Mei and the Boy in the Elysian Realm
Perhaps she is a consciousness that arises spontaneously from the Class President's body, or perhaps she is something else entirely, but I believe that these are things that she absolutely cannot decide on her own.
Just like our own past.
As he spoke, Shi Hen his tone became resolute. "Even if we cannot change the fate we are born with, we can still choose what kind of person we should become in the future."
As the boy's not-so-loud voice slowly faded, Kiana and the others' eyes flashed with thought, and even Schariac's eyes showed a strange light.
In recent days, she has heard either doubts or affirmations, and she has never heard such a tolerant viewpoint from a teenager.
"Captain Hen is right, Bronya was too one-sided before."
If Bronya had realized this sooner, the Class President might not have run away.
Bronya lowered her head slightly and said.
Upon seeing many unconscious Anti-Entropy personnel lying on the ground, and noticing the unusual behavior of the resurrected Fu Hua, her first thought was to subdue them, and then...
She also fell to the ground.
"Bronya, you don't need to blame yourself too much."
In that situation, I probably could only make the same judgment as you.
Shi Hen shook his head and comforted him.
After all, at that time, Schariac was an enemy that had invaded Anti-Entropy, and the fate of many Anti-Entropy employees was unknown. There was not much room for negotiation between Bronya and the other party.
"Then let's explain it to the Class President properly when we see her next time."
Kiana said with a smile.
You heard it too, didn't you?
Even if you aren't me, there's still a place for you here.
Upon hearing this, Fu Hua also joined in the persuasion.
If the Herrscher of Knowledge could fight for humanity like Kiana and others, she wouldn't care about who her body belongs to.
Because from beginning to end, she never hesitated to give up her life.
"Shut up!"
As her gaze swept over the gentle expressions on the faces of the boys and the others, Fu Hua felt a sudden surge of inexplicable anger. "I am the real Fu Hua! I don't need any other identity!"
If she weren't Fu Hua, wouldn't her previous actions seem ridiculous?
Looking at the mess she had caused and the Book of Cang Xuan with its many oil stains on her legs, Fu Hua became increasingly agitated.
Fu Hua's gaze swept over the faces of the boy and the others one last time. She gritted her teeth, but ultimately left the Book of Cang Xuan and turned to leave.
She could sense that the hypnosis on everyone was about to wear off because her previous methods of altering consciousness had been too forceful.
Still unsure how to face the boy and the others, she chose to follow her heart and run away.
"..."
Feeling the constraints and pull from the Herrscher of Knowledge, Fu Hua could only give the boy a smile before her consciousness disappeared along with the Herrscher.
Shi Hen returned Fu Hua's smile without rushing to expose or stop Schariac.
The seeds of possibility have been sown, and he doesn't mind letting Schariac fly a little longer.
Besides, if he doesn't let Fu Hua and Schariac develop a better relationship, how can he win them over... no, how can he persuade them to join forces?
As for now...
"Ah! A ghost!"
As the effects of the Schariac receded, the true scene inside the house appeared before everyone. Theresa was the first to shout out, and she immediately jumped onto Wendy.
For a Nun who was not devout in her faith, the sudden change in the scene could only be explained by ghosts and spirits.
"..."
Holding a precocious little girl in her arms, and glancing at the white-haired girl snuggling up to the boy, Wendy's eyes revealed obvious envy, and...
Does this teacher seem a bit superfluous?
Wendy weighed the Nun in her arms, who felt almost weightless to her, and a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
Chapter 128 Mei and the Boy in the Elysian Realm
Elysian Realm.
As Mei walked along the familiar garden path, her surprise deepened.
It wasn't just a rough appearance; the deeper she went into St. Freya, the more she felt its striking resemblance to reality, as if... St. St. Freya was entirely modeled after reality.
But that's definitely impossible!
Based on various pieces of information, the Elysian Realm existed 50,000 years ago, so... is the real-world St. Freya based on the Elysian Realm?
But if that's the case, how did Theresa know the appearance of the building from 50,000 years ago?
Moreover, compared to other buildings in the Elysian Realm, the style of St. Freya is rather out of place, and doesn't seem to be from the Previous Era at all.
As she pondered the reasons, Mei unconsciously placed her hand on the Seven Thunders of Sin's Purge.
Even though she wasn't afraid of any danger, the appearance of St. Freya was still too unusual.
There was a strange feeling, like seeing someone's name in a history book.
Just as they were on guard, a deep voice with a somewhat familiar quality suddenly rang out:
"If there were a dream world, so magnificent and realistic that it was almost indistinguishable from reality."
Everyone can find the fulfillment and happiness they desire within it, and live on forever, until the Finality, as long as the sun goes out.
So, would you be willing to live there?
"..."
Upon hearing this, Mei's eyes flashed with thought for a moment before she quickly replied, "I won't..."
