章 16: Return of the Herrscher of sentience (2/2)
"Another sister?"
Kiana blinked, then calmly shook her head, indicating she had no idea.
Could Dad have another secret daughter?
No wonder she hadn't been able to find him all these years.
"It can't be Bronya, right? It'd be funny if she were my little sister."
Kiana said with a bit of a smile
After defeating a powerful enemy, she had finally relaxed, letting go of the burdens she'd carried on her shoulders for so long.
And with Herrscher of Sentience's guidance these past few days, she'd regained some of her usual cheerfulness.
"Hmph, impossible. Bronya grew up in an orphanage." Bronya shook her head, dismissing the idea coldly.
"Bronya thinks it might be Sirin. After all, in some way, she's the one most deeply connected to you."
"How is it possible, Sirin…?"
"Bingo, it's Sirin."
The Herrscher of Sentience snapped her fingers, nodding at Bronya with some admiration.
Though Bronya often struggled on the battlefield, her quick thinking in life earned her some respect, true to her title as the Herrscher of Reason!
"Huh? Sirin! How could that be—"
Kiana looked bewildered. She could understand the Durandal, but Sirin… how could she become her sister?
Besides, wasn't she herself technically created by Sirin?
"Hm… I don't know all the details, but in that world, Cecilia survived, so Sirin's fate probably tied in with her somehow."
The Herrscher of Sentience looked up at the ceiling, then gave an answer.
She hadn't paid much attention, but with a bit of thought and some memories of ancient knowledge, she could make an educated guess.
"Sirin… a sister, and my mom, too. I've never even met her."
There was a hint of sadness in Kiana's eyes.
"Cecilia! Ah, after all this time… I really miss her."
Theresa's eyes brightened upon hearing that familiar name from her memories. She eagerly looked at the Herrscher of Sentience, a bit excited.
"Quick, tell us more about her!"
"I'm a bit curious, too," Durandal said as she played with her hair, pretending to be indifferent.
But the fact she even spoke up showed her real interest.
"Hmm… where should I start? Ah, with everyone here, let's talk about other things first. In that world, Cecilia was weakened after the Second Eruption, but she recovered with the help of Stigmata."
"…What? You're asking me what Stigmata are?"
"Well, take people like Li Sushang and Durandal for example. they're born with natural Stigmata. And then there's the other kind, which I think is even more amazing. I don't know where they come from, but awakening them is much easier than yours."
The Herrscher of Sentience explained with a bit of frustration, regretting she'd even brought up something she wasn't fully familiar with.
It's not like she'd cared about Cecilia! But since she'd already started, she tried to organize her thoughts, hoping to bluff her way through.
As for the Stigmata, she had even borrowed one from Luo Mo and wore it herself, though it was only three-star.
She mostly thought it was fun, but admittedly, it did boost her strength… even if only a little.
"Speaking of that disciple, Sushang, isn't she one of the three S-rank warriors of Schicksal? I still have some business with her."
In the middle of talking about Stigmata, the Herrscher of Sentience suddenly remembered something she needed to do.
In a setting like this, Sushang should show up, considering she's an important force against Honkai, a real S-rank!
The Herrscher of Sentience looked around eagerly, her gaze full of anticipation.
"Well… Sushang, she actually already said goodbye to us."
Kiana and Bronya exchanged glances.
They seemed to remember something and found a gift box nearby.
"Class president, Miss Sushang said she was going on a journey to explore the world. Before she left, she asked us to give you this..."
It looked like a traditional Shenzhou snack, given as a farewell gift.
In her words, "My grandmaster has already started a new chapter in life, so I won't disturb her. If fate allows, we'll meet again someday."
Even now, Kiana remembered her, feeling that her free-spirited and straightforward attitude had helped her let go of past grudges.
"Oh well, she is lucky she escaped quickly."
The Herrscher of Sentience muttered, retracting her clenched hand, feeling a bit annoyed.
