857 Meaningful Gift
“A fake situation made up as if we were the villains. Does America want to declare war on us?” Rhea snorted sarcastically.
“Maa, please calm down first. The situation might just be triggered by some selfish and power-hungry higher-ups.” Elysia tried to calm Rhea as she could feel the anger. “Anyway, Erina… Do you know what might happen if we don’t hand Xentia over to them?”
“Please don’t abandon Xentia. Xentia doesn’t want to be left behind.” Xentia asked in a pleading tone.
“My apologies, but we also don’t know. Everything will be discussed at the grand meeting on the ninth. The higher-ups of all the countries listed in the Esper Association will be there. Although the main purpose of the meeting is to discuss the recent events, America will raise the issue and corner us.” Erina shook her head because she didn’t know anything more than that.
“It was funny because they asked us to return what didn’t belong to them in the first place. Xentia belongs to no one but herself. She is with us by destiny and the choices she makes.” Elena smiled faintly and shook her head.
“Mm, whatever the reason, Xentia has joined us. So, our answer is clear.” Rhea nodded in agreement.
“Then please attend the grand meeting. We will be in great trouble.” Erina clasped her hands. She hoped Elysia could be there with a Guardian of Dream’s high-rank member.
“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of that when the time comes. It’s seven o’clock- no, that’s nine o’clock on the Mothership over the Pacific Ocean, right?” Elysia waved her hand to reassure Erina.
“We’ll be helped.” Erina was finally able to heave a sigh of relief.
“So, the problem is solved, right? That’s good for you, Xentia.” Sylvia gave a congratulatory smile to Xentia.
“Thank you!” Xentia was feeling cheerful again.
“However, you have to put your stance on those old-timers. They need to know that you are Xentia, not their tool. You don’t have to listen to their orders or the like.” Sylvia spoke in a whisper-like voice, but it was clear enough for everyone to hear.
“Xentia understands. Master Aria and Ely are enough.” Xentia nodded in understanding.
“Hmm, human schemes are shallow, huh. They’ll keep trying to find our bottom line until they find the boundary they shouldn’t cross. However, we’re not subjects they can test at will. Should we give them a valuable lesson?” Ai glanced at Elysia, then checked everyone’s expressions.
“Uhm, I don’t think we should be the first to make a move. Depending on the situation and their decision, we’ll adjust the actions that need to be taken. What do you think?” Elysia asked for everyone’s opinion.
“That sound good.” Elena was the first to agree. Everyone took turns voicing their agreement.
Unfortunately, Elysia had absolutely no idea what the girls in her group might do to anyone who tried to challenge them, much less with malicious intention.
After that, the topic was put aside, and the atmosphere returned to calm and cheerful.
“Nee, Erina. Listen to the conversation of your grandfather, father, and friends. They are talking about you. Is it related to the matchmaking event? Fufu, those people seem to want to urge your family to quickly find you a life partner.” Elysia covered her mouth and glanced down at the hall.
“It’s just small talk, Ellie. I haven’t thought about it that far.” Erina nudged Elysia’s arm in embarrassment when it was said clearly.
“Hmm, what if that really happened? You may have to choose a life partner one day. Someone who will accompany you throughout your life, whether it be joy or sorrow.” Elysia also asked herself.
She got her answer because she had Elena, Rhea, and her friends. However, the situation was vastly different for Erina.
“Ellie… I’m embarrassed to say it. I’m afraid to choose. Those who came obviously wanted something from me. Sincerity is a scarce thing in the world. I’m only twenty, but do I really have to rely on a man in my life? I can’t imagine that situation would happen to me.” Erina twiddled with her fingers.
“E-eh?” Elysia realized that Erina had misunderstood this small talk.
Erina also took it seriously. Elysia decided not to interfere too much. However, it reminded her of the romantic relationships of famous people she knew. The majority of them didn’t have a harmonious relationship because of incompatibility.
So, letting time and fate guide Erina to the best possible life choice was better. Elysia also couldn’t recruit Erina into her group right now for some reason.
“…” Elena only glanced at Erina and Elysia. She could tell something from Erina’s gaze, but Elysia failed to notice it.
However, something would definitely happen in the future when the time came. Now was just not the time for Erina to get too deeply involved with Elysia and their group.
“It doesn’t have to be a man. We can choose who we want to spend the rest of our life with. Someone chooses their parents, family, pets, masters, disciples, favorite things, or even friends. Don’t let anyone force their will on what you don’t like. You still have a chance to break through your limits, but can you do it?” Rhea gave an implied hint.
“???” Elysia asked in wonder, but she didn’t overthink it. Rhea just wanted to tell Erina something. Although, the mindset of the immortal and the mortal was vastly different.
