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[Wow, seriously?! Is this for real? Ana single-handedly battled three S-rank Valkyries from Schicksal and Otto?!]
[Wait, didn't Durandal and Rita hold back during the fight?]
[Even if they did, there's no way the mysterious third Valkyrie would have held back, nor Otto.]
[Remember how he betrayed his teammates during the Second Honkai Eruption? And let's not forget Fu Hua earlier—everyone still remembers that, right?]
[Tsk tsk, indeed. Just being able to outwit Otto and make him yield is history-making enough!]
[Absolutely.] x10086
This wasn't mere jesting. While Captains often joked about Otto as the ultimate schemer, they acknowledged his cunning intellect. Throughout the narrative so far, no one had truly managed to significantly undermine him.
Even Kevin, in previous story arcs, was completely led by Otto's manipulation. Now, the claim that Ana forced Otto to compromise seemed utterly unbelievable.
Moreover, everyone had already witnessed the subsequent plot developments.
Ana chose to confront her colleagues at Schicksal to obtain the Unnamed Locomotive, ultimately saving Himeko within Virtual Space—a decision laden with echoes of past memories.
Promptly, many viewers in the live stream decided to revisit the details of the Tianming War. Soon, they discovered numerous foreshadowing hints left by the scriptwriters.
In retrospect, much of what Ana said subtly revealed her backup plan. She was fully aware of everything and had prepared for the aftermath. Now, it all depended on Himeko's choice.
Ana could have easily prevented these events but chose not to, allowing them to unfold instead. Instead, she tirelessly ensured their safety at every turn—a testament to her immense kindness.
However, some players quickly raised questions: If Ana took away the Unnamed Locomotive, why didn't Rita or Durandal react later on?
Before Brother Cake, the streamer, could respond, another viewer answered via bullet comment:
[Otto possesses the Void Archives, capable of mimicking Fenghuang Down effects. Manipulating memories would be child's play for him.]
[Tsk tsk, same thought as the commenter above.]
[Yup, that seems like the only plausible explanation. And knowing Otto, he definitely has the means to pull it off.]
[I must say, our beloved Ana is truly remarkable. Though not the main protagonist, she might as well be. Silently accomplishing feats even beyond the Main trio's reach, one can't help but feel if Ana hadn't sacrificed herself, she could've been the true heroine.]
["That's true, but I have this lingering feeling that Ana might not be truly dead; there could be more to her story."]
["Probably not, considering we're in the Elysian Realm after all."]
Regardless, this plot twist finally explained how Himeko survived and effectively ruled out the possibility of Ana turning Himeko into a Herrscher.
The process of saving Himeko was meticulously planned, leaving clear traces for others to follow.
Soon, the PowerPoint presentation ended, and Ana's figure appeared in the Hall of Heroes with an exclamation mark hovering above her head. Upon clicking to engage in dialogue, she mentioned something akin to trial challenges.
While Brother Cake found it somewhat intriguing, he didn't dwell on it much. However, the viewers in the live stream noticed something else.
This feature could potentially be a source of obtaining crystals. If these were one-time plot-based challenges, clearing them once would yield a few crystals. But if they were refreshable trials, now that would be interesting.
Of course, such thoughts usually remained speculative. MiHoYo has always been cautious, or rather, stingy when it comes to weekly quests for acquiring crystals, like those within the Garden of Eden. Allowing refreshable crystal acquisition in such a small area would indeed be unprecedented.
In the Honkai World, within the Elysian Realm.
"What's up with that man? I thought any MANTIS chosen to retain memories would at least possess basic communication skills." Raiden Mei shifted the conversation back towards Kalpas, diverting from their previous topic.
"As I've mentioned before, these MANTIS, known as the Thirteen Heroes, survived after the Binding Tragedy. Therefore, the qualities you expect, such as interpersonal skills, aren't inherent traits among the Heroic Spirits."
