Hessian didn't care at all: "I was actually worried about my own safety too, so I added two extra locks to the company door. I'm going to sleep first—you all have fun."
Mobius: "See… you guys still underestimated him."
Hessian continued typing: "Have fun, everyone. Good night!"
Then he directly turned off his phone.
And went to sleep peacefully.
Golden Courtyard.
At this moment, the group's cheerful drinking mood from the party had completely vanished. Everyone gathered together looking at the script, trying to figure out everyone's endings…
But… a script is still just a script—it's very different from watching the show on TV. The only thing they could confirm was that everyone died.
How exactly they died, why they died, what happened after death—none of that was clear at all!
Eden finally couldn't hold back and said: "Ely, you should just get a divorce."
SAKURA also agreed: "Yeah, after you divorce him, I'll help you kill him."
Kalpas said: "If you're willing to become a widow, I can go kill him for you right now."
Even Kiana and the others were having similar thoughts.
This Hessian had really made them way too angry!
They had just watched the show today and started liking these characters, and now the next episode they all die?
If this guy isn't sick, what is he?
Elysia quickly said: "Everyone, don't worry. Believe in my husband. He said he would make all Honkai Impact 3rd viewers fall in love with me. Since he said it, he will definitely make it happen."
Kiana couldn't believe it: "You actually believe that kind of talk?"
Even Pardofelis didn't buy it: "How is that possible? Once people are dead, who would still like them?"
Then everyone started persuading her.
But Elysia kept insisting she believed in Hessian: "He's never gone back on his word before, even though the process is always a bit twisty."
Uh…
This made everyone start reflecting.
It seemed…
She wasn't wrong.
Kevin unusually spoke up: "Thinking too much now won't help. It's rare for us to gather like this—let's just keep drinking and having fun. We shouldn't waste this great opportunity."
Theresa directly called him out: "You're just saying that because you see MEI here and don't want the mood to stay so cold, right?"
Kevin scratched his head and didn't deny it.
Elysia said: "Alright~ Everyone, just relax. If my husband really wrote nonsense, I'll help you all get revenge on him."
"Then it's settled!"
So… everyone started drinking again.
After a night of wild partying, they plunged back into busy filming.
Seven days passed.
This week, viewers were all discussing which Flame-Chaser was the prettiest, who was best wife material, or what the Flame-Chasers' dark sides were, and so on.
Finally.
The new episode began airing.
As expected, Hessian was surrounded by everyone in the middle—just like last week—to prevent him from running away.
Soon, the TV started playing.
The plot continued directly from the previous episode.
While searching for clues about Aponia, she received an invitation from Vill-V, the Flame-Chaser inscribed with Helix, to participate in her magic gala. Afterward, she continued searching for clues. Through conversations with the various Flame-Chasers, she gradually peeled away the fog and step by step uncovered the truth.
Finally, she arrived at the destination of her journey.
She found Vill-V: "There are some things I need to confirm with you."
Vill-V asked: "Oh? Why me?"
Mei said: "Since there's someone here who can freely shape others' minds…"
"I think seeking confirmation from someone who can break free from the influence of Discipline would make it less likely to be led astray."
Vill-V said: "Then I'm truly honored."
"But you're really reopening old wounds here, you know? The price I paid for this was very heavy—killing one version of myself isn't as simple as outsiders think."
"…Sorry." Mei immediately apologized.
Vill-V felt a bit awkward: "Uh… you don't have to go that far. Being so polite actually makes me feel a little embarrassed."
"Being a Flame-Chaser really is troublesome. If this were back when I was alive, I would've sent you packing long ago. So… what exactly do you want to confirm?"
Mei said: "Up to this point, I finally have a deeper understanding of the true nature of the Elysian Realm. It's a space constructed from cognition. On that foundation, it seems the Flame-Chasers each possess their own individual domains."
"Those are places that truly preserve their personal memories. Without the corresponding permission, no one can enter them."
"The operating room for Mobius, the studio for Griseo, the Deep for Aponia… all such existences."
Vill-V said approvingly: "Oho… your judgment is very accurate, but this isn't exactly a secret. However… isn't the matter of permission a bit too absolute?"
