"From the information I have at present, this place should be part of the 'Stigmata Project.'" Raiden Mei deduced.
"That's right, and that's also why, although our starting points are different, I still agreed with Grey Serpent's decision." Raven said.
"I don't know why the Honored Lord would have you come here, but to speak frankly, the true significance of the Elysian Realm's existence is to unlock a certain 'taboo' for awakened Stigmata bearers."
"So, you once reached the end of this place?"
"Whether that was the end or not, I can't judge. After all… back when she decided to bestow that kind of inheritance upon me, I refused, and then left here without looking back."
"So the one who refused the inheritance was you?" Raiden Mei suddenly remembered what Kevin had once said. "But… why?"
"If you had also seen what it was like after the taboo was lifted, you wouldn't have this question."
"Before coming to the Elysian Realm, the first time I saw that form, I had already decided. In my definition of living well, it has never included 'abandoning the identity of being human.'"
"So, what is that?" Raiden Mei asked curiously.
"Artificial Herrscherization…" As if recalling some unpleasant memory, Raven's expression clearly showed lingering fear. "Rather than saying it's a warrior, it's more like a monster…"
Raven's words made Raiden Mei fall into thought.
If what Raven said was not false, then did that mean that all the Flame-Chasers she had encountered so far had been holding back against her?
Even Van, who had always been elusive, was very likely hiding the so-called Artificial Herrscherization state.
Feeling the fear conveyed in Raven's words, Raiden Mei realized the price required to obtain such great power.
Recalling that man who had pulled her out of the darkness, Raiden Mei made up her mind.
No matter what lies ahead, I will give my all to come to your side.
That was what Raiden Mei thought.
"Speaking of which… is that enough now, Miss Raiden Mei? Or… do you plan to keep holding me in this current posture?"
Raven's teasing interrupted Raiden Mei's thoughts.
Hearing this, Raiden Mei withdrew her stance and released Raven.
Raven rubbed her somewhat sore wrist and complained, "These days' juniors… don't know the first thing about respecting the elderly and caring for the young."
"The day you truly die in the line of duty, I will."
Raven, "…Forget it. Anyway, I should get back to my tasks. See you later."
Watching Raven's departing figure, Raiden Mei decided it was time to gather some new information.
Thus, Raiden Mei once again visited the Flame-Chasers of the Elysian Realm.
"Ah~ Mei, if you have questions, you can ask me anytime~ Our previous agreement still stands~" This was said by a certain pink fairy.
"I really want to tell you everything, but my memory won't allow me to do so." This was said by a certain honest person of the Elysian Realm.
"Please go away." This was said by a certain passionate big boy.
"…" This was said by a certain cool boy.
"Human strength is limited, and Heaven's will is fixed." This was said by a certain blind man.
After collecting the information, Raiden Mei prepared to once again step through the door of memory recollection for a deeper exploration.
However, upon arriving at the golden hall and seeing Raven lying on the sofa drinking wine and slacking off, Raiden Mei asked in puzzlement, "Why are you still here?"
Raven, '???'
Raiden Mei, "I thought you were the kind of person who keeps her word."
Raven was amused by Raiden Mei's sarcastic remark.
"Why can't I be here?" Raven said speechlessly. "My task isn't done yet."
Raiden Mei said nothing, only glanced at the wine glass in Raven's hand.
"Uh… this…" Raven wiped nonexistent sweat. "This is just relaxing in between work… Doesn't Shenzhou have a saying, 'Work and rest in balance'?"
Raiden Mei pursed her lips but didn't say what she had in mind.
"Raven, I've heard things about you from more than one Flame-Chaser."
"Oh? Besides Eden and Sakura, there are others who would bring me up?" Raven asked, puzzled.
"Yes. After all, passing the trial but giving up the Gift… maybe you're the only one. I know you've always been cautious, but I'm still very curious, what made you so decisively run away?"
"'Run away'? Can't you use a different term? I'd call that a 'strategic retreat.'"
Raiden Mei shrugged. "If you like… So, before your strategic escape, what exactly did you see…"
Raven, Feeling annoyed~ Feeling like hitting someone… Oh wait, I can't beat her. Never mind.
"To be honest, I didn't actually see anything. It's just that when I felt something was off, I had already decided to run… retreat."
Raiden Mei paused. "Something off… What did you encounter?"
"Mm… The one who was supposed to give me the Gift was Mobius. How to put it… Even if it's just small talk, you'd feel you should keep far, far away from her. Let alone… in that kind of 'special situation.'"
"Special situation… What did you encounter?"
"She suddenly appeared before me, congratulated me for completing the [Infinity] trial, and then, while saying she was performing the baptism for me, took me to an area I had never been to before…"
Recalling what Mobius had done to her previously, Raiden Mei also understood what Raven must have experienced at that time.
"Can you tell me in detail?" Raiden Mei decided to extract as much information from Raven as possible to prepare for facing Mobius.
———
A while later, after watching Raiden Mei enter the recollection device, Raven downed the red wine in her hand.
"I've already said everything I can say, so can I leave now?"
Raven looked toward an empty direction, speaking as if to someone.
However, the only reply was the faint sound of the wind.
Not receiving the expected response, Raven didn't get upset, after all, she knew what kind of person the other party was.
"Obviously the same person, but why such a big difference?"
Recalling certain 'top secret' records she had once seen in the archive room, Raven felt she might have discovered something extraordinary.
"Hiss~ Time really is a frightening thing… able to make that lord…"
Feeling the surrounding temperature gradually drop, Raven wisely shut her mouth.
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