On the Mu Continent, within one of Eden’s residences.
The most renowned artist and singer of this era, the goddess who held fortune in her hands, Miss Eden, was about to conclude her trip to the Mu Continent.
Next, at the invitation of the Far East government, she would travel there to begin a series of public performances.
However, in the rare free time she had before her departure, she had some private words to share with her dear friend.
“It’s such a shame.
Eden is about to leave the Mu Continent, and I couldn’t even find the time to come and support you.” On the other end of the communicator, a pink-haired, fairy-like girl spoke with a tone full of apology.
“I’m such a terribly incompetent friend, aren’t I?” “Please don’t say that, my dear Elysia,” Eden replied with a gentle smile.
“Distance is no barrier to our friendship.
Even across thousands of miles, I can feel your sincere heart, and that is more than enough.” “Oh my, Eden, you’re always so thoughtful.
It feels like my heart is going to be pierced right through by your kindness♪~” Elysia, on the other side of the screen, clutched her chest with a slight exaggeration, as if struck by an arrow.
Paired with her flawless face, it didn’t feel over-the-top, but rather possessed a unique, charming quality.
Eden was long familiar with her friend’s personality.
She watched her warmly before speaking again.
“And with that, my tour on the Mu Continent comes to an end.” “I had originally wanted to tour this continent, which is said to be the nexus of all human civilization’s technology and art.
However, the invitation from the Far East was so earnest, and I shouldn’t keep my fans there waiting for too long.” “So, I’ll be departing tonight.
Elysia, please give me your blessing.” “Of course!
May your journey be smooth and successful, Eden.
This is a blessing from the Elf of the Elysian Realm.
Be sure to hold onto it tight, okay?♪~” The two shared a smile.
Then, as if remembering something, Elysia suddenly said: “I saw in the Fire Moth’s internal reports that the activity of Honkai energy in the Far East has seen an abnormal spike recently.
Although the assessment department believes it’s just a normal cyclical fluctuation, I’m still a little worried.
My dearest Eden, you must protect yourself.” Eden naturally knew what this “Honkai energy” Elysia spoke of was, but seeing the worry on her friend’s face, she offered a lighthearted reassurance.
“Elysia, you don’t need to worry.
While I may not agree with some of the Fire Moth’s methods, I must admit they are the furthest along in the field of Honkai research.
Since they believe this is just a normal fluctuation, there shouldn’t be any danger.” At this, Eden smiled gently.
“Besides, my security team is quite professional.
They can protect me as well.” “But I’m still worried about you, Eden♪~” “Then…
are you going to come and protect me, Elysia?” “I believe that with your strength, you could protect me even if we were facing a so-called Herrscher.” Hearing the hint of anticipation in Eden’s voice, Elysia’s tone became a little crestfallen.
“I’d love to go with you, Eden, but things have been very busy at the Fire Moth recently.
There’s been a Honkai outbreak in Australia, and if we let it go unchecked, many people will be harmed.” Eden didn’t press the matter further.
Instead, she said: “In that case, Elysia, please take a piece of my heart with you.
Although I cannot personally go to the disaster area, I can still contribute in my own small way.” “I will be making a donation to the Fire Moth.” The two chatted for a while longer when Eden noticed a hint of hesitation appear on Elysia’s face.
“Elysia, do you have some other secret you wish to tell me?” “Ehehe, I really can’t hide anything from you, Eden~” Elysia sighed, then spoke with some apprehension, “I have a friend…” “Elysia, is this ‘friend’ you’re talking about, by any chance, yourself?” “My dear Eden, you’ve learned to joke too!
But alas, you’re wrong~” Elysia shook her head, a trace of reminiscence in her eyes.
“The friend I’m talking about was a playmate from back when I was in an orphanage.” “If it’s possible, I’d like to ask you to…” At this, Elysia hesitated again.
It was the first time Eden had ever seen her friend wear such an expression, and she found it rather amusing.