Fu Hua took the parting gift, smiling helplessly without saying much.
"What is it little Senti? did you have some business with her?"
Kiana blinked, looking at her.
It seemed everyone had come to an unspoken agreement to let Kiana do most of the talking with her, as the Herrscher of Sentience tended not to get emotional or react much to Kiana's questions.
But with Fu Hua… that was unpredictable. The Herrscher might get petty over a small issue or laugh off something huge.
"…It's not really important. I'll deal with it if we meet again. no big deal."
The Herrscher of Sentience seemed a bit conflicted but decided to let it go.
"By the way, if you get the chance, remember one thing. tell Mei to watch out for a certain troublesome pink-haired woman! Really, be cautious!"
The Herrscher of Sentience warned Kiana in an earnest tone, almost as if that person were a huge threat.
She truly had Kiana's best interests at heart this time. After all, they were gaming buddies in that world! If Mei got fooled by that woman… Kiana would definitely have a hard time and cry!.
"Huh? Mei? You've seen Mei's side too?"
Kiana seemed surprised and got a bit emotional. "How is Mei doing in World Serpent?"
"Good. She's doing well. That person has taken an interest in her, so nothing bad will happen."
"Phew—that's great. As long as she's safe, I'm sure we'll meet again someday!"
Kiana had full faith in Mei. As long as she was safe, that was enough for now!
She lifted her head, her face full of hope.
It was the hope for the day they'd meet face-to-face again.
No matter how far, they would certainly fight side by side once more.
"…You'd better be careful. Elysia is no simple character and certainly not innocent."
"If I get the chance, I'll warn Mei."
Looking at the Herrscher of Sentience's strange, conflicted expression as she repeated the warning, Kiana felt a bit puzzled but nodded to show she understood.
After all, it was just a warning.
"And about the Stigmata? You mentioned a different kind of Stigmata earlier—"
"In everything you've said, you've highlighted its incredible power,"
"…it even stopped Himeko's Honkai erosion and brought those thirteen Flame-Chasers back to life…"
Fu Hua noticed the Herrscher was starting to ramble again and gently reminded her.
Fu Hua had keenly sensed that the Stigmata might be the key weapon against the Honkai, possibly explaining the unique qualities of the other world.
"Are you carrying one? Can I—I mean, can we see it?"
She hesitated a bit, clearly uncomfortable asking for something right after their meeting, but the Stigmata's importance was undeniable.
Whether it involved former Flame-Chasers or stopping Honkai erosion, it held great significance.
Though Fu Hua couldn't imagine how the other side managed to bring all thirteen Flame-Chasers over from Kevin's place,
She knew World Serpent held many secrets of the previous civilization, but this was beyond belief!
How could all the Flame-Chasers have been moved to St. Freya?
Now she was more convinced than ever that the academy would be safe; no force would dare disturb it, she was sure of that!
"If you want to… I don't mind showing it, but I have a condition."
The Herrscher of Sentience's eyes sparkled as she glanced at Fu Hua, a mischievous smile forming.
"Name your terms. As a representative of Schicksal, I can consider them."
Theresa, standing nearby, replied firmly, her tone full of resolve.
At this moment, she showed a hint of her Bishop's authority.
"I… want her!"
A look of satisfaction spread across the Herrscher of Sentience's face, and her gaze sparkled with excitement as she pointed her pale finger, straight at Fu Hua.
At that moment, Fu Hua wore a look of disbelief, and everyone around them seemed to understand her intentions immediately.
"Me?"
Fu Hua pointed to herself in disbelief, testing if she was the one meant.
"Yes, you! such a big prize!"
---
"Phew—talking all this time has made me parched. Luckily, I just ran off afterward and got a good rest…"
The Herrscher of Sentience emerged from the ship's door, lazily stretching and looking a bit drowsy.
Her slender waist moved slightly in the fading sunset as she brought her hand to her mouth to cover a yawn.
