ALL NOVEL Chapter 122: I Can't Do Anything
"Strange, did I just see someone I know?" Standing on the back of a Honkai Beast, the pink-haired girl scratched her head. She tried to recall the fleeting image, but a wave splashed against her face, interrupting Jiang Qiao's thoughts.
"Eh, whatever~"
Tossing the distracting thought aside, [Elysia]'s bare feet, adorned with anklets, gripped the slightly slippery back of the Honkai Beast. Her blue-pink eyes gazed at the endless ocean, sparkling with excitement.
"Even though I can't enjoy the cruise because of, you know, speed," she thought, "I can still appreciate the scenery, right~?"
The only regret was the wasted cruise ticket. It had been expensive, with membership restrictions, and she'd finally snagged one. The onboard restaurants and spa services were supposed to be top-notch. Gone before she could even properly enjoy it.
"Ugh, such a shame." She sighed, filled with regret, but her expression quickly brightened.
"It's okay! I can just latch onto a rich lady later~ Once I'm buddy-buddy with Eden, I can freeload on as many luxury cruises as I want~"
"...I just wonder where that rich lady ran off to."
Preoccupied with Honkai matters and his body-hopping hiccups, Jiang Qiao hadn't paid much attention to Eden since her last concert.
"After this whole thing blows over, I should go hang out with Eden, yeah?"
But before that—
The pink-haired girl looked at the surging waves ahead, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"—Time to speed up!"
The Honkai Beast beneath her chirped, as if understanding, then flapped its wide wings. Compared to a luxurious cruise, a solo surf trip with a giant… thing… seemed surprisingly exhilarating.
The only problem? Neither the girl nor the thing were particularly well-behaved.
For example—
Mr. Turtle was enjoying a leisurely stroll. The ocean had been turbulent lately, but for the sea creatures, not much had changed. The food chain remained intact.
The agitated schools of fish made Mr. Turtle shake his head. Kids these days… so impatient.
But—
The next moment.
"Hmm~ Look what I've found!"
A human voice, normally incomprehensible to marine life, echoed. Thanks to a deliberate application of Honkai energy, even Mr. Turtle could understand the girl, though his limited brainpower struggled.
Despite his confusion, he sensed danger and immediately attempted to escape. However…
"Taking a walk, are we? Hee hee, then allow me to give you a ride~?"
Before he could react, the pink-haired girl grabbed him, hopped back onto her strange manta ray steed, and began a high-speed underwater joyride.
"—No need to thank me! I'm just a helpful little fairy~♪"
Gazing at the unfamiliar surroundings, the girl's sweet voice ringing in his ears, Mr. Turtle fell silent, then a single question arose: Where am I?
He wasn't the only victim of the "Underwater Fairy." The number of sea creatures dragged along on [Elysia]'s impromptu races was nearing a small army: shellfish, sharks, orcas… nothing seemed safe. No fish dared to move as they watched the monster beneath her feet.
After her departure, the fish [Elysia] had visited would tell their children:
"If you don't behave, a fairy will appear out of nowhere and take you away."
—Underwater Urban Legends: The Underwater Fairy.
…
Fifty thousand years later—
"...Mei, I want you to stay here." Elysia made this request to Kiana and Mei after explaining everything.
Mei, after a brief silence, asked, "...Do you think we're a burden?"
No need to beat around the bush. They were both self-aware, at least Mei was. She knew that compared to Kiana, or Elysia, she was insignificant. But she was still frustrated and upset. She didn't want to be left behind.
"How could I think that?" Though it was true, Elysia knew it, she would never say such a thing to her companions.
"I just don't want you involved in dangers you shouldn't have to face." The white-haired girl spoke with utmost sincerity.
The battle at Nagazora City had been a desperate measure, born from their severe lack of combat power. Mei and Kiana had been directly or indirectly affected. More importantly, the decision to involve them hadn't been Elysia's, but Jiang Qiao's.
This time, for the New Zealand trip, Elysia, attempting to make her own decisions, had finally made this request.
Unsurprisingly, the white-haired dumpling widened her eyes.
"No way! I'm a Kaslana! If Cocolia's going to New Zealand, it can't be for anything good! Even if you don't take me, I'll find a way there myself!"
"Besides, you're using my body!"
This wasn't entirely about Kiana's safety… well, she cared a little. But she was more concerned about Cocolia. If it was about her safety, Elysia wouldn't have a reason to stop her, right?
Besides, she wasn't weak! Kiana clenched her fists, puffing out her chest with confidence. Right now, she felt like she could do anything!
While this boy's body was awkward at times, and made hitting on Mei difficult, when it came to combat, Kiana loved [Jiang Qiao]'s capabilities.
Although he lacked the raw strength of her Kaslana bloodline, in this body, she felt a sense of unrestrained freedom.
There was also a powerful force within this body, though she couldn't fully utilize it or understand its purpose. Even with rudimentary use, [Jiang Qiao]'s strength surpassed hers… by a bit. Okay, maybe 0.5 times stronger. Admitting that [Jiang Qiao]'s body was stronger than her own was unacceptable. That would be admitting she was weak!
—It's this strong because of my talent!
Oblivious to Kiana's inner thoughts, Elysia sighed. She wanted Mei to stay because she wasn't confident in protecting her. Even with Jiang Qiao's support, accidents happened.
As for Kiana… she wasn't as worried about her combat abilities, but still didn't want her involved. Besides the danger, there was also… concern for [Jiang Qiao]. If something happened to Kiana, and his body got damaged, then the real Jiang Qiao wouldn't be able to return…
Don't get me wrong! I'm not worried about that jerk! Elysia thought. I'm worried that if his body gets broken, he'll be stuck in my body forever! That simply wouldn't do!
Oh… right, and Kiana! She was worried about Kiana's safety too! She couldn't let Kiana get wrecked along with [Jiang Qiao]'s body! She could handle it, but how could she drag another girl into this?! It wasn't out of concern for Jiang Qiao, not at all! Elysia was completely worried about her own body and the other girls! Yes, that's it!
Unfortunately, the white-haired dumpling's specialty was saying "NO!" She was going to New Zealand, and nothing could stop her!
Seeing her persuasion fail, Elysia sighed and turned to Mei, speaking softly and sincerely:
"Mei, if you want to come, you can… It's okay. I just want you both to be safe."
"I…"
"Mei, come with us! Don't worry, I'll protect you!" Unlike Elysia's concern, Kiana was brimming with confidence, already plotting ways to play the hero.
Unknowing that her words had silenced Mei, who was about to say, "I want to go too," a wave of helplessness washed over her. No matter how much she wanted to join them, she absolutely didn't want to be a burden.
So, both out of concern and her remaining pride, she couldn't bring herself to say, I want to go with you!
Mei slowly lowered her head, clutching [Jiang Qiao]'s clothes in her hand.
"...I can't do anything."