I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

In the end, Hen seemed to understand something, and quite decisively signaled to everyone to join in blaming Kevin... Kid, this is your fault, take the blame! (Kevin: looking wronged)

In short, after much earnest persuasion and comfort, and with everyone deliberately putting on an act, Skadi reluctantly swam away... As she left, she would occasionally chirp a few times, or turn back to look at you, as if afraid you might have been fooled by others.

And you watched its figure until it disappeared into the horizon... Then, as if to say goodbye, you softly sang a gentle song, letting it drift with the flowing sea and the blowing breeze to where it was, sending it your blessings.

[Don't worry, my "blood relative," I will protect you. This time... you will never be "exterminated"—unconsciously, you and it made this decision in your hearts.]

[Should I say they truly are "blood relatives"? Hmm?]

When you see it again, you'll probably be surprised by its appearance, but... at that time, you won't know what it looks like.

[At this moment, you are looking expectantly at the approaching aircraft... Kevin's attack just now startled the other teams, who rushed over... and you finally saw them.]

Eden and Sakura...you've been reunited once again, filled with joy and relief.

Seeing you interacting intimately with Eden and Sakura, everyone felt relieved for the time being... Fortunately, you still know them, and they are willing to accept you... That's good.

As for why Kevin and Hen's aircraft disappeared, and why Kevin used "Heavenly Judgment"... they all evaded these questions. Almost everyone unanimously buried the matter between you and Skadi.

They didn't know if what they were doing was right, but... seeing your joy at the reunion, seeing your smile as you saw everyone again, they felt... they must have been right.

However, among the jubilant crowd, you noticed Alicia's exceptionally radiant smile... She seemed very happy, happy to be reunited with you, and joyful that everyone was willing to accept you... Her cheerful mood made her take light steps, and she almost slipped and fell on the ice as she approached you... Fortunately, you caught her and saved her from that fate.

[But your actions only made Alicia grab your wrist in return, and with a smile that seemed even happier than before, she greeted you, asking if you missed her, this girl as beautiful as a falling flower.]

[Hmm...you strongly suspect she did it on purpose...no, if it's Alicia, then there seems to be no doubt, she definitely did it on purpose!]

So, you answered her very seriously—no!

[Your mind is filled with Eden and Sakura! Who's Alicia? I don't know her at all!]

[Your loud and natural answer startled Alicia for a moment, but she quickly puffed out her cheeks, feigning annoyance... and gently tugged at your long, now completely white hair as a weak protest.]

The others were slightly taken aback, but upon seeing the smile on your face, they realized what was happening and burst into laughter.

And so, in this pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, you returned to "The Moth That Chases the Flame".

While the reunion is indeed a joyous occasion, you will soon have to face a rather harsh reality.

After all, the near-Herrscher-like wavelength emanating from you is undeniable, and given that the higher-ups at "Moth Chaser" have noticed your terrifying influence over the organization, it's no surprise that you've been labeled a "suspected Herrscher."

[You're not surprised by this. Rather, the fact that "Firemoth" didn't immediately label you a "Herrscher" is already the result of many people's efforts... Not only did Mebius explain your previous abnormalities as "man-made collapse," but the support the Fusion Warriors gave you afterward, and now, Kevin and the others' silence about Skadi, all of these have effectively concealed the "evidence" that could prove you are a "Herrscher."]

[Furthermore, with Wright's strong support for you in Parliament, even if the higher-ups at "Firemoth" intend to target you, this is the best they can do.]

As for the arrangement to detain you after being identified as a "suspected Herrscher"... well, sorry, that's not possible.

Don't ask why, I just can't do it!

Putting everything else aside, the best prison for "Moths of Flame"—"The Deepest Place"—is full of people who support you, and there was even a riot because of you before. If you were thrown in there now... I don't even want to think about the scene.

[Moreover, even if a request for detention were made, absolutely no one would carry it out. The higher-ups at "Moth Chaser" all know that they absolutely cannot use overly forceful orders at this time, otherwise the entire "Moth Chaser" might turn into "Little Fengxian" and stab them in the back.]

Therefore, although you were labeled a "suspected Herrscher," this claim was not communicated to the entire "Firemoth" organization. Only the higher-ups and Fusion Warriors knew about it. At the same time, the imprisonment that should have been imposed on you was turned into a painless "house arrest"... well, the kind where you can move around freely except for not being allowed to leave the base.

[You don't seem to mind, after all, compared to the "previous" situation, this arrangement is much better... Oh dear, aren't you a little too easily satisfied?]

Hmm...maybe it's just because the contrast is too stark. After all...this time, there are so many people standing beside you."

However, as you know, this trust is actually very fragile, because there is one irrefutable reason that is enough to crush most people and make them hesitate—for the sake of humanity, the "Herrscher" must be "punished."

