76. The "Daughters Searching for Father" Squad is hereby established!
Deep in the Mariana Trench, a vast complex of structures stood silently on the ocean floor.
The Sea of Quanta City, one of Anti-Entropy's secret bases. As a gateway to the Sea of Quanta and the region where the barrier between reality and the Sea of Quanta was thinnest, Anti-Entropy had stationed a massive military force here. To this day, Schicksal had never discovered this base, a fact that had held true for decades.
But now, countless Honkai beasts swirled and wandered through the ocean, converging toward the Eye of the Deep.
Honkai beast riots were not uncommon occurrences. Anti-Entropy's original garrison had been sufficient to handle such attacks. But now, this place not only had the forces of another Anti-Entropy branch led by Cocolia but also members of the Schicksal Far East Branch who were cooperating with them.
Even the Schicksal flagship, the Hyperion, was currently docked at the artificial island above the sea surface. The power gathered here would be difficult to defeat unless a Herrscher arrived in person.
But... sturdy fortresses are often only breached from within.
"Principal Theresa, the analysis of the android is complete. After I unload her and the other supplies, I'll return to Arc City with Miss Tesla aboard the Hyperion... I will definitely bring Kiana back."
A transmission from another Far East Branch warship came over the communicator.
After acquiring the cybernetic android possessed by Grey Serpent, the Far East Branch received an invitation from Cocolia. They split into two groups: Theresa and the others came to the Sea of Quanta City to escort the Gem of Desire, while Raiden Mei took the android, preparing to return to the Anti-Entropy headquarters to use specialized equipment to analyze Kiana's location.
Now, Mei had returned to the Sea of Quanta City, ready to unload the supplies she had transported along the way, and incidentally, to drop off that little android girl, before finally returning to Arc City.
After all, St. Freya Academy and Cocolia's orphanage were the most suitable places to raise a child. The Anti-Entropy headquarters was no place for a young girl to stay. Leaving a cybernetically enhanced human with her brain linked to a quantum computer there posed a risk of exposing their location, something everyone was worried about.
"Mei, this time Bronya and I can't go with you. You must be careful. Avoid direct conflict with Schicksal, keep a low profile."
In the dormitory, Theresa leaned against the Oath of Judah, forcing a stern expression as she instructed her good student. Among all her students, aside from Fu Hua who had left, become hostile, and was now missing, Mei was the one she trusted the most.
Although Theresa had often acted like a willful child in the past, ever since the Fourth Honkai Eruption, she had been striving to let her more mature side show.
At this moment, she had to properly act like the decades-old aunt she was, so the children could feel at ease and see her as someone they could rely on.
"I understand, Principal. Don't worry, I'm not that little girl anymore..."
The black-haired girl with gentle features smiled slightly at the principal who had always looked after her, brushing aside the long hair by her ear.
"I value my own life very much. Don't worry, Principal. I made a promise to someone, as I told you."
Her smile was particularly resolute. Kiana's departure had hit Mei hard, but this time, she wasn't helpless like the little girl she once was.
"I wish you could say that to the self who didn't hesitate to unleash the full power of the Third Herrscher at the Schicksal air port... Alright, alright, as your principal, I can't manage all of you. You all have people you care about and your own ideas anyway—being busy is good, keeps you occupied."
Seeing Mei so determined, Theresa sighed helplessly. The children were all so mature, giving Theresa a sense of loneliness, like an empty-nester.
"However, I've already sent someone to help Kiana. Although she's neither part of Schicksal nor Anti-Entropy, she will definitely take care of Kiana wholeheartedly. After all, that's her—well, anyway, it might be your first time meeting her. Try to get along well with her."
Her young, vibrant students, though youthful, each had someone important in their hearts.
Whenever Theresa was at the school, she would often come across them lost in thought by themselves. Kiana and Bronya were fine; they had talked with Theresa. Leaving aside the guy who raised Kiana, Bronya also seemed to be constantly thinking about her adoptive father. The man who could tame a woman like Cocolia was certainly not simple.
As for Mei... she wasn't exactly missing her father, since Raiden Ryoma was still alive and well. Her feelings were more...
"Yes, I understand. Anyone willing to help Kiana is our friend. Well then, Principal Theresa, I wish your work goes smoothly too."
Raiden Mei nodded and cut the communication, leaving Theresa to sigh helplessly.
"Well then, it's time for me to get down to business too. Adults have to set an example."
Hoisting the Oath of Judah beside her, Theresa's body was already clad in a set of crimson armor—Blood Knight, one of the fourth-generation Valkyrie armors.
Pushing open the door, Theresa immediately encountered a group of children running back and forth. They were of various ages, with a few of the girls wearing Valkyrie powered armor, clearly just issued. Though not Valkyries, they had received military training from Cocolia and possessed considerable talent.
