Hearing Durandal's words, a look of worry and concern appeared on Kiana's face. "But…"
Durandal said gently, "Kiana, don't be too naive. I am participating in the operation to save the world."
"Everyone, if there are no other objections, let's proceed according to this plan."
"..."
Kiana was silent for a moment before saying, "Understood. Let's set off then."
As she spoke, Kiana stepped into the constructed portal together with Durandal and the others.
Looking at the familiar scene before her, past memories surged out like a tide.
Kiana sighed with emotion, "This place… really is St. Freya."
Mei also spoke, "Although we recently recalled it once in the Herrscher's thought space…"
"The real campus is still nostalgic after all."
Bronya said calmly, "There don't seem to be any enemies nearby. Perhaps we can immediately begin constructing the forward base."
Kiana said in confusion, "Eh? Aren't we going to take a look at our dorm first? Bronya's game console might still be inside."
Mei smiled helplessly, "Alright, stop joking… be careful or Durandal might take it seriously?"
At the same time, audiences outside the television began making a commotion.
"To be fair, does this count as outstanding graduates returning to visit their alma mater?"
"[Outstanding Graduates]—does that refer to three Herrschers returning to the school that taught Valkyries?"
"Fun. Who still remembers Wendy who went offline early? Including her, that would be four, right?"
"You guys, stop bullying St. Freya. You're really turning it into the Far East Demon Lair."
"Speaking of which, I kind of want to see Theresa crying from the rumors."
"Because her own academy is being slandered, she cries and makes a fuss, rolling on the ground, wuu wuu wuu, so pitiful!"
"..."
Inside the company.
Theresa saw the content in the group chat and her entire face darkened.
"I won't cry and make a fuss!"
She glared at the innocent-looking Hessian and emphasized.
Hessian shrugged, "It wasn't me who started the rumor. Speaking of which, why have the audiences all started turning into fun-seekers now?"
Compared to now, he actually missed a bit the old days when the audiences were so explosive that they would block the company entrance at the slightest disagreement.
No one paid him any attention. Even Mobius was focused on watching the TV content.
On the television, Seele remained silent.
Durandal looked at Seele and asked, "Seele, did you notice something too?"
Seele nodded, "Mm… that side's space seems to have been injured by some power other than Kiana's…"
Hearing this, Durandal directly stepped forward, interrupting the conversation between Kiana and the other two, and proactively said:
"Kiana, could I trouble you to use your Herrscher authority to investigate the area near that church first?"
Although somewhat puzzled, Kiana still said, "No problem…"
"Indeed… the space over there is very abnormal."
After using the Herrscher of the Void's authority to take a look, Kiana confirmed this.
Durandal suggested, "Let's go investigate together."
Kiana nodded, and the group of girls headed toward the place where Kiana had detected the anomaly.
Before they could reach St. Freya's church, they saw a petite figure walking out weakly.
Kiana hurriedly said, "Principal!"
Recognizing Theresa, Kiana subconsciously accelerated, but was blocked by two monsters.
"Imaginary Tree Envoy and Quantum Shadow… as expected, the space here hasn't completely stabilized yet."
Quickly stopping to parry the attacking monsters, Kiana said.
Durandal frowned, "Strange… this way of affecting space…"
Although it was strange and puzzling, Kiana and the others had overwhelming numbers.
With just Kiana and Durandal taking action, they completely eliminated the appearing monsters.
At this time, Theresa had already fainted on the ground. Kiana rushed over at the fastest speed.
Holding Theresa in her arms, Kiana called out anxiously, "…Principal? Theresa!"
Under her niece's calls, Theresa slowly opened her azure eyes.
"Eh… Kiana?"
Looking at the familiar face before her, Theresa murmured.
Kiana immediately responded, "Mm, it's me, Principal. Thank goodness, you don't seem to be injured."
Theresa comforted her, "I'm fine… this is just the side effect of the emergency transfer."
"But… why is everyone here?"
Kiana, Mei, and the others briefly explained to Theresa what had happened on the Moon and in Sea Abyss City earlier.
Theresa gradually regained her strength at this time and stood up, freeing herself from Kiana's embrace.
Touching her smooth chin, Theresa thought, "Mm… I roughly understand the situation, but…"
"Although we've just reunited… I have an urgent mission I must entrust to everyone."
Kiana looked puzzled, while Durandal had already said, "Please give your orders, Bishop."
Theresa went along and said, "If the spatial rifts nearby have not completely disappeared yet…"
"I hope you can trace them back to their source in reverse and rescue a man from there—Siegfried Kaslana."
Hearing this name, both Kiana and Durandal's expressions changed.
Kiana was even more shocked, "Dad?!"
"..."
Durandal remained relatively calm and said, "Bishop Theresa, please give us the detailed combat mission."
Theresa nodded, "…Alright. Although time is precious, the necessary details must still be explained clearly."
Afterward, Theresa introduced her previous experiences using the most concise language possible.
Kiana murmured upon hearing this, "So Dad… has been sealed by Kevin inside the Kaslana Stigmata space all this time?"
Theresa nodded, "Mm. Since Kevin has already taken away Chimera's power, this may be our best chance to rescue him."
Bronya thought, "But relying only on the spatial rift left behind when the Principal escaped from the Planetary Index."
"Trying to use it to locate Kiana's father, or the Kaslana Stigmata space… is easier said than done."
"..."
Durandal was silent for a moment before saying, "What if we add two people who have had complex entanglements with the Kaslana Stigmata space before?"
Mei asked, "…Two?"
Durandal continued, "One of them is naturally Bishop Theresa, and I…"
"Yes, although it may sound unbelievable, I am indeed an Awakener of the Kaslana Stigmata."
Kiana looked at Durandal in surprise, "—Eh?"
