บท 22: Chapter 22: Gwen no longer evades her past

Facing Bronie's invitation, Elysia did not give a direct answer.

In Elysian Realm, Elysia still had many concerns. Casually leaving the Elysian Realm would entail too much uncertainty and danger.

Thus, Elysia merely told Bronie to first solve the problem of memory replica technology before considering whether to leave.

Indeed, no matter how Elysia thought about it, the most important and unavoidable issue was naturally the technical aspect of simulated memories.

Could Simulations truly be considered a living entity? Once it acquired a steel body, did it truly possess a soul?

It would indeed be considered alive. Additionally, in terms of creativity, was memory as capable as before?

So when Eden brought up this point, Bronie temporarily abandoned the idea of taking Elysia away from the Elysian Realm.

Of course, this decision was only temporary. One day, she would thoroughly overturn Schicksal and collect all of Otto's various technologies.

Otto had always wanted to revive Kallen, and possessing the legacy of previous era's technology, Otto would definitely have tried technology related to simulated memories.

Seeing Bronie temporarily give up the invitation, Elysia and Eden once again immersed themselves in the game.

The daily activities in the Elysian Realm were actually quite monotonous. Over the past fifty thousand years, everything inside had been thoroughly explored, and everyone had experienced everything there was to experience.

So the appearance of the game was a rare novelty for Elysia, making her daily life less monotonous, and her conversations with Eden became more diverse.

After obtaining a material like quartz from the Quartz Dragon, a blueprint for building a loom was unlocked in the game. At that time, it was Gwen who took the initiative to approach Stella, recalling the various looms seen in the museum in the past. Then she provided a design drawing to establish a loom on the ship.

While providing Stella with a new source of materials, it also satisfied Gwen's own small hobby.

Yes, Gwen liked weaving, although it seemed inconsistent with her noble persona. But watching the shuttle go back and forth in the loom, with threads intertwining one by one, she couldn't help but be fascinated.

"After knowing the other person's hobbies, do you feel closer to her heart?" Bronie watched the two busy figures beside her and asked a question.

"And Bronie, do you have any hobbies?"

"Me? Playing games, reading manga, and then looking for something exciting to do, or collecting food and weapons, that's about it?"

Bronie considered her hobbies to be quite simple. If someone could provide her with food she had never seen before, Bronie would be happy for quite a while.

And telling these to Elysia, Bronie actually wanted to get some surprises from Elysia.

She wonder what surprises Elysia could give her.

"It sounds a bit boyish for hobbies, don't you have anything like finding cute dresses or doing makeup?"

"What's wrong with such simple hobbies? I've always been pragmatic, as long as it's practical, that's fine. As for dressing up, isn't my outfit stylish enough?"

Indeed, it was stylish enough, but if you wore the same clothes every day, it would be a bit monotonous.

So Elysia shook her head in response.

"When the game is over, I'll find you some nice dresses. Promise me you'll wear them for me to see!"

"Let's forget about it. I'm not really into those fluffy things."

"Then you should experience it well!"

The more she refused, the more excited Elysia became. The one who rejected the pink dress last time still hadn't worn it for herself, which greatly disappointed Elysia. But this time, Bronie seemed easier to persuade at first glance.

How could she give up now?

"Let's play the game, stop talking about this, let's play the game properly."

"Okay~" Elysia shifted her focus back to the game.

The entire ship was beginning to take shape, as if a whole huge building was being erected on the ship, standing at the top of the house felt like becoming the king of the world.

After the loom was completed, Gwen conducted a detailed tutorial, and her main storyline gradually progressed again.

Elysia also began to realize that once they completed their tasks, their storyline would become clearer.

"Stella, I have to tell you something. Some time ago, I stumbled upon something, but now it seems less important. You need to be mentally prepared. Do you remember my parents' estate by the lake? Although it sounds strange, that estate is not far from here. Yes, I know, this matter has also puzzled me about this world. I must admit that I have been actively trying to avoid it. However, it has become increasingly impossible to ignore. After spending so much time with you, I think I'm ready to actively overcome this challenge. Going there, I will probably only experience sadness and regret, but it's worth a try."

Gwen's words seemed to require a great deal of courage. Although she took that step, it left Elysia puzzled.

Is this day finally coming? Will Gwen's past, everything she has experienced, be fully revealed before her?

Elysia have been looking forward to it for a long time.

"Then let's set sail. Although I don't really want to dampen Elysia's excitement, what's more important for me to say is that the final destination of these characters is to enter the Everdoor and then enter the afterlife."

Elysia, upon hearing Eden's words, also seemed slightly stunned.

Is it true that the better you know each other, the closer you get to parting?

This matter has been communicated to players from the beginning through Charon's words, but no one has really paid much attention to it. But as the game progressed and they gradually learned about these characters, there was indeed a feeling of reluctance to part with them.

"The end of a story always comes, doesn't it? If we can't avoid all of this, all we can do is smile until the end, to remember their stories. Then, we are the proof that they once existed."

"Consistently, my dear Elysia."

