"Ah~ It should clearly be double the happiness, but why has it turned out like this? Ely, just what exactly did you do to Sheele when I wasn't looking?"
Elias helplessly glanced at the pink elf beside him.
At this moment, both of his arms were being monopolized—one by Elysia, the other by Sheele. Although both girls were the well-endowed type, honestly speaking, Elias felt like he was a rope being pulled in a game of tug-of-war.
Because Misteln couldn't find a proper place, she simply fused directly with Elias. Right now, this [Idea] lady of was busy redecorating Elias' mental space.
When he returned to the current civilization, Elias thought he could invite Seele and Dark Seele into his mind as guests.
The four of them could even set up a mahjong table…
"You wrong me, Eli, I didn't do anything bad!"
"Don't believe a word of hers, Elias! That woman is truly wicked!"
"Uh, anyway, both of you ease up a little, my clothes are about to get torn apart."
To relieve the pressure, Elias bought the two girls drinks—hot milk tea for Elysia and iced cola for Sheele.
With drinks in hand, the two finally let him go.
But even as she sipped her iced cola, Sheele still felt her anger smoldering within. Damn Elysia—today was supposed to be her date with Elias!
You already appear so often, and now when I finally get my turn, you still have to steal the spotlight.
That's it. Once I regain the Herrscher of Death's authority, the first one I'll deal with is this pink elf!
"It really hurts my heart, Sheele. Whenever Elias doesn't have time to be with you, isn't it always me who goes to the Deep End to see you? Why can't you like me the way you like Elias?"
"Elysia, don't you have any self-awareness? And please, stop visiting me!"
Sheele's eye twitched, as though recalling some painful memory. Instinctively, she shrank back behind Elias, glaring at the pink elf like a black cat warily facing a stranger.
Elysia had indeed often gone to the Deep End to see her.
To be precise, ever since Aponia arrived, this pink elf had developed some inexplicable "expectation" toward Sheele.
"Sheele~ I just want you to mend your ways, to get along well with everyone. I believe that even as a Herrscher, you too can stand on humanity's side! No—it's certain you can!"
"That's exactly where you're like Elias, but! Elysia~ your so-called way of reforming me is by telling me your romance stories with him? I don't want to hear it!"
Just thinking of all those days of being force-fed their love stories, Sheele's face twitched again.
(I really don't want to know how many times you and Elias have kissed, hugged, or how you two grew up together and traveled the world hand-in-hand. All those stories nearly made my teeth rot from sweetness!)
"Eh? Don't you think our story is beautiful? Hearing it makes the world sparkle, and then you won't want to destroy it anymore."
"Heh~ On the contrary! Hearing it makes me want to destroy this world even more!" (The fury of a single dog)
"Ah…"
Elysia scratched her head awkwardly.
She really didn't understand what she had done wrong. Although it seemed like she was just forcing dog food onto Sheele, in truth Elysia genuinely wanted to move Sheele, to make her a Herrscher who stood with humanity.
And the reason she chose that method was simple.
(I'm a Herrscher too, but why have I never thought about destroying humanity? Mm, it must be because I grew up surrounded by the world's beauty and Elias' love!)
Elysia was utterly convinced.
(If that's the case, then as long as I share my story with Sheele and let her understand the beauty of the world and of Elias—of humanity—then she'll surely become a good Herrscher!)
Although she had never spoken of it to anyone, by now Elysia was certain of one thing—
She herself was indeed a Herrscher.
She knew clearly in her heart that her identity could not remain hidden forever. The day of exposure would come sooner or later.
In order to reduce the fear people would feel toward her when that day arrived, Elysia earnestly hoped that Sheele could become proof.
Proof that even a Herrscher could coexist peacefully with humanity!
Perhaps it could be called Elysia's one-sided wish, but at the same time, it was also her attempt to save Sheele.
Because Sheele was the same as her, Elysia sincerely hoped that the girl could gain happiness like she had.
(Elysia: "Uh, just as long as her partner isn't my Eli. I already have enough rivals.")
In short, Elysia's intentions were undoubtedly good. As always, she cared about everyone.
But this time, it backfired.
"I hate those stories the most!"
Sheele roared angrily.
Every time she listened to Elysia happily telling her stories, the only feeling Sheele had was that this woman was showing off! All she felt was unbearable envy and jealousy!
(Damn it! Why?! Why did you get to be with Elias from the moment you were born? Why do you get his constant love and care at all times?! Why not me?! Why did I only meet Elias after becoming a Herrscher? Why… when it was finally my turn, was it already too late?!)
