The collapse started when Kiana came to the door

From a rational point of view, wasting physical strength and energy for a so-called banquet on such an occasion is undoubtedly a very stupid behavior.

Especially when there is a strong enemy of the level of the Ruler of Corrosion outside, even if you don't have the intention to kill the opponent, but just fight for the purpose of venting your emotions, it is also a very undesirable behavior.

Not to mention, they are all people who essentially don't like fighting. It's better to say that even in a combat team like the Thirteen Heroes, which has different personalities, most people except Qianjie cannot feel joy in fighting.

They will fight, but it is always out of helplessness, and the same is true for both Raiden Mei and Alicia.

Fighting should always be just a necessary means to achieve a goal, and should never be the goal itself.

But only now, only in this dance, an indescribable feeling of excitement surged in the chests of Alicia and Raiden Mei at the same time.

——It’s so beautiful.

——So, feeling the other person's power is such an exciting behavior?

Look, that is the hero from 50,000 years ago. Raiden Mei thought, she loved humanity deeply, fought for humanity, and was willing to die for humanity. As the first Herrscher, how many thorns did she cut, how much history did she build, and how much suffering did she overcome? Just knowing that she could experience the power of Alicia without reservation in the process of fighting, and experience all of Alicia, an indescribable admiration and pride arose spontaneously.

The same is true for Alicia.

Look, that is the Herrscher from 50,000 years later. She overcame the shackles of Honkai with her human will. 50,000 years ago, everything she did was not in vain, her efforts were not in vain, and her sacrifice was rewarded - just knowing this, Alicia felt joy and relief from the bottom of her heart.

With the same high emotions, Alicia and Raiden Mei simultaneously burst out with unprecedented power.

They danced, they flew, they fought. On this magnificent stage, the Herrscher of Thunder and the Herrscher of Origin, the two Herrschers with humanity from the present and previous civilizations, fought with all their might and showed each other their everything without any scruples.

Chapter 167: A Story Because of You (x) Stealing a Man (√)

The fierce light overflowed from the distant sky. At noon, Raiden Mei and Alicia sat silently on the simple wooden swing, gently swinging their bodies.

The spotlights on the stage had long been turned off, and the surrounding marble floor was flat. The blooming crystal flowers and traces of the battle had disappeared, replaced by the eternal paradise that was as gorgeous and classical as ever under the midday sun.

The battle between the two Herrschers ended in an instant.

After all, the purpose of this battle from the very beginning was not to annihilate the enemy, nor to determine the winner, but simply to show the other side everything about oneself.

However, after the battle called the ball ended, Mei Raiden and Alicia, who had disarmed their Herrschers, fell into a long silence at the same time.

This is the end of it. Raiden Mei waited for Alicia to speak without saying a word, but she felt a little depressed.

Although now, Alicia was right beside her, swinging on the swing with her in the midday sun just like before, Raiden Mei knew that soon, this beautiful girl like a flower would completely lose everything she showed in front of her eyes as her paradise disappeared.

Mei Raiden didn't dare to look at Alicia's expression, because she knew that Alicia was very satisfied with her ending.

If I show even the slightest hope that Alicia would stay here, it would probably be the greatest insult to what this girl has done and what she will do next.

But even so, even though she knew that Alicia would definitely disappear, Raiden Mei couldn't help but fantasize and hope that if she could stay by her side forever, how wonderful it would be...

“I didn’t expect that in the end, I could experience the [banquet] again in this way…”

But just when Mei Raiden couldn't help but have this unrealistic expectation, Alicia's words suddenly pulled her thoughts back to reality.

Mei Raiden turned her head and saw Alicia smiling dazzlingly, as if the one who was about to disappear was not herself.

Then, she said this in a sincere tone without any regrets: "Thank you, Mei."

"..." Raiden Mei pursed her lips and opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she still couldn't say what she wanted to say, and changed the subject lightly in a calm tone: "So, this is your final appearance in the eyes of the heroes."

