"Captain Elias! I like you, please let me be the second wife! I'm begging you!"
"Uh, is today April Fool's Day or something?"
Inside the Fire Moth base, Elias stared speechlessly at the girl who had just confessed to him.
He didn't really have much interaction with her. Well, actually, not that little either, since she was one of the female staff responsible for task assignments and collecting reports at the mission hall.
Because Elias had a high number of deployments, he was fairly familiar with her. But he had never done anything ambiguous that could lead to misunderstandings. If anything, his habit of writing "Very simple!" in every mission summary had probably just caused her more trouble.
"Sorry, Anew, I already have someone I like."
"I know, that's why I said I want to be the second wife."
"Cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough—!"
Elias stared at the girl's serious expression, completely unable to comprehend it, but utterly shaken! Were people of the Previous Era always this open and unrestrained when it came to relationships?!
What kind of girl confesses by asking to be the second wife!
"Oh, come on~ of course I can't compare with Miss Elysia, and Miss Sakura is both beautiful and cool, not to mention even Dr. Mobius is a stunning beauty—and terrifying too… Anyway, how could I dare to compete with them~"
Anew spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
The corner of Elias' eye twitched as he grew even more speechless, but in the end, he still rejected her. Not only was she not his type, but this was simply way too bizarre!
However, this wasn't the end. The same thing happened three more times—three different women at the base confessed to him, all saying they wanted to be the second wife.
This left Elias completely baffled. His first reaction was that the Herrscher of Sentience had descended early and rewritten everyone's common sense, turning the Previous Era into a bizarre world where [girls could confess by asking to be the second wife].
"That's not it at all! It's just because you're too charming, Elias, and you're too kind to everyone. Plus, with Sakura and Mobius being so close to you, the girls at the base all think they might have a chance too."
Elysia puffed up her cheeks, hugging Elias tightly like she was declaring sovereignty, sticking to him at an 18-inch distance to stop any more confessions.
After the defeat of the Herrscher of Ice, Elias' reputation and prestige had risen to an inconceivable height. After all, this was already the fourth Herrscher to fall at his hands.
People imagined the destruction Herrschers should have brought to the world, only for them to be taken down again and again by the same man. Many couldn't help but sigh.
This wasn't just strength—it was destiny!
It was as if Elias had been born into this world solely to lead humanity against the Honkai.
His existence shone like a blazing sun, yet the most important part was that this sun did not burn.
Elias always treated those around him gently. As long as one held no malice, no matter how close they drew, all they felt was his warmth.
They didn't need to fear becoming like Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and had his wings melted away.
And with both Mobius and Sakura being overly close to Elias as well, many women at the base began to feel that maybe they too could take a chance at this white-haired boy.
After all, if they could just receive a portion of his warmth and love, anyone could imagine a life of bliss.
And besides, what was so bad about being a second wife?
The Savior's second wife—that would only make people envious.
"...Girls' thoughts really are more of a mystery than the true face of the Honkai. Ely, you really don't need to hold me so tightly. I have no intention of accepting those confessions, so rest easy."
As Elias spoke, he lifted Miss Pink Elf's chin and, right in front of everyone, gave her a deep, loving kiss.
Immediately, the surrounding girls who had been considering becoming the second wife all silently gave up the idea. After all, the main couple was right here feeding dog food in public—how could anyone go up now and say they wanted to be the second wife?
Even someone as kind and gentle as Elysia, who was always warm toward everyone like Elias, would definitely get angry if someone interrupted at this moment.
"That's better~ but Elias, you really are sly."
"Hm? How am I sly?"
"Mhm! Even though doing this stops others from having thoughts, it actually makes you even more popular with girls. Most girls like brave guys more. Compared to a hero strong enough to save the world, we prefer a guy who has the courage to kiss us in public~"
Elysia's cheeks flushed as she revealed a part of a woman's secret thoughts. Elias and the other men nearby immediately noted it down in their hearts, thinking: So that's how it is~ learned something new!
"Ahem, but it seems like we've been lacking sweetness lately, Elias. That's why others thought they had a chance. In that case—ta-dah!"
Elysia pulled out the concert tickets she had long prepared.
"We've got the day off today—let's go on a date~!"
