Tat—tat—tat—tat—
The same desolate city, the same howling wind. Michael followed close behind Elysia as they entered the underground base.
Uncharacteristically, she said nothing to him, and Michael mirrored her silence.
It wasn't until they silently reached the door to Mei's laboratory that she turned slightly, giving Michael a deep, searching look.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
She shook her head, dissolving into scattered petals in the blink of an eye.
Michael bit his lower lip, an inexplicable sense of finality washing over him – the feeling of a permanent goodbye.
But... why? This Bubble Universe was anchored by him, reinforced with his spatial authority. Even if something went wrong, its destruction was almost impossible.
As for something happening to him?
Alright, no one could guarantee against that. But if that were the case, Elysia's emotion shouldn't be finality, but worry.
That look... he preferred to believe it was his imagination, although as time went on, the differences between the Elysia in the Bubble Universe and the Elysia in the main world grew more pronounced.
Though they constantly exchanged information, like quantum entanglement, the experiences of the main world's Elysia and Michael were, for this Elysia, ultimately just stories learned from a third-person perspective.
The time she had truly spent with Michael was limited to when he first arrived in this Bubble Universe.
But for Michael, he had gradually come to accept certain impulses in his mind—if loving one meant loving the other, so be it. Sometimes, there was no need to draw such clear distinctions.
So, if he truly had to say goodbye to this Elysia, he thought he would still feel sad.
Just as he was thinking this, the laboratory door before him opened.
Michael composed himself and slowly walked inside. Mei was leaning back in her chair, eyes closed, resting for a moment. When she opened them, Michael was standing right in front of her.
"I heard there's been progress on the 'Elysian Realm Project'?"
"Mhm."
Mei wasted no words, picking up a file from the desk and handing it to Michael.
"Aside from lacking the Twelfth Herrscher's authority needed to establish the Elysian Realm's 'hub,' the rest of the preparations are basically complete. Of course, the so-called preparations really only involved two things—"
"First, finding a suitable piece of land in reality to serve as the Elysian Realm's 'starting point' in the real world."
"Second, perfecting the memory data procedure. Of course, according to the original plan, we also needed a server with immense processing power, but based on your concept of merging the Elysian Realm with a Bubble Universe, perhaps only the Twelfth Divine Key will be necessary."
"As for the land..."
Michael rubbed his cheek. "Because the Elysian Realm exists in both reality and the Bubble Universe, the location must be chosen where the Bubble Universe and the main world overlap, right?"
Mei nodded.
Truthfully, there wasn't much choice. The area covered by the Bubble Universe roughly corresponded to the Brindisi City region in the main world—though not perfectly, excluding suburbs like Dusk Street.
So, a suitable location just needed to be found "somewhere" within Brindisi City proper.
But whether it was sheer coincidence or cruel irony, reality hadn't actually given Michael much choice.
For Michael, the Elysian Realm could only exist in one place—the Golden Garden.
Not the one on Dusk Street, of course, since the Bubble Universe didn't extend that far. This was the "true Golden Garden" gifted to him by Eden on his eighteenth birthday.
Its location, on the edge of Brindisi City, facing the distant wasteland beyond, corresponded perfectly to the boundary of the Bubble Universe. Moreover, it was very close to this underground base.
Everything felt like an ironic twist of fate, as if some higher power was looking down mockingly upon the mortal world: "Struggle all you want, the ending is already written"—so It seemed to say.
But for Michael at this moment, fate be damned, destiny be damned. The choices he was making now were based on his own will.
They were not choices made under the duress of destiny.
"It seems you already have a location in mind?"
"Mhm."
Mei nodded again. She didn't inquire further; Michael would eventually tell her main world counterpart anyway, and besides, it was just a location, nothing much to ask about.
"So, you called me here because the technology for creating the memory data is mature?"
"Mhm."
This was Mei's third nod.
"Actually, the technology for creating this memory data shares many similarities with consciousness transfer procedures. With the somewhat unreliable consciousness transfer as a technological foundation, developing memory transcription technology wasn't difficult."
"Alright, Mei, no need to reassure me. Just tell me the problem. You wouldn't call me all the way to the Bubble Universe just to show off your results, would you?"
If everything was truly proceeding smoothly, Mei could have simply sent the relevant data to her main world self. Why call Michael here?
But Mei shook her head:
"There really aren't any problems. The reason I called you here is because the main world is currently dealing with the erosion from the Twelfth Herrscher, right? If I directly sent the results via the quantum entanglement between the No. 17s, it might not be entirely secure. So, I simply printed out the relevant documents for you to take to her."
Mei gestured to her side. Michael followed her finger and saw stacks upon stacks of documents piled on the conference table—large enough to seat a dozen people—reaching almost to the ceiling.
"...Alright, I understand."
With a wave of his hand, Michael swept all the documents into a spatial rift.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Mei pressed her lips together, then nodded again.
Michael blinked, pretending to turn away, but at the last moment, he suddenly spun back, slamming his palm on the lab table:
"Mei! Once the corresponding memory data enters the Elysian Realm existing in this Bubble Universe, you and Elysia will both be assimilated, won't you!"
