Chapter 285

Elysia laughed and said, "That's an incredibly unfair statement! You've become more proactive while I was away, haven't you, Mei?"

"After all, someone just disappeared on their own."

"So, am I exactly the same as the woman you remember?"

"Exactly the same."

The storybook, titled Elysia, tells the story of a young girl's life, from traveling the world with dreams in her heart to meeting her end with dreams in her heart.

Her life was so brilliant and magnificent, as if every moment was a meticulously crafted fairy tale.

"But this time, I don't want to be a bystander, reading distant memories without being able to touch them in the slightest. I don't want to end things this way."

"That's what Raiden Mei said."

"So this time, I want to step onto the stage in the book, as a participant, to witness the fate of the human named Elysia, to witness her and the Thirteen Flame-Chasers."

As a successor, this is the only thing Raiden Mei can do for the Flame-Chasers.

Having personally experienced that grand banquet, I pay the highest tribute to the heroes who paved the way for future generations.

"Mei has said so, there's no way I can refuse. So, let me turn the last page for Mei."

The petals fluttered and fell, the pages turned, and the book returned to its first chapter.

Elysia extended her hand and placed it in front of Raiden Mei: "So, beautiful young lady, would you be willing to attend this grand banquet?"

Raiden Mei reached out and grasped Elysia's arm, pulling her into the garden to witness the banquet unfold.

That night, the first person to arrive was Vill-V; she always arrived well in advance, preparing plenty of surprises for everyone.

She brought her inventions and creativity, like Magician, to make the audience laugh.

The second to arrive was Apponia, who was not wearing a veil but a formal dress. She also prayed for Elysia in the manner of a nun.

--I hate fate because it takes you away, I am grateful for fate because it brings us together.

The third person to attend in full regalia was Eden, who, like Elysia, was dressed to the nines. Her exquisite makeup transformed her into a gem of Previous Era as she attended a small banquet with only a few people.

She invited Elysia for a drive, and the two of them roamed freely under the open sky.

The last person at the banquet was Kevin Kaslana, a seemingly cold but warm-hearted boy.

Chapter 464 Mei vs. Elysia

At the banquet, Elysia reached out her hand to Kevin, just as she is now reaching out her hand to Raiden Mei.

"This is my invitation to Mei. May I have this one last dance with you?"

Elysia danced with her skirt, a powerful force emanating from her body, like the source of a river, a torrent flowing down from the snow-capped mountains, endless and inexhaustible.

This was the invitation Elysia extended to Kevin, and the power Kevin faced back then.

Raiden Mei: "Wait! Is this an invitation for me to fight Elysia, or even face the power of the Primordial Herrscher?"

Very bad, Raiden Mei feels very bad.

She didn't know exactly how strong the Mei was, but she could fight Mobius to a standstill, and even test her skills against the enraged Chakravartin.

She has to be better than she is now.

In just a few days, even with the guidance of the Flame-Chasers, Mei was far from mastering the true power of the Herrscher of Thunder; she could only be said to have taken the final step towards becoming Herrscher.

But fighting Elysia, or even having to pass the test of the Herrscher of Origin, Raiden Mei really felt it was a long shot.

It wasn't that she was being modest; that was a unique and irreplaceable feat, and even across two eras, it was probably only the strongest person, Kevin Kaslana, who could have accomplished it.

Asking her to challenge the Herrscher of Origin —isn't that giving her a bit too much credit?

Elysia: "Mei, you need to have confidence in yourself. Besides, who told you... you're all alone?"

Raiden Mei: "You mean the Flame-Chasers will help me?"

If you were to say that the Memory Body of the Flame-Chasers weren't completely dead and reappeared to help her defeat the Herrscher of Corruption, Raiden Mei would believe it.

But when it comes to dealing with Elysia, or even passing Elysia's test, the Flame-Chasers probably won't put in as much effort as they would with their colleagues, right?

Sue: "Miss Mei, you seem to have forgotten the Signet we gave you. It's not just for show. In the Previous Era Elysian Realm, it will become your strength and help you overcome difficulties."

Vill-V: "See those twelve pillars on the field? Don't the symbols on them look familiar?"

Raiden Mei: "Signet?"

With the help of twelve Flame-Chasers, Raiden Mei felt much more confident.

However, she was still a little worried about fighting Elysia... Having experienced Elysia's teachings, Raiden Mei had a preliminary understanding of her unfathomable power.

This Herrscher of Thunder has some confidence, but not much.

Raiden Mei: "So, Elysia, you'll still hold back, right?"

Elysia: "Mei, how can you call it 'going easy' when two girls are on a date and dancing gracefully at a party?"

After all, Mei's purpose in coming to the Previous Era Elysian Realm was to uncover the truth, not to pass the test!

[In the scene, Elysia and Raiden Mei are engaged in a fierce battle on stage. For Raiden Mei, it is a fierce battle, but for Elysia, it is just a beautiful date.]

Even so, Mei was still unable to withstand the attack with her own strength.

Gradually, Raiden Mei's vision began to blur, and she seemed to collapse at any moment due to exhaustion.

"No, if this is Elysia's true power, then I must... respond to her expectations!"

Raiden Mei planted the knife in the ground, trying to stand up in one go, but her exhausted body couldn't keep up with her strength.

"Hehe, let's give Sister Mei then!"

"Pardo?"

The familiar voice entered her mind, causing Raiden Mei to freeze in place for a moment.

"Are you that surprised, Sister Mei? I haven't settled your bill yet, and I won't forget! We can't let Sister Elysia down, right?"

"Reverie are fleeting, so I'll share half of my good fortune with you!"