"Right, right? This way, I am the most perfect and adorable!"

Gwen marked a location on the map, but because they had explored elsewhere, it was a bit far from there.

However, fortunately, this aspect was also considered during the game's development, and there were places like bus stops set up all over the map.

A cheerful seal stayed at the bus stop, and as soon as you got close, you could hear the catchy background music continuously echoing. If you found it noisy, you could ask it to turn off the background music, but then the cute blue seal would sadly take out its headphones and groove alone.

In short, it was a cute fellow.

Just like the snowman in Undertale, although it is not very important, it still left a deep impression for players.

Using the bus stop for teleportation, the ship soon arrived at the location Gwen mentioned. However, the atmosphere gradually became heavier as they stepped onto the island. It seemed that this estate held only bad memories for Gwen. But she also loved this house because it was where she grew up.

She hated this estate to the same extent that she loved it.

Arriving here, Gwen realized that she was feeling somewhat melancholic, but she couldn't bring herself to enter the mansion. So Gwen gave the key to Stella, asking her to take out the old music box inside that she couldn't forget.

The mansion was like a small maze, but if you followed the guidance of the light, it wasn't even considered a maze. It's just that there were some corners where there were hidden treasure chests, which were a bit inconsequential collectibles.

Gwen silently accepted the old music box, but alongside the old music box, there was also something Gwen used to love the most, the Golden Royal Sewing Machine Manual.

Back then, the first prize in the annual Tombola in town was this, but Gwen's father didn't let her participate, and Gwen secretly participated and won a first prize. She thought that if she had her own sewing machine, then this thing would definitely come in handy.

After this visit, Gwen's mood visibly worsened.

Once people start recalling their past bad experiences, they tend to unconsciously indulge in them and find it hard to break free. And Gwen was now in such a situation. This made Elysia a bit worried.

Unfortunately, Stella controlled by Elysia couldn't say anything. All she could do was hug. Every day, she would make something Gwen liked to eat in the kitchen, and then, after the cooled down, give Gwen a big hug.

The boat continued to drift, and many characters' tasks were carried out alternately.

However, shortly after, Gwen proposed an idea to renovate the house.

She wanted to add some decorations inside, create a reading corner, and have a quiet place to be alone.

How could Elysia refuse such a request?

Actually, when Gwen's exclusive cottage was established, Elysia felt that it was too spacious inside. However, due to the lack of blueprints and materials, she temporarily put it aside.

But soon, all the materials were gathered, and the blueprints were available. In order to make Gwen happy, Elysia promptly began to remodel the room for her.

After entering her new room, Gwen generously praised it, but her mood value dropped slightly again.

It was at this moment that Elysia realized that the more she treated Gwen kindly, the more guilty Gwen seemed to feel about her current state.

She realized that her way of getting along was wrong.

But what other choices did Elysia have?

If it were Elysia herself, she definitely wouldn't do it this way. She would try to fundamentally resolve Gwen's issues and temporarily let go of the past.

But for those who had already passed away, what else could they have besides the past?

Elysia couldn't help but think about this and felt somewhat sad.

During their last heart-to-heart conversation, Gwen mentioned the day her father passed away.

Her father's trusted accountant was heartbroken and went to the bar that day.

Knowing that the accountant went to the bar was already strange enough.

And through the accountant's words, Gwen's father's last words gradually became clear.

He loved Gwen.

After that, Gwen never communicated with the accountant again.

Although Gwen said these words calmly, how was she feeling inside at that moment?

The next day, Gwen gave her answer.

She found Stella and said she needed some alone time, and since then, she locked herself in her room and never came out again.

And on the third day after that, Gwen disappeared from the ship without leaving any message, leaving the cottage and Stella behind.

And naturally, the only place Gwen went was obvious.

That estate she once loved and hated the most.

"Stella, I... I'm sorry. I once had such thoughts, and just thinking about it makes me feel sorry. Waiting quietly for the end of life at home is too cliche... I don't know what's wrong with me. I just want to put an end to it. To decide my own direction. Don't let others manipulate me... I'm sorry, I'm just too cowardly. Ah, it's so ironic... Damn it, I feel so selfish now. Sometimes I wish I could be like you. But for me, it's too difficult."

"Once, in order to escape her father's control, she secretly took her father's cigarettes and lighter, forming a habit of smoking. And it was because of this habit that Gwen developed lung cancer at around forty years old."

Gwen's storyline was about to end here.

This point was actually mentioned during their previous heart-to-heart conversations and hugs, but because the storyline was too fragmented, it wasn't necessarily associated in that direction.

So Brownie began to explain.

"So waiting quietly for the end of her life at home means that Gwen also had thoughts of suicide before she died? But she was also stopped by Stella, right?"

"You're right, Eden. She was the kind of person who wanted to be strong throughout her life. In the end, she quietly ended her life under Stella's gaze. Although it started with smoking to rebel against her father, it became the culprit of her lung cancer."

"So that's why she feels ironic."

"Yes."

Hearing Eden and Brownie's conversation, Elysia's mood was also complicated.

