Mu Continent, at one of Eden's residences.
The most renowned artist, singer, and wealthy goddess of this era, Miss Eden, was about to conclude her trip to the Mu Continent.
Next, she would accept an invitation from the Far East government to travel there and hold public performances.
However, during this rare moment of leisure on the eve of her departure, she had some private matters to discuss with her good friend.
"What a shame. Eden is leaving the Mu Continent, and I haven't been able to find time to support you at your performances," said the pink, fairy-like girl on the other end of the communicator with an apologetic tone. "I'm quite an inadequate friend, aren't I?"
"Please don't say that, my dear Ellie," Eden smiled gently. "Distance isn't a barrier to our friendship. Even across thousands of miles, I can feel your sincere heart, and that's enough."
"Oh, Eden is so understanding. I feel like my heart is about to be pierced through by Eden's affection~"
On the screen, Elysia dramatically clutched her chest, as if struck in the heart by an arrow. Combined with her flawless face, it didn't seem exaggerated at all, but rather had a peculiar kind of cuteness.
Eden already knew her friend's personality well and looked at her gently before saying:
"With this, my trip to the Mu Continent comes to an end."
"I had hoped to tour this continent that's said to gather all of human civilization's technology and art, but the Far East extended such a warm invitation, and I shouldn't keep my fans waiting too long."
"So, I'll be departing tonight. Ellie, please give me your blessing."
"Of course, Eden's journey will surely go smoothly. This is a blessing from the fairy of the Elysian Realm, so be sure to treasure it~"
The two smiled at each other, and then, as if remembering something, Elysia suddenly said:
"I saw in Fire Moth's internal information that the Honkai energy activity in the Far East has been rising abnormally recently. Although the assessment department believes it's just a normal cyclical fluctuation, I'm still a bit worried. Dear Eden, please protect yourself well."
Eden naturally knew what Honkai energy was, but seeing the worry on her face, she comforted her with a somewhat relaxed tone.
"Ellie, don't worry. While I don't approve of some of Fire Moth's methods, I must say they've indeed gone the furthest in researching the Honkai. Since they believe this is just a normal fluctuation, it should be safe."
At this point, Eden smiled gently.
"Besides, my security team is quite professional. They can protect my safety."
"But I'm still very worried about Eden~"
"Then... would Ellie come to protect me?"
"I believe with your abilities, Ellie, you could protect my safety even when facing a so-called Herrscher."
Hearing Eden's slightly expectant tone, Elysia said with some disappointment: "I really want to accompany Eden, but Fire Moth has been very busy lately. A Honkai outbreak occurred in Australia, and if we don't handle it, many people will be harmed."
Eden didn't press further, but said:
"In that case, Ellie, please take my feelings with you. Although I can't personally go to the disaster area, I can still contribute a modest amount."
"I'll donate funds to Fire Moth."
The two chatted for a while longer, and then Eden suddenly noticed some hesitation on Elysia's face.
"Ellie, do you have something else you want to tell me?"
"ε=('ο`*))) Sigh, I really can't hide anything from Eden~" Elysia sighed and said with some difficulty: "I have a friend..."
"Ellie, is this friend you're talking about yourself?"
"My dear Eden, you've learned to joke too. Unfortunately, it's not me~" Elysia shook her head, her eyes showing a hint of reminiscence. "The friend I'm talking about is a playmate from the orphanage back then."
"If possible, I'd like to ask you..." At this point, Elysia became conflicted again.
This was the first time Eden had seen her friend show such an expression, and she found it quite interesting.
"Ellie, do you want me to help you visit this friend of yours?"
"No."
"What I'm asking is... could you please hang him up and beat him?"
"???"
Eden looked at Elysia in astonishment and found that her good friend wore a 'kind' smile.
...
Far East, Nagazora City.
In the western district of the city, not far from Mei's home, a rather grand reception was taking place.
This was an orphanage.
The person the institution was receiving today was an official who had recently been transferred from the United Government to the Far East region.
She was a beautiful woman with long, wavy golden hair and a voluptuous figure. From her appearance, she was clearly Slavic.
According to the United Government's unwritten rules, she would more likely appear in the neighboring Lucia region rather than the Far East.
However, with the ongoing centralization of power in the United Government, such situations weren't unprecedented.
The orphanage director receiving her was an elderly man who looked quite kind. He wasn't too surprised by this important person's arrival.
"The children are all very happy that Ms. Cocolia could visit our orphanage."
Behind the old director, young children looked at her with curious eyes.
Seeing these children, the woman named Cocolia showed an extremely gentle smile.
"It's I who have disturbed the children's lives." She signaled the personnel who came with her to bring out exquisite gift boxes, smiling at the children behind the director: "I've brought some gifts for the children."
Cocolia picked up the gift boxes one by one and personally handed them to the children.
"Thank you, beautiful auntie with golden hair." The children took the gift boxes, smiling happily while expressing their gratitude to Cocolia.
Cocolia gave her subordinates behind her a meaningful look.
Among the personnel accompanying Cocolia, those holding cameras understood immediately and hurried to capture the scene.
Seeing the camera lights flash, Cocolia's smile grew even brighter.
The old director watched this group's actions and shook his head somewhat helplessly.
Another political show.
But seeing the children's happy smiles as they received their gifts, the old director felt relieved.
Well, at least the children got their gifts. As for these important people, let them do as they please.
Soon, this interaction with the orphanage children ended, and Cocolia reluctantly parted with the children.
Upon returning to her residence, an attendant handed her a report.
"Ms. Cocolia, this is the operational status of that orphanage you requested."
Cocolia rested her chin on her hand, looking at the information collected from the orphanage today.
Soon, she frowned.
The meals at this orphanage were too 'light.'
Obviously, the funds meant to maintain the orphanage's operations had likely been 'reasonably' used by someone.
Recalling those children's smiles that could heal everything she saw today, Cocolia's expression turned cold.
But soon, she sighed and threw the report into the depths of a drawer, as if sealing away some terrible demon.
After doing all this, her face showed a trace of weariness.
"Cocolia, you've already paid the price for your integrity..." she muttered to herself, as if self-comforting, "That weak you is already dead. Now you must learn to compromise and turn yourself into a qualified political creature."
Being sent from the center of power in the United Government to the Far East region instead of being transferred to her home region of Lucia, and taking over the position of that official who had ties with a cult and was shot dead.
This itself was a warning from above.
"Integrity alone cannot get you into the core of power. You must blend in with the light and dust."
"You must climb upward. Only by climbing to the highest point will you have the right to reshape this world!"
Cocolia's face showed no more hesitation. After completely killing her weak past self, she now had no weaknesses left!
She opened another report, which displayed Eden's itinerary for this visit.
Cocolia smiled. This time, fate seemed to favor her once again.
She called for her most trusted subordinate.
"Is everything ready?"
"Rest assured, Ms. Cocolia. Everything is ready. Not one of those Poison Cocoon assassins will survive."
"Good."
Cocolia stood up and walked to the window, looking at the sun about to sink into dusk, and couldn't help but reach out her hand.
As long as the plan went without incident, she would not only be able to return to the center of power this time.
She could go even further.
Cocolia tightly clenched her hand, as if trying to grasp that sun about to fall into the night.
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Advanced 30+ Chapters of Honkai: Is this even the Prevoious Era