Under Michael's intense gaze, Mei's eyes gradually lowered. Finally, she gave a slow nod.
It wasn't hard to understand. A Bubble Universe was, ultimately, a mirror, reflecting everything that happened in the so-called main world.
Of course, for Mei and Elysia, their true main world had ceased to exist long ago. But a mirror doesn't lose its ability to reflect just because the owner or the scenery changes.
And Michael's version of the Elysian Realm project aimed to essentially paste a part of the real world onto the mirror. That way, even if the scenery in front of the mirror changed, that part would remain forever on the mirror's surface.
Perhaps the analogy was flawed, but that was the gist of it.
The question then arose: can a single mirror show two reflections of the same person?
The main world's Elysia was Elysia, Elysia's memory data was Elysia, and the Elysia in the Bubble Universe was also Elysia. Although distinct individuals, they were fundamentally the same.
This was why the main world's Elysia had never visited the Bubble Universe—only one Elysia could exist in a single world.
The memory data and the Bubble Universe counterpart could not coexist; one had to yield.
For the Mei and Elysia in this Bubble Universe, they were the last survivors of their civilization. If they chose to actively merge with the memory data, it meant the complete and final dissipation of their original world's civilization.
"Is there no other way?"
Although it was a foolish question, Michael still asked it.
In response, Mei just kept her head bowed, meeting his question with silence. Indeed, if she had another way, why would she need to sacrifice herself?
And since she and Elysia had already reached this understanding, what could Michael possibly say?
"Alright now! Don't be sad, okay?"
That was Elysia – no one could ever guess when she might disappear or reappear. She gently patted Michael's shoulder, then, from behind, lightly embraced this boy who was both completely different from, yet exactly the same as, the one in her memories. It was the first time she had done so.
"In a way, we will indeed disappear. But from another perspective, we will continue to exist—our personalities, our memories will become part of the memory data. The proof of our existence won't vanish, will it?"
"But..."
"Okay, okay! If you keep hesitating like this, I'm going to get angry!"
Elysia's arms wrapped around Michael's neck, her raised index finger pressed against his lips.
"For us, this really isn't disappearing. We actually died long ago. Now, we're just becoming part of another version of ourselves, contributing some small effort to help another self's world overcome the Honkai. It's quite romantic, isn't it?"
"I just feel... you two aren't really connected to my world. You don't need to go this far for it."
"No, Michael. You can certainly believe that everything we do is for your world, as our actions do lead to that result. But for us, personally, it's more than just that."
Michael glanced at Mei. She showed no awkwardness at the scene; instead, she nodded affirmatively.
He understood then. Elysia hugging him, apart from any potential affection, was simply part of the ritual of saying goodbye.
"Michael, one cannot live just for the sake of living. For Mei and me, our civilization ceased to exist long ago. Since then, we've merely been living corpses, existing solely to exist."
"But your world has given us a sliver of meaning—as long as your civilization can defeat the Honkai, we'll be happy. As long as you... all of you... can find happiness, we will be happy too. That is the meaning of our continued existence now."
"...Thank you."
"No need for thanks!"
"We will definitely..."
"Shh! That's not it either!"
Elysia gently tightened her embrace, as if trying to merge Michael into her own body.
"Speaking just for myself, I only want to say this to you:"
"Michael, you must... live on! Live well!"
...
His vision spun. Everything that happened in the Bubble Universe felt as ephemeral as a dream bubble. When Michael opened his eyes again, he saw a dead silent, greyish-white plain. Looking up slightly, Earth hung distantly in the pitch-black expanse.
It was no longer blue, radiating the same murky grey as the moon.
"Hmph..."
Michael sat down cross-legged, mentally reviewing the next steps one more time. Confirming there were no issues, he stood up again.
"Time to head back to Fire Moth. I wonder how Earth is doing now..."
"Michael!"
He spun around abruptly. Elysia stood behind him, head bowed. Though she spoke rapidly, her voice clearly held back tears.
"What's wrong?"
Michael pressed his lips together. All sorts of unfavorable thoughts surfaced in his mind, but then he felt... it didn't matter that much.
After all, just as he had promised Hua earlier, if his next actions proceeded smoothly, everything would be reversed.
Since everything could be reversed, whatever misfortune occurred didn't matter too much in the grand scheme.
But he had overestimated his own defenses—
"Michael... Captain... she... she..."
...
"What exactly happened?"
Michael stood expressionlessly outside the infirmary room, separated from Himeko by a thick pane of glass. She was still unconscious; the curves on the nearby monitor pulsed occasionally, proof that the person on the bed was still alive.
But Michael couldn't feel happy. Beneath the blue-and-white striped blanket, he could vaguely make out the contours of Himeko's body, but not including her long legs.
"The Third Battalion was in a standoff with the so-called 'resistance army' outside their camp. The Captain went to scout the situation and encountered a group of elderly people claiming they were coerced and wanted to leave the camp."
"And then?"
"Those people... they had explosives strapped to them. The Captain, trying to protect others..."
