Siegfried stepped onto the soil of Nagazora City.
He had not been to the Far East in a long time.
In the past days, he had either been protecting Kiana from the shadows or traveling across the globe; he truly didn't visit the Far East often.
Mainly, this place was under the combined pressure of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, making it appear very peaceful. Raiden Ryoma's ME Corp had always focused on scientific research and followed a completely different path from Cocolia in Siberia, not placing much emphasis on hidden trump cards.
Theresa's St. Freya Academy was even more indifferent, only moving to suppress Honkai when a Honkai Beast appeared; otherwise, they ignored external affairs entirely.
This was why the small Far East could be eyed by both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy and yet remain so peaceful. In other regions where Schicksal and Anti-Entropy territories bordered each other, friction was a common sight.
But Cocolia's arrival had shattered this balance. Who knew what she planned to do next in the Far East? Dr. Einstein was worried about exactly this, which was why she asked Siegfried to come and take a look. She figured that since Siegfried had a friendship with Theresa, if Cocolia insisted on provoking conflict, Siegfried could step in as a mediator who had a say with both sides.
Simply put, he was here in Nagazora City to supervise Cocolia and ensure she didn't take things too far.
She didn't know Kiana was in the Far East; Siegfried protected his daughter's whereabouts very well, and he hadn't fully disclosed them even to the members of Anti-Entropy.
Thus, Siegfried successfully arrived in the Far East through Anti-Entropy's channels.
"Kiana..." He looked at the skyscrapers before him and sighed inwardly. "Sigh, I should go see Cocolia first. Kiana should be fine for now."
He then walked toward the headquarters of ME Corp.
"Hmm? That is..." Just as he was arriving, a loli with twin tails in the distance made him squint. "Cocolia's daughter?"
"In such a hurry... perhaps I can tail her? Listen in on what they are saying and get a feel for the situation in Nagazora City?"
With that thought, he abandoned the idea of revealing his identity directly and instead slipped quietly into ME Corp.
As for Bronya, she was completely unaware that someone was following her, as she was currently frantic with worry.
Just moments ago, she had received a message from Sister Acheron, and the information within made her vision go dark.
Cocolia's goal was not merely to ruin Raiden Ryoma; that was just a cover. All the money Raiden Ryoma supposedly embezzled had been used to sustain Raiden Mei's life.
As a Natural Stigmatic, she had awakened far too early. The Honkai Energy drawn by a Stigmata was not something a child could endure. Therefore, Raiden Ryoma had secretly orchestrated the implantation of the Gem of Conquest—one of the six Gems from the Second Herrscher—into Raiden Mei's body. He used the Gem of Conquest's ability to continuously absorb Honkai Energy from the Stigmata to keep Raiden Mei alive.
It was precisely because of this that Raiden Mei, a Natural Stigmatic, had survived until now. Since all the Honkai Energy in her body was drawn into the Gem of Conquest, she appeared no different from an ordinary person.
If nothing went wrong, Raiden Ryoma could have removed the Gem of Conquest once Raiden Mei reached adulthood, and no one would have noticed.
But Cocolia had somehow obtained this intelligence. Under the instigation of the snake, she decided to take a risky gamble. First, she used the embezzlement investigation as a pretext to send Raiden Ryoma away, removing Raiden Mei's protector.
Next, she planned the bullying and suppression of Raiden Mei to make her completely despair of the world. Then, Cocolia would directly detonate the Honkai Reactor at ME Corp headquarters, triggering a medium-scale Honkai disaster.
When the time came, the despairing Raiden Mei would encounter an excess of Honkai Energy, creating the possibility of her becoming a Herrscher. Once the Third Herrscher manifested, Cocolia would step in to suppress her in the name of Anti-Entropy. After capturing the Third Herrscher, she would explore the secrets of Honkai within her to find a way to cure Honkai Sickness.
Don't ask me where she got the nerve to think she could defeat a Herrscher with Titans and Warships; I don't know either, which is why I want you to investigate. I suspect this is the support the snake is giving her in secret.