"Hurry up, hurry up! Rozaliya, Liliya, take the children to a safe place. We need to go support Bronya and Seele!"
"Stupid Rozaliya, Mom clearly told us to escort the younger brothers and sisters together."
"No need! You're the stupid one, Liliya! Mom just doesn't want us to face danger—did you forget what we promised Dad? Mom protects us, and we protect Mom too!"
Among them, two particularly distinctive, noisy girls stood out. They had long pink and blue hair, wore little dresses matching their hair colors, each had a large, agile tail behind them, and a single long horn on either side of their heads.
Rozaliya and Liliya, Anti-Entropy warriors, members of Cocolia's orphanage. During the Fourth Honkai Eruption, Cocolia and they covered the evacuation of the orphanage children. While everyone was safe, they were seriously injured.
For this, Cocolia used some unknown technology on them, fusing them with the genes of the Honkai beast "Assaka," allowing them to become lively and active again.
In a sense, Theresa was somewhat similar to them.
Seeing Theresa, the two girls waved enthusiastically at her while herding the orphanage children towards the safe room.
"Sister Theresa, Mom is ready. Let's go quickly. Don't worry, we'll definitely protect you."
"Yes, yes! Sister Raven taught us lots of combat skills. We're very good at protecting people."
The two little ones flanked Theresa. Although Theresa had clarified her age many times, this decades-old aunt was always treated like a younger sister by these two amidst a chorus of "Yeah, yeah, sure."
"I've told you, I'm an adult—Hah, forget it!"
Theresa rolled her eyes and gave up on clarifying again.
"Hey, you three, stop wasting time! It's time for this great one to show off! Hurry up and go help Mom!"
Soon, in front of the three, a girl with short pinkish-purple hair, fully armed, hurriedly walked out holding a clock-like rapier, baring her shark-like teeth at everyone.
Seele Vollerei? No, it's... Sin Mal? Her head was currently occupied by two thick, pinkish-white "bull horns." Ever since her father left, Sin had been training hard to protect the orphanage children, fighting alongside Rozaliya and Liliya until the very end—of course, they were lucky to survive, which had something to do with a certain mercenary who happened to pass by at the time.
At least now, she could manage to keep her heavy horns perked up without getting a stiff neck while sleeping.
At that moment, alarms suddenly blared in the corridor. Blaring warning sounds and crimson lights immediately filled their surroundings.
"Warning, warning. Abnormal fluctuations detected at the Eye of the Deep. Massive Honkai beast tide detected. All units, please proceed to assigned defense zones according to emergency protocols."
Simultaneously, tense reports from Far East Branch Valkyries came through Theresa's communicator.
"Principal Theresa, it's bad! The Hyperion is activating from the island docking port! All systems are locked down! The main weapon is powering up! It seems like it's preparing to attack Anti-Entropy's defense facilities—we'll be caught in the counterattack!"
Hearing this report, Theresa was stunned for a few seconds, then sighed somewhat helplessly.
"Sigh, I knew something would happen. It's fine. Notify all Valkyries on the ship: full armor deployment. Physically cut power, manually dismantle the central control and power systems. Even the strongest hacker can't control something without electricity. We'll repair it afterwards. If Einstein isn't responding, then disregard her. Gather the troops, protect yourselves!"
After giving the order, Theresa let out a long breath.
"Let's go. Let's see what your Mama Cocolia is planning!"
——————
Meanwhile, at the core of the Sea of Quanta City, a blonde woman stood quietly watching the massive void that had appeared in the ocean outside the reinforced glass.
Cocolia's expression was somewhat indifferent. She watched the seawater being constantly sucked into the deep gate before her and let out a long sigh.
Three years ago, she could only watch helplessly from afar as the person most important to her disappeared into the Sea of Quanta to close this very gate. And now, this gate had opened once more.
Opening this gate consumed vast amounts of Honkai energy, required precise timing, and extensive calculations, almost exhausting even the power of the Gem of Desire.
Yet three years ago, a seemingly ordinary undersea laboratory had easily opened a gate to the Sea of Quanta.
Cocolia did not believe in fate. But if it wasn't destiny, why would the Sea of Quanta take away the man she loved in such an unreasonable way!
Click—
"Grey Serpent, I never permitted you to open the Eye of the Deep without authorization."
Hearing footsteps behind her, Cocolia immediately drew the pistol at her waist, pointing it at the stiff-looking man who had appeared.
"Ah, I merely chose a moment I deemed appropriate to fulfill our transaction—we both need to find the person most important to each of us within the Eye of the Deep. I provided the MANTIS technology, and you are to provide an opportunity for us to find your beloved and the Sovereign of World Serpent. We might even manage to rescue the missing Anti-Entropy leader from a year ago along the way."
