15: [15] – [BONUS] – Elysia Learns the Truth, Everyone Is Stunned by the 50,000-Year Gap!
15: [15] – [BONUS] – Elysia Learns the Truth, Everyone Is Stunned by the 50,000-Year Gap!
No waiting until tomorrow’s update!
— The group walked on quietly, everyone deep in thought.
After a while, Evanescia picked out a modern villa in one of the nicer parts of the neighborhood.
The front door was locked, but Silver Wolf didn’t mind.
She brought up a holographic keyboard, typed quickly, and created a glowing, pixelated doorway right through the wood.
Zane went in first, still carrying the unconscious Raiden Mei.
The others followed.
Inside, the place looked sleek and modern, filled with expensive furniture and the latest appliances.
It was obvious the owner was young and rich.
“Roarrrrrrrrr!!” Suddenly, a roar broke the silence as two zombies leaped out from around the corner.
Their torn uniforms showed they had once been the villa’s maids.
“Hmph.
Get lost.” Silver Wolf slid her finger across the keyboard, opening a warped, pixelated portal right in front of them.
The zombies couldn’t stop and fell straight into the rift, vanishing from sight.
“Where did they go?” Bronya asked, her eyes widening.
“I just typed in some random coordinates.
Who knows where they went?” Silver Wolf waved the keyboard away.
“Maybe they landed in a monster horde.
Or maybe they dropped onto some poor survivors.” She blew another bubble with her gum and shot her stunned counterpart a smug grin.
“Yep.
I’m definitely the coolest here.” Elysia looked as though she wanted to ask something, but Zane raised a hand to stop her.
“The house is clear, and everyone’s exhausted.
Go take a hot shower and relax for a while.” He carried Mei to the couch, set her down gently, and checked to see how she was doing.
“How is she?” Kiana hurried over, worry tightening her expression.
“Go take a shower first.
You stink.” Zane waved his hand in front of his nose for effect.
“You’re the one who stinks!
I’m a beautiful girl, and beautiful girls don’t smell!” Even though she protested, Kiana quickly sniffed her arm.
Her face turned bright red.
Without saying anything else, she turned, hurried into a bedroom, and slammed the door.
Bang!
After hours of fighting through dust, zombie blood, and ruined streets, none of them smelled good.
The others shared awkward glances, then quietly went off to find bathrooms.
Even though the Great Eruption had wrecked Nagazora City, this luxury villa had a backup generator.
The lights, hot water, and plumbing all still worked fine.
Only Evanescia remained behind.
As an Emanator, dust and dirt never stuck to her.
She checked the fridge, picked her favorite juice, grabbed two more cans, and flopped onto the couch next to Zane.
“Here.” She smiled as she handed him a drink.
Zane took the drink, then leaned over and gently pinched Mei’s nose.
“Still pretending to be unconscious?
If you don’t wake up, I’m going to start tickling you.” He reached his other hand toward her waist.
Mei’s face immediately flushed.
Gasp!
Her eyes snapped open.
She gasped, jumped off the couch, and stumbled back in a panic.
“U-um…
Thank you.” She looked down, her ears bright red.
She glanced around the room, avoiding Zane’s eyes.
Mei had actually woken up halfway to the villa.
But as soon as she noticed Zane carrying her, with his hand a little too close for comfort, she froze up completely.
Too embarrassed to admit she was awake, she kept her eyes shut and pretended to stay unconscious.
Evanescia took a sip of juice, glancing teasingly between them.
“Go wash up,” Zane said.
“The bathroom on the top floor is free.” “O-okay.
Thank you again!” Mei gave him a quick, awkward bow, then rushed upstairs.
Her quick footsteps resounded through the villa.
Her flustered escape was actually kind of cute.
“You like her,” Evanescia teased, resting her chin against one hand.
“I don’t just like her.
I like you too.” Zane leaned back on the couch and casually put his arm along the backrest behind Evanescia, pulling her a little closer.
“Oh my.
I never realized our Group Admin was such a player~” Evanescia blinked at him.
Then she tilted her head, pressed her hands to her cheek, and looked up at him with an over-the-top lovestruck face.
“Actually, I’ve always been your greatest admirer.
From the moment I first saw you, I was hopelessly captivated.
You stole my heart, and for the rest of my life, I shall know neither joy nor sorrow…” Zane’s expression went blank.
“Stop…
Who taught you to talk like that?” For a moment, he remembered the Trailblazer and March 7th.
That was just the kind of dramatic greeting they liked.
“Hehe.” Evanescia giggled and snuggled closer to him, looking content as she sipped her juice.
As long as she stayed by his side, she felt safe and comfortable.
Zane paused.
If someone walked in now, they’d probably think the two of them were a couple.
Her attachment was probably linked to his Holy Spirit template.
That power was meant for saving, not destroying, and it gave off a special aura from divine light.
The one true God was immortal and unique.
Some scholars even thought the Path of Abundance originally came from the Path of Permanence.
If that theory was right, it made sense that Evanescia wanted to stay close to him.
She followed both the Paths of Abundance and Elation, and his presence just felt right to her.
—•——•——•——•——•——•— Soon, the girls finished showering and came back in clean, loose loungewear.
They stopped as soon as they saw Evanescia curled up next to Zane.
Silver Wolf puffed out her cheeks, annoyed for reasons she couldn’t quite explain.
Zane raised his head.
The girls stood in front of him, their damp hair hanging over their shoulders.
The room smelled faintly of cherry blossom and Lily shampoo.
Their loose clothes made them look softer, but didn’t hide their graceful figures.
Everyone found a spot around the couches, gathering in small groups.
Silver Wolf quickly took the seat next to Zane.
Kiana stayed near Raiden Mei, and Furina and Miyabi Hoshimi sat together on another couch.
Elysia, though, ended up sitting by herself, feeling awkward.
Kiana watched her carefully.
Mei’s other personality had called Elysia a Herrscher, and Herrschers were humanity’s enemies—the monsters behind Honkai Eruptions and many deaths.
And then there was the confusing mystery of the two Nagazoras.
Their trip through the dungeon had left them with too many questions.
For a while, no one knew what to say, and the living room grew quiet.
Bronya gathered some drinks, mixed them, and handed them out to everyone.
“To formally introduce herself, Bronya’s name is Bronya.” A few people gave her confused looks.
What was up with that weird way of talking??
Zane nodded, recognizing the habit.
This was just how younger Bronya talked—always in the third person.
She wouldn’t stop until she got older and realized how awkward it sounded.
Silver Wolf shot her a strange look, then cleared her throat.
“Ahem.
In that case, Silver Wolf’s name is Silver Wolf.” She regretted it right away.
‘Yeah, that really does sound weird when you say it.’ “Group Admin…” “Just call me Zane,” he interrupted, waving a hand.
“Very well, Zane.” Elysia let out a quiet breath and looked at him, suddenly serious.
“Can you finally explain what is happening with the two Nagazoras?
And…” “Sure…” Zane met her gaze.
“The Nagazora where Kiana lives is exactly fifty thousand years after your world’s time.” The entire living room fell silent.
Elysia and Kiana slowly turned to look at each other, both of their mouths dropping open at the same time.
Fifty thousand years later?
Everyone stared at Zane, too shocked to say a word.
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