Inside the Valkyrie dormitory.
At 10:30 p.m., beautiful music drifted through the brightly lit dormitory from the automatic piano.
After being modified by the genius little trash inventor Vill-V, the piano in the Valkyrie dormitory was no longer just a piano. It could now produce the sound of every instrument in the world.
Whether it was a violin or a drum set, even an erhu or a suona, none of it posed a problem. Of course, it also functioned as a music player.
On top of that, it could even be used for barbecue, and it was capable of combat. Hidden inside the piano were two Gatling guns that could spew blue flames. It could even transform into a robot like a Transformer.
Its functions could be described as excessively comprehensive. However, ever since Vill-V remodeled it, Eden had refused to touch the thing...
Eden: (This isn't a piano at all! It's some kind of chaotic aggregate wearing the shell of a piano!!)
At this moment, the "piano" was playing a famous song released in the Previous Era by Eden and Elias—"Bliss."
Regardless of how outrageously modified it had become, Vill-V's creations were undeniably practical.
Elysia nestled in Elias' arms, gently swirling the wine glass in her hand as she listened to him recount the events she had missed during this period.
(This is so nice... I wish it could last forever.)
The pink elf's gaze remained fixed on the white-haired boy before her. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, though it was less from the wine in her cup and more from the person in front of her.
"Ely, Ely?"
"...Hm?"
"What are you thinking about? You seem distracted. It's rare to see you spacing out. Are you bored?"
Elias interlocked his fingers with Elysia's. The warm-toned lighting added an extra touch of beauty to the two of them.
When two people with such overwhelming looks gathered together, the scene was like a painting—enough to leave anyone who saw it dazed and longing, as though even time itself had become more precious in that moment.
"Of course not. Eli's stories are always so interesting and thrilling... or rather, a little too thrilling. Every time it's some sweat-drenching grand adventure."
Elysia spoke with a subtle expression.
The pink elf had originally thought that since her husband could even defeat—or conquer—the Herrscher of Finality, there was nothing left in the world that could threaten his safety.
Yet unexpectedly, while she was unaware, Elias had been targeted by both the Imaginary Tree and the Sea of Quanta.
Elysia could not help but sigh. Elias' life was far too exaggerated. Crises that ordinary people would never encounter even once in a lifetime were as common as daily meals for him. Fate truly was filled with malice toward the one she loved so deeply.
But perhaps it was precisely because of that that she could never take her eyes off him. Not only out of fear that he might stumble into danger again at any moment, but more importantly... because of the way Elias repeatedly defied fate and triumphed over it.
To Elysia, that sight was simply too handsome. She could not bear to miss even a single second.
And it was because of this constant gaze that the pink elf realized something important.
"Eli, I just suddenly realized something. Happiness is actually a very simple thing. Even if I do nothing, even if I think about nothing—just sitting here like this and looking at you makes me feel truly, incredibly happy."
Elysia rested her chin on her hands. Her sky-blue eyes brimmed with boundless tenderness and love, and Elias saw his own reflection mirrored within them.
Just like in his own eyes...
At that moment, the foolish married couple both felt unbearably extravagant and wasteful, letting such beautiful eyes—Elias' and Elysia's—reflect their own images.
"Though a dramatic life suits Eli very well, a simpler life isn't bad either, right? Just like me right now. As long as I can look at you like this, I'm already completely satisfied."
Elysia brushed the strands of hair before her face behind her pointed ears. Even knowing they had infinite time ahead to spend together, she still could not bear to blink at this moment.
"Then Ely, are you willing to look at me forever?"
Elias raised his hand to cup Elysia's cheek, drawing their already close distance even nearer, until they could clearly hear each other's breathing and heartbeats.
"Of course I am. I couldn't wish for anything more."
"Mm... me too."
With that, their lips met once more.
Both Elias and Elysia found it a little unbelievable. Somehow, whenever this person appeared before them, they simply could not restrain themselves from wanting to kiss, to embrace, to be intimate.
After a long while, their lips reluctantly parted.
