I am a former Flame Chasers

"Welcome home."

And so, Ryan had the Fire Moth, Mei had power, Elysia was no longer held back, Kevin could finally stay with his lover, and even Kalpas found a "home."

With a new way to Honkai on the horizon, humanity's traitors finally got what they wanted.

All the winners in this battle were truly worthy of praise.

Kalpas didn't admit or deny anything. He simply stared at Ryan, his eyes intense, before shouting, "Pardofelis, grab the bucket and come help!"

"Brother Kalpas, we're here! Don't rush us!" Pardo came running out with the bucket, sticking her tongue out as she passed by Ryan. It was obvious she knew her laziness had been exposed, and now she had to perform well. She had heard Hua complain about Ryan's "full-strength preaching," and she didn't want to become a dull wooden figure!

That little trickster. Ryan couldn't help but smile at her, even though he was unsure of what to say. He glanced at the living room, which only had one TV, and felt that something was off.

It wasn't about the tension—it was almost a miracle that this group of oddballs hadn't blown the house up by now.

Ryan's silence made Kosma nervous. The girl beside him tugged at the hem of his shirt, and he stood up straighter, his head held high.

"Rya—no, Your Excellency, we're here to help." He glanced nervously at Elysia, who had called him over and made him stay.

"Don't blame Ellie. This was my idea. Have you forgotten what I said before?" Ryan replied casually.

Kosma hadn't forgotten. He thought that if he got noticed, he'd be promoted and maybe even get a raise, but he never expected to end up joining this small group. He wasn't sure what qualifications he had for this.

Aside from the super-mutation factor of a special Honkai beast, he didn't show any impressive power. Dystopia, who had fused with the Honkai Emperor, was definitely stronger than him, at least standing on the threshold of top combat power.

His mind raced, but his silence gave off a cold, distant vibe.

Ryan stretched out on the sofa, clearly relaxed. He'd already read through Kosma's file, and the boy was definitely suited for another experimental plan.

The Fire Moth had captured a Honkai beast known as "Vishnu." Due to the timeline, this Honkai beast hadn't yet reached the Judgment level, but it had a unique ability: devouring. It could consume its own kind to grow stronger, and this process had ended up benefiting Kosma.

He wasn't strong, but he hadn't suffered too many physical mutations. Ryan figured he was like Hua, who had been caught in the butterfly effect.

"Don't overthink it. There's a reason I invited you to join. Or do you dislike this feeling?"

"Why would I dislike it? I just feel a little unworthy." Kosma clenched his fists slightly. After a few days of living here, he realized that everyone was stronger than he was. Even Kalpas intimidated him.

It was strange. If Ryan wanted to recruit someone, why didn't he go for the upper fusion warriors? It couldn't be just that they seemed compatible.

"Then work hard to get stronger. That way, you won't feel burdened by it," Ryan advised.

"Okay." Kosma sat back down quickly, still unsure but happy with the situation.

After comforting Kosma, Ryan rested his chin on his hand, reflecting. He had been too focused on the Thirteen Heroes of the Fire Moth. In terms of raw combat power, people like Coleman, Andevich, and others were clearly stronger. But there was something reassuring about having the "old friends" around.

He didn't know when Elysia had turned on the TV, but now Eden's global tour concert was playing. Mei had arranged this to help soothe the doubts caused by the upheaval.

The melodious music calmed Ryan's mind completely, and he glanced around casually.

Hua was still busy with carpentry, Aponia was quietly painting, and Elysia sat on the floor, knees hugged to her chest, staring at the TV like a child.

Kosma and Destobia seemed restless and went to help Kalpas clean the furniture. The sound of their light bickering filled the air as Himeko, just finished with a meeting, yawned and headed straight for the kitchen to grab some beer.

Vil-V, looking dirty, walked in a moment later, and Sakura immediately escorted her to the bathhouse.

It was hard to put into words, but this felt... too peaceful.

Ryan yawned, feeling as if all the sharpness had drained from him. For a moment, he forgot about the collapse and the Herrscher—this felt like another Golden Courtyard.

Without fighting, everyone was just like regular people. They'd go home after work, just like anyone else.

"Ryan, you look so happy♪"

Ryan snapped back to attention and saw Elysia, her face resting in her hands on the coffee table in front of him. Her legs swung up and down, her blue eyes gleaming like crescent moons.

"No wonder you called me here so quickly. Are you happy now?"

"Of course I'm happy. This is also the inspiration I got from you. Remember the last birthday party in Hawaii? That night, I was thinking it would be nice if things could stay like this forever, but that was impossible."

With a soft clap of her hands, Elysia grinned widely. "But thanks to you, my little wish has come true."

Her wish wasn't small at all. The key was resolving the Fire Chasing Council—otherwise, how could those people allow such a powerful mountain to exist?

"Hmmm♪" Elysia hummed along with the song on TV, then continued describing her vision for the future. "It would be great if Eden could come too, and Su. I always feel like he'll stay here as well. You know, I once watched a TV show about people living in hot spring hotels. It sounds beautiful when I think about it."

"Flower Blooming Iroha, right?" Ryan commented, recognizing the plot from somewhere.

It did feel familiar. The Thirteen Heroes were only missing Griseo, Su, and Eden. But there was a small difference.

It was the end of the world outside, and the people inside were all formidable fighters who could take on thousands of enemies. What kind of youth drama was this?

But Ryan couldn't help but feel a strange sense of peace. This thin wall, so easily pierced by a finger, was like a mental barrier. It was as if stepping through it allowed him to finally relax.

"You can actually do this kind of thing," Ryan said lightly, his mind also reflecting on how it was a bit too late for Elysia to achieve this.

It seemed the Thirteen Heroes had never fully assembled. After all, not long ago, some had fallen, and now, people like Himeko and Destobia—who had died long ago—were still alive.

Elysia didn't know about those tragedies, though. She tilted her head, clearly puzzled, before asking with a hint of anger, "Huh, are you saying I'm procrastinating?"

"No, just keep being an angel, and I'll take care of the devil's work," Ryan replied casually, not wanting to delve deeper. At least in this moment, he couldn't see the tragedies, and he'd even forgotten about them for now.

In that instant, Ryan felt a joy that transcended everything else. An intense joy, as if opening up a new path of destiny.

It was a strange feeling. Ryan couldn't quite describe it, but it was like reaching for something greater, touching authority, and feeling every hair and cell in his body stir in excitement—as if crossing the sky to enter another indescribable world.

The sudden shift in fate, consciousness soaring beyond the stars, felt like staring into the eyes of something unfathomable.

Ryan was confused.

Elysia noticed this joy too. It seemed she was even happier than herself. She turned slightly and saw Aponia looking their way, her eyes filled with surprise.

"What are these two doing?"

Elysia shook her head, leaned forward, held Ryan's face, and turned him to face her.

"Okay, the fun is just beginning. Follow me."

"Wait."

Without saying another word, she dragged Ryan upstairs, leaving Aponia in the living room, watching the two of them with a hint of obsession in her eyes.

In that brief moment, she vaguely felt like she had surpassed the limits of fate and the concept of the future.

What was that feeling? It was as if it existed beyond the future itself. Was this the reason she couldn't see Ryan's fate clearly?

The sound of a paintbrush scratching paper filled the air as Hua, who was about to make dinner, walked past quietly. She glanced over and saw Aponia's drawing paper covered in spider webs. A wave of confusion filled her mind.

"Aponia, what are you drawing?"

The nun paused, raising her head in a daze. After a few moments, she smiled softly and said, "I don't know. Just consider it a branch."