The Hand That Arranges the Stars

"False number... thirteen?"

Kiana instinctively furrowed her brows, then glanced at Elysia.

If she had been a Herrscher from the very beginning, how had she managed to conceal it from the top ranks of the Fire Moth? Even her actions up to now, opposing the Honkai, and even her death itself, how had she done it all?

"She was a Herrscher from the start. While the possibility seems obvious, Herrscher slots weren't vacant..."

"And she appeared before the Herrscher of Reason during this era..."

Bronya analyzed, but she fell into a misunderstanding.

The Herrschers of this era and the Herrschers of the previous era weren't meant to align perfectly.

It was clear that the overwhelming similarities had made her overlook this key distinction.

"It seems I said too much to Mei in the Elysian Realm? Mei started suspecting me far earlier than I thought... I'll need to be more cautious next time."

"And Eden, I loved that song of yours. I hope I can hear the full version next time~"

Elysia twirled her hair around her finger, smiling as she spoke.

Eden, of course, gladly agreed. She was always indulgent with Elysia's requests, because Elysia deserved it.

"You never had any intention of hiding, did you?"

Mei cast a sidelong glance at Elysia, making her point clear.

"..."

"Heh, as expected, you were a Herrscher from the start. Too bad... I could never find any evidence."

Mobius stayed silent for a while, then let out a sneer, her expression ambiguous.

"Yes, yes. But the moment you found evidence, you were the first to burn it. You didn't leave anything for others to discover."

"I hope someone was truly consistent in their beliefs."

Vill-V sighed, glancing at Mobius' cold expression. She raised her chin and added with a faint smirk.

And Vill-V wasn't wrong. Several instances of suspicion arose, yet Mobius, who first encountered Elysia, left no trace of records.

As for not being suspicious...

How could Mobius, the first to find her suspicious, ever not be?

One could only blame Elysia for her inability to conceal herself. Even on the battlefield against Herrschers, she exuded composure.

"Hmph, nonsense. If only I had caught her red-handed..."

Mobius responded indifferently, but her hand clenched beneath the table.

What had really happened that night? She was curious too, especially about the finer details, though speculation alone wouldn't suffice.

Now... she had the chance to witness what transpired that night.

It wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Click-click—" Vill-V shook her head, not attempting to shatter the toughest defenses.

---------------

After Eden's figure dissipated, four crystal flowers shattered, scattering specks of light into the air. They guided Mei back to the memory of that night.

In the darkness, Elysia's voice emerged.

"Sorry, I really told a huge lie... I hope the story of the Thirteenth Herrscher doesn't cause you too much trouble."

"Don't worry, Elysia. I'll weave several lies together to cover up... to protect your secret."

The voice from the gray crystal flower belonged to original Vill-V,

"Those who left the table did so because they trusted Elysia enough to refuse to fight her; those who stayed at the table did so because they trusted her enough to attend the gathering."

"See... those you believed in have always believed in you. Those you loved have always cherished you."

"Hmm... thank you. I didn't expect that..."

Elysia's voice was slightly stunned. She hadn't anticipated such an explanation, yet upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

Those who treat others with sincerity are, in turn, treated sincerely by others.

Even after all the harm they had suffered at the hands of Herrschers, they still believed in her?

She was touched. So, she subtly shifted the subject toward someone she cared about, conveniently dispelling a bit of the lingering awkwardness.

"What a pity my dear Mobius isn't here. I wanted to gift her a green crystal flower."

"After receiving the Fire Moth's report on the Thirteenth Herrscher, she didn't even look at it before tossing it into the shredder."

Vill-V crossed her arms and responded lightly.

Elysia froze for a moment before breaking into a radiant smile.

It was unexpected.

Mobius, who had always accused her of betrayal, had thrown the report away without a second thought.

"After all, it's that Mobius. Perhaps she had already seen through everything..."

"Or maybe she just didn't want anyone to see her crying?"

Vill-V speculated maliciously.

"Pfft... true, Mobius always has a girlish side to her~"

Elysia said lightly, casting a somewhat nostalgic glance at Vill-V.

She knew this would be their last night together.

-------------

In the hall,

"Sigh, witnessing it again still feels a bit sad... If Mobius had been there that night, maybe a lot of problems could've been resolved, right?"

Vill-V half-gazed at the ceiling, speaking with a tinge of melancholy. Yet her words seemed to treat Mobius as a source of amusement. That night... even she had almost cried.

Elysia's departure had deeply affected her.

Even that stoic and composed Kevin—well... never mind.

Unfortunately, the ever-proud and aloof Dr. Mobius hadn't been present.

"Heh— I just didn't want to see her being killed. The sight of blood isn't exactly pleasant... though I didn't expect you all had no intention of harming her."

Mobius sneered coldly.

"Oh? If that were true, you should've sent a message. Isn't studying Elysia's body your favorite pastime?"

Vill-V feigned surprise, relentlessly probing.

"…Hey, hey, don't be so cruel! Dr. Mobius must've been moved by my actions and didn't want to oppose me, that's all," Elysia protested playfully.

Why were they suddenly talking about her corpse? Speaking of which... hadn't she turned into light?

Hmm, just like the other Flame-Chasers before her.

"…I'm just a weak and delicate scientist."

Mobius turned her head with a huff, her tone dismissive yet betraying her true attitude.

The Herrscher of Sentience couldn't help but roll her eyes, marveling at Mobius's thick-skinned response.

The ancient records she had inherited painted a very clear picture!

"Now, will you accept a green crystal flower?" Elysia leaned closer and asked enthusiastically.

"...I don't want a green one."

Mobius replied stubbornly.

(TL: so... do you want pink~)

----------------

"Then, Aponia..."

Elysia turned to her second conversation partner—the one who always believed in the unchangeable nature of fate. Yet now, the sorrow and unease in her gaze, was it for Elysia?

Elysia looked at her companion, who had never shown such a side before, and smiled softly.

"Even though the Deep End no longer exists, I know it still resides deep in your heart, doesn't it?"

"The threads of fate can no longer bind your steps, so, once in a while, why not step out of that cage and take a look at the world?"

"To me... the true cage lies outside the Deep End. But that no longer matters to me." Aponia said softly. There was sadness in her tone.

"I have stepped into the light."

"Because... you are here."

Aponia looked at her, sorrow glimmering in her eyes.

Perhaps, from now on, she would become her follower, serving the only divinity she believed in.

"I will remember everything about you in the Elysian Realm. Over the long years, I will revisit those memories and wait for someone with the same will as yours to arrive."

"And I will look forward to the day when this chapter is reopened by future generations."

Elysia smiled at her, her profile as beautiful as ever.

"Then... alright, I'm looking forward to it too. After all, it's my story."

-------------------

Kiana bit her lip and said,

"And now, your story is known to most people in this world..."

Her farewell stirred something within Kiana's heart, evoking a mix of sympathy and blessings for Elysia.

Although she still couldn't guess what Elysia would do next, she was sure it wasn't out of selfishness.

"Yes... Elysia, in the end, I not only found someone with the same will as yours but also the person you most wanted to see."

"Your story will be carefully retold, and the unsung ballads will once again echo through the world."

Aponia said gently, her eyes filled with joy for Elysia.

This was why she left the Elysian Realm.

Since the Realm was built for Elysia, she had no reason not to follow her.

She just didn't want her to repeat past mistakes.

Kiana, however, puffed out her cheeks in displeasure, her gaze fierce yet restrained.

She couldn't understand why Elysia was so fond of Mei.

(TL: because she is the first to visit. If it were you Kiana, then it would be too much Harem)

"Thank you, Aponia. I'm truly happy... to see that my future isn't bleak, and even more so now—it's brighter~"

Elysia smiled, accepting Aponia's blessings.

She looked at Bronya, Seele, Fu Hua, the Herrscher of Sentience, Mei, and Kiana, feeling genuinely happy.

Especially seeing almost all the "reformed" Herrschers.

She wasn't lonely, nor did she feel desolate.

---------------

The golden, resplendent crystal flower represented Eden.

"Eden... this time, we really have to say goodbye,"

She looked at Eden.

If Mobius's only true confidant was Klein, then the one who truly understood Elysia was undoubtedly Eden.

This made her even more nervous.

"I'm sorry for keeping it from you all this time. You won't hate me, right?"

She clasped her hands nervously behind her back, her gaze fixed on Eden's refined features, feeling a sudden wave of unease.

"How could I, my Elysia?"

"No matter where you are, no matter what you become, I will sing for you... until the very last moment."

Eden gazed into her bright eyes and spoke with sincerity, making a promise that belonged solely to her.

May civilization endure like starlight; may this world shine as brilliantly as gold… She had fulfilled that hope.

"Of course, after all, that was our promise..."

"No matter what kind of ending we face, we must see it through together... alright?"

------------------

"Eden... a golden, resplendent crystal flower truly suits you best."

"Do we even need to say anything more?"

Elysia gave Eden a big hug as she sat beside her.

"Elysia, I won't hold your secrets against you; don't worry," Eden said softly.

"But I care about your ending. Why not live on properly?"

She asked, hands on her hips.

"…Heh," Eden paused briefly before smiling calmly. "Then let me apologize on behalf of the other me."

"Oh, don't say that, Eden… it should be me apologizing."

Elysia hugged her tightly, resting her head against Eden's hair.

-------------

Blue, representing ice crystals, also symbolized Kevin.

"As for Kevin… honestly, I don't have much to say to you."

Finally addressing the only man present, Elysia's tone grew more formal, Kevin was someone who deserved her respect.

