Chapter 152: Nozomi/Hope has left...

"Nozomi"

"What's wrong, Elysia? You sound unexpectedly depressed..."

"I'm sorry... I... can't help you..."

"It's okay, I'm just [detained], which is good enough. I'd rather say that I'm very grateful that you guys can support me so much."

Nozomi's voice was still so gentle and calm.

"We are [comrades], so we should help each other, right?"

"…Yeah, probably."

"Nozomi, why are you so resistant to... contacting me?"

Elysia didn't understand. As similar yet different [kinds], as beings who love [humans] in the same way, shouldn't they help each other? Shouldn't they accompany each other? Why did Nozomi resist her so much?

"Ha... Elysia, do you remember what I said before?"

Nozomi sighed helplessly.

"If you had to choose between me and [Humans], what would you do?"

"I..."

"I know, Elysia, you are very greedy. Greediness is the privilege of cute girls, so you want to choose both. If you can't, you will do your best to create an option to choose both."

Nozomi looked at her, met her blue and pink pupils, and raised the corners of his mouth in a gentle smile.

"And I... am the same."

"I also want to [choose both], and for this, I will do my best."

"Ha... Unfortunately, it's still a bit difficult to change the ending, so... I can only do it bit by bit~"

Nozomi smiled casually, his eyelids slightly drooped, his gaze casually fixed in one direction, his mind slightly freed.

"And I'm not sure if I can succeed..."

"Nozomi..."

"Also, Elysia, actually... I'm not that good, okay? I'm actually very selfish."

"…Huh?"

"Don't look at me for doing so much. Actually, my real purpose is just for two things."

Nozomi raised his head slightly and looked at her who was a little surprised.

He wanted to save Sakura and Rin, and change their ending of death - this was his obsession [before], and it was something he had to do.

He wanted Eden to survive - that was his only thought [this time].

"As for the other things, they are just incidental."

"But, in fact, you saved a lot of people and helped a lot of people..."

"But so what? In the end, it can't defeat human beings' suspicion."

"..."

"Look, Elysia, even if you have helped many people and saved many people, once others know your identity, they will speculate and imagine your so-called sincerity, and then doubt everything you have done."

Nozomi said slowly.

"The kindness you once had will turn into [hypocrisy], the help you once gave will turn into [ulterior motives]... They always say that we should judge by deeds rather than by heart, but people always like to focus on [the heart] and discuss whether it is [sincere]... It's actually quite annoying, isn't it?"

"Nozomi..."

Elysia gently placed her hand on the back of Nozomi's hand, trying to give him some comfort, trying to calm his emotions... She was so worried that Nozomi would collapse, lose faith in [humanity], and become like other [Herrscher], a "machine" who only knew how to destroy and kill.

"I'm fine, Elysia. This level alone won't affect me."

Nozomi, in turn, gently held her hand, calming her slightly panicked heart. Then, as if he remembered something, he took something out of his pocket and placed it in her palm.

"Oh, by the way, this... is for you."

"What is this...?"

Elysia looked closely and found that it was a small crystal flower hair accessory.

"I asked Vill-V to make a small souvenir for each of you. But please rest assured, each person's style is different and unique~"

Nozomi spoke in a happy tone.

"There's a song I left for you in there, huh? It's different for everyone, ah... Of course, my power is also in there, and I can help you when necessary, so... Keep it with you, ok?"

"I see... I will, Nozomi."

The corners of Elysia's mouth slowly rose, and then she took off her current hair accessories, letting the pink ponytail spread out.

"Then... Nozomi, can you help me?"

Elysia turned around, pointed at the new hair accessory in her hand, then pointed at her gorgeous pink long hair, and spoke softly.

"Okay~"

Nozomi smiled and gently combed Elysia's hair. He picked up the crystal flower hair accessory and prepared to tie her ponytail again.

"...Nozomi, I'm sorry."

When Nozomi was combing Elysia's hair, Elysia, who had her back to Nozomi, suddenly said this.

She was really sorry that she couldn't stand with Nozomi at this moment.

They were clearly of the same kind and should have been companions helping each other, but when Nozomi needed help the most... she couldn't help him, and couldn't even reveal her identity and stand with him to prove anything for him.

