Chapter 5

And besides.

More importantly!

So many tragedies could still be turned around...

There was nothing that could be done about the Previous Era anymore.

But surely, something could still be done in the Current Era, right?

That way...

Her crossing over here, awakening her memories, and truly—truly!—arriving in the world of Honkai Impact 3rd would not have been in vain.

Fight for all that is beautiful in the world!

She... wanted that too!

Little Griseo's thoughts churned as she instinctively clenched the pendant around her neck, as though seeking comfort from it.

She was very different from the Little Griseo in the original story, and this was one such difference.

She had been born with jade in her mouth.

Though no one knew why...

Apparently, when she had been born, there had been a piece of jade in her mouth.

This piece of jade was exceptionally strange.

It felt warm, soft, smooth, and lustrous to the touch, as though it possessed life.

Yet neither cutting nor polishing, knocking nor smashing could leave the slightest mark on it.

Naturally, this had greatly intrigued Mobius, Verne, Dr. Mei, and the others.

And so, of course!

One after another.

Each of them took the jade to their own laboratory and studied it carefully.

Unfortunately, they found nothing.

They knew perfectly well that it might be extraordinary.

Yet no matter how they looked at it, it resembled an ordinary stone. At most, it was exceptionally sturdy.

Perhaps if they used it to smash Finality directly, they could even raise a bump on Finality's head.

But they ultimately did not have such a twisted sense of humor.

In the end, they returned it to Little Griseo.

Or rather...

They specially commissioned a setting, strung it onto a chain, turned it into a pendant, and placed it around Little Griseo's neck.

It was like giving Little Griseo a small gift. There was no harm in keeping the jade as a memento.

Even now.

She still wore the jade pendant.

And Little Griseo had long since grown accustomed to it.

Whenever she felt restless, she would hold the pendant.

Sometimes, she would even raise it before her eyes.

Close one eye.

And quietly look through it at the world's different scenery.

Her emotions would gradually settle.

It made her feel safe.

And right now.

Look~

That was exactly what she was doing.

Only this time...

Something here was different too.

Little Griseo discovered.

The jade inside the pendant was flickering. It seemed to pulse, as though transmitting some message, whispering gently to her.

She had a feeling.

It seemed that everything today was connected to this jade.

Her awakening of memories from her previous life, her newfound understanding of herself, and the slight changes in her personality—all of it had been caused by this jade.

"But... what are you trying to tell me...?"

Since birth.

This jade stone had stayed by her side.

It had never shown any sign of movement.

Why did it have to be now?

Why... now of all times?

Little Griseo gazed at it quietly for a moment.

Unhurriedly, as if she understood its intent, she pressed the jade stone to her forehead and quietly sensed its color.

Then!

She finally understood.