Mei said: "Indeed. Elysia once helped me enter Mobius's and Griseo's domains, but when it came to Aponia, she seemed unable to do something similar."
"Although I haven't figured out the reason yet, Aponia is clearly very special to the Elysian Realm."
Vill-V said: "That… I don't want to comment recklessly. And then?"
Mei continued: "But after confirming that the Deep belongs to Aponia's memories, I developed a question."
"Assuming the Deep once existed as an important memory in different Flame-Chasers' minds, then… would two completely opposing subjective cognitions intersect with each other, or remain entirely independent?"
Vill-V asked: "Did you find the answer?"
Mei nodded: "I found it a long time ago… it's just that I never had the opportunity to apply it until now."
"Kevin once told me that the dark side of Fire Moth is constructed from subjective memories, and when pieced together, they might even contradict each other."
"So my first guess was correct. Moreover, the memories that make up the Deep do not belong to just one person."
Vill-V was somewhat surprised: "Wow! You actually got useful information out of Kevin's mouth. That's not easy."
Mei continued: "Kevin's words are the key to the Deep. And the corresponding door… is you, Vill-V."
"…"
Vill-V understood: "Oh, so that's the real reason you came to me? Or rather… the most important reason?"
"Correct."
Mei openly admitted: "You are the builder of the Deep. Even if Aponia's memories hold absolute dominance in its construction, you… your cognition cannot possibly be absent from it."
"That is the key that allows me to enter without permission."
"As for Aponia… no matter what, like all the other Flame-Chasers, the ultimate purpose of everything she does is still to save humanity itself."
"I acknowledge that—even Mobius, who had designs on me, is the same. But in Aponia's attempts to achieve this, her direction has shifted several times."
Vill-V said: "Of course. People change—just look at Kevin. And then?"
Mei continued: "The Aponia I encountered is the same. Her actions reveal two purposes: one belongs to her personally… but the other has absolutely nothing to do with her stated beliefs—perhaps even runs completely counter to them."
"She explained it with fate, but I don't think so…"
"—That is another person's purpose."
"In this ten-day prophecy, Aponia has a companion."
Vill-V asked: "Uh… you're not going to accuse me, are you?"
Mei shook her head: "No, not you."
"My sole purpose in coming to the Elysian Realm is to reach its deepest part and obtain Fire Moth's true secrets."
"Aponia appeared during my advance. And everything she has done is to prevent me from going deeper."
"I have reason to believe that something exists in the Deep that would cause a dramatic shift in my journey."
"And Aponia's prophecy—its true function is likely… to divert my attention from that point onto her, ensuring that the secret which would change everything remains forever hidden."
"In summary, I have come before you—a person unaffected by Aponia's abilities, and one whose cognition must contain the Deep."
"You did say you cannot go to the Deep on your own, but at that time, I didn't understand you well enough."
"A magician would naturally have no connection to the Deep… but you… may be different."
"…"
Vill-V was silent for a long time before saying: "Strange… what's going on? Did you really figure all this out yourself?"
"Oho~ That's impressive. I'm starting to look at you in a new light, Herrscher of Thunder… or rather, has anyone told you that you'd be better suited as the Herrscher of Reason?"
"Correct. If the memory spaces belonging to the Flame-Chasers are connected to one another to form this place…"
"Then the point of connection between me and Aponia… is the Deep."
"But… you've already reached the edge of that place. You wouldn't think… that cathedral-like scene is born from my subjectivity, right?"
"I can indeed help you reach there, but anything after that is beyond my control."
Mei immediately thanked her: "That's enough. Thank you."
Vill-V quickly said: "Hey! Don't thank me yet. I really want to help you… but this time is different."
"You know this is equivalent to building a bridge between cognitions. In other words… to reach the Deep this way, you must pass through my sea of consciousness."
"I would have to lay my entire mind bare to you without any defenses. If it were you, would you be willing to endure such a thing just to help someone else?"
"I'm not Elysia, you know."
"Let's make a deal, Herrscher of Thunder. A complete me in exchange for a complete you."
"While traversing my cognition, every thought in my heart will be laid bare to you—even my most unspeakable secrets."
"But you… must also lay yourself bare without defenses, allowing me to do the same."
Mei agreed decisively: "Fine. I accept."
Vill-V said: "So decisive? Not going to think it over?"
