Chat Group: Starting by Swapping Bodies with Elysia?

"...The Fourth Research Department, huh?" Sitting on the reef, the pink-haired girl stroked her chin, a target instantly forming in her mind after hearing MEI's suggestion.

"Perfect. I didn't have a clear objective anyway."

While Jiang Qiao's purpose in New Zealand was to find the Imaginary umbra at the epicenter of the Fourth Honkai Eruption, it wasn't as simple as it had been in Nagazora.

Thanks to thorough records and the limited area of a single city, he'd quickly located both MEI and the epicenter—which, amusingly enough, had been right above the roof of Chiba Academy.

New Zealand was different. The records were vague, offering few clues. Asking Kevin or Su, who had experienced it firsthand? That was a dead end from the start.

Su had been with the Fifth Research Department in Europe at the time and hadn't been involved. Kevin had arrived in New Zealand after the eruption had already begun.

By then, the entire country was engulfed. Even Fire Moth's records only stated: The Fourth Honkai Eruption occurred in New Zealand.

As for the specific location Jiang Qiao needed… they weren't the Herrscher of Origin, capable of observing the Will of Honkai's manipulation of the Imaginary!

"MEI, where's the Fourth Research Department? I've never been there."

If he were actually Elysia, he probably would have visited. That social butterfly had traveled the world, meeting even the Flame-Chasers in their younger years. Unfortunately, he wasn't. And even if he were, after so many years, she'd likely have forgotten.

"I've sent you the location. I've already spoken to Mobius; you can go directly." MEI responded, sounding like a mother hen ensuring everything was arranged for her chick.

"Hmm~ I knew you were the most reliable~" The pink-haired girl beamed. MEI, however, wasn't swayed by the flattery.

"Don't get used to ordering me around…"

"Oh, right, about that ticket…"

"Uh… hello? Hello? The signal seems bad here. Sorry, MEI, gotta go." [Elysia] moved around as if struggling with a poor connection. "Such a shame. I wanted to chat more, but the signal's gone."

With a look of frustration, [Elysia] fiddled with the terminal. "Let me see the address… hmm… the Fourth Research Department is in… Queenstown."

"That's quite a distance." Using her navigation app, she examined the map, her brow furrowing slightly at the distance between her current location and Queenstown.

Should she fly? Or ask the Herrscher of Origin's familiar for another ride…?

No. Doing that again might actually get her strangled by Mobius.

Jiang Qiao sighed, abandoning the idea of taking a shortcut. While fun and convenient, this wasn't the open ocean; it was New Zealand. Leaking Honkai energy here, whether from the familiar or herself, would throw the entire Oceania branch into chaos.

"Guess I'll take a taxi." Jiang Qiao snapped her fingers, her swimsuit vanishing and replaced by the autumn jacket she'd worn on the boat. Then, she stroked her chin, pondering a crucial issue: she had no money!

While [Elysia]'s Fire Moth salary was decent, it wasn't usable in New Zealand. She could ask MEI for help, but… feigning a bad signal and then immediately asking for money? She'd definitely get smacked.

Just as she was troubled, her gaze drifted towards a nearby alley. A mischievous grin spread across the pink-haired girl's face.

It looks… shady.

…

At the bustling international port, Kiana held Mei's hand, reluctant to part. "Mei, are you really not coming with us?"

She savored the moment… Hee hee, Mei smells so nice, and her hands are so soft.

"I have school, and someone needs to stay home, right?" Mei subtly withdrew her hand, putting some distance between them with a strained smile.

Her heart ached as she refused, but she couldn't bring herself to voice her desire to go. She could only use the excuse of "staying home" to comfort herself.

"I'll be here waiting for you to come back." She forced the words out, fighting back the bittersweet feeling.

Elysia smiled gently and turned to Raven, speaking sincerely, "We'll definitely come back safe. Natasha, please take care of Mei while we're gone."

Raven wasn't joining them on this trip to New Zealand. As she'd mentioned before, she was a World Serpent operative. What Elysia and Kiana were doing went against World Serpent's interests. Helping them secure boat tickets was already pushing the limits.

If she went along, what if Gray Serpent ordered her to betray them? Her principles dictated that she return to World Serpent to avoid being hunted. But she truly didn't want to oppose Elysia.

So, she chose to stay.

Raven, however, was slightly speechless at Elysia's request. "I'm not a babysitter."

She muttered under her breath, but seeing Elysia's earnest expression, she nodded. "Fine, I'll look after this young lady."

She was supposed to be responsible only for the pink-haired menace, per Gray Serpent's orders. If the menace left, she had no reason to stay.

But this was Elysia's request, and she wanted to extend her vacation. Raven decided to comply. It wasn't a loss for her!

"Hey, don't die." As Elysia boarded the boat, she heard those words and turned to see Raven looking back at her. While blunt, it was the greatest concern a mercenary constantly flirting with death could express.

Elysia, having spent time with Raven, understood the sentiment. A smile graced her lips.

"—I won't."