Elias—Mei's Little Horns Are So Fun to Touch~!

After Mei cut down all the Honkai Beasts with a single slash, the Third Eruption could officially be declared over.

Everyone in Nagazora City was safe. While the Valkyries of St. Freya Academy had sustained some injuries, not a single one of them had died. If the people of the Previous Era could witness this, they'd probably cry tears of envy.

"Himeko, pinch me. Am I dreaming or what?"

"Sure!"

"Ow ow ow ow! Not so hard, you explosive woman!"

Theresa clutched her reddened cheek in frustration, still overwhelmed by how surreal everything felt.

(The Third Eruption is... already over? Zero casualties? And the newly born Herrscher even became an ally of humanity?)

As if reading her mind, Himeko shrugged and smiled wryly, pointing toward the other side.

"Not quite an ally of humanity. That Herrscher is more like a certain boy's personal ally. What was his name again? Elias? That guy's something else."

"Wait, hang on—they're arguing? What's going on over there? This isn't bad, right? Nothing's gonna happen?"

Suddenly, voices rose from Elias' direction.

Theresa and Himeko instantly tensed. If it were a normal couple squabble, they wouldn't worry—but this was a Herrscher. Who knew if she might get angry enough to level a city?

But they were overthinking it.

Elias and Herrscher Mei weren't fighting.

Still, a small problem had popped up—Herrscher Mei didn't seem willing to coexist peacefully with her other self.

"Uh, Mei, what did you just say? You're not going to let the other Mei come out again? Why not?" Elias was stunned.

"Isn't it obvious? That coward is useless now. Rather than let her keep embarrassing herself in my body, I'd rather keep her locked away in the mental space forever."

"Ah..."

This Mei really was domineering. It wasn't even originally her body, and now she wanted full control.

Elias rubbed his temple in frustration.

Herrscher Mei's situation was different from Dark Seele's. Though both were born from Stigmata consciousness, the former had Herrscher powers and could seize control of the body entirely.

If she didn't want to return it to base Mei, the latter really had no power to resist—she'd be trapped in a mental prison indefinitely.

"What, Elias? You have a problem with that? Unlike that useless coward, I can do anything. So just pick me already."

Herrscher Mei placed one hand over Elias' chest, feeling the beat of his heart. Her other hand reached up to touch his cheek, as if trying to memorize his features.

She had wanted to do this for a long time.

Back when they were in the core together, she'd longed to touch him.

If Elias hadn't been vulnerable to Honkai energy back then—his mere presence near her enough to corrupt him into a zombie—she never would've given the body back to Mei.

But now that there was no danger, now that she knew she wouldn't harm him, Herrscher Mei let go of all hesitation. She indulged in her long-held desire to be close to him.

"Wow~ You really are forward, my queen."

Elias grabbed her delicate hand. He wasn't the type to just sit there and let her tease him.

He pulled Herrscher Mei into an embrace, eliminating the space between them entirely.

"Choosing only you? I can't do that."

"What?"

"My queen, you like me, don't you?"

"Hmph. So what if I do?"

Herrscher Mei folded her arms with zero embarrassment. Bold and confident, just like the lightning she wielded—direct and decisive. In Elias' eyes, that made her endlessly charming.

Honestly, forget men—even women would fall for this version of Mei... Kiana was already drooling beside them.

Elias met the queen's piercing gaze. He knew that when dealing with a proud, strong type like her, he had to be just as firm.

"I like you too, Mei. I really, really do."

"You'd better. If you didn't, I wouldn't let you off the hook."

Herrscher Mei smirked, clearly pleased. At the same time, Elias raised his hand to gently cup her cheek.

"But I might be a little greedy... I love every part of you. Whether it's this bold, confident version of Mei—or the gentle, kind one—I can't accept losing either."

"...You've got guts, Elias. Do you know the price for saying something like that?"

Her golden eyes narrowed, sharp as blades.

She felt an intense urge—to conquer this man, to lock Elias away and make him hers, forever.

But Elias didn't back down. He straightened his posture and said with confidence:

"I don't care. I love every part of Raiden Mei—your good sides and your flaws, your strength and your vulnerability, your power and your weakness. All of you... I want it all!"

"Hmph. Hahaha~! Interesting. Very interesting. Elias, you're becoming more and more my type."

Herrscher Mei burst out laughing.

She had been momentarily surprised by his bold confession—but far from annoyed, it only made her like him more.

After all, the Herrscher of Thunder's core was also known as the Gem of Conquest.

Conquest was part of her very instinct.

But someone as proud as her had no interest in conquering the weak.

Elias' assertiveness, boldness, and raw desire hit every one of her preferences. And even though he was pleading on behalf of her other self, she still loved hearing it.

["Loving every part of me"...] That line made her heart race. She wanted to respond with something intimate.

But...

(Tch. Such a nuisance.)

Herrscher Mei glanced around, suddenly feeling the urge to eliminate every witness nearby.

"Come on, you two share the same body. Can't you just get along? She is another version of you."

"Hmph. That may be true, but the thing I hate most is weak tears."

"No, you're wrong about that. Mei is a strong girl. Her will is second to none, and she has the kind of courage that demands respect. That gentleness you look down on? That's part of her strength. And it's one of the reasons I love her."

Elias spoke with unwavering conviction. His golden eyes seemed to say: I won't let anyone deny Mei—not even you, who are also Mei.

"..."

For a moment, Herrscher Mei was speechless.

This boy in front of her believed in Raiden Mei—more than she herself ever had. She could feel her counterpart, the original Mei in the mental space, already crying tears of joy.

Elias knew Mei better than anyone.

As her former captain, he had seen every side of her. If saving someone precious made her a sinner, Mei would bear that guilt without hesitation.

That one line—"You matter more than this world"—had once defined her entire devotion.

"Ahem. Then how about this!"

Suddenly, Elias seemed to make up his mind.

"Hm?"

Herrscher Mei looked at him curiously. The next second, Elias raised one finger and said seriously:

"If you're willing to share your body with Mei and get along, I'll grant you one wish—anything you want. Whatever it is, I'll do it!"

"Deal. I agree."

"Wha—That fast?!"

Elias was dumbfounded—she agreed that quickly? For a second, he thought Herrscher Mei had been waiting for him to make that offer.

She looked visibly excited. Truth was, she had already been about to agree, but Elias had just handed her a golden opportunity.

"But let's wait until tomorrow to give her back control. I finally got to come out—I don't want to go back so soon."

"Alright, alright, a bit of fresh air isn't a bad idea. Better than a certain shut-in who spent 500 years inside a sword. Oh right—my dear Mei, I just thought of a wish only you can fulfill."

Elias gave her a dazzling smile, holding her hands in his and looking at her with gleaming eyes.

The guy who always hated getting the short end of the stick had already figured out how to balance the scales.

Though she could sense what he was plotting, Herrscher Mei had no intention of refusing.

"Whatever it is, just say it. I've already agreed."

"Uh, don't you want to hear what it is first?"

"No need. Just go ahead. Like I said—I'll take anything you want and make it yours. Whatever your wish is, I'll make it happen."

Bold, unfiltered, and undeniably charming—that was how Herrscher Mei expressed love.

Elias blinked, the corners of his mouth rising into a mischievous smirk. He slowly extended his hands toward the Queen of Thunder.

"In that case, don't mind if I do. Mei, you better not regret this. Hehe~"

"...What are you planning to do?"

"It's too late now. Let me touch them!"

The two were already so close that even a Herrscher had no time to dodge.

Elias reached up and firmly grasped the two red horns sprouting from Mei's head.

"Elias—you!"

"Ohhh~ the texture—whoa! This is amazing."

The moment he held her horns, Elias' eyes lit up. He continued to play with them excitedly, completely enamored with their feel.

Meanwhile, Herrscher Mei's cheeks flushed red. She never imagined Elias was aiming for her horns.

"W-wait! Don't touch the horns like that!"

That strange sensation transmitted through a part of her body no normal human had—it left the proud Queen of Thunder struggling to maintain her composure.

"Hehe, just a little longer—just a bit~"

"Guh... Fine, but hurry up!"

"Thanks, Mei. I love you the most."

Elias closed his eyes in bliss.

The horns weren't as hard as they looked—instead, they had a smooth, jade-like texture, with a soft tingle of electricity. Far from unpleasant, the sensation was actually addictive.

Now he got it—he totally understood why that pink gremlin from Elysian Realm was obsessed with touching horns. It hadn't even been a full minute, and Elias already felt like he couldn't stop.

"...Are you satisfied now?"

Several minutes later, Herrscher Mei steadied her breath and asked. Though the horns were part of her Herrscher powers, they weren't just decorative.

If it had been anyone other than Elias, she would've drawn her blade by now.

"Ughh, I'm so jealous! I want to touch Mei's horns too!"

"Idiot Kiana. Bronya advises you not to do anything reckless—wait, it's already too late."

Bronya stared blankly at the scene before her—Kiana had already been zapped by a bolt of red lightning.

(Does this girl's brain exist purely for decoration?) Bronya thought.

Still, she didn't have much energy to care about Kiana right now. Her own heart was in full alert mode.

Because her beloved Papa Elias was about to be stolen away!

Bronya had long noticed the other girls—especially Mei—had strong feelings for Elias too, but she had always believed she held the greatest advantage.

So she hadn't been too worried... until now.

Bronya: (I've got the advantage here—no need to panic.)

After all, the traditional yamato nadeshiko type from the Far East wasn't exactly the aggressive kind... or so she thought.

She never expected a second personality to show up and slam the gas, cutting straight to the finish line.

(Guh! This is the biggest miscalculation of Bronya's life! And second personalities are so unfair! This Mei's Herrscher form is way more troublesome than Dark Seele...)

(Ugh, Bronya wants to report her for cheating. Letting your backseat soul take over the game isn't fair competition at all. Recommend immediate account suspension!)

Bronya told herself she had to step up her game—if this kept up, her beloved Papa Elias was going to be stolen away by these bad women!

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

"Uh, hey kiddo, you good?"

Theresa nudged the electrocuted Kiana lying on the ground.

"Cough, of course I'm fine! Uh, wait—were you talking to me? Who even are you?"

As expected from someone with Kaslana blood. Even though Herrscher Mei hadn't even used full strength, it was enough to knock out a normal person—but Kiana bounced back like it was nothing.

She looked suspiciously at the small girl talking to her.

Theresa crossed her arms, leaning coolly against the Oath of Judah.

She tried her best to look mature, but her appearance was just too cute to pull it off.

"Me? I'm your aunt! Theresa Apocalypse. What's with that face? You don't believe me?"

"You're my aunt? Ha! You think I'm actually that dumb? With that height, you've gotta be what—twelve?"

Kiana crossed her arms with a smug look like she'd uncovered some big lie. She even raised her hand, about to pat Theresa's head.

"Who are you calling a kid, you brat?! What did that idiot Siegfried teach you?! You know, I'm the one who gave you your name!"

"Wait—what?! You named me? Hold on, you know where that lousy dad of mine is?!"

"W-wait, stop shaking me!"

Kiana grabbed Theresa by the shoulders and started shaking her like mad. So much had happened recently, it took her a second to remember—oh right, she had a dad!

Though, awkwardly enough, when she mentioned the word "Dad," the first image in her head wasn't Siegfried... it was Elias.

"Tell me, tell me, tell me! Where's my stupid dad?!"

"How am I supposed to talk when you're shaking me like a maraca, idiot?!"

Thunk!

Even Kaslana-tier strength was no match for Honkai Beast-enhanced genes. Theresa bonked Kiana on the head, making her see stars.

She sighed. (Yup. Definitely a Kaslana. This level of brainlessness is clearly genetic.)

"I said I'll tell you later. But for now... why don't you introduce your friends—especially that boy over there named Elias."

"Oh? Finally ready to talk about business, huh."

Having finished his horn-touching adventure, Elias strolled over, looking completely refreshed. He was still savoring the lingering feel in his hands.

"I don't like standing around in a wasteland to chat. Mind if we find a better place?"

"Huh? Where were you thinking?"

"Heh~ How about we take a seat aboard that battleship of yours?"

Elias smiled and pointed toward the sky.

At long last—

The otherworld-traveling Captain Elias was about to board his loyal Hyperion!

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