She casually glanced at the half-set sun on the horizon, greeting the two people in front of her.
Standing there was the blonde knight and Rita. Kiana, having learned Durandal was her long-lost sister, suddenly found it difficult to face her directly. Together, they watched the setting sun, the ship bathed in a soft golden glow of twilight.
They spoke in quiet voices, their conversation casual, unconcerned if others overheard.
At that moment, it was just like an ordinary afternoon.
Durandal scratched the back of her head, took a deep breath, and said, "…Ah, you mean about Bishop Otto no longer being with us?"
"That's certainly part of it. After all, Lord Otto… he impacted each of us deeply. Just like he once said—"
Rita spoke softly,
"'A person is like a river that inevitably flows into the sea. The closer a river gets to the sea, the murkier it becomes, but only the sea can accept all the impurities of a river and still retain its own essence.'"
"A river… yes, he flowed through five hundred years, carrying all its silt and sand…"
"But in the end, he surpassed it all and crossed over to that shore beyond good and evil."
Durandal brushed a strand of hair that the evening breeze lifted and tucked it behind her ear.
The gentle wind brushed her hair, causing a slight tickling sensation.
But she liked this kind of peaceful moment.
"I once thought I understood him enough, that I knew he was a very complex individual… But now, I feel as if I know nothing about him at all."
"Perhaps your lineage is also a factor… master Durandal, you probably never expected the Herrscher of Sentience to suddenly reveal the reason behind that connection, did you?"
Rita's eyebrows arched, and a gentle smile appeared on her face. The golden light illuminated her profile, creating a stunningly beautiful scene.
"Remember that look on your face when you were with Miss Kiana? Oh… I regret not capturing that moment for a keepsake~"
She sighed regretfully, completely ignoring the slightly uncomfortable expression on her friend's face.
"Rita… you!"
Durandal couldn't help but give her a look, but gazing at the gradually setting golden light, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke earnestly,
"Huh… But Rita, truly, thank you so much for always being by my side."
"Having you supporting me, supporting everything connected to me… it makes me feel incredibly fortunate."
Rita froze for a moment, perhaps not expecting Durandal to say such a thing suddenly.
Then a smile slowly curved her lips, a pleasant and relaxed expression.
"…It is also my honor, Lady Durandal."
Meanwhile, the Herrscher of Sentience, leaning against the railing by herself and watching the sunset, rolled her eyes. They were really treating her as one of their own!
But… whatever. At this moment, she didn't feel like getting into it with them.
Finally, after a while of silence,
Rita and Durandal simultaneously shifted their gaze to a nearby figure.
With long gray hair cascading like a waterfall, dressed in dark gold attire, with a black Chi Ling at her waist, she had a serene expression that was unusual compared to her usual lively demeanor.
Only now did she and Fu Hua appear somewhat indistinguishable.
Rita thought of this and smiled as she spoke:
"Still, it's surprising that our great Herrscher of Senti has kept quiet from start to finish. I thought… you'd share your thoughts right away."
"... well, come to think of it, Otto departed under a sunset like this too, didn't he? The twilight, the hour of omens? A divine gaze of favor, crossing the hymn of miracles?"
"Hmph—Otto really did change my opinion of him in the end. Quite the strange thing."
"That I would change my view of him because of his actions…"
The Herrscher of Sentience extended her right hand, studying the pale palm under the golden sunset, the fine lines on her hand distinct. Perhaps… was all of her knowledge really the same as that old timer's?
The thought flickered in her mind.
Sunlight filtered through her fingers, casting strands of light on her face.
She couldn't help but squint slightly, looking towards the horizon.
The sun was almost swallowed by the horizon, casting a historic tranquility over the distant town. Birds chirped here and there, street lamps lit one by one, and she could glimpse a corner of a statue of a saint not far away.
Her gaze was calm, but she was reminiscing about the days in another world.
