[End of this simulation]
[The main mission of quelling the Inazuma civil strife has been completed. The number of civilian deaths is 178. Congratulations to the host for obtaining an A-level evaluation.]
[Ding, it is detected that the host resolved the Inazuma Civil War one and a half years earlier than the original plot and eradicated the feud between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate. The evaluation has been upgraded to S.]
[Congratulations to the host for reaching the ending: Sinner's Elegy]
[Sinner's Elegy: You fell into the abyss, brought light to the world, and played your own elegy.]
[Do you want to end this instance simulation with the current ending?]
"Still 178 dead? Well, that's not bad."
To be honest, after a civil war, only 178 civilian casualties was already a miracle.
Of course, this didn't mean the intensity of the civil war was low or that it was just some mock battle.
In fact, a great many soldiers had died. Although Yilan, stationed on Watatsumi Island, had tried his best to fight using "rabble" forces, there were still conservatives who took part in the war. As a result, many lives were lost.
As for the Shogunate's side, it went without saying.
Although Yilan had shortened the duration of the civil war by over a year, thus reducing the total death toll compared to before, the brutal, high-intensity battles had still caused the deaths of countless people within the Shogunate — including many who genuinely loved peace.
This was why Yilan considered himself a sinner.
Because, indeed, many innocent people had died because of him.
Even if he had saved countless others, he was still, without a doubt, a complete sinner.
Perhaps it was fitting retribution: the ending he obtained from this simulation was the most tragic among all three he had experienced—
Killed by his beloved sister.
"…I wonder how Ayaka is doing now? Has she managed to come out of her despair?"
Thinking of this, Yilan couldn't help but shake his head.
"It's just something that happened in the simulation. Now that the simulation is over, everything from that virtual world should have disappeared. It has nothing to do with reality."
"Let's end it."
When he said this, Yilan felt as if a huge stone had been lifted from his heart.
This simulation, which had taken over twenty years inside the instance, finally ended at this moment.
The time in reality shifted from morning — when the simulation had started — to evening.
[Confirming the end of the simulation. This instance is now closed. Rewards are being distributed.]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Power of the Hydro Element.]
[Power of the Hydro Element: The "Goddess of the Present" of Watatsumi Island has served you with body and soul. A mysterious power flows through her blood, and this ancient bloodline is now at your disposal. (It is speculated that Sangonomiya Kokomi's lineage may be related to one of the original seven dragon kings — the Water Dragon King — though this remains unconfirmed lore. I am simply using this as a reason to grant the reward, so please don't take it too seriously.)]
"The first reward is actually the Power of Hydro?"
Yilan showed a look of surprise.
This was undoubtedly the simplest, yet also the most tangible reward.
When he was still in the simulation, he had tried many times to understand how to wield Hydro energy on his own, but had never succeeded.
After all, in the simulation, he had relied on his Vision to use elemental power.
As everyone knows, a Vision is also referred to as an "external magical organ" — meaning that, in a sense, Vision holders are special lifeforms, distinct from ordinary humans.
Thus, it was completely impossible for regular humans to replicate the way a Vision wielder harnessed elemental forces.
Originally, he thought he would miss the chance to gain Hydro power altogether, but he hadn't expected the system to grant it to him as a reward.
Now, with the three elemental powers he had in reality, plus the attribute points that would soon be awarded, if he were to encounter some wandering soldiers or even a Fatui Harbinger again, it would likely be the enemy who would have to flee.
[Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Sinner's Elegy.]
[Sinner's Elegy: Shoulder all sins yourself and sing your own elegy. Temporarily enhances all attributes. After the effect ends, the user falls into a period of weakness.]
"Well, that's a pretty practical skill. At least next time I meet someone stronger than me, I won't be completely helpless."
Yilan was quite satisfied with this skill.
Although the post-use weakness was a disadvantage, it was better than being instantly killed after meeting a superior opponent.
However, the nature of this skill also meant it wouldn't be used lightly and could only serve as a last resort.
[Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: 15 Attribute Points.]
The most substantial reward had finally arrived.
But upon receiving the attribute points, Yilan began to worry about how to distribute them.
If this were simply a game, the best method would be to specialize — warriors focusing on Strength, mages focusing on Wisdom. Spreading points too thinly would make one proficient in nothing.
However, the world of Teyvat was different.
This had already been proven in his last simulation: when he was young, his fragile body couldn't withstand heavy strain. Even though he knew how to use elemental power, he couldn't properly unleash it.
In other words, even if he raised only his Soul attribute to better connect with elemental forces, if his body couldn't handle it, it would all be wasted effort.
The same logic applied to his other attributes.
In Teyvat, to truly become a powerful being capable of rivaling even Celestia, one had to develop all three attributes equally.
After some hesitation, Yilan ultimately distributed the attribute points evenly among the three stats.
His current attributes were:
Soul: 25 (Affects affinity with elemental forces and how much elemental energy can be mobilized)
Spirit: 25 (Affects comprehension, calculation ability, and the efficiency of manipulating elemental energy. Higher Spirit means greater power in using the same techniques.)
Physical: 25 (Affects all physical capabilities.)
After assigning the points, Yilan clearly felt a substantial improvement — not just physically but in his understanding of the world itself.
If judged solely by attributes, he was only at an average level among his followers.
But if he factored in his mastery of three elemental powers, Dream of Oneness, and Sinner's Elegy, he believed that facing a weaker demon, he would have a good chance of victory.
After confirming his rewards, this long simulation had finally reached its end.
A heavy wave of exhaustion washed over him.
He hadn't slept for two days and one night while rescuing a child kidnapped by the Fatui.
Now, after spending another twenty-five years inside the simulator, even though only a day had passed in reality, he felt profoundly drained — mentally and physically.
So after washing up, he collapsed onto his bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep.