"Seele, are you alright?" Bronya asked with concern as they landed.
"I'm fine! Sorry for worrying everyone. But starting today, I should finally be able to help you all!" Seele replied with a bright smile before shyly releasing Sigurd's hand.
With so many people watching, she couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
Sigurd raised his hand and gently ruffled her neat, black bob haircut, slightly messing it up and drawing a cheerful laugh from her. Then, a smile appeared on his face as he spoke.
"Just as I expected, everything went smoothly. But remember to communicate with the other you. Her understanding of power is on a whole different level than yours."
"Yes, Brother Sigurd!" Seele replied eagerly.
"Alright, go rest over there for a bit. Bronya, now that things are settled, withdraw the outer forces. Announce that Anti-Entropy has gained another Herrscher-level combatant. As for the details, let those who love to speculate do so."
"Yes, sir!" Bronya responded, then left promptly.
Seele moved to an open area where one of the Cecilia units in a maid uniform approached to set up a seat, offering her drinks and snacks.
Kiana and Sin Mal exchanged glances, wanting to approach Sigurd, but he waved them off. "Stay back a bit. I still have something to do."
Both of them pouted but said nothing, heading over to where Seele was.
Sigurd turned toward the destroyed buildings around him and shook his head.
With a snap of his fingers, black drones swarmed from the ground, building corners, and across the sky.
They either vaporized debris on the spot or gathered it to the center.
As welding lasers shot out to reforge steel, many drones with rotating blades smoothed out rough surfaces.
In no time, the rubble began to reconstruct itself into the original building at a visible pace.
...
Meanwhile, Kiana circled Seele, inspecting her closely. She then reached out and poked her cheek.
"Si–Sister Kiana?"
"I was just curious. You don't feel any different?"
"Well, everything seems sharper somehow. I can see and hear more than before, and I feel a lot of strength in my body… but I don't quite understand. I think I'm stronger now."
"Oh, really… Well, whatever the case, getting stronger is a good thing! So congrats!" Kiana gave a thumbs-up with a big, cheerful smile.
Seele smiled softly in response, nodding.
At that moment, Sin Mal picked up the teapot, took a large gulp, and said dismissively, "Don't get your hopes up. Just look at her—giving her this kind of power is a waste. Don't expect her to be of much use on the battlefield."
"Hey, don't say that! It's fine if she doesn't fight. We're not exactly short on power. As long as Seele's healthy, that's all that matters!" Kiana patted Sin Mal's shoulder, her smile just as radiant.
Seele tightened her grip on her teacup, accidentally crushing the ceramic handle. She quickly set the cup down, nearly spilling tea on her skirt in the process.
"Phew…" Seele took a deep breath, touched her face, and then, summoning her courage, declared, "Even though I'm not good at fighting, I'll try my best! For this world, and so we can all stay together, I'll use this power well and help everyone!"
She raised her small fists, cheering herself on.
Sin Mal observed Seele for a moment, huffed quietly, and said no more—though deep down, she wished she had that kind of power herself.
As time passed, the enemies they faced grew stronger, but her own abilities had barely progressed.
Facing pseudo-Herrscher opponents was already challenging, let alone actual Herrschers.
This made Sin Mal increasingly anxious.
Unable to grow stronger, Sin Mal felt she couldn't become an indispensable part of Sigurd lives.
This particular thought was intolerable, filling her with a sharp sense of urgency.
Staring at the table, her expression grew darker.
Kiana noticed Sin Mal's mood with a strange look but then shrugged and turned to Seele, pulling her into an embrace.
She gently played with Seele's small frame as if she were a beloved pet.
"Such a good girl, so obedient! Sister Kiana is so happy! But don't push yourself, okay? The most important thing is for you to be happy and healthy, alright?"
This clumsy but sincere encouragement came from someone who rarely took care of herself.
"Thank you, Sister Kiana." Seele blushed as Kiana's hands roamed a little too freely, but she couldn't help smiling shyly, basking in the warmth and affection.