Just like what was said before... "suspicion" has begun to spread. Even if she reveals her identity again and proves to others that even the Herrscher is a friendly existence, it will not work. Instead, it will drag her into the abyss of "suspicion" and may even further stimulate the "Fire Moth" to directly issue an order to "attack".

The existence of two Herrschers at the same time, or even one lurking around people, would undoubtedly irritate other people and cause them to take irrational actions... That was something no one wanted to see.

Therefore, whether for the sake of social stability, or to appease the hearts of the "Fire Moths", whether for Nozomi's life or for her own safety... Elysia cannot reveal her identity at this time.

But... but... it was precisely because she knew these reasons that Elysia felt guilty and apologized.

Unlike Eden and Sakura, she did not have a close relationship with Nozomi, so she had very few opportunities to be by his side and comfort him.

She, this [kind of person], this [companion] who was supposed to help each other... in fact, did not help him at all.

Elysia... is very sad.

"It doesn't matter."

In response, Nozomi just smiled.

"Just live your life well, Elysia."

Nozomi said softly, tying up the crystal flower hair accessory in his hand and re-tied the ponytail for Elysia.

"After all... it's all for humanity."

The voice was still so gentle and calm.

"...Um."

Elysia subconsciously tightened the old hair accessories in her hands, but in the end... she seemed to give up, and slowly and weakly let go.

She suddenly felt a little annoyed with this sentence... this overly high-sounding... excuse.

...

......

Finally, this day has come.

Everyone watched as the spacecraft took off, disappearing into the sky with flames... taking him and some gadgets left for him by everyone, disappearing into the sky, heading for the [prison] on the moon.

Nozomi/hope... left.

It was also at this moment that the conflict caused by him suddenly erupted.

...

In the ocean far away from the land, the waves are surging, countless bubbles are floating out of the water anxiously, and the sea water is surging again and again, conveying emotions of anxiety and panic.

The seawater splashed out again and again, trying to leap into the sky to chase the fire that had disappeared into the horizon, but at this moment... it could no longer do it.

[Ocean]... can't feel him anymore, the child it loves... it can't feel him anymore!

This nearly caused it to go out of control, with waves surging countless times, trying to surge towards the land, but in the end... they were all smoothed out.

"[Blood relatives]would not want to see this."

It was a soft female voice.

It was an extremely attractive figure, with smooth skin, body lines as smooth and soft as water, long white hair like waves, and... dangerous scarlet pupils full of predatory aura.

Well, she... is the "reborn" [Skadi].

(TL: New Waifu~)

Crash——

The waves are gently surging.

"Please be patient... [Mother]."

Skadi hesitated for a while and finally pronounced the name.

Since [blood relatives] have admitted it, she will also admit it.

[Blood relations] are important.

"Blood relatives would not want to see this."

Crash——

"That's enough, [Mother]."

Skadi growled.

"That's enough."

She lowered her head, trying not to keep her eyes on the sky.

"That's enough..."

Holding the hunter hat tightly in her arms, Skadi whispered softly.

'I'm sorry... [Blood relative]... I'm... late...'

'sorry...'

Crash——

The seawater was no longer violent at this moment, but just flowed gently, soothing her emotions and gently covering the naked Skadi with clothes.

It was a dark-colored [hunter's suit] similar to Nozomi's.

...

"Get out!!! Get out!!!"

Kalpas' roar echoed in the "Fire Moth". Many soldiers wanted to stop him, but they couldn't bring themselves to do anything strong... But Kalpas didn't have so many concerns. Although he wouldn't kill anyone, he had already seriously injured several people.

"You are a bunch of rubbish!!! You are a bunch of cripples who only know how to follow orders!!! Get out of here!!!"

"Are you not going to kill those bastards and just keep them to waste air and food?! Or are you actually the same as them?!"

With one punch, he broke the arm of the warrior who was blocking his way. Kalpas was screaming and roaring. A glittering pendant hung on his chest. The style was somewhat similar to the strange mask on his face but more refined, and it also had some flame patterns on it, as if it was burning.

The golden notes jumped quietly, but seemed very faint, because the moment they appeared, the notes would turn into the shape of "flame" and provide power for Kalpas.

Fire… Fire!!! Only this! Can show his current mood! His current anger!

"He volunteered, Kalpas."

"Voluntary? Voluntary?! Do you guys believe this kind of nonsense?!"

"It's all for humanity, Kalpas."

