『 After discussing Cecilia, the two continued on their way. During this time, Kiana felt that this data space was becoming unstable.
As they pressed forward, she suddenly became the pilot of a Titan mech, and the person in front of her was no longer Theresa, but Mei.
Mei began attacking Kiana without saying a word.
"Mei, it's me! Don't hit me!"
No matter how Kiana yelled, Mei seemed completely unable to hear her.
Once this armor is destroyed, I should be able to get out of here.
Kiana comforted herself with this thought, but something even more despairing happened—the Titan she was piloting began to move on its own, launching an attack against Mei.
"Why is it attacking? I don't want this!!"
Following Kiana's angry roar, the Mei in front of her vanished, replaced by the previously missing Theresa. Theresa looked around, finding no Titan mech at all. What Kiana had just experienced seemed to be the effect of the residual data in this area on her. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Whoa~
〘March 7〙: When Mei was hitting her, she was just shocked. But when she had to hit Mei, she resisted with everything she had.
〘Siegfried〙: How about that, Ryoma? My daughter is pretty reliable, right?
〘Raiden Ryoma〙: Hmm… let's observe a bit more.
〘Raiden Mei〙: ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
....
『 "Oh, right, Theresa. I need to ask a favor of you." After regaining her senses, Kiana walked a bit further with Theresa before suddenly calling out to stop her.
"When we meet Siegfried in a bit, please help me hide the fact that I'm his illegitimate daughter for now."
"Eh? Why?" Theresa's eyes widened as she looked at Kiana in shock.
"Uh, well… you see, right now is a critical moment for the mission. If we waste time on my issues, then Mom—no, Lady Cecilia—might fall into danger!"
"In short, my matters can be handled after the mission is over. I'm counting on you!" Kiana said, putting her hands together and looking at Theresa imploringly.
"Mmh, I understand. You really are my niece." Theresa nodded and smiled.
With that, the two continued forward. As they neared the command center, the ground began to shake, followed by Siegfried's vigorous and angry roar.
"What the hell is this thing? DIE!!"
When Theresa and Kiana arrived at the source of the sound, they saw a handsome, white-haired, blue-eyed older guy half-squatting. Seeing Theresa arrive, he raised two fingers in a casual greeting.
"Yo~ Theresa. You finally made it." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Quite cool, mister.
〘Siegfried〙: Haha, thanks for the compliment, though I don't think I was quite an 'old mister' back then.
....
『 "I heard you ran into the Second Herrscher earlier. I was really worried about you."
"Hmph, I don't care about the worries of a pervert like you." Theresa placed one hand on her hip and snorted coldly at Siegfried.
Hearing this, Siegfried shook his head helplessly. "Sigh, alright, alright."
"By the way, who is this beautiful young lady next to you?"
Siegfried looked at Kiana and teased, "Beautiful young lady, if there's a chance, I'd really love to buy you a drink." 』
『 ....』
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: Auntie wasn't wrong. You pervert, Dad!
〘Siegfried〙: Ahaha.
....
『 "Siegfried, don't waste time. Tell me quickly, what's the situation right now?" Theresa immediately interrupted, watching Siegfried flirt—especially since the target of his flirting was his own illegitimate daughter.
Siegfried sat down on a crate and looked at the two of them seriously. "I have bad news, and even worse news."
"The bad news is that the Valkyrie squad has already deployed to search for the Second Herrscher, but so far they haven't found anything. The worst news is that because there's no progress in the operation, Bishop Otto has already ordered Cecilia to deploy."
"What! But Cecilia's physical condition isn't fit for combat yet!" Theresa said in shock.
"Cecilia will arrive in Siberia in thirty minutes. Before that, we must find the Second Herrscher." Siegfried nodded. "And then, kill her." 』
『 ....』
〘Herrscher of the Void〙: Unfortunately, you failed.
〘Siegfried〙: Heh, yeah. I took things too much for granted.
....
『 The instruments behind Siegfried reacted just as he finished speaking.
Seeing this, he joked, "Haha, looks like God hasn't completely abandoned us yet."
