Several hours later—
Elias stepped out of Aponia's counseling room, refreshed and in high spirits, still deeply shaken by the experience. This time could only be described as unprecedented.
(The face of a saint, the body of a witch—Aponia is simply amazing!)
Though he had accidentally gotten a little too rough, he had already used the Herrscher of Rebirth's power to heal her, so—there was no real problem.
Stretching lazily, Elias was about to take on a few missions to hunt Emperor-class Honkai Beasts and burn off his still-abundant energy when—
"Hi~ Elias, I finally found you."
"Hm? Eden, what brings you here?"
With a fragrant breeze, Elias turned to see a graceful beauty with wine-red hair walking toward him.
He was pleasantly surprised.
He hadn't expected to see Eden at the base today.
Ever since joining Fire Moth, Eden had been endlessly busy. She had invested heavily in philanthropy, aiding countless people displaced by the Honkai. Schools, orphanages, welfare programs, sanatoriums—she had built too many to count.
She even held concerts in places where public morale wavered.
Thus, though she was "only" a superstar artist, in this apocalyptic struggle for humanity's survival, she played a role that earned everyone's admiration.
Not long ago, a famous critic had said: Entertainment will eventually die. People, for the sake of survival, will abandon all unnecessary amusements.
Indeed, many celebrities of the Previous Era had already retired. Though under Elias' leadership Fire Moth was still suppressing the Honkai with overwhelming advantage, the people were not fools. Knowing the disaster's terror, they had little mood to support fleeting idols anymore.
But Eden was different.
She symbolized the art of this era.
And art would never die.
Because art was the crystallization of human wisdom and history. It would walk with human society, and as long as mankind's era did not perish, art would never vanish.
That was why Eden still shone so brightly—because she was the very art of this age.
"It's been so long, my dear Eden. I haven't heard you sing for me lately, and my heart feels tired."
Elias opened his arms and warmly hugged her.
"Hehe, aren't you exaggerating a bit?"
"No, I'm serious. My ears can't live without your songs. I've completely fallen for them."
"Fufu~ thank you. But it's been a while, Elias—you're starting to sound more and more like Ely. Hm? You seem to have a strange scent on you?"
Eden raised a brow and sniffed.
Elias' heart skipped a beat. Were women's noses really this sharp?
"Ahem! Anyway, Eden, what did you need from me?"
"Hm? Why do you look a little nervous? Never mind. This time, I came to invite you to perform with me again. Please don't refuse."
From her chest, Eden produced a flyer.
It was a concert poster. A week from now, this era's superstar would be holding a grand concert at the Australia Dome.
"I'm currently recruiting a pianist. Elias, may I ask you again? Consider it a reward for all my hard work lately, won't you?"
Eden's request carried a tone almost like a spoiled plea.
"Of course. It would be my honor."
Elias smiled and accepted the diva's invitation.
But in the next moment, his eyes sharpened as he looked down at the concert flyer, expression turning serious.
In his past life's game, the Herrschers of the Previous Era rarely had clearly documented times of appearance.
But the Seventh Herrscher's emergence was certain.
Even the identity of the host was fixed.
Elias' fingers tightened around the flyer. He knew—the Seventh Herrscher would descend on the very day of Eden's concert! And the host would be none other than Himeko!
She was Murata Himeko's alternate self from the Previous Era.
(This is a chance—a perfect chance. I can test myself: if I know the exact time and place of a Herrscher's descent, can I minimize the casualties—no, eliminate them entirely!)
Elias felt a fire ignite within him. Even without that reasoning, for Eden's sake alone, he had to handle the Seventh Herrscher flawlessly.
Because he knew—in the original story, the Seventh Eruption was the turning point of Eden's fate.
The flames of the Herrscher of Fire burned away Eden's identity as a "songstress," forcing this star who should have held a microphone onstage to step onto the battlefield with twin guns in her hands.
Even so, Eden still shone with brilliance.
But Elias would not allow that to happen.
"Eden, I'll protect your stage, protect your era. I'll make sure you continue to shine forever."
"Elias, why are you suddenly saying things like that? I wasn't ready for this…"
"Emmm, though I feel like you misunderstood, I'll agree to perform together. Send me the music later, and we'll put on the grandest, most spectacular concert of the century."
Elias cracked his knuckles eagerly. This concert would also have one very special guest—the Herrscher. He had to give them a proper welcome.
