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"Bella—"
"Roooar—"
Soaring through the sky, Kiana unleashed her lungs' full capacity to project her voice far and wide. Soon, a dragon's roar echoed from the distant horizon, answering Kiana's call.
A shadow enveloped the heavens above as a majestic yet graceful giant dragon emerged over Kiana. With its immense wings spread wide enough to blot out the sky, it swooped down gracefully beneath her.
Kiana stood atop Bella's dragon head, allowing the fierce winds to sweep across her near-white attire reminiscent of the Herrscher of the Void.
"Let's go to Saint Freya, Bella!"
"Roaaar!"
With a powerful beat of her wings, the great dragon shattered through layers of clouds, carving a path across the sky with overwhelming might.
As Benares soared past the aerial academy, stirring up fierce gusts, Kiana landed gracefully on the ground with a frown.
"Hm? I can't sense Auntie's or that stinky dad's presence?"
"Welcome, Little Kiana."
A graceful hologram of a red-haired woman materialized nearby, holding a glass of wine and wearing a subtly seductive smile at the corner of her lips.
"Big Sis Himeko, I'm here to see someone!"
"Head east; I'm in the garden."
"But..."
"We'll talk once you arrive. Looking forward to seeing you."
Himeko's holographic projection vanished as Kiana puffed out her cheeks, then slumped dejectedly.
"What's this? I have important business to attend to..." she muttered unhappily, but resigned herself nonetheless. Floating a few centimeters off the ground, she flew eastward.
Upon reaching the eastern courtyard, Kiana spotted a charming, alluring woman lounging casually at an open-air seating area. Her vibrant crimson hair shone like flames, yet also resembled fresh blood, exuding a captivating allure.
"Red wine, milk tea, or perhaps some freshly squeezed bitter melon juice from the principal's special reserve?"
"Milk tea is fine." Kiana snatched the drink from the table, taking several satisfying sips, her eyes narrowing contentedly.
With Zeke away, she could indulge herself with junk food like milk tea and instant noodles—well, not really. Kiana knew full well that after a series of unexpected events, her genetic defect had finally been repaired. Now that the threat to her health was resolved, Zeke relaxed some restrictions.
If she didn't exercise self-control, though, Kiana had no doubt a worker bee would promptly appear to "help" keep her in check.
"You're still such a kid at heart!" Swirling her wineglass, Himeko chuckled softly.
Kiana sat down across from Himeko, clutching her milk tea. After glancing around, she rolled her eyes and said, "Auntie must've sent you here to stall for time, Big Sister Himeko! Just tell me straight: Did they go storm Schicksal Headquarters? It's incredibly dangerous, and I'm sure you don't want anything bad happening to them either."
"Clever girl, indeed Theresa asked me to delay you. Though I worry about her too, once she earnestly pleads... there's little I can do." Himeko smiled wryly.
"Big Sister Himeko, you're too soft-hearted! When Auntie acts stubborn, you should rein her in!"
"Hmm, but who made her the Principal, controlling my paycheck? Since I rely on her for my livelihood, how could I possibly refuse?" Himeko teased.
Kiana sucked on her straw with a dead-eyed stare and was about to reply when she suddenly stopped, glanced at her bubble tea, and widened her eyes.
"You... You put something in this?"
"It's just an anti-Honkai energy inhibitor. After all, I can't exactly stand up to the mighty Herrscher of the Void myself, now, can I?"
Himeko lifted her wineglass, gazing through its crimson liquid at Kiana's shifting expressions with a distant look in her eyes.
These words caused Kiana's pupils to contract, the brightness in her gaze instantly dimming.
"Big Sister Himeko, I'm sorry..."
"All my closest friends died in that battle. Do you really think saying 'sorry' means anything?"
"I... That's all I have to offer..." Kiana said guiltily, head bowed.
She couldn't repay the debt by risking her own or Sirin's life, nor could she separate herself from the disasters caused by Sirin. Therefore, all she could give Himeko was this meaningless apology—nothing more.
Himeko fixed her gaze on Kiana for a long moment before downing the remaining wine in her glass. A faint flush appeared on her face, revealing a captivating momentary allure.
Before Kiana arrived, Himeko had already consumed quite a bit of alcohol; otherwise, it would have been difficult for her to confront this girl calmly.
