The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Upon hearing this, Timido nodded with delight, looking enthusiastic and ready to cheer herself on.

It's somewhat inspiring, after all, positive and motivated juniors are always endearing, aren't they?

However...

"Hehehe, that's not like you at all. Phew, it's been a long time. I'm so glad you're alright. What exactly happened back then? I heard you were in trouble, I was so worried—!"

Kiana, who had intended to get to know Timido better, glanced sideways at the white-haired man who was providing long-range fire support with a sniper rifle during the battle.

His appearance... to be honest, if his hair color were changed to blonde and his face was replaced with a more pointed style, he would look exactly like Otto.

Or should I say I'm being too sensitive?

Or is there something fishy about this guy?

For some reason, Kiana was surprised to find a man in the team.

In her memory, even in the Destiny led by Otto, men were rarely seen, according to Sirin and Bronya's descriptions.

Is Schicksal now led by Theresa? Why would she entrust boys who can't equip Valkyrie armor to fight against the Honkai?

All these doubts made Kiana feel increasingly unfamiliar with the changes in this world.

Finally, after the immense shock subsided, she frowned and asked coldly:

Who are you?

"Oh...this joke isn't funny. I am..."

"That's enough, Lyle."

Just as Lyle, a member of the second squad, was feeling embarrassed and flustered because Kiana didn't recognize him, Bronya slowly reached out and stood between the two sides.

She exhaled a breath of stale air, then quietly looked at Kiana.

Seeing the solemn look in that eyes that revealed a hint of pleading, Kiana had no choice but to slowly take a step back, and had Sirin follow beside her with a wary look in her eyes.

Seeing that the team members were willing to listen, Bronya nodded, then turned around and began to explain the situation to Lyle.

"To put it simply, she had an accident. Her memory is currently in a state of confusion."

"Oh, is that so? I'm sorry, I didn't think of that."

After hearing the captain's explanation, Lyle didn't complain as Kiana had expected. Instead, he shyly scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly.

Judging from her demeanor, she doesn't seem like a difficult person to get along with.

"We've finished the self-introductions, let's go over there and rest for a bit."

Seeing that both sides had no more doubts, Bronya naturally didn't waste any more time and simply said that she would go to the workshop next door to regroup.

The entire third squad, including Kiana, walked into the garage without any fanfare, as the garage door closed.

They finally got a short break...

...

"Are you feeling comfortable here?"

The spacious garage made me feel safe; at least those weird monsters wouldn't suddenly burst in.

After being given a chance to rest, everyone dispersed to take their respective posts and rest.

Compared to the well-organized positioning of the third squad, Kiana's positioning seemed much more casual.

She strolled around the garage as if she were on a picnic, completely lacking the demeanor expected of a special forces soldier.

Because his behavior was so casual, Bronya, as the captain, had to give up thinking and slowly walk over to ask him with concern.

Of course... what he really meant was...

If you're not used to it, tell me what makes you uncomfortable. If you are, just sit down and rest!

"Eh? It's alright, hehe~ Although it's hard not to be in the same room as Mei, if it's you... I can reluctantly accept it."

Kiana's enthusiastic expression contrasted sharply with the oppressive and somber atmosphere.

Seeing this, Bronya covered her forehead, feeling troubled once again.

"...I was very happy that you considered me a replacement for Mei. But now..."

As Bronya spoke, she reached out and placed her hands on Kiana's shoulders, forcing the princess-like girl to kneel down on the ground.

After withdrawing her hand, she remained in a squatting position and continued speaking:

You need to rest.

"There's no need for that! Honestly...why are you using so much force?"

"Hey, teammate. We need to rest, and so do you."

It seemed that the day had been so frustrating that Bronya had even lost the patience to explain.

She slowly got up, then returned to her previous seat and sat down, adopting a posture of recuperation.

Seeing this, Kiana had to restrain herself and quietly sat on the ground with her back against the wall, recalling her memories.

To be honest, what I saw and heard today was truly amazing.

Even now, she remains extremely tense...

The reason for this is not because of fear or anger.

It's simply that I have a complete incomprehension of the current situation.

After all, it's hard for anyone to imagine that a little girl who could only move and fight with the Heavy Bunny 19c a few years ago can now walk on the ground and move as nimbly as a bird.