"Emmm... suddenly I feel like maybe not being a hero or a savior wouldn't be so bad. By the way, once everything is over, how about we find a bubble world with beautiful scenery and live in seclusion? If we can't find one, I'll just create one."
"Or we could build an enormous spaceship and roam the sea of stars together, traveling to brand-new worlds."
"Or we could return to our Elysian Realm and hole up there for the rest of our lives. That actually sounds pretty nice too."
Elias' eyes sparkled as he spoke.
Humans are creatures who love to fantasize about the future. Most people imagine themselves as superheroes or tycoons, saving the world or building massive harems.
But the things ordinary people could only fantasize about, Elias had already accomplished. So his fantasy was to live a beautiful and peaceful ordinary life... though the ideas he had just proposed didn't exactly have much to do with the word "ordinary."
"Alright, alright~ As expected of my Eli, such romantic ideas. But... they don't sound easy to achieve."
"It's fine. We'll definitely make them happen."
"Mm!"
The pink elf nodded, though she knew full well that normalcy and ordinariness were forever out of reach for her husband.
Just today, Elias had saved hundreds of bubble worlds.
His body had long since become Noah's Ark for countless civilizations, a safe haven upon which innumerable bubble worlds depended for survival.
At the thought of this, Elysia could not help but reveal a bitter smile. Though his Signet bore the name [Deliverance], wasn't this level of accomplishment far too exaggerated? Something that should never have been simple—yet Elias made it seem as effortless as eating or drinking.
She could not resist reaching out to gently squeeze his shoulder.
Bearing the weight of so many worlds all by himself...
Even though he was smiling, he must be enduring unimaginable pressure. Just thinking about it made Elysia's heart ache.
Because of that...
(I have to love Eli with all my strength. He has never known how to take care of himself. Eli, since you've chosen to become the safe haven for so many people and bubble worlds, then let me become your gentle sanctuary.)
...
"It's getting late. I'll go take a shower first."
"Mm~ I won't let you sleep tonight, Eli."
"Hehe, you say that every time. Just don't start begging me to spare you in less than five minutes."
Elias reached out and kneaded Elysia's soft, wonderfully squishy cheeks, then picked up his pajamas and walked toward the bathroom.
There were more and more people living in the dorm now, but there was only one bathroom, so showering had become a bit troublesome. Elias was considering simply building an artificial hot spring—then they could just bathe together.
After briefly imagining the scene, he praised himself for being a genius. Unfortunately, he had thought of it too late. The others had already finished bathing today, so he would have to implement it tomorrow.
And while a certain someone was showering...
"Elysia, let's form an alliance."
An unprecedented scene unfolded in the living room. Mobius actually took the initiative to propose an alliance to Elysia. The pink elf's beautiful eyes widened in genuine surprise.
"Mobius, did you... take the wrong medicine?"
"You're the one who took the wrong medicine!"
A large vein bulged on Snake's forehead.
If not for the situation forcing her hand, she would never have wanted to ally with this incompatible pink lump. But... beneath the surface calm of this Valkyrie dormitory, undercurrents were surging. Every opponent had already revealed themselves.
And with the marriage certificate Elysia had displayed earlier causing such intense stimulation, the future situation would undoubtedly grow even more tense. This war of love was about to become fiercer than ever.
Mobius conservatively estimated that even the battle against Finality fifty thousand years ago might pale in comparison. Her odds of winning were not infinitesimal—but they were slim.
Since that was the case, she might as well ally with Elysia. After all, this woman was undeniably ranked first in the current season. When the season ended, even if Mobius failed to win, she would at least secure a sizable share of the spoils.
And it would make backstabbing easier later.
After all, only when close enough could a snake's fangs truly strike. Whether snakes held grudges was debatable—but Mobius certainly did.
She had not forgotten how, fifty thousand years ago, this pink lump had tied her up, stuffed her under the bed, and used her as a prop for their nighttime amusements.
Not to mention being forcibly dressed in a pink frilly skirt, having embarrassing photos taken, and several times having her E-cup slime pounded into something completely flat!
In Snake's mind, a vision was already forming.
