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

"Sakura... needs you a lot at this stage."

"She has done so much for you, so please don't be too surprised when you see her."

"Isn't Eden coming along?"

"No, at this time... she needs you more. After all, she's even a little embarrassed to come see you on her own initiative, so you should take the initiative to see her."

Eden shook his head and softly refused.

"But, we agreed..."

"Let's sing together afterwards."

Eden smiled gently, softly comforted him, and made him a promise.

"...Okay, it's a promise."

"Yes, it's a promise."

Eden nodded, told him where Sakura might be, and watched him leave like a gentle breeze.

"........."

Once his figure disappeared from sight, Eden gradually withdrew his gaze, the corners of his mouth slowly turning down, his gentle smile seemingly leaving with him.

Eden slowly took out her terminal, adjusted it several times, and found a message... It was her application for fusion warrior surgery submitted to "Fire Moth".

But unsurprisingly, her result was a rejection.

"As expected... Sigh..."

Eden murmured to himself, somewhat dejected, his golden pupils appearing somewhat dim.

This was her third application... but it was rejected again.

The reason given by "Fire Moth" was quite simple... there was no need for her to undergo such a dangerous surgery at the moment. Compared to someone like her who had not undergone any combat training, "Fire Moth" had more suitable warriors to perform the surgery.

Meanwhile, "Moth Chaser" also told her in her reply that there was no need or necessity for her to go to the battlefield. In comparison, she was more suitable for logistics and propaganda work... After all, the impact of the "Seventh Great Collapse" was too great, and "Moth Chaser" was forced to step into the spotlight. This was exactly the time when she was needed to stand on the stage and promote the cause.

Furthermore, as one of the major sponsors of "Fire Moth", she doesn't need to take on such dangerous things... What if something goes wrong?

As for Xiwang's situation... "Moth Chasing the Flame" also said that this was a last resort. Who knew that it would be just a matter of timing? Nobody wanted Xiwang to gamble on the slim success rate of the surgery... so Eden naturally didn't need her either; she could play a greater role elsewhere.

As for why Sakura's application was approved... on the one hand, she can be considered a combatant, and if the surgery is completed, she can support the front line. On the other hand, her compatibility is very high, and the success rate of the surgery is much higher than that of others. Therefore, "Moth Chasing the Flame" agreed to her application.

In short, "Moth of Fire's" reply was essentially a plea for Eden to stop submitting his application, suggesting that she could offer more and better assistance elsewhere.

But... that's precisely why Eden seems lost.

Since that fire, she has been somewhat lost. Her singing voice can no longer attract people's attention, and her brilliance can no longer shine on people... What can she, as a singer, do?

Not to mention, there are people who sing better than her.

Xi Wang... Yes... Xi Wang, Eden still remembers Xi Wang's singing voice in that great fire, under that timely rain. His hopeful song drifted and flowed with the wind. Even the Honkai Beasts that brought disaster would become quiet after listening to it. Compared to him, his own useless song... seemed dispensable.

Later, when the Herrschers attacked, she was powerless to do anything, watching everyone fight but unable to help, and could only be a dispensable bystander... and in the end, she watched as Xiwang was corrupted by the Honkai.

With Xiwang's help, she had finally managed to regain some of her confidence and pride after the devastation of the fire. She had even thought that even if she couldn't shine on stage, it would be good to be by his side as a companion star that complemented his brilliance.

But everything that followed shattered this barely cobbled-together idea.

At that time, she thought Xi Wang was definitely dead... When she learned about Xi Wang's condition, she was truly desperate...

Fortunately, he pulled through in the end; he was lucky... to survive.

But what should we do after that?

Xi Wang... He survived, and can continue to sing as before, continue to fully express his unique characteristics, and continue to shine with his unique light.

Sakura... She also completed her surgery, and with her excellent physical condition and combat ability, she is able to be active on the battlefield, radiating her unique beauty.

And... what about me? What should I do?

Eden sighed softly.

The two people beside her were shining with their own unique brilliance at this moment, but she, who was originally the most dazzling star... dimmed.

The brilliance of "diamonds" remains.

The fragrance of cherry blossoms permeated the air.

But the "gold" was covered in dust at this moment.

Chapter 48 Ears~ I like them~ (5004)

"Hmm...hmm...I see...Eden is worried about this..."

"But... how do I know?"

Xi Wang tilted her head, and her long hair, which gradually turned from dark to white, fell down, gently lifted by a breeze that seemed to come from nowhere.

"……is that so?"

Xi Wang slightly raised his hand, feeling the gentle breeze brushing against his fingertips. His words carried a hint of doubt, yet also a hint of understanding... He seemed to have some understanding of his abilities after becoming a Fusion Warrior.

However, this seems to be just a side effect; the true power seems to have yet to be discovered.

