Reap what you sow—those four words undoubtedly described Jiang Qiao's current situation, facing a certain highly mischievous, smiling man.
After all, he knew exactly what was going on with Elysia's twisted state.
In a way, it was something he himself had helped create.
Because of his partiality towards the girl—although he felt this way towards almost all the girls he was close to, it was most apparent with Elysia.
Even if she did something wrong, even if she wanted to hesitate, he would choose to forgive and embrace everything about her—indulging the cowardice of the girl named Elysia, even though he actually hoped she would figure things out on her own. However, the choices a person makes are ultimately shaped by the 'pressure' of reality.
Moreover, this flawless daughter of a god was inherently the type who struggled with decisions. If possible, she would prefer to declare—"I want it all!"—with a childlike willfulness.
However, the original reality didn't allow for such indulgence. Even if Elysia was a natural-born Herrscher, the cruel reality eventually forced her to make difficult choices, leading to a sorrowful future.
But—
Under his protection, she had the chance to indulge in this 'willfulness.'
Although the previous era, even after restarting, wasn't perfect and had its share of troubles and unforeseen events, compared to the hardships Elysia originally faced, it was already beyond reproach.
Therefore, for this Elysia, her feelings naturally shifted towards, 'If I take everything, wouldn't that be too greedy?'
The 'greed' for wanting more, the 'guilt' of taking too much, watching the growing number of beautiful girls close to the one she cared about—even the 'privilege' and 'unique encounter' of 'exchanging bodies with Qiao,' which used to belong only to her, becoming no longer unique sparked 'jealousy'... and 'anger' towards her own uselessness. Countless complex emotions settled and festered.
Some say—that which doesn't explode in silence, perishes in silence.
Suppressed emotions don't disappear, they only accumulate, like a volcano waiting for a single 'spark' to erupt.
The Herrscher of Corruption, and Fallen Elysia corrupted by the Herrscher, both became that spark.
Her conflicted heart darkened, becoming 'tainted.'
Everything was so clear, so clear that she could see it all and make the right choice.
People would say this is wrong.
After all, one shouldn't stray towards wrongdoing.
Falling should represent darkness.
But Elysia would say—
Regardless of right or wrong, seeing these feelings, be they right or wrong, through to the end, that is her 'true self,' her 'one and only.'
It is also the 'choice'... she made.
Undoubtedly, this was exactly what Qiao loved to see.
—Elysia was certain of it now.
And it was indeed true.
Looking at the current Elysia, Jiang Qiao felt conflicted, yet joyful.
After all, for him, who pursued 'choice,' Elysia had completed a thorough 'transformation.'
If the previous Elysia was a 'little bird' sheltered and protected in his hands, then the current her had undoubtedly reached new heights, making a true 'choice.'
This wasn't the 'convert's zeal' of a certain tuna, born from a moment of redemption by a white-haired tuna—that was merely a form of 'dependence' in desperation, a mistake, a 'forced' choice by reality, absolutely not a personal one.
Because it was 'forced by reality,' the tuna, after encountering a cyber ghost waifu and a good lesson, would abandon the 'White-haired tuna Cult' and join the 'Elysia Sect.'
Because it wasn't right, at least not right in her heart.
—Not loving for the sake of loving.
But loving because one understands what love is.
Undoubtedly, this was the current Elysia.
However—her choice was incredibly bad.
Jiang Qiao had assumed she would hold onto her love for humanity.
But...
Having suffered a great loss, and then swallowing Fallen Elysia in her anger and shame, Elysia directly followed the same 'wrong evolutionary path' as Fallen Elysia, becoming a 'madwoman.'
"Hmm~ Feels so good."
The slightly 'mad' Elysia was in high spirits.
—Honestly, this turn of events was incredibly sudden for both Fallen Elysia and Elysia.
For Fallen Elysia, she hadn't expected her original self to devour her.
Although it wasn't a big deal, just returning to where she belonged, it... really didn't fit Elysia's character... Miss Pink Elf didn't possess such 'aggressiveness,' 'greed,' or 'cleverness.'
As for Elysia—the reason she wanted to devour Fallen Elysia was simple.
Anger... Jealousy... Unwillingness...
Fallen Elysia's actions infuriated the 55kg lady—they agreed to a competition for Jiang Qiao, but she had ulterior motives from the start, thinking of getting on base first? And behind Elysia's back? And... and she even used Elysia's body, Elysia's identity! That's Elysia's! Hers!
Elysia was about to explode.
But—because the other party was Elysia, she, also being Elysia, shouldn't be angry at her.
After all, they were essentially the same person.
Incredibly angry but unable to find a reason to be angry, unable to vent, yet incredibly jealous that Fallen Elysia, as Elysia, did something that she, the real Elysia, couldn't.
And... she discovered that Fallen Elysia was unbelievably scheming—this bad Elysia was actually planning to 'split up' after this was over, and then... 'run away with the money' to establish a branch base. And what 'money' was she running away with?
Well, 'Elysia's first time,' and all the stocked-up 'memories and experiences,' and the greedy Fallen Elysia even wanted to take the treasures she had already 'plundered' from a certain Mr. Jiang.
After realizing her plan, Elysia was beyond furious.
