In the midst of a grand spectacle, a sudden, resonant chime echoed through the air. This was followed by a mysterious puff of smoke that materialized out of nowhere, signaling the temporary departure of Vill-V from the stage.
Mobius, unable to contain her anticipation, turned to her companions. Her voice was urgent, almost desperate, "What are you still gazing at? Hurry, hand me the stigmata!" She was eager to return to her lab, where she could further examine the stigmata.
Elysia, however, hesitated. "But shouldn't I give it to Vill-V?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. Logically, she knew she should trust her comrade, but something about Mobius' expression gave her pause. It was an odd, unfamiliar look that she had never seen on Mobius' face in their 50,000 years of acquaintance.
It was a look of… infatuation? As if one was gazing at a beautiful maiden who had captured their heart? But it seemed even more exaggerated than that. Elysia found herself drawing this peculiar comparison, though she quickly dismissed it as a strange analogy. Shaking her head, she tried to clear her mind of these rambling thoughts. Her hair, usually neat, became a bit disheveled in the process, adding to the overall sense of confusion and uncertainty that hung in the air.
In front of Elysia, the diminutive figure of Mobius was still energetically hopping about. Despite her efforts, Elysia found herself unable to reach the card she was aiming for. Her hand, raised subconsciously, met only with air.
Mobius, growing increasingly frustrated, turned her attention to Luo Mo. "Hey, Mouse," she called out, "you explain it to her. Hurry up and make her give me the stigmata."
Luo Mo, ever the mediator, began to explain on behalf of his partner. "Elysia," he started, "regarding Vill-V's side, they actually only need the signal size given by Dr. Mobius. Considering that Mobius is more familiar with the nature of the stigmata, the two doctors intend to complete their parts separately. This approach can significantly speed up the progress, so the stigmata side is up to Dr. Mobius!"
Elysia seemed to understand. "Oh well, I get it, the lovely Dr. Mobius!?" she exclaimed. She dropped her hands, and in Mobius' surprised gaze, she moved her hands to her shoulders. With a sudden force, she pulled Mobius into a tight embrace, rocking her from side to side.
Mobius' small face was engulfed in Elysia's ample curves, her surprised expression frozen in place as she was jostled back and forth. Before Mobius could recover from her surprise, Elysia slipped the card into her hands, treating it as casually as if it were a tip.
With a cheerful wave of her hand, Elysia bid farewell to her companion. "Dr. Mobius, I eagerly anticipate our next meeting!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.
Mobius, however, was far from pleased. "Ai~Li~Shi~Ya~!" she cried out in frustration. Despite her anger, there was little she could do. With a stomp of her foot, she resigned herself to her fate. She gathered her belongings and retreated to her lab, her usual look of obsessive research now tinged with a hint of anger.
Turning her attention to the remaining individuals, Elysia addressed Luo Mo. "So, visitor, what would you like to do now? Would you like a tour?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Luo Mo, intrigued by the prospect, began to respond. "If it's possible…" He was curious about the reality of the elysian realm, having only experienced the hall so far.
However, before he could finish his sentence, Elysia cheerfully interrupted him. "Well… The elysian realm is still a place of trial. As an ordinary person, some of the environments inside might not be suitable for you. It's safer to stay here!"
She quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, you won't be bored! Because–, the pretty pink fairy lady will come to keep you company!?"
With that, Elysia guided him towards the bar in the hall. Accompanying them were her Bestie Eden and the adorable kitten Pardo, adding to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
With the exception of Griseo and Kosma, who remained deeply engrossed in their painting endeavors in a secluded corner, everyone else dispersed, returning to their respective tasks. The room was filled with a sense of purposeful activity, each individual absorbed in their own world.
Elysia, however, turned her attention to Luo Mo. Her face was lit up with curiosity as she said, "Well… Speaking of which, I'm quite intrigued by that game you created, Mr. Luo."
She continued, her voice filled with admiration, "That game you developed, the one that exposes Honkai and herrscher, is truly an unprecedented concept! The beautiful girls featured in it are wonderfully crafted, each with their own distinct personalities. I must say, I find it quite appealing!?"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she posed her next question. "But… After people from the outside world played the game, they left behind a cryptic phrase - 'someone is presenting the future in a game-like manner.' I wonder what that phrase implies… Could it be suggesting that this game is somehow linked to the reality outside?"
