"You... The Principal said you died on a mission. Why...?"
Mei could swear her memory wasn't faulty.
She'd heard it from Theresa herself—that Elysia and Chang Yuan had fallen in battle against Honkai beasts.
"Well~ In a way, I did die. What you see now is just virtual data—though I prefer the term 'memory'~?
I'm the memorial of the Elysia you knew. So~ How does it feel to reunite with a classmate~?"
Hopping up, Elysia (Elysian Realm) flitted to Mei's side, leaning in with playful intimacy—
Making Mei stumble back in alarm.
"So... you're a Flame-Chaser of the Previous Era? But Kevin said every Flame-Chaser could defeat a Herrscher. Then why did the 'you' outside die?"
Clap clap clap
"The answer's simple~ Because we never died at all~?"
The real Elysia strode in, applauding as she savored Mei's bewildered expression.
Mei's composed facade shattered, replaced by utter confusion.
"Then why fake your deaths? If you'd been there... Kiana would never have suffered. Why?!"
Unbeknownst to her, Mei's voice carried accusation and rage.
Even knowing they owed Kiana nothing, she burned with fury.
Elysia recognized this anger—it mirrored Kalpas' in the original script: rage at one's own helplessness.
"Because it was a necessary sacrifice."
"Sacrificing Kiana?! Why her? Why not someone else?! She's kind, she's innocent—yet misery clings to her like a shadow!
She should've lived a carefree life! That's what her kindness deserves! If anyone had to suffer... it should've been me!"
Chang Yuan's words ignited something in Mei.
Herrscher energy erupted from her—violent arcs of violet lightning.
Elysia stepped forward, placing a hand on Mei's shoulder.
An invisible pink energy flowed in, quelling the storm.
"Now, now, Mei~ Anger causes wrinkles. A pretty girl like you shouldn't spoil her looks~?"
"!!!"
Mei stared in disbelief. Her power... suppressed so easily?
"No need for shock~ After all, technically... I'm a Herrscher too~ The Previous Era's Herrscher—the very first. The Herrscher of Humanity. Surprised~?"
Poking Mei's cheek playfully, Elysia grinned.
Chang Yuan sighed at her theatrics but said nothing.
"Herrscher of... Humanity?"
For a moment, Mei wondered if this was a joke.
What kind of Herrscher name was that?
She was the Herrscher of Thunder, wielding electromagnetic dominion.
But "Herrscher of Humanity"?
Was this some... ordinary person among gods?
"Heehee~ 'Herrscher of Humanity' is just a title. Any Herrscher who fights for humans can claim it~ My real name is Herrscher of Origin. As for my authority... that's a secret~?"
Mei's eye twitched at the tease.
"Then explain this 'necessary sacrifice.' What's really going on?"
Seeing Elysia wouldn't elaborate, Mei turned to Chang Yuan.
Something told her his answer would infuriate her.
Yet she had to know.
"Mei, what I say next may anger you. But you must stay calm. If you act recklessly... Kiana's suffering will be for nothing."
"Speak. I'll... control myself."
"Everything you've endured was part of our plan. The suffering, Himeko's sacrifice—even Kiana's life. All orchestrated by me."
The moment those words left his mouth—
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning split the air as Mei swung her blade at Chang Yuan.
But he simply activated his Stigmata, catching the strike barehanded.
"I warned you about losing your temper, Mei. Tsk tsk."
"You—! Because of your 'plan,' millions died in Nagazora! Kiana abandoned us, consumed by guilt! Even Himeko-sensei died! You monster!"
Mei had braced for the truth—yet hearing it aloud made her blood boil.
Their suffering hadn't been Honkai's doing.
It was his design. All for some unfathomable goal.
"Which is why I said—you didn't let me finish."
With a flick of his wrist, Chang Yuan sent Mei stumbling back.
But the fury in her eyes remained. She glared at him like a cornered beast.
"In our plan... no one died.
When the Honkai eruption struck Nagazora, Anti-Entropy had already evacuated everyone. Only Valkyries remained.
Wendy isn't dead—she's on vacation. Neither is Himeko. They simply can't reappear before Kiana yet.
So tell me, Mei... are you still angry?"