Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

"How could this be..."

Alicia, who was introducing the typewriter to Raiden Mei, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise when she took out the first piece of paper from it, leaving Raiden Mei looking at her with astonishment.

"Sorry, Mei, it's nothing. It's just..."

Alicia silently hid the paper.

"Some...dark history??"

Chapter Nine Agreement

She was a very beautiful person.

My first meeting with her was not after I joined the Firemoth.

It's quite an incredible coincidence.

During the years I traveled all over the country with Himiko, I met an incredible person.

A lovely girl was starving and could barely walk.

She didn't look poor, but for some reason she was walking along the roadside clutching her stomach.

Were you scammed?

That's what I asked back then.

"Yes, I was scammed."

She said with a bitter face,

"If I had known, I should have taken half of the bread I was cheated out of."

"..."

The meaning behind that sentence took me a few seconds to process.

"Also? Half? You...you're not telling me that after you were scammed, you actually shared something with the other person?"

Do you know there are such idiots in this world?

"Yes, because she looks very hungry."

She nodded, her expression completely genuine.

"..."

For me at that time, her presence was extremely jarring.

Therefore, I did not offer her any help.

There are no absolutely kind people in this world, and pure goodwill can lead to betrayal.

Believing this, I cannot reach out.

but……

"Um, Alicia."

They, the poor children living in this city, reached out their hands.

"We're about to divide today's food, do you want to come along?"

"..."

what……

Her dirty little hands had absolutely no air of nobility.

But, but...

I feel that at that moment, in that place, she stood in a place that no one could reach.

I looked at my own hands, which were far more beautiful and cleaner than theirs, yet at the same time, they were incredibly ugly.

Even so, I did not offer any help.

But years later, she said this—

"Hi, long time no see! I felt like I recognized you yesterday, and sure enough! Welcome, my new team member! I'm Alicia, the captain of the second squad! It's so nice to see a familiar friend."

Even so, she would reach out her hand.

So, if I were given another chance...

This time, it's my turn to lend a hand.

……

"........."

The flying papers reminded Raiden Mei of the shocking words she had seen on the typewriter a few days ago.

Can……

Why did it happen again?

What exactly happened?

"This is impossible."

Su opened one eye, and he almost blurted it out.

"This……"

Padofilis held the paper, unsure of what to say...

It said on it—

Melutina is dead.

Kevin is dead.

Papers with two different languages ​​fell from the air.

Just like when Alicia disappeared before.

"asshole……"

The man, who had been suppressing his anger, unleashed a volcanic eruption of fury.

"I will make the murderer pay the price!"

"Qianjie, calm down!"

Sue pulled Gretchen over and handed her to Eden.

"The cycle of cause and effect!"

Su and Qianjie's figures disappeared.

crack.

It reappears in an already fragmented group.

But perhaps it's not that absolute.

.........

"...Oh, so you came to me to confirm?"

When Mebius saw Raiden Mei, Velvet, and Patofilis together, he wore an indescribable expression.

"...I thought your reaction would be more intense."

Raiden Mei said with some surprise,

"Well, after all, Melutina, she..."

“She is one of the Thirteen Heroes, and she is no longer a child who needs my care.”

Mebius's expression showed no change.

"Besides, the date on that paper... no, it doesn't matter."

"……time?"

For a moment, Raiden Mei felt as if something flashed through her mind.

"..."

Vervi paused, her eyes darting around.

"Sister Mei... Waaah, Sister Mei..."

Padofilis was heartbroken.

"Anyway, I don't have time for you. Goodbye."

Mebius pursed his lips, turned around and left, seemingly muttering a few words under his breath.

"Could it be... no, but if that's the case, then wouldn't she... would she really do that?"

Vilvi didn't say it aloud; she wore her unchanging smile, concealing her complex inner thoughts.

……

The night before

"You? You are... no, you are not her, who are you?!"

"Do me a favor."

"Ha, what a big mouth you have... What makes you think I can..."

"please."

"...Tell me, what do you want?"

"Your life."

"Oh? Interesting... Are your chips enough for me to bet my life?"

"Of course, because... as you can see."

"...Ha, hahaha, so that's how it is. You've already bet yourself on the table."