NOVEL NEXT Chapter 441: Elysia
The silent space echoed with Raiden Mei's call. But as the sound faded into the white void, nothing changed.
As expected. Mei sighed, a hint of disappointment in her heart.
Reality adhered to the laws of physics. Even for a Herrscher, perception had its limits. Even if a girl named Elysia had some connection to this ordinary crystal flower, she couldn't respond across space and time. Her call had been an act of faith in The Obsidian Concord.
Although she'd anticipated this outcome, the lack of a response was still disheartening.
I guess I'll have to contact the outside world, find a way out, and re-enter after the systems are corrected.
With a plan in mind, Mei turned to leave. But then, a faint scent of peach blossoms, seemingly from nowhere, filled her nostrils.
Flower fragrance? Here? Mei froze, instinctively looking back. Countless pink petals were drifting through the previously empty void.
In the pure white world, the falling petals were like a vibrant spring rain. And within this floral rain, a lovely girl with pink hair stepped into view.
"No matter when or where, Elysia will always answer your call."
A delicate, girlish voice, belonging to its owner, entered Raiden Mei's world.
"Elysia…?"
Mei murmured the girl's name, surprise filling her eyes. Before entering the Elysian Realm, The Obsidian Concord had told her that Elysia was a girl as beautiful as falling blossoms. But seeing her in person, Mei realized the description was an understatement.
"Hmm?" Elysia responded with a hum, glancing around.
"Huh? What is this place? There's a spot in the Elysian Realm I didn't know about?" She quickly dismissed the thought, her gaze settling on Mei.
"Oh my! What a surprise! I never expected the person calling me to be such a beautiful young lady."
She smiled gently, a smile that felt instantly familiar, despite their first meeting. Her generous compliments, while flattering, didn't feel intrusive.
"Are you Elysia?" Mei, not letting the girl's friendliness lower her guard, took a step back, maintaining a safe distance.
"That's right! It's me, the flawless Young Girl~, Elysia!" In a self-deprecating manner, Elysia introduced herself, then feigned a pout. "It's a bit sad that you've entered the Elysian Realm, possess that flower, and yet don't know what I look like."
"I apologize. I only joined World Serpent recently."
"Oh my, oh my, just kidding! You're such a lovely girl, how could I possibly be upset?" Elysia smiled brightly, plucking a petal that had landed on her head. "Now then, may this lovely maiden know your name?"
"Raiden Mei." Maintaining her composure, Mei gave her name. "Since you knew I was entering the Elysian Realm, shouldn't World Serpent have already told you my name?"
Elysia paused, a look of surprise crossing her face. "You are Mei? A Herrscher who has broken free from the Honkai?"
After her initial surprise, Elysia patted her head, a hint of apology in her voice. "I'm so sorry. I assumed you would enter the Elysian Realm through the established procedures, not end up here."
An accident?
Mei considered, her gaze falling on the crystal flower in her hand. Was it because of this?
"Is there something special about this flower?"
"It's just an ordinary crystal flower, but since I created it, there's a connection. Didn't the person who gave it to you tell you that?"
"Hmm? You know who gave me the flower?" The Obsidian Concord, a highly secretive group, had given Mei the flower. How could Elysia, confined to the Elysian Realm, possibly know?
"…" Elysia looked into Mei's eyes, confirming she wasn't lying, then smiled. "Looks like that person is still the same, never revealing themselves. The twin jades, their name is Jue. I'm guessing someone you know has that character in their name."
Jue… The Obsidian Concord (Qianjue)?
"Wait, you know about The Obsidian Concord?"
Elysia didn't answer, simply offering a mysterious smile before changing the subject back to Mei.
"Since you're an important guest, Mei, it would be rude to keep you standing here. Why don't we return to the real Elysian Realm and continue our conversation there?"
Mei realized she wouldn't get any more answers for now. But both The Obsidian Concord and Kevin had said the Elysian Realm held the answers she sought. By continuing her exploration, she would eventually uncover the truth.
…
"Here we are, the Elysian Realm! Does it look… ordinary?"
Following Elysia, Mei quickly passed through the white void and arrived at the true Elysian Realm.
She shifted her gaze from the girl to the towering structures that filled the space. Classical and elegant, they exuded the unique beauty of a bygone era, conveying the advanced culture of the Previous Era.
"This way, this way, Mei. Don't get lost!"
Seeing Mei's attention focused on the architecture, Elysia stopped, waiting for her to finish admiring them before extending her hand.
A strange portal appeared before them.
"The spaces within the Elysian Realm aren't connected as a whole. They rely on portals like this. There are many of them, and they change frequently. If you're not careful, you could end up in some dangerous places."
She must be referring to the dangerous Flame-Chasers Raven mentioned.
Mei silently noted the portal's characteristics and then stepped through.
She found herself in a vast, golden palace.
"We've arrived! This is our meeting hall. When Fire Moth wasn't facing destruction, the Flame-Chasers spent most of their time here holding meetings. If you're taking the trials, you'll be spending a lot of time here."
Elysia pushed open the doors, revealing an enormous hall. At its center was a portal like the one they had just passed through. On either side were a rustic library, a long sofa, and even a wall displaying various types of alcohol.
"It's hard to imagine this as a formal meeting hall."
"Hehe, I designed it myself! Back then, everyone was so stressed. It was better to turn this place into a lounge. It wouldn't interfere with meetings, and it would help people relax."
Elysia proudly introduced the space, skipping towards the sofa like a little girl and bouncing on it.
"You must be tired after all that walking, Mei." She patted the space beside her, inviting Mei to sit.
"That's not necessary. You should know why I'm here, Elysia." Besides seeking answers, Mei's primary goal was to undergo the trials and increase her strength.
Finality was approaching. Before that day arrived, she needed the power to protect Kiana.
"Oh my, oh my, don't be in such a hurry. You're the first Herrscher to enter the Elysian Realm. We need to get to know each other better."
"Besides, in the language of Mu, Elysia means 'paradise' or 'Elysian Realm (Elysium).' But my friends usually call me Ely. You can use that too. It's cute, like me. And can I call you Mei?"
"…You've already called me that many times." Mei was slightly exasperated. This girl was even more forward than Kiana.
"Oh? It seems that from the moment I saw you, Mei, I already considered you a friend." Elysia, unfazed, continued to smile.
It was hard to deny her charm.
Mei sighed, deciding to go along with it. Elysia was right. She knew nothing about the Elysian Realm. How could she possibly find the answers she sought so easily?
She sat down next to Elysia, intending to ask her about the rules of the Elysian Realm.