"Yeah." Alicia raised her eyes, her expression bright but with a hint of helplessness, as dazzling as the sun in the distance: "Those who left the table refused to fight because they believed in Alicia. Those who were present attended the banquet because they believed in Alicia. I originally hoped that fighting a common enemy would unite everyone, but in the end, I achieved my wish this way."

"..." Raiden Mei smiled silently, turned her head again, and looked at the distant sea level with Alicia.

When she got the data of Eden and the fairy Ellie, she already knew the whole process of the banquet 50,000 years ago. Aponia, Eden, and Velvet knew the truth of everything before the banquet began. Kevin, the only one who did not take the initiative to find out the truth and did not like to think about such twists and turns, did not miss the banquet just to convey the only sentence he wanted to say.

Mei Raiden finally realized what the real purpose of Kevin in reality was in wanting to recruit a Herrscher into the World Snake. It was precisely because of this knowledge that, after understanding Kevin, Mei Raiden took a deep breath.

She stood up, walked in front of Alicia under her somewhat puzzled eyes, then slightly lowered her face and looked directly into Alicia's pupils.

"I am the Herrscher of Thunder, and also the Raiden Mei." She placed her palm on her chest and introduced herself to Alicia with an unprecedented seriousness. "Although it may be a little late to say this now, but... thank you, Alicia, thank you for giving us the opportunity to fight against fate at the very beginning."

Although the Herrschers of the current civilized era did reach the state of [Metamorphosis] through their own efforts and countless hardships, at this moment, Raiden Mei, who already knew the cause and effect of everything, vowed that she would never forget that it was Alicia's past efforts that allowed them, the Herrschers of the current civilized era, to overcome these hardships.

The power of willpower is strong, but at the same time, there is a limit to what willpower can change. Mei Raiden will not deny the efforts she and Kiana have made just because of what Alicia has done, but Mei Raiden can clearly realize that everything they have now is inextricably linked to what Alicia has done.

"Oh, Mei has become so straightforward and understands me now, it's really unfair!" Alicia blushed, not sure if it was out of shame or embarrassment, "Say something like this, won't it make people even more reluctant to say goodbye?"

crit.

It would have been fine if Alicia didn't say this. As soon as she said this, Raiden Mei couldn't help but fall into silence again.

At the same time, in the southern sun, Li Shubai grabbed the arm of Kiana who wanted to rush to Raiden Mei, and shook his head helplessly.

Perhaps realizing that Raiden Mei was feeling a little down, Alicia stood up from the swing with a whoosh and a bright smile: "Well... Mei, who understands me so well, why don't you guess, what else do I want to do now?"

"...You want to take one more look at the Eternal Paradise, right?" Raiden Mei said.

"Hehe, you got it right! But there's one thing missing - it's with Mei." Alicia smiled, "Before we say goodbye, please accompany me for a walk, okay?"

Li Shubai looked at Kiana, whose soul left her body because of Raiden Mei's nod, pondered for a moment, then rummaged through the warehouse of the Hyperion, took out a green straw hat, and put it on Kiana's head with a click.

Although she said "walk around", Alicia took Raiden Mei straight to the amusement park without any hesitation.

The empty amusement park was deserted, and all the rides were in operation. Colorful street lights and neon lights lit up one after another. It was still noon in other places in the paradise, but as soon as one entered the amusement park, the sky inexplicably darkened.

Alicia once said that in a sense, the so-called eternal paradise is actually the scenery in her mind - the many dreams abandoned by people, the fairy tale kingdom and fantasy wonderland forgotten by people. Therefore, everything here is the scenery presented according to the most beautiful scene in Alicia's heart.

But in Alicia's opinion, only the colorful amusement park is the most splendid and colorful.

At this moment, both Alicia and Raiden Mei tacitly did not mention anything about the outside world.

The days when we walked together will never come again.

