"It's nothing, it's just that this time, the Herrscher is you."
Chang Yuan said this in a casual tone, as if stating a terrifying fact.
This immediately shocked Himeko so much that her jaw almost dropped.
Wait, what? It's just that I became a Herrscher? How can you say that so casually?
But in the end, Himeko forced herself to calm down: "But if I am a Herrscher, then what's going on with me now?"
She believed that Chang Yuan wasn't lying to her. After all, he wouldn't joke about something like this.
But if that's really the case, then what's going on with her now?
"Your Herrscher core has been removed, and after a special procedure, you have regained your human identity. Now, you can also become a MANTIS."
Ever since he found out that the 7th Herrscher was Himeko, Chang Yuan had forbidden her from undergoing the MANTIS procedure.
After all, who knows what kind of terrifying new Herrscher could be born from the combination of the 7th Herrscher and a MANTIS body.
Therefore, to eliminate this possibility, he had forbidden Himeko from undergoing the MANTIS procedure until the 7th Herrscher was eliminated.
"No wonder. Now I understand why you didn't allow me to undergo the MANTIS procedure before."
Only now did Himeko truly understand why Chang Yuan had stopped her from undergoing the procedure before.
She herself couldn't even imagine how strong a MANTIS combined with a Herrscher would be.
"But you're the only exception. Future Herrschers will still be killed, because I've found that subsequent Herrschers might become increasingly stronger. If we save one person at the cost of a million lives, it's not worth it."
"Ah, that's really a pity for the future Herrschers. I guess I'm lucky then."
"So, cherish this life. Go and slay more Honkai beasts, protect more people."
Chang Yuan stood up, patted Himeko on the shoulder, and then turned to leave.
Until sunset.
"Yuan, Himeko has been saved, right?"
Although she hadn't seen Himeko yet, Elysia was certain that she was definitely alive.
This was Chang Yuan's promise to her, and it was also what Chang Yuan had agreed to.
"Yes, you should be able to see her tonight. So, Elysia, smile more, okay? It hurts me to see you always looking so sad."
"...Alright."
Indeed, he had noticed, even though she thought she had hidden it well.
"So, what's the matter? Can you tell me? Maybe I can help."
As the evening breeze blew, Chang Yuan and Elysia sat on a bench.
He reached out and held Elysia's hand. He really wanted to know what could make the usually lively Elysia look so sad.
Hearing this, Elysia opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Thousands of herself, thousands of sisters.
Each one of them was just like her, loving the same man.
But each one was different, with their own personalities.
However, there was one thing they all shared: they knew their very existence was a mistake.
So even in this world, they wouldn't take any real action.
Their final words before death were a hope that the real Elysia wouldn't reveal their shared consciousness.
They were afraid that after this, the man wouldn't be able to bring himself to kill any of them again.
If that happened, the plan with the highest chance of success would have to be abandoned.
What they hoped for was that the real Elysia could love Chang Yuan on behalf of all the sisters who had died.
The love they couldn't have, the emotions they couldn't touch, would all be given by the real her.
For this reason, Elysia had kept this secret buried deep in her heart.
And because of this, the endless longing, the countless sacrifices, she couldn't speak of them, and could only bear them silently.
She felt that Chang Yuan's love was too deep, too intense.
And the selfless sacrifices of her other sisters were also too suffocating.
"It's nothing, Yuan. When the time is right, I'll tell you."
"...Alright."
Chang Yuan hadn't expected that the words he once said to Elysia would one day be said back to him by her.
Was this the boomerang of the past finally hitting him after all these years?
The quiet evening breeze was gentle yet cold, evoking a sense of loneliness.
"Yuan, I'll head back first. Goodbye."
In the end, Elysia was the first to suggest going back.
After saying this, she let go of Chang Yuan's hand, stood up, and left without looking back.
Watching her retreating figure, Chang Yuan couldn't help but feel that the thing she couldn't tell him was definitely important.
And indeed, it was.
If Chang Yuan knew that every clone of Elysia he had personally sent away would cause the original to feel everything they felt, to experience all their emotions at the moment of death,
Then, he might very well go mad, or his personality might change drastically.
Therefore, Elysia wasn't just keeping the secret for the sake of her sisters who had willingly sacrificed themselves for her, but also to protect Chang Yuan.
Chang Yuan's love for her was suffocating and selfless, but so was hers.
After a long silence, Chang Yuan finally stood up and slowly walked away.
Back in the dorm, Kevin and Su were fooling around, but when they noticed Chang Yuan's lonely figure, they stopped.
Without saying a word, Chang Yuan lay down on his bed and closed his eyes to rest.
The heavy atmosphere made Kevin and Su dare not speak loudly.
"Su, I've been feeling lately that Chang Yuan and Elysia might have had a falling out. In the past few months, I haven't seen them together much, even less than the time I spend with Mei."
"Why ask me? I'm not involved. I guess it's their secret."
Su was quite helpless with his good friend.
Only someone as carefree as Kevin would gossip about others behind their backs while living under the same roof.
Fortunately, almost everyone who knew Kevin understood that he didn't mean any harm; it was just his nature.
So most people didn't mind.
"Sigh, I heard that Mei's Stigma Project is about to be completed. Soon, I'll be able to spend more time with Mei, hehehe."
Thinking about how he could see Mei more often after the Stigma Project was completed,
The more he thought about it, the more Kevin couldn't help but smile.
His good days were almost here. He wouldn't have to envy the love between Elysia and Chang Yuan anymore.
At the same time, he glanced at his good friend.
He suspected that his good friend might have issues with his sexual orientation. Despite being so handsome, he still didn't have a girlfriend, and there weren't even any rumors about him.
Just thinking about this made Kevin feel a chill down his spine.
He hoped it wasn't what he thought.