Mei said: "I have no shameful past to hide. Besides… since I'm seeking secrets, I don't mind exchanging secrets."
Vill-V continued: "Oho, and one more disclaimer. I can indeed get you there, but I have no means to let you leave… you understand."
"I understand."
Mei thought for a moment and finally said: "Although I think it's better to leave some things unspoken… I don't want anyone trying to deceive me to mistakenly believe they've succeeded."
"Every time, you appear just when my investigation reaches a bottleneck and provide crucial help. So… is my entire self the thing you've finally revealed to me… your true purpose?"
Vill-V laughed: "Don't overthink it… Miss Mei. The chance for honesty is right in front of you. Go see for yourself."
"And… compared to me, you're suspecting someone else much more, aren't you?"
Seeing this, the two reached a tacit understanding.
They said no more.
Under Vill-V's ability, their consciousnesses intertwined. Mei's entirety unfolded before Vill-V, but…
Vill-V still played a trick—she did not show her full self.
When Mei came to her senses.
She had already arrived in the Deep.
During this time, Aponia had frequently spied on her through various means—even when she deliberately sought death in battle with Kalpas, Aponia intervened. Everything was to fulfill her prophecy—
—The end ten days later.
And now.
She had arrived in the Deep in her own way.
Appearing before Aponia.
Yet she saw the other kneeling on the ground, praying: "…Cease your admonition here."
"Raiden Mei, what exactly has made you resolve… to fall so miserably into this trap?"
Mei saw her and said: "Aponia, good. Seeing you appear here actually puts me more at ease."
"My final doubt has finally been answered—my death date is indeed connected to my intention to reach the Deep. In fact… they are the same thing."
Aponia sighed: "You still cannot understand my painstaking efforts?"
"What protects us is restraint. People can only know so much, and thus live on."
"The thirst for the unknown has already brought one era to its end. I simply did not want… you to become involved as well."
Mei said: "No need to speak so euphemistically, Aponia. The essence of the matter isn't complicated—in fact, you cannot truly see my fate at all, can you?"
"The so-called prophecy, the truth is… you will not allow anyone to uncover the secrets of the Deep. If someone like me dares to cross the line, you will inevitably strike them down."
"But… this is not as unavoidable as you claim."
"No matter how special you are in the Elysian Realm, just as I do not believe in the existence of fate, I also do not believe you are truly unbeatable."
Aponia said with emotion: "Strike down… what an apt description."
"Though you fly high like a great eagle, nesting among the stars, yet I shall pull you down from there—since you already know I will do this, why still risk yourself?"
Mei replied: "I've wasted too much time in the Realm, so… this is something I must obtain."
Aponia said: "Bearing courage and determination, fiercely resisting everything you do not acknowledge…"
"What a lamentable spirit—magnificent like humanity itself, and like all their deeds…
"…Utterly meaningless!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Mei, but you still… disappoint me."
"I am the only one who can see fate… and I am also the only one who can fight against it."
"All others… who fancy themselves rebels against fate are merely unaware that they are within it."
"I just didn't expect… that you would be the same. I once thought you brought change to the Realm, but the facts proved the opposite. That's why I ended those tentative co-existences."
"Before sending you onto the correct path, I must point out some errors."
"I can see fate… though there are parts I must conceal from you, it is not a lie."
"Unfortunately, I cannot show you that scene, but… your fate will end here and now. That is certain."
Mei snorted coldly: "…Hmph!"
Aponia continued: "Or rather… after our fates intertwined, both were severed. I can see no path beyond this—only silence."
"I do not know the reason, so I became curious."
"Because I was curious, I stepped into it, and at this moment, I received the answer."
Mei asked: "You will kill me here?"
Aponia replied: "Not necessarily. Either… I erase Miss Mei, or… I erase the Elysian Realm."
"Only I can accomplish the second, but I have not yet received the reason why I must do so."
"Miss Mei, fate has advanced to this point. You have no other choice."
Mei placed her hand on her weapon: "Perhaps you forgot to mention one other explanation, Aponia. What if… I erase you?"
Aponia said: "That is… another error I have yet to point out, Miss Mei."
"As you already know… at first, I tried to change fate, but I failed. Fate cannot be avoided."