Kevin hadn't finished speaking before Michael grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
"All I fucking want to know is... why did you let the Captain go to the Americas!"
Kevin averted his gaze guiltily and explained:
"The MANTISes couldn't appear because of public opinion, so..."
"Besides the MANTISes, was the Captain the only living person left in this base?!"
Michael clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the armored wall beside Kevin's face. The wall buckled inward instantly, swallowing his entire arm.
"I'm sorry."
Michael released Kevin's collar. Kevin said nothing, just silently steadied him.
"I understand. The Captain... volunteered to go, didn't she?"
"Yes."
"Even if someone's at fault, it's my fault. If I had been on Earth at the time..."
"No, Michael, it's..."
Kevin opened his mouth futilely, unsure how to respond. Personally, he didn't think Michael should bear responsibility; he was completely uninvolved. Even if he had been on Earth, he would have been at HQ, too far away to intervene in time.
If blame had to be assigned, the matter was more closely related to Mei. After all, the order sending Himeko to North America did come from Mei. And as Michael said, Fire Moth had other experienced and capable ordinary humans besides Himeko. Even though she volunteered, Mei could have refused, right?
If Mei had sent someone else, conflict might still have been unavoidable, but at least Himeko wouldn't have been harmed.
But then again, just because Mei was involved, did it mean she was wrong?
Not necessarily. Mei couldn't possibly have predicted this would happen. Himeko volunteered, Mei thought she was a suitable choice, and that was all.
"I'm sorry, Kevin."
"It's alright."
"Really alright?"
"Really alright."
Kevin shot a quick glance at Michael, his heart still pounding with residual fear.
If Michael lost control now, destroyed the entire world in a fit of rage... it wasn't an impossibility.
To be precise, when Kevin first heard the news of Himeko's critical injuries, even he had entertained such thoughts. Kalpas had actually started to act on it... thankfully, Aponia stopped him in time.
But therein lay the problem. If he or Kalpas lost control, there was still a chance they could be stopped. But Michael, wielding the power of eleven Herrschers? Who could stop him?
The way he was now—not shedding tears, quickly regaining clarity even after a momentary surge of anger—showed considerable restraint.
"What about the others?"
"Hm?"
"Casualties at the scene."
"The Captain shielded Kalabia at the last moment. She lost her right hand and suffered a severe concussion. Kalabis... he..."
"What happened to him?"
"He gave the order to open fire. He's been sentenced to death."
"...Didn't you say the Third Battalion only carried pistols? Besides, didn't Mei's orders state they could return fire if the enemy used firearms first?"
Kevin paused, realizing Michael had read his thoughts.
He wasn't angry, just sighed heavily:
"The bizarre thing is..."
He only managed a few words before suddenly clenching his teeth, turning, and punching the wall fiercely several times, adding several more black holes below the one Michael had made.
"Sorry, I probably needed to vent too..."
When something like this happened, who could honestly say they weren't upset, weren't suffocated with frustration, weren't lost, weren't tempted, deep down, by the desire for destruction?
But they truly couldn't do that. If the choices of those humans they fought for negated the very meaning of their battle, then they, at least... couldn't negate themselves.
"The 'resistance army' had dozens of armored vehicles as a defense line, each mounted with a remote machine gun. Logically, the Third Battalion's return fire should have been ineffective."
"But the fact is, those remote machine guns never fired. Kalabis and his men broke through the line with ease, killing over seven thousand people on the spot, injuring tens of thousands more. All the rebellious municipal officials except Reugel were killed, but Reugel... well, his body wasn't found."
The situation was painfully obvious. The Twelfth Herrscher first incited the masses, creating conflict between Fire Moth and the people. Then, it instigated the so-called resistance army to provoke a clash, baiting the Third Battalion into retaliating, before using its powers to disable all the resistance's remote machine guns...
Thus, the Third Battalion easily crushed the resistance group. It didn't take a genius to guess the current news headlines— "Fire Moth Conducts Bloody Purge of Resistance Forces in North America."
And Kalabis, who gave the order to fire, was almost certainly doomed. Fire Moth itself would be destabilized by the incident; Mei had to make a statement.
However... if Michael had his say:
"Kevin, please tell Mei for me, put Kalabis's execution on hold for now. I'll heal his sister. After that, they can be put in charge of the Ark Project."
"But..."
"Don't worry. Things have reached this point; conventional methods can no longer deal with the Herrscher. I'll tell Mei my plan. For now, just ask her to spare him. After all... he did nothing wrong. Anyone in his position would have given the order to fire."
"No, Michael, I mean... the Ark Project requires a long lifespan. They aren't MANTISes, this..."
"I have ways to solve that. Including the other ordinary humans in the base..."
"Oh. Then it's fine."
After Kevin left, Elysia, who had been sitting silently on the bench, stood up. She took Michael's hand, and the two walked back to the infirmary window, quietly watching Himeko.
Himeko's body was already ravaged by Honkai energy corruption. Even if Michael wanted to heal her, there was no starting point; exposing her to more Honkai energy would only worsen things.
But that didn't mean there weren't other ways to extend Himeko's life...