Late at night, a silver moon hung high in the sky. The MOTHs Who Chase the Flame headquarters was unusually quiet.
On a deserted rooftop, a maiden as lovely as a flower leaned on the railing with both hands, the melody she hummed expressing her jubilant mood.
Evidently, the successful duping of two little kittens had left her feeling quite cheerful.
Indeed, to see two of her dearest friends become a couple before her 'death' was a truly happy occasion.
Especially when she herself had played a part in their union.
"Ah... my dear Li, you truly are an interesting individual."
Elysia swirled the golden goblet in her hand, a pleased smile gracing her lips as she looked at her reflection in the wine.
Originally, her plan had been to give herself a grand exit in the very first cycle. But because of that man's existence, she had seen a glimmer of hope and postponed that plan.
As a being who yearned to become 'human', heaven knew how overjoyed she had been to see Fu Li, though a Herrscher himself, fighting for the sake of humanity.
And all of predetermined fate had been subtly shifted by that man's existence.
Because of him, she didn't have to hastily reveal the truth to her comrades while forcing back her own inner terror.
Because of him, she had more time to think. She wanted to understand why people laughed, why they cried, what made them happy, and what made them sad.
At the same time, she also wanted to understand: What is 'like'? What is 'love'? And what is the difference between the two?
Perhaps, when she truly understood all of this, she could finally become a real person.
And on the day she truly became 'human', when she finally revealed the truth to her most beloved comrades, she surely would not be met with gazes of fear and alienation.
After all, by then, thanks to Li's influence, they probably wouldn't despise Herrschers anymore.
"Sigh, maybe... I really have told a very big lie. The only [Lie] of my entire life."
"Because I'm so, so scared that everyone will look at me with hatred and suspicion because of my identity."
The night breeze swept past, carrying away the loneliness on Elysia's face. She gently raised her hand, casually plucking a pinkish-purple crystal flower from the air.
"...A pity. Although I'd love to see their expressions when they learn the truth, it's not time for the story's end just yet. So, let the leading lady's secret remain hidden a little longer."
"After all, to achieve the goal Li desires, my sacrifice seems to be necessary, doesn't it? It's something only I can do, isn't that right?"
The night breeze blew gently. Elysia lifted her head. The moonlight fell silently, illuminating her face. The sadness from moments ago seemed to have been brushed away by the lunar glow, leaving only her flawless smile.
And in the deepest part of The Deep End, the nun who had not set foot outside for a long time slowly exhaled, pressing a hand to her brow in exhaustion.
To resist the urge to place a Discipline upon Pardo, she had been in seclusion here ever since the ski trip, attempting to divine Elysia's fate.
As for the result...
"Is it still... a situation of certain death?" Aponia closed her eyes, a hint of sorrow in her voice. Her hands came together as if in prayer.
"Elysia... Li..."
But she had long since stopped believing in God. Her prayer now was more a form of self-comfort.
At the same time, in Mobius's Laboratory.
"Hah... hah... ngh... hss..."
Rushed gasps, tinged with a slight pleasure, echoed in the darkened room.
To ensure her experiment proceeded perfectly, she was the only one in the laboratory tonight.
Mobius. She was breathing with great effort... and then, with all her strength, she ripped open the lab coat on her body.
Crystalline beads of sweat trickled down her snow-white skin. If anyone else were to see this, they would surely turn their heads away in fear at first, only to find their gaze drawn back to her.
Because at this moment, the wound on Mobius's abdomen was truly shocking. Beyond that, her arms and legs were covered in black, vein-like patterns.
These were the [wounds], or perhaps the [poison], left by the Herrscher of Corruption.
This was not the first time she had endured such pain. And whenever the thought of that pain arose, her eyes would conjure the image of a small figure, the one who had shielded her from her father's slap all those years ago.
Back then, he wasn't the powerful MANTIS he was now. Back then, they were nothing more than two weak children.
Perhaps it was because she had truly lacked a 'protector' at that time that the memory remained so deeply etched in her mind.
And in return, she had kept her promise: no more instant noodles, no more skipping meals and sleep for work, no more ignoring her own feelings.
The black patterns slowly receded, and her skin became pale and almost translucent once more.
Feeling that strange yet familiar power, a pleased, obsessive curve formed on Mobius's lips.
Reflected in her serpentine eyes was an undisguised, excited smile.
No one moved in the laboratory, but the dozens of computer screens behind her lit up at once. They flickered like static for an instant, then coalesced into a single, stunningly beautiful face composed of pixels.
She had finally succeeded.
Mobius rose from her chair. As she lifted her palm, pixels that should not have existed in reality seemed to flicker in the air around it.
This was the first step to ascending to godhood.
She was now confident that she could deconstruct the secrets of the Herrscher of the End using her own intellect combined with the processing power of all computers.
Once she understood the End and killed it, Li could finally escape this damned cycle. Then, he would become hers alone—the original Li.
What were powers, what were other Flame-Chasers? They were all nothing but defeated dogs.
Mobius smiled, her body beginning to tremble with excitement again. But suddenly, the trembling stopped. She glanced disdainfully at the computer on her desk.
The Core, having lost its use value, had been carelessly tossed on the desk. It emitted a dim glow, like a maiden who had just been violated, grieving in the dark.
Just a moment ago, Mobius had distinctly felt it. The restless Core had actually tried to invade the computer with its power. A pity...
The instant that flimsy data entered the computer, it was utterly crushed and devoured by her own power.
An [Artificial Herrscher] created by her own hands should naturally possess power that surpasses the original. [Herrscher] was merely the starting point; [Evolution] was a level higher.
"Ah ah~ What a weak consciousness..."
Mobius flashed a mocking smile and stuffed the Core back into its Black Box.
This thing might not be of much use to her anymore, but her dear Li still needed it for the time being, didn't he?
---o---
Author's PS: The groundwork and foreshadowing are all laid out. We can start dishing out the sweet stuff now.