"So where did it go wrong?"

Elysia couldn't help but ask.

"Her father's control over Gwen was initially for her own good. Gwen broke free because she had her own pursuits. Even after death, Gwen couldn't fully understand her father, and her father didn't see Gwen before he died. If both sides could have taken the time to understand each other's thoughts from the beginning, perhaps the future wouldn't have been so bleak, right?"

Elysia answered her own question.

But Brownie said, "If Gwen had taken the time to communicate with her father calmly, perhaps Gwen wouldn't be Gwen anymore, but Elysia. And if her father could listen to Gwen, he wouldn't be the father who was full of dignity and controlled the family's resources anymore."

You see, Gwen's family was actually a noble family.

Gwen's father who wielded an enormous amount of wealth was destined to be a person tend to have controlling issues in most aspects of life.

"A qualified tragedy should be so reasonable, yet so helpless, tearing apart beauty for others to see, making it unforgettable. It's just a pity that Gwen spent her whole life trying to escape... but now, there's been some change."

At this point, Eden felt like pouring herself a drink to ease her inner sorrow.

On the second day in the game, Gwen stood at the bow of the ship. She expressed her desire to go to the Everdoor; she couldn't continue evading anymore.

Her whole life was about escaping: from her father's heavy love, from the biases against women in the workplace, and after getting cancer, she tried to escape the pain it brought. So she decided to stop evading it all.

In this world, she dared not look back at her past, thus making her constantly evade the Spiritfarers. But now she was tired; she felt that continuing like this would render her life meaningless. So she requested to go to the Everdoor.

Now, after understanding so much, Gwen had thought all about it.

It wouldn't be right to leave her drifting on the ship forever, right?

"Let's go, send her off," Elysia wiped away her tears and picked up the controller.

The small boat quietly headed towards the Everdoor. Outside the Everdoor was a huge thundercloud.

After a fierce storm, the surroundings turned calm. The platinum forest drifted from the distance, and the ocean turned bright red, as it was at first sight.

At this moment, all the passengers on the boat arrived in silence, bidding their final farewells. Stella took Gwen onto the small boat from the main ship.

The Everlight turned into a small oar, and on the small boat, there was only each other. At the last moment, Gwen had some final words to say.

"Looks like I can't escape, huh? I've finally come here. You know my past; I've never been one to dwell on the past mainly because it always made me feel helpless. It's like an uncontrollable wave of resentment.

But even now, I'm still pondering. I don't know if I ever tried hard enough to connect with others, and I've always been sure that my views have never changed. You also know, I've always said: people come and go without truly caring about each other.

They never have. Lives are forever parallel; at most, they get a bit closer. But looking back now, it's all nonsense. But now I understand, you are the best proof. Not only you, but Mom also cared about me. In her own way. And the others here, even though their own situations weren't great, they were still enthusiastic.

I still don't understand my father. Perhaps I should forgive him now? Finding the last bit of strength in me, will that make me better? Will it make a difference?

Maybe, but after all this, I don't really care anymore. And that's okay, because I have the best friend accompanying me. I have you. You're a great person, Stella. Without you, my life wouldn't be like this. The light you gave me isn't just a meaningless beacon; it's the guiding light of my life. I was just too blind to see it. My shadow has faded."

The small boat glided calmly on the water. After a brief silence, it finally arrived at the Everdoor.

"Okay, let's go. I can't... bear it anymore..."

The small boat advanced again, arriving at the center of the Everdoor. The Everdoor was actually an arch bridge, but together with its reflection on the water surface, it formed a perfect circle.

The ultimate destination of the soul was at the center of this Everdoor.

"Thank you, Stella. Thank you for bringing me here, even if it wasn't your wish. Thank you for making me let go of my pride and rediscover myself. Don't forget, I deeply loved you. Farewell, my friend. See you on the other side."

At this last moment, Stella rushed into Gwen's arms and gave her a final deep hug. Gwen gently placed her hand on Stella's shoulder, smiling.

After that, Gwen's body gradually turned into golden light, slowly ascending. The arch of the Everdoor and the reflection formed a circle of intense golden light, engulfing Gwen's figure.

After that, Gwen turned into a star in the sky, ending her journey.

"Ah... my dear Elysia, want a drink? Maybe it'll make you feel better," Eden took out a glass filled with wine. The drifting scent of the wine seemed like a sad melody.

Elysia took the cup, lightly touching the edge with her lips, taking just a sip.

"At least, in her final moments, she didn't choose to escape anymore. If you ever feel lonely, just look up at the stars; that's where the deceased's eyes smile down at you."

Brownie was a bit worried if she had hit Elysia too hard.

To be honest, she couldn't stand seeing women cry, because it was hard to comfort them.

"Promise me, wear a dress then..."

"Okay... Huh?"

"Then, I'll forgive you! There are other people on the boat, and there are more people waiting for me to meet, waiting for me to redeem them! So Gwen chose the ending she wanted, turning into a star in the sky. Isn't that a very romantic thing?"