"Looks like they got separated. We should find Pardo and return Can to her. She's probably worried."
Mei placed one hand on her hip and gave Fu Lin a serious look. They needed to deal with this quickly before it became a nuisance.
"Probably. Let's hurry, then. There are still so many Flame-Chasers waiting to take pictures with me—just thinking about it is exciting!"
Fu Lin, carrying Can, called for Mei as they ran ahead. But before they had gone far, they saw Sakura standing ahead as if she had been waiting for someone.
-------------------------
"Sakura."
Sakura looked at the approaching Mei and stepped forward, saying, "Ah, Miss Mei, I was just looking for you. This is Mr. Fu Lin, right...?"
Fu Lin stepped forward and extended his hand. "Just call me Fu Lin."
Sakura looked at Fu Lin and the cat in his arms, took a few steps back, and apologized to Fu Lin, "Sorry, Mr. Fu Lin. Although I'd love to shake hands with you, I'm allergic to cat fur."
Fu Lin stroked the cat and asked in confusion, "Can memory constructs even have allergies?"
Sakura, "..."
"Sakura, what did you need me for?"
Mei looked at Sakura in confusion, not knowing why she was looking for her.
Sakura nodded and told Mei about her recent encounter with Elysia.
"I just ran into Elysia. I wanted to ask her what this place actually is, but she said you know the basic information and that I should ask you."
"Then she ran off in a hurry."
Mei sighed helplessly. "Well, that's just like her."
"As far as I know—this Elysian Realm is Elysia's own memory space. The scenery here appears based on her recollections."
Sakura looked around at the surroundings and nodded in agreement. "The world through Elysia's eyes... I see, that makes sense. Colorful, isn't it?"
Then, with a hint of sadness, she added, "Just like... the amusement park my sister and I used to visit."
"Ah, my apologies. For you, Miss Mei, this must be a painful topic."
"After all... in your eyes, everything from that era has ultimately turned to dust."
Mei, "...."
Fu Lin glanced at the stigma on the back of his hand... emmm, nothing there.
Oh, right, his body didn't come through. Never mind.
Sakura sighed and asked Mei and Fu Lin, "Alright, let's not dwell on that. Since we have this rare opportunity, why don't we take a leisurely walk like Elysia would and enjoy the scenery along the way?"
However, even as they wandered aimlessly, Sakura continued telling stories about her sister. Only then did her eyes sparkle with happiness.
Fu Lin silently followed behind, listening to Sakura's stories, and couldn't help but ask, "You seem to love your sister very much."
Sakura placed a hand on her chest, her eyes filled with nostalgia. "Mm, she was my only family."
Fu Lin, holding his cat, asked somewhat guiltily, "If... I mean, if your sister forgot about you, forgot everything from the past, would that make you sad?"
Even though the Higokumaru at his home wasn't from this world, it was similar. He just felt a little guilty—after all, he had erased its memory back then for convenience. Not that it couldn't be restored...
Sakura stared at Fu Lin in silence for a moment and then asked, "…Why do you say that?"
(Higokumaru: Big Sis, what are we eating today?)
"...Nothing."
Fu Lin scratched his head, suddenly entertaining the idea of bringing Higokumaru to the Elysian Realm to meet Sakura. He could let the Herrscher of Corruption battle the Herrscher of Corruption and see whose 'hacking' skills were superior.
Emmm, not a bad idea?
What, Higokumaru would lose?
Where do you place me, then? Where do you place Fu Shi?
Sakura didn't pay attention to Fu Lin's words. She gripped her spirit blade, and looked at the suddenly appearing zombies. "Be careful, we have enemies!"
"According to Elysia, these are also part of her memories. I'll handle it."
Mei grasped her sword and charged straight ahead. The zombies were like watermelons in her hands—easily sliced in half.
Fu Lin watched Mei's graceful combat in the midst of the zombies, clenching his fists in excitement.
This was the power a Herrscher should have! How could it be like in the story, where she struggled to fight even a single zombie for half a day?
"Don't say that, Miss Mei. This isn't a trial—you don't have to fight alone."
Sakura drew her spirit blade. Countless ice-cold slashes appeared in the field. Any zombie that touched the icy blue blade lights instantly turned into particles and vanished.
Mei glanced at Fu Lin's position, her gaze darkening slightly as she said, "I've already gotten used to being alone. You don't need to worry."
After finishing off a zombie, Sakura turned to Mei's side, pressing her back against hers. "Then you must have felt lonely along the way. Now, you can trust me to guard your back."
Mei pursed her lips and whispered, "…Alright."