"Hmm, not bad, not bad. The technology here may not compare to Mu Continent's, but the scenery and architecture are lovely. Definitely a great spot for a team-building trip. Good choice."
Five days after the success of the Chimera experiment, Elias and the Flame-Chasers went on a group trip to a place called Covenant City.
"I have already calculated the optimal travel route. Though it's my first time here as well, please leave all tour guide duties to me."
"Uh, Prometheus, how about letting me handle the tour guide part instead? I spent the whole of yesterday planning a perfect travel schedule! From now on, please call me Miss Tour Guide Elf."
"Taking a trip like this once in a while isn't bad. I can't even remember the last time I had a real break. Hehe~ Let's not think about Fire Moth or experiments today."
"Indeed. You always work so hard, Mei."
Elias looked at her with a touch of fondness.
This time, he had brought both Mei and Prometheus along for the trip, and of course, all the other Flame-Chasers were present as well.
Everyone looked around with curiosity. Covenant City was filled with gothic architecture—cathedrals, clock towers, and streets full of nuns and priests in traditional attire.
It felt like the perfect setting for parkour and assassinations.
(Assassin's Creed vibes.)
Only after arriving did Elias suddenly realize something.
This city—wasn't it located in the same region that would later become Schicksal's base in the Current Era? Not the floating headquarters in the sky, of course, but the original ground-based branch.
Covenant City was known for its strong religious culture. Being in the western region, most people here worshiped God—though, truth be told, there were far fewer believers in God these days than in Elias himself.
"Uh… Boss Elias, can't we go somewhere else for our trip? The world's huge, so why here of all places?"
Pardofelis looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.
"Hm? But wasn't this the place you picked yourself, Pardofelis? I think it's beautiful here."
"Yeah, but that's not the point! This is where the Eleventh Herrscher is supposed to appear! I mean, sure, maybe I wasn't that accurate in picking it, but what if we really run into her?! You guys might be fine, but I'm definitely toast!"
Covenant City was, indeed, the place Pardofelis had randomly pointed to on a map—later identified by Elias as the most likely location for the emergence of the Eleventh Herrscher: the Herrscher of Binding.
So, of course, this "team-building trip" wasn't exactly as simple as it sounded. While everyone was in a somewhat relaxed, sightseeing mood, they were also ready for battle at any moment.
The Flame-Chasers knew all too well—if Elias was the one organizing the trip, it probably meant a Herrscher hunt disguised as a vacation.
For the record, Fire Moth's internal "team-building" activities came in three types, depending on who organized them: Elias, Elysia, or Kevin.
Elysia's trips were the most extravagant but also the most normal—amusement parks, grand parties, that sort of thing. Always fun, always safe.
When Elysia was too busy, though, the duty sometimes fell to Kevin.
And whenever he was in charge… everyone could prepare for a "meeting room ramen day." Hundreds of people crammed into the conference room slurping noodles—it was a sight Elias had witnessed at least ten times.
Finally, there were Elias' "team-building" events.
They looked like casual getaways on the surface—but anyone could tell from the participant list that they were really high-level hunts in disguise.
"I'm not built for high-tier raids like this, Boss Elias!"
Pardofelis clutched her head and trembled. She felt like a total newbie being dragged into a Grandmaster-tier match by a team of pros.
Nestled comfortably in Elias' arms, Griseo blinked softly, then reached out to pat Pardofelis' cat ears in comfort.
"It's okay, Sister Pardofelis. With Brother Elias here, nothing bad will happen to you."
"Yeah, exactly. With me around, what's there to worry about? Besides, you're a fusion warrior yourself—show some confidence! Look at Griseo, so calm and collected. Don't get outshone by a girl ten years younger than you."
Elias also reached out to pat Pardofelis on the head—paying extra attention to her cat ears, of course.
"But Griseo's stronger than me, Boss Elias! You know that! I'm the weakest MANTIS of all!"
"…How do you even say that so proudly?"
Elias' eye twitched as he watched Pardofelis cross her arms and declare her own weakness with confidence.
Griseo, meanwhile, had also become a MANTIS.
In the original timeline, fusion warriors were shunned by society—but thanks to Elias' influence, they were now revered as superhuman heroes of the Previous Era.
(It's not a bad thing, honestly. Besides gaining immense power, they get immortality too—something even politicians would drool over. And since I'm the one performing the Meta-Morph surgery, there's no risk. How could I not give my little Griseo a set?)
