I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

Between the strange three-colored pupils, the deep dark color contrasted with the specks of gold, like stars twinkling in the night.

"Don't worry, I'm here, we're here."

He said so.

Gentle, like a warm breeze.

He gently squeezed her palm, as if trying to transfer some strength to her in this way.

"……Um."

Eden nodded heavily, gripping his hand tightly, unwilling and afraid to let go.

"Okay... then..."

Press the button to activate the necklace-like ornament that wraps around the neck—this is a special amplification device that Vilvi made for Xiwang.

He inhaled, and under Eden's somewhat confused and nervous gaze, covered her ears, and then...

?————

It wasn't a beautiful sound, but an unusually jarring noise, like needles pricking your brain. It was a sound that a musician would never make, a sound that should never be made; it was a desecration of the identity of a musician.

But... it was this sound, which sounded like "harm," that forcibly stopped the chaotic shouts of the crowd. Even the sound of the building collapsing was temporarily drowned out, and everyone subconsciously covered their ears to avoid this "noise."

When the sun stopped shining, the surroundings fell silent for a moment, with only the sounds of flames burning and objects collapsing remaining.

"Everyone here, come with us to take refuge! Keep up the order! Watch your surroundings and where you're stepping! Quickly! Get moving!"

Meanwhile, the "Moths of Fire" members accompanying Xiwang quickly shouted, calling out to the audience who remained, guiding them in the direction to escape, and at the same time, sending some people to rescue those who were injured or trapped.

"Dawn, Eden, let's go!"

Sakura arrived beside the two with an almost eerie speed, brandishing her blade and using its coldness to extinguish the surrounding flames while simultaneously covering their escape.

"This……"

When Eden left the grand stage and walked onto the street, she was shocked once again.

All that could be seen was flames, and all that could be seen was ruins.

Thick smoke rose from the ruins, mingling with the intense heat of the fire, turning the entire sky into an eerie, somber dark red.

Like blood, like death.

Panic is raging, and despair is spreading.

From the roars of the Honkai Beasts echoing everywhere, and from the wails of the people surrounding him, Eden once again felt just how terrifying this calamity called Honkai was.

“Miss Eden, please come with us.”

A soldier from the "Fire Moth" unit stepped forward and spoke quickly, clearly, and politely.

"We'll take you away to a safe place... The impact of this [Great Collapse] is quite extensive, and the surrounding area isn't very safe. Rescue teams are already on their way, and you can return to the 'Firemoth' base when you arrive, where you'll receive better protection."

"...Where are Xi Wang and Ying?"

"I want to stay."

Xi Wang said this.

"........."

Sakura didn't speak, but glanced at Eden, then gestured to Xiwang with her eyes, indicating that she would follow him. She then continued to keep watch on the surroundings.

“Xi Wang, don’t make things too difficult for us… staying here could cause problems for you.”

"But if I stay, I can increase everyone's survival rate and make the battle easier for everyone."

"But……"

"I'll stay, after all, my 'special' status is for this purpose, isn't it?"

"...Okay, we swear we'll protect your safety!"

The soldier nodded, accepting Xi Wang's request to stay... He and his comrades didn't want to die either, and if possible... if Xi Wang's singing could help them... that would be wonderful.

"But please wait until we confirm the situation and go to a safer place before you begin... Your safety is our top priority."

"Yes, I know, and... thank you."

"No, rather we are the ones who should be more grateful to you... It's so good that you're here."

The soldier nodded and quickly directed Xiwang and the others to leave. At the same time, he used communications to contact other squads to monitor the situation of the "Seventh Herrscher" and consider which direction to take Xiwang.

After finding a relatively secluded place to settle the survivors, the soldiers split up. Some stayed behind to protect the survivors and wait for the rescue team to take them away, while others took Xiwang away to a more open area to perform his special song.

...Although if possible, "Moth Chasing Flame" would prefer that Xiwang retreat directly to a safe location, but unfortunately, this time the "Great Collapse" broke out right next to him, so let's give it a try and see if his song can affect the "Herrscher".

However, to avoid the Seventh Herrscher directly targeting Xiwang, it's best to stay as far away from the Seventh Herrscher as possible. This way, everyone can be prepared and take Xiwang away.

Eden seemed nervous about parting ways. She held onto Xiwang's hand tightly and refused to let go, even though the soldiers around her repeatedly tried to dissuade her and asked her to stay in the hideout with the survivors and wait for rescue. She shook her head and refused the suggestion, even though Xiwang also asked her to do so.

I want to stay by your side...

Eden and Xiwang looked at each other and spoke softly.

"……it is good."

