Welcome to Old Elysium

A few days later, at the World Serpent headquarters.

Several thousand meters underground, Enoshia met one of the World Serpent's cadres, Jackal—Dr. Cri-Oh. Even though she knew what the true Stigmata Project was, Enoshia's impression of the World Serpent wasn't bad. At the very least, they had provided a fallback plan for the continuation of human civilization.

But Enoshia had no favorable impression of Dr. Cri-Oh. As fellow researchers, compared to Changgung of Schicksal, Einstein and Tesla of Anti-Entropy, and Mobius and Dr. MEI of the Previous Civilization, she was unquestionably the one with the lowest moral standards and the poorest personal abilities.

She claimed that she would stop at nothing for the sake of scientific experiments, yet she had no worthwhile research achievements to her name. Many of the impressive things she possessed came from the Previous Civilization's technology left behind by the World Serpent, not from her own abilities. All her research on Stigmata was merely a smokescreen the World Serpent used to confuse others and conceal the true Stigmata Project. Her missions ended in failure time and time again. She was no different from those trash-villain types in traditional wish-fulfillment novels who started by loudly boasting, only to be slapped in the face at light speed.

The moment they met, Jackal developed a strong interest in researching this Herrscher. All along the way, she kept trying to threaten and entice Enoshia. Enoshia, who already had no favorable impression of her, grew tired of her prattling and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"W-What are you doing?" Realizing that she might be turned into an idiot by the Herrscher of Corruption in front of her the very next second, Jackal fearfully backed away several steps.

Enoshia spread her hands. "Weren't you going to research me? Is that all you've got? Though if I wanted to devour most of the knowledge in your head, it really wouldn't take much effort."

"I'm warning you, the World Serpent isn't Schicksal or Anti-Entropy. If the Honored Lord returns..."

Enoshia sneered at her outwardly tough but inwardly weak attitude. "If not for Kevin, do you think the World Serpent would be qualified to work with me? However quickly the Gray Serpent network can transmit information, that's how quickly I can make it completely collapse. When that happens, I can simply take whatever I want from here. If you don't believe me, I can try it right now."

Enoshia pointed at the equipment nearby. "The World Serpent is qualified to negotiate terms with me, not you. Take a look at this equipment. It's indeed advanced, but it's something passed down from the Previous Civilization. It has nothing to do with someone like you, who can only win arguments with her mouth!"

"You... you..." Clearly, very few people had spoken to Dr. Cri-Oh like that in her entire life. But she merely got angry for a moment before obediently shutting her mouth. Of course, that was because everything Enoshia had said was true.

Enoshia clearly had no intention of falling out with the World Serpent. Thus, after Jackal had completely backed down, she had no intention of actually doing anything to her, either. She walked straight to the end of the passageway and slipped through the crack.

The moment she stepped into the Data Space, Enoshia received an enormous amount of information. After digesting it briefly, she learned that this space was the precious legacy left behind by the Previous Civilization—the Imaginary Tree.

"Hi, it feels li—huh?" Just as Enoshia was looking around, that familiar voice rang out again, but its owner failed to finish her opening line.

"Sorry, I'm afraid this appearance of mine may cause quite a bit of trouble for you and the other Flame-Chasers. If you mind, I can change my appearance at any time..." Before Enoshia could finish, Elysia arrived in front of her and carefully looked her up and down.

"Hmm... You used my appearance as a reference?"

Enoshia nodded.

"Why?"

"Because everyone loves beauty, and you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen."

"Oh my, what good taste. You actually recognized at a glance that the girl standing before you is as gorgeous as a flying flower?"

Apparently trying to confirm something, Elysia spoke while engaging in intimate physical contact with Enoshia. Enoshia stood perfectly still as Elysia did whatever she pleased. As Elysia's movements grew bolder, a blush gradually spread across Enoshia's face.

"If I just stand still, Elysia will come running over to cuddle me on her own. Th-This is... way too amazing!" (Qingque's voice)

Watching as Elysia's hands wrapped around her waist and her chest pressed against her back, Enoshia felt as if she had ascended to heaven.

For something like this, please give me more and more.

"Hmm... Just as I thought, you're exactly like me. Sure enough, I look good in every color?... So this is the power of the Herrscher of Corruption?"

When Elysia finished her physical examination, Enoshia nodded, still somewhat reluctant to let it end.

"Yes. Not only in the Data Space—even in the real world, this is what I look like in other people's eyes."

Elysia tilted her head in confusion.

"Um... this may be hard for you to believe, but I... once dreamed of you. After that, I started using this appearance."

Enoshia knew that no one would believe anything about memories from her past life. It was better to simply say that she had seen Elysia in a dream.

As soon as she said this, a look of surprise appeared on Elysia's face.

"Well, that's certainly... an answer both unexpected and perfectly reasonable. Or could it be that the humans of this era also like to use this sort of thing to hit on pretty girls?"

"This..."

"All right, I'm only joking. I don't mind at all if a girl as cute as me takes the initiative... Hmm, what is it?"

Enoshia looked up into the air for a while before turning her gaze back to Elysia.

"Ever since I entered the Imaginary Tree, I've felt that two people have been watching me constantly, without stopping for even a moment. But I can understand. Even among Herrschers, I'm obviously the most dangerous one to a Data Space like the Imaginary Tree."

"But... they're only acting out of concern. I've been here for so long, and everything in the Elysian Realm remains exactly as it was. I think that should be enough to prove that I mean no harm..."

Enoshia extended her index finger and casually swiped at the seemingly empty air. Su, meditating beneath the Bodhi Tree, and Aponia, in the Deepest Place, widened their eyes at the same time. No matter how they tried to observe her, Enoshia's location appeared as nothing but a mass of corrupted code. About a minute later, it returned to normal.

"Oh my, what a mischievous child. You've frightened Su and Aponia half to death. I'm curious—what exactly does everything in the Elysian Realm look like to you?"

Enoshia thought for a moment.

"In theory, I can know all existing information. Not only can I know it, I can alter it however I please... For example, in just this short while, I've already learned the names and order of the thirteen Flame-Chasers, as well as their current locations. Even if some of you enjoy speaking in riddles and refuse to tell me certain secrets, I can simply read your minds and find out."

"Oh my, peeking at other people's privacy isn't polite." Elysia pouted reproachfully.

"I know. That's why I'm merely capable of doing it, not planning to. It'll be more interesting if you introduce everything in the Elysian Realm to me one by one."

"So you're treating me as a tour guide? That's fine. No matter when, Elysia will always respond to your expectations. Then let's start with the lobby."