"Uh… alright…"
Eden blinked at the white-haired boy's high spirits. Somehow it felt less like he was preparing to share the stage with her and more like he was preparing for battle.
(Wait. If I already know who it'll be, then maybe… maybe I can find a loophole!)
Suddenly, Elias' eyes lit up. He spun around and rushed back to fling open the counseling room door.
"Aponia, there's something really important I need you to—uh, sorry, sorry, continue, take your time changing."
"[Please], don't look at me!"
Too excited, the boy had forgotten to knock. The moment he entered, he saw the nun changing clothes.
Though Aponia was a compassionate cleric, and though the two of them had just… shared something not long ago, her face still flushed red. Flustered, she covered herself while issuing [Discipline].
And Eden saw it all.
"Uh, Aponia, why are you changing clothes in the counseling room in broad daylight?"
"…It's fine, Eden. I just exercised a little and got sweaty."
"Oh? Is that so?"
The corner of Eden's eye twitched slightly.
She wasn't some foolish paramecium who could be lied to so easily. Exercise? She believed that. But was it proper exercise?
After all, she had seen Elias come out of this very room before she caught up with him. And now, right after he left, Aponia was changing clothes.
And she claimed it was from exercise. Then tell me—what kind of exercise, exactly, had she done with Elias present that left her sweaty enough to need a change of clothes?
"Eden, [Please]—"
"Aponia, I forbid it."
"…As you command, Elias."
Just as Aponia was about to cast [Discipline] on Eden, who knew too much, Elias denied her instantly.
Neither of them had expected the restriction he had just placed on her to be used so soon.
(Ah, I almost did something wrong again.)
In her heart, Aponia silently apologized to Eden.
The power of [Discipline] was simply too convenient. Ever since she had obtained it, she had instinctively wanted to rely on it for everything.
Aponia knew this was a bad habit. That was why now, she felt truly grateful.
(Ah, how wonderful… to entrust the chains that bind me into Elias' hands. That was the most correct choice I could have made. As long as he is here, I no longer have to fear my Discipline leading to mistakes.)
"..."
Eden stared speechlessly at the two of them.
It felt like, while she had been running all over working tirelessly, her progress in winning over Elias had fallen behind by a lot. Wait—hadn't she just almost been dragged into something bad herself?
Eden was already considering whether she should go to Mobius afterward for a Meta-Morph surgery.
She wasn't afraid that the snake would refuse.
Before the rich lady's financial power, the ever underfunded Mobius would never reject such an offer.
A minute later, Aponia had finished changing her clothes.
"Elias, what do you need from me?"
"Mm, come with me quickly. I need you to place a [Discipline] on someone. Eden, I'll discuss the concert with you in detail later—see you then!"
"Sigh, what a busy man."
Watching the boy hurry away, dragging the nun with him, Eden could only sigh helplessly.
Then she glanced around, confirmed no one was nearby, and walked straight into the counseling room, searching with unusual concern.
...
Inside the captains' dormitory at Fire Moth.
"Himeko, are you there? It's me, open up."
"Coming, coming."
After Elias knocked for a while, a strikingly beautiful woman with fiery red hair and a proud figure opened the door. Immediately, Elias spotted the scattered beer bottles, half-eaten instant noodles, and black lace underwear tossed about inside.
"No wonder you're thirty and still don't have a boyfriend."
"…None of your business!"
Himeko's face darkened, her eye twitching.
Elias, how could you stab at a person's weak spot the moment you open your mouth? She spent all day fighting the Honkai to protect the world—who had time for something as ridiculous as dating? It wasn't because she couldn't find someone!
Wait. Speaking of which, how did Elias even manage it—having both love and career? Leading humanity in the fight against the Honkai, and still constantly showing off PDA.
Himeko's face twisted with single-dog envy and confusion. But then she realized—
(Oh right, this guy came with a built-in CP. He and Elysia were already together when they joined Fire Moth. Damn it, I'm so jealous I could die!)
Thinking of Elysia's daily updates on her social feed—full of couple photos—Himeko felt her own life was painfully bleak.
Over thirty, still single, and all she could post was "Killed a few Honkai Beasts today…"
"So then, great hero Elias, what business do you have with me?"
"No rush. Let's clean your room first."
"Huh?"
Before Himeko could react, Elias had already entered with Aponia and started tidying the messy dorm, where mold was practically growing.
Though back in the old days, under the perfect maid Rita's care, Elias' housekeeping skills had dulled, after arriving in the Current Era they had returned in full.