Wearing a gray mask, the only visible eye gleaming with crimson light, Grey Serpent showed no fear of the gun barrel pointed at him. He spoke to Cocolia in a heavily mechanized tone, laced with mockery.
"Although I don't know who could make the cold and merciless Siberian warlord risk betraying her colleagues and even endangering the children to open the gate to the Sea of Quanta, I imagine you must love him very much."
Walking silently to stand before Cocolia, Grey Serpent continued his eloquent speech.
"My family once taught me that both love and reason are what distinguish humans from beasts, is what make humanity great. Cocolia, are you great because of love, or reason because of it?"
Outside the window, the void of the Eye of the Deep continued to expand. Grey Serpent, however, was not in a hurry. It seemed someone else would be entering to search for his "Sovereign."
"We are still in cooperation, Ms. Cocolia. The Sea of Quanta is extremely dangerous. And your two daughters—Bronya and Seele—are children blessed with a gift. Their chances of survival within the Sea of Quanta will be greatly increased. So, how about it? Will you join World Serpent's journey?"
Grey Serpent extended a sincere invitation. But the only response he received was the cold crack of a gunshot.
"Go back to hell and find your so-called master! Scum!"
The only reply to Gray Serpent was an icy bullet. A Honkai energy round pierced straight through Gray Serpent's skull, exiting the back of his head amidst a shower of sparks.
Gray Serpent collapsed instantly. From his "corpse," numerous electronic components spilled out, revealing his identity as a machine.
"You don't even dare to face me with your true form, Gray Serpent. How pathetic. From start to finish, you've lived in your own delusions. You always pretend to have everything under control, yet you understand nothing about me."
A long leg clad in a boot lifted and stamped down fiercely, crushing Gray Serpent's mechanical head. Cocolia's face was filled with disgust.
"I am indeed an irredeemable villain. The crimes I've committed over these years are enough to get me executed a thousand times over. But I promised him, no matter for whom or for what reason, no one—absolutely no one—is allowed to use our daughter! Even if it's to find him, you cannot lay a single finger on my daughter!"
Just as Cocolia eliminated Gray Serpent, another figure identical to Gray Serpent appeared behind her unnoticed, raising a gun towards Cocolia.
Bang—
But the sound that rang out wasn't gunfire. Accompanied by a violent impact, an expressionless girl with gray twin-drill pigtails, along with a massive robot behind her, smashed through the metal wall. Using a large metal cannon, she directly shattered Gray Serpent's pistol along with the hand holding it.
With a practiced motion, Bronya Zaychik, the former Urals Wolf, twisted Gray Serpent's arm behind his back and pinned him to the ground.
Her legs were fitted with exoskeletons for balance assistance, helping her correct her habit of tripping on flat ground. However, compared to walking, she now preferred being held by her father's gift simply floating in mid-air.
"I'm late, Mama."
Though her expression remained impassive, Bronya's call was filled with emotion. Over the past few years, her mother had taken a different path, even doing many foolish things for it. But Bronya knew that, ultimately, it was all to find their father, to retrieve the most important dad for her and everyone.
"On the way, I dealt with more robots... Gray Serpent, we've long been prepared for your arrangements. You never intended to cooperate with us, and naturally, we never wanted any dealings with you either."
The Heavy War Machine casually tossed aside several wrecked Gray Serpent robots.
Soon, from another direction, accompanied by sounds of collision and strikes, the remains of several Honkai beasts were blasted into the room, slowly dissipating.
"Mama, we're here!"
"Mother, we've arrived. When do we go save Father? I'm ready!"
"So noisy, Rozaliya, Sin."
Soon, the figures of three young MANTIS warriors appeared. Rozaliya even delivered a super headbutt, shattering a Honkai beast into pieces.
"Cocolia, what exactly is your plan? This situation could easily spiral out of control. If it weren't for Einstein confirming it with me, I might have thought you really betrayed us."
Theresa, carrying a massive cross, kicked two Gray Serpent robots into the room and shot Cocolia a helpless look.
Although Theresa didn't trust this vixen, Bronya and Seele placed great trust in their mother. They persuaded Theresa that, at least concerning the mission to rescue their father, she would definitely not play any tricks. Only then did Theresa reluctantly believe her.
"Bronya and Seele know the dangers hidden within the Sea of Quanta. While Welt and Einstein's group are conservative and slow, when it comes to caution towards the Sea of Quanta, I share the same view as them."
Smiling at her proud children, Cocolia approached the last active Gray Serpent, bent down, and looked at him with disdain.
"I told you, we are different. If sacrifices must be made, I would choose to sacrifice myself, just like he would. For this journey into the Sea of Quanta, I am going alone."
