Hearing Mei's words, Elysia seemed somewhat surprised and said:
"Hm? Such words… Could it be that Mei didn't believe me before?"
"I'll be sad, you know?"
"…"
Mei fell silent for a moment before saying, "Elysia… you're especially full of jokes today."
"Always changing the subject half-jokingly like that—is it to cover up your true feelings?"
"You really… can't lie at all."
"…"
Elysia said quietly, "Mei…"
"If you keep going, I really will cry, you know?"
"I don't want to send Mei off while crying… because girls look better when they're smiling."
"So, you've properly remembered how I look when I smile, right?"
Mei nodded and said, "…Mm, I'll always remember… always… engrave it in my heart."
Outside the television, the viewers' immersion was at its peak; the more emotional ones reached for tissues again.
"Knife, such a knife—barely recovered and now I want to cry again. Knowing there's a knife coming and still wanting to keep watching is too painful!"
"Elysia, you can't die! I'm going to **** the dog director!!"
"Hahaha, Honkai Impact 3rd is fake, but the dog director in real life is real—this is a hunt!"
"Seriously, the dog director's knife skills are getting more and more refined. Better to knife him first while we can!"
"…"
No matter what was being said in the fan groups, the plot on the television had to be watched.
On the screen.
Elysia wore a poignant smile and said, "Mm, you absolutely cannot forget."
"My cute face, my sweet voice, every single word I've said to you…"
"All of it, everything—remember it all!"
"…"
"But… even if you really do forget, it's okay."
As her words fell, Elysia and Mei fell into silence once more.
A wordless melancholy gradually spread. Elysia said somewhat flustered, "Mei… why are you crying?"
"Do you need a big hug from me?"
Tears glistened at the corners of Mei's eyes, but she still forced a smile and retorted:
"I'm not crying."
Elysia teased playfully, "No?"
"No." Mei said.
"Really… no?" Elysia asked.
Hearing Elysia deliberately draw out her tone, Mei couldn't help but smile and say:
"…Now there really isn't."
Elysia laughed lightly and said, "Mm, that's good."
"Just like I said—Mei looks better when she smiles!"
"It's all because you said those things first that I couldn't resist teasing you."
"In a moment like this, I won't let Mei get the upper hand, you know."
Mei said in a doting voice, "Mm, you win, okay?"
Elysia was amused, laughing twice before slowly saying:
"Mei… will you feel disappointed?"
"To put in so much effort, only for it to end in farewell anyway."
"…"
Mei said earnestly, "At the very least, we can still have a proper goodbye, can't we?"
"I feel like I've been saying goodbye to people all along."
"I think… this probably won't be the last time either…"
"…"
"But… tragedy is not the end, but the beginning of hope… right?"
Seeing Elysia smile, Mei also smiled and continued:
"Even if the future cannot be changed, I still want to decide the process of reaching that outcome myself."
"What matters is what I want to believe in during this journey."
"That will determine what I can gain when I reach the end."
"And the ending will therefore carry a completely different meaning."
"Just like right now…"
"I met all of you in the Elysian Realm, touched your lives, experienced your wills."
"Witnessed the entirety of thirteen heroes' lives…"
"The memories we created will not disappear; the feelings we left behind will not disappear."
"They will become indelible marks on me, carried by me into the future, continuing on… and on…"
Mei took a deep breath.
"I will become the proof that you once existed."
"I will become… the proof that you exist forever."
"This is something only humans can do—and it is also the most incredible part of the story."
Listening to Mei pour out her heart, Elysia nodded gently, "Mm…"
"Just like the Elysian Realm, in the future someone will see us as we are now."
"And leave something in their hearts, right?"
Mei smiled lightly, "Mm, as long as it is firmly believed in the heart…"
"The past can open up the future, and longing can create the present."
Seeing this, viewers across the country could no longer hold back.
"Wuuu, this drama really wants to teach us something—it's just too tear-jerking!"
"No need to save face for the dog director—it's just too fucking knifey!"
"But I have to admit, this dog director is seriously talented."
"…"
On the television.
Elysia said, "Then we have to leave behind an ending even better than history."
"One with no regrets at all—the grandest finale."
Mei asked puzzled, "What are you planning to do?"
Elysia replied, "After sending Mei out of the Elysian Realm, I want to go meet the Herrscher of Corrosion in person."
Mei became even more confused, "Not just directly activating Model No. 666?"
Elysia said, "I could do that, of course…"
"But before that, I still want to meet her face-to-face."
"Even though she's an enemy, as fellow Herrschers, I still want to know her thoughts, her feelings."
Mei hesitated, "She is still a special existence in the Elysian Realm—you might encounter danger."
Elysia nodded, "Mm, perhaps."
"But knowing the danger and still bravely trying—isn't that something humans do?"
"Besides, I have to go bring everyone back."
"Everyone…" Mei murmured.
Elysia continued, "I live in their memories, and likewise, they live in mine."
"The lives of us thirteen have long become intertwined and inseparable."
"So what they can do, I can do too."
"This time… it's my turn to go to everyone's side."
Hearing this, Mei couldn't help laughing once, "Yeah, you've always been like that."
"…And you've never disappointed anyone."
Elysia tapped her head and laughed, "That's right—after all, it's me."
"Even in the finale, I hope the Flame-Chasers' story can be glorious and radiant."
"We existed, we fought, we lived with effort."
"And now, we entrust all hope, the future, and the right to choose the path to you."
"There is no true perfection in reality."