Himeko closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.
"...Ah... Forget it. I can't speak for my deceased friend's forgiveness on her behalf, but you're separate from the Herrscher of the Void. Right now, we're both forces against Honkai, so I don't hate you."
"Big Sister Himeko..."
"Hold it! Turn away with those teary eyes; they give me a headache."
"Oh..."
Kiana lowered her head once more, holding back her emotional tears.
The delicate nature of their relationship plunged them into a prolonged silence.
Eventually, Kiana remembered her purpose here and looked up to speak.
Just then, Himeko produced a pocket watch seemingly out of thin air, checked the time, and cut her off: "Spare me half an hour, or I won't be able to face Theresa later."
"But..."
"At the end of the day, she is that person's granddaughter, and Siegfried is your father. The archbishop wouldn't let harm come to either of them. Besides, neither wants you involved—it's a matter between adults. You should just stay here and enjoy some bubble tea like a kid. Plus, considering your current status, getting mixed up in this would be awkward in every sense. Or are you unwilling to spend some time with me?"
Smiling, Himeko poured herself another glass of wine. Then, frowning as if unsatisfied, she grabbed the bottle and started drinking straight from it.
"You've had enough already!" Kiana hastily snatched the bottle from Himeko's hands.
Under Himeko's smiling gaze, Kiana sighed helplessly.
"Fine, I'll keep you company, okay? Big Sister Himeko, using my guilt against me—how sneaky!"
"Ha ha ha! This is called adult wisdom! As long as it works, who cares?! You just take your time learning, little silly girl!"
Himeko slumped back in her chair with boneless ease, watching Kiana with a slightly tipsy yet charming smile.
Defeated, Kiana pouted and clutched the wine bottle, casting a resentful but resigned glance at Himeko.
Despite her discontented expression, warmth filled Kiana's heart. Seeing Himeko so carefree genuinely eased her worries—and this newfound optimism was undoubtedly due to the efforts of that overly concerned Auntie, wasn't it?
"Bind!"
BOOM!
Schicksal, known as the invincible Divine City, saw Siegfried crash through several buildings under immense force before becoming buried amidst the rubble.
"Lady Theresa, Sir Siegfried, you should stop here. Even for someone like yourselves, such recklessness is not permitted within the Holy City of Schicksal!" Durandal's voice was crisp and melodious but devoid of any warmth or humor.
Bathed in sunlight, her golden silhouette descended slowly from the sky with the distinct clanking sound of metal armor. An overwhelming pressure radiated alongside the dazzling release of Honkai Energy.
Theresa glanced sideways at Siegfried's direction, hovering mid-air with arms crossed. Her clear blue eyes turned toward Durandal on the ground, showing a hint of emotion.
Subsequently, numerous golden chains shot out from the Cross behind Theresa, enveloping a vast area around them, forming a cage-like barrier encompassing both herself and Durandal.
"Durandal, I'm aware of your strength. But are you certain to obstruct us? This is merely a test of Headquarters' defense mechanisms; I've already submitted the necessary request... As the leader of the Far East Branch, heir to House Apocalypse, Principal of Saint Freya Academy, and diplomat stationed in the Far East region, it falls within my authority. Being an S-rank combatant yourself, you shouldn't hinder my justified actions."
"...Lady Theresa, we all understand the underlying motives here. Today, Durandal cannot allow passage. Please comprehend this."
"Within Judas's Binding Force Field, your Honkai Energy will be severely suppressed; you cannot hope to stop both of us together. Step aside—I merely wish to speak with my grandfather."
"Lady Theresa, you must step over Durandal's body to proceed."
Durandal took a step forward, her long white riding lance held diagonally at her side. The constant dissipation of her Honkai Energy by Judas's domain was effortlessly replenished from within her—like an impossible perpetual motion machine.
"A true monster..." Theresa gazed down at the golden girl below and sighed softly.
At that moment, the imposing Siegfried brushed off his tattered white trench coat and stepped unscathed into Judas's domain formed by golden chains.
With a single look exchanged between them, no words were needed as they prepared for battle.
Durandal bent her knees, gathering power, and pointed her lance straight ahead.
The atmosphere grew tense, ready to erupt at any moment.
"BANG!"