Xi Wang nodded without refusing, and even raised her hand to stop the soldiers who wanted to say something more, but just told everyone to hurry up and move... Seeing that the two were determined and Ying also nodded, as if to indicate that it was no problem, the soldiers could only sigh helplessly, obeyed the command, and led Xi Wang to a pre-arranged open hill.

This place should have been a tall building, but now it has been reduced to rubble and ruins. Fortunately, the platform at the top is relatively flat, and there are several roads around it that make it easy to leave... This is enough.

I skillfully turned on the device around my neck, gently tested it to adjust my voice. I turned up the power, letting my singing flow and drift away on the wind.

???~

Gently close your eyes, immerse your mind in the song, express your thoughts, convey your emotions, and declare to the world that he—Xi Wang/Hope—is right here.

The song, like water, quietly flowed through the city engulfed in flames, washing away the pervasive panic; the song, like the wind, gently blew through the streets filled with ruins, carrying away the spreading despair.

A slight Honkai energy reaction emanates from you, transforming into a special "melody" along with your song, stirring up the surrounding Honkai energy and attracting the Honkai beasts nearby.

Gradually, the sounds of Honkai Beasts raging around them disappeared, leaving only the sound of burning flames and the cries for help from the survivors.

"quick."

The "Moth Chasing the Flame" soldier quickly made a hand gesture, instructing a few people to move closer to the direction from which the cries for help came, while the others rallied their spirits and waited for the Honkai Beasts to approach.

???~

Boom--boom--

The song of Dawn continued, and the trembling sound of the approaching Honkai Beasts followed, making people feel tense with the growing sense of crisis.

The flames around them were still burning, and the intense heat made people feel irritable. Thick smoke filled the air, obscuring everyone's vision. The unknown feeling made people even more fearful. The dry air surrounded them, and without them realizing it, it took away the moisture from their bodies, making their lips chapped.

But... just then, Xi Wang opened her eyes as if sensing something and looked at the sky shrouded in thick smoke.

tick-

Softly, it was the sound of raindrops falling.

As if the heavens themselves were trying to help them, a light drizzle soon enveloped the entire city, quelling the raging flames and washing away the thick smoke that obscured the view.

This coincidence, this stroke of luck, this timely rain brought joy to many.

And this is especially true of Xiwang.

The rain conveyed a sense of care and help... It did not want its child to suffer from dryness again, so it came to his side.

He was bathing in the rain, smiling happily.

???~

He sang loudly, showcasing his voice amidst the rain, praising the heavens' favor and expressing gratitude for the timely rain.

Joy, happiness, encouragement... these emotions are conveyed through the song, and even the sound of rain cannot mask them. In fact... after the rain falls, his song seems to travel even further.

The soldiers of "Fire Moth" worked together with Sakura to methodically deal with the approaching Honkai Beasts. Support teams joined in continuously to stabilize the front line, while soldiers also left on orders to rescue the trapped survivors.

Everything was so orderly and skillful.

With nothing to do, Eden seemed out of place at this moment.

She simply watched, her gaze lingering on Xi Wang singing loudly in the rain, slightly dazed.

In a daze, she seemed to have returned to the past, to the time when she went to the hospital to visit Xi Wang. Back then, he was just as dazzling as he is now.

No, he was even more "radiant" than before.

Flames are spreading, and collapse is raging.

But as he sang, the rain fell quietly, and the collapse became stable.

The initially dire situation took a turn for the better after his singing began, just like a person falling off a cliff grabbing a lifeline, which genuinely evoked a sense of relief and joy.

There's still a tiny... glimmer of hope that we can be saved.

Eden looked at him, her gaze never leaving him, nor did she want to.

Gently placing her hand on her chest, feeling the longing in her heart, she felt a little bit of envy towards Xi Wang.

The sorrow caused by the collapse that shattered his most proud voice, the sadness caused by his inability to shine again... gradually faded away.

really……

Eden looked at Xiwang and listened to his singing voice, which could not be drowned out by any other sound, and smiled softly.

Hope/Hope...what a wonderful word.

Chapter 45 You've Grown Up a Bit, Hua (5919)

As far as the eye could see... was nothing but flames...

Where should I go...? Where should I go...?

A gray-haired girl named "Hua" fled in a daze.

She was a deserter... Faced with the "Herrscher," she abandoned her teammates and ran away.

There was nothing that could be done about it, right? At that moment, her captain—Himiko—suddenly showed hostility towards them. The detection device she was carrying immediately sounded an urgent alarm, and then was immediately burned by the flames she manipulated.

At that time, she, like the other team members, was at a loss when faced with their captain who had become "the enemy of humanity".

At that time, they still held onto a sliver of hope, wishing that everything before them was just an illusion, just a dream. So they forced a smile and softly called out their captain's name, trying to get a response from her.