When this Current Era season neared its end, and this pink creature was basking smugly in her lead, Mobius would deliver a vicious backstab and topple her in one stroke!
Then monopolize her dear little lab rat!
(Hehe~ Elysia, I'll take care of your husband for you. You need not worry!)
Snake wiped the corner of her lips, already imagining what posture she would use later.
However...
"Emmm, though I'm very happy you invited me to form an alliance, Mobius, I'll have to decline. No."
Elysia crossed her index fingers into an X.
"...Hah?!"
Mobius' snake pupils widened in shock. Why wasn't this pink lump following the script?
The next second, Elysia planted her hands on her hips. Listening to the shaa shaa of water flowing from the bathroom, she swallowed firmly.
"Mobius, for a girl, there is no war in this world more merciless than love. Everyone can only fight alone. Either you win everything—or the loser eats dust!"
Even if the opponent was a former best friend. In the face of happiness, friendships could overturn in an instant. That truth had already been proven between them.
So alliances were out of the question.
Besides, you'd definitely cause trouble later.
And...
(Right now, I'm Eli's wife. Miss Pink Elf is the strongest and invincible!)
Elysia: "Mobius, you know the rules. If you want Eli, then come and take him. If you want it, then you have to take it."
Mobius: "Hmph! Fine then. I hope you crash and burn soon, Elysia!"
Elysia: "Crash? Impossible. Absolutely impossible! I'm the Herrscher of Origin who can make her wishes come true. How could I possibly crash?"
She had already been invincible fifty thousand years ago. Though the Current Era had someone blessed with destiny like Mei, it was nothing to worry about.
She, Elysia—the Pink Empress—would once again suppress an entire era and monopolize Elias for eternity!
"Oh? Then who was it that got hung up in the living room today and almost died?" Mobius sneered.
"Oh dear~ how careless of me. I seem to have accidentally sent those photos of you in a pink dress to the internal group chat of St. Freya Academy~"
"Elysia, I'll fight you to the death!"
The green snake's forehead veins throbbed as she lunged at the pink elf, baring her fangs and claws.
Watching the two of them wrestling on the sofa, a passing moth casually commented—"Elysia and Mobius really have such a good relationship."
After a brief clash, Mobius' chest size seemed to draw a little closer to Fu Hua's again, while she herself was pinned beneath Elysia.
The slender snake lay trapped beneath what she called the pink lump's backside, unable to move, yet she still stubbornly shouted, "Is that all? If you've got the guts, Elysia, kill me!"
To which Miss Pink Elf responded...
"That would be such a waste~ Hehe. Let's play an old game from the Previous Era. I'll be troubling you tonight, my dear Mobius~"
"Y-You—what are you planning to do? Elysia, I'm warning you, don't you dare! Where did you get that rope?!"
"Oh my~ don't be nervous. We're best friends of fifty thousand years. How could a kind pink elf ever hurt you?"
As she spoke, Elysia used soulium fiber rope to bind Mobius securely, then grabbed an apple from the coffee table and stuffed it into her mouth.
In the end, she carried her into Elias' bedroom and shoved her under the bed.
"Tonight will be very thrilling~"
"!!!"
The beautiful memories of the Previous Era resurfaced. Snake instantly understood what the pink elf intended to do. Her entire being felt terrible.
"Mmfff mmfff mmfff!"
(Damn you, Elysia—you really deserve to die!)
"Eli should be done washing by now. My turn next. I need to wash extra clean tonight~ La la la~"
After settling Mobius in place, Elysia skipped cheerfully toward the bathroom.
However, at that very moment—
A purple-haired girl stepped out of her bedroom.
Mei glanced up at the time on the wall.
Exactly 11:00 p.m.
(Good. I made it in time.)
Mei let out a quiet sigh of relief and murmured softly.
"Elysia, I admit what you said earlier makes sense. On the battlefield called love, each of us must fight alone. If I want Elias, I'll have to take him."
And so—
Shhh... shhh...
The clear sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
While that pink elf was bathing...
This cook would stage a magnificent reversal.