Honkai Impact 3rd: I picked up a Seele at the start of the game.

Chapter 232 The World Died

……

"Finally back!"

Dropping her pack, Alicia sprawled comfortably on the bed. The soft mattress and comforter made her feel as if she were in a paradise, so engrossed that the tired girl didn't want to get up.

"...Ugh...cough cough!!"

She only turned over when she couldn't breathe through her nose, which was buried in her nose, coughed lightly twice, and then stared blankly at the ceiling.

On the ceiling were hearts of varying sizes. Some were hearts lined up, like parents with their children; others were hearts arranged in a circle, like kindergarten children sitting in a row sharing fruit; still others were large hearts nestled next to hearts of similar size, like a sweet little couple; and some were…

Okay, the above is just Alicia's random, rambling thoughts, all nonsense.

Coming to her senses, she got up, went to her computer desk, and casually browsed the internet, just like any ordinary person killing time.

A message suddenly came in.

Alicia's eyes gradually became clear and bright. When she opened them, she saw that they belonged to Himeko.

"Alicia, may I have the honor of inviting you to tonight's party? Thanks to you, our casualties were very low during this mission, and everyone would like to celebrate."

Himeko's Fifth Squad has a tradition of holding a dance party to celebrate after completing a major mission—further evidence that the Fifth Squad is predominantly female.

As Hiemko's invitation stated, Alicia had been in Australia for a month and had just helped the Fifth Squad complete a major mission. Whether out of politeness or genuine concern, she wanted to invite Alicia to the banquet.

Pink Flying Flowers: Of course! I really look forward to seeing everyone at the ball!

……

……

The clinking of glasses filled the air as couples arrived, their dancing shoes creating a cacophony of footsteps, music, lively conversation, and the release of emotions, from laughter to tears…

Before stepping into the banquet hall, Alicia suddenly stopped, unable to describe the emotions surging within her, feeling both like laughing and crying, unable to take another step.

Listening to the cacophony, my consciousness drifted through the air, savoring every delicate emotion, as if it were more intoxicating than the finest wine.

"...Everyone is very happy."

She murmured quietly.

"Of course we should be happy. If we can't have fun at a banquet like this, then I only have one thing to say: the Fifth Squad is doomed."

Himeko appeared beside Alicia without her noticing, took out a carved cigarette from the cigarette case, and subconsciously put it in her mouth to light it.

"Captain, please don't smoke here."

Hua suddenly appeared, speaking expressionlessly.

"Hmm?" Himeko raised an eyebrow, continued on her own, lit another cigarette, and took a deep drag. However, she was a little careful not to exhale the smoke towards anyone.

Alicia frowned slightly: "Himeko, do you use smoking as a way to relieve your emotions? To be honest, I don't recommend doing that."

Hua nodded in agreement: "Yes, that's what I think too."

Himeko was somewhat helpless. He quickly finished his cigarette and shook his head: "You can't explain these things. I know they're bad, but once you get involved, you can't get rid of them."

She walked briskly in her high heels, seemingly heading to the restroom to wash up. Alicia looked at Hua and smiled slightly, "Hello, lovely girl. This seems to be our first meeting? You should know my name, but just call me Alicia~"

"Um... Hello."

Alicia: "No need to be so polite, I'm getting a little nervous myself. Let's talk about something lighter, like... what year were you born? Do you have someone you like?"

Hua quietly stated a number, but avoided discussing the other question.

"Hmm~ We're actually about the same age, so we can get to know each other better in the future."

The pink-haired girl smiled gently, then stepped forward and, without hesitation, lightly pinched Hua's cheek, saying, "Don't always have such a long face, you'll feel much better when you smile~"

Hua's eyes widened slightly, and finally she nodded stiffly: "Oh, okay."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hiemko returned after washing up. The three of them then walked into the banquet hall together.

The music, with its distinct drumbeats, filled my ears; the air was thick with the scent of perfume. Watching the men and women swaying their bodies, their joyful expressions and exaggerated gestures…

Alicia suddenly stopped, unsure whether she should step forward and join the celebration.

What went wrong?

Why does this lively scene, which I used to love, feel so out of place now?

Or is there something wrong with her?

Himeko took the initiative to invite Alicia to dance with him, asking if she would like to be his temporary dance partner—undoubtedly, this was Himeko's way of showing goodwill.

But Alicia instinctively took a step back and shook her head in refusal.

