"Done and dusted~ Against these thick-skinned, hard-to-kill enemies, the Seven Thunders of Retribution is really useful!"
Elias looked with satisfaction at the fallen Garuda.
Although every use of this ultimate mode required repairs on the Divine Key, its power was well worth the cost.
Sitting on the ground, Elias began repairing the smoking Seven Thunders of Retribution. The four people beside him were completely dumbfounded.
Watching their headache of a Judgment-level Honkai Beast, Garuda, get one-shotted by Elias, they felt as if all their earlier efforts had been for nothing—hard to accept.
And this wasn't just any kill.
Garuda's body was disintegrating, quickly turning to nothing, not even ash remaining. Kevin and the others stared in horror at Elias and the Seven Thunders of Retribution in his hand, swallowing hard in unison.
"You… you solved it just like that?"
"Mm~ otherwise what, keep playing around with it?"
"No, I mean, this Divine Key is too outrageous! One shot to instantly kill a Judgment-level Honkai Beast! Elias, my good brother, lend it to me for a spin!"
Kevin's eyes lit up. What guy didn't like a sniper? Especially one that looked so cool and had such explosive firepower!
Elias raised his brow, then generously handed the Seven Thunders of Retribution over.
"Sure, give it a try."
"Haha~ thanks, I'll treat you to noodles later!"
Kevin grabbed the weapon excitedly. But before he could even aim at a target, the Divine Key of Judgment started morphing and reconstructed itself into a tiny slingshot.
Kevin: "???" (._.)
Elias: "Pfft—hahahaha~!"
Ely: "Oh my, what's going on here?"
From a badass sniper rifle that had just one-shotted a Judgment-level Honkai Beast, it had suddenly become a simple little slingshot. The contrast was so absurd that everyone except Elias was left dumbstruck.
"Looks like the Seven Thunders of Retribution rejected you, Kevin."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"This Divine Key created by Vill-V, just like the Herrscher of Thunder who powered it, is an arrogant queen. If she disdains her wielder, she'll transform into slingshot form."
Elias said as he took the Divine Key of Judgment back.
The instant it returned to his hands, the Seven Thunders of Retribution became a sniper rifle again. Then, as if to show off, it transformed into a katana, a whip, a scythe, a kitchen knife, and even lipstick.
"Uh… just from its forms alone, I can already guess who its creator was."
"Vill-V really does love adding all kinds of meaningless features to her inventions."
"Is that so? I quite like it."
Elias said as he picked up the lipstick-shaped Seven Thunders of Retribution and lifted Elysia's chin, applying it lightly to her lips. Miss Pink Elf pulled out a small mirror to check the effect, very pleased.
"Wow~ it's so pretty! I love this Divine Key! If only it were pink."
"Haha, that's exactly the kind of answer I expected from you."
Elias pinched Miss Pink Elf's cheek. The soft feel in his hand was far too addictive.
"Anyway, the Seven Thunders of Retribution was designed by Vill-V specifically for me—so I'd always have a suitable weapon for battle no matter the situation. Uh…"
As he said this, Elias suddenly realized—come to think of it, all of Vill-V's Divine Keys lately had been designed just for him.
"Ahem… in sniper rifle form, it has an ultimate mode. By overloading the Divine Key to the point of destruction, it can fire a bullet that disintegrates matter into atoms. And it's nearly impossible to dodge."
Elias lovingly caressed the Seven Thunders of Retribution, especially the sniper scope. It allowed his vision to surpass three-dimensional perception, leaving nothing hidden!
Sniping a target's head from thousand meters away wasn't a problem!
Whoever held the sniper form of the Seven Thunders of Retribution was the most terrifying sniper in the world.
And with Elias' ability to become a quantum ghost, he would be the most terrifying assassin in existence.
"Phew~ thanks to Sakura cutting off half of Garuda earlier, otherwise I couldn't have fired that shot. After all, if it were disintegrated into atoms, we wouldn't be able to collect the DNA of that Honkai Beast."
Elias looked at Garuda's half-severed body in the distance, thinking Hua's Meta-Morph surgery finally had its material.
He could hardly wait to see what Hua would look like after fusion—the Garuda form would be stunning!
Thus, the Seventh Eruption had completely ended.
The Herrscher of Fire, Himiko—captured alive.
The companion Honkai Beast, Garuda—defeated.
Honkai Eruption casualties: 0.
Even to call this a perfect result seemed inadequate. Calling it a miracle was no exaggeration.
