Meanwhile, at MOTH.
So, Elysia and Eden had just finished exploring Mobius's office not long ago. As luck would have it, Mobius returned right then, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
After returning, Mobius didn't even catch her breath before heading straight to Mei's office, clearly intending to discuss some important matters.
As for Elysia, she kept Vya company, listening patiently as the girl recounted her experiences from going out with Mobius. When Vya mentioned they had gone to Twilight Street, Elysia was quite surprised and couldn't help asking, "Why would Mobius go there?"
"No idea. Sister Mobius said something about searching for the truth or whatever…"
Vya tried hard to remember, but Mobius hadn't told her much at the time.
It was only when Vya mentioned Kalpas and Sakura getting into a fight that Elysia finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
She immediately contacted Sakura to get a thorough understanding of what had happened.
"That's pretty much it," Sakura said succinctly over the call.
"Mhm, I understand. Thank you, Sakura. Please hurry and bring them back now~" Elysia replied sweetly from her end.
"Elysia, I really didn't expect you to know them," Sakura said, sounding puzzled.
"Oh my, that's my private business too~ Just like how we know each other. Weren't you and Mei pretty surprised when you found out about our relationship back then?" Elysia explained with a laugh.
"Mhm, let's not talk about that. I'll be there soon," Sakura said.
"Alright, see you in a bit then~" Elysia finished and ended the call.
It was then that Sakura noticed Mei had also sent her a message.
A while later, Sakura took Aponia to meet with Mobius and Mei.
As for the sleeping Kalpas, he was placed separately in a location that was both secure and hidden—a place guaranteed to be foolproof from the inside out.
Finally, Pardofelis was left for Elysia and Vya to host.
...
"Wow, little Pardo, it's been so long, hasn't it♪"
Elysia greeted Pardofelis warmly as soon as she saw her.
"Never imagined Sis Elysia was with these folks too," Pardofelis said with a touch of wonder. She'd been trying to cozy up to Sakura the whole way. Though Sakura didn't say much, she'd still managed to learn a few things from her.
"That's right. Time-wise, I'm practically a veteran here~ And I'm the top warrior every single year too~" Elysia declared proudly.
"Wow, Sis Elysia is really amazing," Pardofelis praised sincerely.
"Yes, Sis is amazing!" Vya nodded vigorously in agreement beside them.
"So, Pardo, what are your plans now?" Elysia asked. She was already aware of the Honkai disaster that had struck Twilight Street.
Hearing this, Pardofelis's expression instantly turned a bit downcast.
Like a little cat whose favorite toy had just been snatched away, she said dejectedly, "Ah, I don't really know either. Even though I haven't quite wrapped my head around what's going on yet, I'm the easygoing type. Just being able to live on safely is good enough for me."
"Oh? Have you considered joining us then?" Elysia's eyes lit up as she tossed out the question.
"Me?" Pardofelis pointed at herself, her face full of disbelief. She never would have thought Elysia would ask that.
"Correct!" Elysia clapped her hands, her right index finger then pointing straight at Pardofelis. "You!"
"But... I don't really have any special skills. This place looks like it needs top-tier talent, doesn't it?" Pardofelis scratched her head. Deep down, she felt some resistance to the idea. If she joined here, wouldn't that mean having to face those terrifying monsters in the future? No, no, that just wouldn't do.
"I think you count as special talent too. And Mobius just asked me about you earlier~" Elysia began her gentle persuasion.
"Ah... but I'm still..." Pardofelis hesitated. She still preferred a carefree life, not wanting to be tied down by too many rules.
Elysia had actually been wanting to coax little Pardo into joining MOTH for a while now; she just hadn't found the right opportunity.
Now that such a perfect chance had finally come, how could she possibly let it slip away?
So she launched into an enthusiastic spiel: "Sign up now for premium benefits♪~ Join Team Elysia's Little Squad, and get a mysterious gift every month too. Life security guaranteed, talents fully utilized, extra bonuses for completing missions..."
Under Elysia's dazzling, silver-tongued speech, Pardofelis got carried away in the heat of the moment and was successfully "tricked" into joining MOTH.
Pardofelis was immensely grateful to Elysia, repeatedly saying, "Thanks, Sis Elysia, for giving me such a great opportunity!"
Later, Pardofelis even specially brought back the several cats she'd been keeping at Twilight Street. Why were they okay? In Pardofelis's words: "These cats are usually fine; I give them food, so they're happy to stick with me."
"When there's danger, I know they can run faster than I can. But I'm kind-hearted, you know? After being their boss for so long, I naturally can't just leave them behind~"
Through Elysia's introductions, Pardofelis also got to know people like Dystopia and Carol.
The little group of girls gained a new sister, and with Pardofelis being smooth in her dealings, having a sweet tongue that always knew the right thing to say, she quickly became familiar with everyone around the base.
Although Pardofelis would often pick up things others had discarded, she generally returned them if someone came looking.
Over time, Pardofelis's spot kind of turned into the lost and found. If someone lost something, they'd come check with her; they just might find it there.
...
While Elysia was charming Pardofelis into joining, another conversation was steadily progressing elsewhere.
In Mobius's laboratory—one of the relatively few highly secure places within the base.
"So, Aponia, where exactly did your ability come from?" Mobius asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ladies, I believe I've already stated that this is simply a personal ability of mine..." Aponia replied placidly, her gaze resting on Mobius and Mei with equal calm.
…
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