Chapter 91 cannot be translated
Chapter 92: Apology
Lin rarely hesitated. His usual mode of operation fit most people's perception of someone with low emotional intelligence: straightforward. He had done his fair share of deceiving people and had gained some experience in it, but with those he was familiar with, he only interacted bluntly. The reason was that he felt there was no need for pretense.
But now he stood before a certain person's door, hesitating for ten minutes, still undecided on whether to knock. Since returning from the Deepest Place, Lin had come here and had yet to make a move. He found that since returning from the bubble world, he had become much more hesitant regarding the people around him. For instance, just now in the Deepest Place, he had actually wanted to ask Aponia why she gave him a ring.
She likely didn't understand the meaning of wearing a ring on the ring finger, and there was no such tradition now; he was probably overthinking it, so he hesitated and didn't ask. Perhaps this condition should be called sentimentality?
"Are you not going to knock?"
"I... don't know."
"Don't know what?"
"Don't know if she..."
Lin suddenly paused. The 360-degree vision of his helmet's monitor allowed him to easily glimpse the pink-haired girl smiling beautifully beside him. She leaned forward slightly, her delicate, exquisite face nearing his helmet as she asked with a mischievous grin, "Don't know if she what?"
"Don't know if she'll pay me back for the kick just now."
"..."
Lin was right; his experience in the bubble world had influenced him in every aspect. Besides the shift in his beliefs, he seemed to have started acting like a jerk subconsciously. From this perspective, Mobius, who saw through his nature at a glance, should be considered the person who understood him best.
"She won't." Elysia expressionlessly lifted her foot, which was clad in a cute high-top boot. "She'll pay you back with another kick."
...The idea of Elysia getting angry sounded like a fairy tale to many. After all, she was that Elysia. A girl who couldn't be defined by common sense or language; if one had to use a word to describe her, it could probably only be "Elysia."
Before Elysia could add a footprint to his helmet, Lin finally reacted. He immediately spoke in a cold tone: "But I thought about it, and a cute girl kicking someone is a reward, so there's no need to pay. I'm just here hesitating whether to say thank you to her."
Elysia froze. She stared blankly at the composed, unapologetic Lin. After a long while, she lowered her foot. Then she burst into laughter, a beautiful smile blooming on her face. "You've suddenly become very good at coaxing girls, Lin~ Even though your voice still has no inflection like a synthesized one, I'll let it slide this time~"
It was clear she was happy, and Lin was somewhat surprised by his own eloquence just now. He seemed to have... some talent for it.
"You're okay after accidentally falling into the sea just now, right?" Elysia emphasized the word "accidentally."
"...Yeah."
It seemed she was still angry.
...
Elysia anger was different from everyone else's. When Mobius was angry, she would look at others with the eyes of someone examining a lab rat about to lie on the operating table. Kalpas would grab your collar and ask if you needed a brain repair service. Kevin would remain silent while letting the cold air around him grow even chillier.
No one had ever puffed out their cheeks like Elysia; it only made her anger look adorable. However, this was enough to make others feel amazed when they passed by.
"I discussed the topic of consciousness with them." Lin sat at the upper left of the dining table, stirring his coffee, and spoke steadily. "Do you have any views on it?"
"Humanity's research on consciousness is still stuck in the superficial neural aspect." Although Elysia looked pouting, she still communicated with Lin normally. She sat at the bottom right of the dining table, looking in another direction. "Even using Herrscher cores to create Divine Keys, there has been no consideration of how to deal with the Herrscher consciousness inside."
"So is there a way..."
"Aponia is the first psychometric-type MANTIS. The Honkai Beast she fused with is a signpost." Elysia shared her view: "While high-level Honkai Beasts aren't necessarily born only during a massive Eruption, their own abilities share a degree of connection and correspondence with the Herrschers."
Most companion high-level Honkai Beasts possess a variation of a Herrscher's ability, and their abilities allow humans to glimpse a corner of a Herrscher's authority. Hearing Elysia analysis, Lin felt a sense of realization. Aponia fused with Mitra's genes and gained consciousness-related abilities; does that mean a certain Herrscher's ability is also related to consciousness?
But Honkai Beasts with partial Herrscher abilities shouldn't be born before the Herrscher representing that authority appears. Just as before the birth of the Fifth Herrscher, ice-manipulating beasts like the Emperor-class Parvati had never appeared.
"Though it hasn't been verified, the Eighth Herrscher might be the key to everything." Yama parting words echoed in his mind again. A certain guess flashed through his heart. Could it be...
During his musing, his gaze rested on Elysia. Her head was turned away as she took sips of milk tea filled with pearls. ...Speaking of which, Elysia also loved sweets; she never restricted her diet.
"Elysia."
"What is it?"
When Elysia smiled, she looked no different from usual.
"How do you think one should apologize to a friend who was forgotten so she'll stop being angry?"
"..." Elysia smile almost broke. She laughed stiffly. "That depends on who she is."
"Oh..." Lin pondered. "What if it were you?"
"How could I be angry with a friend~" Elysia gave a brilliant smile. "Even if I were forgotten, I believe the friend was just too busy and did it by accident."
"What if he just purely forgot?"
"..."
"And he remembered many people, but forgot only her."
"..."
Lin spread his hands and asked seriously: "Do you think... an apology can make the anger go away?"
"I..." Elysia took a deep breath, and gradually the anger on her face vanished. She wasn't stupid; she naturally understood why Lin was asking her these questions. "I wouldn't be angry. Not for any other reason, but simply because we are friends."
She curled her lips gracefully and smiled as usual. Yes, even if she appeared angry, Elysia wouldn't truly be angry with Lin over such a thing.
However...
"Good." Lin nodded and stood up. "Since you aren't angry, I won't apologize. Goodbye."
"..."
This was the first time Lin saw Elysia face turn completely black.