Cocolia gently patted Bronya's little head, a hint of reluctance in her touch. Over the years, she had been searching for a way to reopen the Sea of Quanta. After Welt disappeared into the Sea of Quanta during an experiment a year ago, she had already prepared herself.
Perhaps this was just to give herself closure. Several years had passed; in truth, she no longer believed the person she loved could survive in the perilous quantum world.
"Heh, hehahahaha—That's exactly why I say you and I are the same, Miss Cocolia. I also intend to venture forth with my own body. This mechanical shell is merely a mouthpiece."
Even in such a desperate situation, Gray Serpent seemed utterly composed. His heavily mechanical voice suddenly became clear and crisp, transforming from a robot's voice into... a little girl's voice!
"I told you, sisters, aunties... the Serpent's shadow is... everywhere~~"
Accompanied by a silvery, bell-like laugh, the expressions of everyone present suddenly turned grave.
They... had heard this voice before!
"Seele, Seele! Bronya, where is Seele!"
Looking around and not finding her other dear daughter, a strange sense of panic surfaced in Cocolia's heart.
"Seele went to bring back that 'humanoid machine' from Mei-nee's place—Seele!"
Before everyone could fully process this, outside the reinforced glass before them, in the deep sea under immense water pressure, two figures who shouldn't be there were slowly swimming towards them.
Seele Vollerei, the child who had been by Cocolia's side all these years, lay cradled like Sleeping Beauty in the arms of another petite figure. She still held her blue scythe, clearly having been in a battle.
The girl holding Seele had deep green hair and black eyes. Though she now wore a cute emerald dress, everyone could still recognize her as the "humanoid machine" they had rescued earlier.
But now, there was no trace of a cyborg about her. Her body was slender, delicate, and beautiful, without a hint of mechanical modification—pure and perfect, like a masterpiece carefully crafted by the Creator.
However, her face no longer held any innocence or simplicity. Instead, it bore a gloomy and cunning expression that kept people at a distance.
Just like... a snake!
"You..."
Everyone was stunned. No one had expected that the girl they had been caring for and trying so hard to save was actually the true Gray Serpent, the mastermind behind everything.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Gray Serpent, the executor of the World Serpent. My mother is the greatest scientist, the master of the World Serpent, the one bearing the name 'Infinity'—Mobius. As for my father... you are not worthy of knowing his greatness. You will never understand that the world you cherish is merely a possibility he created."
Holding Seele in her arms, Gray Serpent elegantly bowed to the others in the deep sea. A few bubbles escaped her lips, and everyone heard her voice appear in their minds.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I will show my gratitude for your help towards me in my helpless state—Look, I seek my parents, and you wish to retrieve your father. So, I intend to give you a chance."
Smiling, Gray Serpent extended a hand, pointing at Bronya.
"Come, Bronya Zaychik. I grant you and Seele the opportunity to find your father within the Sea of Quanta. If you refuse... then I shall take only her."
With that, countless green, viper-like energies came forth from around Gray Serpent, shattering all approaching Honkai beasts. Simultaneously, she accelerated towards the Abyss Eye, which had expanded to its limit and was beginning to slowly close.
After a brief hesitation, Bronya made her decision.
As a mother, how could Cocolia not understand her daughter's thoughts?
"Don't go, Bronya. I can't lose—"
But before her hand could reach Bronya, her daughter turned into an ethereal shadow. Thanks to Kiana's "gift," Bronya, like Seele, could freely enter a quantum state.
"Don't worry, Mama. I will definitely bring both Seele and Dad back!"
In the next moment, Bronya and the Heavy War Machine transformed into a shining meteor, chasing after Gray Serpent and Seele. As they all entered the Abyss Eye, the massive gate to the Sea of Quanta instantly collapsed and vanished on the spot.
"Bronya!"
——————
"Bronya—Hah, missing the kids again."
After seeing Kiana off, Gao Qi lay back on the bed, Bronya's name suddenly surfacing in his mind.
"Come to think of it, at this time, Bronya should be at the Deep Sea Abyss, entering the Sea of Quanta to find Seele... Do your best. I can't join the fun right now. Sigh, what a failure of a dad."
Knowing Bronya would succeed, Gao Qi wouldn't interfere recklessly. During simulations, he had deeply understood the power of the butterfly effect and was willing to confront it. In reality, he also needed to minimize the butterfly effect's impact while alleviating the children's suffering.
"This time, I must properly increase my strength. For the upcoming Battle of the Heavens, whether it's Raven, the Immortal Blades, or Kiana, I can't let anything happen to them!"
Thinking this, Gaoqi closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
[Simulation count has been reset—]
[Simulation Time: Modern, 2004.]
[Simulation Location: Nagazora City]
[Dungeon Name: The Story Begins Here.]
"Nagazora City, isn't that—"
[Simulation begins.]
——————
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
Please support the original author: warboss
Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?