The peaceful daily life held its own warmth; even the life of fighting Honkai wasn't something she disliked.
But…
She suddenly turned her head and looked at Rita with dissatisfaction, finally blurting out what she'd been holding back:
"…And don't give me that weird title. 'little senti' is enough. I don't mind 'Great Herrscher of Sentience,' but mixing them… it's so odd! Lady of Unmatched Legend, huh."
"L-Lady of Unmatched Legend?"
Rita's smile froze, her mouth slightly twisted, not fully processing the Herrscher's words.
"Heh! ever since Bronya beat you the other day, you've naturally inherited her title. Or… would you prefer the title of 'Fifty-Fifty Queen'?"
"…"
------
Deep within an Eden-like paradise, inside a lofty palace,
Otto's recitation of poetry was interrupted, perhaps because he had shared too much, to the point that his companion could immediately respond.
"Hmm?"
Otto looked down in slight confusion, his original story cut off by Theresa's words.
"Grandfather, the next part is—'You once had free wings and a vast sky.'"
Theresa murmured, speaking with a touch of helplessness.
'Theresa…'
He saw the look of eager anticipation in Theresa's eyes, just like on a warm afternoon many years ago when he held little Theresa on his knee, and she looked up at him, waiting expectantly for the continuation of his story.
Otto chuckled softly and continued his recitation: "…Oh, wandering soul, why are you trapped in a cage? You removed the celestial framework with your own hands and bound yourself."
Theresa followed smoothly, murmuring softly,
"The mighty king of the underworld, the tyrant's spear is sharp, but in your hand, it is but a grain of sand; the tyrant's mighty steed is fierce, but before you, it is but an ant."
Otto's eyes brightened, "You were born in endless glory, fell in blazing fire; you pursue your destiny, yet why have you come to my side?"
Theresa: "A sincere flame burns in my heart, my golden armor longs to shine again. Your loyal servant is here in prayer; my wishes are unfulfilled, but my body has already fallen into the river of the underworld."
"I have known your heart, and I am ready to heed your heart's desires."
Theresa sighed quietly, reciting the next lines, which she had heard countless times and could recite flawlessly without effort,
"She embodies all the goodness in the world. The foolish tyrant envied the saint of the world, casting the light of the mortal realm into a dark prison. I am determined, with all that words fail to express, to shatter his authority."
Otto then asked, with a suitably puzzled expression, "Your body is lost to the underworld; how can you ignite the fury to overthrow the mortal world?"
Theresa chanted, "Great king of the underworld, this is why I come to you in prayer. Even if the hourglass reverses, even if rivers flow backward, I beg you for my humble life, to bring the saint back to dawn."
Otto chuckled, his green eyes fixed on her. "Do you understand that reversing life and death will bring endless calamity?"
"Even if the world collapses, even if the mortal realm withers, I am willing to bear all the malice in this world, just to reclaim her freedom."
Theresa propped her head on her hand, a bit helpless.
At the time, she found his words eccentric and exaggerated, yet she still managed to respond.
"…"
"…"
When she awoke from the dream, she didn't know how many midnights had passed.
Moonlight spilled onto the windowsill, cold as water flowing over the edge of the bed, while the shadows of the trees outside swayed in the night breeze.
She propped herself up, her little head slightly groggy.
"But Theresa, no one will tell you stories anymore. The one who first told you stories… he's already gone."
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes as she looked around the empty room.
(TL/C: aww... little Theresa.)
For the first time, she felt lonely. A solitude without a strong figure supporting her or the protection of a close family member by blood.
"Grandpa…"
"So… did you manage to reclaim her freedom?"
Slowly, she opened her eyes, a trace of confusion in her blue gaze as she stared into the night as dark as an abyss.
She tightened the blanket around herself, holding onto its lingering warmth.
One scene after another from that distant story came to her mind, and only now did she understand the depth of his intentions.
週次パワーステータス
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