"These are Eden's concert tickets? Ha! My dear Ely, you really know how to surprise me."
"Hehe, I knew you'd like it, Elias."
Seeing the white-haired boy's face light up with delight, the pink elf felt incredibly proud. For someone who loved music like Elias, there was no way he could resist Eden's concert.
And she knew well—aside from the songs Elias himself had written, the music folder in his terminal was filled entirely with Eden's works. While he wasn't like some guys who plastered Eden's posters on their walls and closets…
This white-haired boy was still very much an Eden fan.
...
With high efficiency, the two quickly prepared for their date, changing from Fire Moth uniforms into casual clothes.
Elysia even insisted that they should leave separately and then meet again at the station before setting off together.
Elias understood this sense of ritual that girls valued. After all, if they walked out of the base together, it would feel no different from their usual missions or strolls. It wouldn't have that "date" feeling~
...
—In a city named Varenna—
Hand in hand, Elias and Elysia walked down the street.
Their aura and looks ensured a 100% head-turn rate. Passersby thought it was as if a prince and princess from a fairytale had stepped into reality, or perhaps two angels had descended to the mortal world.
"Wow, no wonder Eden is so popular. Now I understand why so many officials want her to hold concerts in their cities."
Elysia looked around in amazement.
She wasn't unfamiliar with Varenna. During their past world travels together, they had also stayed in this city for a few days. But back then, the streets hadn't been nearly half as crowded as they were now.
Many visitors—even from abroad—had traveled thousands of miles just to see Eden's concert.
If it were any other star, such fanaticism would surely be questioned. But if it was Eden, everyone of this era would understand and agree—because she was worth it!
The singer hailed as the symbol of the era… Her concert was worth penguins traveling from the South Pole to the North Pole to watch! Some even joked that if Eden sang on the battlefield, wars would cease…
Perhaps an exaggeration—
But if it was Eden, it might really be possible.
"Of course, Ely. Every mayor in the world dreams of Eden performing in their city. After all, as long as Eden comes, even the most remote place instantly reaches peak foot traffic. Not only does it boost the city's fame, but it also brings huge profits~!"
Elias took the milk tea from Elysia's hand and sipped. His eyebrow lifted as he realized it was even sweeter than he'd expected. Without thinking, he pinched Miss Pink Elf's waist.
"Ah! Elias, what are you doing?!"
"Ely… do you really not plan to show a little restraint?"
"Shhh~ I-I don't know what you're talking about. Miss Pink Elf doesn't know anything at all."
Elysia guiltily whistled and turned her head away, hiding the second cup of triple-sugar milk tea behind her back. What was wrong with liking sweet things, milk tea, and cake anyway?!
Elias could only chuckle helplessly and ruffle her pink hair.
"Fine, whatever. Even if you get fat like a piglet, I'll still like you. But seriously—that's Maheśvara Honkai Beast's gene in your body. How could you even manage to gain weight?"
Through recent research, Mobius had deciphered part of the Maheśvara Honkai Beast's abilities, one of which included its trait of "self-purification."
This Vipralopa-class Honkai Beast had extremely high resistance and immunity to foreign substances. Its vitality was even sturdier than Chiyou's, and aside from its weakness to ice, nearly all of its resistances were maxed out. Its very cells could even resist Shesha's venom.
After its gene was fused into Elysia's body, she inherited this "self-purification" trait. Other than ice-type attacks, almost nothing could cause her effective harm.
Mobius had practically broken down on the spot.
So that explained why all the computer parts she had secretly fed to Elysia until now had been completely useless. The issue lay in the Maheśvara gene itself.
Not only did it grant external resistance, but internally it also made Ely's body resistant to "changes." No matter how much she ate, she couldn't get fat. Without training, her figure remained graceful. Despite staying up late every night, her skin only became more flawless and never broke out.
It was basically every woman's dream body. And yet…
Elysia, against all odds, was actually managing to gain weight despite the Maheśvara gene's overwhelming resistances. Elias found this absolutely baffling!
He really wanted to remind her—
That same gene that made it hard to change also meant that if she did manage to grow some fat, it would be nearly impossible to lose it again!
