"Wow. So much."
Bianka's eyes sparkled as she looked at the dishes being served. The food here was served on such large plates, and there was so much of it.
"This is what Dongbei cuisine is like. Although these dishes are considered home style from an appearance standpoint, their characteristics of being large in portion and delicious are very practical qualities."
Caelus said this based on the knowledge he had picked up along the way.
However, Bianka did not think that much. She was currently immersed in the massive portions and the delicious taste of the food.
The proprietress of this restaurant was already so shocked that she was speechless. How did such a small girl manage to eat that entire table of food? Even several grown men might not be able to finish those dishes, yet such a little girl had eaten them all.
"Oh my goodness. Why is she eating like a starved ghost reborn? Young man, is your sister's health okay, eating like that?"
Seeing the warm hearted proprietress come over to ask out of concern, Caelus said, "It's fine. My sister's constitution is just like this. She's born to eat more than others and digests quickly. There's no problem."
"Well, that's good. Being able to eat is a blessing. So this is that 'eat all you want and never get fat' constitution you young people talk about, right? Oh my, that sounds wonderful."
After basically finishing an entire table of dishes by herself and also eating a steamer of the local specialty large dumplings, Bianka patted her stomach with satisfaction. Under the admiring gazes of the surrounding diners and the owner, she happily left with Caelus.
It was unclear whether it was because she had been practicing hard lately or because her body was developing rapidly, but Bianka's appetite had been growing larger and larger recently. Caelus could clearly feel the upward trend.
"Am I eating too much?"
Even Bianka herself felt that something was not quite right, so she asked Caelus beside her with some unease.
"It's fine. A normal little girl would not be able to survive falling from a great height either. It's okay for your constitution to be a bit special and for you to eat a bit more."
"Hmm. Although I feel like you are trying to comfort me, why do I always feel like something is weird?"
The two experienced the local customs of Shenzhou. It had to be said that the people here were truly hospitable. Whether it was the elderly men and women they met on the street, the middle aged uncles and aunties they met while eating, or even some passing elementary school students, they could all chat with you very enthusiastically.
They kept moving forward, constantly experiencing new things. During this journey, they met many people. Some lived ordinary lives, some lived busy lives, some lived lives of letting things slide, and some fought firmly in pursuit of noble ideals.
In this journey of constant encounters followed by partings, Bianka met many people, learned about many things, and studied many skills. Time flowed by silently.
Two years later.
Bianka, who had grown quite a bit since before, and Caelus sat on a blue stone by the river, watching the waterfall cascading down. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"Caelus…"
Bianka spoke first, breaking the silence.
"I am going to end this journey. I have been very happy during the time I spent with you. You taught me many things and helped me, having lost my memory, to better understand this world. But… I have found my own goal."
"Hmm."
Caelus did not ask Bianka for the reason, he just calmly responded.
"In that cave, the man who called himself Otto, whom we met, approached me again during our brief separation. He told me that the talent I possess is a gift from my parents, and that human society is not as peaceful as it appears on the surface. In its dark corners, disasters capable of bringing about the end of the world are lurking."
"He showed me many things. I learned the truth of this world and learned about the power called Honkai. I believe you should also understand it, and it is even a power you use yourself… I possess talent far exceeding that of ordinary people, so I cannot let this talent go to waste. I want to save others, just as you helped me in the beginning, and just like those kind people we met along this journey."
"I also want to find the truth about my past from him."
"This is a good thing. You have found your life's goal and the direction you want to strive for. I sincerely congratulate you."
"…But if that happens, won't you be all alone?"
"I have never been alone."
"… "
"Go do what you truly want to do, Bianka."
Bianka looked at Caelus. In truth, she did not want to leave. During these two years, she had come to regard the young man before her as her family, as someone very important.
However, that man told her that she had not yet truly tapped into her talent, and that she, still just a child, had become a burden holding Caelus back. Throughout this journey, it was this man who had been taking care of her, providing food, shelter, knowledge, and the nutrients for her growth.
Yet Bianka could do nothing, and could not repay this man who had saved her life, raised her, and taught her.
"Child, by staying by his side, you will never be able to repay these debts of gratitude. You know, I have been observing you two for these past two years. Every problem encountered on this road was solved by him. You cannot help him with anything."
"If you can comfortably enjoy all the favors he has given you in the past, then you can be indifferent to these things. But if you also want to be able to provide necessary strength to him at some point in the future, to be able to stand tall and tell him that you are no longer the little girl who needs his protection, then come to me. I will grant you growth and provide you with better resources."
"I need you to become the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, to become the weapon I use to fight against Honkai. As long as you can achieve this, you will have repaid all the resources and help I have provided you, and then you can go and pursue what you want yourself."
"Do you want to make this deal?"
Bianka admitted she was tempted. She also knew that by staying by Caelus's side, she would always remain a child who could not grow up and needed others' protection.
And that man had also provided some information and photos from the past. Although that information might be forged, when Bianka looked at herself in the photos and the man and woman beside her who were called her parents, the palpitation in her heart could prove that it was indeed real.
The two parted ways. Bianka was taken by Otto to the Schicksal headquarters to receive more professional and comprehensive training.
As for Caelus, he continued to tread upon this land, even though he had lost his traveling partner.
Inside the Schicksal office, Otto watched the extremely blurry figure on the surveillance monitor, knowing that he still had not been able to break through the inexplicable interference surrounding the other person.
However, through two years of observation, Otto could also determine that although this person was incredibly powerful, he would likely not interfere with the progress of his plans.
Finally, on a quiet afternoon, Otto met Caelus in a tea house. After brewing a pot of tea for the young man opposite him, he smiled and said, "I wonder if Mr. Caelus is interested in recording the story of a Saint?"
Caelus did not answer, he just silently took out a notebook and a pen.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)