"You know, I really want to remove your hunger system."
Rubbing her temples, 'Expert' Vill-V looked at her daughter with exasperation.
This kid was either eating or on her way to eat all day long.
It seemed like she had no other thoughts besides food.
"No! If you do that, I won't be able to enjoy delicious food anymore."
"...Fine. Let's go see them tomorrow."
With a resigned sigh, 'Expert' Vill-V began packing up.
She gathered all the research documents, experimental data, and evidence into a suitcase.
Then, she boarded a battleship she had built herself.
The technology of this ship far surpassed anything Schicksal had, to the point where Schicksal's radar systems couldn't detect it, even if it were right in front of them.
Meanwhile, a certain Elysia remained blissfully unaware.
"Hmm, who would have thought that the crystal flower I created back then would have such power, containing the authority of the Origin? But the Stigma's help can't be ignored either, hehe~?."
After Chang Yuan left, Elysia was alone in the backyard, swinging on a swing.
"Soon, Yuan, it's almost time. Please let me, as Elysia, witness the end of the Honkai. After that, there will no longer be an Elysia who loves all of humanity.
Instead, there will be an Elysia who, as your wife, loves only you. So, until then, please let me keep this secret from you~?."
As she swung, Elysia remained unaware of the approaching crisis.
One day later...
"Elysia, Vill-V said she's coming to see us today. She mentioned she has something important to discuss. What do you think?"
"Vill-V? Hehe, it's been a while since I last saw her. I've missed her~?."
Knock knock knock—!
"Chang Yuan, I'm here! I've brought you some great news. You're going to love it."
However, 'Friend' Vill-V seemed a bit too excited and ended up breaking the door.
Bang—!
"...Oops, my bad. Ehehe~."
"Never mind, I'll just call for repairs later. So, what's got you so excited?"
With that, Chang Yuan got up to fetch some tea.
He was used to entertaining guests in the Shenzhou way.
While Chang Yuan was away, the two-toned-haired Vill-V sidled up to the pink elf.
"Hehehe, Elysia, you really had us fooled."
"Huh? What are you talking about? I've always been Elysia."
Elysia blinked innocently, as if she had no idea what 'Friend' Vill-V was talking about.
"Hmph, at first we thought it was the power of Asura, but after countless comparisons, I realized there's no such ability.
So, you're Elysia. You didn't completely sacrifice yourself. Due to certain factors, you survived as a Stigma consciousness, and through a special opportunity, you took on this form.
Therefore, you've been lying all along—"
"!!!"
Hearing 'Friend' Vill-V spill all her secrets, Elysia panicked and quickly covered her mouth to stop her from continuing.
'Expert' Vill-V, however, looked at Elysia with confusion.
Once she was sure 'Friend' Vill-V wouldn't say more, Elysia let go.
"Please don't tell Yuan. I'm begging you."
"Huh? But why?"
'Friend' Vill-V was utterly confused.
She was certain Chang Yuan would be overjoyed to hear this news.
So why keep it from him?
"Vill-V, you know my nature. I love everyone equally, even if I lean a bit more toward Yuan.
But that's not the mindset of a proper wife. I can see that Yuan wishes I could be selfish and love only him.
But I can't let go of this world yet. So, I want to witness the world in my own way, and then, as Elysia, I'll pass on.
After that, I'll be by his side as his wife, no longer the Elysia who loves the world. So, please don't tell him, okay?
Otherwise, his nature would make him support me unconditionally, and he'd suppress his true feelings again."
"...I don't understand your lovey-dovey stuff. That's why I don't want a partner. It's so annoying."
For some reason, 'Friend' Vill-V suddenly felt full, as if she'd been force-fed something sour.
"So, you're agreeing? Thank you! You've always been so good to me~?."
Seeing that 'Friend' Vill-V had relented, Elysia happily hugged her and nuzzled her face.
However, this left 'Expert' Vill-V in a tough spot.
After all, she had come here to deliver good news, but now she couldn't say it.
So, she had to rack her brains to come up with another piece of good news.
"The tea's ready. I hope you like it, Vill-V."
After brewing a pot of tea in the kitchen, Chang Yuan brought it out.
He poured a cup for each of them and then turned to 'Friend' Vill-V.
"So, what's the good news?"
"The good news? Well, the good news is... um... oh! After the Honkai ends, there's going to be a huge surprise for you.
But I can't tell you what it is yet. Just know that it's going to make you incredibly happy."
"...?"
"So, you came all this way just to be cryptic and leave me hanging?"
Hearing that 'Friend' Vill-V's good news was just a riddle, Chang Yuan felt like he'd made a mistake in choosing his friends.
Who in their right mind would tease their friend like this?
But admittedly, it did leave Chang Yuan itching with curiosity.
"Don't blame me. For various reasons, I really can't tell you. But I promise, once the Honkai is over, you'll be overjoyed."
"...Alright, I'll take your word for it. But by then, I might already be happy, because I'll finally be able to see her again. I've witnessed everything for her."
Taking a sip of tea, Chang Yuan admitted that the surprise did pique his curiosity.
But it didn't matter. In the end, he would follow Elysia.
It couldn't be that Elysia was still alive and planning to complete their unfinished wedding, right?