An operator's notification appeared on the instruments, stating that traces of the Second Herrscher had been detected in sectors O-23 and O-17.
"Damn it, is she trying to split us up?" Theresa clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth.
"We have no other choice. I'll go to O-23, you go to O-17." Siegfried said decisively, staring at the red screen in front of him. "No matter who finds the target, don't hold back."
"Kiana, you stay here. This should be the safest place," Theresa said, looking at Kiana.
"Huh? Kiana?" Siegfried's tone was filled with confusion.
"Yes, Kiana. Sorry, it's the same name as your daughter." Kiana placed her hand over her chest, showing a confident smile. "But I won't stay here. I want to join the fight too."
"But…"
Before Theresa could finish, Kiana interrupted her.
"You saw it in the previous battles, right? I have the ability to fight."
"I think it's fine. You can tell from this young lady's eyes that she's an excellent warrior." Siegfried looked at Kiana's familiar blue eyes and the firm resolve within them, then said to Theresa, "Theresa, let her move with you."
Theresa sighed helplessly. "Sigh, alright."
"Oh, and one more thing."
Slap! — A crisp slapping sound echoed. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Wow, what a textbook slap.
〘March 7〙: Indeed.
〘Raiden Ryoma〙: WELL SLAPPED!!!
〘Theresa Apocalypse〙: Great job, Kiana!
〘Siegfried〙: Ouch, just watching it hurts. I'm getting phantom pain.
....
『 After slapping Siegfried, Kiana snorted coldly. "Hmph, this is just the interest."
"Once we defeat the Second Herrscher, I'll teach you a good lesson."
"Just you wait, you smelly old…"
Realizing her phrasing was wrong, Kiana quickly corrected herself.
"No, Siegfried! Siegfried Kaslana!"
Siegfried had been completely dazed since getting slapped. By the time he snapped out of it, she was already long gone.
Sighing as if accepting his fate, Siegfried also headed toward his designated area.
Meanwhile, Kiana, who was on her way, muttered in a low voice, "I must, I must defeat the Second Herrscher quickly. Otherwise, otherwise…"
"Kiana, what are you saying?" Seeing Kiana whispering to herself, Theresa asked curiously.
"I… I'm just worried about Lady Cecilia. Her health is poor, yet she still has to rush to the battlefield."
"Are you worried about Cecilia? Don't worry, Siegfried and I will do our absolute best!" Theresa nodded firmly.
"Don't mind how he usually acts so carefree; he's actually more anxious than anyone inside. After all, Cecilia is his most beloved wife."
"Kiana, do you know why he wanted you to move with me?"
"Why?"
"Because that guy has definitely made up his mind. Once he finds the Second Herrscher, he will activate the Judgment of Shamash." Theresa looked in the direction Siegfried had gone.
"The Judgment of Shamash!?" 』
『 ....』
〘Pardofelis〙: It's here, Boss Kevin's Divine Key.
〘Mobius〙: I wonder how much of its power this Siegfried can actually draw out.
....
『 "Once the Judgment of Shamash is used, everything will be consumed by a sea of fire. Even the user cannot escape it. That's why he didn't want you by his side."
"That smelly old dad!" 』
『 ....』
〘Mobius〙: Hmm… it seems the active Honkai reaction factor in his body hasn't awakened yet. Using Shamash will still cause backlash.
〘Siegfried〙: It's really not a good thing once that stuff awakens…
〘Mobius〙: There's nothing we can do about that. Who told your ancestor Kevin to be a monster who only knows how to eliminate the Honkai? With that obsession of his weighing down on you, tsk tsk tsk~
〘Herrscher of the Void〙: That brings back some unpleasant memories…
〘·HSR· Void Archives〙: Oh? Which part? Was it Welt dying and coming back to life over and over? Or that spectacular Edge of Taixuan? Or perhaps the ancestor taking over the controls after Siegfried's Ichthyosis form?
〘Herrscher of the Void〙: You cube, you are getting a bit too noisy.
....