"For ? Why?" i stared at the bluish-gray core, encased in specialized glass to contain its radiation.
"Elysia, Michael chose to give it to you. He ntioned as an alternative, but his true intention... you must understand. Even we can see it. He wants you to inherit his power."
"Inherit his power? Beco the Herrscher of Reason...?" Elysia gave a hollow laugh, then her expression shifted, a strange glint in her eyes.
Is that what you want, Michael? I am a Herrscher. I'm the best candidate to wield the core. I could even clear my na... But Michael, how can I face this power...
Elysia closed her eyes, her voice strained. "I tried synchronizing with it. That's why I ca here from Mobius's lab... The core... It's rejecting too. 13%. Better than Michael's current rate, but... pathetic for a Herrscher."
"13%?" i was stunned. Not that the number was high, but that it was so low.
"Michael said synchronization depends on compatibility and his own subconscious. Your Honkai adaptability is the best in Fire Moth. If you weren't missing a core, I'd suspect you were a Herrscher. So the compatibility should be fine... Which ans it's the second factor... But how...?"
How could Michael's subconscious reject Elysia? i thought. The possibility was less likely than the sun going supernova. Even if the universe imploded, she wouldn't believe Michael would reject Elysia, just as she believed Kevin would always stand by her side.
"Did sothing happen between you two?"
Elysia blinked, shaking her head. "No, nothing happened."
"..." i knew sothing was wrong. Was it about Seele? Unlikely. Then what? She tapped her fingers against her thigh, wondering if she should discreetly ask Elvin, Fire Moth's resident gossip king.
"Alright, I'll take the core." i accepted the case containing the core. "But I'm just holding onto it. If you change your mind, or he does, co back anyti."
Elysia nodded. "By the way, i, aren't you going to try?"
"? No way. You know my Honkai adaptability is the sa as a normal person's. I need special equipnt just to touch an inactive core. If I removed this glass, I'd probably turn into a Zombie right here!"
"But how do you know if you don't try?" Elysia leaned her cheek against her hand, reaching for the glass as if to remove it. i swatted her hand away, though Elysia was clearly joking.
They avoided ntioning Michael. He had to find his own way out of this. External support was only a temporary crutch.
i seed unusually confident that Michael would recover, Elysia thought. That's why she was so nonchalant, so casual about the "or he does" part.
A stark contrast to Mobius's grim prognosis.
"Surprised?" i seed to have anticipated her reaction. She opened a box of pastries Kevin had brought that morning, taking out a macaron.
"Mobius always analyzes personalities with a two-layer structure – surface and inner. Like this macaron, outer shell and filling. But is it really that simple?"
Elysia took the macaron and swallowed it whole, missing the point entirely.
i chuckled, taking out another one. Elysia eagerly reached for it, but i closed the box.
"Psychologists prefer a three-layer model. Like the id, ego, and superego. But that's not what I an." She sliced the macaron in half, revealing the cross-section. "See? Three layers: the crisp shell, the almond ringue, and the filling. Or like an egg – shell, white, and yolk."
"i, don't take advantage of my lack of biology knowledge. There's a mbrane between the shell and the white!"
"Hmph. As long as you understand... Hey! Leave ... half..." i watched Elysia devour both halves with a wry smile. "Anyway, my point is, if we apply this three-layer model to Kevin, what are his three layers?"
"Uh... why Kevin?"
"Call it a personal indulgence. I'd like to know how his comrades see him."
Elysia hesitated. Was it appropriate to discuss her boyfriend with another woman? She quickly dismissed the thought. She was being too sensitive.
"Let see... Kevin's first impression is... a bit of a flirt, maybe overly cheerful? That's the first layer. The second..." She scratched her head, the image of Kevin sternly lecturing new recruits flashing through her mind. "Oh! Sotis he's quite ruthless! Uh... no, that's not right... I guess I don't really know Kevin..."
i smiled. "You got the first layer right. Hard to miss that, really. As for the second... Elysia, imagine this: if I, for a noble cause, ordered Kevin to harm other humans, would he refuse?"
"Of course not..."
"What about Michael?"
"Of course he would..."
i clapped her hands together. "That's the difference. Sotis I wonder if there's a deeper connection between them. You must have noticed – their first and second layers are completely opposite. Kevin appears frivolous and optimistic, while Michael is calm and pessimistic."
"As for the second layer... well, it's not very nice of to say this about my boyfriend, but it's also why I love him. He'll never oppose , especially when it cos to matters concerning . In a way, it's his form of selfishness. That's why he's so resilient. He recovers quickly from setbacks because as long as I'm here, he'll never lose hope."
