Chapter 281: I Agree, I Do, I Love You

"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on?"

In the base of the "Fire Moth," Vill-V's hands kept flying, remotely controlling a variety of instruments, doing her best to fight against the attacks of the "Kaiji" and relieve the pressure on the frontline soldiers...

But "Kaiji" seemed to have known this for a long time. They were able to dissolve her attacks every time and then in turn occupied her weapons, making them scrapped in a short period of time, forcing Vill-V to detonate her own works again and again to cause some casualties.

"Although I know there are many traitors here, [Brother], you are also confident of victory, but it shouldn't be now, right? This intensity of attack? Are you serious? At this time? Do you want to [switch homes] with Kevin and the others? They will be so angry that they will die..."

Vill-V continued to remotely control the numerous instruments while muttering to herself.

"And this energy reaction... is only Skadi? Where are you, Brother?"

Even if there was only Skadi... er... an Honkai beast, it would be difficult for them, the "Fire Moths," to deal with it. After all, Vill-V knew the connection between Skadi and Nozomi, and it was completely fine to treat the two of them as one. Facing Skadi was basically the same as facing Nozomi.

Not to mention the countless "Kaiji" that came with Skadi, the coordinated attack of the entire coastline, and the accompanying monstrous waves...

'Tsk, just defending against these is troublesome enough. The "Fourth Divine Key" in the space orbit has been occupied by those "Kaiji" that have flown up. Humanity's protection from the weather is also about to be lost... It's really terrible.'

'However, at this time, [Brother] did not act with Skadi... In other words, [Brother] still stayed in Mu Continent, preparing to deal with Kevin and others... To be more precise, it should be Elysia?'

sigh...

"...No way?"

Vill-V paused subconsciously.

"What on earth did she do to you, Brother? Why are you targeting her like this now? Did Elysia offend you in some way?"

"It seems like you two are quite similar in some ways... huh?"

Vill-V noticed the sudden alarm... It was the sound of a high-threat target approaching, and also the alarm that [Heavy Rain] was about to come.

"Is it Skadi? The direction is pointing directly toward here, and she is the only one in the group... Is the target the people here? Or is it..."

Vill-V frowned, and before she could continue to think about what Skadi's behavior meant, the communication from Mei interrupted her thoughts.

"…What's wrong, Dr. Mei? I don't have time to chat with you right now."

Vill-V answered the call as usual, and temporarily put aside her previous thoughts. While focusing on communicating with Mei, she continued to operate many instruments at depth to hinder Skadi's progress... Although these instruments could not do anything to Skadi, she still had to do what she had to do.

"You should know that the existence that looks like the Herrscher is approaching us quickly... No, according to speculation, it is the Herrscher, but I don't know why it didn't act in the guise of someone else this time..."

"But I have to tell you first, the "Fourth Divine Key" has been invalidated, and even the backdoor I left behind has been dismembered and demolished by those "Kaiji." This means that the "Heavy Rain" will sweep across the inland area in the future, and we will lose the best means of response."

"Plus, the Herrscher showed up here, and Elysia and Kevin didn't return, or even send any messages... That means their operations were hindered in some way, and the Herrscher is taking advantage of our weak moment to attack us..."

"With this [Swap] method and Kaiji's current attack speed... we can basically declare that we have already lost."

Vill-V spoke in a very calm tone, which made the people around Mei feel unhappy... How could she say that? How could she just give up like that?

We "Fire Moths," we humans... have not lost yet!

Although it seems that they are basically on the verge of collapse...but we shouldn't shake the morale of the army at this time! Especially someone like Vill-V shouldn't say such things, which may directly cause the soldiers to collapse and lose the will to continue to resist!

"It certainly seems to be the case."

"Dr. Mei?!"

However, Mei unexpectedly agreed with Vill-V's opinion, causing everyone around her to panic so much that they couldn't help but shout out.

"But it's not time to despair yet."

Mei continued.

"It's not time to give up yet."

Mei's voice was as calm as usual as if such an emergency situation could not cause any ripples in her emotions, as if she still had a backup plan, as if everything was still under control.

"Dr. Mei, you should know that with our current combat power, we have no chance of winning. The [rainstorm] it brings and the [Kaiji] it leads are likely to submerge us in an instant... Even if we continue to retreat and continue to seek ways to defeat it, we don't have the time."

Vill-V spoke quickly and clearly.

"Besides, even if we retreat further, where can we retreat to? We can only survive for a while longer. As it stands now, there is no point in continuing to fight. It may even seem meaningless... Dr. Mei, you should also know that giving up decisively after discovering that something cannot be done is what smart people do. It is also the reason why some people can be called geniuses."

"But that's no reason for us to give up, Vill-V."

