MGSFV?! Chapter 349. Let Them Face 'Fear' Head-On!
In the game.
Following a single call from Eden,
like a drop of dew descending into a world of white—
a radiant ocean surged forth.
"…Eden?"
Mei's vision gradually cleared.
In front of her—
Eden sat upon an ornate chair, a golden chalice in hand.
Utterly elegant.
"Forgive me for not being able to traverse your memory space freely. I had to trouble the fairy Elysia to do it in my stead."
"Eden…"
Mei was somewhat shaken, yet deeply relieved. "I'm so glad… you're safe. So, this is Su's arrangement as well?"
Hearing Mei's words, Eden smiled gently.
"Yes, I'm fully aware of everything that's happened."
"And now, the only memory construct left in the Elysian Realm… I believe, is me."
Mei: "..."
Hearing Eden utter such a truth with such calm, Mei fell silent.
"I'm sorry… it's my fault. If only I had been faster…"
[No, Mei, it's not your fault! It's the Herrscher of Corruption's fault!]
[It's the writer's fault!!]
[Yes! All the writer's fault!!]
[Please don't blame yourself.]
"Please don't blame yourself, Miss Mei."
Eden consoled her likewise: "Elysia's life was so rich and brilliant. Expecting you to restore the entirety of her memories from just a fleeting shared moment… was always asking too much."
Yes… then what should come next?
"You've come this far, and that is already the best one could do. From here on… let us fulfill our mission."
Us?
Eden and the fairy Elysia?
What were they planning?
Upon hearing Eden's declaration, and seeing her solemn, resolved expression—
even though players had mentally prepared themselves long ago, their faces still grew heavier.
Looks like…
The writers were going to make their move on Eden after all.
[I mean… even though I knew it was coming, as a diehard Eden fan, I still can't accept her death. Even if it's just story.]
[+1 +1 +1. MiHoYo, please, I beg you—show Eden some mercy, or risk an Eden fan uprising.]
[Writer, watch your back. Might really end up on a blacklist.]
Hokuto: ...
Was he afraid of that?
…He'd just get a few "mysterious little gadgets" from Vill-V in a few days, then arrange a couple more classes with Little Hua and Li Sushang.
Don't come if you don't dare.
But if you do—don't expect to walk out.
Hmph.
...
Back to the story.
Eden told Mei her plan plainly.
"To make up for a missing memory, it must be replaced by another."
"You've taken ninety-nine steps toward Elysia, and this final step… let the fairy Elysia and I walk it for you."
"That's right!" Fairy Elysia chimed in excitedly from the side, "After all, she is the grown-up me!"
Still smiling, Eden explained further.
"Yes, since the fairy is a puppet Elysia crafted in her own image, she is essentially Elysia's incarnation—with the same feelings, the same soul."
"And I, as her friend… the one who stood by her side the longest—every precious memory we've shared over time… shall now become the path that carries you forward."
So that's why Chapter 31 began with a dialogue between Eden and Elysia?
It starts and ends with them?
Writer… you're too full of "romantic" cells (twisted face).
The players' expressions grew increasingly complicated.
But honestly… this wasn't even the peak of the romance.
Not yet.
Just wait.
Mei had realized something.
She quickly asked, "If you're going to complete the memory…"
"As a memory construct, if you use your memories to reconstruct Elysia's existence, then you'll…"
"I'll become a part of her. Forever."
Eden finished the sentence for her.
And wore a serene smile.
"Isn't that a… deeply romantic thing?"
[…I want to say it's not, but I can't. Because it is incredibly romantic (crying).]
[I know it's poetic, but… I still feel miserable…]
[So this… is Eden's romance?]
"…Eden."
Elysia suddenly pursed her lips and reached for a tissue.
That one sentence from Eden completely broke her composure.
"Elysia…?"
"I'm fine."
"Mm…" Hokuto thought for a moment, then offered gently, "Don't worry, I brought plenty of tissues."
Elysia: "..."
A strange silence passed.
"…Thank you."
"No need."
"..."
...
Elysia's heart was clearly struggling to stay calm.
It was Eden's next line in-game that helped ease the emotional tide:
"Please don't worry about me. I have never feared any form of death. To me, life is nothing but a long performance."
"So long as the curtain falls at the perfect moment, in the most beautiful way—then that performance is perfect."
"..."
"Then, let's begin. The moment they bloom has finally arrived."
Eden opened her palm.
Brilliant light poured forth, coalescing into a pair of crystal flowers—one golden, one violet.
"Four Crystal Flowers, four Keys…"
Mei extended her own hand as well.
Within her palm bloomed a dark blue-black flower—identical to Eden's.
The game screen transitioned.
In an infinite black void, four radiant Crystal Flowers hovered silently—
together narrating a sealed, beautiful story.
The tale of the Final Banquet.
A past even the Elysia in the Elysian Realm knew nothing about.
Only when someone gathered all the Crystal Flowers would the final secret buried within the Elysian Realm at last be unearthed.
"It's time to let the truth of that night come to light."
Truth be told, by this point, every player watching the story unfold already understood—
this was the sharpest knife in the entire Elysian Realm arc.
And honestly, they were afraid.
What kind of emotional devastation awaited them next?
They shivered.
They hesitated.
And whether by foresight or coincidence…
"Miss Mei, everything that follows… I entrust to you."
In-game, Eden suddenly reached out and held Mei's hand.
"Please, bring Elysia… bring our hope back into this world."
Players: "..."
That line was addressed to Mei—
But it felt like it was meant for all of them too.
Were they really going to turn away now?
This was a chance bought by the Flame-Chasers' ultimate sacrifice…
Of course not.
Then…
Let's go! Let's go! Let them face fear—head-on!!
The brilliance of the Crystal Flowers intertwined, weaving together the most treasured memories of the songstress from the end of an era.
As the haze of the past lifted, Mei beheld—
Eden, reclining on a sofa with a golden chalice in hand.
Shimmering light scattered from her form, merging into the glowing fragments of the memory space.
Everything seemed no different from their first encounter in the Elysian Realm.
But this… was the end.
"…Eden, may I ask you one final question?"
"Of course, Miss Mei. All the time I have left belongs to you."
And so, Mei finally voiced the question that had lingered in her heart.
The explanation of the 13th Herrscher was riddled with inconsistencies.
Never mind how Elysia could choose to become a Herrscher, or how one sacrifice could awaken so many.
If that was truly Elysia's ending—
Then why was the story of the 13th Herrscher… erased from history?
What?
No one expected that just before the end—
Mei would ask such a loaded question.
So Elysia… isn't the 13th Herrscher?
Then who is she…?
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