"Hehe…hahaha…hahahahahaha!!!"

Kalpas suddenly sneered, and in the end, he laughed wildly, but there was no smile in his eyes under the mask, only resentment, only anger that was about to turn into substance... rage.

"Let me go!!! If you dare to use that excuse to tell me again, I guarantee... I guarantee! You will definitely die!!!"

"Now! Get out of here! I won't cause any trouble to you! I just want those disgusting guys to get out of those comfortable places! Stomp their faces in the mud!! Sprinkle their blood on the ground!!!"

"Kalpas... you know, this is not allowed..."

The soldiers looked embarrassed.

"I say it again, get out!!!"

The notes turned into "flames" and the scorching heat spread out as if to ignite everything around them.

"Kalpas... please stop."

Softly, it is a voice full of sadness.

"Aponia... Aponia!!! Are you in cahoots with them?!"

"Kalpas, please don't move forward. This is… inevitable. It is an inevitable outcome. It is also his choice."

"Huh?! You want to... stop me?!"

"Yes, I must do this in order to... reach the [end]."

Aponia lowered her eyes and gently grasped the cross pendant on her chest... it seemed to be a new pendant.

"Haha…hahaha…hahahahaha!!! Are you going to tell me next that you had foreseen his ending, that you had foreseen all of this?!"

"...Yes."

"Then why don't you stop him?! You said you would always keep your eyes on him, so why are you not willing to do something for him?! Why are you still indifferent now?!"

"To reach that...happy end."

"!!! You clearly foresaw all this!!! You clearly knew it would turn out like this!!! Why didn't you do anything!!!"

"... [Please] be quiet, Kalpas."

"How dare you!!! Use that [thing] to restrain me?! You're still holding the thing he gave you! How dare you use that [thing] to! Restrain me?!!"

"This is a necessary Precept, Kalpas."

"Ah! Ap-pon-ia! You deserve to die!!!"

"..."

Looking at Kalpas who was bound in place by the [Discipline] and could only rage helplessly, Aponia's eyelids drooped slightly, and the sadness in her pupils overflowed. The hand holding the cross pendant unconsciously exerted force, almost squeezing the pendant into her flesh.

...

"Kill us all if you can, Kevin."

A soldier sneered at the white-haired man in front of him. Even though his whole body was burned and there were still pieces of ice on the corners of his eyebrows, he couldn't stop his mocking smile.

"I won't do that. Your side effects have disappeared. Now the Fire Moth is willing to accept you as warriors again and fight for humanity again."

"Hahaha... stop joking. Fire Moths? What the hell are those idiots?! They're still talking about fighting for humanity... What qualifications do they have to say that?! Aren't we the ones fighting on the front lines? Aren't we?!"

The wounded warrior staggered to his feet... and together with many other warriors like him, he took a difficult step forward.

"And... Kevin, don't you think about it? Do the Fire Moths really still regard us as human beings? Do they really still regard us as human beings? When we were fused with the Honkai Beast, then the operation is failed. They announced to the public that we were all dead, and then threw us into that dark place called 'The Deep' and left us to fend for ourselves! They let us be tortured by the side effects of the operation until we had a mental breakdown! And then we were silent in pain!"

"If it weren't for his Song, I, we, wouldn't even be able to stand here and talk to you right now! Oh, no… If it weren't for him, we wouldn't even be able to come out. We would probably just die in obscurity at some point, let alone come to see you, haha… Sorry, I said something really ridiculous, haha…"

"And do you know? When we came back, what were the expressions of our relatives and comrades when they saw us?! They were not happy, but only surprised and panicked! They just thought that we resurrected due to some kind of Honkai, and never thought of the possibility that we were still alive!"

"When they saw us, they even showed...hostility and fear? Can you imagine? How we felt at that time?"

"..."

Kevin was silent.

"And then? Do you know what I heard from them?"

"They are wondering, questioning, and worrying about whether Nozomi has done something again. As a Herrscher, does Nozomi have any other abilities? For example, resurrecting the dead?"

"Haha…hahahaha!!! Do you know how we felt when we heard the rejection and disgust in their words and heard their words full of certainty that Nozomi is the Herrscher?!"

"Do you know what we were thinking when we learned that the Fire Moth identified Nozomi as the Herrscher?!"

