I already said this is not a life simulator!

"Xiwang?"

"........."

"Xiwang? Are you listening?"

"Hmm? Ah... Sorry, I was spaced out for a while."

"Really? You're standing there in front of a cute girl like me, and yet you're still in a daze... That's too much, isn't it?"

Alicia reached out and gently tapped Xiwang's nose, saying with a little dissatisfaction.

"And this was when Eden was singing for us... Being distracted isn't something a good listener should do~?"

"Feel sorry."

Xiwang understood that it was his own fault, so he lowered his head slightly in the direction of Eden and apologized softly.

"It's okay, I don't care about this kind of thing."

Eden smiled lightly and shook his head to show that he didn't care, but then he looked puzzled and asked worriedly.

"But you, Xiwang, you seem to be easily distracted recently... Did something happen?"

"If you need any help, Xiwang, you can tell us. I will help you~?"

Alicia also said so.

"Nothing, it's just... it's a little too noisy here."

When this was mentioned, Xi Wang looked embarrassed, as if he was troubled by something.

"noisy?"

Alicia and Eden looked around...there were only three of them here.

Originally, this was a place reserved for Eden to rest and practice. As a major "sponsor" of the "Fire Moth", she deserved this small privilege.

After encountering the "Seventh Great Collapse", Eden no longer performed on stage. At most, he would practice by himself in this quiet place every day to maintain his own level... Occasionally, he would invite Xiwang and others to listen, but that was all.

The same was true today. Eden invited Xi Wang to come and listen to her songs, hoping to get some advice or inspiration from him... Even though Xi Wang has changed his "appearance" now and almost no longer sings, they don't care about it as they are "confidants" to some extent.

Alicia happened to run into the two of them, and she was also on break, so Eden invited her to come and listen.

In other words, there were only three of them here, and just now, there was only Eden's singing here, so what exactly did Xiwang mean by "noise"?

"Xiwang, what are you talking about... There are only three of us here?"

Alicia tilted her head in confusion and asked Xiwang.

"...Well, it's true that there are only three of us, but...tsk...how can I tell you?"

Xi Wang held his forehead with some distress, as if he was stuck in some kind of dilemma.

"But there are actually more than just the three of us here."

"……what?"

"Alicia, you know, Eden is very popular. Her previous concerts were always sold out, so... actually a lot of people like to listen to her songs, and now, there happens to be such an opportunity to hear them, so... they all came over."

"Xiwang, what on earth are you talking about..."

Alicia's face looked a little strange.

"They... You don't mean to say that there are other people here besides us? Like ghosts or something?"

"...You can also say that."

Xiwang nodded.

"...Are you serious?"

"Ah."

Xiwang nodded again.

"...No, doctor, how can you believe in these supernatural things?"

"But under the influence of Honkai, anything is possible, isn't it?"

"…Is there anything you can prove?"

Alicia thought for a moment, then asked.

She was willing to believe Xi Wang's words, because Xi Wang had said similar things to Mobius and Wei Wei, so Mobius and Wei Wei had been studying this point desperately recently.

Weiwei was worried that Xiwang was affected by the Honkai, while Mebius felt that she seemed to have discovered a ladder for life to "evolve", so he tried every means to get in touch with the "them" that Xiwang mentioned... Both of them have even neglected sleep and food for this matter.

Fortunately, Velvet had exercised regularly in the past, so her body was able to hold on. However, after becoming a "fusion warrior", Mebius became more and more unbridled, often conducting research day and night without eating or drinking, which made people worry that she would suddenly die (in fact, this really happened).

Even when Xiwang was chatting with others, he had inadvertently revealed similar things, but these were not taken seriously by others. Instead, they were regarded as a "suspicious point" to prove that "Xiwang at this time" was not "Xiwang before"... After all, how could a "doctor" say such mysterious things? Right?

Sure enough, the current Xiwang is nothing more than an "artificial monster" created by Mobius and Vilvi. It is just a "thing" covered with the skin of "Xiwang" - many people believe so.

Come to think of it, Xi Wang never seems to shy away from this matter and is willing to discuss it, but... unfortunately, not many people are willing to believe it.

And more importantly...

"I'm sorry, Alicia."

Xiwang said softly.

"I can't prove anything to you, because the way to prove it is to let people [die] and let them [be liberated]."

“…That’s really bad.”

Alicia was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly.

"Is there no way to prove it indirectly?"

“…Actually, there are, but you can’t see them.”

"what?"

"Some time ago, wasn't there news that someone was suddenly infected with "ore disease"? And there was also an incident where a patient who was still undergoing treatment was engulfed by "ore disease" and eventually his body was broken into pieces?"

"Well, you, Xiwang, bore a lot of blame for this incident... After all, the way they died was exactly the same as the way you freed the Seventh Herrscher."

Alicia nodded and remembered what Xiwang said, but that was just a small sudden incident. Soon after that, there was no one who was engulfed by "ore disease" for inexplicable reasons... But there are still people who are suddenly infected with "ore disease".

According to the subsequent investigation of "Fire Moth", this situation first occurred after [Xi La] appeared and before Xi Wang completed the operation, but the earliest case was not taken seriously... In other words, this is not actually Xi Wang's problem, and it is still [Xi La], this special Honkai beast, that caused all this.