Even Raiden Mei briefly put down the huge rock that was pressing on her chest, and mustered up her energy as if she had completed a mission. In order not to leave any regrets, they had fun and enjoyed themselves to their heart's content, experiencing one amusement facility after another.

Then at the end, they finally got on a roller coaster that circled the entire paradise.

"No matter how many times I see it, the Eternal Paradise is always so perfect." Facing the strong wind that blew her hair into the air, Alicia excitedly watched the scenes passing by below one after another, "Mei, why don't you say a word? Are you tired from playing?"

Mei Raiden shook her head with a smile: "We are Herrschers, how could we feel tired after such a joke?"

"...Then, is it because you can't bear to leave me?" Alicia smiled.

"..."

"Oh... Mei, why are you crying?" Seeing Mei's face, Alicia's expression froze, "I don't want to cry and say goodbye to Mei. I'm a cute girl! If I cry, won't it be awkward when we meet next time?"

"...I didn't cry." Mei Raiden turned her head away, her nose twitching.

Damn it, of course I understand this truth. I am also a girl, and of course I want to show my most beautiful side in front of my best friends.

But...you're still comforting me at this time. Don't you know that it's you who's going to disappear soon?

Why can you still show a happy expression at a time like this?

Is it so that I can remember your smiling face?

If so, you have succeeded!

I will always remember your smiling face, the time we spent together, the words you said to me... and keep them in my heart, so -

"But... that's right. In this case, Mei has finally graduated from the paradise. After that... there will probably be no chance for us to meet again. I don't know when I can date Mei again." Alicia sighed and put on a mischievous expression again. "... Seeing you crying so hard, do you need me to give you a big hug before we part?"

"I told you I didn't cry." Mei Raiden said in a stiff tone.

"Really... no?" Alicia smiled mischievously.

"..." Raiden Mei stopped talking.

"Alright, alright~" Alicia reached out and patted the grumpy Mei Raiden on the shoulder, "I know Mei is reluctant to leave me, and I am also reluctant to leave you, but... at least at the end, when you say goodbye to everyone, be a little proud and hold your head high."

"after all--"

Mei Raiden did not hear Alicia's last words.

With the bright light blocking the vision, the roller coaster speeding against the wind seemed to have entered another world.

Here, Mei Raiden saw the final paths taken by each of the heroes, and their phantoms, with different expressions, sent her parting blessings.

Padofilius, Hua, Grayshu, Mebius... each of the heroes, either sincerely or awkwardly, gave their final blessings to Raiden Mei.

Finally, the roller coaster arrived at the end.

Now... is the time to really leave.

In the end, Mei Raiden, who received the blessings of all the heroes, just watched Alicia walk towards the final battlefield.

She will never forget everything these heroes have left behind, and will never forget... the story of the Thirteen Heroes who Chased Fire.

..........................................

"Is the atmosphere between you and Mei good?"

Under the dim sky, the memory of Alicia, who had parted with Raiden Mei, arrived at the final battlefield.

She raised her head, looked at her own body, and let out a sigh of relief.

"The atmosphere is really great, but... it's a little bit torturous."

"Because I deceived her?" Alicia's real body laughed.

"Deception is too bad to hear." Alicia's memory pouted at her original body in dissatisfaction, but she couldn't help but sighed, "Although I really can't refute it, this is the first time in Miss Fairy's life... maybe the second time? She told such a big lie."

"Indeed." Alicia's original body shrugged. "This feeling is really not very pleasant. After this, I must find the captain and ask him to compensate me."

"Yes, yes." Alicia's memory nodded in agreement. "After everything is over, I will ask the captain to compensate Miss Fairy for all the damage she has done to her heart."

"..." Alicia's true body fell silent.

"Hmm?" Alicia's memory tilted its head, "Why are you suddenly silent?"

"...Let me confirm this first." Alicia's real body stared straight at her own memory, and a hint of inexplicable emotion flashed across her pink pupils. "You called my captain [Captain], should it just be a courtesy?"

"Why do you think so?" Alicia's memory laughed, "Do you think I'm the kind of boring person who would address other people who have nothing to do with me by their positions?"

