Chapter 173: To Be Human

Ein unceremoniously returned to the Elysian Realm and decided to wait for Hua there. Meanwhile, he gave Eden the records she created with him from their universe.

"See you in the next world, huh? It's really good Ein-san. I have a question, is your version of me still shining brightly like a star?" Eden swirled her drink and had a somber, nostalgic face on.

Eden remembered her last days. Roaming around the wastelands. The songs and music she loved so much, inevitably being forgotten as time went on. Deciding to die with the previous era like a star that has burned out its brilliance. Singing one last time at the cold and harsh surroundings with the stars as her audience. (pic)

"Umu, she still is. As stars dissipate, they eventually form again. Giving off their brilliance for the next era." He smiled and gave her a bottle of her favorite wine.

"How envious... She not only continued her career, she also has a little charmer like you by her side since day one." Eden chuckled and thought that her counterpart was a lucky woman.

Elysia then came with an excited look on her face. Eden raised a brow because it was her there's something I'm really curious about face.

"Hey, Ein! See, there's something I'm really curious about. You turned Kalpas and Kevin into a girl right? I reallyyyyy wanna know this though~" Elysia had a sweet smile on her face and Ein sighed.

"You wanna know what I look like as one? And probably molest me, don't you?" He knew immediately and Elysia nodded with a beaming smile on her face.

"Umu! You really are my soulmate! You understand me so well~" Elysia bobbed her head left and right. Thinking that he didn't really object to her wish.

Eden deadpanned at her and sighed. "He doesn't understand you really well Elysia, you're just really predictable.

"Guhehehe~ you don't have to tell me that we're perfect for each other Eden." Elysia ignored her comment and glossed it over.

"I guess, so? You obviously won't be satisfied if I just transformed, any other requests?" Ein just went with it and Elysia almost vibrated from being given free reign.

"Really~ Then I want you to wear some lingerie and look really seductive~ Ahhh~ I could already imagine it. Ohh! A garter belt would be nice too, guhehehe~" Elysia had a sleazy smile on her face and Eden looked at him.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to Ein. I mean, Elysia does get a little carried away sometimes." Eden gave a cramped smile and Ein waved his hand nonchalantly.

"Eh, I'm used to it. Don't forget that you guys are technically my ladies. I know you like the back of my hand you know?" He chuckled and Eden remembered that he has been together with their counterparts for centuries.

"Einnn~ What's the hold up?" Elysia pouted at him and he sighed. "Alright, alright. Sheesh, you must have really been bored with the MOTHs here in your universe."

He then transformed slowly so he could give them a show. "Ohhh..." Eden was expecting it, but his new appearance really gave her quite a shock. Ein's piercing green eyes and tall frame made her look like a supermodel. "Damn, if I was a guy. I'll be drooling right now Ein. You could cause wars if you're a woman."

Elysia was frozen and Ein had to snap his fingers right in front of her to make her come back to reality.

"Ara~ are you sure you're not meant to be a woman, Ein?" Elysia got a nosebleed and was ogling Ein like an eagle. Her hands wiggling, wanting to have a touch.

"Hmmm, no touching Elysia~" Ein poked her nose and caressed her ears, almost making her melt into a puddle of goo.

"W-wow. I haven't seen Elysia like that, ever." Eden thought he was really amazing. And having him in MOTHs would have been a lifesaver for Elysia's antics.

"But can you handle this Elysia? I haven't even put on lingerie yet you know?" Ein snickered, still wearing the classic trench coat.

Elysia then slapped her face with her hands and got a determined look. "Umu... Give it to me Ein, I want to go to paradise!" Elysia shouted out and Ein laughed at her antics. He then snapped his fingers and wore a pair of black underwear with a garter belt that wasn't attached to the stockings. (pic)

Elysia was shooketh and her soul almost left her body. Even Eden was speechless and just admired Ein's little display.

"Like it?" He whispered in Elysia's ears and she nodded like a good little girl. Reaching out to touch Ein's bare skin. "Too bad~ You can't touch, that's not a part of the deal~" He snapped his fingers again and returned back. Making Elysia super depressed.

"One more... One more second please!" Elysia begged him but her just smirked at her. "Dame~ no extensions girlie." He laughed and walked away, leaving a hot and bothered Elysia.

"Wow, he just blueballed you really hard Elysia. Someone's finally playing your own game." Eden chuckled and Elysia pouted at her.