"The only reason he could leave his memories here is because he is one of the Thirteen Heroes, nothing more. Besides, how can you assume all Heroes willingly want to leave memory fragments?" Ana rolled her eyes, a hint of disappointment on her face. It felt like common sense to her; she shouldn't have needed to explain it.
"However, when it comes to standing firm against Honkai, he is undoubtedly more resolute than most, and that's sufficient enough. As for his demeanor, he's just introverted and somewhat awkward in expressing himself."
"You're sure about that?"
Recalling Kalpas' earlier behavior, Raiden Mei couldn't associate him with being introverted no matter how she tried. Shouldn't he be described as passionate and outgoing instead?
"So what do you think about my personality?"
Raiden Mei hesitated momentarily, unsure how to respond. To them, Ana's demeanor was gentle and considerate; honestly, it was difficult to encapsulate her character succinctly.
"Actually, I can be quite unpleasant—far from a good person. This discrepancy shows that you don't truly understand me yet. Kalpas is similar."
"Do you mean Kalpas isn't like this with others?"
"In many cases, excessive enthusiasm serves as a form of self-protection, just to shield our vulnerable selves."
"So, we're essentially the same?"
"..."
"..."
"Well, but in a certain sense, he does align with my impression of individuals from the previous civilization era."
"You think everyone from the previous era were hot-headed troublemakers?" Ana asked, exasperated, placing her hand on her forehead. Raiden Mei remained silent, but her silence seemed to imply agreement.
"What consequences do you believe arise from being temperamental and irrational?"
"Destruction."
"So according to you, did the previous civilization era self-destruct?"
"..."
"Well, in a way, it's true - just in a certain sense." Ana gently sighed.
In reality, the previous civilization era was more magnificent and prosperous than this current age. Before the emergence of the First Herrscher, humanity remained unaffected by Honkai, leading to unparalleled flourishing growth.
It was indeed a genuine golden age, where individuals exuded a unique grace and elegance distinct from those of today. Eden exemplified this spirit, while Kalpas could hardly be considered part of that era; he didn't even truly belong to that time.
"In any case, avoid forming rigid stereotypes; they might lead you astray."
Shaking her head slightly, Ana expressed her helplessness. It was genuinely challenging for her to describe the era to Raiden Mei accurately. All she could suggest was for Raiden Mei to experience it herself or delve deeper into the memories of the Heroic Spirits.
"...I see."
"Forget it then. Let Elysia fill you in on the rest. Describing it myself is difficult, after all, I am merely an outsider," Ana concluded with a touch of ambiguity.
In a way, Ana's words carried a double meaning, but no one could truly grasp her intentions. After all, the secrets she concealed were indeed too terrifying.
With that, Ana vanished before Raiden Mei's eyes.
As someone who had already experienced it, Ana had revealed more than she should have. These insights weren't meant for her to convey; she was merely a passer-through, not a Heroic Spirit of that era.
Her perspective risked influencing Raiden Mei's objective understanding, potentially skewing her perception and comprehension instead.
How should I put this? Most of her knowledge and understanding stemmed from her previous life, where this world was just a game, naturally lacking many intricate details.
However, in the present reality, this is a genuine world, making her limited perspective unnecessary.
One could say, these insights suffice for Ana herself, allowing her to interact with the Heroic Spirits effectively. But if relayed through Ana, they might lead to numerous complications.
Raiden Mei came to the Elysian Realm seeking her own answers, not to passively accept such commonplace personal beliefs and understanding.
If Ana's purpose was solely for Raiden Mei to comprehend her perspective, then there wouldn't be much else to discuss.
However, if that were truly the case, Ana might just have to exclaim "Wow!" Of course, perhaps Raiden Mei does intend to grasp Ana's viewpoint, so... let her embark on this journey like she did with discovering everything about Elysia!
After all, Ana has buried numerous secrets within this Elysian Realm. If Raiden Mei genuinely wants to delve deeper, she will undoubtedly find them.