She then realized her rudeness and forced a smile, saying, "Well, I'm glad to hear your invitation, but I'm not feeling well today, so I'll pass."

Himeko was puzzled: Just now, Alicia was excitedly saying that she was "looking forward to seeing everyone at the ball," so why has she suddenly changed her attitude?

But seeing the frightened look on Alicia's face, she felt she shouldn't ask any more questions at this moment, so she said goodbye and left, stepping onto the dance floor alone. A moment later, someone came up and invited Himeko to dance, which she accepted without much hesitation.

Even from some distance, Alicia could still clearly see her red hair piled up and her fair neck. That fiery red was like a blazing fire thrown into the crowd, igniting the passion in everyone's hearts.

"..."

"It's so cold."

"Alice murmured. Even though the hall was warm as early spring, and even though the air was filled with the scent of people."

But for some reason, she felt so lonely standing in the crowd.

Perhaps something really is missing.

The bewildered girl tried to grasp the fleeting thoughts in her mind. She tried sending a few greeting messages to Eden, Mebius, and Seele, but Eden was probably busy and didn't reply; Seele was still on her salvation tour, being teased and tossed around by someone, and didn't reply either; only Mebius replied with a few words, saying that she was busy and asked Alicia not to bother her—but Mebius actually took the time to reply to the messages, which meant that she didn't really dislike Alicia, right?

Alicia left the banquet hall and headed outside.

She tried asking Yun Fuyu what she planned to do next, but he was busy petting his cat and didn't reply; she tried checking the Firemoth website for any tasks, but Mei had delegated most of the complex issues to Yun Fuyu, and the rest weren't worth her traveling halfway around the world; finally…

She tried to greet the deity residing in her heart.

The gods laughed like never before and spoke for the first time in a long time.

He said, "Alissia, you should realize it now—this world is dead."

The world is dead.

Alicia's pupils contracted slightly, and she asked in confusion, "Why do you say that? According to the memories you gave me, haven't we already made all the necessary preparations for the world, just waiting for the flowers to bloom?"

In the past timeline, they have already planted good seeds (cause) for the world, just waiting for the flowers to bloom and bear a beautiful future (effect).

Why say "the world is dead"?

The deity spoke gently: "Yes, I chose this timeline from among countless timelines, so that both your and my wishes can be fulfilled. But you must know that crossing timelines is the power of the 'God above Gods.' But I have now completely lost this power."

In other words, both He and Yun Fuyu in the present moment have lost their divine authority that transcends time.

Alicia pondered, trying to understand His words, and then asked, somewhat bewildered, "My wish... is probably to bring back the world I love. And you? As a god, what is your wish?"

He smiled and said, "I forgot."

What a ridiculous excuse.

Alicia didn't press further, but continued, "What does this have to do with 'the world is dead'?"

He said, “Alishia, you know. When you realize this, you should know everything.”

Cognitive impairment only exists in people who lack effective information, not in Alicia as she is now. She knows too much; cognitive impairment no longer applies to her.

The timeline is fixed, meaning the past and future are already determined; the world is dead; the gods have lost their powers; Alicia senses something amiss out of thin air... All these clues have already unveiled a corner of the terrifying truth buried in the past.

"..."

Alicia pondered for a moment, then suddenly felt as if struck by a heavy hammer, her body trembling with fear, and even her voice trembled.

"You once said: The desolate world without gods in the past was a time kingdom where I was all alone."

Can I interpret this as: the prosperous world in the future, with gods, is a land of cause and effect where you are the only one?

You and Seele traveled here from the future, but the future is not the future, the past is not the past, cause and effect are confused, time is reversed, your existence no longer runs through all timelines, and is even full of paradoxes..."

Alicia swallowed instinctively, finding her mouth surprisingly dry. Her usually clear and melodious voice was now unmistakably hoarse: "So, the real you, actually, is already...?"

"Shh~ Keep your voice down. This is a secret, you can't tell anyone."

He suddenly interrupted her. She saw him make a shushing gesture, wink at her like a young boy, and then smile brightly.

That was a kind of "vividness" and "liveliness" that she had never seen in Yun Fuyu.

Alicia slowly clenched her fists: "...No! I have to see for myself!"

"I don't recommend doing that. But, it's up to you."

Thinking about her almost confirmed suspicions, she felt a deep bitterness in her heart: "Why did the story turn out this way?"

"Because of...our wishes?"

"……wish?"

Ah.

She walked alone in the chilly spring breeze.

The cold wind was biting.

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(End of this chapter)