Although the detailed reasons are still unknown, the Fire-Chasing Moth speculates that it was because of the "Originium Dust" spread by Xila. This dust is mixed in the air and cannot be detected by the naked eye. It can be inhaled into the body inadvertently.

When the amount of "Originium dust" accumulated in the body reaches a certain level, it will cause "ore sickness"... In addition, mining "Originium", using "Originium weapons", and even those who are engulfed by "Originium sickness" will turn part of their bodies into dust when they are broken, which in turn increases the content of "Originium dust" in the air.

In other words, as long as we continue to use things like "Originium", the environment of the entire world will become worse and worse, and in the end... maybe everyone will be infected with "Ore Disease".

But now that "Originium Energy" has formed a complete profit chain, the "Fire Moths" will not stop using this "convenient" thing... and they are unwilling to bear the stigma of "polluting the air and dragging all mankind into chronic death."

So, who can take responsibility?

Hmm...if you think about it carefully, the way Xiwang freed the Herrscher was very similar to the way those who were engulfed by "Ore Disease" disappeared. In that case...let him be a "shield"!

Anyway, he has already been judged as a "man-made monster" by others, so it wouldn't be too much to bear one more bad reputation, right?

Therefore, with the instigation of some people with ulterior motives, Xi Wang was inexplicably burdened with a "bad reputation"... Although there was no concrete evidence, the corresponding suspicions never stopped.

Of course, the few people who have a good relationship with Xi Wang are naturally willing to believe him. After all, as a "doctor", there is no reason for Xi Wang to let others be infected with "ore disease".

Even if he gave [Liberation], Xiwang only gave [Ruler], and only once. Does this prove anything?

But judging from Xiwang’s current attitude...it seems that the actual situation is not like this?

"Wait a minute, Xiwang, you don't mean to say... this matter is related to the "them" you mentioned?"

Alicia reacted and said in surprise.

"That's about right... They didn't know their own situation at the time, so it led to some tragedy... Or maybe not? After all, when they met, the scene was still quite awkward."

Xi Wang's expression became a little strange.

"If I had to use an analogy... it's probably like a ghost wanted to ask you for help, but accidentally scared you to death, and then you turned into a ghost, and then the two of you just stared at each other..."

"Uh... Phew... It's a little embarrassing to think about it, but it also seems a little funny."

"That's about it."

Xiwang sighed.

"So after that, they were very careful... but sometimes they still wanted to touch their friends or relatives who were still alive, so there were signs that many people were inexplicably infected with the "Honkai Disease."

"I have tried to dissuade them, but... you know, you can't stop missing someone, and you can't contain your emotions. Often they won't stop until they realize that their touch causes distress or even fear to their relatives and friends."

"So I can only try my best to prevent them from doing something that they will regret, and, if necessary..."

Xi Wang was silent for a while, then smiled.

"I will do it for them. After all, I am the most special one here."

"........."

"[Still alive]...Xiwang, do you mean... they are already dead?"

Alicia fell silent, while Eden beside her noticed the wording in Xiwang's words.

"If you think that losing the body is death... then, yes, they are already dead."

Xiwang nodded.

"Just like me."

"...Xiwang, what are you talking about? Aren't you still standing in front of us?"

"But this body is the work of Mebius and Velvet, isn't it? My body has been crystallized and shattered, isn't it?"

"........."

"But if we change our thinking and regard the spirit, or even the ethereal soul, as proof of human survival...they are undoubtedly still alive, but in a more unique and wonderful way."

Xiwang lowered his eyelids slightly.

"The body is nothing but the shackles of the mind, the chains that bind the spirit, and the container that binds the soul. Breaking it may be another kind of [liberation]..."

"...Xiwang, your words just now are somewhat dangerous, right?"

"Ok, I know."

In response to Alicia's reminder, Xi Wang just nodded calmly.

"But... after seeing another way for people to survive without suffering from the Honkai, or even without suffering, to be honest, it's hard for me not to be tempted."

"And all that is required is... just [liberation]."

Xi Wang sighed, then gave a faint smile.

"But please don't show such doubt and vigilance, Alicia."

"It is difficult for me to explain to you what I saw... people tormented by misery and suffering, physically, mentally and spiritually."

"I slowly watched their bodies filled with scars, their spirits becoming broken, their souls becoming fragmented... and finally slowly diluting, withering, and finally dying."

"Just like you back then, Eden."

Xiwang looked at Eden beside him and said softly.

"Under the raging fire, you stayed alone on the stage, letting the wailing flow into your ears, letting the raging fire burn everything you could see... At that time, your spirit and your soul were also on the verge of withering."

"........."

Eden looked at him in surprise.

"At that time, you thought about dying along with the stage, right?"

"…Indeed."

Eden hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly with some helplessness and a little joy.

She was helpless that Xi Wang could actually see her condition at that time, but she was also happy that Xi Wang could actually see her condition at that time.

"Eden?"

Alicia tilted her head in surprise and grabbed Eden's arm with concern.

"How come I don't know about this?"