“Ah-mm…” Erina was taken aback, but she didn’t know how to respond. She just nodded slightly.
The previous topic started as small talk, but Erina took it seriously. Elysia then changed the subject of the conversation to something that made everyone smile.
Half an hour passed, and Gaia gave a signal to Elysia. She needed to go now.
“Erina, as much as I want to spend time with you, the situation is asking us to leave now.” Elysia held Erina’s hand.
“Can we meet again tomorrow?” Erina felt a little sad, but she didn’t show it.
“Sure, we’ll meet again tomorrow. I’ll send you a message.” Elysia smiled sweetly while shaking her smartphone near her face.
“All right, then, please be careful on your way back. Recently, the wind has been a bit strong, and the weather has become unpredictable.” Erina nodded slightly and stood up.
“Thanks for the reminder. Please convey my regards to your father and grandfather. Mio, please protect and take care of Erina. See you tomorrow~” Elysia waved her hand.
“Bye-bye~” Xentia waved her hand high.
*Poof*
Everyone around the table suddenly disappeared instantly, leaving Erina and Mio stunned for a few seconds.
“Oh my…” Erina held her forehead. She forgot that Elysia could come and go at will. Still, she had previously intended to accompany them to the exit.
“Mio, let’s go back to our bedroom.” Erina heaved a subtle sigh and turned around.
The disguise barrier was revoked. Kenji accidentally notices Erina’s presence on the second floor. He previously thought his daughter had gone to her room, but she was still there?
“Kenji.” Mitsuzuka spoke in a whisper-like voice.
The gesture was apparent. Kenji immediately excused himself and left the hall to catch up with Erina.
“Erina.” Kenji called out from behind.
“Father. Is there something? You look in a hurry.” Erina stopped in her tracks.
“It’s nothing. It was just a little weird because I thought you had left the hall, but you were still there without anyone noticing. I also noticed that the special place you prepared seemed to have been previously occupied by a group of people. Did they come?” Kenji could guess the answer, but he needed definite confirmation.
“Yes, Ellie and her friends were there a while ago. However, they need to leave soon because of some business. Ellie sends her regards to you and grandfather.” Erina answered in a whisper-like voice.
“I see… Do you want to go to your bedroom?” Kenji nodded in understanding.
“Mm, I feel I need to rest, father. Please forgive my rudeness, and please convey my apologies to those who wish to see me.” Erina heaved a subtle sigh and closed her eyes. She also feigned her tiredness.
“All right.” Kenji could tell the implied meaning. He could also assume that Elysia’s group knew about the grand meeting.
Kenji returned to the hall while Erina and Mio went to their bedroom.
*Clack*
Mio checked the window lock, then immediately locked the bedroom door.
“This is a special gift from Ellie~” Erina put the gift on her bed. She felt like immortalizing that gift, but she needed to open it at Elysia’s request.
Therefore, she was meticulous in opening the gift box so that she could return it to its previous state later.
Even though it took a bit of time, Erina managed to get the ‘pouch’ out without damaging the gift box. There was a small letter there, and Erina immediately read it.
It was a handwritten letter by Elysia regarding the ‘pouch’ guide. It was actually called the Space Bag, a magic item that could store many objects regardless of its small shape.
Erina had thought it was a joke, but she was immediately shocked when she saw the wonder stored in that little ‘pouch’.
It was a mountain of rare resources that were impossible to obtain with mere wealth.
A whisper from her inner self seemed to tell her to immediately become stronger and break through in rank to aim for the higher level.
Something mysterious seemed to tell her that she could spend more time with Elysia if she became stronger. Maybe she could initiate the telepathy without waiting for Elysia to open a conversation first.
“Mio, Ellie wants us to be stronger. Does she want to invite us to join her group?” Erina muttered under her breath. If that really happened, she would have signed up without a second thought.
“Erina-sama… That pouch and those resources… Are they really humans, or maybe angels from another realm?” Mio peeked at the pouch’s contents and widened her eyes in surprise. She could tell those resources possessed immeasurable value.
“Angels, huh… They may no longer be mortals, Mio. This gift is an investment value and a test. Ellie wants to invite me to her group, but I don’t have the qualifications to be with them yet. Mio, will you accompany me till the end? We need to break through to rank eight or beyond like Xentia.” Erina clasped her hands as if getting enlightenment from all her confusion so far.
“I am yours, Erina-sama. I will be with you until the end of my life.” Mio put her hand on her upper chest and bowed slightly.
Erina and Mio interpreted Elysia’s gift as something more meaningful. However, Elysia only gave it because she didn’t have time to prepare. Elena suggested gifting Erina some of their Earth’s newly acquired resources too, and Elysia didn’t think that was odd.