This is as absurd as someone who has been in a wheelchair for over a decade suddenly getting out of it and starting to breakdance...

"Well, it's strange, but it's still acceptable, um... I guess?"

Just as Kiana closed her eyes to recall and gradually convinced herself to accept everything, Sirin, seeing that the others were finally not paying attention to this place, hurriedly came over.

"Well done, host. I thought you were going to just chop that guy up."

"Wow, don't assume things about others like that, okay? I may not be able to accept him, but it wouldn't warrant hurting him."

"Is that so? Okay then, anyway, you'll have to bear with this. Just be careful not to expose yourself too often, and if you really find it troublesome... give him..."

Celine's face fell, and she menacingly took out the scissors and made a few cuts; it was incredibly frightening.

Seeing her like this, Kiana could only give a helpless wry smile, then tugged at the little one's ponytail and complained:

"Tell me the truth, I haven't been recognized at all, is that your doing?"

"Oh, host. You're only just realizing that? What else could it be? In your current state, without external help, you'd probably be recognizable even if you were reduced to ashes, right?"

"Hmm... I was hoping to hear 'no' from you, but never mind, thanks. Sirin~"

As Kiana spoke, she hugged the little one tightly and rubbed against him, displaying the demeanor of someone who dotes on their daughter.

Seeing this, Sirin, who was struggling to breathe from being squeezed by the two big balls of cotton, couldn't contain her anger and grabbed Kiana's chin.

"Let me go! Can't you treat me like you used to? This is really hurting!"

"Huh? Same as before? No, no, no. The old you doesn't exist anymore. Forget about it. From now on, you are my true partner!"

"Hey! At least ask for other people's opinions before inviting them!!! Uh..."

The interaction between the two, one big and one small, master and servant, was so noisy that even the heavy-hearted members of the third squad, who were about to fall asleep, turned to look at them with questioning eyes.

This situation forced Kiana and Sirin to give an awkward smile, and they both sat on the ground, putting on a well-behaved act.

Once the team members' attention was diverted, Celine breathed a sigh of relief and then crossed her arms:

"I just can't do anything with you, host. Fine, I'm magnanimous, I won't hold this against you for such a small thing... Hmm? Why are you touching my stomach like that?!"

"Didn't you say that adults are magnanimous? I just wanted to see if I was really that magnanimous..." Kiana withdrew her hand somewhat shyly.

Are you an idiot?!

Finally, after an interaction that drove Celine to the brink of madness, she finally had the opportunity to properly summarize and reflect on the current situation.

"Ahem, host. What you need to do next is to rescue your beloved, Mei."

"Oh! I guarantee there won't be any problem. Watch me fly up right now, take care of that guy called Void Treasury, and then find out who's behind it all—Archbishop Otto!"

He is dead.

"What?" Kiana froze on the spot.

She had tried countless times to extract information about this madman from the little one, but the final result was this...

It's stunning.

"Otto is dead. He was like a knight who challenged a windmill, but unfortunately, that foolish knight got to enjoy his old age. He finally got his comeuppance. What this man did is still etched in the hearts of many people, though not for a good reason."

Why is everyone different now? (Honkai Impact 3rd): Chapter 9, before boarding the rescue elevator

The archbishop is... no, he should be the former archbishop.

He's dead...

Kiana had always fantasized that the man who had caused the Valkyries so much pain and indirectly caused Himeko's death would receive the punishment he deserved.

However, upon learning this news, she felt somewhat anxious and uncertain, or rather, unsure of how to face it.

Otto Apocalypse...

The heir to the Apocalypse family, one of the three great families of Destiny, was once practically omnipotent. Rather than a bishop... he was more like a great demon king? Or perhaps the ultimate mastermind behind the scenes?

In short, under the crown of countless halos, he once became his own most terrifying nightmare.

However, after returning after many years, he... is no longer here?

"It's poignant that even such cunning and intelligent people can't escape death in the end?"

"Hey, I didn't expect you not to laugh out loud or clap your hands in approval?"

"I won't make fun of this enemy, after all, he is the academy dean's grandfather. However, I will never forgive him for what he did."

After some mental adjustment, Kiana finally accepted the news of Archbishop Otto's death.

For someone who is already dead, no amount of malice or curses can truly convey any meaning.

What's more, he's a madman who doesn't care about other people's opinions at all.