Elysia rubbed her hands together, picking up i's thread. "But Michael's second layer is more fragile, more... despairing. He's a pessimist, and... excessively kind. He'd apologize to a broken cup, feel sorry for returned rchandise... He can't handle loss. But what about the third layer? I don't see it."
i shrugged. "I haven't figured that out yet either. But, Elysia..." She paused. "Like you said, an egg has more than three layers. The mbrane counts too. Humans are complex. But I believe Michael will co out of that room. For you, or for soone else."
i saw Michael's behavior as a temporary setback, a tantrum. The problem wasn't that big. Ti would heal all wounds. And if the 7th Herrscher appeared, could he really remain locked away?
i's confidence reassured Elysia. She felt lost, vulnerable to every opinion. Mobius's pessimism had filled her with despair. i's optimism felt like a lifeline. She knew it was just speculation, but she clung to it, like a gambler relying on lucky charms.
Maybe... I should try to break down the door, talk to him? The thought appeared, then vanished. Not because she didn't want to, but... How could she face him, knowing about him and Mobius?
She fell silent.
"Ellie? Elysia?"
"Huh...? Oh! I should get going!"
"Elysia..."
i rubbed her temples, then her tired eyes. "Elysia, considering the 6th Herrscher's power, I've prioritized the developnt of the 6th Divine Key. Vill-V says the prototype will be ready tomorrow. I want you to conduct the weapon tests."
"?" Elysia's face fell. "Um... dear i, why don't you let Kevin handle the Divine Key testing? Eden just joined Fire Moth. I haven't had ti to show her around..."
i's gaze was firm. She simply stared at Elysia.
"Fine, fine! I'll do it. See you!" Elysia waved, practically slamming the door behind her.
i stared at the swaying door, then sighed. A mont later, a small head, covered by a white hood, poked in, accompanied by the jingle of bells.
"Heeey! i-nee! Whatcha need?"
The tension in i's face eased slightly at the sight of Pardo. A faint smile appeared, then vanished, replaced by a growing unease.
"Uh... i-nee? Why so quiet...? Whoa, you look terrible! Are you feeling okay?"
"Uh... I'm fine, Pardo. Thanks for..."
"Wanna try so Phyllis's Miracle Elixir? Cures backaches, leg cramps, even heart pal-... I an, heart pain! Phyllis's Miracle Elixir, guaranteed to cure what ails ya! Special discount for coworkers... ahem, ahem!" Seeing i's expression darken, Pardo realized she might have gone too far.
She dropped to her knees, holding a jar above her head. "i-nee! This jar's on the house!"
i accepted the unmarked jar, her lips twitching. Pardo peeked up. i was examining a pill, a playful glint in her eye.
"Uh... ahem! i-nee, what if I said... that was just... a reflex? Can I have it back?"
"Oh?" i smirked. "Pardo, a businesswoman's most important asset is credibility. One doesn't take back gifts."
Pardo's eyes welled up. "Waaah, i-nee! Have rcy! If you don't give it back, Snake-nee, Brother Su, and Big sister Ellie will sell off! You wouldn't want such a cute little Pardo to be sold to so remote mountain village... wait, this is a remote mountain village..."
"Alright, enough jokes. Get up." i tossed the pills back into the jar, sliding it across the desk towards Pardo, who snatched it up, clutching it tightly.
"So, Pardo, your first mission is to deliver this dicine to Michael."
"Aye aye! Leave it to ! I have experience with Michael Brother! A little charm, a little cuteness overload, and he'll definitely open the door!"
"Oh? Then why did you fail the other day?"
"I... didn't completely fail! Michael Brother used his spatial thingy to take the dicine, right? Even though he threw it back out later... Fine, fine! That was a minor setback! This ti, if he doesn't open the door, I'll break it down! Or climb through the AC duct! Don't worry, I always deliver... ahem, ahem!"
"Deliver... what?"
"You misheard! I'm not asking for anything! I'm just concerned about Michael Brother's health! I would never extort anyone! I'm against such practices!"
"..." i smiled wryly. Pardo took a step back, then asked cautiously, "So... i-nee... why did you call here...?"
"Don't you have a second mission?" i hesitated. Should she send Pardo on such a dangerous mission? But hesitation was a luxury she couldn't afford.
"Pardo, I need you to investigate a place."
"Where?"
"Outside the underground city, at the old Moth City ruins. There's a... 'sanatorium' where Chief of Staff Lezren is staying. I need you to investigate it."
Pardo's face fell. "i-nee, is this mission... dangerous?"
i paused. "Pardo, weren't you looking for a limited-edition Cocolia Orphanage badge?"
"i... i-nee... are you saying...?"
"That's your reward."
Pardo's eyes lit up. "Leave it to , i-nee! But... when do I leave? What am I looking for?"
"The mission starts at 4:00 AM tomorrow. You have to be out before sunrise at 6:00 AM. We don't know what you're looking for. Only that it's related to an experint."
