The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Why did she disappear? And was she willing to just vanish like that?

"Alicia, I hope you can tell me what exactly you mean by 'disappearance.' Could it be... that Herrscher was so powerful that you couldn't even fight against her, and that you had to sacrifice yourself to defeat her?"

Kiana asked slowly.

The law maker of humanity was the original law maker. You must know that this was the law maker of a pre-civilization. Logically and emotionally, how could it be that it was no match for a law maker of a later era?

When faced with this question, Alicia did not answer directly.

She wore a kind smile, her eyes revealing goodwill and joy.

"Hmm~ If I say it directly, it'll make me seem like a very casual girl. Kiana, can you tell me something from the heart?"

"Truth or dare? Sure, what do you want to hear? But let me make it clear beforehand, there are some questions I might not be able to answer."

Kiana had no ill intentions toward Alicia, but there were some secrets she couldn't let Alicia know.

It's not that I'm worried about anything bad happening, but rather that it will be troublesome to explain later.

After all, some things might be beyond her comprehension.

"What? Why are you making such a cute face? Are you afraid someone will dig out all your secrets? Hehe, okay~ I won't ask any difficult questions. Is that alright?"

Alicia put her hands behind her back and said coquettishly.

Knowing how to read people, she naturally noticed something amiss.

However, she didn't delve into it further, but simply chuckled softly, which was taken as tacit agreement.

It's okay for girls to have their own secrets.

"Alright. Kiana, I have something to ask you, and please don't hide it from me. I won't force you; I'll just ask you gently. If you're willing to tell me, I'll choose to believe you. If not, I won't force you. But I want to say that I can be tolerant and accepting of anything, because I believe that many miracles exist in this world, and I believe I can find them."

Kiana hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Alright then."

Since Alicia asked her that question, she had no choice but to tell the truth, since she didn't want to argue with Alicia at this critical juncture.

Although this is merely a paradise eroded by destruction, it no longer truly exists.

All that remains is a fragment of data...

"Well then, answer me a small question first? Do you...like Mei?"

Huh? This... asking this kind of question right off the bat?

Kiana's lips twitched slightly, surprised by Alicia's bluntness.

But is there even a need to ask this question?

"Of course I like it. From a long, long time ago until the end of my life, this feeling will never change."

Kiana placed her hand on her heart and said solemnly.

Although it's something that would be embarrassing to say in front of the person involved, Kiana doesn't think there's any need to hide it.

"is that so..."

After hearing Kiana's candid words, Alicia's smile became even gentler.

Seeing her expression, Kiana raised her hand with a slight puzzlement and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I'm just really happy."

Alicia spoke softly, then truthfully explained the reason for her joy: "So, you care about Mei's friend, whom she doesn't like to talk about much. Hmm... I hope you can maintain your feelings, and as for the future..."

Alicia didn't continue speaking after that.

To be honest, the tone of her voice was quite sorrowful and regretful.

To put it bluntly, it's like giving a final message...

It was precisely because of this tone that Kiana belatedly realized that Alicia might really be about to tell her something, something not good...

"This place... is a paradise of the past, a resting place that heroes never had. I think you, Kiana, understand this now that you've come here."

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"If I could, I really wish this time could last longer, but for the sake of humanity... this is the only way."

As Alicia spoke, she slowly turned around and looked at the paradise environment that was falling apart.

This is a hidden area of ​​paradise, where the truth is concealed by heroes.

That is, myself...

Now that the outer perimeter of Paradise has fallen, how long can this place still exist?

Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to let the story of Paradise come to an end.

"From now on, I may not be able to look after Mei anymore, so I can only ask you for help."

"is that so?"

"Hmm. And there's one more question."

"Do you like me?" Alicia asked with a playful expression, her hands behind her back.

Kiana was dumbfounded when she heard her second question.

Are you... really someone who's about to disappear?

"Ahem! Why do you ask that?"

"Because I would be even happier if I could be liked by a girl like Kiana~ Of course, if you feel it's too much to ask, she won't be upset."

Alicia spread her hands and said gently.

Throughout, her attitude could be described as quite playful and relaxed.

They showed absolutely no sense of urgency or tension about their territory being invaded by foreign enemies.

It gives me a strange feeling, like I'm about to take my friends out for fun...

Kiana thought for a moment, then nodded: "To be honest, I admire and respect you."

"Huh? Admiration and respect... does that count as liking or disliking? Anyway, it's fine. I believe you'll like me in the future."

Alicia turned around and smiled, a beautiful smile that instantly made Kiana feel as if she were bathed in a spring breeze.

The two of them just stared at each other without saying a word.

Kiana could sense that Alicia's unspoken words seemed to express her desire to continue accompanying her companions.

However, for the sake of the humanity she loves, she must embark on a path of no return...

"Thank you, Kiana, thank you for coming back."

Answer my question, hmm... I'm so happy.

Although Alicia had a smile on her face, Kiana sensed a hint of regret in her tone.

Perhaps this is her true feeling? Or perhaps, from the moment they met until now, she has actually been revealing her true feelings.

This slight regret is the last trace of regret she felt after choosing the path of self-sacrifice.

"Let's leave here, Mei is waiting for us."

Alicia slowly extended her hand to Kiana, her face radiating a saintly compassion.

For some reason, Kiana felt a strange sense of being moved when she looked at her like this.

"Um..."

Kiana let out a long sigh of relief, then extended her hand.

When the five fingers intertwined, a soft and warm sensation came over them.

It gives you the wonderful feeling of being bathed in sunlight...

While Kiana was slightly taken aback, Alicia smiled sweetly: "You can look at me more boldly now, after all, I've been looking at you the whole time~"

"Hmm... let's go."

Realizing that she had received Alicia's help, Kiana slowly nodded.

The two then walked toward the open golden gate.

For Kiana, the other side of the door meant hope, but for Alicia, it meant utter destruction.

After all, she is data within Paradise; if she chooses this path, then everything will end.

However, Alicia still chose this path, just as the heroes, even given a second chance under the influence of the Herrscher of Corruption, would still choose to protect humanity...

They, though valiant and outstanding, deserve the title of heroes...

...

Inside the fake Hyperion, a silver-haired, red-eyed girl sat with her legs crossed in the pilot's seat.

"So boring~"

She rested her chin on her hand, casually watching the 'people' bustling around.

These 'people' included men and women, fat and thin, and at first glance they were just normal Hyperion crew members.

But the girl knew very well that these were nothing more than Honkai Beasts disguised in human skin.

And now, in this paradise, there are many, many more similar Honkai Beasts.

How much? She herself didn't know.

In any case, as long as the goal of destroying humanity can be achieved, then no matter how many Honkai Beasts are needed.

The reason these Honkai Beasts disguise themselves as humans is entirely due to their own will.

"I didn't expect to be able to steal so much data from this unexpected visitor? Heh, what a pleasant surprise."

The silver-haired girl rested her chin on her hand, her red eyes revealing a sickly obsession.

As the Herrscher of Corruption, she possesses unique abilities that other Herrschers do not have.

It was precisely because of this ability that she realized Kiana's extraordinary nature.

By comparing and integrating her limited data with Mei's data, she was able to seize such a large amount of power.

This pair of partners is truly a match made in heaven, isn't it?

Haha, but soon, there will be a third party between them.