章 11: Chapter 11: Honkai Energy Corruption
"What do you mean?"
"Extend your hand." Siegfried gestured with a crooked finger.
Zeke complied, reaching out towards Siegfried.
Two hands, one large and one small, clasped together.
Instantly, intricate patterns resembling circuit lines illuminated on the back of Zeke's hand, emitting an eerie peach-pink glow, extending up along his wrist and arm.
Zeke lifted his collar and saw the glowing pattern extend past his heart, spreading across most of his body.
"What is this?"
A sense of foreboding weighed heavily on Zeke's face.
"It's the trail left by Honkai Energy corruption," Siegfried replied.
This expected answer elicited mixed emotions on Zeke's face. He withdrew his hand, noticing the patterns had vanished, leaving behind a perfectly normal-looking palm. Thoughtfully, he asked,
"Because of Kiana?"
"That wasn't her intention. Her excessive worry for your well-being weakened her mental defenses, allowing the Herrscher's power to surge uncontrollably. Essentially, it was an intense flood of highly concentrated Honkai Energy, with you almost at its epicenter... If you're angry, feel free to take it out on me, but please don't blame Kiana; she truly never meant any harm."
Siegfried spoke apologetically, revealing the true reason for his appearance—to explain the situation to Zeke before things took a turn for the worse, highlight precautions, and steer the outcome so as not to inflict undue harm on Kiana.
Zeke lowered his hand and said softly, "I won't blame Kiana for this; you can be assured of that. However, could you please explain my current condition?"
"Of course. While it was indeed unintentional on Kiana's part, it turned out serendipitously. For over 99% of ordinary people, Honkai Energy is highly toxic. Even minimal exposure can prove fatal. Among the less than 1% who survive its corruption, almost all are women. In other words, males with resistance to Honkai Energy are truly one in a million."
Siegfried paused momentarily before pointing at himself and continued, "The Kaslanas are an exception, so don't include me in that statistic. Despite having dealt with Honkai Energy since birth, throughout my life, I've encountered only two men capable of adapting to it: one lived for 500 years, making him questionable as a human, and the other was a Herrscher possessing human consciousness, arguably not entirely human either. So technically, you are the first genuinely resistant male I've met in my lifetime."
"Can you now grasp how extraordinary this is?"
Zeke nodded. Indeed, characters like Otto and Yang Wo defy conventional expectations. Throughout the entirety of Honkai Impact 3's game storyline, males are indeed a rare breed.
Siegfried sighed and continued, "For ordinary people without resistance to Honkai Energy, it is highly toxic. However, for those with immunity, within their tolerance limits, Honkai Energy becomes a miraculous force. It can strengthen the frail human body, granting incredible, astonishing power. In simpler terms, individuals capable of harnessing Honkai Energy become what regular folks perceive as superheroes."
"At that time, your illness was severe, and finding medication amidst the frozen wilderness seemed impossible. Additionally, you were caught in the crossfire between my powers and the Herrscher's, which under normal circumstances would have been virtually certain death. But when Kiana unleashed her Honkai Energy, it infiltrated your body. Due to your inherent resistance to Honkai Energy, instead of taking your life, this energy fortified your body, healing your sickness miraculously, and protected you, allowing you to survive unscathed from that intense impact."
"It was your fortune—and Kiana's even more so. Otherwise, I don't know how she would've faced the reality of taking her friend's life... Ah, sorry, it seems like I keep speaking on behalf of Kiana."
Siegfried realized that despite discussing Zeke and his perilous situation, he had been preoccupied with defending Kiana.
Zeke shook his head. "I understand; as a father, naturally prioritizing one's daughter is only human. Please continue. What happened to me afterward? You've repeatedly emphasized the dangers of Honkai Energy, suggesting there must be some cost involved."
Siegfried sighed before proceeding. "Indeed, there is a price. Regardless of its form, Honkai Energy remains fundamentally incompatible with life. Even among the Kaslanas, known for their exceptional resistance to Honkai Energy, numerous family heads throughout generations have tragically died young due to excessive exposure. My arm here is another example."
"In short, when it comes to Honkai Energy, avoid using it whenever possible. If you must, keep both the duration and amount as minimal as you can. But even if you manage that, I cannot guarantee you'll live long enough to enjoy your golden years. For most people who harness Honkai Energy—especially those who rely on it for combat—an uneventful retirement is simply out of reach. Countless admirable individuals, their lives like blossoming flowers, withered away before they could truly flourish, all to protect this world."