"You are a true hero, the unquestionable leader of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers."

"If anyone can lead humanity to a future free of Honkai, then… that person must be you."

She believed this with absolute certainty.

Elysia had entrusted the position of the first seat to Kevin not out of whimsy or her identity as a Herrscher, but because he truly possessed the resolve and ability to bear the weight of it all.

The one who always trailed behind MEI had now become a hero destined to save the world.

"But I do have one final request, an answer to the question you've never been willing to give me..."

"Kevin, if you were to cry, would your tears freeze?"

"..."

He didn't answer, and just stared at her with a usual cold face. Yet, there was a hint that his ice can break.

"I'm just asking! so don't actually cry… Try to act a bit more like a man, alright?"

"..."

"But thank you. Now… I finally know the answer."

"Look, they really do freeze..."

"...Yet, they feel so warm."

-------------

At the World Serpent base,

"This time… I suppose it answers the question you always asked," Kevin said softly, breathing a sigh of relief.

"And I've also brought the person you wanted to meet to your side, though this time, you were the one to reach out to them."

He had fulfilled a promise, and the weight on his shoulders felt slightly lighter, though almost imperceptibly so.

"Farewell, Elysia."

He closed his eyes.

-------------

"Ah… I really wish this moment could last forever,"

The girl sighed softly under a sky as dreamy as a starry dream.

"But no story lasts forever, right? So now, let's give it a perfect ending."

"If, in the distant future, you meet a 'Herrscher' like me..."

"Make sure to find a way to tell me, okay? That would make me so happy!"

She looked up at the stars, making her wish.

She glanced back at the four people behind her. Wandering through the world, she had gained many true friends, so there were no regrets.

"Because I'll know that, in the future, people won't have to face the difficult choices we do now."

"Because I'll know that the traces we've left in this world will one day become the guiding light for someone else."

"Tragedy is not the end—it is the beginning of hope."

"Only humanity could think this way, and only humanity could turn such a belief into reality."

This was why she longed so deeply to become human.

Because she had seen such beauty, such conviction, and such miracles.

Now, it was her turn to create them with her own hands.

"So, please tell me, at the very end of this story..."

"Did I… become 'human'?"

"Of course!"

The people below said.

Vill-V looked up and smiled, "Isn't that already the truth before us?"

"Tonight, there are no Herrschers here," Aponia said softly, placing her hands over her chest.

"For the one who rests here, the one whose tale will be sung through the ages, is a noble and proud warrior of the Flame-Chasers, the creator of the Thirteen..." Eden's clear voice sang, with no dissent from anyone.

"The pristine human—Elysia."

Kevin concluded with a deep breath, speaking as icy crystals shimmered faintly underfoot.

"Thank you!"

The figure on stage said.

She glanced back and smiled warmly. She had never been happier than at this moment.

"It's finally time to say goodbye..."

"Because I am a Herrscher, I might be able to do it."

"But because I am human, I will do it."

"So, my friends, my confidants, my most cherished companions…"

She spoke to all the people she loved deeply.

"Elysia's curtain call must be brilliant and beautiful, so..."

"Please, for the last time—see me off!"

And then, the stars began to move.

Where countless glowing threads had once intertwined, they now began to fade into nothingness.

It was as if a pair of hands arranging the stars were erasing the predetermined futures one by one.

A song began to rise, and fragments of forgotten stories appeared faintly.

---

"It happened long, long ago..."

"One day, She fell from the heavens. The people looked up and saw the starry sky."

"The stars and moon delivered the daughter of the gods, who chose to become a companion to humanity."

"The long wind became her chariot, the four seas her garden. Birds brought the seeds of kindness, and flowers wove songs of love."

"And so, She descended into this world, walked upon the earth, grew alongside humanity, and sprouted alongside the world."

"Now, the time of finality has come."

"Now, the time to return has arrived."

"So bid farewell, beautiful world."

"In the days to come, the stars will shine because I was here today."

"In the days to come, the flowers will bloom because I have never truly left."

"Please weave my arrows, my flowers, and my love into seeds of rebirth,"

"And let them blossom into an eternal, flawless… flower of humanity."

"My name is Elysia…"

"The First Herrscher, the Herrscher of Humanity."

-----

The scene shifted to the banquet hall, where the girl is waiting.

"Welcome, pure and noble soul, you've finally arrived here, haven't you? Self-introductions..."

"There's no need for them anymore, right?"

A familiar voice resounded, evoking a wave of emotion that made one want to cry. Pink petals danced lightly in the wind, brushing gently against the garments of the figure standing before them.

She wore a white gown, her arrival as graceful as ever, flanked by two delicate bronze bells tied to her skirt and hair. She was breathtaking.

"So, this will truly be the last time—"

"Hi, how does it feel?~"

The Herrscher girl turn around to face the viewers.

She smiled, just as she had when they first met.