"..."
Chang Yuan fell silent.
It seemed he had been disliked by Elysia.
"Hehe, big brother Chang Yuan, go ahead and bathe. Little White and I will keep watch."
Sitting on the grass and playing with the rabbit, Elysia assured him.
What else could Chang Yuan do? He had to bathe.
Finding a shallow spot in the lake, Chang Yuan began to wash himself.
Elysia's soap smelled nice and worked well.
After finishing, Chang Yuan finally felt like himself again.
The previous discomfort of only using water to clean himself was gone.
"Here, Elysia, your soap."
Returning the soap to Elysia, Chang Yuan stretched lazily.
Sniff~
"Hmm, now big brother Chang Yuan smells much better."
As if admiring her handiwork, Elysia nodded in satisfaction.
"Let's go back. Uncle Tock and the others will worry if we're gone too long."
Taking Chang Yuan's hand again, Elysia led him back to the camp like a little adult.
Being led like this, Chang Yuan felt a bit helpless.
Who was the adult here? He was the one who had transmigrated, so why did it feel like Elysia was taking care of him?
A few days later...
"Uncle Tock, I'm planning to leave today and continue my journey. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days."
Outside the camp, Elysia bowed slightly to the group of burly men.
Her journey was far from over. She wanted to travel the world and witness everything.
"Hahaha, no need to thank us. Your arrival brought a lot of joy to our camp. We should be the ones thanking you."
Uncle Tock laughed heartily.
Before Elysia arrived, everyone in the camp was focused on surviving day by day, with no sense of vitality.
But after she came, her lively personality inspired many to find new meaning in life.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, goodbye. I've enjoyed spending these past few days with you. It's a shame no one else got to hear the rest of your stories, but I'm also a little upset."
Crossing her arms, Elysia puffed out her cheeks like a little bun.
"You told me it was a bright, cheerful story, but I ended up crying. You're such a meanie."
Seeing the pink-haired girl, who was a head shorter than him, scold him like a little adult, Chang Yuan chuckled without responding.
"Anyway, big brother Chang Yuan, take care of yourself. Don't faint in the forest again, or you might not be lucky enough to run into me next time."
"...Elysia."
"Hmm?"
Hearing Chang Yuan call her, Elysia tilted her head curiously.
"I want to travel with you. Is that okay?"
"...Huh? Big brother Chang Yuan, you want to come with me?"
Elysia looked slightly surprised.
"Yes, I don't have a home anymore. Traveling with you might be the best choice."
Seeing Elysia's questioning look, Chang Yuan nodded and explained his reasons.
"Hmm, traveling together..."
Elysia looked at Chang Yuan, deep in thought.
Finally, seeing the complex emotions in his eyes—emotions she couldn't quite understand—she smiled.
"If it's big brother Chang Yuan, then sure. It gets lonely traveling alone."
Elysia smiled and agreed.
Seeing Elysia's approval, Chang Yuan felt a surge of excitement.
In the original story, Elysia had interacted with many of the Flame-Chasers during her childhood, though it wasn't explicitly confirmed.
The only one confirmed was Kalpas, who had been tied up and bled in the snowy plains.
As for the others, Chang Yuan would have to see for himself.
"Hahaha, Chang Yuan, since you're leaving with little Elysia, you'd better protect her. After all, you're the older brother."
As he spoke, Uncle Tock pulled out some scattered bills from his pocket.
"Take this. You'll need money for your journey."
"No, no, this is yours, Uncle Tock. We can't take it."
Before Chang Yuan could say anything, Elysia refused.
"Take it. My wife died in the disaster, and you gave me hope to live again.
Besides, we can earn money by making charcoal here. You two kids can't do that."
Ignoring Elysia's protests, Uncle Tock shoved the money into her hands.
Unable to refuse, Elysia reluctantly accepted it.
Witnessing this, Chang Yuan understood why Elysia would grow up to be the person she was.
Human kindness had shaped a Herrscher of Human.
If Elysia had encountered only cruelty and misfortune during her travels, this civilization—and perhaps even future ones—would have had no hope of defeating the Honkai.
"Little Chang Yuan, remember to take good care of Elysia. If I ever find out you've mistreated her, don't blame me for punching you."
"Yes, yes, I'll definitely protect Elysia." Even if it costs me everything.
Chang Yuan didn't say the last part out loud.
The current atmosphere wasn't suitable for such heavy words.
"Well, Uncle Tock, goodbye."
Holding Chang Yuan's hand, Elysia waved goodbye to the people who had helped her.
Chang Yuan followed suit.
Then, the two set off in the direction of the city Uncle Tock had mentioned.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, you'd better protect me, or Uncle Tock will beat you up."
"Hehe, he'd have to find me first. Besides, I'm sure Elysia will protect me by then."
"Hmph, who knows? Maybe, but only if big brother Chang Yuan doesn't lie to me again."
As she spoke, Elysia pinched Chang Yuan's hand.
However, her small, delicate hands didn't have much strength.
Chang Yuan didn't feel any pain. Instead, it felt like a gentle massage.
"Don't worry, I won't lie to you. And that story really was bright and cheerful."
"Liar! Teacher Himeko died. How is that bright and cheerful?"
At this, Elysia's eyes began to well up with tears again, as if she were about to cry.
"That's just the middle part. Don't worry, Himeko will come back."