People have limits, so...

Cheng Lixue, who was sitting upright on the hospital bed today, was extremely quiet.

She held a stack of papers, eyes scanning the information intensely. After years away, she was playing catch-up, trying to piece together the current state of the world.

While she was reading the information about the present sent by Schicksal, she looked at some content about the game again and again.

And an email from the bishop also made her pay attention.

" About the dispatch of the head of the Oceania branch ? "

She smiled helplessly at the corner of her mouth, which contained memories of the past.

"Honestly, though, I'd rather just stay at St. Freya. Security guard, combat instructor... I'll even clean the dorms if it means staying close. " After a beat, she decided to go for broke, refusing with all the sincerity she could muster.

She just wanted to be near her teacher, always ready to fight alongside her if needed.

"Bang bang—" Two sharp knocks echoed through the room, startling her. "Come in!" The words tumbled out before she could stop herself.

Wait, why was she even inviting people in?

Visitors required a nurse's announcement, and honestly, how many people even remembered her after all these years?

So passionate, so surging in people's hearts,

"Ah—Lixue, are you there?" A flash of blue eyes and a ridiculously girlish grin poked through the doorway.

The figure glided towards the bed with a flowery flourish, leaving a trail of perfume that was either delightful or headache-inducing, depending on your taste.

Cheng Lixue stared, wide-eyed. That unmistakable shock of white hair, usually seen charging into the fray, was now attached to a very familiar face.

A rush of memories flooded back – the battlefield, the adrenaline... and a long-lost, fluttery feeling in her chest.

"C-Cecilia... ma'am?" Cheng Lixue's voice cracked slightly.

"Well, well, Cheng Lixue," Cecilia trilled, "take a wild guess... what kind of flowers did I bring to brighten up your day?"

She always did have that 'hands behind the back' thing going on – now it finally made sense! Still, relief washed over Cheng Lixue at the sight of Cecilia, alive and...well, as well as Cecilia ever could be.

It was one less worry weighing on her.

The first thing she watched was the Second Honkai War. Although it was far from what she remembered, she was also very worried about the people who died in that battle in the game, especially Lady Cecilia.

"Carnations?"

Cheng Lixue offered the first flower that came to mind, the image of that tragic battlefield flashing before her eyes.

A thousand questions bubbled to the surface, but she forced them back down.

What if her hopes were wrong? What if she only got bad news? The fear of disappointment warred with a desperate, impossible hope for something, anything, better than what she remembered.

"Nope, an orchid. The noble gentleman of flowers, the golden orchid to be precise – symbolizes loyalty. A flower with many meanings in China, just like you," Cecilia announced, revealing the elegant bouquet from behind her back.

Three white petals cradled a vibrant purple center, and a delicate fragrance – not too sweet, not too showy – filled the air.

Just like Cecilia herself.

Cheng Lixue stared at the flowers, her mind spinning. Finally, she managed to choke out, "The Second Honkai, they..."

"Cheng Lixue, I wish I knew how to make this easier, but... we need to keep moving forward..."

Cecilia sat on the edge of the bed, her expression a mix of sympathy and resolve.

A heavy silence fell. Cheng Lixue exhaled slowly. "At least... at least you're still here."

"...Yeah." Cecilia's reply was barely a whisper.

...

"Boss, you're sneaking out early today? What gives?" Kiana asked, a bewildered look on her face.

Luo Mo paused, glancing at her as if debating whether silence was the best answer.

And, speaking of time, although this boss will arrive late every day, he rarely leaves early. He always leaves on time.

" Today... I have something to do -" Luo Mo sighed and looked at his watch. He felt that he was a little late.

Alas, when will my procrastination change? I'm used to going to work, and every time I check something, I arrive a little late...

It doesn't matter, it's already too late anyway.

Luo Mo eyed Kiana, a mix of exasperation and disappointment swirling in his eyes.

"Kiana, games are great and all, but they're not real life. You've got to learn some self-control! Honestly, it's like you're glued to that screen. Starting today, I want you to take a break."

" Don't you urge us to come to work every day ? Besides, you don't need me to do game dubbing? Also, how is that thing you mentioned?"

Kiana rolled her eyes, and then asked expectantly,

"How can I become stronger quickly?"

"Lady Cecilia agrees?"

"I think she agree by default. " Kiana touched her smooth chin and said half-thinkingly.

Regarding Luo Mo's proposal at that time, she thought about it carefully and it seemed that it was not difficult to accept it and become a Herrscher!

After all, Mei, Bronya, and even her not-so-favorite-step-sister Sirin are all Herrschers.

What's one more, right? It's not like the world would fall apart.

" Uh..." Luo Mo looked at the other party suspiciously, The other party's uncertain look was really suspicious!

But, to be honest, if original timeline Kiana became a Herrscher anyway, this seemed like a safer bet.

According to his opinion, the final stigma plus any Herrscher core should not be worse than Kiana's original timeline situation...

Mei and Bronya better be ready to work overtime, because this plan could get messy.

"Alright, lay it on me. Before we seal the deal, what's the worst that can happen if you become a Herrscher? Do I get a discount on apocalypse insurance?" He wasn't sure if he was trying to be funny or just hide his nerves.

"What are you honestly thinking about all this?"

"Then what can we do? People have their limits, and not everyone is like my eldest sister. "

Kiana was silent for a long time, but her tone suddenly stopped jumping and turned to a deeper level of maturity.

Her eyes drifted to the sky, fixing on a few scattered clouds. "Some clouds just float alone, you know? Always on their own, never quite strong enough to be a real storm."

in ARC City, she had already clarified the current situation - she was not the protagonist…

BUT if necessary, she doesn't mind trying to be the protagonist, she's not saying she's ready to hog the spotlight 24/7, but if the world needs a hero, Kiana's down to step up.

After all, this is her world now. 

Her mom, Himeko, Mei, Bronya, even the boss...they're her people. And just like in the game, she'll fight like hell to protect them and for all that is good in the world.

This is her wish and blessing.

The other party's decision was by no means accidental, Luo Mo was finally convinced at this moment.

He wanted to protest, to shout something like, "Hey, we all have limits! Just because you became a Herrscher doesn't mean everyone can!" But he bit his tongue.

Kiana's eyes were blazing with a determination that couldn't be faked.

It was a dazzling, infectious kind of resolve that made him feel a little...well, a little bit ashamed of his doubts.

"Alright then," he said instead, "You and Mei better get ready. Time to shut down that Imaginary singularity over Nagazora City for good."

"Wait, me and Mei?" Kiana's voice squeaked, the usual confidence shaken. She was never the best at hiding her surprise.

...

Okay, the real reason Luo Mo snuck out early? Kevin showed up on the island. As in, THE Kevin, head honcho of World Serpent. Yeah, surprise visit way ahead of schedule. Talk about a guy who likes to make his own hours.

Honestly, the dude's a bit scary with how unpredictable he is. No point in trying to change him though. If anyone can casually threaten Schicksal one minute and work with them the next, it's Kevin. The guy's on an entirely different level, so what's there to be afraid of, right?

Luo Mo even suspects that if he didn't have his little squad of Flame-Chaser playing nice with Schicksal already, things could have gotten messy real fast.

Thing like Submission… or Death!!

Haha perhaps the flame-chasers' security investment has brought great benefits ~

"Sorry, sorry – running a bit behind today...well, more like my usual behind,"

Luo Mo took the car and quickly arrived at a secret location on the island.

Although in a certain aspect, whether it is consulting his opinions or participating in this negotiation, he can be regarded as a senior official in Schicksal.

However, the truth is, he's totally fine with skipping this dangerous meet-up and just getting the results later.

"Don't worry," a familiar, sing-song voice drifted towards him. "I'm not entirely sure why I'm here either, tee-hee! ♪"

Elysia walked over from one side and said hello, " Hi, Luo Mo, long time no see ♪ "

"Whew..." Luo Mo let out a relieved sigh, patting his chest. "Ellie, thank goodness you're here. At least there's a chance we might avoid a full-on brawl with you around."

"Now, now, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'll be sitting this one out," Elysia replied with a playful smile, her elegance unwavering.

"Speaking of which, there's a rather charming Cecilia lookalike chatting it up with Welt. Why don't you go take a peek?"

She waved a hand before his eyes, her delicate fingers almost translucent in the sunlight. Luo Mo almost wanted to take a nibble, but quickly shook off the bizarre thought. Focus!

Wait, when he realized something was wrong, he quickly shook his head, that was the hare!

" As for Misteln, I won't go to them. The other party and Welt should have a lot to say. "

" Wow! You really know the origin of the other party. How about telling me about it? "

Elysia's eyes lit up, she pulled Luo Mo's sleeves and shook them, " Let me tell you, she looks like Cecilia, I almost didn't recognize her! "

"My, my! I never thought a small World Serpent member like myself would catch the eye of the illustrious Deputy Chief of the Flame-Chasers," a soft, dreamy voice drifted over.

Misteln leaned against the wall, a curious glint in her eyes. "I must say, I'm rather flattered."

She looked at the black-haired boy in front of her curiously. Compared with the information, he looked more harmless, but then again, appearances could be deceiving.