However, all of that can be put aside for now. Right now, he wants to find Sakura... If he had to explain why, it's because he feels like he's having a dream again. Although the memories are still somewhat hazy, he has a feeling, or rather, a very deep impression—that he must find Sakura and Rin and make them live. No matter what, he must at least change this ending.

That's why he cares so much about Sakura's whereabouts... He originally wanted to act with Eden, but now it seems that Eden also has his troubles...

This is a bit tricky. Eden seems to have become somewhat reluctant to perform since that fire, and she's even willing to postpone the singing we've agreed to... However, there is a solution to this problem. After all, music is a better way for the two of them to communicate. So... let's dedicate a song to Eden. I believe she'll be able to feel it.

And now...

"Let me see... the training room seems to be... ah, here."

She greeted people cheerfully along the way, creating a pleasant breeze as she announced her recovery. Meanwhile, Xiwang gradually found Sakura's location—a training room specifically for fusion warriors.

"Hahahaha!!! Very good! Sakura! You're strong now! But! I'm stronger than you! Come! Face me head-on! Don't dodge! Stop your pointless harassment! Fight me!!!"

"A thousand tribulations... this is just a friendly spar, there's no need to escalate it to a life-or-death battle..."

"Enough! What's the point of fighting if we don't kill? What's the point of sparring if we don't fight to kill our enemies?! Come! Wield your blade! Unleash your speed! Aim it at my heart! At my neck! And I! Will return the favor with everything I have!!!"

"Ugh……"

Before even entering the room, one could hear Qianjie's furious shouts and Ying's helpless sighs, followed by what could only be described as violent stomping sounds, as Qianjie chased after Ying.

"Wow……"

"Huh? It's you?"

She quietly opened the door a crack and watched the two figures move so fast that they could only be vaguely seen as shadows. Xi Wang sighed softly... But even this slight sigh was keenly caught by Qian Jie, whose fierce gaze swept over her in an instant.

"You've come back to life?"

Qianjie stopped chasing Ying, and Ying also stopped abruptly, beginning to conceal herself without leaving a trace.

"I'm not dead, Qianjie, I've just recovered... Hehe~ I heard you were very worried about me back then, thank you~"

"Huh? Who's worried about you? It would be more interesting if you died."

Qianjie's tone suddenly rose considerably, as if he were somewhat annoyed.

"...However, the smell on you is getting weirder and weirder...Hmph, I look forward to the day I fight you."

"I can't beat you guys..."

"Oh? Want to give it a try? I can sense that you're actually quite strong... Want to give it a try? Awaken in battle, feel that gradually emerging fighting instinct amidst pain and blood! Hahahaha! That would be very interesting!"

"I won't fight you guys... I've never learned how to play, at most I'll sing you a song~ Want to hear it? As a celebratory song, or..."

"Shut up! If you dare sing, I'll tear your throat apart!"

"Don't be like that. My goal is for everyone to be able to hear songs they like from me, and for everyone to be able to find songs they like from my albums... You're no exception, are you, Qianjie?"

“You’re welcome to try, but for now, shut up and get out.”

"Okay, in that case, please let me have Sakura, okay?"

Xi Wang tilted her head, pointed to Sakura who was facing away from her and trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, and said softly... Perhaps because she suddenly heard her own name, Sakura's body stiffened abruptly, and the pair of long, strange ears on her head stood up with a "pop". Then, Sakura hurriedly reached out and pressed the ears down, pretending that they did not exist, while burying her body even lower.

"...Never mind, I'm leaving!"

Qianjie stared at Xiwang for a while, then clicked his tongue in annoyance and walked away.

"Ah... a thousand tribulations..."

However, just as Qianjie was leaving the room, he happened to run into Aponia, who had come looking for him.

Good day, Aponia~

"Good day, Xiwang... It's so good to see you making a full recovery."

Aponia nodded to Xiwang, her words carrying a hint of joy, but overall she seemed quite indifferent, as if she wasn't surprised by Xiwang's recovery... Then, she turned to Qianjie and softly reminded him.

"Qianjie, a mission has arrived. They want you to provide support..."

"Huh? You think you can order me around?!"

"...a thousand tribulations."

"Shut up! Aponia! Tell me the location, I'll go myself! And let those scum escape on their own. If I see them there when I get there... I'll tear them to shreds!!! Hahahaha!!!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Qianjie, and..."

Aponia was already used to Qianjie's awkward attitude and manic words. She simply nodded to express her gratitude and then gave Xiwang a slight bow.

"Thank you for your continued efforts... Please don't worry, I will catch up with you in a little while."

"……Well?"

"Please keep moving forward with determination... Xi Wang."

"Yes, I will~"

Although she found Aponia's vague words a bit strange, Xiwang did not refuse, but simply smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Well then...see you later."

"See you later~"

After a brief farewell, Xi Wang gently closed the door to the training room and turned to look at Ying, who was huddled in the corner like an ostrich.

"Hmph~? Hmph~?"