"We just want to kill those bastards!! Then we want to blow away this useless and unappreciative Fire Moth!!!"

"And... you still have the nerve to mention side effects? Look at you! Didn't he solve your side effects?! Which of our side effects wasn't solved by him?! But what about you?! How did you treat him?! Throw him on the moon? I heard that you already built a prison on the moon... Haha, you're really shameless, you've had this plan for a long time, right?"

"..."

Kevin remained silent.

"Since you are his friend, we don't want to embarrass you... and you are much stronger than us, so we can't beat you."

The soldiers' gazes lingered on Kevin's chest for a moment, and then they spoke slowly.

There was a sword-shaped brooch left there, side by side with the medal given by Fire Moth... that was what Nozomi left for Kevin.

"But if you still want to stop us... we are not afraid."

"Anyway, we have all been declared dead by the Fire Moth. If it weren't for his Song, we wouldn't be able to come back... It's okay to sacrifice ourselves like this."

"But revenge against those stupid is what we have to do, and in the end... we will bring him back."

"So, Kevin, get out of the way."

"...no."

Kevin closed his eyes and was silent for a while. Then he opened his calm and determined eyes again, shook his head gently, and spoke slowly.

"The place where you should go is the battlefield, and the place where you should fight is the front line, not... here."

"He has already paid the price for this and sacrificed himself for this. I... can't let his efforts go to waste."

"He wants to help you, and wants you to fight for humanity again, so I won't kill you. But... I also won't allow you to point your hostility and blades at humans. This is what he doesn't want to see."

"It's all about humanity."

Kevin said softly, as if informing himself.

"Everything... is for humanity."

He repeated it once more as if to reassure himself.

But... the more he chewed on it, the more he rejected this sentence... There was no reason, it was just simple... a little disgust.

But he couldn't stop, nor could he waver.

...

"Kosma... Kosma! Calm down a little! Don't let your emotions consume you!"

"Hen, Dysdopia, I don't understand... I don't understand! Why did the Fire Moth become like this?! Why did the Fire Moth do this?!"

Kosma, who had completely turned into a "monster" due to the man-made Honkai, roared in a hoarse voice.

"Did he do anything wrong?! Did he hurt anyone?! Why did you exile him based on some unfounded suspicion?! And on the moon! That deserted place! That place with only darkness and coldness?!"

"Shouldn't he be a hero? He saved so many people! He helped the Eighth Herrscher a lot, he solved the Ninth Herrscher, and even us! He even solved the side effects on us!!! At least he made us look less inhuman... Isn't he a hero? Isn't he worthy of praise? Isn't he worthy of respect and love?!"

"Why? Why?! On what basis?! Fire Moth wants to exile him?! And those people, he clearly helped them and even saved their relatives, why do they doubt him for a few inexplicable reasons?! What reason does Fire Moth have to question him?!"

"Didn't the Fire Moth fight for humanity? Didn't it exist to fight the Honkai? Then why... why did they treat him like this?! How did the Fire Moth become like this?!"

Kosma's appearance became more and more ferocious, and his voice became more and more vague and violent.

"Kosma..."

Dysdopia opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"Dysdopia, I don't understand... I really don't understand why things turned out like this?!"

Kosma's voice was filled with sorrow.

"Because he could become a Herrscher... that's all, Kosma."

Hen's voice was full of helplessness and sighs.

"He himself said that he was willing to do this... all for the sake of humanity."

"...Hen, look at us now, can we still be considered human beings?"

Kosma carefully protected the pendant on his chest. Even though it became distorted due to the artificial Honkai, he still kept the ornament... because it was the pendant Nozomi left for him, a pair with Dystopia.

"Does the Fire Moth really regard us as human beings?"

"..."

Hen couldn't answer, and didn't know how to answer.

...

boom!

The door to Mobius's laboratory was knocked open again.

"Hey, dead snake."

"Oh, it's Kalpas~ How come you have the leisure to come to my place? And... can't you knock on the door properly next time? Every time you come, my door breaks, which is very distressing."

"Who the hell cares about that so much?"

"Alright, alright. I didn't ask you to pay any compensation. Hmm... But from the looks of you, are you in trouble? It's really interesting. How could a mighty Kalpas be unable to defeat someone? What's the matter? Did you go to fight Kevin? Or... was it Aponia..."

