Half a month later...
Over the past two weeks, Aponia had managed to imprint the 『Commandments』 on all members.
Fortunately, she could apply the 『Commandments』 to multiple targets at once. Otherwise, it would have taken much longer to do it one by one.
After completing this task, Chang Yuan gave Aponia the role of a psychological counselor.
After all, her abilities were perfect for addressing psychological issues.
Of course, all new recruits would also have to receive Aponia's 『Commandments』.
In this way, the disaster of the Tenth Herrscher was easily averted.
"So, Yuan, in the days I've been away, have you been fooled by any other girls?"
Sitting on a bench on a rooftop, Chang Yuan was enjoying the view when a certain pink elf suddenly appeared in front of him, bending down.
She spoke in a teasing tone, her voice warm and affectionate.
But Chang Yuan wasn't in the mood to explain. His vision was completely blocked by a layer of snow-white.
"No."
After a deep glance, Chang Yuan turned his head away.
"Really? But I heard that for the past two weeks, you've been spending a lot of time with a girl named Aponia. Even I can get jealous, you know."
Standing up straight, Elysia puffed out one cheek.
When she returned, she had heard from her squad members that her deputy, Chang Yuan, had been spending a lot of time with a certain girl over the past two weeks.
When she heard this, it felt like the sky had fallen.
She had only been gone for half a month, and someone had already stolen her home.
"You mean Aponia? We've been applying 『Commandments』 to all members over the past two weeks. The 『Commandments』 are similar to mental imprints, and with the Tenth Herrscher... you understand, right?"
As someone who already knew the truth about Honkai, Elysia immediately understood the importance of the 『Commandments』.
"I see. I thought you'd been swept off your feet by another girl in the half month I was gone. You scared me."
"How could that happen? I'll always love you, Elysia. Even if you can't give me a definite answer yet, my feelings won't change."
"Ah, Yuan, you're making me blush. Really~?."
Sitting down next to Chang Yuan, Elysia leaned her head on his shoulder, her left hand finding his right and intertwining their fingers.
"Look, the world feels so peaceful right now. I wish it could stay like this forever."
Watching the sunset, Elysia couldn't help but wish time would stand still.
"It will. Honkai isn't invincible."
"..."
"Elysia?"
"..."
Huu~
Hearing the soft sound of breathing, Chang Yuan realized Elysia had fallen asleep.
After half a month of continuous battles against Honkai, she had forced herself to stay awake just to find him and ask about his time with Aponia.
Seeing how jealous Elysia was for him, Chang Yuan turned his head slightly to look at her.
A gentle breeze brushed through her pink, fluffy hair, strands of which now fell onto Chang Yuan's face.
The air was filled with Elysia's scent.
Looking at such a lovely person, Chang Yuan gently brushed away the strands of hair covering her fair cheeks.
The slight tickle made Elysia twitch her nose slightly before settling back into sleep.
Chang Yuan carefully picked her up, doing his best not to jostle her.
He carried her all the way to the dormitory where Elysia and the others lived.
Gently knocking on the door, he was greeted by Himeko, her fiery red hair as striking as ever.
Seeing Chang Yuan carrying Elysia in his arms, Himeko gave him a teasing look.
"Oh, so you're the 'family' Elysia always talks about? I think 'boyfriend' suits you better, don't you?"
"Captain Himeko, please don't tease me. Although I have confessed to her, she's never given me a direct answer."
"But she hasn't rejected you either, has she? So, you'd better treat her well. Girls as pure as her are rare. If you hurt her, I don't care how strong you are—this is a warning from her family."
"I wouldn't dare."
Hurt Elysia? Was he out of his mind?
If he ever did such a thing, he'd have to face the wrath of more than half of Fire Moth's top brass.
Even his dear friend Vill-V would give him a piece of her mind.
And even if they didn't intervene, Elysia alone could easily handle him.
"Good. Come in. Elysia's bed is the one furthest inside. You can't miss it."
Entering the girls' dormitory, it was just as Himeko had said—Elysia's bed was unmistakable.
The pink bedding was too conspicuous.
Approaching the bed, Chang Yuan gently laid Elysia down.
He also carefully brushed away the strands of hair covering her face.
Looking at her peaceful expression, Chang Yuan couldn't resist leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
Seeing this, Himeko's eyes widened, and she quickly pulled out her phone to capture the moment.
This was too good. The sweet, timid romance was just perfect.
As a single woman, Himeko couldn't help but smile like a proud mother.
Meanwhile, Elysia's lips curled into a faint, blissful smile.
After finishing, Chang Yuan quickly left.
He—he had actually kissed Elysia!
That night, sleep was impossible.
Meanwhile, Kevin and Su watched as Chang Yuan squirmed on his bed like a worm.
"Su, what's wrong with him? Did he get possessed or something?"
"Kevin, you don't understand. He's acting like someone who did something incredibly embarrassing and is now struggling to process it."
As a doctor, Su had read some psychology books.
He had a rough idea of what Chang Yuan was going through.
"I don't get it."
"It's like when Mei accepted your confession."
"Ah, I see."
Remembering how he had acted the night after his successful confession, Kevin immediately understood.
That night, he had been just like Chang Yuan.
"Oh! He must have confessed to Elysia and succeeded. That's why he's like this, hehe."
"We know, but don't say it in front of Chang Yuan. He might get embarrassed. Not everyone is as carefree as you, acting like nothing happened the day after confessing."