By the way, I found something interesting in your head. Don't worry, I have already helped you temporarily block that chip; she cannot control you.
Honestly, when she saw this, Bronya almost thought Sister Acheron was playing a joke on her.
How could Cocolia-mama be so foolish? That is a Herrscher! A Herrscher! Back then, the Second Herrscher directly shattered all of Siberia. How many lives did Schicksal and Anti-Entropy throw into that gap?
Thinking she could defeat a Herrscher with Titans and Warships... Cocolia-mama wouldn't be that stupid... right?
At this thought, Bronya herself lost some confidence.
Really not that... er...
Recalling Cocolia-mama's abnormalities these past days, her secrecy, and the way she wept silently by candlelight after the orphans from the orphanage passed away one after another...
Bronya remembered the words she had spoken to Sister Acheron.
Cocolia-mama has been driven nearly mad by the pressure of reality.
No... if this is true... it's not "nearly." She must already be mad...
As for the chip in her brain, she didn't dare think about it too deeply; she simply entered ME Corp with a wooden expression.
Cocolia's subordinates naturally did not stop her, and Bronya made her way all the way to the ME Corp Honkai Reactor.
"What is this?" She looked at the crates of Honkai Crystal nearby, her habitually wooden voice beginning to tremble slightly.
"Miss Bronya," Cocolia's subordinate Andrei said with some confusion, "this was ordered by Lady Cocolia. We are going to expand ME Corp and turn this into our own territory."
"Energy is the top priority, so these are the gathered reserves."
"Reserves..." A shadow flickered in Bronya's eyes. "But leaving them right next to the Honkai Reactor like this—isn't it unsafe?"
"Uh, this is Lady Cocolia's command," Andrei admitted, feeling a bit uneasy himself, but he habitually made excuses for his superior. "But since we are expanding, perhaps there isn't enough space elsewhere. Regardless, we are all on the same side here; nothing will happen."
Will it really not?
Bronya surveyed the crates of Honkai Crystal.
Cocolia-mama... did you not even tell these people who are most loyal to you?
Ha, of course. After all, most of Cocolia's subordinates are survivors of the Second Great Honkai Eruption, united by the slogan of fighting Honkai.
If these people knew what they were doing... would they still risk their lives for Cocolia? This is triggering a Great Honkai in a city of millions!
You really have gone mad!
"Move all of this out," Bronya ordered, a chill running through her heart as she turned around. "It's not safe to leave it here."
"But Lady Cocolia gave no such order, and where to put them is also a problem. These are Honkai Crystals, after all; we can't just find any random warehouse outside," Andrei refused her command.
"Does Bronya's word not count?" Bronya said loudly. "Do you know how dangerous it is to have this many Honkai Crystals next to a Honkai Reactor?"
"Cocolia-mama is busy with many affairs and perhaps doesn't have time to notice these small details. Can you not fill in the gaps? Go, move them all out! After seizing a massive group like ME Corp, can you really not find a sufficiently hidden warehouse?"
"Very well, Miss Bronya," Andrei didn't argue with her, as he himself felt it was unsafe.
But just as he was directing the soldiers to move the crates of Honkai Crystal out, a voice came.
"Bronya, you are finally back," Cocolia walked out from the corridor, looking at the daughter she hadn't seen for days. "Why didn't you come to see mother first?"
"Cocolia-mama..." Looking at the familiar figure, a complex emotion surfaced in Bronya's eyes. "I... was just passing by and felt these Honkai Crystals were unsafe here."
"Forget about those things," Cocolia walked over and took her hand. "Mother hasn't seen you for days. Where have you been? Let's go back to the office and have a proper talk."
"Then these Honkai Crystals..." Bronya looked around.
"I said, forget about them," Cocolia looked at the surrounding soldiers. "Didn't you hear me? Andrei! Put them down! It's only for a few days, what could happen?"
Hearing this, Bronya's heart went completely cold.
As expected... Cocolia-mama...
You really have gone mad.
She was then led away in silence by Cocolia.