After all, a certain Pink Elf's housekeeping skills were average at best, and Elias always doted on her.
"Mm~ That looks much better."
"Uh… thanks?"
Ten minutes later, staring at her now clean and orderly room, Himeko was stunned—and a little flustered.
Elias' status was far above hers now, yet this great hero of humanity had suddenly shown up on his day off to clean her place.
Were they that close? Could it be he actually had feelings for her?
Himeko's mind spun with wild speculation.
In truth, Elias had simply been reminded of Himeko.
Before meeting him, Himeko had also been an older single woman and a bit of a mess at home. And with Himeko's almost identical looks, Elias couldn't help but project onto her.
"Alright, time for business."
"So soon? I'm not mentally prepared yet. And you even brought Aponia… Elias, you're not thinking… I-I couldn't accept that!"
Himeko crossed her arms, embarrassed and upset.
"Tch! Aponia, give her something else first."
"Yes. Himeko, [Please] don't think about lewd things."
"…I wasn't!"
Himeko felt like punching someone. These two were completely absurd—suddenly barging in, suddenly cleaning, suddenly "accusing" her of having indecent thoughts.
But then she realized in surprise—those thoughts really had disappeared from her mind!
After the commotion and fuss, Elias finally got to the point.
"Aponia, plant the [Discipline] I told you about."
"Understood. Captain Himeko, [Please] forget what just happened. But obey Elias' words—[Please], never harm humanity."
...
"..."
It was a forcibly implanted [Discipline], but Elias didn't need Himeko's consent. When it came to Honkai-related matters, he held the highest authority.
Himeko wouldn't remember this command, but she would still obey it faithfully. Elias didn't know if she would still follow it after becoming a Herrscher.
But wasn't it worth the attempt?
If the Herrscher host was implanted with a [Discipline] before awakening, forbidding her from ever turning against humanity, perhaps it could bind her even afterward.
"No matter if this works or not, I will never let you kill a single person, Himeko. I promise—you will not bear the sins of rivers of blood."
Elias whispered to the dazed Himeko.
This had nothing to do with her being Murata Himeko's alternate self from the Previous Era.
It was because Elias knew Himeko was a warrior who fought bravely at the very frontlines against the Honkai, one of humanity's many protectors.
Someone like her should not become a Herrscher. Elias would never allow the Honkai to tarnish her dignity and will.
"Aponia, do you think this will work?"
"I don't know. Because of you, her fate has already become unpredictable."
"Then that means there's a chance to change it. That's good."
In truth, Elias could have simply locked Himeko inside the Deep End and waited for her Herrscher awakening, then captured her alive.
After all, according to the system's past explanation, a Herrscher host awakening was inevitable fate. Unless the host was killed beforehand, it was nearly impossible to change.
But Elias knew it could never be that simple.
After all, the "Cocoon of Finality" on the moon was monitoring constantly. It would never pick a host already trapped in an inescapable cage.
Otherwise, the difficulty would be far too low.
If that were the case, then all Elias would need to do was memorize the identities of every Herrscher host, lock them up in the Deep End during a second run, and he'd be done with all Herrschers outside Finality.
But the Cocoon, which could change the test at will, wouldn't let him score so easily once it saw he already had the correct answers in hand. It would just swap the questions!
Therefore—
(I must act as though I don't know the answers. At least I can't make preparations that are too blatant, or the Cocoon will notice I already know.)
Elias lifted his gaze skyward, toward the moon visible even in daylight, as if locking eyes with the "Cocoon."
Though vigilant, he didn't take it too seriously. Because Elias didn't think the Cocoon of Finality was a very smart examiner.
Otherwise, the Herrscher of Ice wouldn't have been foolish enough to spawn near him and Kalpas, only to die pointlessly—her sole achievement being wiping out a village of scum.
Elias: "Tsk tsk. Who would've thought, after all these years, I'd get to relive that nerve-wracking feeling of outsmarting the proctor in an exam hall. But… this proctor may not be blind, yet its brain clearly doesn't work too well. Easy game."
But though dim-witted, it could still flip the table.
Just thinking about the Herrscher of Binding and the Herrscher of Finality—the two ultimate nightmares—Elias clenched his teeth.
He cursed inwardly.
What kind of exam gives you a single wrong answer and fails you instantly?! Especially when the last few questions go completely beyond the syllabus!