Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 80

A portal swirled open as Sirin stepped back into the house. After a few adjustments, Cecilia’s holographic projection flickered to life in the living room.

“Mom, Misteln asked me to bring you this notebook. She said you told her to pick it up during her mission in Europe.”

Cecilia glanced at it, surprise flashing across her face. “Oh, I did mention that—but just casually. I didn’t expect her to actually bring it. Go ahead and open it. I can’t exactly turn pages like this.”

Curious, Sirin flipped open the notebook, its cover so worn that the original title was illegible.

“This… is…?”

The first yellowed page featured a crude drawing—a bird, perhaps? The entire image was composed of simple shapes:

• A large circle for the head,

• A smaller one inside for the eye,

• Two triangles on the left as a beak,

• A rectangle below for the body,

• Two bigger triangles on either side as wings,

• A few squiggly lines at the bottom for feet.

Cecilia burst into laughter.

“That’s the first drawing I ever made—I was eight, on vacation in Europe. You’re ten years younger, so you hadn’t even been born yet. Compared to a little artist like Griseo—or even other kids my age—I had zero talent for art.”

Sirin blinked between Cecilia and the childish sketch, baffled.

“What’s wrong, Sirin?”

“You once told me that growing up, you spent over half your time either training, in experiments, or on your way to them. So I thought… you wouldn’t have done things like this.”

Cecilia shook her head gently. “Our experiences differ, so of course our views on Valkyries won’t align. But to me, every Valkyrie is more than just a tool against the Honkai. We’re people first. Outside of battle, we’re no different from anyone else.”

Sirin pursed her lips, clearly disagreeing.

“Ah—sorry, I didn’t mean to get so serious. Let’s see the next page.”

The following pages were filled with hand-drawn grids—horizontal and vertical lines intersecting into countless squares. Some contained circles, others triangles: tic-tac-toe.

“You’re a pro at games. I bet whoever played against you lost every round.”

“Mmm. That was from my first meeting with Theresa. Her body stopped growing that year because of the Honkai beast genes inside her. The Overseer sent her here to relax, and we happened to cross paths.”

Cecilia recalled how Theresa had stomped her feet after losing a dozen straight matches. Back then, despite being four years older and a clone who could sing and run from birth, Theresa had seemed almost… younger in those moments.

At the mention of Theresa, Sirin’s cheeks puffed up like a balloon.

She didn’t dislike Theresa—after all, in Babylon Labs, Theresa had at least tried to save the children subjected to experiments, including Sirin. But she doubted Theresa could’ve done what Cecilia or Enolia had.

Enolia had once told her that she and Kosma shared the same Honkai beast gene—Vishnu. Yet their combat abilities were worlds apart. After Bella’s crushing defeat by Kosma, she and Sirin had teamed up against him multiple times… only to last a few seconds longer.

Even among humans, Bella knew of warriors like Sakura, Hua, Kevin, Kalpas, and Kosma—all capable of fighting Herrschers one-on-one without Divine Keys. In this era? Bella suspected Theresa might struggle against Cheng Lixue without the Oath of Judah.

Was the current generation weak, or was the Previous Era just absurd?

Sirin kept flipping. More sketches: trees, water, houses, stick figures. The notebook wasn’t thick, and soon she reached the end. Her expression shifted from disappointment to confusion, then dawning realization.

“What is it?”

“At first, I thought a notebook preserved this carefully would have something… important. But it’s just childish drawings. I felt let down.”

“And then?”

“I remembered what you said earlier. When you drew these, you were just a little girl on vacation. Besides, value isn’t only in grand philosophies. This sketch might be simple, but it’s part of your precious memories. That makes it valuable.”

Cecilia tilted her head. Sirin’s unusually solemn tone felt off. “Did… something come to mind?”

Sirin nodded, her voice cracking. “I thought of…”

“Come inside and tell me properly.”

Sirin shut off the hologram and dashed into the digital space.

Cecilia sat on the couch, patting the spot beside her. The moment Sirin sat down, Cecilia pulled her into a hug.

“It’s been two years. I’m happy with my life now. But when I think about Avel and the others, I still…”

Cecilia stroked her hair. “Just mentioning them to me takes courage. I know that kind of trauma might haunt someone forever. But you’re trying to heal, step by step. If you want to talk, I’ll always listen.”

For two years, Cecilia had avoided bringing up Babylon Labs, fearing it would trigger Sirin. That Sirin would broach the topic herself—especially to a Valkyrie—was unexpected.

Buried in Cecilia’s embrace, Sirin took a shaky breath. “You won’t get mad?”

Cecilia chuckled. “My daughter trusts me enough to share her pain? As a mother, I’m happy. Why would I be angry?”

Sirin tensed. “Even if I say things about Valkyries that…”

“We’ve lived different lives. Of course we’ll see things differently. I might not agree, but I won’t be upset. Look at you—worrying about my feelings before voicing your thoughts. That’s kindness. That’s respect. How could I ever be angry with such a wonderful daughter?”

Sirin buried her face in Cecilia’s chest and sobbed.