"Are you not going back?"
"Over on Chenling's side, the mission has already begun. Now, we just need to wait for the results."
The battle between humanity and the Herrscher of Binding was over.
Everything had unfolded with little deviation from Dr. Mei's plan, and at the same time, the difference from Lu Xing's own predictions did not exceed five percent.
Seeing the Monarch floating motionless in the air, Xiao Zi asked softly.
"No."
"A guest has arrived."
"As the host, it's only proper to go and greet them in advance."
Lu Xing spoke slowly.
Less than two thousand meters above sea level, a streak of pale pink light was flying at extreme speed toward Antarctica's position!
That's right.
The figure that would arrive in less than half a minute was none other than Elysia, who had been absent from the battle against the Herrscher!
The light was a brilliant, flowing stream.
After the second hand ticked thirty times, the meteor from the far horizon began its slow descent, finally stopping less than two hundred meters in front of the Monarch and Xiao Zi.
"Elysia."
"I didn't expect our reunion to come so soon—I had thought this would happen after the Twelfth Herrscher appeared. Your actions have truly exceeded my expectations."
Indeed.
Elysia's actions had certainly surpassed Lu Xing's calculations.
He had originally thought their next meeting would be at the "gala" for her debut as the "Thirteenth Herrscher." He never imagined that after only two days of "separation," he would see her again. Elysia was not holding the [Black Abyss White Flower], but the crystal flowers that floated around her like petals were also her weapon: the [Key of the True Self].
Most critically.
As the "Herrscher of Human," Elysia should have been the biggest opponent of Dr. Mei's plan—a strategy that came at the cost of sacrificing 200 million people was not a plan Elysia seemed capable of agreeing to.
Even if the plan were truly set in motion.
Elysia should have done her best to prevent civilian casualties.
Although he had yet to see Elysia's Herrscher form, with her combat power as high as Lv.81, her Honkai energy alone should have been enough to fill more than half of the Herrscher of Binding's domain limit.
But.
Elysia did not appear on the battlefield of the Binding War.
For the Elysia who was willing to sacrifice herself to bring "Humanity" to the Honkai, she would absolutely not shy away from death.
The only possibility was…
She needed to preserve her strength to complete a more important mission:
"Bai."
Elysia hesitated for half a second before using the name the Black Emperor had told her.
"I want to make a bet with you."
"A bet?"
The Monarch's gaze was fixed squarely on Elysia.
"Gambling is not a good habit."
"And for a bet to happen, both parties must at least have sufficient chips to place on the table."
There was no trace of politeness in Lu Xing's voice—he had given Elysia a chance, but she had clearly not cherished it. Yet now, she was thinking of re-stating her position…
"Fine."
He was willing to give Elysia one more chance.
Not because of the Pink-Haired Elf's identity, but out of respect for those "heroes" who had sacrificed themselves for civilization. Recalling that moment, that identical scene yet a completely different state of mind, prompted the Monarch to make such a rare decision.
Even Xiao Zi's face showed a flicker of surprise.
Although they hadn't known each other long, based on her understanding of Bai, he shouldn't have given her this chance. Casting aside all rational thoughts and considerations, Xiao Zi's gaze toward Elysia conveyed only four words:
Shameless little flirt.
Pure humans and Honkai Beasts posed no threat, but the one before her… her identity had far too many similarities to her own!
"…"
Lu Xing had no idea just how dramatic Xiao Zi's inner monologue was at that moment.
"You don't look like you're out of your mind."
"Tell me what you want to bet on."
"The Fire Moth's, no, humanity's chips…"
Lu Xing's gaze passed over Elysia's "tiny" figure, crossing oceans and mountains to look directly at the countless city ruins being devoured by cold winds and fierce flames.
"…should be all but gone."
On humanity's side.
Aside from the existence of "it," there was almost nothing of value that the Fire Moth could truly bring to the table.
The lives of ordinary people.
Even if that number was in the tens of millions, it held no value to the Monarch now. Serving as batteries to charge the Herrscher of Binding was the best possible outcome he had envisioned for them. If they managed not to be a hindrance in the battles to come, it would already be a testament to the Fire Moth's maximum leadership capabilities.
Swoosh.
The crystalline petals swirling around her body left faint trails of light.
In Elysia's hands, they slowly coalesced into a pink-and-white bow. The branch-like longbow had not a single sharp edge, its shape like countless hearts joined together, an interpretation of Elysia's own heart.
"Please, fight me."
"Oh?"
The Monarch's gaze swept over the longbow in Elysia's hand.
This weapon, condensed entirely from Honkai energy, was not a human creation. It was very likely an external manifestation of Elysia's own Authority.
"A very interesting proposal."
Elysia was well aware of the power gap between them. Through humanity's multiple encounters with the Monarch, she was equally aware that she absolutely could not kill him. To be precise, humanity possessed no means of killing the Monarch for good.
It was for this very reason.
That Elysia proposed to "have a fight."
Being unable to kill him did not mean there was no possibility of defeating him through cleverness… no matter how slim that possibility was.
"And if you win?"
Lu Xing was starting to get a little interested.
For him, who had not had a single proper bout since ascending to a high-ranking Honkai Beast, Elysia's strength was indeed a worthy warm-up.
"Please, help humanity pass the test."
In stark contrast to the Monarch's casualness, Elysia's expression was exceptionally grave as she spoke these words.
"Pass the test?"
The Monarch repeated Elysia's words.
"The examiner may indeed know the questions, but they do not necessarily know the answers."
"This contract of yours has no fundamental possibility of being 'realistically completed'." Lu Xing's attitude shifted from his earlier demeanor, and he replied with great solemnity. "And one point must be made clear. If the examiner helps the student cheat, the difficulty will inevitably increase accordingly."
"The Herrscher of Binding is the most obvious example."
"If I had not intervened to limit it in advance, 48 hours would have been enough for humanity to be wiped from the Earth many times over."
The Monarch's gaze grew gradually sharper.
"Even so."
"Do you still insist on this bet?"
Lu Xing had made himself clear enough, but Elysia still did not change her mind.
"Yes, I insist."