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

It spoke slowly.

[Thank you so much for your song, senior. It has allowed me to see and learn so much, such as... If possible... I would like to hear you sing again... live.]

"If you'd like, you can come every time on the appointed day! I welcome every listener."

No... well... never mind... your friends are all so amazing, I... I'm a little scared...

It shrank back slightly and spoke somewhat timidly.

[Besides... I'm different from my seniors' friends... and it's not suitable for me to get to know them...]

No, but... I'll try my best! As long as I can control myself, I'll go see my senior's friends!

I just don't know... if my seniors' friends will accept me...

"Yes, they will. Everyone here is a very nice person. I believe they will be very happy to see you and know your situation, right?"

[Really?! Are you all really good people? Like... like the description in your senior's "song," that humanity is all beautiful, even... even someone like me, a Herrscher, is acceptable?]

It suddenly became somewhat agitated.

[I saw it before too, didn't I? There was also a Herrscher who was hanging out with her seniors' friends. I really want to be like her! Even... even want to be liked by everyone like her seniors. I really want that...]

But... but I still can't control my power...

"It's okay, you'll definitely succeed eventually, just take it one step at a time~"

Xi Wang smiled.

"However, humans... aren't all as wonderful as depicted in the [song], are they?"

【…Huh?】

It seemed somewhat taken aback.

"They lie, they betray, they doubt things for some inexplicable reason, and as long as they have a reason that can convince themselves, they can do some terrible things without any burden... These are the things they are best at."

【…Huh?】

It doesn't seem to understand.

So...senpai...doesn't like them?

"No, even so, I love them. It's like looking up at night and my eyes are always drawn to the stars, not the darkness that fills the sky... Those beautiful things are like stars, sparkling and captivating."

"Hmm... but if I had to pinpoint the real reason, it would probably be because they're here."

Xi Wang smiled, a very happy smile.

"Because there are people I like and people I love among humanity, so accordingly... I am also willing to like the people they like and love the people they love."

Is that so...?

It seemed a little confused, but in the end, it spoke firmly.

[Then I'll try my best to one day be like you, senior! To find something about humans that I can like! Hmm... for example... finding a human I like?]

"Haha, if you want to achieve that, you'll have to work really hard now!"

Yes...yes...

Its hard-won momentum instantly vanished.

I'm still in this ugly state, and probably only my senior wouldn't care. Besides, I can't control my power and only cause trouble for others...

Its bizarre head revealed a "crying" expression, which was strange at first glance, but upon closer inspection... well, it was still quite strange.

However, given its pitiful tone, it still managed to look somewhat adorable.

"It's okay, I'll help you."

Xiwang stretched out her finger and gently tapped its "head," drawing its attention to herself.

"After all, my songs exist for this very reason~"

Her footsteps moved lightly, like dancing, and her singing flowed, bringing forth a radiance like a stream.

???~

A gentle melody rose along with his song, carrying the vibrant notes and his blessings to its side.

It did not resist, but showed an "excited" expression on its face. Then it quietly lay down and accepted his blessing in a feeling of peace and comfort.

Thank you...senpai.

When the song ended, it thanked us in a somewhat slurred voice, seemingly still immersed in the song, but it quickly came to its senses and stood up.

Thank you, senior! Um... this... this is a thank-you gift I found! Please accept it!

Bo~

With a strange, soft sound, a rather odd "clump" slowly appeared on its head, seemingly containing something.

"........."

Upon hearing the second half of the sentence, Skadi's eyes swept over again, but it didn't care at this moment, it just wanted Xiwang to accept it.

"Okay~"

As expected, Xi Wang... did not refuse.

He simply accepted it gladly.

"Yes, since we received a gift, we should naturally reciprocate with one..."

"No need, senior... um..."

"Shh—it's nothing serious, and it's not anything particularly valuable either."

As she spoke, Xi Wang picked up the small doll that had fallen to the side and gently placed it on its head.

"Alright~ Perfect, you can use this body, hmm, it'll look even cuter this way~"

【Thanks……】

"Oh, by the way, if you want to meet other people, you'd better give yourself a name, okay?"

"...Could I ask you for a favor, senior?"

"Sure~ Let me think..."

Xi Wang blinked, tilted her head to the side as if deep in thought, and her white hair, like waves, fell down.

"Perfect timing, this name was originally intended for it too, um... I'll give it to you now."

Xi Wang's gaze lingered on the small doll for a moment, then she smiled and said softly.

"How's Chloe?"

【Chloe... um! Thank you, senpai!】

It seems that it really likes the name.

--------

"Um……"

"What's wrong, Mei? If you're having trouble, you can tell me. I'll help you~"

“Alicia, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask for a long time… and after learning more about you, this question has become even more obvious.”

Raiden Mei, resting in her "ideal land," looked at the people before her—some living peaceful lives, some lost like zombies, and some collapsing into madness—and spoke slowly.

"Please speak, Miss Fairy will definitely answer all your questions!"

"Since once you enter the 'ideal land,' you become stagnant, just like in the painting... then why didn't you leave the 'painting' and continue living outside?"

"...Because it's impossible."

"...Can't do it?"

"Mei, all power comes at a price, even a special creation like the 'Utopia' is no exception."

Alicia said with a sigh.

"The 'ideal world' can indeed bring those who enter the 'painting' to a state of stagnation, but... just like the 'painting,' time will still leave its mark on it."

"……What's the meaning?"

"Well... to put it simply, those who enter are indeed stuck in a state of stagnation, but in reality, their own [time] is still flowing. Once they step out of the [painting], this [time] will immediately be reflected back to them."

Alicia said slowly.

"For example, if someone spends a day in 'ideal land' and then leaves, it probably won't have much of an effect. But if someone spends ten years in 'ideal land'... then when they leave, they will be ten years older."

"Moreover, if you are in a 'picture within a picture,' then this 'time' will double."

"This is a problem we failed to test when 'Utopia' was built. Moreover, after entering 'Utopia,' we didn't expect it would take so long to restore Earth's environment, to the point that... in the end, everyone was unable to leave 'Utopia,' because leaving would mean dying of old age."

"In the end, only we Fusion Warriors can bring everyone some news from the outside world... And it's also hard work for Gretchen, who needs to keep drawing to expand and enrich the 'Utopia' area, but even so... some people can't endure this long period of time."

Alicia sighed.

"I see... I think I understand now."

Raiden Mei nodded... She could roughly guess what the three different types of people in front of her—calm, bewildered, and insane—were thinking.

Calm people are willing to accept this way of life and are happy to continue living here, and will also actively find things to do.

The bewildered person simply wanders around, willing to continue living but unsure of what to do... After all, everything here is stagnant, with little change.

A madman... well... that goes without saying.

However, there is at least one good thing about this place: you can choose to leave. If you really can't bear life here or accept the long hours, you can choose to leave this "ideal place" and face your own death.

At least in this respect, the people here can still make their own choices.

"But... um... what were Kevin and the others doing in the outside world for...?"

"...On this point, it is the point of contention between us [Yingjie]."

Alicia lowered her eyelids slightly and asked softly.

"Mei, do you think... Xiwang is dead?"

"...Based on the information I have so far, he should be dead."

"Yes... he should have left, he should have died... but in some people's eyes, he hasn't left, he's just lost his physical form and can no longer stay by our side."