Meanwhile, Otto Apocalypse has soulless eyes as he watched on. Even seeing his grand daughter Theresa get railed.

"Tche, he's not responding anymore. But I did get to see what Ein-nii does to his lovers, though I wonder why I get wet down here. Hmmm, I'll just ask the old timer when we come back!" Hua was sitting on Otto like a chair as they watched on, but she didn't get any more reactions from the broken man.

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The cold winds battered Kanchou's body at the top of a building. Tericula observing the city with interest. "Hey, Kanchou. Do you know what that building is with families coming in?" Tericula pointed at a restaurant and Kanchou explained.

"That's Homu's joyful dining. It is a pretty decent restaurant, especially their hamburger steaks and truffle fries." Kanchou patiently described.

"Ohhh, then how about that building over there with the jittery lights?" Tericula pointed at another one. "That's Homu arcade center. There are arcade machines at that place where you can play games."

"Arcade machines? Humans really make amusing things don't they? Then what about that place over there with those contraptions?" Tericula pointed at a theme park.

"That's Homu world, you can ride a ferris wheel there to see the cruise ships." Kanchou thought she was a deadly vampiress earlier. But now, she was like an innocent girl that is curious about the world.

"Is that all? Is that really the wish you want?" Kanchou asked as Tericula's wish was just for her to explain the mundane world to her.

"It's good enough, that's all I... She wished for after all." Tericula looked at the ground with a sad expression and Kanchou tried reaching out to her. But she hesitated and the Loli walked away from her touch.

"She just wanted to see the world. An actual city, the actual lights, the crowd. She is done with books. She also wanted to get some ice cream and touch Homu's face, but this is fine. I am satisfied already." Tericula sighed and Kanchou gritted her teeth. Her sad excuse won't be able to fool anyone.

Kanchou then checked her wallet and saw that she had enough cash for some ice cream and a Homu doll.

"Hey, I don't have a lot of cash on me. But I can buy some ice cream, then we'll go to Homu world. There's lots of Homu toys there, if you can't do it all tonight. Then let's meet up here again tomorrow night, and the night after that." Kanchou said with a smile.

A wad of cash then hit her on the head. Courtesy of the girls that were watching her little rendezvous with Tericula. Adelheid threw it to her and hit her right on the head while Tericula's back was turned.

"I can't. I do not have time, I must leave this city tomorrow. Vampires are not meant to be seen in the light. She is a sad and pathetic existence... Her urges will overwhelm her when she sees the crowd of people." Tericula said with a forlorn tone and looked at the lights of the city.

Kanchou wanted to say something. But she couldn't. She knew that being a good listener right now was better. As Tericula started her story.

"Grampa created the girl as a puppet. She has no meaning since her inception. Her grampa only gave her piles of books and caged her inside a room." Tericula's words resounded with the cold wind.

"She could only talk to grampa and her sister that was always asleep. She was made to drink blood frequently, and every fortnight she has to drink from her sister's veins." Theresa had a disgusted look on her face.

"And she did so because grampa told her to. She thought that this was her purpose, her reason to live. Feeling needed everytime this happens. And everytime she feeds on her sister, she will wake. And smile sweetly at her. The only time that she cherishes in this world." Theresa gave a small smile.

"Even then, she has one wish. She wants to see the world described on her books. Even just a glance, and with her sister's help, she escaped from her prison. But things got complicated, there were humans outside in the world." Theresa looked up at the moon and frowned heavily.

"She couldn't control her bloodlust, the urge to feed on her prey overwhelming her. And when she regains consciousness. The blood trickling on her chin reminds her of what she is." Tericula looked at Kanchou in the eye with her expressionless face.

"Now you know, she would eventually lose herself to the beast within. And before that happens, she wants to see the world that her sister described. Soukai city, Yae village..." Theresa went quiet and there was an awkward one among them.

Kanchou never thought that the white phantom would be a helpless and innocent soul. "I'm going, thank you." Theresa bowed a little.

"Anyone could do what I did." Kanchou's eyebrows furrowed and thought of anything that she could do to help her.

"I see, then can you entertain another selfish request of mine one last time? Can you dance with me here as the moonlight shines upon us?" Theresa twirled around and stared at her with anticipation.

Theresa reached out her hand and Kanchou held it like it was made of fragile glass. Dancing under the moonlit night as Theresa danced clumsily.

