Honkai: Strijder
Chapter 425: Confession and Handover
"I heard you made Wendy cry last night?"
Early in the morning, inside Sigurd's bedroom, Kiana was straightening the formal ceremonial outfit on him. As she smoothed out the creases of his upper and lower garments, she let out a soft sigh.
Sigurd spread his arms, watching Kiana demonstrate the dressing technique she had clearly practiced in secret for a long time.
"Bronya told you again?"
He didn't even need to think. Only Bronya both could and would constantly monitor the condition of all the Herrscher girls. And only that clever little girl knew that, among them, Kiana was the only one who might possibly change Sigurd's mind about such matters.
Kiana's slender fingers moved gracefully and methodically over his clothes and ornaments as she said softly,
"Mm. She told me this morning. You know Wendy rarely cries. If she cried, then she must have been unbearably wronged… Sigh… If we treat this as some kind of competition, then I'm already the winner who got what she wanted. It feels like I don't really have the right to speak up for her. But… I don't want her to cry."
"Kiana, you don't need to—"
"—Let me finish, Sig!"
She fastened the final button on the black uniform and gently brushed over it, a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
"This is the last time I'm bringing this up. After this, I won't bother you about it anymore. I know I gave you an impossible problem—reject them, but don't let them get hurt. No matter how I think about it, unless you used something like Fenghuang Down, it's basically impossible, right?"
"That's not your responsibility."
"Emotional matters don't really match your scientific logic, so stop pretending you understand."
Kiana continued decorating him, placing the golden chain, shoulder ornaments, and jeweled accessories exactly where they belonged.
"As for me, I've already obtained all the happiness I wanted. So don't worry about how I'll feel anymore. Follow your heart, Sig. Promise me—don't leave yourself with regrets. That's my only request."
Sigurd looked at the gentle smile on her lips and the tenderness in her eyes, then slowly nodded.
"I understand. I'll think about it carefully."
"That's more like it… Soon, you won't just belong to the three of us anymore, you'll belong to this world. Including us, everyone's fate will rest in your hands. It'll definitely be exhausting. But we'll always stay by your side. So do your best, okay, Sig?"
"I will."
He nodded again.
Kiana fastened three golden-threaded spheres at his waist one by one—the current Herrscher of Earth core, the current Herrscher of Corruption core, and an energy core on the same level as a Herrscher's, given by that mysterious young lady.
Finally, she slid the black-violet ring-shaped Key of Judgment onto his ring finger.
"All done."
"How do I look?"
Sigurd lowered his hands and asked casually.
Kiana stepped back a couple of paces, looked him up and down, then smiled and nodded.
"You look amazing! My Sig is always the most handsome—no exceptions!"
"I'm honored, my Kiana."
Sigurd stepped forward, cupped the girl's cheek, and captured her lips in a kiss.
"Mmm!"
Kiana was startled at first, but quickly recovered. She wrapped her arms around his waist, offering all her sweetness to her beloved with gentleness and devotion.
No words were spoken.
And yet, everything was said.
…
Armies gathered from all directions. Countless massive machines formed ranks below, while various aircraft cruised slowly through the sky, guarding the sealed inner city at the center.
On top of the city walls, as the host, Bronya stood with her companions on an extended platform, reviewing the forces while waiting for the arriving guests.
The steady sound of wind suddenly shifted. Amid flashes of golden light, tall silhouettes appeared one after another at the edge of the platform.
"Mr. Otto Apocalypse, Overseer of Schicksal; Acting Overseer Hera Schariac; and all esteemed Valkyries—on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I welcome you."
Dressed in a dark blue officer's uniform, Bronya gave a slight bow to the arriving guests.
At that moment, Durandal lightly patted Li Sushang on the back. Then she, Amber, and Ana bowed in return to Bronya—the four of them bending to nearly ninety degrees in a solemn gesture.
As for Otto and Hera—two personas sharing one being—they responded with the same slight bow as Bronya.
Then Hera took Ana's hand and stepped forward, approaching Bronya one step at a time.
Ana held the hem of her skirt with her other hand, looking a little nervous.
Hera, with a complicated sigh, placed Ana's hand into Bronya's.
"From this moment on, I entrust this disappointing junior of mine to His Majesty the Emperor. She will never disgrace the honor of Schicksal or the Schariac name. She will shed her last drop of blood for humanity's victory."
"On behalf of His Majesty, I promise we will make good use of Ana Schariac's life and power. May civilization endure forever, and may humanity survive eternally!"
"May humanity survive eternally!"
Hera replied with a smile, patting Ana gently on the back.
Ana paused, then suddenly turned around and gave a deep bow in Otto's direction.
"Lord Overseer, honored ancestor, I will defend Schicksal's mission and honor to the very end! Thank you for your cultivation and care. Ana… is leaving now!"
Having finally voiced the feelings she had kept buried for so long, Ana straightened up, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and walked behind Bronya.
There, Raiden Mei, Wendy, and Seele all gave her friendly smiles. Senti also raised a thumbs-up, her bright white teeth practically gleaming in the sunlight—clearly a sign of welcome as well.
Bronya watched Ana pass by her side, then gave Hera and Otto a look.
'Such a good child. Doesn't your conscience hurt at all?'
Hera and Otto both touched their noses but said nothing.
With his obsession finally laid to rest, Otto had regained at least a bit of his humanity. To be honest, seeing Ana's wholehearted trust and admiration toward him did make him feel somewhat guilty.
After all, at the beginning, he had intended to use Ana as experimental material and as a professional combat tool.
"Ana is a very innocent child, but she is also a perfect Valkyrie worthy of the Schariac name. Please take good care of her."
"In the name of the Overseer of Schicksal, I swear: Ana is an outstanding Valkyrie, an outstanding Schariac, worthy of the best treatment and the highest regard. Do not let her down."
Hera and Otto spoke in turn, their tone carrying sincere concern beneath the sighs.
Hearing this, Ana's tears flowed like rain.
At that moment, Li Sushang quietly nudged Durandal's shoulder.
'Hey, I remember Otto not being this kind of person. Did he take the wrong medicine these past few years?'
'Sushang, I know your attainments in the realm of consciousness are very high, but could you refrain from casually using that ability? If I chose to resist, you'd suffer for it.'
'I only did it because I know you wouldn't reject me! Don't worry, I still have that much sense in front of others.'
'In any case, the Overseer is an extraordinary person. No one can truly understand what he's thinking—at least not the two of us. So don't make up rumors about him behind his back.'
Durandal's response was upright and righteous, but clearly not the answer Li Sushang had been hoping for.
Li Sushang pouted. Then she noticed an intense gaze coming from across the platform.
'Wow! It's Grandmaster—uh, according to what you said before, that should be Grandmaster's Herrscher consciousness, right? How fascinating. I never thought that the Grandmaster who believed the Honkai must be eradicated would tolerate becoming a Herrscher herself. Don't you think so, Durandal?'
Durandal hadn't yet responded when another consciousness inserted itself into their mental link.
'Brat, keep babbling and I'll log you out on the spot!'
Senti narrowed her eyes, clenched her fist, and cracked her knuckles with a sharp snapping sound.
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