" Also, it is said that this young man who can predict the future, don't you know that you can predict my future? "

" Of course, if possible, what happened in the past does not need to be revealed again. "

She smiled and looked at Luo Mo.

Her curiosity had been piqued long before their first meeting.

"In the future... for example, you will travel with a person with silver hair & spiral twin tails. has no expression… and unhappy look? making a perfect combination. "

Luo Mo said frivolously and looked at the other party with a smile.

With her white hair and that dreamy white and purple outfit, she looked more like a princess plucked from a fairytale than Cecilia. It was a beautiful image...but also faintly unreal, like a delicate mirage.

He could see a flicker of confusion in those bright eyes.

Luo Mo didn't know what brought her here, but maybe she just wanted to see someone else who shared her circumstances yet walked a very different path.

" Oh, by the way, it's not Bronya. "

Luo Mo thought of something and added something.

"Oh?" The Hare tilted her head, surprised, but smiled nonetheless. "Well, then, perhaps I should offer you a bit of helpful advice."

There was a strange joy bubbling up in her, a newfound lightness. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance at happiness in this life she hadn't quite given up on.

Besides...

"It's a trip with a person who sounds very interesting ~ I'm looking forward to seeing her ~"

Luo Mo's words had sparked something she never dared to wish for.

She no doubt about Luo Mo's words. 

" Wow, Luo Mo, do you still have this kind of function? Can you predict it for me? "

Elysia cast an interested look back at Luo Mo - she really wanted to know her own ending too!

" What do you want? To be held by Mei and die sadly in her arms; to bleed to the last moment while fighting against the Herrscher; or to open up the harem..."

"Hey! Hush!" Elysia slapped a hand over his mouth, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

A harem, you say? How embarrassing! As if anyone could see right through her like that...

"Hmm, come to think of it, aren't we way past the range for the stigmata device to work?" Luo Mo mused, abandoning his teasing for a moment.

Maybe there was more to this than just a joke.

" Oh, well, Dr. Mobius has stigmata, and so do Rin and Griseo, so they don't need me much anymore huhuhu ~"

Elysia pretended to wipe away her tears, her voice filled with sobs, " Abandoned, Luo Mo, I can only go to your house to live ~ "

" Hey, hey, you guy, what are you talking about? I didn't say I wanted to welcome you!"

master of house (Theresa) and said angrily that she had not forgotten the 'insult' the other party had given her in the past.

Do you know how much damage that little brain pad wave caused her?

If she doesn't grow taller, she must ask the other party for compensation!

This negotiation was on her territory, so she naturally entered, although she stopped outside the door.

With a slightly haughty tilt of her chin, Theresa announced, "Luo Mo, you're late. We wrapped up that negotiation faster than you can say 'lazybones'."

Turns out, the talks were pretty straightforward – just Kevin, Kallen, and Durandal hashing things out. Theresa and Gray Serpent stood guard at the door, keeping the riffraff out.

Welt could have barged in, but for some reason, he chose to hang back and chat with the Hare lady outside.

Simple guy, that Welt. Now firmly Team Schicksal, he figured whoever leads the charge is fine with him.

Plus, with Schicksal looking this powerful, it might be better to use this to show the relationship between the two parties to the World Snake, make World Serpent think twice about causing trouble.

" Let's go, Hare, the negotiation has been established, "

Kevin announced, already walking out the door. Even spotting Elysia didn't give him pause.

The initial greetings were over; there was no need for drawn-out goodbyes.

"Very well, my Lord," Hare nodded, then she and Gray Serpent scurried after Kevin, their figures shrinking into the distance.

And so, a simple negotiation came to a swift and unceremonious end.

" Hey, don't you want to talk more ? " This time it was Luo Mo's turn to poke Elysia.

That squishy, soft arm – was this a universal girl thing? He'd only had experience with Luna and Theresa, so his sample size was limited.

Elysia's eyes followed his finger, her gaze lingering on the spot he'd poked. For a moment, there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

"Maybe, you're right," she admitted, "the timing isn't quite ideal."

Just when Luo Mo thought she'd finally matured, ditching her usual quirks, Elysia puffed out her cheeks in defiance.

" But even so, Kevin treated me like this, and I have to find my way back. Okay, it's decided. Now the mistake he made will be repaid by Memory(SIM) him"

She raised her tiny fist and looked at Luo Mo with a determined nod, as if seeking his approval.

See? If someone else agrees, it's totally not her fault! She can blame it all on him if anyone asks!

"... Go get him, Ellie! You can do it!" Luo Mo grinned, offering her a thumbs-up of encouragement.