"I escaped with my sister. And I escaped from her as well, she showered me with warmth and gentleness. But I was insecure as well, she always treated me well... But she did not ask for anything in return, does she even need me? It feels like my emotions are not my own." Theresa's words exuded emotions.

"Does a puppet have emotions? Does she truly live? Please tell me." Theresa separated from her, desperation and helplessness apparent in her ruby red eyes.

Kanchou wanted to say that her concerns and worries were more human than most people. But during the whole night, it couldn't leave her throat.

"L-let's go to Homu world tomorrow. I need to show you something." 'And tell you something that you need to know.' Kanchou couldn't say it again and Theresa stared at her for a long time before she gave a sparse nod.

Theresa left the area and Kanchou looked at her form that disappeared in the night. "Hey, how are you holding up?" Adelheid appeared with the gang and Kanchou gave a frown.

"Principal Theresa here has a really sad life." Kanchou clenched her fist and Adelheid sighed. "Yeah, it's pretty bad. Anyways, tomorrow will be an important turning event Kanchou. Just do what you need to do, we will take care of the rest." Adelheid knew that the 1st loop will happen tomorrow, and she could not let that go.

Kanchou then returned to her sleeping quarters and the gang went to a hotel to rest for the night.

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Kanchou awoke in her sleeping quarters and noticed the time. "Darn it, I fell asleep for too long again." Kanchou checked her phone for the time and saw a message from Himeko.

"They tracked the white phantom with the help of a friend..." Kanchou got sobered up by the implications of the message and immediately ran.

Sprinting like her life depended on it. She arrived at the rooftop and her breath hitched. Seeing a wounded Himeko while a woman with silvery hair just like Kal-en Kaslana looked down on Theresa that was severely injured.

"Sister... Please, a little more time." Theresa pleaded and Kallen furrowed her brows. "Forgive me Theresa, but you will eventually lose control and have more victims. I will end you myself, and I will rest for eternity as well. Like what should've been." Kallen aimed her gun at Theresa and Kanchou ran up to the vampire.

"Wait! Just a bit more time! Please! I need to fulfill her wishes!" Kallen was surprised by her determination and hesitated. Putting her gun down.

But Theresa lunged on Kanchou, her eyes losing reason as she tried biting on Kanchou's neck. "No! Theresa!" Kallen cried out and Himeko gave a pained groan.

But a clap of thunder resounded through Soukai city and Adelheid got Theresa on the ground with her monstrous strength. The vampire who lost reason struggled violently. But she couldn't even move an inch.

"Yo, cavalry's arrived love." Adelheid gave a small smirk to look cool and the rest of the gang arrived. "Wow! She reallyyyyy looks like Grandma Teri." Kiana poked Theresa's cheek who started to gain her senses back as Adelheid was draining her honkai energy.

"W-who are you people?" Kallen aimed her gun at them and frowned. But she didn't really wanted to shoot as she already knew that Adelheid got everything in control.

"I'm glad you asked, I'm Adelheid Schariac. Pleased to meet you, Kallen Kaslana. Himeko Murata." Adelheid took out Abyss Flower and healed them up.

"Wait a minute. Da Bronya knows her, she died 500 years ago at Vienna... Adelheid-san." It then clicked inside Bronya's mind that Kal-en Kaslana was Kallen.

"That's right, Ein-san's squad mate. Kal-en is the Kallen Kaslana, he's like a walking conspiracy maker." Adelheid sighed and she took out some of her blood. Forcing it in Theresa's throat as she healed her with Abyss Flower. As the little vampire was in pain from the effects of her Schariac blood.

"Wait, what are you doing to her!?" Kallen tried to get Theresa out of Adelheid's grasp, but she abruptly stopped when she saw Theresa starting to relax.

"Don't worry, I'm just curing her of the honkai particles in her. Damned Otto, using the gem of corruption to change her." Adelheid then tossed a file to Kanchou, about how this particular Theresa was made.

Theresa also has Vishnu's genes, but the game changer was she was also changed by the 12th herrscher core. Turning her into a vampiric being who infects other people. Injecting honkai particulates that would connect her life with the victim.

Creating a feedback loop in which the infected turn immortal as long as Theresa lived. Otto got the idea to use it on already deceased people and Kallen was revived against her will.