The scene of the two of them smiling created a beautifully harmonious image, as if two lilies were in full bloom.
Before long, Sigurd and Bronya approached together.
Sigurd raised Kiana, who was grinning mischievously, by the shoulders, meeting her gaze with a deadpan expression.
"Having fun?"
"Don't be jealous Sig! You're the only one in my heart! Come here, give me a hug!" Kiana spread her arms wide with a radiant smile.
With his other hand, Sigurd flicked her forehead, causing her to stumble back as he took a seat next to Seele.
Bronya took the other side, holding Seele's hand in silent support.
Sigurd sipped his tea, glanced at the progress of the reconstruction nearby, and then turned to Seele.
Raising his hand, he opened her eyelids to examine her.
"Hmm... not bad. Everything seems stable. Give me your hand."
Seele obediently extended her slender, pale wrist.
Sigurd felt her pulse, sensing the Honkai energy flowing through her.
He then took a high-tech syringe from his coat pocket, inserting it into her wrist.
Seele winced slightly as he drew a sample of her blood, studying it briefly before putting it back in his pocket.
"I'm not sure if congratulations are in order. Becoming a Herrscher wasn't something I intended for you. In any case, talk to the other you—she understands this power in ways you might not. Just remember not to hurt yourself."
He patted her shoulder, sighing.
Seele clutched her wrist, nodding firmly. "Yes, Brother Sigurd. I'll do my best."
Then Sigurd turned to the brooding Sin Mal, giving her a gentle chop on the head. "What's on your mind?"
"Sigurd, can I become a Herrscher? Or at least a fusion warrior?"
"Those things are hard to come by. Why? Feel like you're lacking in power?"
"Yeah. When it matters most, I can't really make a difference," Sin Mal admitted, downcast.
Sigurd stroked his chin. "True, you wouldn't be much help against a Herrscher."
"Right? You think so too!" she said, as if validated.
"Does it bother you that much?"
"I... I don't want to be left behind by you, Sigurd…" Sin Mal whispered, looking at her hands, her eyes welling with tears.
Sigurd pulled her onto his lap, holding her and gently stroking her soft, pink hair.
"Everyone has their role, each one unique. Don't overestimate yourself, but don't think of yourself as replaceable either. Relax. Sin Mal is Sin Mal, and unless you choose to leave, you won't be left behind."
"Sigurd! QAQ!"
"Feeling better?"
"Yes! Sigurd, you're the best!" Sin Mal snuggled against Sigurd, blissfully smiling.
"Sig~ (≧▽≦)/~ I want a hug too!" Kiana came over, wrapping her arms around his waist.
With Sin Mal contentedly clinging to his chest and Kiana giggling at his side, Sigurd looked up and sighed deeply.
"Sigh…"
"Sigurd❤~ Our kids… let's have eighteen of them…"
What?! You're not even an adult yet, and even when you are, that's way too far ahead!
"Sig~! (～﹃～) You smell so good!" Kiana's behavior was as perplexing as always.
Once infatuated with girls, she now openly adored Sigurd, despite all efforts to moderate her ways.
"Sigh!" Sigurd sighed again, feeling even more worn out.
So exhausting. Research was so much simpler—all he had to do was focus on the progress.
Thankfully, only these two were troublesome.
He looked over at Seele, who was blushing quietly, and Bronya, calm as ever.
The sight of their gentle demeanor filled him with relief.
At least these two were as obedient as ever.
Seele glanced down shyly, feeling a bittersweet ache in her heart.
Meanwhile, her alternate self was giving her rather... colorful lessons in secret.
Unbeknownst to them, Bronya subtly touched a small vial in her pocket, her mind already forming a plan, slowly but surely taking shape.
<+>
Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please go to my Patreon[1], just for $5 each month, you can read till the latest chapter.
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 284: The Herrscher… is Me!?[2]
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