At this moment, viewers across the country were all stunned, followed by a wave of terror.
Unbelievable!
Some people kept rubbing their eyes, trying to confirm whether this was an illusion.
Only when they saw the four glaring words on the screen—[Kevin died!]—did they have no choice but to accept that this was real.
In an instant.
The official chat exploded.
Countless taverns, homes… screams could be heard everywhere.
"Kevin died?"
"Holy shit! Ke-vin died?!!"
"This is impossible! How could Kevin die?"
"Fake, this has to be fake. That's Kevin we're talking about! The invincible Kevin—how could he die?"
"Fuck, fuck, fuck…"
"??? What the hell?"
"Watching this episode really gave me chills. Kevin can actually die?"
"Bullshit. That's Kevin. Who in the Elysian Realm could possibly kill Kevin?"
"What the fuck is this? Does the director have shit for brains? The strongest Kevin dies? The second strongest Elysia also dies—which means everyone else is gonna die too, right? And in some baffling way?"
"Something's wrong. Even if SAKURA and Kalpas are the culprits, there's absolutely no way they could kill Kevin."
"Who the hell is the killer? And they start by killing Kevin and Elysia? Damn it, I don't even dare keep watching."
"This director is definitely insane. No normal person would write it like this."
"…"
At Fire Moth Interstellar Entertainment Company.
At this moment…
Dead silence.
At this moment…
The actors were filled with horror…
Kiana's voice was trembling: "Kevin… died?"
Durandal's eyes were wide: "Kevin really died?"
Even Theresa, who had just been chasing Hessian to beat him up, couldn't believe it: "Kevin… how is this possible? How could anyone kill him?"
She hurriedly looked toward Kevin: "How exactly did you die?"
Kevin said: "Uh… well… uh… that… just keep watching?"
Theresa: "…"
She understood. This must be Hessian's doing—he wouldn't allow the participating actors to spoil anything.
He just wanted to keep them in suspense, deliberately stabbing them like this.
Himeko also realized this and could only ask Hessian: "Director He, Kevin… really died?"
Hessian nodded: "Yeah, he died."
Hiss!
Everyone collectively sucked in a breath.
It was actually true?
Rita hurriedly asked: "Writing someone as strong as Kevin to death—won't the plot collapse?"
Raven also asked: "Director He, that's Kevin we're talking about. In the show, just one glare from him makes me tremble. He really just died like that?"
Hessian gave another affirmative reply: "Yes, Kevin really died."
"…"
This time came a long silence.
Li Sushang sent the message to the group chat: Director confirmed Kevin is dead.
In an instant.
The group exploded.
It was no less than dropping a nuke into a calm lake—not just ripples, but the entire lake was overturned.
After the initial shock.
They gradually turned back to the TV.
On the TV.
Mei wondered if she was still lingering in a dream?
Yet the words on the paper were so stark—
"Kevin… died…?"
For a moment, she couldn't even comprehend the meaning behind those four words.
"Miss Mei." Only when Eden raised her voice for the third time did she snap back—
Mei asked: "…Eden? This is…"
Eden said: "Before you arrived, we already knew about this, which is why there was that commotion earlier."
"Kevin's data vanished overnight… just like Ellie."
Mei fell silent: "…"
Kosma said: "Vanished… that's putting it too mildly."
Eden said: "Kosma, I understand your concern. I can even understand the rage in Kalpas's heart."
"But now the facts are right in front of us, while the truth remains hidden in shadow. We must… be a little more pragmatic."
"There's no need to be so on edge. If a traitor really exists, he… or they… wouldn't act rashly in front of the visitor and several Flame-Chasers."
"Then…"
She looked toward the nearby bushes: "Pardofelis, if you have no objections, come out too?"
"Ehh—?!"
A clump of bushes by the roadside suddenly shook.
After a brief and slightly awkward silence, Pardofelis helplessly crawled out.
"Sorry, Sister Eden… I just saw Brother Kalpas so angry, I got really scared! So I panicked and hid…"
"But I heard everything you said earlier, and I also think—Sister Eden is right! Now is not the time for infighting."
"Aren't we the Thirteen Flame-Chasers? We're obviously very united—uh, maybe not that united—but at least we're comrades who've gone through life and death together!"