These days, countless people wanted to undergo the Meta-Morph procedure, but very few had the chance. When Ato and Blanca learned that Elias himself was willing to personally handle Griseo's transformation, they nearly got down on their knees to thank him.
And since he was doing it, Elias made sure to give her only the best. He selected the meta-morphic factor of a Judgment-level Honkai Beast, and the surgery succeeded flawlessly, with zero side effects.
Now, Griseo's power was so great that even some of the non-combat-oriented Flame-Chasers would struggle against her—let alone someone like Pardofelis.
However, her immense power was difficult for her to control. As such, she'd been staying close to Elias lately to avoid accidentally hurting anyone.
"Ah~ Eli, you really spoil Griseo too much. Sometimes, even I get jealous," Elysia said with a complicated expression, watching the blue-haired girl nestled in Elias' arms.
(Exactly!) ×N
Mobius, Aponia, Misteln, Sakura, Hua, and Mei all silently agreed in their hearts.
They couldn't help but look at the small, adorable girl in Elias' arms and feel a strange urge to switch places with her. After all, Elias doted on Griseo to a ridiculous degree.
Because Griseo didn't like wearing shoes, Elias carried her everywhere.
Because Griseo liked stars, Elias had plucked a real shooting star from the sky for her.
Because Griseo liked painting, Elias had created pigments containing every possible color in existence just for her.
Elysia had even witnessed something unforgettable once—Elias, in his [Reverse God] form, spread his six white wings and let Griseo use them as her personal canvas.
Elysia: "Uuu~ That's a privilege even Miss Pink Elf doesn't get! Eli, I'm seriously jealous right now!"
Elias: "Don't be jealous of a child, Ely. And besides, you can't even paint."
As for Griseo's paintings—they were works of pure artistry, praised even by Eden herself. Even when painted on Elias' [Reverse God] wings, her drawings didn't clash or seem out of place—they enhanced the angelic form with a divine sense of beauty.
Elias thought to himself: (I'm not someone who just lets anyone draw on my wings. I love my [Reverse God] form too much for that. I only allow it because Griseo's paintings are beautiful—that's the main reason. Spoiling her is just a… partial reason.)
Although, admittedly, that "partial reason" made up about ninety percent of it.
Still, for a captain like him, wasn't spoiling Griseo only natural?
And really—who wouldn't love a cute, barefoot, clingy little girl like her? Anyone who didn't probably had something wrong with their heart.
Even Mobius, the cold and calculating scientist, was always gentle and cautious around Griseo, terrified of upsetting or harming her.
She even kept giving Griseo candy every time they met.
In short, when it came to Elias' "Spoil Ranking," Elysia was undoubtedly number one—but Griseo was a very close second.
How much did he spoil her?
Put simply—if there was something Elysia or Griseo wanted, and it existed in this world, Elias would give it to them. If it didn't exist… he would create it himself.
"Griseo, if there's ever a place you want to go, just tell me. I'll take you there."
"I… I don't really know. But as long as I can stay with Brother Elias, that's all that matters. Wherever you go, Griseo will go too."
Griseo blinked her big blue eyes and smiled sweetly—an angelic expression of pure innocence.
"Mmph—!"
Elias immediately clutched his chest.
He felt completely disarmed. People often said that his post–Artificial Cascade form looked angelic—but Elias thought the real angel was right here in his arms.
(Sa… I hereby officially declare you're dead. Once I'm done wrapping up the Honkai business in the Current Era, I'm coming to the Sea of Quanta to rip out your roots and your eyes. You'll die a few thousand times over!)
Even though, under his guidance, the future Griseo would never have to go through Project ARK or meet Sa and Vita, Elias still fully intended to go after them. No one—no matter the timeline—was allowed to harm the world's most adorable girl.
Messing with the team's mascot came with consequences.
Even if it was just a pale imitation of the Cocoon of Finality that hadn't even reached a tenth of its true power, Elias wouldn't forgive it. Not even a god of Honkai could escape unscathed.
Even if they fled to the edge of the solar system—Elias would still find them.
"Griseo, why are you so cute? I think I need legal assistance right now. Someone get me the best lawyer available!"
"Uh, Eli, what exactly are you planning?"
"Oh, nothing serious. Just… looking into how to win custody over someone else's child."
