There's no need to elaborate on how Elysia was assigned to the Erosion arc.
In any case, for various reasons, the production progress of Honkai Impact 3rd's new main story arc had been slower than usual.
But finally—it was ready.
Release day for the latest version of Honkai Impact 3rd arrived.
Elysia's livestream channel.
Many viewers were already waiting early, as usual.
As everyone waited patiently, the screen finally changed.
And this time, the opening didn't start with the usual splash screen—instead, it first flashed the MiHoYo logo, followed by the title: "Tales from the Realm."
This instantly caught everyone off guard.
Sure, Elysia had always been "half-jokingly" referred to as MiHoYo's poster girl thanks to how close she was to the company…
But no one expected the relationship to be so cozy that MiHoYo would personally produce her opening animation.
[MiHoYo made an intro animation for Miss Elf? That's peak prestige right there.]
[Why does it feel like MiHoYo went out of their way to do this right now with some ulterior motive?]
[No matter what happens, Ai-men♪ can do no wrong.]
Speculation buzzed through the comments.
Actually…
Hokuto just felt this clip was best suited for this moment.
And he knew for sure Elysia would stream after the version update—and her iconic intro style.
So he deliberately handed this short animation to her, hoping she'd air it here.
Back to the story.
As eerie music began to play, Elysia's voice came in.
A theatrical stage unfolded slowly.
"The tragedy began with a sudden calamity."
"The messenger of disaster descended upon the land, burying footprints, cries—and all sins."
The screen shifted.
To a mountain lodge shrouded in blizzards.
"This is an isolated island in a sea of snow, the last refuge. All communication with the outside world has lost meaning."
The camera zoomed in, entering the lodge.
Inside, the decor was lavish. Puppets of the thirteen Flame-Chasers gathered in the hall, conversing in peace—on the surface.
But Elysia's narration continued:
"Thirteen individuals, each harboring their own secrets, are trapped within."
"Unaware that danger is quietly approaching."
"In this sealed and helpless space, any minor conflict is bound to escalate—until it results in irreparable tragedy."
As her narration ended…
On-screen, Pardofelis and Kalpas got into a dispute.
"Wah!!"
"Myaa~~"
Seeing this scene, chat exploded with question marks.
[???] *n
[Holy hell, Pardofelis is standing up to Chef Kalpas?!]
[It makes no sense—but somehow, the cat is challenging Kalpas?!]
[Top-form Pardofelis dares defy Kalpas.]
As they reeled in shock—
The animation continued playing.
Suddenly, lightning flashed across the screen.
"Fear and despair loomed over all, but it was an unexpected twist that shattered the suffocating silence."
"The true conspiracy… was only just beginning…"
The atmosphere grew heavy—unnervingly so.
Players instinctively sat upright, drawn deeper into the scene.
And just then, the BGM suddenly dropped key.
The camera panned upward—revealing Elysia.
As it turned out, everything just shown was a puppet show she had whimsically put on.
"Looks like the hair dryer broke."
Hands on her hips, she walked off stage. "Tch. Just when things were getting good."
But the animation didn't end there.
After Elysia left, her puppet on the stage began to tremble despite no wind—then suddenly collapsed with a soft thud.
The meaning was clear.
[???]
[I know Elysia's gone, MiHoYo. You don't have to remind me like this.]
Yes. Until now, players still preferred to say Elysia was "missing," not… dead.
But… the Realm's typing machine would soon force them to accept reality.
[I told you MiHoYo had bad intentions!!]
["Just when it was getting good (walks off)"—so Elysia couldn't witness the most important part, huh?]
[She was supposed to watch the final descent of the Thirteenth Herrscher with Mei… but she was already gone the next morning. She never saw the best part.]
[Dear scriptwriter, please go see a therapist. Seriously.]
...
While audience debates continued.
The stream went black—then lit up again.
A second animated short began.
Wait, there's more?
Viewers blinked.
Elysia appeared dressed as Sherlock Holmes, pipe in mouth, taking confident little steps.
"Everyone probably knows what's been happening in the Realm lately, so I've specially assembled a Realm Investigation Unit to get to the bottom of this."
Compared to the earlier PV produced by MiHoYo, this one clearly screamed "Elysia-made."
"As for the members of this investigation unit?"
Elysia posed, puffing her unlit pipe with mock gravitas.
"As the first of the thirteen Flame-Chasers and their nominal leader, he simply must be included…"
"Kevin~~"
At her words, Kevin appeared out of thin air, holding the Judgment of Shamash, his expression stern.
He said nothing.
Elysia didn't mind and went on: "The next member might surprise you, but don't underestimate her, okay~~"
"Pardofelis~~"
Pardofelis also appeared. Unlike Kevin's cold demeanor, she even delivered a line: "It's still safest being with Elysia and Big Boss Kevin."
The audience: "..."
It was probably scripted, but that nervous tone was classic Pardofelis.
"Our brain trust this time is the most extravagant ever."
"Mobius~~ Vill-V~~"
Mobius and Vill-V appeared.
Each said a line.
Mobius: "I can't guarantee accuracy."
Vill-V: "I can't guarantee honesty."
The audience: completely speechless.
This brain trust... didn't inspire much confidence.
"Of course, there's also your investigation unit leader, as lovely and charming as the rest of the team. The second-in-command next to Kevin—the bashful beauty like a blooming flower—Elysia!"
Detective Elysia walked to the center.
Then the scene shifted.
Normal Elysia appeared onscreen.
"Hii~~ Did everyone like today's opening?"
["Realm Investigation Unit"]
[Miss Elf's intros always hit that sweet spot between hilarious and mentally scarring.]
[Same, I feel the same way.]
[So going by this intro… does today's stream have four special guests? Kevin the Ancestor, Pardofelis the Cat, Miss Snake-sis, and V2V?]
...
"Hmm…"
Elysia carefully read the barrage of comments. "Looks like everyone really liked today's intro. I'm glad~~"
"As for the special guests in today's stream, yes, they're exactly the four that appeared just now."
[Four guests!? A guest lineup like never before!]
[Miss Elf really pulled out the big guns today.]
[Means she really cares about this main story arc, huh?]
The chat was overflowing with comments.
And at this moment—
Though there was no official livestream planned…
Hokuto, who usually watched Elysia's streams with the MiHoYo staff, saw the members of this "Realm Investigation Unit"…
And didn't quite know what to say.
Of all the people, Elysia had chosen these ones?
He could already imagine the scene after players finished the new story arc and realized every member of the Realm Investigation Unit…
…was dead.
The look on their faces—he could see it already.
Right now, the livestream chatroom…
Was full of ghosts.
Just… what a grim joke, huh?
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