"Or perhaps," she mused, "it's indicating that the game is presenting a potential future scenario in the outside world??"
With a triumphant grin, she asked, "How about that, am I smart!?" Elysia placed her hands on her hips, her petite face slightly lifted. The corners of her mouth curled up into a gentle smile, her eyes squinting in delight. Her expression was one of self-satisfaction, a silent request for affirmation subtly woven into her words.
"Wow, Elysia-san, you're truly remarkable to know so much!" Pardo exclaimed, clapping her hands in admiration at the perfect moment. Her voice echoed with genuine awe.
"Ellie is indeed very intelligent, to decipher the meaning of the messages from the outside world so swiftly!" Eden chimed in, her voice filled with praise. She didn't mind indulging Ellie's little whims.
Luo Mo nodded in agreement, "That's exactly what it means. Elysia guessed correctly," he affirmed, "Although there are minor discrepancies in the details, the overall understanding is very accurate."
Elysia, her curiosity piqued, eagerly approached Luo Mo. "Uh huh? Can we talk more about the game? I'm really curious. Is the outside world truly like the game?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, anticipation, and a longing for the outside world.
"There are differences, but the characters in the game do essentially exist in reality," Luo Mo replied.
Elysia's face lit up with joy. "Wow, so Mei, Kiana, and Wendy are all real! This is truly delightful!" she exclaimed. Upon receiving this exciting news, Elysia happily bumped into Eden.
Leaning in close to Eden's ear, she whispered, "Eden, this is the happiest news I've heard today, even happier than the fact that I'm going out!?"
Eden responded softly, gently stroking Elysia's long pink hair. "Uh-huh! Soon you'll be able to go out and meet them, Ellie!" she said. She was genuinely happy for her best friend. All the efforts they had made over the past century had not been in vain, and that was the most gratifying realization of all.
After a moment of affectionate snuggling, Elysia rose, her face beaming with a radiant smile. "So, what's the rest of the story like? I'm so excited to hear more!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with anticipation.
Luo Mo returned her smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's definitely a heartwarming and beautiful storyline, Ellie. Just the way you like it!" he assured her, his voice filled with a comforting warmth.
Elysia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh? I can't wait!" she responded, her enthusiasm palpable.
...
Outside, St. Freya's Island
Su Lu, with a twitch of her mouth, let out a sigh. "Is this the next full episode?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of resignation. With a wave of her hand, she instructed, "Send it, send it. Just remember, at the end of the animation clip, where the writers and planners are credited, make sure to include the boss's name!"
The employee standing beside her double-checked, "Planner, are you certain the boss approved this?"
Su Lu nodded emphatically, "Yes, this was the boss's request before he left!"
"Alright then," the employee acknowledged, "Our company is about to release the next two chapters of the main storyline and the improved animated short."
Su Lu fell silent, choosing not to add anything more. The employee tried to reassure her, "Planner, our company won't be ruined?..."
"Believe in the boss's foresight," Su Lu responded, her gaze drifting towards the turquoise blue sky. Her voice was heavy with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
...
..
.
Actually... She didn't believe it at all ah!
The dog boss himself had run away, she didn't know where he had run away, there was no news from calling or texting, it was rather like a situation where he was going to isolate himself from the world.
Even though it had been announced that the boss was responsible for the production of the latter two chapters, Su Lu knew that if the boss was out of sight, the players would inevitably seek another scapegoat. She couldn't help but feel that she was the most likely candidate.
St. Freya's Island, once a safe haven, no longer felt secure for ordinary individuals like herself. The valkyries studying at St. Freya's Academy were becoming increasingly involved in the game's plot and want her to changing the plot.
The deeper she delved into this situation, the more she felt like she was walking into a trap, that might eventually lead to her being hung up into a street lamp.
She couldn't just wait around for the boss to resurface, could she?
A thought crossed her mind - Schicksal… It should be safe there! She decided to take refuge in Schicksal headquarter until the boss was found.
"Damn boss!!" she muttered under her breath, her unease growing.