Making Honkai Impact lll In A World Where Kallen Exists [Continuation]

"...Why does everyone assume I'm hiding my strength? Please, don't test me. I'm really not good at fighting."

Pardo's tail flicked as she pitifully muttered, effortlessly hooking a piece of fruit and popping it into her mouth.

"Because… you're also a Flame-Chasers, after all."

Eden smiled faintly, sipping her fine wine with elegance and grace.

"Sigh—what's with these MANTIS? Can't there be one that's a bit weaker? And... Griseo, well, no one would actually harm Griseo, right?"

Pardo lowered her head in slight frustration, lamenting that she'd even compared herself to Griseo, whom everyone holds in high regard. It made her realize just how awkward her position truly was.

But then again, she was the last to join. There wasn't much else to say about it.

After all, wasn't she always just the one there to make up the numbers?

Whether it was volunteering back then or becoming a MANTIS now...

"It just shows that Pardo has the demeanor of a strong leader! Otherwise... would anyone bother testing your strength? Think about it—opening the Elysium Shops in every corner, so much so that people can't even refuse you. That's a power like no other!"

Elysia teased her, playfully poking at Pardo's fluffy ears.

"Ah, this…"

Pardo was dumbfounded. So... was her shop's fame the real reason?

"Elysia, that's nonsense!"

"But the challengers don't think so. Look, your shop is at every fork in the road!"

Elysia replied with a self-assured tone, deliberately misleading Pardo.

---

"Did Griseo live in that place before all this?"

Kiana stared at the painting's dark, blotchy imagery, momentarily lost in thought.

In her imagination, Griseo's home would have been a small private room with walls painted in blue and white, maybe with splashes of different colors here and there. The floor would be cluttered with personal items, and paintings would be casually strewn across the ground...

Well, in her heart, Griseo always seemed like an unworldly homebody, not someone who would earn the respect of a MANTIS .

"She's always painting, isn't she?"

Mei sighed softly, her fingers brushing through Kiana's white hair. Her tone was warm.

Compared to the other Flame-Chasers, Griseo and Elysia were undoubtedly the ones closest to them, though one was intentional, and the other was simply adorable and endearing.

That said, Griseo had secured her place on the forums of St. Freya Academy, earning the title of the beloved painter girl with considerable popularity.

"Griseo... her paintings always stir such strong emotions in me," Bronya added. "There was even a time when…"

Bronya shook her head, refusing to continue.

"When what?"

"... Nothing."

Bronya remained tight-lipped. That time when a figure in the painting came to life had shocked her deeply. Still, since she had promised the boss not to talk about it, she wouldn't spread the word.

-----------

The meeting between Mei, Pardo, and Griseo was clearly a bit unusual.

Griseo's thoughts always seemed to leap in unpredictable directions. She'd ask strange and whimsical questions, like her favorite color, and then drift into other scenes entirely, with no intention of actually holding a proper conversation.

"Griseo is lost in her art again... Mei, why don't we just quietly sneak away…"

Pardo cautiously peeked around, noticing Griseo absorbed in her painting. She let out a small breath of relief, her tail swishing behind her. On tiptoes, she prepared to sneak off silently.

"Mei-sis... why are you sad?"

Suddenly, Griseo's soft voice broke through, her pale purple eyes still fixed on the incomplete painting before her.

"... Sad?"

"It's like... a little bird falling into a lake."

Just then, Pardo saw Kosma coming.

"Ahhh—ahhhh! Oh, what a coincidence! You're here for a walk too?"

Caught sneaking, Pardo panicked and leapt up, her body arching like a startled cat. Quickly regaining her composure, she awkwardly patted her hair and greeted the boy standing before her.

"..."

The boy stood silently, arms crossed as usual.

This time, however, Mei had a particularly intuitive external translator, Pardo. Pardo locked eyes with Kosma for a moment before realizing who he was and clapping her hands in sudden recognition.

She had dealt with situations like this countless times before.

Lowering her voice, Pardo whispered to Mei as she translates Kosma's thoughts.

"'Raiden Mei... why is she here? Oh, it's Pardo.'"

"It's fine, Kosma... I just want to see new colors."

Griseo shook her head gently, as though conversing directly with Kosma. In truth, Pardo served as the middleman for their dialogue.

"'In front of Griseo, I'll say nothing and turn a blind eye.'"

Pardo continued to mimic Kosma's tone, so convincingly that Mei couldn't help but wonder—was Elysia's book actually effective?

