Genshin Impact Simulation: Starting with Melsin's Friend

Chapter 283 Pride and Prejudice

As they entered the cave, the atmosphere grew increasingly silent.

As the two delved deeper into the story, Elias's past memories gradually emerged from the mist.

"Many people warned me not to tell anyone... Okay, stop talking about it, it'll be fine, just bear with it..."

"To protect your reputation, we've sacrificed a whole year's worth of our efforts, do you even realize that...?"

"I don't know what you're talking about! Raju jumped off the roof! Do you really think it's no big deal?!"

"Raju's situation is truly regrettable. I originally thought he could be more patient, but then this happened..."

Kavi's brows furrowed tightly. For the first time, Elhesen achieved a second-place finish in the competition to reduce Kavi's high blood pressure. Why don't you give it a try?

"Raju just died, but we lost a chance to graduate!"

If the Academy of Education produces only such a bunch of idiots, then the future of Sumeru is truly worrying.

Elhesen remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over the haphazardly erected shacks hanging in mid-air, his expression cold and stern.

"The 'Hive' is not just starting out, as Elias claims; on the contrary, it's nearing completion."

The wooden huts suspended in the air emitted a faint green glow, and from a distance, they looked like closely packed honeycombs, gleaming with a slightly eerie light in the dim cave.

The final hypothesis was confirmed, which means that the real culprit is waiting for them ahead.

“Let’s go, architect, let’s meet with that Siraj.”

Elhesen stepped out first, followed by Kavi. They passed through the cave and suddenly found themselves on a wide open platform.

On the platform, a figure stood with his back to the two of them; it was Ilias, who had disappeared without a trace after entering the cave.

Perhaps hearing footsteps behind him, Elias turned around, his face still blank. Only when he saw the person approaching did he manage a stiff smile.

"Oh, it's you guys. You really did come after all."

"I deliberately slowed down the process of integrating into the collective consciousness so that I could see you one last time as 'Ilias,' and apologize to you as Ilias."

At this point, Elias's pale face seemed to regain some vitality, like a critically ill patient experiencing a final burst of energy before death.

"Yes, I only remembered it in Daocheng Forest, my mission as 'Siraj 36' to leave the Hive."

"—By bypassing the disciplinary officers, bring Elhesen to the Hive; that's the task the 'Mastermind' assigned me."

Elhesen, his face expressionless, crossed his arms, his diamond-shaped pupils gleaming with a sharp and profound light, and slowly spoke:

"Since you were able to fool the disciplinary officer's lie detector test, you must have deleted all memories related to the 'Hive' before leaving, which is why you appeared before that disciplinary officer, right?"

Ilyas nodded readily. Things had come to this point, and there was no point in hiding anything anymore.

"Because only by deceiving yourself first can you possibly deceive others; this is the instruction given by the 'mastermind.'"

The young man looked up at the beehive hanging in mid-air, his gaze unfocused as he stared into the distance, muttering to himself.

"Before leaving, I lived in this hive as 'Siraj 36'."

"And now, I... choose to return to this identity, because only in this way can I find 'liberation.'"

"My consciousness will re-integrate into the cluster. Goodbye."

Elias took another step forward, and it was at this moment that Elhesen suddenly spoke up.

He crossed his arms and coldly uttered a few words.

"Is this your choice?"

The young man paused, his movement frozen in mid-air, a breath caught in his throat.

For the first time, Ilias's previously blank expression showed hesitation and confusion. Is this... my choice?

“Hey, if you think that as members of the ‘Ilias’ family, they would also mistake you for that ‘Sirage 36’ guy, then just pretend I said nothing.”

Kavi curled his lip, and for the first time he felt that Elhesen's venomous tongue wasn't entirely without merit.

Elias clenched his fists, speechless. His family was his last source of support and his only weakness.

Conflict, hesitation, pain—a series of expressions flashed across his face, but in the end, he never turned back.

"Do you need more time to consider, Elias?"

Just then, a slightly arrogant voice came from behind the platform, breaking the silence in the room.

The next moment, a young man wearing a ring-shaped visual sensor slowly walked out and looked down at the group.

Siraj, the creator of "The Hive" and the "Mastermind".

"For social creatures, 'coexistence' is innate. Isn't this the life you've always longed for?"

Upon seeing the man on the control panel, Elias's clenched fists relaxed weakly, his face filled with dejection.

Being part of the group... this is the life I've always longed for...

Siraj noticed Elias's wavering, and a satisfied smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

Then, he turned to Al-Hysen, whose face was as cold as ice, and Kavi, who was glaring angrily, and proudly spread his arms.

"Welcome to the 'Hive,' Elheisen. You once advised the Great Sage, arrogantly denying this subject."

"A few words of comment, as light as a bird's feather, have rendered my efforts futile. Of course, I know you don't care about this; other people's suffering is nothing more than this in your eyes."

"But you can't deny that swarming is the ultimate goal of all social creatures. If a mediocre bee swarm becomes powerful and replaces the swarm with humans, this model will become unprecedentedly powerful!"

Siraj was very talkative, seemingly hoping to see surprise or astonishment on Elhesen's calm face, which would greatly satisfy his vanity.

Perhaps Siraj will take pity on him and allow him to become part of this grand plan?

But clearly, he was destined to be disappointed in the end.

Al-Hysen's expression remained unmoved, his gaze calm, as if he were watching a clown jumping around.

Siraj was immediately offended. Enraged, he sneered and arrogantly pointed to the empty beehives around him.

"Hmph, there's no use pretending to be calm. Aren't you curious what missions these vacant personnel are currently undertaking now that the 'Hive' is already completed?"

Before the two could answer, Siraj continued speaking to himself, his tone filled with an arrogant confidence.

"The answer is the Council of the Church. They are carrying out a plan, a plan that can elevate me to the position of Sage."

"If the plan succeeds, I can use my growing influence to legitimize the cluster experiment."

"At that time, I... no, the 'Cluster' will control everything, propelling the Order of the Fathers and Sumeru towards a completely new future!"

Siraj wore a maniacal smile, as if he could already see the moment when the future he envisioned would come true.

The next moment, the young man's expression turned sinister.

"And you, Elhesen, you are the biggest obstacle to this plan. Once you are eliminated, my plan will be able to proceed without hindrance in the Council of the Church!"

"Go back to your place, number 36. You should know that nice words won't make life better."

"As for you, pay the price for your arrogance!"