The surrounding soldiers had no choice but to put the Honkai Crystals back where they were.
Siegfried, lurking in the shadows, frowned deeply and began to investigate the area. He keenly sensed something was wrong. Cocolia was someone who had seen great storms; would she really be so careless with safety regulations?
Back in the office, Cocolia released Bronya's hand.
"It's good that you're back," she said, looking out the window. "The story you made up for me last night had me worried sick. An S-Rank Valkyrie from Schicksal actually fell at the hands of Raiden Ryoma's sister-in-law?"
"I know you might have developed some sympathy for his daughter, but there is no need to invent such lies to deceive me," she said helplessly. "How could the Raiden Family have such strength?"
"That is an S-Rank Valkyrie, a being capable of fighting a Herrscher. Each one is a pillar of Schicksal. How could one come to this tiny Nagazora City for no reason and fall to the Raiden Family without making a sound?"
"If Raiden Ryoma had such a trump card, would I have been able to capture him so easily?"
In the shadows, Siegfried also found it absurd.
Among the S-Rank Valkyries currently known to Schicksal, the young Durandal was famous everywhere, and Rita was no less impressive. Although Theresa had retired from the front lines to train new Valkyries, her strength remained formidable.
Honestly, even if the Sovereign came, he couldn't take down an S-Rank Valkyrie without making a single sound.
Siegfried didn't believe there was such a person in Nagazora City either. Every powerhouse in this world had a name and a clear background.
Cocolia thought the same. When she heard an S-Rank Valkyrie had quietly arrived in Nagazora City, she broke into a cold sweat, fearing her plan had been detected by Schicksal.
But then Bronya said that Rita had fallen at the amusement park? And without making any noise?
She had sent her subordinates to that amusement park, and they couldn't find a single trace of combat.
At this point in time, S-Rank Valkyries were considered top-tier combatants, so she didn't think Bronya was lying either.
"Cocolia-mama, you still refuse to believe Bronya," Bronya's eyes were complex. "I am your daughter; why hide it from me?"
"I am doing this for your own good, Bronya," Cocolia shook her head. "Don't go near those people anymore. It's enough that you are back."
"As for the Raiden family villa, I have already sent Titans there," she said coldly. "Humph, an underage Young Lady, a so-called Aunt of unknown origin, oh, and what was that white-haired one called?"
"Kiana, right? Don't worry, I won't let Raiden Mei die, but as for the other two, heh, they must be the ones who corrupted—"
Boom!
Before she could finish, a loud explosion rang out.
Cocolia watched in a daze as the wall of the adjacent room shattered, and a figure wreathed in Flame flew out toward the exterior of ME Corp.
Siegfried sprinted toward the Raiden family villa with all his strength. He was glad he had specifically gone to see Raiden Ryoma before coming and gotten his home address. He had intended to look after his daughter for him, but he never expected to use it like this.
He had wanted to keep listening, but who knew the name Kiana would come out of Cocolia's mouth? From what she said, Kiana and Ryoma's daughter seemed to be together.
Damn it, if anything happens to Kiana, then even if I have to leave Anti-Entropy, I will definitely kill you, Cocolia!
He didn't choose to kidnap Cocolia immediately to make her withdraw, because based on the address and the movement speed of the Titans, a fight had likely already started over there.
At this point... saying anything was useless. Siegfried wasn't worried about his daughter's safety; what he feared was whether the Herrscher of the Void would awaken if Kiana encountered a life-or-death crisis!
Once she awakened, a Great Honkai would immediately descend upon this city. The last time she awakened was in the deserted Siberia, and with the help of the Valkyrie assault team, he had barely managed to save Kiana.
If the Herrscher of the Void truly awakened now, even tearing Cocolia into ten thousand pieces would be useless. The only support he could find would be her Titan units and Warships.
So even though he wanted to gnash his teeth to dust, Siegfried remained rational and didn't kill Cocolia.
"That was..." Cocolia looked at the familiar figure. As an Executive, she naturally recognized Siegfried.