That would be incredible! Did people really have to read a book just to approach someone?

If that were true, then... maybe A Thousand Questions About Kalpas's Mask...

In the end, Griseo persuaded Kosma. She said she wanted to leave this place to see new colors and created a painting with Mei's colors blended with her own.

Finally... she bestowed the Signet of Stars upon Mei.

With that, Mei acquired the Herrscher marks of eleven individuals. Only the Herrscher of the Deep awaited her in the depths, along with the magician mentioned by Mobius, whom she had yet to meet.

----------------

"Amazing! There's really such a magical book? When can we have someone write one for that ninja too? Honestly, I can never figure out what she means," Bronie said, her expression astonished.

Who would have thought such a miraculous item existed? Even the mute wouldn't need to worry about the troubles of speaking anymore!

"...Lord Hack-Rabbit, I simply don't like talking. I don't think it's serious enough to warrant writing a book for me," Kasumi replied with a sigh, standing up. Her presence blended seamlessly with the surroundings, exuding a calm and understated aura. "Besides, the depiction in the game was probably just exaggerated."

"I think it's exaggerated too. It must have been Pardo's improvisation," Kongming said while gently shaking her round fan, a glimmer of wisdom flashing in her blue eyes.

After observing for some time, Kongming had gained a slight understanding of Griseo's peculiar abilities. She seemed capable of perceiving a person's true inner thoughts but lacked genuine worldly experience.

For instance, when Kongming longed for her homeland and Rita, Griseo had pointed it out immediately.

"Hmm, I thought learning to read minds through study was a real superpower," Luna said, fiddling with her legs in disappointment. She had hoped for a book filled with human insights so she could understand the thoughts of others.

"Haha—such a magical world does exist, but sadly, not for you," Kongming replied with a sharp glance.

"It's not for you either," Luna shot back immediately. "Besides, Human promised me a magical gift!"

"Oh?—"

Kongming's tone lengthened as she glanced warmly at Luo Mo, though her true intentions remained icy.

"What kind of gift? Let's hear it."

"Hmm? A gift? Do I get one too?" Bronie boldly reached out, unreservedly asking for her share. Fortunately, Luo Mo promptly swatted her hand away.

"It's not for you! Old friends get benefits first," he replied with mock annoyance.

The so-called benefit he was referring to had, of course, undergone a thorough test by Theresa. It was a costume card, and although harmless, the costume he had exchanged for her wasn't something he could casually talk about.

But now, seeing Luna's eager gaze, Kongming's surface indifference mixed with genuine anticipation, and the occasional sidelong glances from Irene and Theresa—plus Bronie's mischievous smirk—Luo Mo found himself at a loss.

Did giving someone a costume card really require such caution?

---

In the Golden Courtyard

"Kosma, he really fits his character setting, doesn't he?"

Elysia clapped her hands, her eyes lighting up.

In the game, the dialogue between Pardo and Kosma was entirely her doing! If you round it up, it was as if she had helped Mei solve one problem after another.

Wasn't this the magic of beautiful girls joining forces?

Though she hadn't appeared in it herself, her heart still brimmed with delight.

"..."

Kosma opened his mouth as if to speak but stopped and shook his head. Fragments of countless scenes flashed through his mind.

"Wow! Pardo, it's time to test your progress! Come on, if the you in there could do it, then there's no reason the you here can't. Give it a shot!"

Elysia's gaze swept over to Kosma's expression, her excitement bubbling as she called for Pardo to test her newfound skills.

"I'm curious too. Is this a new language?" Mobius, busy tending to her nails, cast a puzzled look at Pardo.

Pardo venturing into the world and learning "many skills" made sense. She always seemed to have unexpected tricks up her sleeve.

"Uh... haha, well, Kosma... my apologies," Pardo said hastily, her ears twitching as more Flame-Chasers turned their attention her way. She quickly stepped forward, casting an apologetic glance at Kosma.

If even Griseo was curious, Kosma... probably wouldn't mind, right? Maybe.

"Ahem—'Why? Does that book really work? Well then, let's see if Pardo can accurately describe it…'"

"'So it actually does… But does that mean I'll never speak again? Should I check out that book too?'"

"..."

(TL/C: .....😅)

Kosma closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, exasperated by the Flame-Chasers' antics.

That said...

What Pardo said wasn't far from the truth, though she had added her personal flair. He figured there wasn't much need for correction...

"Wow, that's amazing!" Elysia praised herself while clapping enthusiastically.

"...Sigh."

