Chapter 23: She's Just Kiana

'I must admit, Otto is indeed amazing. Even when his deepest thoughts were exposed, he calmly set up verbal traps.'

Sigurd thought to himself, looking calm as he stared at the camera, as if he hadn't noticed Otto's probing.

"Oh, my mistake. I didn't remember correctly."

Similarly, Otto responded with a serious tone, as if it were just a simple slip of the tongue. He then asked:

"I'm interested in your possibility, but I can't simply believe you based on a few words. Do you understand?"

"There is a paper that has been sent to your handheld device."

Otto calmly picked up the tablet-like device and began reading. Five minutes later, he set the device down and said:

"The Information-Origin Theory, a new scientific theoretical system that finds a balance between abstract concepts and empirical data. It's intriguing, but it lacks validation and results. It seems more like the speculation of a third-rate amateur. Such a thing cannot convince me."

"That's why I said it's just a possibility. Validation and results will come, but it takes time."

"And then, am I supposed to be a fool?"

"I wouldn't dare to say that. It's just that, when it comes to resurrection, you wouldn't mind taking a gamble, would you? Besides, having backup insurance for one of your plans, wouldn't that be prudent? We both care about her, and you wouldn't lose out."

"We," referring to Sigurd himself and Kiana.

Plan, referring to sacrificing an important person to awaken the humane side of the Herrscher and cultivate a Herrscher with humanity - the key to this plan is twofold. First, Kiana must grow up smoothly and form bonds with important individuals who value her. Second, when the Herrscher of the Void awakens within her, at least one important person needs to be sacrificed to stimulate Kiana's spirit.

Otto must have considered that sacrificing just one person may not be enough to trigger the desired effect. In that case, sacrificing two, three, or even more individuals until the stimulation is sufficient to allow Kiana's humane side to resist the consciousness of the Herrscher.

From this perspective, the number of sacrifices should naturally be abundant.

As Kiana values Vira, protecting Vira would provide an additional option for sacrifice in the future.

This statement piqued Otto's interest.

He straightened his body, remained silent for a moment, and said:

"This reason is good. You have convinced me."

"Thank you for your understanding."

"Furthermore, do your best to validate and put your theory into practice. If you can provide me with sufficient results, I will make concessions in this world."

With his ten fingers crossed and one leg raised, Otto adopted a relaxed and composed demeanor, exuding an air of breaking through boundaries. It clearly conveyed to Sigurd that whoever challenges the status quo, it won't be him!

"I will do my best. I'm also looking forward to seeing the true face of the legendary Valkyrie Kallen Kaslana."

Finally mentioning this crucial name, Otto's pupils contracted, and then he smiled:

"You understand quite well, young man. Farewell."

"Farewell."

The communication was cut off, and a set of coordinates was sent to Otto's tablet device.

Otto handed it over to Amber by his side.

"Send a Valkyrie team to this location for retrieval, and tell them to be careful. This is a valuable item."

"Yes, Your Excellency. Should we bring that person back as well?"

"Attempt to track him, although I don't think we'll succeed. He's confident. But it won't hurt to test the waters. Also, redo his profile. I want to know every detail of his life, from birth until now, without missing a single point."

"Yes!"

Otto picked up his teacup once again, hoping he wouldn't crush it this time, and smiled with anticipation.

Keeping K-423 by the side of an intelligent person until her retrieval would provide her with safety and further growth, which would be advantageous for overcoming the Herrscher's consciousness in the future.

As for Sigurd's theory, Otto was actually looking forward to it. To a certain extent, this was the real reason why he agreed to treat Vira.

A rare genius, a new theoretical system involving resurrection, even offering some explanations about the so-called soul and reincarnation, and possessing unknown means to uncover such secrets—all of these combined were enough to pique Otto's interest.

Restricting a genius would only limit their talents. Allowing them to grow freely would yield results more quickly.

That's why Otto chose to let things be.

As Sigurd said, taking a gamble—if there's a reward, it's a great gain. And if not, having a backup sacrifice wouldn't be a loss.

Regardless, Otto had the confidence that everything would develop as he envisioned, and no one would escape.

...