Raiden Mei raised her head, her gaze searching across the plaza. On the towering pillar, she saw the Signet of Reverie.

In an instant, her body, which was about to collapse, was once again infused with power.

Although it is far from matching Elysia's imposing presence, and still appears insignificant compared to the Herrscher of Origin.

But Raiden Mei's body did move. Swift as lightning, she appeared beside Elysia in the next second, her long sword transforming into lightning, accompanied by a roar of thunder.

Then came Hua's voice, Griseo's voice... Flame-Chasers's Signet shone brightly at this moment.

The power of the Signet has coalesced.

Twelve pillars stand tall against the sky, their Signet on the high platform radiating a shining will.

"Mei, look! They're all here, witnessing this banquet. Mei did it! Mei is someone recognized by the Thirteen Flame-Chasers!"

Elysia's heart pounded. Familiar voices, familiar friends—it was as if they were right there, under the banquet lights, never having left.

"This is the final act, the grandest farewell, so I cannot leave any regrets. Show me your full power, Elysia!"

Come on, Mei.

Elysia and Raiden Mei exchanged a glance, their minds already in sync, and instantly understood each other.

Elysia abandoned her bow and arrow, and a dazzling scepter emerged from her, the Herrscher Authority scepter, its swaying skirt making even the stars in the sky appear dim.

--The power of the Herrscher of Origin.

The appearance of the scepter caused Elysia to wear a new dress; the power of the Herrscher of Origin dimmed the sky and extinguished the sun and moon.

A powerful force absorbed the entire space, forming a new world. All was silent, returning to nothingness.

"We've finally reached the pinnacle of the ball, Mei. Aren't you surprised? Herrscher of Origin, my other name, my other form, how does it feel?"

Elysia, holding a scepter, floated barefoot in the sky.

Her authority symbolizes the primordial, the nothingness, and can manipulate mist, create space, and even summon the light that belongs only to the stars.

"Mei, the ball isn't over yet."

"A waltz under the starry sky should naturally end with the most magnificent curtain call."

Raiden Mei closed her eyes and drew her sword, unleashing a torrent of furious thunder.

In the void, the two danced gracefully, exchanging blows, until a powerful energy pierced the sky, shattering the weapon in Raiden Mei's hand and falling onto the water's surface.

Raiden Mei stood still, electricity flickering in the water. She looked up, and a flash of light streaked across the water, landing behind her.

The two stood back to back, the sky ablaze with light like a starry river, serving as their backdrop.

"Is that all?"

"Thank you, Mei, for being able to relive that banquet one last time in this way."

After the banquet, the two sat on the swing; the fierce battle and the dazzling space, more magnificent than a galaxy, had vanished in that instant.

Chapter 465 Mei, Let's Say a Final Farewell

Elysia: "Not bad, Mei. You did a great job. You didn't let me down."

Raiden Mei: "No, no, no, I think to a large extent, it's because you went easy on me."

Although the fierce battle just now was cool, Raiden Mei didn't think it was her achievement at all. It was all thanks to the Signet of the twelve Flame-Chasers and Elysia's deliberate holding back without even breaking a sweat.

If she still can't pass the test, it will be a real disgrace!

Elysia: "Don't say that, Mei. Come on, let me teach you some tricks to mastering Honkai Energy and how to use the power of Herrscher."

Raiden Mei: "Hmm!"

Raiden Mei wouldn't refuse Elysia's kindness, so she placed her hand in Elysia's hand.

The next moment, the torrent, as deep as an abyss, filled her with terror.

Within Elysia, it was as if a pillar of light shot into the sky, piercing through the sea of clouds and reaching for the sun, moon, and stars.

Prior to this, Elysia had guided Raiden Mei to sense Honkai Energy, feel the power of the Herrscher, and gradually master it in this way.

At that time, Mei, as B-rank Valkyrie, was too weak, and what she saw was only a glimpse of the whole picture.

Only now could she see clearly the terrifying energy contained within the body of the girl before her.

'Will Flame-Chasers's Signet truly allow me to fight against Elysia?'

Raiden Mei wondered to herself, and once again began to feel insecure.

Eden: "Miss Mei created a romantic ending, but it's a pity we didn't have that opportunity back then. Witnessing her final moments is the only thing we can do for Elysia."

Elysia: "Don't say that, Eden. That was my own choice."

Moreover, compared to the Previous Era Elysian Realm, a world constructed from data and capable of being modified and programmed, reality is far more brutal!

They had no choice but to kill Elysia.

Elysia: "Why don't we talk about something happy?"

Pardofelis: "What's so exciting? Is it that Sister Elysia is going to give me a crystal flower?"

Elysia: "It's not impossible, but there are more important things! For example... since there's already a prototype of the Elysian Realm in the Previous Era Elysian Realm, why don't we build a real one?"

A true Elysian Realm, a dreamlike transition.

Elysia traveled the world but never found Elysian Realm, yet she found a model of it in the Previous Era Elysian Realm.

Vill-V: "Oh dear, we'll definitely need an expert's help again."

Vill-V: "This is a big project, but it's not a big deal. As long as there's funding, I'm willing to put in the effort even though I'm an old man."

Experts say it's nothing; she can grow gardens in near-Earth satellite orbit, so a mere "Elysian Realm" is just a hassle at most.

Elysia: "Alright then, Vill-V, regarding the details of [Elysian Realm], we'll need to find a quiet place later to discuss them with you properly."

Bronya: "Hmm... there's nothing wrong with saying this to my face, is there?"

Elysia: "Girls always have some little secrets they can't tell others, right? I'm sure Vill-V will understand?"

Vill-V: "It's a little secret~"

Vill-V glanced at Elysia, then nodded without saying anything more.