The viewpoint shifts, arriving at the Elysian Realm, which had been quietly brought under the Black Herta's command but still maintained its original appearance.
In the core hall, which was elegantly decorated, featured a more relaxed style, and even carried a dreamy bar atmosphere, warm light softly spilled, illuminating the sleek bar counter and the comfortable, soft sofas.
At this moment, a young girl was sprawled out without any regard for her image, lazily lying face-up on a large velvet sofa.
She had beautiful pink long hair like newborn cherry blossoms, with slightly curled ends, and a pair of azure eyes like the purest lake. Her pointed ears indicated that she was not purely human.
Wearing exquisite clothes, black over-the-knee socks and gloves added a hint of playfulness and allure to her sweet demeanor.
She was none other than Elysia, the second of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
"Ugh... so—bo—ring—ah—♪~"
She drew out her words, speaking to herself as if singing, her voice sweet and full of vitality, as if every syllable carried a bouncing musical note.
Elysia rolled over, lying on her side on the sofa, propping up her head with her hand, her pink hair cascading onto her cheek.
"That Kalpas guy, all he does is fight and roar, he has absolutely no charm♪~"
She muttered, as if complaining about her unromantic friends, "Kosma is quiet, but he's too quiet~ Little Griseo is cute, but she's always painting and never plays with me♪~"
Elysia stretched out a finger and casually drew circles in the air, as if sketching non-existent patterns.
"Vill-V's magic is interesting, but having to guess which one is her every time is so tiring♪~ Aponia... hmm, if I stay with her too long I feel like I'll become serious too♪~ Yae Sakura... sigh, she carries too much on her mind♪~"
She "complained" about her companions one by one, as if counting her treasures, and finally let out a long sigh, her sapphire-like eyes gazing up at the hall's dome.
"Is there really... no energetic, cute, beautiful girl visitor who can understand me and play with me?"
She voiced a sincere wish, a hint of yearning on her face, "For example... a girl as cute as 'me'? Mhmph♪"
Just as Elysia was immersed in the anticipation that "the next visitor will be a beautiful girl," a slight sound of footsteps suddenly broke the tranquility of the hall.
(Is that Eden?)
Holding this thought, she turned her head to look, a sweet smile on her face.
However, what met her eyes was a completely unfamiliar figure.
It was a young girl dressed in a purple-black Lolita dress, with an intricate and complex skirt, wearing a matching witchs hat, from whose brim dangled several skull ornaments that swayed gently with her steps.
She had long, gray-white hair, as if cast from moonlight, reaching her waist, which accentuated her fair complexion and delicate, doll-like face.
The most striking feature was her eyes—purple-black pupils, like the deepest night sky, yet lacking the highlights usually present in human eyes, making them seem hollow and mysterious.
This unfamiliar girl walked past the sofa with a calm demeanor, heading straight toward the bar counter on the other side of the hall, her gaze surveying the surroundings as if confirming whether the decor matched a certain Remembrance.
Elysia blinked her beautiful eyes, which resembled the purest sapphires, a flash of genuine surprise and intense curiosity appearing on her face.
(A new visitor? But... why didn't I sense any fluctuations indicating a new person entering the Paradise? And... her aura, it's so peculiar♪~)
As one of the Paradise's "hosts" (self-proclaimed), Elysia was extremely enthusiastic toward every visitor, especially this girl before her, whose unique temperament differed from anyone she had met before.
She immediately rose lightly from the sofa, like a dancing butterfly, and reached the unfamiliar girl's side in a few steps.
"Excuse me—?"
Elysia spoke, her voice, like herself, full of sweetness and vitality, "Hello there! Unfamiliar visitor♪~ I am Elysia, and as you can see, I am a beautiful girl as gorgeous as flying petals, oh♪~ Can you tell me... your name?"
The girl who was called—Black Herta—stopped, slowly turned her head, and looked at Elysia.
When those purple-black eyes, devoid of highlights, silently gazed over, even someone as lively and cheerful as Elysia inexplicably felt a slight chill.
That gaze was too calm, too profound, as if it could swallow all light and emotion.
But who was Elysia? She was the embodiment of love!
She immediately cast aside that strange feeling, letting a more approachable smile bloom on her face as she waited for the other party's response.
Black Herta was silent for a moment.
(Elysia... it's really Elysia! A living, moving Elysia who is talking to me! Oh my god!!!)
(This familiar appearance, this sweet voice, this tone... exactly the same as in my "Remembrance"! No, even more vivid!)
A huge upheaval had already erupted within Black Herta's heart, with various emotions intertwined.
However, her delicate, doll-like face remained perfectly calm, one could even say expressionless.
Only she herself knew that her fingertips had curled slightly.
As for why Black Herta appeared here? Time needs to rewind slightly... System Space, in front of the Elysian Realm Device.
Black Herta stood before the massive facility and looked at the system puppet beside her.
"Besides storing Remembrance, what practical use does it have?" Black Herta asked.
The system puppet replied in its emotionless electronic voice: "Reporting to Master, according to preliminary analysis, the core function of the Elysian Realm lies in 'Trial.' Visitors can engage or communicate with the Remembrance bodies of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers here, obtaining their power and knowledge imprints, which are the'Signets.'"
Black Herta nodded thoughtfully: "I see... Well, summon an Elysia for me to see first."
(Thinking: Meeting an "acquaintance" first should be fine, right?)
The system puppet fell into a brief silence, then responded rigidly: "Warning: It is impossible to directly'Summon' a specific Flame-Chaser Remembrance body. You must enter the Paradise and use your own will, words, or strength to 'Persuade' them, only then can you establish a stable connection and gain their recognition."
Black Herta: "..."
She slowly turned her head, her lightless purple-black eyes staring unblinkingly at the system puppet, her gaze so hollow it seemed to have lost all color, like something dead.
"Are you... serious?"
Black Herta's voice sounded somewhat ethereal.
The system puppet continued in its professional tone: "Alternatively, you may choose to adopt the persona of a 'Villain' and defeat them one by one until they are beaten to their knees. Based on calculations, this is the most efficient path."
The corner of Black Herta's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
(The same routine, played twice?!)
She facepalmed internally, (The Golden Descendants were like this, and now the Thirteen Flame-Chasers are like this too? If you're not bored, System, I certainly am!)
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