“Elysia, are you asking me to pay a visit to this friend of yours on your behalf?” “Not exactly.” “What I wanted to ask was, could I trouble you, Eden…
to string him up and give him a good thrashing.” “???” Eden stared at Elysia in astonishment, only to find her best friend wearing a most ‘benevolent’ smile.
—o— Far East, Nagazora City.
In the city’s West District, not far from Mei’s home, a rather grand reception was underway.
The location was an orphanage.
And the person the staff was receiving today was an official who had recently been transferred from the Unified Government to the Far East Administrative Region.
She was a beautiful woman with wavy blonde hair and a full figure, though her features were distinctly Slavic.
According to the unwritten rules of the Unified Government, she was more likely to be stationed in the neighboring Lucia Administrative Region, not the Far East.
However, with the Unified Government’s power becoming increasingly centralized, such exceptions were not entirely unheard of.
The orphanage director responsible for the reception was a kind-looking old man, who did not seem overly surprised by the arrival of this important figure.
“The children are all so happy that Ms.
Cocolia could visit our orphanage.” Behind the old director, rows of young children peered at her with curious eyes.
Seeing these children, the woman named Cocolia broke into an exceptionally gentle smile.
“I am the one who has disturbed the children’s daily lives.” She motioned for her entourage to bring out beautifully wrapped gift boxes and said with a smile to the children behind the director, “I’ve brought some presents for all of you.” Cocolia took the gift boxes one by one and handed them personally to the children.
“Thank you, pretty auntie with the golden hair,” the children said, accepting the gifts with happy smiles and expressing their gratitude.
Cocolia gave a subtle look to one of the people behind her.
Among her staff, those holding cameras understood immediately and quickly captured the scene.
Seeing the flash of the camera, the smile on Cocolia’s face widened.
The old director watched the group’s actions and shook his head with a helpless sigh.
Another political publicity stunt.
But as he looked at the joyful smiles on the children’s faces as they received their gifts, he felt a sense of relief.
So be it.
The children got their presents.
As for these important people, let them do as they please.
Soon, the interaction with the orphanage children concluded, and Cocolia parted from them with a look of reluctance.
Once she returned to her residence, an aide placed a report on her desk.
“Ms.
Cocolia, this is the report on the orphanage’s operational status that you requested.” Cocolia propped her chin on her hand, reading through the information gathered at the orphanage today.
Soon, her brows furrowed.
The orphanage’s meals were far too ‘plain’.
It was obvious that a portion of the funds meant to sustain the orphanage had been ‘appropriately’ used elsewhere.
Remembering the children’s smiles, which could heal any wound, Cocolia’s expression turned cold.
But just as quickly, she sighed, tossing the report into the depths of a drawer as if sealing away some terrible demon.
After she was done, a trace of weariness appeared on her face.
“Cocolia, you have already paid the price for your integrity…” she muttered to herself, as if offering self-consolation.
“That weak version of you is already dead.
The you of today must learn to compromise, to transform yourself into a proper political creature.” Being exiled from the center of power in the Unified Government to the Far East, rather than being transferred to her home region of Lucia, and taking over the position of an official who was gunned down for having ties to a cult…
This was, in itself, a clear reprimand from her superiors.
“Integrity alone will not get you into the core of power.
You must learn to compromise, to walk amongst the light and dust.” “You must climb.
Only by climbing to the very top will you have the power to reshape this world!” All traces of uncertainty vanished from Cocolia’s face.
Having thoroughly killed the weak self of her past, she now had no weaknesses left.
She opened another report.
Displayed on it was Eden’s itinerary.
A smile bloomed on Cocolia’s lips.
It seemed fate was on her side once again.
She summoned her most trusted subordinate.
“Is everything ready?” “Rest assured, Ms.
Cocolia.
Everything is prepared.
Not a single one of those assassins from the Toxic Pupae will leave here alive.” “Excellent.” Cocolia rose and walked to the window, looking at the sun as it began to dip below the horizon.
She couldn’t help but reach out her hand.
As long as the plan went off without a hitch, not only would she be able to return to the center of power…
She would be able to climb even higher.
Cocolia clenched her fist tightly, as if to grasp the sun that was about to fall into the embrace of night.
—o—