Adelheid raided the base and murdered the blonde in cold blood. Disintegrating him into atoms. But she had an unsettling feeling that he was still alive. She then tried looking for any signs of the other girls. But they didn't exist there, or haven't been born yet. As Cecilia just got married to Siegfried.

"S-sister... Does she speak the truth?" Theresa got hopeful and Kallen stared at Adelheid, concluding that she was telling the truth. As she had Abyss Flower on her. And Theresa didn't emit her eery honkai energy anymore.

"So this is all done now? Damn, I really need a beer." Himeko sighed and sat on a bench. Adelheid then squinted her eyes at her and went up to Himeko.

Adelheid acted like a shoujo manga leading man and created a rose with Abyss Flower. She then held her jaw and made her look up to her. "Hmm, can I accompany you?" Adelheid gave a smile, but Himeko stared at her like she was a creep.

"What are you talking about lady? I'm straight you know? How about you introduce me to a nice man?" Himeko shot her down and Adelheid did an orz.

"Ugh... I forgot that she's a daddy's girl. And that's why she liked Welt when Ein-san was obviously not around." Adelheid got frustrated and could only look at the voluptuous Himeko that was forever away from her reach.

"Kosma is too quiet, Kevin is a simp, Su is a monster virgin, and Kalpas is insane. Even the husbandos are out of my reach. God damnit!" Adelheid pounded her fist on the roof and cracked the whole rooftop.

"Uhhh, Kiana-chan. Is your aunt really that weird?" Sin asked and the others were curious as well. "Ahhh. Aunty Adelheid is a little weird, yeah." Kiana shrugged and was used to it by now.

"Adelheid-san... Was that your goal all along? To try and get the ladies at this universe?" Kanchou deadpanned at her and Adelheid furrowed her brows.

"Of course! I am a woman of culture! It is my duty to carry on the dreams of my people when they don't have the privilege of fulfilling it! But God has forsaken me!" Adelheid started to tear up and thought it wasn't fair. As Ein obviously didn't know the story and he got all of them.

"Ummm. Thank you very much for your help everyone." Kallen thanked them with a bow, but she obviously didn't know what comes next.

"Ahhh! Right, what should we do now? Obviously, the overseer would hunt them down. I know, how about you come with us? I was really moved by your story. I'll show you the world Theresa-san." Seele went up to the Loli vampire and gave a beaming smile.

Theresa then almost broke down to tears as she accepted her hand. "Ugh! Even Seele has me beat!? Why does she receive such a positive reaction?" Adelheid groaned, but everybody ignored her.

"Hey, is there a good man in your place? I don't have anything here anyways, might as well come with." Himeko asked with a shrug, as her father has disappeared already and she was too low ranked to know that Welt was still alive.

"Himeko-san, let me tell you all about this wonderful man called Ein-nii. He is rich as hell, hot, and has PhD's like they're playing cards. Have a look at him." Rozaliya and Lilia showed her Ein's CV and pictures.

"Ohh? Damn! I'm sold, girls! Let's go!" Himeko thought he was perfect. And she also has access to meeting him. Concluding that the girls have a good relationship with him.

"What!? He also has wingmen. He already has enough, at least give me a chance." Adelheid mumbled and she got depressed.

"Ahhh. I guess this is a mission complete? Kallen-san, will you go with us? If I remember correctly, you went to Yae village when you got exiled right? She is there you know?" Kanchou didn't really think much of it and thought they might be friends.

"Sakura!? You mean Yae Sakura..." Kallen got nostalgic and tears budded in her eyes. "Even Sakura-san got Kallen..." Adelheid couldn't anymore and she lost the light in her eyes.

"Umm, everyone. We already spent a few days here, I think we can go back already?" Mei wanted to practice more of her cooking and master her herrscher powers as well.

"Oh, right! But my food pouch... The divine treasure that gives me all the food I want." Kiana got downtrodden and Kallen reacted to her words.

"Ahh, you mean this!? What is this miracle? This pouch is surely from god?" Kallen picked it up coincidentally and has enjoyed the bounties of its miracles regularly.

"Kallen-san! You're a lifesaver! Thank you very much for reuniting me with this divine treasure!" Kiana started crying, like she just found her lost child again.

Adelheid then just went to fetch the 2nd key. Completely defeated, not getting a single bounty at their little excursion.

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Thanks for reading everyone, the war would be starting soon. The trigger has already been pulled. Anyways, ciao. And please pray for pulls, I now have three sets of Vill-v's set... Without her or her weapon.