Of course Sheele could feel the beauty within Elysia's stories. But compared to the mountainous jealousy in her heart, the weight of that beauty was negligible.
Elysia could never understand her feelings.
After all, the pink elf was blessed. From the moment she was born, she had been given everything. Elysia could never understand the heart of someone for whom everything came too late.
No matter how much she said, to Sheele it only highlighted the unfairness of fate. For when Sheele finally found her light, she realized she was already trapped in a pit she could never climb out of.
(I'm already a Herrscher. What can I do! If only… if only I had met Elias sooner. If only I had been as lucky as you, how wonderful that would have been…)
Thinking of this made Sheele feel even sadder.
Her hero had appeared too late to save her.
Now, she was already branded by God/Honkai with the curse of annihilating humanity, already a Herrscher with the blood of millions on her hands!
There was no salvation for her! (Unless perhaps the Herrscher of Origin sacrificed herself to grant her wish…)
If there was one thing to be thankful for, it was that even so, Elias was still willing to treat her gently. Unlike in dramas, where the protagonist would say "Sorry, I came too late, I'll save you in the next life," and then stab her to death.
Sheele no longer hoped for anything extravagant.
Being Elias' prisoner for this life was good enough.
At least it was far more comfortable than when she was a human or a Herrscher.
Still, sometimes Sheele did wonder about restarting her life. Maybe in the next one, she could meet Elias sooner…
...
"Elias, I'm still thirsty."
After finishing her iced cola, Sheele tossed the empty cup into the trash and shook his hand.
"Mm, then I'll buy you another. By the way, Sheele, are you still managing to hold it in? Don't push yourself too hard."
"It's fine, Sheele can still endure it!"
She squeezed Elias' hand tightly, and he nodded in relief. He knew well—Sheele was struggling hard to suppress her Herrscher urge to kill.
The mall was filled with people coming and going. For Sheele, enduring it was incredibly difficult! But since Elias was by her side…
"Mm, you're so good, Sheele. Really amazing." Elias praised gently, stroking her head.
"This is all thanks to you being here…"
Sheele whispered with deep dependence.
Because seeing humans made her want to kill, she kept her gaze fixed only on Elias. Because idle hands made her want to lash out, she constantly held tightly to his hand.
It could be said that Elias was already Sheele's inhibitor. As long as he was there, she could control herself.
"But even though happy water makes you happy, it's better not to drink too much of it—especially iced."
"Oh, then I'll drink the milk tea in Elysia's hand."
"Switching from something iced to something hot—you'll upset your stomach."
"Upset my stomach? Impossible, I'm a Herrscher!"
Sheele planted her fists on her hips and puffed out her chest.
Elias hurriedly covered her mouth. Sheele's Herrscher identity was still a secret, and declaring it in public was no different from inviting trouble in the Previous Era.
Fortunately, there weren't many people nearby. Otherwise, Elias might have had to directly use Fenghuang Down rather than make up excuses.
In the end, Sheele did get to drink the milk tea.
"Bleh! This is way too sweet!"
"Well, Ely just likes sweet flavors."
"Ehehe~ A beautiful girl is made of sugar, spice, and everything nice. Of course we're naturally sweet," Elysia said with hands on her hips, as if it were only natural.
"Heh~ Then do you dare report your weight out loud?"
Sheele sneered.
"…"
A finishing blow. With one line, Sheele silenced Elysia.
"57.9 kilograms. I think that's fine."
Elias spoke up, revealing her weight.
"E-Eli?! How do you know that? I clearly delete the scale records every morning. Waaa, who leaked the pink elf's classified intel?!"
Elysia panicked instantly. The last thing she wanted was for Elias to know her weight—she had thought she hid it well.
"Who needs leaks? All I have to do is pick you up." Elias demonstrated on the spot, hugging her waist and lifting her slightly.
"Mm, feels like you gained another 0.1 kg. No surprise—three scoops of sugar in that high-calorie milk tea. Its power is obvious."
"Guh! Don't tell me, I don't want to hear it~"
"Ely, avoiding reality isn't a good habit. Besides, I don't mind. With a little more softness, hugging you feels even better."
"Uwaahh~ What is this feeling, happy yet sad at the same time? I need another cup of milk tea to calm down."
Elysia, dejected, kept drinking.
Sheele stared speechlessly. Normal people, after learning their weight increased, would throw the milk tea away immediately, resolve to start dieting tomorrow, and only later give up. But Elysia? She went straight to giving up? Was she relying on Elias' pampering to do as she pleased? Damn it, may you become a pink pig in the future!
