sort that made her seem like a bad woman...
Now!
It was all gone!
She was so timid, like a simple little beast.
She was nothing like her former poised self when facing Mobius, yet she was also incredibly adorable!
However, this dramatic reversal of extremes.
Instead, it left Mobius somewhat disappointed.
It felt as though it was terribly boring.
She took the initiative to let Elysia off.
"Forget it..."
"One more of you won't make a difference, and one fewer won't matter either. We have enough Herrscher samples. We don't need you."
"..."
Mobius was still putting up a tough front.
She wouldn't force Elysia to do anything.
In fact, she even took the initiative to remind everyone that Elysia's identity absolutely, absolutely must not be revealed.
They should just pretend nothing had happened.
The same went for her.
Mobius could tell.
Although Elysia was still smiling, the smile was somewhat forced.
Her heart was probably a complete mess.
For a pink fatty like this.
Even Mobius found it boring to watch.
"Thank you... Mobius." Elysia understood. She could empathize. With a smile, she felt the concerned gazes of those around her, and her mood seemed to improve considerably.
"Little Griseo."
Eden walked over, helped Elysia, whose body had gone somewhat limp, to her feet, and supported her as they sat down together on a nearby bench.
"Did Elysia succeed?"
Elysia wanted to ask the same thing. Her eyes were filled with hope as she looked at Little Griseo, somewhat afraid yet also yearning.
Some of the people present had understood the song from earlier, while others had not.
Before you continue