In the illusion, Kiana and Theresa rushed toward their destination at full speed. Just as they were about to arrive, Kiana spoke up again:
“Hey, Theresa, could I ask you for a favor? When we see Siegfried, can you please not tell him that I’m his illegitimate daughter? Just treat me like an ordinary Valkyrie.”
“Ah, why?”
“Well… you see, right now we’re at a critical point in the mission. If we waste too much time on my issues, then Mom… I mean, Lady Cecilia will be in even greater danger.”
“…Anyway, let’s just put my stuff on hold until after the mission is over. I’m counting on you…”
“I understand. You’re such a thoughtful child.”
Not long after, they spotted a campfire in the distance, and beside it, a familiar figure.
“Hey, Theresa! You finally made it. I heard you went up against the Second Herrscher earlier, and I was really worried about you. And who’s this with you…”
Siegfried’s gaze shifted from Theresa to Kiana, and he noticed she had been staring at him the whole time.
Kiana knew full well that she was just inside some kind of virtual space, and that sooner or later she would have to leave. Everything before her eyes was fake.
But even knowing it was fake, the moment she saw Siegfried, she couldn’t suppress the excitement welling up inside her.
Even though only five years had passed, Siegfried had completely vanished without a trace. Still, seeing this version of him from the year 2000 brought her a fair bit of comfort.
“This beautiful young lady, if you have the time, I’d really love to buy you a drink.”
Seeing that the first thing Siegfried thought of when he looked at her was something like that, Kiana realized that while Theresa’s judgment might have been a bit out there, it wasn’t completely baseless. So she shot him a slightly annoyed eye roll.
“Alright, Siegfried, don’t waste any more time. Let’s just get down to business. What’s the situation?”
Hearing this, Siegfried’s expression immediately turned serious. In all her years, Kiana had never seen him make a face like that.
“I’ve got one piece of bad news and another piece of even worse news.”
“The bad news is that the Valkyrie units have launched a search for the Second Herrscher, but so far, they’ve found absolutely nothing.”
“The even worse news is that because the operation has been dragging on with no progress, Bishop Otto has ordered Cecilia to deploy.”
“What?! With Cecilia’s current physical condition, she’s in no shape to fight!”
Siegfried’s expression grew firm and resolute.
“That’s why we need to find the Second Herrscher and take her out before Cecilia gets here!”
——————
On the beach in front of the seaside villa, a third person had joined Enoxia and Sirin.
“Mom.”
Seeing Cecilia arrive, Sirin ran over to her as she always did, acting cute and clinging to her. Cecilia, as always, gently stroked her head and let Sirin snuggle up beside her.
“Eno, I overheard part of your conversation earlier. Is Kiana in some kind of danger?”
Enoxia gave Cecilia a quick summary of what had happened on Coral Island.
“Right about now, inside the illusion Otto has woven for her, she’s probably just about to meet you.”
Cecilia let out a long sigh.
“The first time she hears her mother’s voice, the first time she sees her mother’s face, and it has to be inside an illusion someone else created…”
“I know that in your heart, she’s also your daughter. But it’s still too early to feel sorry for her. What comes next will be the most painful time of her life. One by one, the secrets buried inside her will be dragged into the light. All the wonderful things will be gone forever. And she will even personally ‘kill’ someone close to her.”
“Without enough pain to force her to grow up fast, to make her understand the bloody truth hidden beneath all the lies, she will eventually be completely taken over by ‘Void.’ This is a trial she has to get through on her own.”
