Forging Your Blade Anew

As for the real Kiana, she didn't really pay much attention to that matter. Naturally, she wouldn't waste much time thinking about it.

However... Looking at Sister Hua shocked expression, it seemed she didn't guess it either?

Pardo huddled her body, making sure no one was looking at her. Then, she glanced around at everyone's expressions,

Finding others just as surprised as her, she relaxed. As long as she wasn't the only one who stood out, she was fine with just letting things be.

"Ugh... Sister is getting stronger again."

Kiana mumbled with a tinge of frustration, but it was just a feeling that the path to catching up to her sister's strength had gotten even longer.

"The full power of the Kaslana family stigmata? Theoretically... Kiana, you could also try hard, right?"

Mei pursed her lips and smiled at Kiana.

She seemed to be quite relaxed, without any embarrassment. As for the sisters in the game...

Well, they had noticed during voice acting. They even stopped the boss to ask about it once. Luo Mo didn't mind. The sisters recognizing each other wasn't a plot twist, and besides, two people couldn't really affect the emotional value that much.

Did they really think Luo Mo was worried about that emotional value? He just wanted to see the original characters' reactions up close.

However, something unexpected happened on Flame-Chasers side.

Luo Mo nodded slightly, glancing at Hua and Pardo across from him.

After all, they weren't exactly familiar with the current civilization, so it was understandable.

As for the others... Griseo certainly didn't realize he believed it, but she was focused on drawing. The others' expressions didn't change much either.

This news, no matter how you looked at it, was somewhat outdated. It shouldn't be a secret to anyone...

"Huh? Are Big Sister and Kiana sisters in the game too?"

Sirin asked with some confusion. As a queen, she rarely thought about such things. She really thought the real Kiana was already dead!

"But... is that... Dad?"

Kiana's eyes lit up as she looked towards Cecilia.

She also missed her father, Siegfried. Although she didn't feel much about it while with her mother, seeing him in the game brought back memories of their childhood.

"While I don't know how Siegfried ended up in the game... the truth is, he probably wouldn't have that kind of miracle in real life."

Cecilia remained silent for a moment, but then slowly revealed the truth.

She had no choice. Except for Durandal, her explanation to Kiana was that Siegfried had gone to a very far place. When Kiana grew up, she understood and stopped mentioning it. She had some sadness in her heart, but who would have thought...

There was indeed a place that could be considered distant and unreachable.

The Kaslana Stigmata Space? Why not a Schariac Stigmata Space?

She secretly blamed Luo Mo in her heart, but she also clarified the difference between the game and reality for Kiana.

"Oh... alright."

Kiana's eyes dimmed for a moment, but she quickly recovered her spirits. After all, this was something she had already expected deep down. It was just that the similar scenes in the game gave her new hope.

— Maybe Dad really just went to a very far place.

"As expected of Lady Durandal, even the Kaslana family's stigmata trials are easily overcome by you. You're truly amazing."

Rita smiled at Durandal, showering her with praise without holding back.

This wasn't really wrong either.

Countless Kaslana descendants hadn't inherited the fully awakened stigmata, while this young woman had already succeeded. Even that hero, Siegfried, Durandal's father... wasn't he trapped there?

"Uh... Rita, don't say it like that. Let's try transferring the power of the world bubble to you. Perhaps, you are more suited to it than I am."

Durandal lowered her head in embarrassment, but quickly came to her senses, staring at Rita and saying,

"Hmm, that would be a bit difficult for me. It's fine for a short time, but for a long time... I was chosen back then because you were the only one."

Rita said with some embarrassment, but her eyes shone with a hint of joy. The watery light in her eyes fixed on Durandal, making her unconsciously turn her head to face a different direction.

"Even for a short time, we should try. If something unexpected happens, it could be dangerous."

She said it seriously, but unfortunately, she was talking to thin air.

"Look at me, Durandal. It's impolite if you don't look directly at me."

Rita stepped forward slightly, gently fixing Durandal's collar, and said softly.

"...Hmm."

-----

While Durandal's return and the rescue of Principal Theresa brought them some joy,

For the few present, their priority was to unite their front.

That is to say… there was still one thing that was crucial.

