"A person's life experiences three stages of growth."
"The first is understanding the difference between right and wrong."
"The second is realizing that some things are not just about right or wrong."
"The third is, after understanding that some things have no right or wrong, still resolutely doing what you believe in and taking responsibility for it."
The priest's eyes shimmered with light. His tone was calm, yet there was a faint tremble.
Perhaps he was recalling something—something that even time could not erase.
"I buried her in a foreign land and came here to establish the orphanage."
"I understand Joachim's confusion. Or rather, I, too, was once just as lost."
"So I respect his choice."
[Sorry, I'm getting a bit teary-eyed.]
[Never thought I'd cry for Otto?]
[It's okay, it's the first and last time.]
[Nothing's absolute. What if later plot twists make you cry harder than anyone?]
[No way that's happening. If Otto dies, I'd only give a thumbs-up from the bottom of my heart. But this priest isn't like Otto.]
[Teary-eyed, fam.]
[So there's actually a good Otto in this world? Wait, no, there's Luocha in Star Rail, so Luocha's probably good, right?]
[Luocha seems good based on his performance, but it's hard to tell if he's truly good or bad. It's all Otto's fault!]
[Exactly. If it weren't for Otto, Luocha would be such a likable character.]
— —
Hearing all this, Bronya shouted toward the door, "Joachim!"
With a creak.
The door was slowly pushed open.
Joachim stood there, tightly clutching the priest's cross.
"Joachim?" The priest's voice was frail as he called out.
"Priest, you lost this cross last night, so I went to find it. You said you wanted to give it to me. I'm still very confused and don't know what to do in the future."
"But there's something I have to say no matter what—I'm willing. I'm willing to take this step, to inherit this orphanage, to inherit your duties!
So please, continue to be my family. Don't let me walk down the wrong path!"
Joachim collapsed by the bedside, tears streaming uncontrollably from his eyes. Theresa said nothing, only gently embracing him.
The priest smiled warmly. With effort, he reached out his right hand and placed it on Joachim's head. "I believe in you, Joachim. I believe you'll find your own path."
The priest tightly gripped the pendant in his hand, the light in his eyes seeming to grow brighter.
"The good fight, I have fought. The race I was to run, I have finished."
"The faith you hold, I have kept."
A single tear fell onto the wooden floor, transforming into a white light that engulfed the entire world.
The barrage fell silent.
[What a knife, what a knife!]
[Wait, why do I feel a hint of sweetness?]
[Is it that bittersweet kind of sweet?]
[How'd you know?]
[Because I know—I bit through my lip too, didn't I?]
[Is it possible the knife is actually sweet?]
[Right, so Honkai Impact 3rd has been a sweet web drama all along?]
[Oh, totally, totally. Such a great show, I've gotta drag my best bro into this!]
[I'm pulling my bestie into it too.]
— —
With Joachim and Theresa's prayers, the story of the second world came to an end.
Bronya returned once more to the familiar Sea of Quanta.
Joachim seemed to have been waiting for a long time, and his gaze toward Bronya carried a hint of relief.
"As part of this maze, I can feel it slowly breaking down and shrinking.
You're remarkable. I think it's time I told you the truth."
Bronya asked, "What exactly happened in the Sea of Quanta?"
"Welt Yang fought to his last moment in the Sea of Quanta. His enemy was too powerful; even with all his strength, he couldn't turn the tide.
In his final moments, he used every ounce of his remaining power to create a barrier separating the Sea of Quanta from reality.
This barrier doesn't block inanimate objects, but it tests every living being that enters!
That's right, Bronya—this is the massive maze you're in now.
Welt's physical body has dissipated. His existence in the Sea of Quanta has become the maze itself.
Everything you see here is his past, his confusion, and his hopes."
[Huh?!]
[So what's Star Rail's Old Yang then?]
[No idea.]
— —
"It was he who used his life to stop the Serpent's invasion!"
"Come, I'll open the final path for you." Joachim gave a faint smile and opened the last gate.
"This is the final world. When you leave it, you'll have escaped this maze.
I will become your strength, guiding you to the location of the Core of Reason. With it, you can enter the Sea of Quanta.
But don't touch the Herrscher Core for too long—it will tear your body apart."
Before Bronya left, Joachim emphasized one last thing. "No matter what you see next, absolutely do not let the 'Serpent' escape from here!"
Bronya looked at the passage before her without a shred of hesitation.
She leapt forward with resolve.
Bronya's consciousness gradually cleared, and Seele's voice called out to her.
"Seele?!"
She steadied herself and carefully observed her surroundings. "This… is still the snowfield? But it's different somehow…"
"Phew! Looks like you're okay, Bronya."
An all-too-familiar voice echoed in Bronya's ears.
The camera followed Bronya's perspective.
Standing before her was none other than Kiana.
"You suddenly collapsed in the snow—scared the heck out of me."
Bronya's eyes widened in shock. "Kiana?!"
"What's with that look like you've seen a ghost? Don't tell me that cannon blast fried your brain?"