"Forget about that, Cocolia-mama!" Before she could react, Bronya erupted first. "Answer me!"
Bronya's voice trembled. "Do you want to trigger a Great Honkai in Nagazora City!"
Hearing this, Cocolia's pupils shrank. "Bronya, how do you know? Who told you?"
"Is it the snake? Only he knows about this. Damn it, he still lied to me!"
"I don't care about any snake!" Bronya questioned loudly. "So, it's true, isn't it, Cocolia-mama?"
"Bronya... you don't understand," Cocolia turned her head away from the questioning gaze. "This is a necessary price."
"A million people in Nagazora City as a price?" Bronya looked at the familiar yet strange Cocolia before her. "Where did the Cocolia-mama go, the one Bronya used to know who took it as her duty to fight Honkai?"
"You really have gone mad!"
"Bronya!" Cocolia was completely triggered and screamed at her daughter. "You understand nothing! I have to do this, otherwise what? How many children are left in the orphanage?"
"Do you want me to watch Liliya and the others die from Honkai Sickness too!"
"You want to force a Herrscher to manifest, you want to capture Sister Mei for experiments..." Bronya grit her teeth. "How many children are there in all of Nagazora City! How many of them can survive a Great Honkai?"
"And you want to capture a Herrscher? Who gave you such confidence, Cocolia-mama? That is a Herrscher. Why do you think you can do it with the Titans and Warships in our hands?"
She hadn't forgotten Sister Acheron's instructions.
"What Herrscher? Just a little slip of a girl," Cocolia had lost her mind and spoke directly. "A Herrscher created by a single Gem of Conquest—how can she compare to the former Second Herrscher?"
"This is only one-sixth of the Second Herrscher's power. She is an Ojou-sama who knows nothing. Even if she becomes a Herrscher, how much skill could she have?"
Cocolia's eyes were filled with obsession and madness. "Bronya, since you know, come and help me. Do it for Liliya and the others... and for everyone troubled by Honkai Sickness!"
"It is a miracle that Raiden Mei has lived until now, but a single miracle cannot save everyone. We must turn miracles into definite data and technology in our hands!"
"So, that is what you think?" Bronya looked at her mad mother, her eyes filled only with shock.
She had imagined countless answers—perhaps that mysterious snake had promised Cocolia-mama some secret backup... but she never expected the truth to be so ridiculous.
One-sixth of the power, one-sixth of a Herrscher... is that what you believe?
"No, Cocolia-mama," Bronya shook her head. "Bronya will stop you. Bronya cannot watch you walk toward a future of ruin and condemnation."
"If that's the case..." A miserable smile appeared on Cocolia's face. "No, Bronya, I will not let you leave my side."
Saying this, she took out a device, pointed it at Bronya, and pressed it.
There was no reaction.
"As expected... you installed a chip in Bronya's brain, didn't you?" Recalling Sister Acheron's words, Bronya felt waves of pain and desolation in her heart.
"Where did the gentle Cocolia-mama from before go?"
"How did you..." Cocolia was stunned.
But Bronya's mind was made up. She knew Cocolia-mama's prestige among her subordinates was not something she could shake with a few words.
So she directly had Project Bunny carry her through the glass, jumping out of the headquarters building.
To find Sister Acheron.
Now that things had reached this point, only Sister Acheron could use overwhelming force to crush Cocolia-mama's delusions.
In the office, Cocolia was left alone, reaching out toward the broken window, her eyes full of disbelief.
"Lady Cocolia!" Just then, a voice came from behind; it was her subordinate in charge of logistics, Andrei. "I heard a noise over here. Did something happen?"
"Andrei," Cocolia quickly collected her emotions. "Notify everyone. Bronya has... defected. Tell everyone to be careful, but they absolutely must not harm her in the coming operation!"
"I still have..."
Before she could finish, she heard the sound of a safety being switched off behind her.
"Lady Cocolia," Andrei's voice trembled. "Actually, I arrived during the first explosion, so I heard some things."
"Is everything Miss Bronya said... true?"