Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 25

The moonlight was bright, and a gentle breeze brushed against her skin. Sirin stood in front of a warmly lit villa, staring down at the sailor uniform she was wearing, frozen in confusion.

“Where is this place? Why am I here? And why… can’t I remember anything?”

With a creak, the front door swung open. A handsome man with white hair and blue eyes stepped out—none other than Siegfried Kaslana, an S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal.

“Who are you? What are you doing at my house?”

Siegfried’s sharp demand made Sirin lower her head. She fidgeted, unable to utter a single word.

“Hey, dear, what are you doing to our daughter?” Cecilia’s voice carried a hint of anger as she glared at Siegfried.

“Daughter?” Siegfried scratched the back of his head. Both he and Cecilia had white hair and blue eyes, but this girl in front of them had purple hair and golden eyes. “But—”

“Have you been drinking again? You can’t even recognize your own daughter! We already talked about this—Sirin had club training today, so she’d be home late. We weren’t supposed to wait for her for dinner.” Seeing that neither of them was reacting, Cecilia raised her voice another octave.

“If my wife’s this mad, I must’ve really had too much…” Siegfried awkwardly stepped aside, motioning for Sirin to come in. “As for her looks… maybe it’s recessive genes?”

“They’re… my parents? This is… my home?”

Sirin remained dazed as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.

“Sirin, come here.” Cecilia beckoned to her.

“Today’s November 10th—tomorrow’s your birthday. It’s right there on the calendar. Your father’s just been overworked and had a bit too much to drink. Don’t be mad at him. Here, open up.”

A forkful of cake hovered in front of Sirin’s lips. After a brief hesitation, she took a bite. The fluffy sweetness filled her mouth—and suddenly, tears spilled from her eyes.

“Strange… I feel like I’ve tasted this before. It’s delicious. So why… am I crying?”

Cecilia gently stroked her head.

“Alright, Sirin, it’s getting late. Go rest up. Tomorrow’s the weekend—we’ll go shopping, and you can pick out whatever gift you want.”

Still lost in thought, Sirin entered her room and sank into the soft bed.

“Is this… what it feels like to be home? Then why… does it feel like I haven’t been home in so long?”

…

The next morning, Sirin woke up to find she’d fallen asleep in her clothes. She faintly recalled that it had been ages since she’d slept so soundly.

Just as she sat up, Cecilia opened the door.

“Oh, you’re awake! Go ahead and change, then come down for breakfast.”

Sirin opened the wardrobe, staring at the rows of pretty dresses inside. They were beautiful, yet… somehow unfamiliar. After some hesitation, she picked out a white blouse with a purple ribbon and a black skirt lined with violet stripes.

The moment she stepped out, the smell of something burnt hit her nose.

In the kitchen stood Siegfried, wielding Judgment of Shamash like a spatula—and looking utterly defeated.

“How many times do I have to say it? No Kaslana is allowed in the kitchen! If it were just me eating this charcoal, fine—but you can’t serve this to our daughter!” Cecilia sighed.

Sirin’s eyes widened at the charcoal-like substance on the plate. Was this even edible?

Cecilia shook her head—more exasperated than angry—before pulling fresh ingredients from the fridge. Within minutes, a proper breakfast of toast and warm milk was ready.

Siegfried glanced at his “masterpiece” in the trash and grinned sheepishly.

“Don’t be mad, honey. I just felt bad for upsetting Xilin last night, so I thought I’d show off my cooking skills a little… but I guess I misjudged the power setting on Shamash.”

“No more Judgment of Shamash as a pizza oven while I’m home,” Cecilia shot him a look.

Siegfried knew that expression—she wasn’t truly angry. A few teasing words later, and she was smiling again.

Sirin watched the exchange in silence, but the corners of her lips curled up on their own.

Cecilia’s gaze lingered on her for a second too long before she quickly looked away.

…

After breakfast, the family headed to a department store. A giant poster outside caught Sirin’s attention—just like everyone else’s.

“Magical Girl Teri-Teri Grand Fan Meet & Signing! November 12th, XX Location.”

“Sirin, you won’t pick a gift just standing there. Let’s go inside.” Cecilia’s voice snapped Sirin out of her thoughts.

Nodding, she followed them in.

The moment she stepped through the doors, Sirin was dazzled by the glittering displays and endless rows of merchandise. She was certain—she’d never been anywhere like this before.

While Cecilia helped Sirin browse dresses and other girly things, Siegfried—deeming himself unnecessary for now—slipped away to find the restroom.

“Why are mall bathrooms hidden like secret rooms?” Grumbling, he wandered for a good ten minutes before finally locating one.

Relieved and refreshed, Siegfried stepped out—only for the wall beside him to shatter like a broken puzzle. From the void emerged Welt Yang, his glasses glinting ominously.

Time itself seemed to freeze. No one moved—except for the two of them.

“Siegfried. Right now, your life seems so perfect. But tell me—is this a dream, or a nightmare? Open your eyes. Which side is the reality you need to protect?”

Welt’s words struck like a hammer. Siegfried clutched his head as a sharp pain lanced through his skull. The man before him felt familiar, but… he couldn’t remember why.

Just as Welt was about to press further, another hand shot out from the void and yanked him back. The rift sealed shut—and the world resumed as if nothing had happened.

…

“What’s the meaning of this?!” Welt demanded, glaring at the Herrscher of Corruption before him.

“No need to rush, Mr. Yang. We have time.” The Herrscher’s voice was eerily calm. “Your little ‘reminder’ to Siegfried was enough. If you truly want the Herrscher of the Void to become a normal girl—or even a Herrscher who fights for humanity, like you—then this dream must continue.”

“Some wounds never heal, no matter how much time passes. And Sirin’s suffering lasted years. True, her pain wasn’t directly caused by Siegfried or Cecilia… but if she wants this, why not let her have it?”

A faint, knowing smile played on the Herrscher’s lips.

“Giving Sirin the love of a family… is the best atonement Schicksal could ever offer.”