Chapter 395: Report, and Kiana's Counterattack
The battle between the Herrscher of Thunder and the Flame-Chaser Kalpas ended with both sides grievously wounded.
Across the ravaged land, a colossal crater—its radius impossible to measure—was carved beneath the crimson sky, magnificent yet terrifying.
At the bottom of the crater, Raiden Mei supported herself with her twin blades, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. Kalpas was half-kneeling on the ground; the pose looked relaxed, but blood was spreading beneath him. Even his black oni-horn mask was mostly shattered, revealing half of a blank, expressionless face.
"Mr. Kalpas… Thank you for your guidance. I have no way to repay this kindness."
"Hmph. Get lost."
"Yes! I'll be taking my leave now. I've troubled you a lot these days—my apologies."
Toward Kalpas's usual rough attitude, Mei bowed respectfully, her manners impeccable.
He was a senior—no, a senior of seniors of seniors—one of the ancient heroes who once battled Honkai. Mei held genuine respect for him, and was truly grateful for everything she'd learned. Besides, compared to Sigurd, Kalpas's 'violence' never went past a few crude insults. The actual damage was limited.
She honestly had nothing to be unhappy about.
Kalpas narrowed his eyes and replied coolly:
"Go. Next time, I won't guarantee you'll walk out alive."
"Yes!"
Mei bowed again, expressing her gratitude.
This was the first time she'd ever fought Kalpas to a mutual halt, the first time they could even hold a somewhat peaceful conversation. Unfortunately, he clearly had no interest in such exchanges.
Feeling a trace of regret, Mei straightened up. Her figure slowly faded from Kalpas's view.
I should save my official farewell to Miss Sakura for the day I truly leave. For now, I need to report to Mr. Sigur— huh!?
A sharp sting burst across her back shoulder—an intense heat resonating with the Honkai energy within her.
She instinctively looked toward her shattered shoulder guard, and just before her body fully left the space, the corner of a red imprint came into view.
"Thank you for your acknowledgment, Mr. Kalpas!"
Mei bowed once more with a radiant smile, then her figure vanished without a trace.
"Hmph."
Within Kalpas's domain, only a single, inscrutable snort echoed through the firestorm that surged back to life.
...
In the grand living room, before the long sofa, Raiden Mei slowly stepped out of a black vortex.
To her surprise, two more black vortices opened beside her—identical to the spatial channel she had used.
Moments later, three graceful figures—one tall, two petite—emerged together and stood before Sigurd, who sat with one leg crossed.
The three girls exchanged looks. Clean and spotless, Wendy and Seele both smiled warmly. Only Mei, in her damaged armor and covered in wounds and dust, scratched her cheek in embarrassment.
Then Seele looked at Sigurd, unable to hide her excitement. She took a step forward and said brightly:
"Sigurd-nii, Seele is back!"
"Mm. Well done."
Sigurd replied calmly, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He subconsciously began to reach out to pat Seele's head.
But suddenly, his eyes hardened. The raised hand dropped back down.
He'd promised Kiana that he would keep his distance, let the girls' feelings cool down instead of worsening them. He couldn't treat them like before. Sigurd chastised himself internally, and the hint of a smile faded into indifference.
Seeing this, Seele stiffened. In that instant, she understood something. Her head drooped, fingers twisted together, and her pure, radiant smile withered like a flower cut down in bloom.
Mei opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but she had no position to speak. In the end, she only looked at Seele's back with pity and worry, unable to voice a single word.
Wendy took a deep breath, then glared fiercely at Sigurd—you damned scumbag, what the hell are you doing!? Can't you see Seele is hurting!?
Sigurd was completely unaffected by the little tiger's vicious stare. Even though he felt awful for Seele, he refused to leave her with more misunderstandings or room for fantasies.
However—
"—Tss! Tsstss!"
Kiana appeared behind Seele, pointing repeatedly at the dejected girl while wiggling her eyebrows at Sigurd, desperately trying to signal something.
At the same time, Bronya materialized behind Sigurd and, without a word, pinched hard into his back—the strength was impressive. It couldn't hurt Sigurd, of course, but it made her stance very clear.
Sigurd: "…"
What were these two plotting now?
Cutting things cleanly so she can move on—isn't that better for everyone?
Sigurd's brows furrowed slowly.
Just then, Seele lifted her head. A smile resurfaced on her face as she bowed slightly to everyone.
"Bronya onee-chan, Kiana onee-chan, everyone—Seele is back!"
She tried her best to act cheerful, not wanting anyone to worry about her, nor cause trouble or conflict because of her feelings.
But everyone here knew her too well. They could all see she was forcing herself, covering sadness.