He said it with such composure that everyone around him fell silent.
(With my current authority, I could probably do whatever I want in this era, right? I doubt any judge would dare say no to the Savior.)
Everyone else: "Ato… your daughter's doomed."
But before anyone could continue pitying Ato, Griseo shook her head.
"Mm-mm. I don't want Brother Elias to be my dad. That just feels… wrong."
(It is wrong!) ×N
Everyone mentally shouted the same thought.
Elias also knew she was right, though he still felt a tiny pang of disappointment. Before he could dwell on it, though—
"Griseo really likes Brother Elias. But it's not the same as liking a dad."
"Eh? Then what kind of liking is it? Like for a brother?"
Elias blinked. Sure, it might mean Ato would get a bit of an advantage, but for Griseo's sake, he could tolerate that.
However, the little blue-haired girl shook her head again.
"Sorry, I'm not sure either. It feels different. I asked Mom about it, but she said it's something I'll only understand after I grow up."
Then she looked up at him, eyes sparkling with innocent hope.
"Brother Elias, will you wait for me to grow up?"
"!!!"
Elias felt as though he'd just been struck by divine judgment. In a way, that question wasn't far from saying, 'When I grow up, I want to be with you.'
Looking down at the little blue-haired angel before him, Elias thought she might just have surpassed even the Pink Elf in sheer adorableness.
"Yes, I'll gladly wait~!"
He smiled warmly, rubbing his cheek against hers.
He knew, of course, that Griseo might not feel the same way once she grew older.
Right now, she was pure and untainted—like a blank canvas. But as long as she lived in this world, she would someday develop colors of her own.
Still, even if it was only for this moment, Elias felt utterly content.
"Thank you, Brother Elias. I like you the most—more than Mom or Dad."
"Haha~ Now that's what I love to hear. Keep going, Griseo."
"Mm! Brother Elias is the best person in the whole world! When I grow up, I want to stay with you forever."
Griseo wrapped her small arms around his head affectionately. Innocent as she was, every word she spoke came from the heart.
After all, how could Griseo not love Elias?
Though she was only a sweet, innocent twelve-year-old girl, she knew full well that this gentle Brother Elias—who had stayed by her side since the Second Eruption—had been with her far longer than her own parents ever had.
Elias painted with her, took her out to play, told her stories, and even sang for her.
Her affection for him had long since reached its peak.
Griseo also possessed eyes that could easily see through the true nature of others. But being easily influenced by people, she would often unconsciously imitate the tone or mannerisms of those she spent much time with.
Usually, that imitation would fade after a while.
But she had spent far too long with Elias.
On the surface, it seemed that she had simply grown comfortable with him—so accustomed that she no longer mirrored his behavior. Yet, in truth, a part of her innocent, childlike heart had already been permanently dyed with Elias' color.
Griseo: (Have you prepared your repentance? I will paint for all the beauty in this world… I'll turn this imperfect canvas into something I love…)
After becoming a MANTIS, this ability of hers had grown even stronger.
Now, she could perceive the essence of others through their colors. When she examined everyone around her—
(As I thought, Brother Elias' color is the most beautiful. It's the same white as mine, yet somehow completely different… I want to be dyed in Brother Elias' color so badly…)
Perhaps it was because they were both white.
Out of innocent curiosity, Griseo had once drawn from Elias' color and lightly infused it into her own—and no one had ever noticed.
"By the way, Brother Elias, are you free tonight? I want to paint another portrait of you—you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
The little artist's eyes shone with anticipation.
She loved to capture all things beautiful through her art—and to her, Elias' [Reverse God] form was the most beautiful existence she had ever witnessed.
In just five days, she had already painted more than a dozen portraits.
What could one say? The prodigy painter's output was truly impressive.
"Of course I'm free. How could I possibly refuse my adorable Griseo when she wants to paint me?"
Elias agreed instantly, without hesitation.
To him, when Griseo wanted to paint for him, even the arrival of a new Herrscher could wait.
"Brother Elias, you're the best! Then can I choose the pose? I've been learning all sorts of new poses lately!"
"No problem—anything you like."
"Yay~!"
Griseo lifted her hands in delight, kicking her bare little feet happily.
Watching the affectionate scene between the two, Elysia and the others couldn't help but exchange uneasy glances.
All of them thought the same thing:
"Uh… surely Griseo won't end up becoming our enemy one day, right? …Right?"