"Golden years? Hah, not even someone like me dares to dream of such a thing!"
Siegfried reached for another cigarette with one hand, lit it by the bonfire, and sighed deeply amidst the rising smoke. It was a sigh tinged with melancholy, perhaps reminiscing about Valkyries whose radiant smiles never returned from missions.
Among these memories, none weighed heavier or challenged Siegfried's beliefs more profoundly than his lifelong love, Cecilia, who had nearly died right before his eyes.
"To sum up my advice: control yourself and, ideally, never use Honkai Energy at all. The power already awakened within you will ultimately steal your life."
Siegfried's warning prompted Zeke to prod the fire pit, then look up and ask:
"You were just telling me to take care of Kiana earlier, but now it sounds like you're advising me to leave her as soon as possible. After all, isn't she the most dangerous person to be around?"
"..."
Siegfried remained silent for a moment before tossing his cigarette butt into the fire and standing up.
"Who knows?" he said. "I do hope you'll look after her well, give Kiana someone by her side. But considering your own life... Ha, you must make your own choices; this is merely advice from one adult to another. Anyway, Kiana's almost back. I'm leaving now—please don't tell her I was here. Thanks."
With those words, Siegfried casually exited the cave, disappearing swiftly into the night.
Just as he predicted, shortly afterward, Kiana returned with short legs trotting energetically, munching on snowballs as if they were snacks.
"Zeke! Your lady has returned!"
Kiana called out cheerfully, her voice filled with youthful innocence and boundless energy.
"Oh, welcome back," Zeke replied half-heartedly without lifting his head, still wrapped in the blanket.
Kiana dropped the half-eaten snowball, approached the fire pit, and warmed her hands, saying, "Don't be so gloomy, smile more!"
"I don't feel like smiling. What's the situation outside? Can you see any buildings or signs of smoke?"
"Nothing at all..."
As soon as she uttered those words, Kiana wrinkled her nose.
"Hmm, sniff!"
"Wait! This scent... It's Dad's smell? Could it be that my stinky old man lived here before?"
Kiana's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Zeke opened his mouth, hesitating between truthfully telling her "your dad was just here but refused to see you" or concealing the fact. Eventually, he said:
"Does your father smoke?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"The kind-hearted uncle who saved us checked on our situation again just now. He left right before you arrived; what you're smelling is probably the lingering scent of his cigarettes."
"But this smell really matches!"
"In Europe, there are only a few popular cigarette brands. It's quite common for two heavy smokers to prefer the same type."
"Oh..." Disappointed, Kiana sat down dejectedly. With a pout, tears welled uncontrollably in her lowered gaze.
"I thought I found a clue. Stupid dad, where have you gone?"
Zeke lowered his head as well, careful not to let Kiana see the conflicted expression on his face.
'Sorry, Kiana,' he silently apologized.
The situation—Siegfried being so close yet avoiding her entirely—was bound to hurt no matter how it was explained. It could easily make Kiana feel abandoned.
Moreover, if they truly brought up Siegfried, she would undoubtedly want answers down to the last detail. The Herrscher's existence, his corruption by Honkai Energy—it would be incredibly difficult to gloss over these matters under such circumstances.
Lastly, there was Siegfried's own will to consider.
In any case, now wasn't the right time.
Once Kiana grew older and stronger, then perhaps they could discuss it with her... Wait! Did I just tacitly agree to stay by her side through her growth?
Rubbing his chin, Zeke fell deep into thought.
Kiana's life was destined to be fraught with danger. Aside from the unpredictability of the Herrscher, should their bond deepen further, she'd inevitably become a potential sacrifice for Otto's ridiculous plan to "awaken the Herrscher's humanity with love." By then, it might be too late to leave.
Out of concern for safety, it would be best to part ways with Kiana at the next town.
After all, Siegfried is keeping watch from behind, and Otto undoubtedly has his covert eyes on her well-being too. Plus, as the Herrscher of the Void, she possesses a final safeguard against any danger—she should be perfectly fine, right?
"Zeke, I'm hungry."
"But didn't you just eat?"
"I braved the cold night to scout ahead; it takes a lot of energy, you know! Hurry up and make me some food!"
"...Am I your servant or something?"
"Well, aren't you?" Kiana replied innocently, blinking her wide-eyed gaze, as if it were the most natural question.
Then Zeke pinched her cheeks.
Her soft, chubby little face felt delightful to squeeze, perfect for giving a gentle pinch followed by a firm twist.
"Wahh!!!"
******
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