And you, who will eventually become a "Herrscher," will inevitably face this fate.

So... before that, you have to take care of a lot of things.

--------

"Humph~?"

It was already evening, and Xi Wang was happily humming a song in her room.

Although he was under "house arrest," Xi Wang wasn't under much surveillance... Anyway, no one wanted to monitor him, and the guards assigned to watch over him were taking it easy... In fact, quite a few people were very happy with the job, since being able to get close to Xi Wang and hear him humming songs was a great privilege!

However, Xi Wang wouldn't cause too much trouble for everyone, so as to prevent the higher-ups of "Moth Chasing Fire" from picking on others.

And then, today...

"Alicia, come in, the door's unlocked~"

"...Oh dear, have we been found out~?"

After a brief silence, Alicia's cute and light voice came from outside the door. She carefully pushed open the door and peeked inside. Alicia asked with some curiosity.

"I haven't seen Eden and Sakura today... How strange~?"

"We won't be together all the time; everyone has their own things to do, right?"

Xi Wang said with a bit of a laugh.

"Besides, Alicia lingered at the door for so long, I would have noticed even the lightest footsteps, right?"

"Oh my, Xiwang really pays attention to me! I'm so happy!"

"Well, after all, Alicia is so cute."

"You can praise me more, okay?"

Alicia responded in a cheerful tone.

"…………"x2

A brief silence broke between the two.

Alicia hesitated, while Xiwang waited.

"Xi Wang".

"Well, I'm here."

"Are you a [Herrscher]...?"

"Do you want me to be?"

Xi Wang smiled and asked in return, with a meaningful look.

"........."

Alicia couldn't give an answer.

“Alishia, you don’t need to say it, I already know.”

"Eh?"

"You don't have to tell me, and... it's best not to tell anyone else either, it would be too dangerous. After all... with two [suspected Herrschers] present, the current 'Fire Moth' can't afford such suspicion."

"Ehhhh?!"

Alicia's eyes widened, looking somewhat taken aback.

"You already know?"

"Hmm~ That's quite rare, Alicia looks surprised."

"...Then why not? We're all the same. Everyone likes us, everyone trusts us...Look, even now, everyone's standing by your side, aren't they?"

"No, Alicia, we are different."

Xi Wang patiently waited for Alicia to finish speaking before slowly shaking her head, denying her statement.

"Alicia, you are beautiful, radiant, like a falling flower, like the beginning of a story, as beautiful as a fairy tale, attracting everyone's attention, so that everyone will be willing to continue reading this [story]."

"And I am similar to you, yet different."

"Alicia, what kind of story do you think is the most memorable?"

Xi Wang slightly changed the subject and asked.

"Of course, it's a beautiful story~"

"Yes, that's right. A good comedy is always delightful and makes people smile involuntarily."

Xi Wang nodded, then turned and asked.

"So, could you tell me? Which of these 'beautiful stories' do you remember, and what were the details like?"

Wow~ Really? Then I'll have to tell you!

Alicia clapped her hands excitedly, and then began to tell Xiwang about all the wonderful things she had seen.

Xi Wang listened quietly with a smile, nodding occasionally to show that she wasn't daydreaming.

"...Xi Wang, are you unhappy?"

Alicia slowly stopped and asked Xiwang... because she noticed that Xiwang didn't seem to show much emotion because of the story she was telling, just a smile, just gentleness, just... calmness.

That's all.

"No, no~ On the contrary, I'm quite happy... and you can actually remember so many wonderful things, that's so great of you~ Alicia."

"Then why..."

"Because I've already heard it~"

"Have you heard of it?"

Alicia was taken aback.

"Because you told me these things before...and these beautiful stories sustained me for a long time afterward~"

"What's the meaning……"

Alicia felt like she could vaguely touch something, but... she just couldn't grasp it.

"nothing."

Xi Wang gently shook her head and continued the previous topic.

"However, I'm really glad, Alicia, that you can remember these things, even the details... That's something most people can't do~"

"After all, a beautiful story must have a beautiful and satisfying ending... where all the regrets mentioned in the story are made up for, the reader is satisfied, and finally, closes the book with satisfaction, indicating that they have finished reading the story."

"After that, people's memories of this story will be folded, simplified, and eventually become general... like the story that can be summarized in a very short sentence, such as 'the hero and his companions went through hardships and finally defeated the demon king, restoring peace to the world.'"

"Because people already know that the ending of this story is beautiful and satisfying, and they have no regrets about this story, they will not write it down. They only need to remember that the final result is good, and that is enough."

"So often... what leaves a deep impression is not comedy, but tragedy, because the regrets in it are so profound that they are unforgettable."

Xi Wang shook her head slightly and spoke in a calm and relaxed tone.