"Fulfill each other's wishes? Then what is your wish? To build a flawless paradise, an eternal Elysium?"
Chang Yuan tilted his head and asked.
"Of course not. I just haven't thought of that wish yet. I'll tell you once I do."
"Then I'll state my wish first. You're not allowed to go back on your word later."
"Don't worry. I've never lied to anyone."
Patting her fully developed assets, Airi assured him.
Airi had never lied to anyone.
"Alright. My wish is that, someday in the future, I hope to save someone. When that time comes, you have to help me."
"Um... alright."
Although Airi did not understand why Chang Yuan was asking her to help save someone in the future,
she did not refuse. After all, it should be a simple matter for her.
Having obtained Airi's promise, Chang Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If Airi still chose to sacrifice herself in the end and save the future,
then he could use all their memories and this promise from the past to try to persuade her.
Even if the odds were minuscule, it was still better than having no chance at all. This was already more than he could do.
"Alright, the promise is made. Whoever breaks it first will... hmm, agree to one condition from the other person."
"Then I definitely can't break it. Who knows what condition you might propose? What if you ask for me?"
As he spoke, Chang Yuan imitated a frightened expression and covered his chest with both hands.
That made Airi laugh.
"Tch, I wouldn't do that."
"Who knows? Don't forget that hot spring inn owner from a year ago. She was plotting against me. What if you're the same?"
"Hmm~? Then what if I really do make that request when the time comes?"
This time, the expression on Airi's face was no longer entirely playful, but half-serious.
However, Chang Yuan did not notice. He simply kept up his act, waving his hands about.
"Oh dear, if it really comes to that, I'll have no choice but to sell myself to you."
"Pfft, hahaha! Ah Yuan, you really know how to take advantage and still complain about it. But I would never do that."
With a snort, Airi teased him.
Time passed, and a warm sea breeze swept by.
"Huh, it's already noon? Playing around really does make people forget the time."
Only after looking at the sun in the sky did Airi realize that it was already noon.
"Come on, come on, let's eat!"
"Yes, yes, let's go."
Seeing how eager Airi was to eat, Chang Yuan could only helplessly take her to get some food.
One year later...
"Ah Yuan, just like in fairy tales, there really is no flawless paradise or eternal Elysium in this world."
Standing on a cliff, Airi looked down at the brightly lit city below.
"Didn't you know that years ago?"
Chang Yuan shook his head as he spoke.
Airi had surely known years ago that such a place existed only in fairy tales.
"Yes, I should have known long ago. So, since no such place exists, I'll create one myself."
Looking at the city, Airi's eyes were filled with hope.
It was an infinite yearning for the future, as well as the determination to strive toward her future goal.
Retracting her gaze, Airi turned to Chang Yuan beside her and extended her right hand.
"Then, Ah Yuan, please create a paradise that belongs to us and everyone together with me from now on."
"Sigh, since Airi has invited me, how could I refuse?"
Helplessly, Chang Yuan extended his hand and clasped Airi's.
"Hehe, I knew Ah Yuan was the best. Then, let's work hard for our goal."
Half a month later...
"Hi~? Dr. Mobius, we were sent by those councilors to reclaim your enrollment badge. After all, you don't need that anymore."
"Tch, those bastards moved fast. They're taking back my authority already? Heh, take it."
From her drawer, Dr. Mobius directly tossed out her badge.
Airi steadily caught it, then shot Chang Yuan beside her a look.
The two of them promptly withdrew.
Only after they had completely left did they start laughing.
"Dr. Mobius was so innocent. She was fooled that easily."
"No, I don't think she was innocent. I think those councilors really might be capable of discarding someone once they've outlived their usefulness."
Chang Yuan understood those parasites all too well.
If he had the ability now, he would probably speedrun the councilor dungeon that every member of Flame-Chasing Moth had to clear.
After all, in every Honkai-related novel he had read, once someone joined Flame-Chasing Moth, they would first clear the councilor dungeon.
Those people would only hold humanity back from defeating Honkai.
"Alright, hurry to the battlefield. The Second Herrscher has been born. Do you remember what I told you?"
"I know, I know. The Second Herrscher's ability is spatial manipulation, so we have to stay alert to our surroundings at all times."
Airi patiently nodded at Chang Yuan's warning and repeated it once more.
Only after seeing that Airi truly remembered did Chang Yuan relax slightly.
Although the original plot never explained how Airi killed the Second Herrscher, it certainly had not been easy.
But now that he had revealed the information in advance, it should be much easier this time.
"Still, has Velvie not replied yet?"
"No. The Honkai Energy concentration is probably too high, causing most communications to malfunction."
Seeing that Airi had not received any message from Velvie either, Chang Yuan sighed helplessly.
He looked at his right hand, where faint purple patterns had already appeared.
The reason he had sought out Velvie was because he believed she must have developed a Honkai resistance serum during the past few years.
However, he had been unable to get through using that old phone.
I hope I can hold on until this Honkai incident ends. Otherwise, I'm done for.
With an inward sigh, Chang Yuan pulled down his sleeve again. He did not want Airi to see this and worry.
If she got distracted because of it during battle, it could be fatal.
Using Dr. Mobius's badge, Airi and Chang Yuan successfully entered the rough encirclement established by Flame-Chasing Moth.
At that moment, the Herrscher of Void was still within the encirclement and had not escaped.
After all, Flame-Chasing Moth personnel inside were still locked in battle with her.
Before you continue