You used my body, behind my back, to do what I wanted to do, and after you're done, you're planning to run away with the loot and feast alone without letting me, the rightful owner, even have a taste? You're even taking what's already been consumed. Are you even human?
Furious, unable to vent, and desperate to reclaim what belonged to her, Miss Elysia ultimately made an incredibly impulsive decision.
—Devour her!
You want to run?
You want to split up?
Think again!
Since you're using the name Elysia—
Then there's no problem with you, as Elysia, and me, as Elysia, becoming one, right?
And honestly, Elysia thought she was a genius for coming up with this idea.
Originally, she was angry and jealous of what the other had done.
But... by devouring her, becoming one person, one Elysia, wouldn't everything the other wanted to take belong to her?
Her first time... because she was devoured, Fallen Elysia couldn't keep it to herself; it became a part of Elysia—or rather, it was originally hers to begin with.
And those experiences, and the 'hostages' taken from a certain someone through those experiences, went without saying...
Moreover, Elysia even gained everything belonging to the Elysian Realm Elysia, Fallen Elysia's predecessor.
It was like consuming a super experience pack.
Miss Elysia, somewhat of a blank slate, instantly leveled up to max.
Even...
Leveraging her existing foundation and also consuming the 'level-up experience' gained from Jiang Qiao, she surpassed Fallen Elysia, transcending herself to a whole new level after the fusion.
This feeling of facing her true heart, this unrestrained feeling, was as refreshing as undoing her belt and letting it all flow.
Miss Elysia only regretted being so foolish—not accepting all this sooner, becoming like this earlier.
However—
"You really did a lot behind my back, didn't you, Qiao~"
She looked at Jiang Qiao with a knowing smile, hinting at something.
"Having so much fun with other girls, while hiding it from the innocent, naive me..." Her cheeks puffed slightly as she gently moved her hand to her stomach. "Even I would get angry, you know."
"Hmm~"
She hummed, her eyes narrowing with a smile—although her hands held nothing, it was as if she was grasping something.
"I'm sorry..."
Jiang Qiao could only quickly 'kneel and apologize,' feeling a headache coming on.
—Undoubtedly.
After merging with Fallen Elysia, the current Elysia had discovered everything.
For example... a certain snake who used experiments as an excuse to sneak around.
And... her good best friend.
Of course, what annoyed her even more was—this even included Elysian Realm Elysia, Fallen Elysia's predecessor.
Even her own memory did such a thing...
Feeling the 'indignation' and 'annoyance,' Elysia smiled and increased the intensity of her somewhat strange movements, as if venting and tormenting something—although in this dream, it simply appeared as rubbing her stomach.
"...Elysia."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"That will hurt."
"Really? But I just love this 'fullness'~" She was still smiling. "After all, if you do bad things, you'll be locked up in a little dark room as punishment."
"And doesn't Mobius also enjoy this sort of thing?"
"I merely did the same thing as Dr. Mobius, right?"
"Fine, as long as you're happy." Jiang Qiao sighed, then glanced at the dreamscape and asked, "...But, shouldn't we dispel this dream?"
"It's not that I don't want to, but unfortunately... I can't~" Elysia feigned a thoughtful expression, chuckling with regret and helplessness.
"?" Facing Jiang Qiao's questioning look, she shrugged.
"Can't be helped. Although I initially created this dreamscape..."
"Now, this dream is no longer entirely under my control."
The current dreamscape was actually an expanded version of the 'Elysian Realm.'
Although it originated from Fallen Elysia's ideal of 'If there's no paradise in this world, then I'll create one myself.'
But now, having expanded to a global scale, it was essentially out of control.
And this was undoubtedly the work of World Serpent.
Ultimately, World Serpent's plan was always the implementation of Project Stigma, and a global dreamscape controlled by a Herrscher couldn't achieve that. It would only become a stepping stone and a tool for World Serpent's Project Stigma.
"After leaving the Elysian Realm, I made a deal with Gray Serpent."
"Using the Herrscher of Sentience's power, through the Herrscher of Corruption's power, we created this dream paradise."
"At the same time, thanks to Mobius's contingency plan and my own power, World Serpent also got their wish, turning this dream I created into the testing ground for 'Project Stigma.'" Elysia explained.
"You shouldn't like Project Stigma, right?"
Elysia flashed a cheerful smile, then nodded.
"Of course~ Even the fallen me couldn't possibly like that kind of thing."
"But me doing it is better than letting them do as they please, right?"
"Besides, you know, Qiao, creating a paradise was always my dream."
The Elysian Realm Elysia always regretted that the Elysian Realm only contained the memories of thirteen Flame-Chasers.
Given the chance to create a larger 'Elysian Realm,' Fallen Elysia naturally wouldn't refuse.
Even if she knew this product of her dream would become the breeding ground for 'Project Stigma.'
It didn't matter.
After all—in a sense, Elysia was simply using this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
Achieving her own dream through cooperation with World Serpent, while also keeping World Serpent's Project Stigma within her control. Such a good opportunity, presented right to her, why not take it?
Jiang Qiao completely agreed with the pursuit of dreams, but when he heard Elysia planned to control the progress of Project Stigma through herself, he was surprised, blurting out subconsciously:
"You shouldn't be this clever."
Elysia's incredibly gentle smile and sweet voice echoed beside his ear.
"Is that how you see me? Well... then I'll just have to gain more wisdom from you~"