And just then—
"Ugh! Wait, h-how is this possible?!"
Sheele's face changed. The milk tea slipped from her hand and hit the ground as the girl's expression twisted in disbelief.
"Mm? Sheele, what's wrong?"
"…I-I don't feel well."
"Oh my~ Don't tell me you really upset your stomach?"
Elysia smirked as she watched Sheele clutch her stomach, her face paling. She thought gleefully that without her Core, a Herrscher's bodily functions were greatly weakened. One iced cola and one hot milk tea—that was enough to take her down!
"Ugh, I-I didn't. I just suddenly want to wash my face in the restroom…"
Sheele gritted her teeth and forced herself to keep up appearances.
She quickly headed toward the restroom not far away. But after only a few steps, her whole body jolted. A sharp electric current spread from her neck throughout her body.
"W-wait! Not now!"
"Sheele, hold on!"
In her panic, Sheele forgot that leaving the three-meter radius around Elias would trigger the collar's shock.
Luckily, Elias closed the distance in time.
Otherwise, Sheele might have faced the ultimate humiliation.
"Elias, come with me."
"Sorry, Sheele. You'll have to explore the area ahead on your own. I'll remove your restriction."
Elias pulled off the collar around her neck.
In his past life, besides being a Captain, he had also been a pioneer—an adventurer who had traveled across five nations. But both pioneering and adventuring depended on the situation.
If the restroom were empty, sneaking in wouldn't be a problem. But he had just seen someone enter the women's restroom ahead. Elias had no intention of courting social death.
"Eh? But…"
Sheele subconsciously touched her neck. For a moment, she even felt a little unaccustomed to its absence.
"It's fine. I believe in you, Sheele."
"…Mm! I'll wash my face and be right back!"
The girl nodded firmly, then hurried into the restroom ahead. Even in such urgency, the memory of Elias' trust made the corners of her lips curve faintly upward.
"Uh, Elias, could it be that Sheele is actually pretty easy to handle?"
Elysia asked uncertainly.
Elias nodded. Indeed, although Sheele had a wild personality similar to Dark Seele's, at her core she was still a pure-hearted girl.
"It just doesn't sit right with me. Why is it so difficult with me, but so easy with her? Elias, you really do trust her a lot."
"Of course. I've wanted to remove that collar from her for a long time. And Ely, you saw it too, didn't you? Today Sheele has restrained her Herrscher instincts. She hasn't shown hostility to anyone… except you."
Elias twirled the collar in his hand as he spoke.
"Uh, well, that's true."
Elysia admitted with a nod.
For a Herrscher of the Previous Era, suppressing the urge to kill was extremely difficult—thousands of times harder than holding back the urge to blink.
Yet Sheele could suppress it. She hadn't attacked anyone. That alone proved the firmness of her will.
"This is already a huge step forward. And with this kind of progress, when I apply for greater freedom for her later, I'm sure it'll be approved."
Elias clenched his fist as he spoke.
Though he hadn't yet found a way to release Herrschers of the Previous Era from the shackles of the Honkai, Elias had a strong feeling that the solution wasn't far from him.
"Ely, I believe humanity truly has a chance to coexist with Herrschers. Will you support me in this?"
Elias looked at Elysia, longing for recognition.
He knew his words sounded absurd to people of the Previous Era. Whether others believed or not didn't matter much to him. But the one girl he wanted support from—the one he loved most—was her.
And Elysia, of course, didn't let him down.
The pink elf's eyes softened with boundless tenderness. She threw herself into Elias' arms, nuzzling as she spoke.
"Of course I support you. I also believe such a possibility exists. Or rather… thank you, Elias, for believing in it."
Elysia's voice brimmed with joy.
It seemed like Elias was the one seeking support. But in truth, she was the one who most desperately wanted someone to share that belief with.
Looking at the white-haired boy before her, who pursued the same possibility as she did, the pink elf felt her love deepen even more.
And just as the two gazed at each other, the atmosphere ripe, about to kiss…
"Ahhh—! Someone's attacking!"
"…" x2
Hearing the scream from inside the women's restroom, Elias and Elysia both froze.
(Sheele, don't tell me…) x2
At that moment, the black-haired girl inside clenched her teeth, desperately struggling to restrain her berserk instincts.
Tears were already spilling from Sheele's eyes.
"No… no, I can't. I can't let him down. Elias, hurry… stop me…"