Before the Previous Civilization, after the Herrscher of Corruption was sealed inside the box and before Finality descended.
In stark contrast to the apocalyptic scene outside, where only a little over thirty thousand people remained, nothing in the Imaginary Tree had changed. It was still a true paradise.
Elysia looked at the unusual arrival before her. Instead of saying one of the many opening lines she had prepared, she went straight to her side.
"Mm... Hmm?"
The arrival remained perfectly calm in the face of Elysia's intimate physical contact. From her gaze, it was clear that everything seemed to be within her expectations.
"Mhm, did you discover anything?"
Looking at the heartfelt smile on the newcomer's face, Elysia instead wore a puzzled expression:
"How strange. You... gained weight? I clearly remember you telling me that the side effects of the fusion surgery had thrown our bodies' metabolisms into chaos. No matter how much we ate, we wouldn't gain weight, and even without exercising, we'd still have beautiful curves... Could it be that you've already overcome the side effects of the Mutation Surgery? A beautiful girl's heart really can accomplish anything, can't it?"
Hearing Elysia's conclusion, the newcomer raised a hand to her forehead. "Sigh. It would be one thing if Mobius said that, but even I'm saying it about myself. Could it be that she really does care about me?"
Although the other woman's tone remained as lively and cheerful as ever, her entire face was tense and uneasy. To Elysia, it was truly rare to see this person display such an expression.
"As someone who has shared the same experiences as you, has the same personality as you, and could even be said to understand you best, I truly can't imagine what you went through to become so nervous, so... unsettled. My true self?"
The person standing before Elysia's Memory Body was none other than Elysia herself, identical in every way except for some missing memories.
"Is that so? As expected of another me—you saw through me right away."
The real Elysia sat beside her Memory Body and slowly spoke: "Before I reveal the answer, I hope to have someone accompany me as I start from the beginning and recall this life of mine. It may not have been long, but it was certainly colorful. After thinking it over, the person most like me is still another me. You... will definitely help me, won't you?"
Seeing her expression, Elysia's Memory Body let out a sudden giggle:
"Of course. No matter when or where, Elysia will always respond to your expectations, especially when it's the real me. I'm curious what memories you're going to synchronize with me later. I never imagined that an expression like this could appear on 'my' face."
At the beginning, the world was a sea of chaos. There was neither light nor darkness. It was within this void that I was born.
This was my very first starting point.
When Elysia's Memory Body thought of this, she suddenly realized something.
"Are you recalling the past at this time because... your own end is about to arrive?"
With complicated emotions in their hearts, she and her true self continued reminiscing.
From Mama Cyllia's orphanage to the ruins of a church, from the sparsely populated snowy plains to the bustling concert hall, from the town of Vostok to the Flame-Chasing Moth's headquarters; Eden's singing, Pardofelis's startled cries, Vill-V's shouts, Kevin's scolding, Cosmos's muttering... Countless different scenes and countless different voices together formed Elysia's True Self.
"Mm, sure enough, talking things over with yourself can help you figure out quite a lot. Right now, I'm like an inexperienced actress. Even after rehearsing countless times backstage, I still get terribly nervous when it's almost time to go onstage, and may even start thinking about backing out. But in the end, I still have to perform."
After finishing her recollections, Elysia rose as if she had made up her mind. "Klein, thanks for the effort. Please synchronize my memories over."
The Flawless Person nodded. Her movements flowed as smoothly as water, and she quickly synchronized the memories.
Once the synchronization was complete, she returned to the Imaginary Tree and looked at her Memory Body with a smile.
"How does it feel?"
"Mm... Put on a dress specially tailored by Eden and carefully dress up for a gorgeous ball—I can't even imagine how beautiful it will be. Thinking of such a romantic method... As expected of the real me." Elysia's Memory Body looked a little envious.
"Hmm... I think Aponia should come. After all, she has such a special ability. According to the original plan, she should synchronize her memories over at the end. Here in this Data Space, you'll be able to admire them again and again."
"And my dear Eden. She definitely won't refuse my invitation. After all, when I got drunk before and made such an unreasonable request of her, she was still willing to activate Artificial Collapse to satisfy me. She'll definitely come to my ball."
"Vill-V should be like Mei and figure out quite a lot with her clever mind. As for everyone else... I really can't say. It might be Mobius, or it might be Kevin. In any case, once I leave this place, the ball will begin."
Elysia's Memory Body took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward. Of course, she understood what her true self was thinking at that moment.
The two Elysias embraced tightly, making their final farewell.
"My story ends here. As for the future, how Elysia's story continues to be written, and how you let the people of the future witness the splendor of this era and understand the meaning behind what we fought for—that will be up to you, another me." Elysia still wore a smile, but her expression was exceptionally solemn.
Her Memory Body nodded slightly. She knew that this was precisely who she was, and that it was the meaning behind creating this Imaginary Tree. She finally understood what it meant that even when the same person faced the same matter, they would inevitably feel differently when their positions and perspectives differed.
I had to admit, seeing myself off was a truly unique feeling.
"Ah, I've been chatting with myself for so long. It's already this late. If I don't leave now, I won't make it in time for the performance. It's a ball I'm hosting myself—there's no way the leading lady can be late."
Elysia smiled from the bottom of her heart, then left the Imaginary Tree with firm, cheerful steps, hurrying toward the final stage.
Now, the time of Finality was drawing near.
Now, the time to return had arrived.
Farewell, beautiful world.
From now on, the stars will shine, because I have walked this world.
From now on, a hundred flowers will bloom, because I have never truly left.
Watching the back of her true self as she departed, Elysia's Memory Body silently waved her hand:
"Goodbye, Elysia."
Before you continue