"Don't make the atmosphere so tense. Maybe… this is just a prank? Or maybe it's Sister Mobius's experiment… or Sister Vill-V's magic…?"
Mei: "…"
Kosma: "…"
Pardofelis lowered her head: "Sorry…"
Kosma said: "You don't need to apologize."
Pardofelis said: "I just can't believe there would be a traitor among us… Big Boss Kevin's situation definitely isn't what we're seeing! There must be some inside story we don't know, or something unspeakable…"
"Secret." Kosma finished for her.
Pardofelis looked at him: "Amo."
Kosma said: "Every memory body carries secrets. That's something we all know—about ourselves, about others, or… about Herrschers."
Eden cut him off: "Kosma!"
Kosma said: "I'm just stating facts."
Eden said: "It seems we must admit that a fog woven from distrust is now drifting among us. I'm afraid… this is exactly the situation the mastermind behind the conspiracy wants to see."
"No matter how much we argue, Ellie and Kevin have already vanished, and SAKURA's whereabouts are unknown—that's an indisputable fact."
"Since that's the case, I have a proposal."
"Rather than letting divisions deepen and creating more barriers, why don't we… disperse for now, each protecting what matters most to us, while quietly awaiting news from Su."
Mei was puzzled: "Split up? But… wouldn't that make it easier for the enemy to pick us off one by one?"
Eden explained: "Miss Mei, as you can see, right now each of us cares about different things most. Since we can't reach unity, acknowledging our differences is another choice."
"What's more, if even the most special memory body Ellie and the strongest Kevin couldn't escape…"
The rest didn't need to be said—everyone already understood.
Pardofelis asked: "Then… Sister Eden, can I go with you? Even if it's just a little, I want to help everyone…"
Eden said: "Thank you, Pardofelis. But right now… the first and second of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers have met misfortune one after another. If the enemy is targeting by rank, staying by my side would definitely not be safe."
Indeed!
Mei also realized—if following the original order, Elysia really was number one.
Eden said: "Moreover, what I need to do next is rather special… I'm going to the deepest part to confirm Aponia's safety."
Griseo asked: "Is Mommy Aponia in danger?"
Eden replied: "I don't know, Griseo. That's why I have to go there."
"For this period, just stay obediently with Kosma and don't wander off, okay?"
Griseo agreed: "…Okay, I understand."
Pardofelis scratched her head: "Sister Eden is going to the deepest part… If I follow, I'd really just drag everyone down…"
Eden said: "Don't get down, Pardofelis. There is one thing I do want to ask of you."
"The shortcuts and hidden paths in the Elysian Realm—among us, you're the one most familiar with them. I'd like you to keep an eye out for any traces of others having used those unknown paths."
Pardofelis said: "Oh… indeed, to move around the Elysian Realm without anyone noticing, that would be the way…"
"Huh? Then… wouldn't that mean I might run straight into the killer?!"
Eden said: "Just keep a light watch. What's important is your safety."
Pardofelis said: "Okay… okay, I'll try… Anyway, running away is what I'm best at…"
"Thank you, Pardofelis." Eden then looked toward Kosma: "Then… Kosma?"
Kosma said: "I understand. I'll take good care of Griseo."
Eden said: "I'm counting on you. Then… let's part here."
Eden then turned to Mei: "Miss Mei, please come this way. I need you… to help me with something."
Mei followed Eden to the other side.
She asked: "Eden, what do you need me to do?"
Eden said: "As you can see, most of the Flame-Chasers already know the current situation, but Aponia, Vill-V, and Dr. Mobius… they aren't here."
"I believe that while the source of the danger remains unclear, we should share what intelligence we have as much as possible."
Mei looked at the monsters appearing ahead and said: "The source of danger… even the enemies in the Elysian Realm have become more troublesome than before."
Eden said: "It seems… it's not only us who have been changed by Ellie's departure."
"After calming Kalpas, Su will try to contact Dr. Mobius. I'll handle informing Aponia."
"And Miss Mei… I hope you can go tell Vill-V everything that's happening now."
Mei asked: "Even though everyone is a suspect?"
Eden said: "Even though everyone is a suspect."
"Indeed, as Su said, after Ellie disappeared, even the Elysian Realm itself was affected. After all, everything here is constituted by her memories. Looking at this scenery really makes one feel…"
For a moment she nearly cried: "Ellie… she really is gone."