Elias narrowed his eyes, thinking briefly of the [Miracle] entry he bore, then shook his head and straightened, gazing proudly upon the land he had saved.
Gods create heaven and earth. Humanity creates miracles.
This wasn't the power of some entry—it was the result he had forged with his own hands, giving his all.
"So, what will you do next, Elias? Head back to base for a good rest?"
"No, I plan to continue the concert with Eden."
"Eh?"
At his words, everyone showed astonishment—especially Eden, whose lips parted in surprise, at a loss for what to say.
"Eh what? Since when did concerts end after just two songs—uh, three songs? My dear Eden, surely you don't want the fans all shouting for refunds, right?"
"Uh, Elias, aren't you tired?"
Kevin couldn't help but ask. The great deeds Elias had accomplished today were seen by the whole world.
No one on earth would dare demand he continue a concert after this. If anyone shouted for refunds under such circumstances, the people of Australia would beat them to death.
Eden herself, though she had intended to keep singing, never expected Elias to join her. In fact, her heart wished he would rest well now.
Yet Elias shook his head.
"To be honest, I am a little tired. But compared to that trivial matter, performing with Eden is more important. After all, we fought hard to protect this stage—we should sing to our heart's content."
"..."
Hearing this, the diva fell silent.
"Hmm? Eden, why aren't you saying anything? Ah—if you're tired, then forget I said anything. Actually… I don't especially want to continue either." Elias realized his mistake.
Eden wasn't a fusion warrior. She was still a normal human. Even he felt somewhat tired after doing so much. Surely she must be at her limit.
"No, I'm not tired. Let's continue the concert," Eden said firmly, gripping Elias' hand.
She would sing—not for the audience, nor even for herself, but for the one before her. At that thought, Eden smiled radiantly.
From now on, she had a new reason to stand on the stage.
However…
"Mm, hisss!"
Eden had barely taken a step before nearly stumbling. Elias was startled, noticing her ankle was swollen.
"You're hurt?!"
"Don't worry, Elias. I just twisted it earlier when I jumped down from the stage."
Eden forced a smile. She was only an ordinary person, without great physical strength. To leap down from a stage several meters high in high heels—escaping with only a sprain was already fortunate.
And in her mind, perhaps this was simply the price.
To outsiders, Eden was a distant, unattainable highland flower—an artistic goddess, unmatched by any man.
But Eden knew clearly: with only great wealth and a heavenly voice, she had no qualification to stand beside Elias.
She was only a singer.
But the boy was a savior.
Between them yawned a chasm as wide as heaven and earth. Only because Elias was so generous—like the sun, selflessly giving light to all—could she stand so near him.
To chase after Elias, if the price was only a wounded foot, it was trivial. After all, when she resolved to pursue him…
She had already prepared to wager even her life.
"Eden, you're far too reckless."
"Hehe~ you're the last person I want to hear that from."
Eden smiled lightly. She had only jumped down from a few meters of stage height, but Elias had stained the white flowers red with his blood to save all lives.
Between the two of them, who had really been reckless?
"Uh…"
Elias scratched his head awkwardly.
Suddenly, he noticed Eden's disheveled state.
Her wine-red hair was messy, her clothes torn, her feet bare—her silk-stockinged toes dirtied by the earth.
She looked so ragged, so unlike her usual image. Eden was supposed to be the woman who could sing gracefully even at the world's end, then bow elegantly to the curtain call.
This woman who shone like gold, beautiful like a jewel that stole one's breath.
And yet, now she had become sullied and bedraggled, all just to reach him.
"Eden, could you not look at me like that?"
Eden lowered her head in embarrassment.
When she kicked off her heels to chase after him, she had already abandoned her graceful image. But to let the boy she admired see her in this state still made her nervous. Yet Elias gently cupped her face, not a trace of disdain in his eyes.
"Why wouldn't I look? Eden, you're beautiful."
A precious jewel thrown into the dirt does not lose its value. And a true star's brilliance cannot be veiled, even if the sky is shrouded in clouds.
Elias lifted her into a princess carry.
White flowers of creation bloomed upon the singer, healing her weary, injured body. At the same time, the Herrscher of Reason's authority weaved a brand-new, dazzling performance dress upon her.
"This really is like Cinderella's magic."
Eden marveled, gazing at her new attire.
"Hehe, but you're no Cinderella, my dear great artist. Come, the audience is waiting for us."