"..." Alicia's true form had no expression on her face. "So, you too...?"

"Yeah." Alicia's memory smiled brightly, "It's just what you think!"

With a click, a line representing rationality broke with a crisp sound.

The corner of Alicia's mouth twitched, and her expression became a little distorted: "Are you provoking me?"

"Hmm... how should I put it?" Alicia's memory touched her chin and put on a thoughtful expression. "Rather than provoking you, it's better to say that I'm making a very legitimate struggle for my own future. You are also Alicia, so you should understand my feelings~"

"...Well, of course I understand." Alicia's true body smiled. "However, since you know this, you should also be aware that as Alicia, I will never give in on issues, right?"

"I know~" Alicia's memory raised the bow handle in her hand without hesitation, "So, from the beginning, I had no intention of showing mercy--"

"Heh..." Alicia's original body also raised the bow in her hand, "Then let's give it a try and see who is the best winner!"

Chapter 4 Two Stupid Fairies (k)

In the cold corridor, Mei Raiden dragged her tired body and walked slowly. The crisp footsteps kept echoing in the dark cave-like hole.

As the winner of the crusade against the Herrscher of Corrosion, Mei Raiden did not participate in the final battle. The data space of the Paradise of the Past had completely turned into nothingness, and the Thirteen Heroes and the Herrscher of Corrosion had disappeared completely with the clearing of data, without even a trace left.

The bricks under her feet were so cold and hard, and she could smell a damp and chilly breath at the tip of her nose. Feeling this [reality] which was completely different from the paradise of the past, Mei Raiden couldn't help but think that no matter what happened, this dark corridor leading from the base of the World Serpent to the paradise of the past would not change at all.

Although she was mentally prepared to face everything when she said goodbye to Alicia, after confirming again that she had left the paradise of the past and returned completely to reality, the alone Raiden Mei still couldn't help feeling a little lonely.

But soon, her footsteps stopped.

"...?"

She looked at the dark crack that silently opened up in the void not far in front of her, and tilted her head in confusion.

For a moment, Mei Lei Dian almost instinctively thought that time had reversed, and she had just returned to the past. After all, when she was undergoing the trials given by the heroes in the paradise of the past, similar space doors appeared in front of her so frequently that they almost became a part of her daily life. So much so that when Mei Lei Dian saw this space crack for the first time, she didn't even notice anything wrong, but subconsciously raised her feet and wanted to step into it.

But the moment before she stepped into the door of this space, she shuddered all over. Her mind, which was still a little fuzzy because she had just returned to reality from paradise, suddenly became clear as if a large basin of ice water was poured into it.

"What's going on? Wasn't the data of the Paradise...completely destroyed by Alicia?" She retracted her foot that was halfway raised and almost touching the space crack, then took a step back with a swish sound, her expression slightly changed: "Could it be that this Herrscher of Erosion has not yet...?"

Although this textured space gate does look like the gate to the trial realms of the heroes, Raiden Mei knows very well that the trial realms of the heroes are something that can only be found in the paradise of the past, and in the World Serpent, there is something that can tear open this kind of space gate in reality...

...Well, it seems that there is? Raiden Mei suddenly hesitated.

Although the principle is not understood, at least as far as Mei Raiden knows, when forcibly opening the channel connecting to the quantum sea, Kevin can also easily create a hole in the empty space.

But no matter how Mei Raiden reacts or what thoughts arise in her mind, the space crack that opens in the void in front of her remains unmoved, as if inviting people to step in.

The posture that was silently floating in the air seemed to be very sure that Raiden Mei would definitely choose to enter it.

"Tsk." Raiden Mei's expression changed unpredictably for a moment, and she made a somewhat unhappy smacking sound, but in the end, after she fully armed herself and entered the complete state of the Herrscher of Thunder, she still raised her feet firmly, accepted the invitation of the owner of the space gate without hesitation, and chose to step into it.