Seeing a scene he could never have imagined in his previous life, Chang Yuan opened his mouth and ate the porridge.
Elysia continued to repeat the process, feeding Chang Yuan spoonful by spoonful.
After making sure Chang Yuan had finished the porridge, Elysia finally put the bowl down.
"Big brother Chang Yuan is so silly, needing me to feed you. Hehe, if I tell Uncle Tock and the others, they'll definitely laugh at you."
"Yeah, I am a bit silly. I'm not as smart as you, Elysia."
Scratching the back of his head, Chang Yuan admitted to being called silly.
Besides, others would probably envy the chance to be called silly by her.
"Alright, big brother Chang Yuan, you should rest in this tent for the next few days. Uncle Tock and the others are good people."
Holding the small bowl, Elysia gave some final instructions before leaving.
Only after Elysia had truly left did Chang Yuan collapse weakly onto the bed.
"Come on, heavens, you've thrown me into such a high-difficulty world, and you didn't even give me a cheat system?"
No matter how much Chang Yuan called out, there was no response from any system—or perhaps he simply didn't have one.
But thinking about what was to come, Chang Yuan began to feel anxious.
In the Previous Era, there were no such things as Honkai resistance. Surviving the Honkai was purely a matter of luck, unlike in the Current Era, where women had the Stigmata sequences created by Dr. MEI, giving them natural resistance.
In the Previous Era, men and women were equal—neither had Honkai resistance. Whether you survived the Honkai was entirely up to chance.
As an outsider, the chances of him having Honkai resistance were slim. If the Honkai struck, he'd probably be the first to die.
"No, I can't give up yet. The first Honkai eruption has probably just happened, and the Second Herrscher appeared when Elysia was around 14 or 15.
Given her current appearance, she's about 6 years old, so there's at least 8 more years."
Sitting cross-legged, Chang Yuan began to think about how to survive in this Previous Era.
Although the game's story didn't go into detail about many events in the Previous Era, it did mention key turning points.
Using these key points, he might be able to turn things around.
Of course, none of this was the most important thing.
Watching Elysia's small figure as she left, Chang Yuan was momentarily lost in thought.
"This time, I'll be the one to say it: I'll stake my life in the chamber, all to save one person."
Having already transmigrated, with no attachments from his previous life and facing what seemed like an inevitable death, why not go all out? He refused to believe that Elysia's sacrifice was the only way.
He would find a path where Elysia could survive.
As Chang Yuan pondered deeply, time slowly passed. The night sky was filled with stars, untouched by industrial pollution, a sight of pure beauty.
It was at this moment that the small pink figure returned to the tent.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, you're still awake?"
"Yeah, I'm still thinking about something important."
"Oh? What is it? Can you tell me? I'm curious."
Pulling out a small, worn wooden stool, Elysia sat by Chang Yuan's bed, swaying her head cutely as she asked.
"...Sure, but Elysia, you can't tell anyone else."
"Mhm, I promise I won't tell. This will be our secret."
Seeing that Chang Yuan was willing to share, Elysia happily agreed.
"Oh, and from now on, big brother Chang Yuan can call me Eli. That's what friends call me~."
"Alright, Eli, you're my friend too."
Patting Elysia's pink hair, Chang Yuan began to share his thoughts.
"Eli, what if sacrificing one person could bring infinite possibilities for the future, a chance to overcome a great disaster? Would that be justified?"
"Huh? If that person is willing, then we can't change their mind. But if that person were me, I think I would do it."
Due to her unique nature, Elysia had matured early. Even as a child, she had expressed her desire to travel alone to Celia.
Celia, recognizing Elysia's uniqueness, hadn't objected.
Hearing this answer, Chang Yuan's heart trembled.
So even as a child, Elysia had already made such a resolution?
Chang Yuan instinctively clenched his fist, but noticing Elysia's gaze, he quickly relaxed it.
"But what if I want that person to live?"
"Hmm... I don't know what to do about that. If big brother Chang Yuan really cares about that person, then there's nothing wrong with what you're doing.
But the person being stopped isn't wrong either. She has her own noble ideals—she wants to save the world. So she's not wrong either.
But if it really comes to that, big brother Chang Yuan could just knock her out. Hehe, everyone is a little selfish, but big brother Chang Yuan should be prepared for her to hate you afterward~."
Noticing that Chang Yuan's expression grew more somber the more she spoke, Elysia decided to lighten the mood with a joke.
"...Knocking her out? That might not be a bad idea. I'd rather have her hate me than see her die. But before that, I want to try finding another way.
Why does this world have to sacrifice her? Why can't it be someone else? Why can't there be a way without sacrifices?"
"Hmm, I don't really understand, big brother Chang Yuan, but I support you. Hehe."
Propping her chin on her hands, Elysia leaned on Chang Yuan's bed, smiling brightly.
Of course, she didn't know that the person Chang Yuan was talking about was her.
"Thanks for your support, Eli. You'll have to help me in the future, or I'm afraid that person won't agree."
"Of course, of course! I'll definitely help big brother Chang Yuan. I never lie."
Without hesitation, Elysia agreed immediately.
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. How about I tell you a story?"
"Sure, sure! Let me get on the bed first."
"Huh? The bed?"
Chang Yuan was confused.
"Mhm, Uncle Tock and the others don't have many tents, so usually two people share one. When I arrived a few days ago, they let me have a tent to myself since I'm a kid.
But now that big brother Chang Yuan is here, we'll share a tent to save space. Besides, I'll be continuing my journey in a few days, so I won't be staying long."