Durandal said, "…This matter is related to Otto. The process was very complicated, and it would be hard to explain the full story in a short time."
"To save time, everyone please accept this fact for now. I will explain it later."
Theresa and Kiana fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.
Kiana, known as the planarian, even showed a contemplative expression.
However, Kiana still said afterward, "I understand, Durandal. Thank you for being willing to tell us."
"And no matter what… I will do my utmost to try."
Bronya also said, "As long as Kiana needs it, we will contribute all our abilities."
Mei added, "Moreover, if we can seize that Stigmata space along the way, it will definitely be a powerful counterattack against Kevin and the Stigmata Plan."
Seele also spoke at this time, "If there's anywhere I can be of use, just give the order!"
Durandal said, "According to our previous cooperation method, the Seed of Sumeru can also provide a certain amplification effect for the Herrscher of the Void's authority."
Theresa looked at her niece and said, "I will also try to help you using Vishnu's power, Kiana."
"So… go all out."
Gradually, the BGM melody of when she once became the Herrscher of Flamescion quietly played.
It made many people recall past knives while also beginning to get excited.
The reason kingly hot-blooded stories are kingly is because they never get old and never tire of being watched!
Faced with everyone's encouragement, Kiana showed a smile and said, "Mm, of course!"
Concentrating all her spirit, Kiana sensed everyone's power.
This was not difficult, because the Herrscher of Flamescion was born from gathering the power of her companions.
Soon, Kiana sensed something.
The Seed of Sumeru, gathering dreamlike bubbles across three thousand worlds.
The dream-devouring Vishnu, erasing the numerous illusory scenes within.
The Grim Reaper from the Sea of Quanta, quietly sowing the seeds of life's passage.
The story representing the Principle of Civilization, depicting the rainbow bridge that crosses yesterday.
And of course, the ancient Signets shining like lighthouses.
Many powers gathered together, working with one heart and one mind, all to answer one person's wish.
And Kiana lived up to expectations, "Found it!"
But as Kiana opened her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar place.
This place was covered in bizarre blood-red sand, with lifeless ruined buildings all around.
Kiana said in surprise, "Eh? This place is…"
Durandal said calmly, "This is the zone where the Kaslana Stigmata space and ordinary Imaginary Space intermingle."
"Back then in Kolosten… I was exiled here by Otto."
Kiana understood, "Which means… we're still some distance away from the true core area of the Stigmata space…"
"…Eh? Where is everyone else?"
Looking around, Kiana realized that Theresa and the others were nowhere to be seen.
Only Durandal remained by her side.
Durandal analyzed, "Bishop Theresa obviously hasn't fully recovered yet. As for the others…"
"The Kaslana Stigmata is not fully compatible with their physiques."
"And… no, it's nothing."
Facing Kiana's puzzled expression, Durandal directly changed the subject, "As you can see, it's easy to lose direction here."
"Fortunately, not long ago, Bishop Theresa left traces of dream-devouring here."
"As long as we mark them with the Seed of Sumeru…"
As Durandal's words fell, light orb-like road markers gradually appeared in the deathly silent red sand ruins around them.
After advancing some distance, Durandal said, "As expected."
Kiana murmured, "The end of this path… is…"
Durandal nodded, "Most likely. So…"
Facing Kiana's gaze, Durandal changed the subject again, "Never mind. Ensuring Mr. Siegfried's safety is the priority."
The two continued forward and finally arrived before a spatial rift.
Durandal said, "Let's go, Kiana."
Kiana nodded, "Mm."
...
What exactly does "father" mean?
Different people would surely have completely different answers.
However, for the girl named Kiana—father once meant everything to her.
Toast pizza, barrel instant noodles, birthday cake…
And of course, her own name.
Distant memories appeared on the screen. It was Kiana as a child, her young and tender face covered in tears.
"I'm sorry… Dad… I just didn't want to see you get hurt anymore…"
"I… also want to protect you."
Siegfried shook his head, "No, Dad should be the one apologizing. Dad has done many things that let you down…"
In order to save the Kiana before him—or rather, the clone of his biological daughter—K423.
The real Kiana's life and death became unknown, and in Siegfried's eyes, she had almost no chance of survival.
This also led to Siegfried's extremely complicated attitude toward K423.
But the current Kiana did not yet have this awareness and asked in confusion, "Dad, what's wrong?"
"…I think Dad is very good to me."
"Dad trains with me and buys me lots and lots of gifts…"
Siegfried said guiltily, "But Dad never asked if you liked training, if you liked the gifts… Dad never asked how you felt."
"Clearly, your feelings… are the most important."
Seeing this part of the plot, audiences across the country were almost shattered.
They originally thought that by now the plot wouldn't have any more knives. Even if there were, they wouldn't be able to break their defenses so easily.
After all, watching Honkai Impact 3rd meant eating knives all the way until now!
But they never expected—
"Damn it, dog director, making me cry on the subway!"
"There's actually a flashback knife, and it's the tuna's knife. You bastard dog director!"
"Too TM heartbreaking. Siegfried is such an absolutely perfect father…"
"..."
On the television, Kiana was still somewhat bewildered.
"My… feelings?"
Siegfried said, "Mm, your feelings… the food you like, the things you do, the person you want to become…"
"Oh right… today is your birthday, isn't it?"
"I've never properly celebrated it for you. I really am an unqualified father…"
"Let's go buy a big cake and celebrate properly!"
"Let's go… Kiana."
That day, from that moment on, the girl codenamed K423.
Received the best birthday gift from Dad—her name.
Perhaps from an objective point of view, doing so was not fair to the real Kiana whose life and death were unknown.
But it also represented Siegfried accepting the fact that after his wife passed away, his daughter had also left.
And for K423—Kiana—Siegfried would always be her best Dad.