"But your performance was truly outstanding. Not only did you resolve the crisis, you even defeated her in a way I didn't know about."
"At this point, how could I not come out and greet you… I really want to know what kind of person could break through that evil one's psychological defenses, making a life's survival instinct willingly collapse."
These words from the Herrscher of Corruption left Mei somewhat puzzled: Was it because the Herrscher of Corruption hadn't had time to fully digest Vill-V's data?
She still hadn't discovered the existence of Vill-V's [Ego].
It seemed… even in this Realm, there were corners the Herrscher of Corruption's cognition couldn't reach.
Mei questioned: "So this is your defense for yourself?"
"Harming others for the sake of survival… I don't intend to comment on that. But you should understand…"
"Every action has a price."
The Herrscher of Corruption said: "Don't rush to judge me yet, Mei."
"From a human perspective, the end of life is death. But memory bodies are different—they're manifestations of data, a form of existence distinct from life."
"Precisely because of that, only I—only I—can let them…"
"…die and be reborn."
"Like this."
The surrounding environment transformed into Vill-V's workshop.
The Herrscher of Corruption became Vill-V and asked in her voice: "What's wrong, Mei? That frown doesn't suit you at all."
"See? Genius is immortal. My talents shouldn't be confined to such a tiny space—whether it's an endless black prison of the mind or a virtual space sustained by data."
"Vill-V's stage should be the entire world."
"This time, I'll have eternal time, until every single one of my ideas is brought into reality—"
The voice shifted back to the Herrscher of Corruption, asking excitedly: "—So? Does this script satisfy you?"
"I'll let Vill-V's data, together with my split bodies, continue to spread and expand outward… As long as backups remain, it can keep evolving forever."
"If this era won't accept her ideals, then extend them to the next."
"If this world can't sustain her survival, then change the world to make it possible."
"That way, the miraculous great inventor can fulfill all her wishes and ultimately become an unparalleled genius."
"An exciting perfect ending, isn't it?"
Mei decisively rejected it: "No. In the real world… an existence like that has only one name—virus."
The Herrscher of Corruption seemed a little disappointed: "Sigh… I thought it was a brilliant idea."
"Taking their data out of the Realm to fulfill the wishes they had in life. Isn't that what Mobius was thinking too? I simply turned the idea into reality."
"Mm, alright. If Mei doesn't like it, we can… try a different approach."
The surrounding environment suddenly shifted to the seaside. Kalpas, wearing swim trunks and arms crossed, looked at Mei: "What's with that face like you swallowed a fly?"
"Is seeing me in a place like this that strange?"
He irritably tugged at his clothes.
Mei could no longer hold back: "…Herrscher of Corruption, the pointless role-playing ends here."
Kalpas said: "Herrscher? Mentioning something that's already been completely wiped out—what for?"
"But… hearing that name again after so many years does make my hands itch a little."
"If you're free, change into something else, call everyone you know, and have a proper fight with me…"
"…Raiden Mei!"
The Herrscher of Corruption's voice rang out again: "No need to be surprised—this is the life Kalpas wanted."
"A life that never changes, a worthy opponent, and… a place he can call home."
"He's just that simple of a person. Unfortunately, most people never realized it."
"You see, Mei—mutual understanding is such a difficult thing. Even comrades who lived and died together, even after spending ten thousand years side by side, still have unseen corners in their hearts."
"But data doesn't lie. The world I see is completely different from yours."
"Only I can understand them. Only I can give them the future they long for. And only I—"
"—BOOM!!"
Under Mei's fierce thunderous strike, the data-constructed illusion shattered completely, revealing the Herrscher's stunned face.
"You…"
The Herrscher of Corruption's furious voice flashed and vanished.
Then she imitated Elysia's tone again: "Sigh, Mei, always interrupting me—I can get a little moody too, you know."
"Could it be… you're holding a grudge and don't like the future I arranged for Kalpas?"
Mei said coldly: "Stop pretending to be pitiful."
"…And stop imitating her appearance. It only exposes how clumsy your acting is."
The Herrscher of Corruption said: "Elysia… ultimately returned to herself, didn't she?"
"I know—in your heart, she's special. You're angry, you feel it's unfair, you just wish she could have had a better ending."
"This… really is asking too much of me. All I can do is borrow corrections from other memory bodies and use myself as the blueprint to restore her data as much as possible."
"The result is what you see… this is my limit right now."
"I'll do my best to become her. Her thoughts will be my thoughts, her voice will be my voice."
"We share the same face, the same personality, the same memories. If Mei wishes, we can relive all those past moments together—"
"Enough…" Mei angrily interrupted her: "The more you put on this act, the more you remind everyone that you and Elysia… are worlds apart."
"Do you want me to tell you what she would do in your place?"
"Oh?" The Herrscher of Corruption was genuinely curious.
Mei snorted coldly: "Too bad—this conversation would never happen, because she would never let anyone down."
"You desperately imitate her appearance, insulting the traces she left in the world again and again—just for yourself…"
"Just to… manipulate a Kevin Weapon that's already obsolete."
Instantly. The atmosphere in the Ferris wheel cabin froze.
"…" The Herrscher of Corruption fell silent.
Mei continued: "That's the one thing you truly fear—the only weapon in the Realm capable of completely annihilating you."