Then, Wendy's warning glare sharpened into murderous intent. Kiana's exaggerated winks became frantic. And Bronya twisted Sigurd's back even harder.
Sigurd: "..."
In silence, he stared up at the ceiling.
A few seconds later, he exhaled deeply, raised his hand, and placed it on Seele's head.
"Su had very high praise for you. Well done. You didn't embarrass me."
He rubbed her head, then patted it. The silky texture was addictively pleasant—so he repeated the motion several more times, completely messing up Seele's neat bob-cut.
Seele's little head swayed left and right with each motion, her expression dazed.
After a long moment, she whispered shyly, cheeks flushed, fingers twisting nervously:
"Mhm… thank you, Sigurd-nii."
Her voice was soft and sweet—like a feather brushing across the back of one's hand.
At that moment—
The killing intent in Wendy's eyes melted into satisfaction. Kiana wiped sweat from her forehead in relief. Bronya finally released her iron pinch from Sigurd's back.
Sigurd removed his hand from Seele's head and looked toward Wendy. He curled a finger at her.
Wendy, who had just defended Seele with righteous fury, froze. She walked over, scowling.
"What do you want?"
Sigurd raised a hand and placed it on Wendy's head.
Wendy: "!!!"
She froze in place, completely baffled, her slightly widened eyes inexplicably adorable.
"You too. You did well. I saw everything."
"You—you—hmph! You don't need to say it, I already knew!"
Wendy tried to put on a composed, dignified front, but she couldn't stop the tremble in her voice. Nor the sudden flush blooming across her face.
Incidentally, she made no effort to resist the head-pat.
Maybe she simply hadn't processed what was happening.
After a long moment, Sigurd removed his hand. Wendy's blush had spread all the way to the tips of her ears.
Then his calm gaze shifted toward Raiden Mei.
Raiden Mei: "╭(°A°`)╮?!"
Wait—surely she didn't need this, right!? She was already an adult!
Mei opened her mouth to object, when Sigurd said evenly:
"Come here."
"Yes!"
"Lower your head."
"Yes!"
Sigurd placed a hand on Mei's head and rubbed gently.
Good—if everyone received a head-pat, it would show this was equal encouragement, not preferential treatment.
That way, Seele and Wendy wouldn't overthink it.
They'd understand his intentions… probably?
Sigurd considered this uncertainly as he continued patting Mei.
"You did well too. You made full use of this opportunity to improve yourself. You deserve praise…"
Raiden Mei flushed uncontrollably—half from embarrassment, half from a rush of pure joy.
Aside from the Three Guard Captains occasionally getting a casual compliment, Sigurd almost never praised anyone.
Even though Sigurd's twisted sense of humor had once given Raiden Mei a full-blown trauma, her admiration for the man who led and guided the entire world had never wavered.
So hearing words of recognition from him—words so rare they were practically a mythical event—hit her with an overwhelming mix of achievement and joy.
"But you're filthy. Go wash up."
Sigurd withdrew his hand, dusted with the grime from Mei's hair, and added that line with a perfectly straight face.
He wasn't disgusted, exactly… But the way he immediately pulled out a clean towel to wipe his hand after patting her—
That was what finally shattered Mei's dignity.
Raiden Mei: "...YES, SIR!!!!"
Indescribable elation was instantly replaced by indescribable shame.
Her face burning crimson, her expression on the verge of collapse, she bolted out the door at full speed.
"Mei!!!"
Kiana reached out too late, frozen in place with a dramatic, slow-motion "Erkang hand" pose.
Her fists clenched.
Her fists hardened.
Clenching a trembling fist to her chest, she stomped in outrage:
"Sig!!!"
"…What?"
"How could you say that to Mei— to Mei— HOW DARE YOU!?"
"I'm just stating facts. She does need to take care of her appearance right now."
"You sweet— ugh!! Forget it! Expecting Sig to understand a girl's feelings is like expecting Senti to wake up tomorrow as gentle and mature as Fu Hua-sensei!"
Kiana slapped a hand over her face, swayed once, then leaned weakly against Seele with a hopeless sigh.
Sigurd remained stone-faced.
Dirty was dirty—why wouldn't he say so? He'd told Kiana the same thing dozens of times and she survived.
He felt absolutely no guilt.
In his mind, the girl was just being dramatic again. Best ignored.
Meanwhile, off to the side, Senti—who had been happily munching on watermelon—froze mid-bite.
She lifted her head, watermelon juice and a stray seed stuck to the corner of her lips, her expression blank and adorable as she protested:
"Wait—why am I catching strays!? I didn't do anything! I was literally just sitting here eating! Why am I being personally attacked again!?"
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