Eden
Yes, that's also my wish. When that time comes, tell everybody to come
and listen.
Eden
She likes… that song the most.
Elysia:
Hey! Mei, here, here!
Mei:
Elysia? Youlre finally back Great timing, I've
had enough of idling around.
Elysia
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Mei
It's fine, by the Realm’s standards, it's not much of a wait.
Mei
What about Kevin?
Elysia
Don't worry, it's all settled. Now nobody will interrupt us. Did you meet the
others?
Mei
I met some. Most of the Flame-Chasers have come to Elysium Everlasting
and… are rather enjoying themselves.
Mei
How do I put this? As expected of your memory space.
Elysia
Then I guess… you can't wait either, right? Alright, let's talk as we walk.
Elysian
I know you want to learn more about the 18th
Herrscher.
Elysia:
This is a rather heavy topic, where should I
begin.… Hmm.… Let's take this step by step.
Elysia:
To understand the cause of this, we need to go
back to when I had just joined the MOTHs.
Come, let's take you somewhere nice.
Mel:
It always feels like enemies will attack
anytime. As long as we're in the open, they will
appear.
Elysia:
Ugh… Maybe it's because my heart is delicate
and sensitive? Let's try taking a detour next
time, how about that?
Girl
Heeey, where are you going all dressed up like that?
Elysia
What are you talking about? I always look this nice. What are you doing
with all that makeup on?
Girl
Hehe, I'm not telling
Elysia
Oh, someone's in a good mood! Maybe next time you can tell me why.
Mei:
This is…
Elysia:
She's my colleague in the Months. Just like
everything here, Elsa is one of my precious
memories,
Elder
Will you look at that… did you make a new friend?
Elysia
Hey, Grandpa Seti! How's business been?
Elder
Much better! All thanks to your help!
Elder
Here. I knew you were coming, so I baked your favorite. Go share it with
your friends.
Elysia
Wow, thanks! But. we still have some business to take care of. We'll leave
it here and come back later to share with you!
Elder
Sounds good. I'll leave it here then. No rush.
Mel:
There are even people living here, do the
monsters not attack them?
(Elysia:
Of course not, how can memories affect other
Memories?
Little Girl
Ellie! Ellie! Let's go!
Little Girl
Eh… how did you get so tall?
Elysia
Because I listen to Mama Celia, eat all my vegetable, and always go to bed
on time.
Little Girl
Hm… maybe I should listen to…
Mei
You… eat all your vegetable… and always go to bed on time…?
Elysia
What's so strange about that?
Elysia:
You see, Me i, their appearances are based on
my memories, and my appearance is based on
theirs. Some are older than me, some have to
Elysia:
I remembered how they look properly… right?
Narrator
The room was empty save a lone machine on a table in the middle.
Mei
Where am I?
Elysia
Let's call it… the Elysian Archives for now. Simple enough?
Elysia
Just read the papers stacked up by the typewriter. Someone as smart as
you will understand right away.
Narrator
Mei grabbed a sheet.
Narrator
The words on the paper changed from unintelligible symbols to words she
could recognize…
Narrator
"By the time the reinforcements arrived, the 11th Herrscher had already been strung up on an
inscrutable crucifix, never to make another sound."
Narrator
"Even the strongest-willed among the soldiers shed tears they believed that this was the
grave of them all, comrades and former friends alike."
Mei
Crimson Ice… I've read this. It's about Kevin's past.
Elysia
Try not to read it out loud, that's all secret. Best not to let anyone else
know.
Mei
So it… prints the files held in the Remembrance Vessel?
Elysia
Correct. The files are the memories of the Flame-Chasers transcribed by
the typewriter here in an objective and fair manner.
Elysia
It was being kept elsewhere and took a lot of effort to move.
Mei
… Did you bring me here so you can tell the rest of the story through files?
Elysia
Precisely. That would make it objective and fair.
Elysia
After all… this story is a long one, and I hope you'll get the answers you're
looking for along the way.
Mei
I see. I've read these files, it's accurate and detailed.
Mei
… How does it work?
Elysia
I'll leave that to a friend of mine…
Elysia
Ta-da! The keeper of the archives!
Mei
You don't mean… this… thing… is a Flame-Chaser?
Elysia
You don't expect the 13 Flame-Chasers to have a 14th member, do you?
Mei
And… she looks so…
Elysia
Cute, right? It's based after me, after all. With the smarts and looks to
match!
Elysia
There's thirteen in total. Each Flame-Chaser was gonna get one, but in the
end, only Eden and Aponia brought one home.
