Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

And Melutina, the cool young girl with dragon horns, was standing next to her with her hands in her pockets.

"So when you say 'taking care of the child,' you mean Gretchen."

Raiden Mei chimed in.

“Gresh said that you and Paddo met her in Paradise.”

Melutina looked at Raiden Mei, and for some reason, Raiden Mei felt a sense of unease for a moment, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"I never expected you'd go on to challenge the Thousand Tribulations... What, you've finally come to your senses and decided to end your own life?"

“I just have questions about Aponia’s prophecy.”

Raiden Mei said,

Do you believe in Aponia's prophecies?

"A person's destiny is their character. Raiden Mei, believing or not believing is just a choice. What you need to do is not to make a choice."

Melutina glanced at her and said.

"...You're right."

Raiden Mei remained silent for a moment before accepting this explanation.

"By the way, Gretchen... why did she become one of the Thirteen Heroes?"

"Because she was one of the last fusion warriors. But originally, neither she nor Paddo belonged to the combat unit, and Gretchen wasn't even strictly speaking a member of the Firemoth."

Melutina frowned and said.

"Then why... did Gretsch become a Fusion Warrior?"

Raiden Mei asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Because of her physical condition, the only way for her to survive is to become a fusion warrior."

Melutina said calmly.

"I see. It's clear that Gretchen and you are very close. Are you her guardian?"

Raiden Mei asked.

"I suppose they're one of the guardians, like Sister Aponia and Dr. Mebius."

“Mebius… I heard from Alicia that your relationship with Mebius is not ordinary. In fact, I heard you mention the origin of the World Serpent in real life.”

Raiden Mei then asked,

"But in my opinion, you are not a fanatical follower of Mebius's ideas. On the contrary, you are more negative than any hero in everything."

"It seems that even after fighting Qianjie, your habit of speaking without restraint has not changed."

Melutina said unhappily.

"The Doctor doesn't need my help, and my relationship with her isn't one of understanding or following. The Doctor's confidant, both then and now, is only one person."

And, Raiden Mei, you'd better not delve any further into my privacy if you don't want to fight me again.

"Okay, let's change the subject."

"Knowing your mistakes but not correcting them, a master of stepping on landmines," said Raiden Mei.

"Regarding Gretchen's parents... I heard from Möbius that Gretchen's mother was her assistant."

"...Sometimes I really want to beat you into a pig's head and throw you out of Paradise."

Melutina's forehead veins bulged, but she held back, after all, she was next to Gretsch.

"Blanca was the Doctor's first assistant, Klein was the second. Then came Cangxuan and Danzhu, and finally me. Is there a problem?"

"Klein? The maintainer of paradise, also called Klein."

Raiden Mei remembered that little guy with green hair.

"Can't you tell that's an armed doll? Senior Sister Klein is the prototype for it."

Melutina said, frowning.

“I heard some of her stories. The Möbius in her story, who liked instant noodles and hated pickled radishes, was more like a human being than the one I met.”

"That just means you don't understand the doctor."

"That's undeniable."

Raiden Mei readily admitted it.

"At least, judging from your reaction, her attitude towards Gretchen is purely one of goodwill."

"In Paradise, if you want to commit suicide quickly, the best way is to make Gretchen cry."

Melutina raised an eyebrow.

"You can try it. I guarantee that before the prophesied date, there will be nothing left but ashes, and you will get the answer you want."

"no."

Raiden Mei shook her head.

"I really wish you could be more honest with me."

"Raiden Mei, do you know that you lack self-awareness?"

Melutina was stunned by her shamelessness.

"No matter what, I will reach that date, and I will overcome it."

Raiden Mei left behind a harsh remark and walked away without looking back.

"..."

Melutina glanced at her, then turned her head away.

"Gresch, do you like that older sister?"

"like."

Greta finally looked up from the painting and nodded.

"why?"

"Because... Mei-neechan doesn't have any bad intentions."

Greta said earnestly.

"Yes, that's why I don't dislike her, because..."

Melutina said softly.

"Actually, the truly selfish person is me."

.........

Change is an unavoidable objective reality.

This day will surely come; everyone knows that.

I don't want to accept it.

But we have to accept it.

Then let's accept it.

"What a beautiful place. Is this her memory?"

Melutina stood among the flowers, with Gretchen beside her.

"Alice's color is very pretty."

Greta looked up at this unfamiliar place.

"Did she overcome the prophecy, or was there no prophecy at all, Sister Aponia?"

Melutina looked to the other side, and Aponia walked out of the door.

"I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Melutina."

Aponia smiled, a faint smile as always.

Is this necessary?

“Of course. But you are the one who… surprised me, Melutina.”

Aponia's eyes flickered with emotion.

"Gresh".

Melutina nodded, then looked at Gretchen.

"?"

Gretchen looked at her, puzzled.

"Could you keep something for me?"

Melutina reached out and placed a gray crystal flower in Gretchen's hand.

"Don't lose it!"

"Melutina..."

Aponia didn't understand the purpose of this action, but that didn't prevent her from interpreting it as a subtle reminder from Melutina.

"Then, Gretchen, please keep it safe for me too."

Aponia chose to believe, and she also took out a crystal flower and placed it in Gretchen's hand.

"This is... Alicia's color..."

Greta looked at the two crystal flowers, then looked up at the two people closest to her.

"Gresh".

Melutina knelt on the ground, holding Gretsch's small hand.

"Then... I'll leave it to you."

.........