But before the girl could answer, the deep voice rang out again:
"If this Sweet Dream is destined to shatter, you will lose everything you have: friends, family, loved ones, all the grass and trees, the gentle breeze... and then yourself."
If you knew this predetermined ending from the very beginning, would you still have persevered?
"Hmm..."
Upon hearing this, Mei fell silent.
The sheer weight of this ending, where everything is lost, is palpable even just from hearing about it.
Moreover, you just said that Sweet Dream can last forever, and then you said that Sweet Dream will eventually shatter... Are you sure you're still thinking straight?
"No need to answer right away, visitor."
When you truly understand everything, I believe you will have your own answers.
A deep voice rang out again, its tone filled with endless gentleness and understanding, "Now, please step forward."
As soon as he finished speaking, countless colorful, unnamed wildflowers sprouted up along the path, resembling a multicolored carpet.
Looking at the invitation, Mei's eyes flashed with thought before she decided to follow.
Even though she hadn't met the owner of this place yet, she felt a strange sense of security, as if she had truly returned to the real St. Freya.
Following the path forward, a pavilion soon came into view for the girl.
"..."
Mei's gaze immediately fell on a robust man in his thirties with short white hair in the pavilion, and Mei pupils widened in shock.
Although he looked completely different from the boy in her memory, for a brief moment she still had the strange feeling that she had seen him.
But... how could that be possible?
Shi Hen is only twenty years old this year, and his hair color is the most common black in Shenzhou, which is completely different from the man who has appeared in the Elysian Realm.
"Visitor, have you ever met anyone in real life who resembles me?"
Mei Shi Hen asked with a smile, "Just now, you looked at her like you were seeing an old friend."
Unlike Flame-Chasers, whose image is limited by memory, as an existence that can only truly manifest by relying on the Herrscher Core and the Key of Erosion, his image in the Elysian Realm can be freely fabricated.
As long as there's enough data, he could even use Elysia's image to bully... cough cough, play with Mobius without any problem.
"No, I must have seen it wrong."
Still looking at the man with suspicion, Mei shook her head and asked, her eyes filled with doubt, "Are you also one of the thirteen Flame-Chasers of this Elysian Realm?"
Although theoretically speaking, this statement should be considered nonsense.
After all, those who could appear in this Elysian Realm were either Flame-Chasers or visitors like her.
And it is quite obvious that the other party is a local who should be considered a native of the Elysian Realm.
Even though she was aware of this fact, the St. Freya that was exactly the same as reality still gave Mei a strange sense of unease.
"Flame-Chasers?"
No, I am not one of them, nor do I possess the glory and power of those Flame-Chasers.
Shi Hen shook his head slightly and said.
Even though Flame-Chasers's identity is a good disguise, since he has already decided to be a riddle master, he might as well carry on with the riddles to the end.
I'm sure Mei will be very happy when she finally understands everything.
Moreover, even a behind-the-scenes player like him held a great deal of respect for these Flame-Chasers who fought against the Honkai to the very last moment.
Even for the sake of this respect, he had no intention of mingling himself with the glory that belonged to Flame-Chasers.
Of course, when it really comes down to fighting, he will never hesitate.
After all, giving it our all is the best way to show respect to Flame-Chasers.
Mei: "..."
Wasn't it supposed to be that only Flame-Chasers Elysian Realm?
Don't overturn the established rules so quickly!
"Unlike the others in the Elysian Realm, I am just a loser who has even lost his own name."
Shi Hen continued to add.
"..."
Looking into the gray eyes of the man before her, which seemed to have seen countless vicissitudes, Mei couldn't help but pause slightly, and unconsciously recalled the two questions he had asked her earlier.
After a long pause, Mei sat down opposite the man and said in a deep voice, "Raiden Mei, that's my name."
As she spoke, Mei stared intently into the man's eyes, as if trying to find something within them.
"Mei, what a beautiful name."
Naturally, the girl wouldn't notice anything amiss. Shi Hen smiled slightly and poured hot tea into the cup in front of her, then pointed to a plate of tricolor dumplings on the table, "Want to try some?"
The food recalled from memory may not be filling, but its taste should remain unchanged.
"...OK."
Somewhat absentmindedly, Mei responded, then subconsciously picked up her teacup and took a small sip, feeling a sense of unease once again.
Based on her upbringing, she believed that one should express gratitude when receiving a favor.
But in front of this man, she inexplicably didn't want to be so distant.
Mei's gaze swept over the man's face, which always wore a gentle smile, and after thinking for a moment, Mei asked, "What should I call you?"
No matter how the other party tries to explain, they can't really forget their own name, can they?
"The past is nothing but emptiness to me now, but if you wish... you can call me Naraku."
Shi Hen said calmly.
This is a very suitable name for a villain.
Moreover, he bears a striking resemblance to a certain sea patrol ranger who wishes to remain anonymous.
"Naraku..."