After all, the she was indeed Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie. No matter what, the two in front of them had chosen to stand in her way. Maybe their subjective intentions weren't this way, but it was a fact.

They had already assigned their roles, with Seele staying behind to take care of the injured, and Otto being hunted down by Kiana and Durandal.

Kiana's great-sword, although broken back then, had now recovered 70% of its Honkai energy, and the blade had been roughly reconstructed, making it usable for battle.

But at this moment, before stepping through the doorway,

"Durandal, I have to ask you something,"

Kiana turned her head seriously and looked at her comrade who was about to fight alongside her, asking,

"What is your identity now, when you chose to fight Otto?"

She had many identities herself, but just like Durandal had told Otto at the beginning, the right to kill him belonged to Kiana and the others.

No matter what perspective you looked at it from, or what plans were involved, Otto had almost completely controlled her life.

From birth to now, school, learning, happiness, disaster, being a rogue, wandering... she had rarely seen him, yet there was always a pair of unseen hands playing with her life.

Even if there were happy times during that period, they were only the calm before the storm, just so she could firmly believe in fighting Honkai Beasts.

As for her own thoughts and wishes, Otto never considered them.

Therefore, she had many reasons.

But Durandal was different. She had also said that Otto was to her like Principal Theresa was to Kiana.

Durandal looked at the determined warrior in front of her, who was also the sister she had never recognized, and she felt a little proud and proud at the same time.

After thinking for a moment, she confessed, — she just believed that some things needed to be decided by oneself,

What was right, what was wrong, what was justice, what was evil, what was Schicksal — these were not things that any single person could declare.

They should be everyone's choice, everyone's path, everyone's life, the scenery collectively painted on the canvas called the world.

And she, simply wanted to reclaim the power that Otto had taken away, it was not something that one person should monopolize.

As for Otto, she held a complex mix of emotions towards him.

"... From any angle, he was a person who changed the trajectory of my life,"

"He is like a beautiful but cruel, great yet evil work of art. We will eventually defeat him, and leave his history to be judged by future generations."

Durandal spoke with complex emotions.

What he had taught her was, ironically, the weapon to fight against him.

Those thoughts he had imparted, all of them made her question him as he was now.

"... So, the strongest Valkyrie, wanna high-five before the real fight?"

Kiana laughed frankly, extending her hand towards Durandal.

Durandal was stunned for a moment, looking at Kiana's gesture.

Maybe, this was the real Kiana Kaslana, the daughter of those two… whether it was ten years ago or ten years later.

*Slap*

Your back is mine.

Without needing to speak, they both understood this point clearly.

In this battle, they would fight side-by-side.

[Kiana... she's so unlucky. After hearing her story, it's clear that she shouldn't have any feelings for Otto]

[The reunion of the sisters after ten years, one has reached the top as the strongest Valkyrie, and the other as the strongest human Herrscher, uh... Otto obviously counts as Honkai]

[Kiana became the strongest Valkyrie (×); the strongest Valkyrie became Kiana (√)]

[It's begun, the final showdown is about to arrive]

[Comment…]

-----

 Kallen couldn't help but sit upright and watch the situation inside game develop.

No matter what, this battle with Otto would have a result. Perhaps... she could also uncover the real secret.

Would this world really be the way it was planned five hundred years ago?

But if you think about it, the other members of the Kolosten people were not present, meaning it wasn't exactly Otto's original plan, at least.

"Palatinus Equinox... a fully awakened stigmata bearer, and then the Herrscher of Flamescion... But if you really want to say that they can defeat the opponent, I'm not optimistic."

 Mobius rubbed his temples and narrowed his eyes.

"But unfortunately, the battle may not happen. The clues are too obvious. Otto obviously wants to be defeated."

Velvet looked at the game and commented that she and Mobius both had one thing in common: they were not interested in such motivational oaths. From a certain perspective, they should be classified as chaotic.

But Elysia, on the other hand, had a different sparkle in her eyes. She actually agreed with what the two of them said. Some things... should be left for people to choose for themselves.

Just like she did back then, handing the power of the Herrscher to humanity.

"But it's clear that Kiana is not there yet, unable to defeat Otto, even with Long Light there frantically reminding her about the finite and infinite transformations, she can't use it under normal circumstances."

Mobius yawned, saying it boredly.

