Honkai Impact: I, The Herrscher of Ice, Am Loved By Players

Chapter 215 - 215: The Ultimate Goal of Ellie Fans is Becoming Ellie Themselves

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After taking a shower and changing into clothes designed by Eden, Ana descended the stairs with Elysia. What made Elysia unique was her ability to make every day feel like the early stages of a passionate romance; thus, even while walking downstairs, she held Ana's hand tightly.

"You're making me seem like a princess guarded by a prince, but that's not how it should be!" protested Ana, muttering under her breath. Her words weren't unfounded; clearly, she was the creator of this world, its true ruler, yet this situation portrayed her more like a fragile damsel in need of protection. What was the meaning behind that?

Honestly, though, it did feel quite nice.

"Oh my, does Ana want to be the prince too?" Elysia teased, slowly moving closer until she cornered Ana against the wall at the staircase landing. Facing Ellie, Ana inwardly gritted her teeth.

Ana! Don't succumb any further. You must defeat this Witch and assert your dominance over her! Prove yourself before these Heroic Spirits!

"I'm sorry, whatever you prefer is fine." Ana conceded with a graceful kneel.

This wasn't about strength; facing Elysia, Ana always found herself subdued. Elysia truly understood her all too well, completely mastering their dynamic.

"Ah, if only Mobius could be as open-minded as you, it would be perfect." With a smile upon seeing Ana's submission, Elysia then displayed a hint of regret, which instantly put Ana on guard.

"Mobius... sniffle, Ellie, don't tell me you're replacing me?"

"How could I? Darling, you've always been my favorite!"

"Hmph, you fall in love with everyone you meet!"

"Darling, why so jealous? I love you and everyone here equally." Elysia gently cupped Ana's face.

"Thank you, Ana."

"Hey, what's with all this sudden mushiness?" Ana instinctively looked away, her cheeks flushing slightly. Ellie rarely expressed gratitude; they both understood it wasn't necessary between them. However, hearing these words now did make her feel... somewhat pleased.

Praise me, give me more compliments! Thank me even more! These sentiments were almost written across Ana's face. After all, at heart, she was not much different from any ordinary person. In fact, considering life experiences, she arguably fell short compared to Elysia.

After all, Elysia had existed within the Elysian Realm for 50,000 years, while Ana... still retained some childlike qualities, which was inherently part of her nature.

However, circumstances and her role prevented her from openly displaying this youthful side, much like Mei.

In front of the one she loves, Mei also desires to embrace her girlish demeanor, but the immense pressure and responsibility of saving the world force her to keep her emotions and affection deeply hidden within her heart.

Similarly, Ana faces the same constraints. In the current Elysian Realm, it serves as a place where she can truly be herself, given that she is its Creator, free to do as she pleases.

Moreover, her love for the Heroic Spirits is no less than Elysia's. Although she never had the chance to personally experience their era or fight alongside them, their stories remain etched deep in her memory.

In essence, she too stands as proof of their existence.

Stories can only exist when shared and remembered, just like these long-departed Heroic Spirits.

Although they were memory fragments, in a sense, they represented Ana's recollection of them. In truth, creating a world line free from Honkai within reality wouldn't be difficult for her now.

She remembers them, and with this knowledge, she could theoretically deduce their entire existence backward. However, those versions would not be the same individuals Ana knew intimately.

While she mocked Otto, ironically, Ana herself was also trapped within this predicament.

Despite the Garden of Eden's allure, the real-world Ana still yearned to bring back the true Elysia amidst actuality.

The one accepting the Elysian Realm is Ana, who has ascended from being a mere memory fragment to possessing consciousness. Precisely because she originated as a memory fragment, everything here feels entirely genuine to her.

This experience, despite sharing a unity with other Anas, remains uniquely hers—belonging solely to this particular Ana's world.

However, for the Ana existing within this realm, it matters little.

After all, much like Mobius' choice, she won't leave the Elysian Realm either. Though part of Ana, she identifies primarily as a memory fragment, absolving her of any obligation or emotional burden.

To her, this Elysian Realm is real. Within this realm of consciousness and memories, she can create new possibilities.

At the top of the stairs, Elysia gazed at the girl before her, reflecting on everything that had transpired during their time together.

"Hmm... Why do I feel like there's something about you now that seems similar to me?" Finally, Elysia voiced this question. Its answer wouldn't affect their relationship, but she couldn't help her curiosity.

Well, perhaps it wasn't exactly curiosity; rather, she already had an inkling, seeking confirmation from Ana herself.

"Because your presence here serves as my motivation to remain." Ana smiled softly.

"Elysia, did you know? In another world beyond ours, countless individuals cherish and adore you just as much as I do." Ana paused briefly before continuing.

"In addition, I once heard a saying: 'A true Ellie fan strives to become Ellie.'"

"Become me?"

A hint of surprise flickered in Elysia's eyes, but swiftly, her face broke into a smile.

"Darling, are you teasing me?"

Although Ellie trusted Ana, hearing that many people admired her from beyond their world felt... not overwhelming, but rather quite peculiar. She wasn't unfamiliar with the concept of parallel worlds, but even then, it seemed improbable...

"It's alright... I can take you there," Ana said with a warm smile, leading Elysia to the Present World. Technically, they wouldn't truly leave the Elysian Realm, as it exists within the Honkai World; only stepping into the Honkai World itself could be considered leaving the realm.

"Oh, now I'm really looking forward to it!" Elysia chuckled softly before leaning down and kissing Ana tenderly.

Notably, just outside the staircase entrance was the living and dining area, with its door currently open. Master Qian, wearing a face mask, was setting prepared dishes onto the table.

In the present Elysian Realm, he had become a chef—well, technically, the housekeeper for this Golden Courtyard.