Mei retorted calmly.

"Don't ask what the meaning of the struggle is. The struggle itself is the meaning… This is a war for our survival, a fight for our continued existence. We… must not give up."

"Vill-V, integrate the key instruments and data and send them to deeper land, to the desert, plateau, or snowy mountain area. There, we should be able to hold on for a while longer."

"We will find a way...we will."

"...Haha, you're right."

Vill-V sighed as if she had figured something out, her tone somewhat helpless.

"I can't give up just like that. It's not my style... Dr. Mei, pack your bags and prepare to retreat to the rear. As for the rest... I'll take care of it."

"You should leave too, Vill-V."

"But someone must stay behind to stop it, to stop the Herrscher... With our current combat power, basically, no one can do this."

"Even Aponia?"

"Although her power is very special, based on previous situations, her [power] should not have much effect."

"Then what makes you think you can?"

Mei asked this question very coincidentally and at the right time.

"Huh? Why?"

Vill-V chuckled and her tone became more exaggerated.

"Because I'm Vill-V!"

"As long as I want to! Then I can!"

"...I hope you can do it."

Mei paused for a moment before responding, seeming to agree with Vill-V's idea.

'...Is this an illusion? I feel like the two of us are coordinating with each other? How can it be so coincidental? So smooth?'

'...It must be an illusion.'

"Then hurry up."

Mei said so.

"I will ask Aponia and some of the troops to stay and assist you so that you can buy more time. Please use their power properly."

"Wow~ What a cruel statement! If that's the case, then are we the abandoned pawns?"

"You have never been abandoned, don't you know that?"

Mei asked back.

"Hehe... Yeah, we can't even be considered as [sacrifices]~"

Vill-V spoke meaningfully, leaving the other people who didn't know what was going on confused.

"Okay, hurry up."

Mei interrupted Vill-V and brought the topic back.

"We haven't lost yet."

Mei said this, not sure if she was talking to herself or to the people around her.

...

...…

"......"

Elysia looked at the two people in front of her, seeing the two hugging each other happily. Facing this scene, she was speechless for a long time.

Should she do something?

But they looked so happy.

Should she say something? Like stop it or something?

'But the joy of reunion on Eden's face, the happiness of seeing each other again, the happy smile that only she could show in front of her loved one... could not be fake.'

'This is obviously something that should be celebrated... My friend is reuniting with the person he likes, and my [companion] is also happy because the two of them are in love with each other after all...'

'These are obviously two things worth being happy about, but why...'

"......"

Elysia was silent for a long time, but finally, she could only close her eyes and shake her head, letting her long pink hair flutter, as if to help her dispel unnecessary thoughts and discard those ideas that made her hesitate.

She took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, opened her eyes again, and pulled the bowstring in her hand.

'That's not her... That's not Eden...'

Elysia told herself this in her heart.

'It was just a certain Honkai creature that put on her skin again... Yeah, that's right... that's all.'

'So... don't hesitate.'

Suppressing all the reluctance and hesitation in her eyes, Elysia tried to seize this opportunity when Nozomi and Eden were distracted by each other and not paying attention to her and tried to give them... especially Nozomi, a crucial blow at this time.

'As long as... as long as I kill him... no, as long as I defeat him, everything will be over...'

"Ellie?"

However, Eden seemed to have noticed her actions and asked in a puzzled tone, as if she didn't quite understand why she was going to confront Nozomi with swords... and this gentle call almost shattered the determination that Elysia had just made.

"...Sorry."

Elysia could only murmur like this.

Immediately, she released the bowstring, letting the gorgeous pink arrow fly out.

The gorgeous crystal flowers bloomed, spreading their slightly dazzling light around as if to dispel the darkness around them.

But…

"I told you, Elysia."

Nozomi's voice was calm and gentle.

"If you still intend to use this level of strength to deal with me in this state... it will not be enough."

Tick-tock——

It is the sound of water falling.

The alternating colors of azure and dark blue spread quietly, swallowing up the light and crystals she brought one by one. The flying arrows also kept emitting strange bubbles on the way, and finally dissipated bit by bit, turning into a wisp of foam in the air as if dissolved in water.

Just as Nozomi once said, water is gentle and the ocean is inclusive—no matter what it is, the sea will accommodate and accept it.

"Okay, Eden, don't forget, we still have things to do."

After temporarily dealing with Elysia's "sneak attack", Nozomi said this.

He patted Eden's back gently and straightened her body, which was leaning back slightly, so she would not have all her weight on him and could stand firmly. Eden naturally understood, so she did not resist and left his arms lightly.

However, even after separating, she still held his hand, as if worried that he would suddenly disappear at some point, or go far away.