At this moment, Miss Pink Elf hadn't realized how serious this could become. One day, she might roll down a hill like a chubby ball, becoming a round and plump beauty.
Elias: (Forget it. Let her be. I'll still love her anyway. Worst case, when things get truly irreversible, I can just use the Herrscher of Rebirth's power to cheat for her.)
Elysia: (Praise Elias! Praise the House of Elias!!)
Soon, the two arrived at the concert venue.
Truth be told, if not for Eden's posters being big enough and her fame well-known, many might have mistaken Elias and Elysia themselves for the stars about to perform on stage.
And Ely's luck was incredible—she had drawn front-row tickets.
But the two had arrived a bit early, and there was still some time before the concert began. Several staff members were walking through the audience seats carrying a small box.
It looked like they were holding some kind of raffle.
"Please show us your tickets. We've prepared a little activity for Eden's loyal fans who came early. If you draw a golden ball from the box, you'll be allowed a backstage tour before the concert begins."
One of the staff explained as they offered the box to Elias and Elysia, unable to hide their amazement at the pair's looks.
"Can we meet Eden?" Elias asked with eager eyes.
"If you don't mind undergoing a few security checks."
"Perfect! Paramecium, this is the moment to use the luck you lent me!"
Elias recalled the cross Kiana had once given him. Though he couldn't bring it to the Previous Era, he was certain it was still with him in some form.
The white-haired boy reached into the box with great momentum.
Elias: (For the strongest duelist, every duel is inevitable. Even drawing a ball can be determined by the duelist's will. God Kiana, bless me—let this be a golden draw in one go!)
After stirring his hand inside the box for a moment, Elias suddenly gripped a ball that gave him the feeling of "this is the one, 873!" Without hesitation, he pulled it out—and a miracle really happened.
A staff member nearby accidentally turned a spotlight his way. The beam landed directly on Elias' hand, making the golden ball he held shine brilliantly.
"Success! I hit gold! Kiana, you're amazing!"
"Mm? Wait, wait, wait! Elias, what was that super cute name you just mentioned? What's going on?!"
Elysia felt like she'd just caught some critical intel she couldn't ignore. How could there be a rival she didn't know about?
"Uh, Kiana is… a cat!" Elias said with a completely serious face.
"Huh? Oh, um, really?" Miss Pink Elf blinked in daze.
"Yeah, exactly! A white-haired, blue-eyed cat—obedient, mischievous, but even greedier than you, Ely."
Elias recalled the image of the little paramecium in his mind, and his hands instinctively began mimicking the expert motions of petting a cat.
Honestly, if it weren't for the presence of Miss Pink Elf in the past and now Miss Pink Fox here in this era, how could he even endure this Previous Era without being able to cuddle his Kiana-cat!
Watching his professional cat-petting gestures, Elysia gave up her suspicion. She thought to herself: I didn't know my Elias was secretly keeping a cat… how adorable.
"Alright, now it's my turn to draw!"
After Elias returned the golden ball to the box and the staff gave it a shake, Elysia confidently reached her hand inside with great momentum.
Ely: (A mere one percent chance? For Miss Pink Elf, the probability is one thousand percent! But just to be safe… I'm willing to trade my precious 10kg of body weight with fate, in exchange for that shining golden ball!)
Clack clack clack clack~
Elias: (Hm? Why do I suddenly hear the sound of an abacus? Am I imagining things?)
Ely: "In one go—give me gold!"
Elias: "..."
What she raised over her head was… a white ball. This time there was no spotlight effect, only the awkward atmosphere from the staff and Elias himself. Miss Pink Elf covered her face and quietly put the ball back.
In truth, had she simply made a normal, ordinary wish when drawing, then with the Herrscher of Origin's cheat-like authority, the world surely would have fulfilled her little wish.
But no, she had to get greedy—not only wanting the golden ball, but also trying to sacrifice her weight. The result of such greed was, of course, empty hands.
"Ah~ Ely, wait here for me. I'll be back soon."
"Uuuh~ Okay, Elias, but you'd better come back quickly! Otherwise, I'll die of loneliness. And you're absolutely not allowed to flirt with Eden-san!"
"How could I? Do I look like that kind of man?" Elias replied with perfect seriousness.