He mentioned wanting to protect his family through different means, as peace eluded the current Garden of Eden world. For balance, Ana naturally introduced some villains too.

Or rather, there was no need for introductions; good and evil are inherent aspects of human nature. They would emerge naturally over time.

However, considering the power of the Heroic Spirits within the Golden Courtyard, this housekeeper... Well, okay, a housekeeper is still necessary, but security duties aren't required.

As for Pardo... she turned into a recluse, spending her days curled up in her plush costume, basking in the sun and taking long naps. No one minded, since it aligns perfectly with Pardo's dream.

Occasionally, she did assist the Great Magician with his tricks, though she never touched anything related to doors. Even when returning to her room, she preferred using the window.

"Brother Kal, is their secret planning really alright?"

In reality, Pardo observed every subtle gesture and whispered conversation between Ana and Elysia. Leaning forward, she enjoyed snacks prepared by Kalpas while keeping an eye on them.

Perhaps Kalpas' culinary skills were average initially, but given his unwavering determination, he quickly honed them within a short period. His dishes now earned everyone's approval, and Pardo enjoyed them thoroughly, not really minding their origin.

After all, as a former information broker turned into the captain of lounging and gossiping, Pardo naturally relished any juicy news.

"Eat your snacks, why do you care about them!" Kalpas glared at her, speaking indifferently. Over time, he had settled into this role comfortably. Moreover, Kalpas has always been clear-cut with love and hatred, and he couldn't forget how Ana transformed the Elysian Realm into its current state.

Thus...he chose to turn a blind eye.

Besides, what does it have to do with him? He wasn't naive either; clearly, over there is just...never mind, anyway, it's none of his concern.

That was Kalpas for you.

Under Kalpas' glare, Pardo shrank back slightly. It's hard to explain, but she did harbor some fear towards Kalpas. Nonetheless, she understood the importance of prioritizing matters.

The present Elysian Realm was no longer like before, teeming with numerous digital life forms, and she...well, she had quite a big mouth, often spilling information when asked. Therefore, it was best to...

With these thoughts, Pardo retreated back into her doll attire, occasionally reaching out for snacks. As long as she had treats to munch on and sunshine to bask in, why worry about anything else?

Gossiping... it's not important! It also doesn't align with her current persona; all she wants is a carefree life, enjoying food and relaxation. What use is there in prying too much?

Pardo was well aware that Ana now held sway over this world, and the thought of angering her sent shivers down her spine...

Of course, such scenarios were extreme and unlikely given Pardo's cautious nature. Nevertheless, contemplating them effectively squashed any lingering gossiping impulses.

Meanwhile, Ellie and Ana emerged from the staircase. Regarding what just transpired, Ana lowered her head, pretending nothing happened, while Elysia wore a smile, seemingly eager to flaunt their shared moment.

However, despite appearances, Elysia said nothing explicitly. She couldn't have been oblivious to the fact that both Kalpas and Pardo witnessed their exchange, but then again, she never intended to hide it.

Her affection for Ana was no secret among the Heroic Spirits, just as Ana deeply loved Elysia in return.

But...

Elysia's gaze fell on Kalpas, and she shook her head slightly with a hint of regret.

During this time, Ana and Elysia had attempted to bring Kalpas and Sakura closer together, but the pair showed no inclination for romance. Despite appearing quite compatible, whenever they spent time together, each focused solely on their own tasks without any meaningful interaction.

In reality, however, there was an uncanny understanding between them. Ultimately, they concluded that these two were unlikely to become a couple. If anything, it would be more fitting to find a peach orchard and have them swear brotherhood instead.

Their years-long rapport seemed destined to lead them towards becoming close siblings rather than romantic partners. After all their efforts, Ana felt somewhat exhausted, while even Elysia could only shake her head in resignation.

Additionally, worth mentioning is that Ana created memory fragments for Mei and Rin.

Although not directly infused by the individuals themselves, outside the Garden of Eden, there now exists a Mei recognized by the intrinsic world's Kevin. As for Rin, one can't definitively say she has passed away either.

Her power and memories are sealed within the Jizo Mitama. Ana possesses the ability to extract them, yet upon consulting Sakura, they decided to create memory fragments instead.

After all, outside the Garden of Eden, Rin... or rather, Higokumaru, already had her Eldest Sister. In that sakura-colored realm, they became each other's support.

Honestly, Ana initially considered directly placing both of them within the Elysian Realm.

As bearers of the Herrscher of Corruption's traits, they could be considered memory fragments, making their entry into the Elysian Realm permissible. Moreover, considering the Divine Keys alone, the Jizo Mitama no longer held much utility.

In the future... perhaps it would end up in Schicksal's museum for posterity to admire?

Naturally, Ana entrusted it to Himeko instead. Since it was originally discovered at Saint Freya Academy, she asked Himeko to safeguard it.

Upon learning this was an unprecedented Divine Key, Himeko's expression was quite remarkable, albeit slightly disappointed in the end.

The reason being, it took the form of a katana. If it were a greatsword, she might have been able to use it. Although, even if she could, there wouldn't be much point; after all, she had effectively retired as a Valkyrie—a genuine retirement this time.

Seeing both women shake their heads, Kalpas didn't say anything; he had already guessed Ana and Ellie's intentions. In response, he merely let out a cold snort.

Women only hindered his progress. In the past, there was a woman named Aponia... As for Sakura, she would remain just his comrade.

In essence, Kalpas had no interest in such matters, and naturally, Ana picked up on this mindset, leading her to conclude—Kalpas is impotent.

Fortunately, Kalpas remained unaware of Ana's thoughts; otherwise... Well, truth be told, it wouldn't have mattered much—he couldn't defeat her, and as for cursing... how could he even respond?