Either the plan had a flaw, or the other side had other plans.

"Heh, you're right."

Vill-V thought about it for a moment, agreeing with her assessment. "Then we can't judge how it will end, but it's the protagonist, so victory is inevitable, right?"

She just shrugged, expressing her thoughts.

"Big Sis, how about we high-five too?"

Kiana ran excitedly to Durandal's side, pleading with her, and even extended her hand first.

Durandal glanced at her, wondering what her sister was up to again.

She didn't refuse, and reached out to slap her hand.

"Yay! Scene completion +1. This scene was so cool~"

Kiana said with satisfaction, actually retracting her somewhat numb hand. Big Sis was really strong!

"Kiana, you..." Durandal facepalmed, helplessly looking at Kiana.

She was obviously doing it on purpose, she was really bored!

"Heh, just like how Hua can't become a Herrscher, the strongest Valkyrie can become Kiana! Mission accomplished!" Kiana chuckled.

Even Hua and Little-Knowing gave her strange looks this time.

Durandal was speechless as she looked at her.

-----

But right at the entrance to the space, they were stopped.

If she were uninjured, that crack could have been opened by Kiana. But now, the minor injuries left by the Constraining Authority in her body prevented her from focusing all her energy.

Even that brief contact caused anomalies in her core.

It made her powerless to move forward at this juncture.

She was unwilling to give up. She gritted her teeth and continued to exert herself, but that crack became an impassable chasm.

"... Hold on, Kiana. Just a little longer, I can help you..."

A faint voice echoed, but she remembered, it was Mei voice.

She was suddenly pulled into a space of consciousness, where she saw her past,

The scene of her first battle alongside Mei, believing in the power of one hundred back then, Schicksal HQ's trauma for Mei, the fleeting farewell after meeting in ARC City, the sweet pepper curry in Nagazora City, and the hand she never managed to hold...

They had come so far, overcoming countless challenges, only to be separated now.

She had also thought, if she had this power now, maybe everything could have been changed...

But now, looking at the luminous doorway in her consciousness, she took a deep breath and stepped inside. There, she saw a transformed version of herself, waiting for Kiana.

"..."

Even though they had wanted to see each other for so long, they didn't know where to start the reunion.

"... Is this the depths of the Herrscher core?"

"...Yes." Mei nodded.

"Am I dreaming? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

"... You're not wearing that coat."

Mei examined Kiana, her cold expression actually concealing a touch of tenderness.

"Huh?"

"You said you would always wear it."

Mei said calmly, but there was an extra power in her words. A power that Kiana could never contend with.

"Ah, this…"

Kiana was a little confused, scratching her head and looking around. Something felt off.

"Haha, just kidding."

Mei smiled softly, the solidified space seemed like an illusion. "Kiana, you've changed a lot."

"I think we haven't changed at all."

Kiana's brain instantly came online, answering perfectly.

Mei meant changes in appearance, strength, and thinking, while Kiana was simply stating that their feelings for each other hadn't changed at all.

"Heh, — I also learned about your experiences on that side in World Serpent,"

"So, let me lend you a hand too."

Mei said seriously, "The conquering lightning, accept my power..."

"No matter how many times, the blade you lose, I will forge it anew for you."

Kiana opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. "Thank you, Mei..."

"You have to go now..."

"Hm... next time, it will be face to face, right?"

"Don't lose, Kiana."

Seeing Kiana turning to leave, Mei couldn't help but say it.

She knew how dangerous this was, but she also knew that no reason could stop her determination.

"Of course..."

Kiana turned back with a warm smile, one hand on her hip, full of confidence. It was as if she had returned to her former vitality.

"After all, with Mei here, it's like having the power of one hundred people."

"..."

"Haha"

Mei couldn't help but chuckle. They both remembered that old conversation, that youthful sweetness was a warm power in their hearts.

"Alright, then... you go ahead and feel it, this power of one hundred people."

Mei stared at Kiana's departing back, softly saying, full of trust.

------

Happy Birthday renneroby 🎂🎉🎉This chapter uploaded at 00.00 AM 27 July in my place.

After this volume is finished there will be a "Fantasy Route" volume for the Otto Kallen Fantasy game side story and will be updated along with the final volume.