"If you dare mention that name I will tear you to pieces right now."

"If you can do it, then give it a try~"

"..."

"Hmph... Kalpas, if you want to ask for help, you should act like one. Don't be so arrogant."

Mebius withdrew her gaze and said casually while sorting out the data.

"…I need surgery."

"Oh? Interesting... You're already so strong, but you still want power?"

"not enough!"

Kalpas growled.

"This... is not enough! I need the power to tear them all apart. I want to pull them out of their comfortable places, stomp their heads into the ground, and let them writhe on the ground like maggots! And... and that woman... that indifferent woman... Aponia!"

"... Humph, don't act crazy here, or I'll kick you out."

Mobius frowned and said instead.

"I can help you with the surgery. After all, I'm very curious about how much stronger you can become. As for what you want to do afterwards, I don't care. But... you should know that if you want something, you have to pay for it, right? Kalpas?"

The corners of Mobius' mouth slightly raised, and her snake-like pupils narrowed quietly, revealing a dangerous look.

"So... what are you going to give me in exchange?"

"this."

Kalpas grabbed his chest, his five fingers pierced into his skin, and blood quietly seeped out... That was where his heart was.

"Um?"

"You've been interested in this for a long time, right? I'll trade this with you! Is it enough?!"

"Hehe...hahaha...that's enough! It seems that you really care about him, Kalpas~"

"Shut up!"

"Okay, don't be so angry~"

Mobius was in a very good mood.

"Maybe... I can help you with something? Right?"

"Unnecessary!"

Kalpas's voice was filled with danger.

"I will tear those maggots to pieces..."

He declared so.

...

"Hello, my major shareholder."

"Hello, Vill-V."

"…What a surprise. I thought you would be very sad."

"How could that be? This is Nozomi's own choice, so I naturally support it."

"I see... what about Sakura?"

"So does she."

"In that case... then why doesn't she come with you?"

"Because she still has Rin to take care of."

Eden said softly.

"And I… only have him."

"...Okay~ Let's change the subject. Tell me, why did you come to see me?"

"... Vill-V, come to think of it, I've supported you for such a long time, but I haven't made any requests, right?"

"Of course! As my super investor, you are absolutely the [Party A]. You can ask for anything you want! There is nothing that Vill-V can't create!"

"Well... I want you to finish this."

"Hmm? This is... the Golden Courtyard renovation plan? The Eden Project? Interesting... Is this the result of your discussion with Dr. Mei?"

"Yes, and there are also some ideas that Nozomi left behind. Dr. Mei thought what he said made sense, so he perfected the plan. Ah... there are also some suggestions from Elysia."

"Interesting... Hmm... But isn't the emergence of this plan a little too pessimistic? We shouldn't have lost yet, right? Why are we already preparing for the next era?"

"Dr. Mei said that this is also one of the [escape plans]... and it's always good to be more prepared, isn't it?"

"Okay, I'll take it!"

"In addition, I have a personal commission, and I hope you can take it, Vill-V."

"Speak up! My good investor! You can exercise your rights as [Party A]! Make your demands as much as you want!"

"It's not a big deal... I just want you to make some preparations for me after you finish [Garden of Eden]."

Eden shook her head slightly and spoke softly.

"Hmm? What do you want to do?"

"Do what?"

Eden raised her head and looked at the bright moon in the night sky.

Now, Nozomi is there.

She raised her hand and gently brushed the hair accessories on her head, and then gently brushed the hanging earrings... that was what Nozomi left for her.

She is also one of the only two people who have two [accessories]. The other Sakura received a cherry blossom pendant and an earring (for long and thin animal ears).

It's really ridiculous when you think about it. Although he solved the side effects of other people, Nozomi failed to solve the problem of Sakura's ears... It turned out that he really likes Sakura's ears~ Fortunately, Sakura doesn't mind those ears now and even likes them quite a bit.

'Ha... Nozomi is really too much. He has already left, but he still deliberately left these things for everyone, making people miss him all the time... It's really too much.'

'But...'

The corners of Eden's mouth curled up slightly.

Not that I hate it.

"To the moon, of course."

She turned her head and looked at Vill-V again, smiling and speaking softly with anticipation.

"I want to... go to him."

She and he are the "twin stars" that illuminate and depend on each other, so... she must stay by his side, and he will definitely stay by her side