Ten minutes later, the Valkyries arrived at the entrance of the abandoned factory and saw Vira lying asleep on a clean bed. She looked like a delicate sleeping beauty, with her golden hair and a pretty dress, perfectly groomed. There was even a brand-new yellow bunny doll by her pillow.

The Valkyries carefully took Vira away.

The remaining people searched the area but only found Sigurd's base entrance and realized that Sigurd was likely watching them through surveillance equipment. However, in the end, they didn't find any more traces or clues and had to leave.

On the other side of a mountain, Sigurd sat in a cave, cradling the immobile Kiana in his arms, and both of them watched the scene through a screen.

When Vira was taken away, Kiana tightened her embrace around Sigurd's neck.

"Will Vira be saved?"

"She will. As I said before, if there's anyone in the world who can save Vira, it must be Otto."

Kiana reached out and touched Vira on the screen, as if bidding her farewell.

Then, she turned to Sigurd, sniffled, and said:

"So, Sigurd, you also lost your family because of the Honkai, right?"

"Yes."

"Don't be too sad. From now on, I'll be with you."

Kiana pressed her face against Sigurd's cheek and nuzzled him, showing an uncommon tenderness.

Kiana didn't understand much about the cryptic conversation between Sigurd and Otto, but she believed in Sigurd's ability to solve everything, and she wasn't interested in pursuing further explanations. She was only saddened by Sigurd's background and understood his current solitary situation.

Between searching for the ever-vibrant Siegfried Kaslana and accompanying the lonely Sigurd, the balance had quietly shifted at both ends.

Sigurd was unaware of her psychological changes, but he could sense that she had become unusually gentle, possibly due to her injury. She resembled a mischievous cat that scratched people all day but suddenly became docile and clingy one day, which made Sigurd somewhat uncomfortable.

He gently touched her head without saying a word, and a complex expression appeared in his eyes.

Otto's words forced Sigurd to recall memories of his original self that he didn't want to remember and even made him unsure how to perceive Kiana.

Sigurd couldn't figure out whether Otto was merely retaliating with his words or if he had deeper motives.

Players often describe this man as the source of evil, the first verdant one, and someone who often plays tricks. However, upon actual contact, Sigurd discovered that Otto was deeply contemplative and had an extraordinary temperament.

After all, he was the man who had fought against the Honkai for 500 years, he's even controlling the world behind the scenes, underestimating Otto would be fatal.

"Sig..."

Just as Sigurd was lost in thought, Kiana's soft voice brought him back to reality.

"What's wrong?"

"When we were on the road, you mentioned ice cream and cake. Were you lying to me?"

"..."

Stupid tuna, it's already this late, and you're still thinking about that?

Sigurd was speechless, but miraculously, his chaotic thoughts calmed down. He beckoned, and a small refrigerator opened up on the side of the giant motorcycle.

Just as Sigurd had promised, there was ice cream and cake.

"Which one is sweeter?"

"I haven't tasted them, so I don't know. But I guess it's the ice cream."

"Then feed me."

"...Alright."

Considering your helpless state, I'll indulge you a little.

Sigurd opened the ice cream as instructed and brought it to Kiana's mouth.

She took a bite and chewed.

Then she took another bite and chewed.

Tears welled up in her eyes once again during this process.

"Kiana..."

"You lied to me. It's not sweet at all."

The girl said tearfully.

Suddenly, Sigurd understood that she wasn't begging for food; she just hoped to use sweets to alleviate her heavy heart.

Sigurd took a bite of the ice cream, which tasted like wax, and swallowed it with a mouthful of coldness. Then he brought it close to Kiana's mouth while wiping away the tears on her face, saying:

"Eat it, it's very sweet. Trust me, things will get better."

"Mmm..."

Kiana sniffed and replied obediently, finishing the ice cream without wasting any.

Then, perhaps truly exhausted, she leaned against Sigurd's chest and fell asleep.

Sigurd held her in his arms and suddenly smiled with a sense of relief.

Why think so much? The Kiana he knows is this Kiana—innocent, kind, mischievous, and daring. She may appear careless, but she has a heart softer than anyone else's.

She isn't the Herrscher of Void, nor is she a demon. She is just Kiana, nothing more.

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