At the same time, she briefly withdrew her gaze from Nozomi and turned it to Elysia, with a hint of confusion and puzzlement still on her face. Since the "past" she accepted, Nozomi had always shown affection for Elysia, at least to the extent of "liking" her.

But occasionally, Nozomi would show rejection toward Elysia... This was strange, especially in the current situation, which seemed deliberately created and really strange.

Eden could sense her own situation, and after being specially optimized by Mobius, she successfully accepted her "past". Although her self-awareness was still somewhat erratic, blurred by the numerous "memories" and intertwined emotions...

But one thing was certain—those are all herself, those are things she experienced, thoughts and emotions that are real, not false memories or imagination.

Moreover, Eden could confirm that she was still herself, still human, and not something else.

That's why Eden was puzzled by Nozomi's actions and attitude toward Elysia... This deliberate, revenge-like behavior was truly weird.

Obviously, as long as they communicated seriously, they could do it. In fact, if they connected with "thoughts" or "blood", they would know the entire [ending] is already determined.

Everything now seemed like a deliberately created play, a "performance." People on the stage leave, then return with some new decorations, and continue performing the already written play with those who remain.

In this process, more and more people will learn the truth of the play from Nozomi, the playwright, conductor, and leading actor.

By the end, only one other "leading actor" would likely remain on stage, and that would be Elysia.

By that time, even if Elysia knew the truth, she might find it hard to accept... That's why Eden wanted to speak.

"Ellie, actually..."

"Shh... Eden, now's not the time to talk about this, okay?"

However, Nozomi placed his finger lightly on his lips and interrupted her softly.

"Besides…"

He loosened his hand from Eden and stretched it forward, causing the azure water to flow, followed by a swift sound of breaking through the air and a sudden flash of lightning.

"Even if you tell them now, no one will believe it, right?"

His five fingers caused the water to surge, and then... he grasped the suddenly attacking rapier, sank his wrist downward, and the water flowed down, barely blocking the special bullet.

"…You've become much stronger, Irine."

Nozomi praised.

"You have become weaker, Herrscher."

Seeing her attack stopped again, Irine wasn't angry. She just responded calmly, glancing at Eden who was protected by Nozomi, then back at Nozomi with sharp eyes filled with disgust and aversion.

"Is it fun to provoke us by wearing human skin?"

"No, Irine..."

"Yeah, it's quite interesting."

Without giving Eden or Elysia much time to explain, Nozomi smiled as he watched Irine distance herself, trying to find an opportunity to strike again.

"If you can keep believing this, it means I am very successful."

"Ha?"

Irine didn't understand.

"It just so happens that it doesn't seem appropriate to continue being disturbed by you."

Nozomi spoke to her.

"Besides, you should go back and take a look. Otherwise... you will all be wiped out. By then, even if you defeat me, it will be useless. Or do you really want to whisper to the endless sea when you return victoriously, 'What have I protected?"

"It's all nonsense."

Irine frowned and accused while raising her sword and setting up her hand cannon. The 'Blank Key' on her body flashed a little light... However, before she could make any further moves, the water that suddenly appeared enveloped her.

"What?!"

Her eyes focused, and she instantly activated the power of the 'Blank Key' to separate the surrounding water. At the same time, she moved at a speed that was imperceptible to the naked eye, trying to find a safer place... But the water followed her like a thorn in her flesh, and no matter how fast it moved, it still followed her.

"Really? I've said it several times..."

Nozomi's voice floated over gently.

"Don't forget, and never forget, that you are in a place full of water, a world that is enveloped and surrounded by water and is in constant circulation."

"As long as you can't get rid of your dependence on water one day, don't even mention things like defeating me."

"Okay, it's time to move on to the [Next Act]... We're getting close to the [End Act], so we can't let this slide, everyone~"

Nozomi said this with a smile.

"So…"

Nozomi raised his hand again, and at this moment, a paintbrush appeared in his hand. It seemed to be exactly the same as the one held by Griseo before... Wait a minute?!

"See you later, both of you."

Without giving them more time to react, he held the paintbrush and lightly 'painted' in mid-air. Their figures disappeared and were forced into the 'painting'... and when they walked out of the 'painting' again, they would find that they were no longer in the original place.

At that time, they would have no choice but to choose to 'go home' to check the situation... After all, the current condition of the 'Fire Moth' is not very good, right?

"...Really, Nozomi, you are too willful."

Eden found that she had no way to get a word in, and only now could she sigh with a hint of helplessness.

"If this continues, they will definitely be very sad, whether it's Elysia, Irine... or others."

"Yeah, I know."

Towards Eden, to this lover of his who had been recognized by his 'blood relatives' and 'mother,' Nozomi's tone had always been so light and gentle, allowing her to always remember the past... but the ending of 'that time,' although not bad, was not too good either.