Elysia
We have extras if you're interested!
Mei
This one hasn't even moved since it started. That isn't concerning?
Elysia
That's just because you haven't said the wake word, so she's still inactive.
Mei
Wake word?
Elysia
Mmmhmm.
Narrator
She gave a sweet smile and scribbled something in the margin of a file.
Narrator
Me i took the file.
Elysia
You're so cute when you're shy. This is the only way to start it up.
Mei
Do I have to activate it?
Elysia
Up to you. But… with the truth so close by, do you really want to just let it
go2
Mei
D) Dear…
Elysia
Hm? What's that?
Mei
Dearest… Elysia…
Mei
What gives? Nothing happened.
Elysia
My, I think… you're too quiet. Maybe it didn't hear you?
Elysia
Here, try it again.
Mei
DEAREST ELYSIA!
Elysia
Wow
???
Activating…
???
… Calibration complete.
???
… Personality loaded.
???
Wow! A human!
???
Hi there human! I'm Elf Elysia from La-La Land at your service!
Mei
(Very much the spitting image of Elysia.)
Mei
Uh… hello, Elf Elysia. I'm Raiden Mei.
Mei
You're the keeper of this archive, yes? So you should know how to start the
typewriter, right?
Elf Elysia
Oh you're an eager one. We haven't even finished with the pleasantries and
you wanna put poor little me to work.
Mei
…Poor?
Elf Elysia
You're lucky I'm so nice.
Elf Elysia
At any rate, allow me to introduce you to the Elysian Database Datafication
Acquisition Console Interactive Output… uh…
Elf Elysia
In that case, allow me to introduce you to this typewriter!
Mei
(Can't even remember its full name…)
Elf Elysia
This typewriter can recall all information stored in the Elysian Realm and, if
left alone, automatically print the most recent events.
Narrator
Elf Elysia gently touched the typewriter which started right up and spat out
a document.
Mei
"The portal to the Elysian Realm is open"… this is definitely objective and
fair. What if I want to check something specific?
Elf Elysia
That's a bit trickier. Go ahead and type your question, it'll be easier to just
show you.
Mei
"Tell me the truth about the 13th Herrscher."
Elysia
Straight to the point, huh?
Narrator
The typewriter started up and roared for a long while, only to spit out a
single document. Me i picked it up and lifted a brow.
Mei
It's blank.
Elf Elysia
That's because there's no one memory in the archive that summarizes such
a general issue.
Elf Elysia
It'd have to print out the entirety of Elysia's life to give you an accurate
answer, but then you wouldn't be able to read it all!
Elf Elysia
The typewriter can only give you the concrete facts. Try to keep that in
mind.
Mei
… Then let's start with Elysia's past.
Elf Elysia
Easy enough! Just put your hands on the keys…
Elysia
Like this?
Elf Elysia
Just like that! Then i'll pull the file and print. Also, it prioritize the events
that are important to you!
Elf Elysia
Even she can't control what comes out, so it'll be full of surprises…
Elf Elysia
Ah, it's done printing! Let's see what's there?
Elysia:
Mei, you need to read this seriously. After all…
This is my story.
Narrator
"Good morning! A new day starts from a sweet encounter! Make sure to
check your weight after getting out of bed
Elysia
Yawn…
Narrator
She hits snooze, sits up, and stretches in her bed.
Elysia
Yawn
A new day, a new start. Time to hop to it!
Elysia
Get up and out of bed, check my weight before getting dressed… and no
need to remember that number!
Elysia
Check the mirror before heading out…
Elysia
Outfit, check. Hair, check. Smile, check! Today is gonna be a great day!
Narrator
MOTHs Cafeteria.
Headquarters Staff Member
Hey, you're here early, huh Ellie?
Elysia
Good morning! You look wonderful today. Newlyweds really do have a
special glow to them.
Headquarters Soldier
Morning Elysia. See you in training.
Elysia
Wow… I thought I saw a model, turns out it was you! Good morning!
Headquarters Staff Member
Hi, Elysia.
Elysia
Hello, happy to see you!
Elysia
(Uh… who was that? Eh, it's not important!)
Narrator
Training Room.
Elysia
Alright, alright. Let's make today's challenge a bit tougher!
Elysia:
First comes the flying monsters, then let's
use… a bow today!
- Elysia:
Next… it's those heavy ones, how nostalgic,
met you guys just recently in Nagazora.
Elysia:
But those few were 20 meters tall. If0
replicated their size, they probably won't fit
here.