"…"
Mei was silent for a long time before saying: "I'm sorry for hiding it from you earlier…"
Eden said: "No need to apologize, Miss Mei. I trust Kevin's judgment. Though he always humbly denies it… he was undoubtedly an excellent leader."
"But now the situation has changed. No third person possesses Ellie's ability to unite or Kevin's power. It's no longer possible to control everything through the efforts of just a few."
"Therefore, I can only take a different approach from them."
Mei said: "Honestly, I was a little surprised that you stepped forward to take charge."
Eden said: "Really? Indeed… it doesn't match the impression I usually give, does it?"
"Yes… even I have moments when I act out of character."
Eden reached out toward the distance. Golden light bloomed from her fingertips…
"…This is?"
Mei asked.
Eden said: "A very beautiful flower, isn't it? Just like her."
"I always keep it close. It reminds me of her appearance, her smile… her love for everyone."
"And now, just as I was about to be swallowed again by the sorrow of parting from her once more… this light once again pointed the way for me."
"It told me like this… step into the spotlight, hold everyone together, just as she once did."
"Otherwise, everything she left behind… wouldn't it all disappear?"
"Eden…" Mei felt her sorrow but didn't know how to comfort her.
Eden said softly: "Sorry, did I confuse you? Just take this as… my excuse for my unusual behavior."
Mei said: "I never doubted you. It's just that crystal flower… I feel like I've seen it somewhere before. Is it a protective charm every Flame-Chaser has?"
Eden said: "No. This is a secret guarded by only a few of the Flame-Chasers. I'm sorry—I can't reveal everything without the permission of those few."
"Rather than a protective charm, it's more like a token, a key… sealing an unknown past within this brilliant color."
Mei guessed: "Is it that… final banquet?"
Eden smiled: "Miss Mei, you really are clever. I'm starting to understand more and more why Ellie likes you so much."
She gave a slight nod and turned her head toward the other side—
Mei immediately realized that, though blocked by the tower, she was looking toward that island shrouded in mist.
Mei said: "Elysia told me. She told me many things. We agreed to go there together, to witness the truth of the Thirteenth Herrscher, and her ending… and through that, I would also get the answer I've been seeking."
"But she… never made it to the appointment…"
Eden said: "It seems… this was Ellie's wish. Then there's one more thing I need to do."
"Kevin is already gone, but before disappearing he entrusted his crystal flower to Su. This means he trusted Su's every judgment, including… how to handle that secret."
Mei asked: "Handed over? So these crystal flowers can be transferred?"
Eden said: "Though we can't know the contents, the person who receives the key is undoubtedly the one the holder trusts most, and thus has the right to make decisions in their place."
"Su told me that Kevin's data anomaly occurred in the middle of the night. Though we can't trace who he was with at the time…"
"But before Kevin went to meet that person, he gave the blue crystal flower to Su. This means he had at least some awareness of the danger he was about to face."
Mei continued: "But he still went to meet that person."
Eden said: "Perhaps he had no other choice. Perhaps he believed it necessary. Perhaps he never went to meet anyone at all… we don't know. But I'm certain Kevin must have made preparations for this."
"However… crystal flower… handed over…" Mei said: "I see now. I have indeed seen another crystal flower—though strictly speaking, I didn't see its appearance…"
"The purple one Aponia asked me to deliver to Griseo… the aura I felt at that time was exactly the same as this flower."
Eden said: "Aponia… handed her key to Griseo?"
"It seems… there's one more thing I need to confirm."
Griseo probably doesn't know about this, right? And… Kosma?
Mei replied: "At least from what I saw, they don't know."
Eden said: "Then it's better to let them remain as they are. I'm worried that once they know, their reactions might make them the next targets."
Mei recalled Kosma's words: "Perhaps this is what Kosma meant by… secrets."
"Yes."
Eden nodded: "We always conceal things from others for various reasons, believing it's the better choice. Sometimes it brings disaster."
"Just like… though it was at Kevin's direction, didn't you also conceal Ellie's disappearance from everyone, Miss Mei?"
Mei nodded: "You're right."
Eden continued: "Deception done out of good intentions… is still deception."
"But if it were Ellie, she would probably say this—everyone has their own secrets, everyone has different beliefs. Even so, everyone is still my most important comrades."
Mei strongly agreed: "Mm, she really would say that."