Behind Elias, white dragon wings unfurled. Holding Eden in his arms, he soared swiftly toward the stadium. As they descended onto the stage from the dome above, singing together—
"Uoooooohhhhhh——!!"
The deafening roar of the crowd exploded.
Even after the two had left, no one had departed the venue. They had waited in silence. Now, the audience erupted with thunderous cheers like rolling thunder!
They waved their glowsticks madly, calling out for Elias and Eden with all their might. Though the crisis today had nearly killed them, they felt only blessed instead.
Eden's voice had shaken their souls. The Herrscher's arrival had nearly taken their lives. Yet they had witnessed the hero's gallant figure saving them all!
Already, that alone had filled them with satisfaction.
But now—the concert continued!
"No more words—Lord Elias! Miss Eden! Long live!!"
"I'm crying, this is too moving! I'll only ever ship this pair in my life! They're incredible!"
"Yeah! We're the luckiest people alive to be here today!"
...
"Elysia, you don't mind this?"
Even from kilometers away, Sakura could hear the cheers from the venue. She glanced at Elysia, who was watching the livestream intently while cheering remotely.
"Of course not~ I'm Elias' number one fan, and also Eden's. As a fan, seeing your idol shine like this—how could I not be happy?"
Elysia's words were utterly sincere. She truly meant it, and even felt a bit grateful to Eden.
After all, although Miss Pink Elf was the cutest in the world, even she couldn't give the white-haired boy such a grand stage, couldn't show his musical talent to the world.
But Eden, a diva of the age, could. She had shared her stage with him, displaying the boy's hidden musical brilliance for all to see.
For that, Elysia was thankful—and even willing to let Eden have the heroine's role for now.
But! Not! Forever!
"But only temporarily! Once Elias steps off that stage, he's still mine. Oh right, I'd better hurry back and get ready—tonight I'll make sure Elias relaxes properly!"
Elysia clenched her fist with determination. She remembered the special outfits she'd ordered had finally arrived—tonight was the night to show them off.
"C-Count me in too…"
Sakura's fox ears twitched upright. She recalled the shrine maiden outfit she had brought from her hometown, tucked in her luggage. She hadn't worn it in ages, but she was confident!
"No way~ I'm not letting you join in, you sly fox!"
"Elysia… just this once."
"Not even once! If I let you, Sakura, you'd definitely seize the chance to climb up the ranks. I'm not that careless!"
Elysia stood with hands on hips, resolute. She was no gullible housewife—she would guard her place strictly.
"In that case, maybe I should learn from Mobius. Just take him by force—it's simpler."
Sakura narrowed her eyes, no longer polite. Her hand rested on Frozen Naraka's hilt, considering from which angle she should knock out the pink elf.
"Oh? Sakura, you've gotten bold~"
"Elysia, maybe it's you who's too overconfident."
"Then let's see whose claim is stronger. Today, Sakura, I'll show you the true power of the main heroine!"
Miss Pink Elf and the foxy lady faced off, battle intent blazing in both their eyes. However…
That night, they would both be losers!
...
That evening, in one of Eden's luxurious villas.
Warm candlelight glowed over the dinner table. Though technology was advanced, Eden preferred the timeless charm of classical romance.
The flickering fire illuminated only a small circle around them, enclosing just herself and Elias—as though the world beyond no longer existed, leaving only the two of them in this beautiful moment.
"To celebrate your victory, Elias—cheers."
"To celebrate your radiance, Eden—cheers."
Before them, exquisite cuisine crafted by a master chef was laid out. Their glasses clinked with a crisp ding~, and they each took a sip of wine.
"Mmm~ this is the best wine I've ever tasted."
Elias sighed in amazement.
"I'm glad you like it. This is a vintage made from orchis mascula of the last century—there is only one such bottle in the world. For it to be enjoyed by you, Elias, is this wine's greatest honor."
Eden's cellar never lacked fine vintages. In fact, she had collected nearly all the world's rarest wines. Yet even among them, this was one of the most precious.
"Eden, I really love hearing you speak."
"But it's true. For this wine to enter your lips is its fortune. And to celebrate both your victory and our concert's success, nothing less than this level of wine would suffice. Now, tonight—please enjoy to your heart's content."
"Alright then, I won't refuse."
Elias propped his head on his hand and savored another sip.
To celebrate the perfect resolution of the Seventh Eruption, and the flawless success of their concert, Eden had invited Elias to her villa for dinner. Naturally, he had accepted.
By the way, this villa was named the "Golden Courtyard." In the future, it would be known as the "Elysian Realm."