Elysia:
Oh?-This time, it's a friend I haven't met
before. Did Dr. Mobius upload her new
discovery without permission again?
Elysia:
All done, nice and easy.
Elysia
Fill in "Very Easy" on your training report.
Headquarters Soldier
"Very Easy?"
Narrator
Towards the back was a man with steely hair leaning against the door.
Headquarters Soldier
Haven't you already learned your lesson?
Elysia
Morning, Ato.
Elysia
Can't help how I feel. Aren't MOTHs suppose to speak up? That's all I'm
doing now.
Ato
Others copy stuff they wrote two weeks prior, but you write the same four
words every time. You're helpless.
Ato
But… given that you're the star of the troop, the top will let you off easy like
before.
Narrator
He let out his signature laugh.
Ato
Who would have the thought the little girl from Vladivostok would serve as
their benchmark?
Elysia
What are you talking about? I joined MOTHs through recruitment like
anyone else, and I did it all on my own.
Elysia
Besides, I'm not their benchmark. If I was, the logo would be pink by now.
Ato
Spare me. Pink? Are you trying to get me to go AWOL?
Elysia
If you don't like it you can try to surpass me.
Ato
I don't think I'll even have a chance to compete. Have a look at your
competition.
Narrator
His hand slid through the air, revealing the training record. On it, for the
first time, the number 2 appeared next to Elysia's name.
Elysia
Number one is… I've never seen this name. Is this someone new?
Ato
Me neither. I heard some weirdo joined recently because of… a girl? Isn't
that something? Maybe it's him, haha.
Elysia
Wow, how romantic! I'd love to meet him and his girlfriend.
Headquarters Soldier
Isn't it Tradition Night? He should be attending. If you're so interested, go
to the dance and find out.
Elysia
Hmm… then I'll have to go get ready.
Elysia
The dance… I've been thinking about a few different outfits, but I'll have to
try them on before I can really decide.
Elysia
Which is better? Gorgeous with a long train? Or an elegant backless dress?
Or is that too bold?
Narrator
"Knock knock knock"
Elysia
Hm, who could that be? Is it time already?
Narrator
Elysia opened the door.
Mobius
ELYSIAAAA!
Elysia
Ya… it's Dr. Mobius. Y'know, the circles under your eyes are even worse
than two days ago. You really oughta get some rest.
Mobius
Stop leaving weird stuff in my closet!
Narrator
"CLANG"
Narrator
She dumped a pile of clothes and slammed the door shut.
Elysia
Aw, I know she's shy, but that's no excuse to trample my kindness. I just
thought she should change her style once in a while.
Elysia
Hmm? Is this… I know! I'll wear it to the party!
Narrator
That night at the banquet hall.
Young Lady A
The food here is fabulous! Much better than the school fare!
Young Man A
Look, they even serve champagne!
Young Lady A
Not in a place where there are minors. That's sparkling water.
Young Man A
What? Bummer.
???
Pardon me…
Elysia
Would you like anything to drink?
Young Man A
Oh… thanks.
Young Lady A
Weren't you calling the party a bummer a minute ago?
Elysia
You're welcome. You must be thirsty after tucking in. Here you go.
Elysia
Have fun!
Narrator
Elysia weaved through the crowd holding a plate.
Elysia
(Alright, gotta find the rookie-)
Young Lady B
… Wow, I wasn't prepared for a formal MOTHs dinner, with maids serving
drinks.
Elysia
(She doesn't know me? She must be new… but the person I'm looking for
has a masculine name. )
Mature Man B
… That maid is a capable soldier, however you look at her.
Elysia
(That guy has presence… and most rookie don't. Maybe he was transferred
from another base?)
Young Lady C
Pardon me, have you seen a white-haired young man?
Elysia
(Ooh-la-la, better not interrupt girl talk. But that purple-haired girl is quite
the stunner. )
Uneasy Man C
… Why don't we sneak into the database and find out…
Elysia
(Hmm?)
Tired And
… Whatever happens, happens.
Uneasy Man C
The outside world is falling apart by the day... It's the third time already...
We can't conceal it forever...
Tired And
Quit worrying about it... There's nothing you can do...
Tired And
Why can't you be more like them? Just put those problems behind you and
celebrate.
Tired And
… I'm tired. I don't want to be here.
Uneasy Man C
Work is waiting for me… This is pointless…
Tired And
… Pointless you say… The head of the First Institute declared…
Tired And
The fourth time is coming...
???
Watch out!
Elysia
Whoa!
Elysia
|