To create Honkai Impact 3rd in a world where Kallen exists.

So... can you appear in the next moment? Without disappointing yourself?

"How are you feeling? Am I even more shy than you imagined...?"

No one has ever been more sincere than her, and no one has ever been more pure than her...

"It's too early to be making such a comment now; this is not even the tip of the iceberg."

If that's the case, then what I see in one corner can be equated to the entirety of this sea of ​​flowers, right?

She always remembered everything that Paradise had left behind...

"Therefore, she shouldn't disappear from the memories of Paradise either—"

Those glimmers of memory grow ever clearer, strung together into a patch of warm sunlight.

"Now, I stand before you. So, respond to me, Alicia..."

The unchanging space of memory seemed to be suddenly stirred by a breeze, just like the night before the girl disappeared.

Pink petals accompany the evening sunset, and the girl's smile ripples on the lake of her heart. She calls out here, and receives a response here, welcoming the figure she has been longing for.

But when she pushed open the door, there was nothing outside.

The light disappeared.

White turned into darkness, and memories became dim and difficult to see.

This time, she failed.

Alicia did not respond to her request.

Chapter 98 She was born a Herrscher

"Hey, why didn't it work?"

Kiana was a little confused. She tapped the "next step" button repeatedly, but as expected, it failed.

Although she was somewhat annoyed by Mei's creation of Alicia in the consciousness space, she was equally unwilling to see it fail.

Putting aside her lust for Mei, she still really likes Alicia.

Her gentleness, kindness, quirkiness, and overall demeanor throughout the journey exceeded her expectations, making her practically perfect.

The other party... is indeed worthy of the position of deputy leader, and is also very likable.

"...Is it too much to rely on Mei-nee alone?"

Bronya wasn't too surprised, after all, according to the usual pattern of the game, her side would have to use all their trump cards before they could narrowly defeat the Demon King.

Currently, there is clearly one surviving hero in the game, Eden, who has not yet paid the price...

Tsk, as expected, given the boss's personality, there's no way there's a living hero among them.

Looking at Luo Mo, she gently shook her head. This was the boss she knew!

"That should be our responsibility... How could we let Miss Mei do it all by herself? This is undoubtedly more evident in our memories of each other."

Eden said softly, a hint of longing in his eyes.

Next, Alicia will return... She is full of anticipation for it.

...

The door... is gradually disappearing.

As Mei watched the door gradually disappear, the intense pain in her head made her immediately focus on the Herrscher of Corruption. The Herrscher of Corruption outside was still trying to hinder her and erode her spirit.

Even if it cannot be eroded, it should still coexist with it.

Mei endured the excruciating pain and continued walking towards the door, but the next moment, an inexplicable distance stood between her and the door.

Though they are so close, they are worlds apart.

The unattainable distance kept her from victory on the eve of it, and memories were gradually fading from her mind.

But she was not reconciled.

It wasn't for my own sake.

"No...no...it shouldn't be like this..."

The pain bent her over, but the scene of failure was even more painful. Her vision was somewhat blurred, but the memories became clearer as a result.

Memories flooded back as she watched the figures of heroes gradually disappear into the distance.

This is a labyrinth with no exit, yet they paved the way for Mei at their own expense.

Because at the end of that road lay what she had always sought.

The innocent girl walked gracefully through the fading light of the apocalypse, her unwavering authenticity illuminating the dark night.

Because of her existence, a flame always burned brightly at the end of a dark era.

This flame has survived for 50,000 years.

Its future should lie in a more distant place; her story shouldn't end so hastily.

This path wasn't paved by myself alone, of course...

"It shouldn't end here!!"

She vaguely heard someone calling her, as if it were an illusion.

Mei, supporting her shattered head with one hand, gritted her teeth and stood up straight.

No matter how far away, she will pursue it, and this step forward is not the result of her efforts alone.

Her vision, blurred by pain, gradually returned, and she could see clearly who was calling her.

Before the gates of memory, the fairy Ellie and Eden looked at her with concern, only to smile gently when they saw her awake.

She held a golden, jewel-encrusted wine glass, as elegant and composed as ever. She spoke softly, but Mei's pupils involuntarily contracted.

"You've already done your best by coming here. Now... let's fulfill our mission."

"The absence of one memory must be filled by another."

“You have completed ninety-nine steps toward Ellie, and this final step will be taken by me and the fairy Ellie.”

She smiled and said that she was not saddened by her impending death.

As Ellie's friend and the person who spent the longest time with her, Eden's relationship with her was perhaps closer than that with any of the Thirteen Heroes.

Now, all of this will be transformed into a road to welcome her back.

For her, life is nothing more than a long drama.

If the performance ends at the most appropriate time and in the most beautiful way, then it is perfect.

Moreover, for her, using her own existence to complete Alicia's memories was an extremely romantic thing in itself.

She stretched out her palm, and bright light flowed out from it. Two crystal flowers, one purple and one gold, quietly bloomed, along with two more at Mei's place. There were four crystal flowers and four keys.

Despite the misfortune that befell their owner, the crystal flowers were preserved intact.

They have sealed a little-known past within these vibrant colors.

Now, it's time for it to see the light of day again.

"Miss Mei, what's next..."

"Please, you must bring Ellie—our hope—back to this world."

Awakening from her hazy past, Mei sees Eden reclining on the sofa, holding a golden cup.

Fragments of light emanated from her body and merged into the specks of light of memories in her memory space.

She smiled, expectant, looking back at her memories of Alicia. And then, those memories became everything to her.

...

In the hall,

“I’ve walked…99 steps…Mei, you must walk 99 steps for me too.”

Kiana looked at the words on the screen, feeling a pang of jealousy, and said with a hint of bitterness.

"I can give you the strength of a hundred people... and then Kiana just takes a single step over, right, Kiana?"

Mei hid the smile on her lips and teased.

"Ah... that's true, but Mei, you need to take a couple of steps toward me too." Kiana scratched her head, dissatisfied with the other's answer.

“Sky City, Sky City, St. Freya… we definitely have them, Kiana.” Mei stroked her head and said softly.

Compared to the sweet atmosphere here, the atmosphere on the other side is completely different.

“Phew... Look, these are the true believers of our sect who deserve our respect. They said they would sacrifice for the leader, and they did.”

"This is what a qualified member of the Love Gate should be! Sooner or later, I will turn all members into someone as competent as Eden! Master, I feel that my life has a new meaning!"

Luo Mo's face lit up, a slight smile curving his lips, and he spoke solemnly.

He looked admiringly at Eden inside, who was filling in Alicia's memories. The other was not afraid of death, and her whole mind was focused on Alicia. At that moment, she was with Alicia.

He truly deserves to be one of the people who can carry the banner of love for the family.

Although Aponia is more religious, she is just as devoted to Alicia.

Luo Mo was happy for the growth of Ai Men, and his smile was genuine.

"...Love Gate, it's a pity that the previous civilization only had religions like the Honkai Cult, otherwise I certainly wouldn't mind making some investment."

Eden took a sip of the fine wine in his glass and answered with a smile.

If the other party can really go that far, she's willing to invest as much as she can...

"Eden?~"

"Stop letting him mess around, okay? It would be too strange if such a religion really appeared."

Alicia clung to Eden's arm, acting coquettishly, and gave Luo Mo an annoyed look.

What's with all this talk about loving the gate? Why don't you ask the cult leader for her opinion?

She never said the word "agree".