After all, 'that time,' even though they were still with each other and dependent on each other in the end, but... no matter what, Nozomi was still 'hurt.'

This is a fact that has already happened and cannot be changed.

So, let's just consider this as my [revenge]... After all, it would be too much for me to bear the pain of the "past" alone."

Nozomi smiled and said something that seemed very bad without any psychological burden.

"But... I can assure you, Eden."

Nozomi spoke so gently, like water and like wind.

"In the end, it will be good."

"In the end, everything will [pay off]."

"...It seems that what Elysia did at the beginning made you very angry."

Eden stared at Nozomi for a long time, but in the end, she could only smile helplessly and said with a sigh.

"I don't deny that"

Nozomi tilted his head and glanced unconsciously downward as if he was recalling something.

"But, that's all in the past. There's no point dwelling on it... Now, I'm just taking a small vengeance, right?"

"If Elysia remembers, she will apologize to you."

"I don't need that kind of thing."

Nozomi's tone became a little calmer, and he seemed to dislike what Eden said.

"Everything that happened in the past has accumulated to make me who I am now... Therefore, I don't need anyone to express regret for the past. That kind of thing is useless."

"Instead of worrying about those things, it is better to think about what to do next and how to do better."

"Only in this way can what I am doing now and the efforts I will make in the future seem more valuable and meaningful."

"In order to achieve that [better future], that [better ending], in order to change more things, we need everyone's joint efforts. What I can do alone is still too little."

Nozomi lowered his eyelids slightly and spoke softly.

"Until then, I will keep working hard."

"I believe you."

Eden just smiled a gentle smile and nodded. At the same time, she stretched out her hands, gently held his hands, held them in her palms, gave him some of her own warmth, agreed with him, and encouraged him.

"Thanks."

Nozomi said sincerely.

"Okay, I won't say anything more to you about this matter. I will also try my best to help you with matters concerning Elysia, but... before that, do you have anything else to give me?"

Eden blinked and asked in a slightly light tone... At this moment, she seemed to have returned to the beginning, to 'that time.'

They have known each other since their student days, and then ascended into space together, shone together, relied on each other, and illuminated each other, becoming the world's famous 'twin stars'... Even if it is just a memory, even now, Eden still misses that time and hopes that time can stop at that moment.

But she also knew that they had to move forward and could only move forward... Being too attached to the 'past' would only make all his efforts go to waste.

Move forward, keep moving forward, and keep moving forward, for... that [better ending].

But it doesn't matter... from now on, they will still be with each other and depend on each other.

Because...

"you know?"

Nozomi also put away his previous serious expression, and instead returned to being light and gentle, just like before, just like at that time.

...Sure enough, he is still himself and has never changed.

"Hehe... Since I saw you again, you have been keeping one hand behind your back, and no matter what happened, you didn't show any intention of taking it out... Plus, we were so close, and there was the influence of "thoughts"... Even if I am stupid, I can guess it, right?"

Eden covered her mouth and smiled, then reminded softly.

"Besides, Dr. Mobius has been bragging about this to me since I woke up... Even I would be a little jealous and a little anxious, right?"

"And if I must say it..."

Eden was silent for a while, her eyes drooped slightly, her fingertips gently brushed the ends of her knuckles, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, with a smile of joy and pride... She seemed to be thinking of a scene from the past.

"I was the one who got it first, wasn't I?"

"It's just that there is no real thing."

"So... take it out, honey~"

In the end, Eden took a rare 'big step' and used an exceptionally intimate name.

"Haha... sometimes I have to sigh, under the influence of "thoughts," there are no surprises..."

Nozomi sighed, moved his hands, which had been behind his back, back in front of her, moved his fingertips slightly, and turned out the 'ring' hidden in the palm of his hand.

"So..."

"Okay, no need to say so much."

Eden spoke up.

"I agree."

Take half a step forward, just like she did in the beginning, and try her best to take the initiative in the relationship.

"I do."

There is no need to ask more questions, no need for any more issues, just give the answer directly.

"I love you."

She ignored the exclamations from other people in her 'thoughts,' nor did she have to pay attention to the angry remarks from Mobius... Compared to scientists like her who were obsessed with their own wishes and the pursuit of the 'evolution' of the world, she, who had had a 'relationship' with Nozomi for the longest time, understood better what to say and what to express at this time.

'...No, in fact, this is just to make up for the wish that was not fulfilled before, just to fulfill what I couldn't do 'at that time.''

'But... it doesn't matter.'

None of that matters anymore.

Just hug each other, just kiss, convey your feelings and love to each other, just put your palm in his hand and let him put the "ring" on your hand...

That's all matters.