The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Kiana felt no fear or timidity whatsoever; on the contrary, she was filled with joy, as sweet as if she had honey in her heart.

After all, doesn't this mean how strong the bond between her and herself is? Even though her mind is confined by strange restrictions, she can still feel her own reality.

If that's the case, then recognizing each other will definitely lead to a bright future, right?

Kiana was overjoyed at the thought of being able to reunite with her old friend.

She mustered her courage and strode forward, wanting to reach Bronya and tell her that she had returned.

However...

"Humph!"

Before she could even set off, Sirin behind her gave a sharp rebuke, and then Kiana felt her hair being pulled.

Tsk... I never expected the biggest obstacle to be right next to me?

She turned around with some annoyance, only to find the little guy looking at her with tears in his eyes, looking incredibly wronged.

It looks like a little kitten that has been bullied, which makes people feel sorry for it.

Well, you were so fierce before, but now that you're out of options, you're resorting to cuteness?

"Humph!"

Xilin gently tugged at it, giving off a "You dare to bully me? Apologize now" vibe.

It's hard to believe that this little guy has actually become smarter?

"Seriously... let me go. Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say, alright?"

"That's more like it."

After successfully persuading her owner with her cuteness and charm, Xilin wiped her face... and instantly switched back to that smug little cat face. The speed at which she changed her face in that second was truly astonishing.

Kiana even began to wonder if she genuinely felt wronged... or was simply trying to fool herself?

Why are we all different now? (Honkai Impact 3rd): Chapter 35: Veteran Valkyries Fighting Side by Side

Seeing Sirin's expression, Kiana's face showed confusion and frustration:

Can I change my mind?

"What? Why are you making that face? Are you worried I'll hurt you?" Sirin said arrogantly. If it weren't for the tears still glistening in the corners of her eyes, Kiana would have thought that the little girl who had just been crying so heartbroken had been switched with someone else.

What an interesting little guy! I almost want to punch him and see if he can cry as hard as he did just now!

Kiana clenched her fist, a 'kind' smile on her face, and almost reached out to grab him.

However, before she could react, Sirin abandoned her playful mood and explained to Kiana:

"Alright, let's stop fooling around here."

"Uh, do you think I'm playing with you?" Kiana looked up at Sirin with a puzzled expression.

The little guy completely ignored her expression and stated decisively:

"In short, you need to be careful not to expose yourself again. If you accidentally do, how will you explain it?"

"Hmm, that's... a problem. What should we do?"

Okay, so you didn't even think about these things? This...

Xilin covered her forehead, feeling increasingly dizzy.

Tell me, who could stand this fool?

Did she never consider how much trouble she would get if she were recognized?

Hey...

"I'm too lazy to explain to you. Anyway... from now on, you do whatever I say, and if I say shut up, you shut up, understand?"

Xilin crossed her arms, looking quite like a child pretending to lecture their parents.

Unfortunately, it is very regrettable.

Kiana wasn't buying it at all...

"I do not want."

A simple sentence made Xilin's big, watery eyes widen immediately.

She glared at her master through gritted teeth, almost wanting to call him an idiot.

I really don't understand. If I had just been a good kid, nothing would have happened. Why did things turn out like this?

However, Kiana's next words made her realize that her behavior... had actually gone too far.

"I remember you used to be quite easy to talk to, always referring to yourself as a tool, right? Now you're making demands on me, the user."

She followed behind Bronya and the others, chatting casually with Sirin.

She had no intention of tolerating or indulging the little guy's unruly behavior.

However, we've spent so much time together, it's not right to treat them like tools or toys.

I actually feel a little embarrassed...

"So, don't worry too much about me. If Bronya recognizes me, let her. I believe she'll understand."

"...Are you really?"

Sirin felt incredibly frustrated by her master's indifference.

How did I end up with such an idiot!

Well, but... that makes sense.

Why do I have to think so much?

Even though she has changed her appearance, she feels that she is currently just a doll.

Their role is simply to change from simply staying behind the scenes to occasionally participating in battles.

Aside from that, it seems like I've just been played by this fool?

Hmm, why does this feel a little creepy?

Xilin rubbed her little face, feeling more and more that a real life—a life as a tool—was just too miserable.

It's much easier to stay behind the scenes and directly issue missions and rewards, like now, where in addition to reminding you of the rewards, you also help with the battle.

It's so painful!

"Ugh!!! This is so annoying, hurry up and turn me back, you idiot host!"

Feeling increasingly aggrieved, Sirin started circling Kiana, crying and shouting that she wanted to turn back.

Unfortunately, her request was destined to remain unfulfilled.

"No need, I think you're fine the way you are. You're perfectly fine like this, really."

Kiana answered sincerely, and in the meantime, she drew her sword and dealt with the captured monster.

Even while chatting with Sirin, she was still able to easily deal with any fish that slipped through the net.

It was extremely leisurely, without the slightest hint of tension.

This made the person involved, Celine, feel like she was being ignored.

Seriously, it was that kind of nonchalant, dismissive indifference.

"But I don't think it's good!"

"Everything will be alright, once you get used to it... Hmm, I think you can change your clothes."

As Kiana spoke, she stroked her chin and examined the little doll.

I wonder if she'll ever grow up. If she won't, she can wear the same clothes for a long time.

If it could grow up, that would seem like a good thing too.

After all, it'll be much more comfortable to hug that way!

"Watch out! Be careful, there's a big guy ahead!"

"Ok?"

Bronya's warning snapped them both back to reality and made them look ahead.

A gigantic monster stood blocking the only path to the signal transmission point, wielding a sword.

His overall silhouette looks very similar to Heimdall, the former god of destiny, and the metal fragments floating behind him look so sharp.

Just by looking at them, you can sense their formidable fighting power.

What's even more intriguing is the giant sword he wielded with one hand.

"What's this guy's name again...?"

Seeing the monster charging towards her with a sword, Kiana thought for a moment, then took out the King's Sword and assumed a fighting stance.

Seeing this, Xilin realized that this was not the time to continue arguing, so she could only helplessly look away and pout as she replied:

"Code IV - Emperor, I didn't expect it to have reached the fourth generation?"

Hearing the little guy's complaint, Kiana instantly snapped back to reality.

"What? This can actually be changed?"

She stared curiously at the creature, which was significantly larger than the monsters they had dealt with before, realizing that what Sirin had said was not unfounded.

As the mission progresses, these guys are actually undergoing minor iterations?

I wonder if, if this trend continues, these guys might mutate into... particularly terrifying individuals?

"Of course, look how much bigger he is, isn't he?"

At Sirin's reminder, Kiana leaped forward without hesitation, wielding the King's Sword with both hands and slashing down.

A sword pierced through the air and finally collided fiercely with the sword that was slashing towards Bronya.

"Ok?"

This situation brought Bronya back to her senses, and she realized that she had been saved once again.