"Okay! But if I'm leaving at 4:00 AM, I need to deliver Michael Brother's dicine first! And get so beauty sleep before the mission!"
"Yes, go on."
After Pardo left, i sighed, leaning back in her chair. She hadn't had to choose Pardo. But... to investigate Lezren's secretive experint, she couldn't use her regular intelligence agents. Their loyalty was uncertain.
Her first choice had been Imr. But he'd gone silent after infiltrating the facility at 4:00 AM.
She needed soone else. Sakura, Elysia, and Kevin were all capable, but Sakura was still in Europe dealing with the aftermath of the 6th Eruption. Kevin and Elysia, while powerful, weren't suited for stealth missions.
That left Pardo.
She was skilled at infiltration. She'd helped Michael escape Fire Moth. And she had that uncanny, almost supernatural, good luck.
Also, like Imr, she was close to Michael. This guaranteed her loyalty, and, in case of failure, might give Lezren pause.
But that last part was wishful thinking... No one knew what Lezren was capable of.
i didn't want to send Pardo on such a dangerous mission, but...
She shifted her gaze, noticing the bloodstains on her desk. She swiveled her chair, looking out at the artificial sunset.
"Ti flies..."
"I'm sorry, Pardo. In these tis, neither of us has a choice."
Please, let Pardo succeed. Once she had evidence of Lezren's experint, she could negotiate Imr's release.
If not... she'd have to send Kevin, and things would get ssy.
...
Screech... screech...
Two gulls took flight from the reeds. Elysia stood by the lake, hands in her pockets, bathed in the cold, artificial sunset. The shimring water made her eyes ache.
"I used to get so excited about sunsets... Now it just seems... h." She plucked a reed, twirling it between her fingers. It felt... ordinary.
She'd lost interest in so many things.
Further down the path was Hiko's sunflower field. Hiko, enjoying her early retirent, was ticulously tending to the flowers, their faces turned away from the artificial sun.
"Hey, Captain Hiko! Nice flowers!" In the past, she would have greeted Hiko with a bright, exaggerated smile. But now, she couldn't muster the energy. Even if she could, it would be as artificial as the sunset – beautiful, but lifeless.
No matter how vibrant the colors, how realistic the simulation, it was fake. Just a light, devoid of warmth.
Just like Elysia, shivering in the cold light.
Just like the sunflowers, forever turning away.
"Yo! Ellie!" Hiko waved cheerfully.
Elysia hesitated, then, lifting her skirt slightly, walked into the flowerbed. She poked at a sunflower bud. "Ugly," she muttered.
"What's wrong? You, Michael, everyone... you all seem down. I heard the 6th Eruption is over. Why didn't Anti-Entropy attend the victory party?"
Elysia took a deep breath, her voice cracking. "The 6th Herrscher was... Seele."
"Who?"
"Seele."
Hiko fell silent, then, after a mont, said simply, "Oh." She seed to be struggling to rember the little girl from Arc City.
Then, as if worried she'd offended Elysia, she sat down on the edge of the field. "It's good that you can feel sadness. There was a ti... I couldn't."
Her strange words caught Elysia's attention.
"My entire squad... seventeen of them... turned into Zombies. Well, six beca Zombies. Eleven... they were irreversibly transforming, but still retained so awareness. So of them... could even say my na."
"What happened to them?"
"I killed them. All of them. I couldn't let them die at soone else's hands. That's what I thought, back then. For a couple of years after that, I didn't speak to any new recruits. I didn't want to grieve for them when they died, or, more likely, when I had to kill them after they turned."
Elysia's skin crawled. She'd never imagined Hiko had such a dark past.
"I hated myself. Why was I always immune? Why did I always survive? Why did I always have to be the one to kill them? The new recruits saw as a freak. Worse than Michael, probably. He had you, Mobius, Hua, Pardo... I didn't et Hen or Blanka until much later."
"..."
"So, I can't judge what happened with Seele. Whoever killed her did the right thing. It wasn't Seele he killed, it was the 6th Herrscher, right? Would he have spared her on the battlefield just because he's grieving now? But it's still a tragedy. And it's good that he's grieving. Better than being numb."
Elysia forced a smile. "That's... an interesting perspective."
"I'm serious, Ellie." Hiko's eyes reflected the artificial sunset. "Grief can be a motivator. Numbness can't. Only through loss can we truly appreciate what we have. And only by cherishing what we have can we keep fighting. Numbness... that's the real danger. Besides..."
"Besides...?"
"Besides, grief ans you've lost sothing precious. If I ever beco a Herrscher... I hope he'll kill without hesitation, to minimize the damage. But I also selfishly hope... he'll grieve for . Like he grieved for Seele."
A breeze swept through the flowerbed, rustling the sunflowers. Elysia could have sworn so of them turned towards the fiery glow of the sunset.
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