Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 166

“So, how was that, Kiana? Do you understand the power of the third-generation Valkyrie battle suit now?”

Kiana recalled the force of her recent strike, her excitement plain to see.

“Auntie, I want to challenge a stronger opponent!”

Based on Kiana’s performance just now, Theresa knew she was truly ready for the next stage of training.

However, before Theresa could press the button, an alarm blared through the facility.

“What? St. Freya Academy has been invaded, and Mei has been kidnapped?”

“Not just that, Headmistress. The underground chapel at St. Freya has also suffered an intrusion by an unknown force. The Overseer commands you to go there immediately.”

Theresa took a deep breath and looked at Kiana.

“Most likely Anti-Entropy, and the real target is probably the underground chapel… Kiana, I’m counting on you to handle things on Mei’s end. Don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll join you as soon as I’m finished here. Also, Enoxia’s backup is already on the way. If you encounter a powerful enemy, don’t fight recklessly. Try to stall them.”

The moment it concerned Mei, Kiana was out the door before Theresa could even finish speaking.

Yet, she was still a step too late. By the time Kiana reached the site of the confrontation, Raiden Mei had already been taken away by Lena.

Kiana immediately headed to St. Freya Academy’s surveillance room. She needed to find the last known location of Raiden Mei and figure out which direction to search based on her departure route.

After cross-referencing various pieces of information, Kiana confidently left St. Freya Academy, starting her search along the path she believed was correct. And then, quite predictably, the unexpected happened.

The island Lena had chosen was extremely remote, devoid of any electronic devices. Even Enoxia and Sirin, using the Authority of the Void and the Authority of Corruption respectively, took a long time to locate it, let alone Schicksal.

Kiana searched the Pacific Ocean for a long time. Not only did she fail to find Mei, but she also got lost herself. It wasn’t until December 6th that she was spotted by a Schicksal search and rescue plane, which brought her back to St. Freya Academy.

On December 7th, seeing that Raiden Mei was safe and sound, not a scratch on her, Kiana was naturally overjoyed. However, when she noticed a very pretty young girl by Mei’s side, gazing at Mei with clear adoration, alarm bells instantly started ringing in Kiana’s mind.

What shocked Kiana even more was that after class, this girl actually returned to the dormitory with Mei.

“Could it be that Mei blames me for not rescuing her in time… No, no, I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I should see for myself. Let’s first find out what this Lena is actually doing in the dorm.”

Kiana tiptoed to the dormitory door, quietly opened it a crack, and peeked her head inside.

“Lena, you really don’t have to…”

“It’s fine. Being able to do something for Her Majesty… for Mei is an honor.”

With that, Lena picked up a mop and started cleaning.

“Uh… okay then, thank you… Oh, right, Kiana’s room is a bit… no, it’s extremely messy. Sorry for the trouble.”

Upon hearing this, Kiana’s heart instantly sank with a thud. Just then, Bronya returned from outside.

“Idiot Kiana, what are you doing by the door?”

Kiana’s attention was entirely on Raiden Mei and Lena. She hadn’t noticed Bronya behind her at all. Bronya’s sudden voice startled Kiana, causing her to lose her balance and stumble straight into the room.

“Miss Kiana… and Miss Bronya, hello.”

Bronya tilted her head, a puzzled expression on her face.

“Hello… While this should be our first meeting, Bronya feels like she has seen you somewhere before.”

Lena nodded excitedly.

“Ah, Miss Bronya, we met in Nagazora City.”

Bronya grew even more confused.

“Nagazora? But Bronya hasn’t been to Nagazora in the past few months.”

Lena’s expression immediately became somewhat awkward, and her voice dropped a few notches.

“Well… Miss Bronya, do you remember fighting a red dragon-like Honkai beast in Nagazora? Actually… that was me.”

Bronya was stunned for a moment, but her mind quickly processed the information.

“So, you are actually… a Honkai beast born because of Mei-senpai?”

“Yes, at that time…”

Bronya knew what she was about to say next and raised a hand to stop her.

“No need to apologize. The situation back then was special. Bronya doesn’t think you did anything wrong. As long as you protect Mei-senpai well from now on, Bronya is willing to be your friend.”

“Miss Bronya, you jest. I am Mei-sama’s servant. Protecting her is only natural. However…”

“However what?”

Lena’s expression instantly turned serious.

“However, in a truly critical emergency, my top priority will be ensuring Mei-sama’s safety, followed by ensuring Miss Kiana’s safety. The well-being of everyone else will always come after Mei-sama and Miss Kiana.”

“Huh?”

While Kiana was feeling utterly baffled, the corners of Bronya’s mouth had already curved up slightly.

“Lena… so that’s what your name means, huh?”

Watching Bronya’s expression of having stumbled upon something delightful, Kiana still didn’t quite understand. However, since this cute young girl in front of her was Mei’s servant, the misunderstanding in her heart was cleared up.

She stepped forward, placed her hands on Lena’s shoulders, and spoke with her characteristic lack of formality.

“Lena, do you know how to cook?”

Lena was taken aback for a moment, then answered earnestly.

“Not yet, I don’t. But if Miss Kiana wishes it, I will do my best to learn.”

Kiana fully embraced her role as a social extrovert. Facing Lena, whom she had just met, Kiana directly reached out and ruffled her hair.

“Then I’ll look forward to the day I can eat a meal you’ve cooked… Oh, right, I just heard Mei’s voice. Where is she?”

Bronya felt a wave of exasperation.

“Idiot Kiana, you know what the date is today, right?”

“December 7th, why… Oh, right! Today’s my birthday! Mei must be in the kitchen making a cake!”

“Someone who even needs others to remind them of their own birthday truly is an idiot. Listen, you are not allowed to sneak into the kitchen for a taste before Mei-senpai comes out.”

“Got it, got it.”

Kiana flopped onto the bed and started looking at her phone.

Bronya knew perfectly well that Kiana, in her current state, couldn’t possibly sit still. So, she proactively challenged her to play video games. While playing, Bronya deliberately let Kiana win a round every few matches. Sure enough, Bronya’s tactic successfully ignited Kiana’s competitive spirit. Until night fell and Mei finished the cake, Kiana remained engrossed in the game.

In the evening, just as Raiden Mei placed the finished cake on the dining table, the doorbell rang.

Seeing the cake on the table, Enoxia smiled slightly.

“It seems I’ve arrived just in time.”

Kiana remembered her previous birthdays. Some were spent in a small cabin in Siberia with Siegfried, eating roasted meat from some unknown creature. Others were spent alone in her dorm room at Senba Academy, eating snacks. In all her life, this was the first time she had ever had a birthday cake.

“Idiot Kiana, if you want cake, quickly make a wish and then blow out the candles.”

Kiana gently closed her eyes.

“I wish that Mei, and everyone else, can stay safe and sound by my side. I wish this kind of life could go on forever.”