After witnessing the Herrscher of Corruption's method of "resurrection," the players all came to one conclusion:
They really shouldn't have had any expectations for her in the first place.
Trusting the Herrscher of Corruption? You might as well trust the former Schicksal Archbishop. At least Otto had a proven track record.
Mei, of course, didn't go as far as to say "you're worse than Otto," but that didn't stop her from firing off a few sarcastic shots.
She was particularly appalled by how the Herrscher of Corruption spread Vill-V's data and replicas throughout the world—essentially granting her unlimited time to realize every one of Vill-V's wild creations, becoming the so-called "unprecedented genius."
Her review?
"In the real world… there's only one word for this kind of being—virus."
"Sigh…"
The Herrscher of Corruption wore a look of regret. "I thought it was a brilliant idea."
"To take their data out of Elysian Realm, to fulfill their wishes in life. Didn't Mobius want the same? I just made the idea a reality."
"?"
How are those even the same?
Mobius wanted to bring everyone out into the sun.
You, on the other hand, only want to corrupt the outside world—and incidentally… these replicas aren't even the real Flame-Chasers anymore.
Clearly, the Herrscher of Corruption's words were problematic.
Which is why Mei's expression turned even colder.
Mei: "..."
"Mm, okay."
Seeing this, the Herrscher of Corruption shrugged, switching to Elysia's voice—but still using Vill-V's body.
The dissonance was off the charts.
Can you at least try to respect the characters when you're doing fanon roleplay?
But then, it was never sincere. The Herrscher of Corruption would never think that deeply.
She was just—
"If you don't like this, Mei... we can always switch things up♬"
[Switch again????]
[NO MORE SWITCHING!!]
[(emotional local dialect)]
Despite the players' urgent protests, the plot continued on its own path.
The screen shifted—suddenly, they were on a beautiful seaside.
Mei saw the incredible scenery, and then—someone even more unbelievable.
"...Kalpas?"
Wearing swim shorts.
Summer Event Kalpas?
Wait...
"What is it?" Kalpas crossed his arms. "You look like you just swallowed a fly. Is it so strange to see me here?"
He tugged at his collar with irritation, continuing:
"...It's so damn noisy. Why do I have to be here playing idiotic games with morons?"
"Just because it's that woman's birthday today?"
[Why did Summer Event Kalpas just show up out of nowhere??]
[...Wait, is this entire summer event a scenario happening in the Herrscher of Corruption's mind?]
[So the Flame-Chasers who are gone… are playing Summer Survival Dreamscape inside the Herrscher's head? I'm blacking out.]
[Scriptwriter… did you really design the summer event just for this day?]
[Knowing MiHoYo? 100% yes.]
...
Those with creative imaginations immediately felt they'd been played.
But while everyone was focused on the sudden appearance of Summer Event Kalpas, they missed a key detail…
[That woman's birthday]
Even Hokuto found that slightly regrettable.
After all, in the previous world, the To Elysia chapter was updated at the same time as the release of the S-rank battlesuit Miss Pink Elf♪'s teaser.
That "birthday" likely referred to that.
But alas, due to different update schedules in this world, it couldn't quite sync up.
Back to the story.
While the players chattered away, Elysia paused her light tapping on the screen and turned toward Hokuto.
"What is it, Elysia?"
Hokuto noticed her glance and calmly asked.
"The summer event…" Elysia hesitated.
"What about it?" Hokuto followed up.
"Um…"
Elysia thought for a moment, then asked, "Mr. 'Otto,' why are you using the summer event model in the main story?"
"Because... it fits perfectly here," Hokuto replied.
"Fits?" Elysia became cautious.
"Mm. Just keep watching."
"..."
...
Elysia continued watching.
Mei, fed up with the Herrscher of Corruption's meaningless roleplay, "advised" her to cut it out.
But the Herrscher of Corruption seemed to be enjoying herself, throwing herself even deeper into her Kalpas impersonation.
"I'm suddenly itching for a fight. If you're not busy, go change into battle gear, call in everyone you know, and let's have a real match—"
"Hahahaha... Raiden Mei!"
[NO! Kalpas only calls her Herrscher of Thunder!]
[Yep, it's another fake!!]
Actually... Kalpas has called her "Raiden Mei" before.
That was after Mei finally earned his recognition.
Of course, the players hadn't seen that part yet, so their reaction was understandable.
That iconic "Raiden... Herrscher" moment is legendary, after all.
Back on track.
After Kalpas finished, the Herrscher of Corruption's voice echoed in Mei's ears from nowhere.
"Don't be surprised. This is the life Kalpas wanted."
"An unchanging life. A worthy opponent. And... a place he could call home."
Elysia: ...She recorded this line, but didn't expect it to be used here.
Could it be that Mr. "Otto's" idea of fitting was—
That Kalpas fulfilled his dream in the summer event, so using Summer Event Kalpas here was the perfect match?
So her summer script could be used this way, too?
A storyline so cheerful and bright… now this?
"He's just that simple of a person. It's just that most people never realized."
"You see, Mei, mutual understanding is such a difficult thing. Even comrades who live and die together, even those who spent millennia side by side—still have corners of their hearts left unseen."
[Mutual understanding? Please! You don't get it at all! The Flame-Chasers had a bond stronger than words—proof is, none of them ever suspected betrayal.]
[What Kalpas wanted... isn't something you can give him. You're just defiling his wish!]
And yet, this Herrscher who could never understand the Flame-Chasers dared to speak with such confidence.
"Only I can truly understand them. Only I can give them the future they longed for."
The more the players watched, the angrier they became.
But they couldn't do anything, which made them even angrier.
Thankfully... they still had Mei!!
BOOM—!!
Mei finally drew her blade.
Under the fierce impact, the data-constructed illusion shattered, revealing the stunned expression of the Herrscher.
"You..."
The Herrscher's voice turned savage, unable to maintain composure.
But she quickly stifled her fury and resumed imitating Elysia.
"Sigh... Mei, always interrupting me. I have feelings too, you know."
The abnormality of her behavior was plain to see.
By now, Mei had gathered enough information.
She charged in without hesitation.
"Drop the act."
"The more you pretend to be her, the more it shows—you're nothing like Elysia."
"Your desperate imitation, your desecration of the traces she left behind, it's all for yourself… for the sake of driving a long-defunct Anti-Kevin Armament."
In an instant, the air inside the Ferris wheel cabin froze.
The change in the Herrscher's expression confirmed that Mei had guessed right.
The Anti-Kevin Armament - Model 666 was the one thing the all-powerful Herrscher of Corruption feared.
And its activation condition—was Elysia's will.
That was why she tried to become Elysia, to wrest control of the 666.
Detective Mei turned the tide!!
It was her turn now! Herrscher of Corruption!!
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