Vill-V gave a long sigh, unimpressed by the display.

Hua, on the other hand, was visibly shaken, her pupils contracting in shock.

Kalpas squinted and let out a cold snort, recalling the book written about him.

Aponia smiled silently, observing the scene with a calm and serene demeanor.

------------

Even though Mei had passed the trials of the Dreamscape of the stars, she still couldn't find a path to the depths. According to Pardo, everything here was visible to Nia (Aponia), and... if Nia didn't want someone to enter, no one could.

In the end, Mei frowned, leaving empty-handed. But back in the main hall, she once again saw the little painter hard at work.

Just as she was about to strike up a conversation, a familiar sensation surged within her, mystery, pain, and an irresistible pull...

Mei's consciousness was once again dragged into Aponia's domain.

Dark, gray, and shadowy, the room was cloaked in an oppressive atmosphere, like a prison.

"Mei, you've done better than I expected. You've truly brought unforeseen changes to this Elysian Realm," Aponia spoke with a tone of compassion and mercy. Her voice carried an otherworldly kindness, as though she viewed all things from a transcendent perspective.

Here, the only one present was Aponia.

Even now, Mei still couldn't understand Aponia's true intentions. Like the pitch-black space that surrounded them, Aponia's thoughts remained utterly concealed from Mei.

But there had to be something Aponia wanted from her... Otherwise, why would she repeatedly pull Mei into this place?

"Thank you... It was because of you that those two children left their dreamscape. Since the inception of the Elysian Realm, they've rarely made such decisions.

"I believe that Griseo must have seen something in you."

There was no doubt that she was referring to Kosma and Griseo.

But... they rarely left their dreamscape? And because of her? Why?

Questions swirled in Mei's mind. Regarding Aponia, she always approached as someone who knew nothing and left without answers.

"...Mei, did you know? At first, I was merely curious—curious to see the Herrscher who came to the Elysian Realm as the successor to the one who came before.

"What kind of changes would she bring? Would they be good or bad?"

"I've found my answer... Yet because of it, I am filled with regret and sorrow."

The voice of the woman hidden in the shadows paused, carrying an undeniable sadness. The sorrow seeped into the atmosphere, the pressure of it even causing Mei to feel a sense of melancholy.

Mei didn't understand Aponia's meaning, but she knew the next words would hold revelations, though perhaps not all.

Still, she never anticipated just how dangerous those words would be.

Aponia chuckled softly. Even through the darkness and the bars, Mei could clearly imagine the smile on her face.

"'Please', let me hold your hand, Mei," Aponia whispered, her tone filled with sympathy and helplessness.

Unable to resist, her body moved before her mind could react... Was this the power of this woman?

Mei watched as her hand stretched out and was gently grasped by Aponia. The woman's pale, delicate hands cradled hers as though handling a treasure. Two slender pairs of hands formed a serene picture of warmth.

Yet Mei couldn't help but recall Kalpas's furious roar from before, to rip apart her hand and throw it into the filthy blood...

She shook her head, trying to banish the unwelcome memory.

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes... How I wish that the tragedy ten days from now could be avoided..."

Aponia's fingers glided over Mei's hand, their touch icy, delicate, and soft. Mei could only feel the sensation and look up in astonishment at her.

A tragedy?

Aponia lowered her head. As she had said, there was regret and sorrow in her demeanor.

Yet her every word, spoken gently and delicately, pierced through Mei's defenses.

"Your arrival will bring ruin to the Elysian Realm, and none of us wish to see this place reduced to rubble because of you. Therefore, ten days from now, I will have no choice but to..."

"End your life with my own hands."

She delivered the final declaration, her tone soft yet resolute. It lacked the malice of Mobius or the fury of Kalpas. Instead, she stated it as an unchangeable fact, full of warmth yet unyielding.

The scene shifted to focus on Mei's pupils, which contracted sharply. Ten days from now... she would die?

-----------

At the villa,

The wind seemed to halt, and all laughter ceased.

"Huh? Why is Mei going to die in ten days?" Kiana blinked, utterly baffled by the turn of events. She couldn't understand how this tied into the subsequent plot.

All she knew was how dangerous this moment would be for the Mei of that world.

And how sudden and illogical this scene felt.

Mei narrowed her eyes, her expression unchanging as she watched the so-called prophecy on the screen. Her face revealed nothing.

Fu Hua, Seele, Bronya, and the Herrscher of sentience all turned their gazes to Mei, astonishment etched into their features.

---