As for Ana herself, she is merely a memory fragment, existing here solely to fulfill her true self's mission. Why should she concern herself with these matters?
The emotions or sentiment points of the System, associated with her true self, remain unknown and unperceived by Ana... Honestly, as just a memory fragment, why burden her with so many complexities?
In the depths of her consciousness, Ana felt herself teetering on the brink of darkness. Of course, she couldn't truly cross that line, but it allowed her to empathize with Mobius's feelings within this Garden of Eden.
Considering this, it became somewhat understandable why Mobius desired to leave the Elysian Realm.
As for Ana, venting her frustrations was enough. At least, within this Elysian Realm, she experienced aspects even her true self could not feel or enjoy - her beloved Elysia and the Heroic Spirits.
Although some Heroic Spirits were overly passionate and daring, these encounters provided novel experiences for Ana's memory fragment. In reality, Ana herself had reservations; many things she only dared to discuss, never actually trying them out. However, after 50,000 years, the Heroic Spirits here were genuinely willing to experiment.
For instance, if she approached Mobius and expressed interest in engaging in intimate acts, Dr. Mobius would likely hesitate briefly before agreeing. Hmm, though at present, it remained just a thought for Ana.
This lifestyle, ah... it sounds incredibly appealing yet so distant.
During this time, although Ana didn't physically appear, she never truly vanished either. She remained hidden in the shadows of the Elysian Realm's main hall, observing Raiden Mei's comings and goings, witnessing her acquisition of both the golden and Skywise engravings.
These events marked a significant milestone in Raiden Mei's journey through the Elysian Realm. She had now gained the apparent approval of all Heroic Spirits on the surface level. Next, she would uncover the truth about the Fire Moth organization and delve into the dark side of the previous civilization. Leading the way among these revelations was Dr. Mobius.
However, to meet Mobius, she must first pass one final test.
In the original storyline, this trial is administered by Ellie. But this time, Ana plans to personally conduct the examination. To be honest, despite having some estimations of Raiden Mei's strength, there's no better way to truly understand her capabilities than engaging directly.
I'm sure Raiden Mei herself is also eagerly anticipating this battle!
In the real world, it had been some time since Brother Cake last streamed Honkai Impact 3. During this period, discussions about the game significantly increased, arguably even skyrocketing.
The introduction of new characters like the Flame-Chasers and revelations about Ana's backstory breathed fresh life into the game. It seemed as if everything was gradually improving for the better.
It was amidst this backdrop that the preview for Honkai Impact 3's Version 5.1, "Flawless Paradise," arrived.
With the release of the Elysian Realm, the game's reputation somewhat stabilized. However, it's crucial to remember that the internet has a long memory; Captains still recall the shady operations orchestrated by the developers. Nonetheless, for new players, their experience is different.
This could be considered the golden age, the most opportune moment to join the game. Of course, I wouldn't recommend excessive spending on microtransactions.
The version preview maintained its usual quality, showcasing new PVs, maps, and characters. Among them, Miss Pink Elf, Elysia's new armor, made her debut. Interestingly, Otto, who typically provided diligent explanations for Valkyries, was notably absent this time. Instead, Elysia herself took over his role, adding an amusing twist and fueling more speculation among Captains.
Notably, the update included a main storyline expansion, albeit just an interlude chapter. Yet, our Bishop Otto appeared with a completely new attire—a significant change worth noting.
It seemed unlikely to be merely an art upgrade, as there was no real need for it. The change here likely indicated that Bishop Otto's downfall was imminent.
Indeed, Captains were about to witness the final chapter of Otto's story, which held a certain fascination even for seasoned veterans. Although Otto wasn't universally liked, he had been a constant presence throughout their journey.
Not only protagonists can win players' affection; sometimes, fully embracing villainy with added complexity makes a character more memorable and impactful.
In any case, without a doubt, veteran Captains eagerly anticipated this new storyline update. Even if it might not be his definitive end, after spending so much time in the Garden of Eden, it was high time to check on Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, right?