"But those who accept imperfection, face pain head-on, and shoulder these heavy burdens with courage and wisdom…"
"Are existences infinitely close to perfection."
As Elysia's words fell, the roller coaster continued forward.
Like turning fate itself, carrying the two toward the distance.
Mei and the viewers in front of the screens saw the full view of the Elysian Realm for the first time—and watched it gradually recede.
Elysia's voice rang out again, "So now, our story… is really going to end."
Mei pursed her lips and said nothing.
"…"
Elysia turned her gaze to Mei and said, "Mei, this is the last time."
"Just like before—say goodbye to everyone once more."
"And then… part properly, okay?"
"…"
Mei nodded, "…Mm."
The roller coaster entered the light beside it. Warm radiance shone on Mei.
Familiar voices echoed in her ears—memories of old friends engraved in the Elysian Realm.
They were the final blessings offered by them to their successor.
Finally, this companionship spanning fifty thousand years came to an end.
And then, they would each walk toward their own tomorrows.
One by one, the figures of the Flame-Chasers appeared.
Pardofelis of Reverie grinned mischievously, "Mei-nee, I'll share my good luck with you, so don't worry!"
"In the future, whether you find money in the pocket of clothes you haven't worn in ages, or the vending machine drops an extra drink…"
"That'll mean my good luck kicked in!"
"Hehe, since Mei-nee is my friend, this counts as friendly help—no charge!"
…
Next was Fu Hua of Vicissitude, as serious as ever:
"Mei, I think I understand a little now—the story of that class president you mentioned."
"I understand her… I understand how I felt back then."
"Thank you for helping the me of the future."
"As for the past… it has already become part of the future, hasn't it?"
…
Fu Hua's figure faded, replaced by the adorable little Griseo.
"Clouds are beautiful, stars are beautiful, and Mei-nee is beautiful too."
"The stars and I will watch over Mei-nee."
"We will all become stars, protecting Mei-nee."
"So we'll always be together."
…
Mobius of Infinity appeared, her voice like a clip:
"I really didn't expect you to leave here exactly as you are."
"What a pity—whether gaining something extra or losing something, change is what makes people better, isn't it?"
"Whatever, don't you dare say you gained a lot of memories or anything like that—I won't wallow in the past."
"So… do your best out there, little white mouse. Don't let Mobius down."
…
Kosma of Daybreak remained silent as usual, but finally spoke slowly, "…No need for more words, right?"
"You will go farther than us; you will overcome the obstacles we couldn't."
"So take care along the way."
…
Cherry blossoms fell, and SAKURA appeared:
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Mei."
"Whether in reality or in the Elysian Realm, I rarely find people I can truly talk with."
"It was my honor to fight side by side with you. I wish you—"
"Everlasting martial fortune."
…
Su of Stars closed his eyes and said:
"Visitor, have you obtained the answer you sought?"
"Even if your heart still holds confusion, there is no need to panic—you still have plenty of time to savor it slowly."
"The process of thinking itself holds meaning."
"You, and all of you, will eventually find your own path."
…
Kalpas of Decimation said impatiently, "Enough, get going!"
"Hm? You didn't expect me to say something sappy, did you?"
"Hmph, you've got the wrong person!"
"But I remembered your name… Raiden Mei."
…
Vill-V of Helix suddenly appeared with a smile, "Hey, Lady Mei—a surprise!"
"Actually, I left a backdoor in your head. You can look for it after you get out."
"Don't listen to her nonsense—my backdoor is something no one else could detect."
"Wait, shouldn't we first clarify that there is no backdoor at all?"
"Sigh, I hope you never have to experience arguing with yourself."
"Then… see you later."
…
Eden of Gold gently swirled her wine glass, her voice ever elegant:
"Thank you, Miss Mei—you brought so much to the Elysian Realm."
"We have nothing to repay you with—only blessings, only wishes."
"May civilization continue like a spark."
"May this world shine like gold."
…
Aponia of Discipline clasped her hands together, showing a serene smile:
"The Elysian Realm has met the end I foresaw—destruction and darkness."
"But I am glad that, in the end, it came in this way."
"So please break free from fate, Mei…"
"You already possess that power."
…
Then came Kevin, bearer of Deliverance, expressionless with arms crossed:
"You have earned the recognition of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers—naturally, I need say no more."
"Whether the me here or the me in reality."
"Yes… he is surely already waiting for you."
"I hope both of you can achieve satisfactory results."
"Face the future with head held high, Herrscher of Thunder."
"You know—you can believe in yourself."
…
"Ta-da!"
Before the person appeared, only the voice was heard—that radiant, flawless girl like scattering petals.
Both in the plot and outside the screen, her image appeared in everyone's minds.
And the next moment, Elysia truly appeared on the television, with a bright smile:
"In the end, we're back to me!"
"After all, I was the very first one."
"Elysia is always like this—the beginning of everything, and also the end of everything, right?"
"So this time… we really have to say goodbye."
"Thank you, Mei."
"Thank you for coming here, meeting us, talking with us."
"Thank you for being willing to remember our names, to listen to our stories."
"As long as Mei still remembers us, this story will never disappear."
"Only humans think this way, and only humans turn such belief into reality."
"So now, I bestow upon you—the new-era human—the final inscription of my true self."
"This name carries the origin of all things, all our thoughts and blessings."
"One day, it will become your new power."
"And you will give this name brand-new meaning."
"We will remain in the past."
"And you will walk toward the future."
"Then go forth and bloom with the flawless, beautiful brilliance that belongs only to you."
"After all—"
"Beautiful girls can do anything!"