"The command to make everything in the Elysian Realm cease to exist—its activation condition is neither unanimous approval nor majority rule…"
"…It's Elysia's will, isn't it?"
"The control authority over Kevin Weapon Model 666—you've gone to such lengths imitating Elysia's appearance just to seize it, haven't you?"
"…"
"…"
"Haha… Hahahahaha…"
The Herrscher of Corruption burst into unrestrained laughter: "Mei, you really are a clever girl."
"Yes, I truly didn't expect that Vill-V—this once-in-a-generation genius—would leave me such a grand 'gift' even after disappearing."
"One-key deletion of the entire Elysian Realm… what an ambitious invention."
"But so what? Mei, I think you've misunderstood something."
"I'm not trying to seize control—I'm trying to create it."
"Elysia was indeed the sole condition to activate that Kevin Weapon, but now the original her has been utterly destroyed in both body and spirit. If anyone still has a chance to control it, it can only be me."
"I have plenty of patience—I can take over its control bit by bit."
"And before that, I also have endless time to corrode every blade of grass, every tree, every insect, every beast in the Realm."
"When that time comes, Mei… guess what kind of ending I'll give everyone in the Realm?"
Click—
The Ferris wheel made a soft sound and stopped.
The sky was overcast, as if brewing something.
Mei looked at her, her mind racing: This is a lie! If that were truly the case, the Herrscher of Corruption wouldn't need to tangle with her or probe her repeatedly.
Whatever the reason, her abnormal behavior pointed to one fact… she was afraid. Afraid of some possibility that hadn't happened yet but could be fatal.
If that's so… then now is the moment.
I have to make her firmly believe she's already discovered the flaw that could ruin everything for her. Then, using this sole opportunity… go all in…
The Herrscher of Corruption asked: "Well, Mei? Staying silent—are you thinking up some rebuttal? Or… have you finally come around to my point of view?"
Mei said: "I'm just thinking… you really shouldn't have deleted Elysia's memory body."
"Not even for survival's sake—but purely for your own good."
"Data doesn't lie—you know that better than anyone. So if you'd carefully reviewed her entire life, you'd realize…"
"Even if you can replicate her appearance, imitate her mannerisms, repeat every word she ever said…"
"You will never become her."
"You will never be her!"
Accompanied by the roar of thunder, Mei drew her blade and slashed directly at the Herrscher of Corruption.
Ding…
Darkness surged and rolled like vines growing in shadow.
In the boundless darkness, Mei slowly rose—as if awakening from a long dream. This sensation had long been etched into every phase of her life.
A faint light point floated in the distance, like the afterimage of a scattered soul.
She reached out toward the light…
Everything around her reappeared.
The two now stood on a rooftop, with the Herrscher of Corruption not far away: "Sigh… look at what you've done."
Mei immediately turned and went on guard, ready to draw her blade again at any moment.
"No need to be so wary of me. Honestly, right now I have zero interest in bickering with you."
"Mei, don't you have any common sense about not doing dangerous things at high altitudes? The experience of falling from a great height—I never want to go through a second time in my life."
"…Fine, let's just say you're the impatient one. Anyway, we've reached our destination now—are you satisfied?"
Mei looked around.
She instantly understood what the other meant.
"This place… is exactly that fog-shrouded little island."
The Herrscher of Corruption walked toward her step by step: "That's right—this is the fog-shrouded little island, and also the place where all questions end—or so you believe, correct?"
"Unfortunately, as you can see, there's nothing here. It's already become mine entirely, and the answers you're looking for…"
"I can confirm—they never existed from the beginning."
"That's impossible!" Mei blurted out.
The Herrscher of Corruption said: "Mei, when did you start trusting her so completely? This isn't like you. Don't you have even the slightest doubt that the truth she revealed to you that day still held something back?"
Mei said: "I'll naturally uncover the answer to that question myself—but not now, and certainly not with you."
"I know what you're trying to do. I won't give you any chance to probe her past…"
"…Impostor!"
"…"
The Herrscher of Corruption's expression instantly changed—even losing composure for a moment.
Clearly, Mei's words had struck a nerve.
Seeing this scene, the audience instantly felt a rush of satisfaction.
"Look at Mei—she doesn't need to curse like the rest of you. Just those three casual words broke the Herrscher of Corruption's defense."
"Ooh~ Broke already? Weren't you running your mouth so hard earlier? Thought you were tough—turns out high attack, low defense."
"Feels so good! Keep talking, Mei—say more!"
"Hahahaha, seeing this thing break down—I feel instantly refreshed."
"That's how it should be—let Mei break her, completely break her!"
"…"
Countless people sent messages. No one noticed that since the Herrscher of Corruption appeared, their hatred for this character had already surpassed their hatred for Director Hessian—they'd even cursed him less.
In the TV drama.
The Herrscher of Corruption's voice carried a chill: "Mei… do you know how much that sentence of yours really hurt me?"
"After those previous battles, I thought you'd learned to be smarter."
"Never challenge an unbeatable enemy… That's the wisdom of survival, isn't it?"
Mei refused to yield: "Is that so? But I remember—we never reached that conclusion."
"Herrscher of Corruption—are you truly as invincible as you claim?!"