Honkai: Strijder
Chapter 451: Otto and Prejudice
People often say that a brief separation makes reunion feel like a newlywed honeymoon—and there's a reason for that.
After more than a month apart, the "feast" left all three of them thoroughly satisfied.
As the main "combat force," Kiana naturally didn't need mentioning—she had eaten to the point of being stuffed multiple times. Even Bronya, who played more of a supporting role, had been half-coaxed into indulging in several extra "desserts," leaving her so full that she couldn't even open her eyes the next morning.
So, even Sigurd—who was usually very principled—made an exception today. He stayed in bed with them and skipped breakfast, not forcing them to get up.
By the time all three had woken up, washed up, and gathered in the living room of Sigurd's quarters to relax, it was already close to evening.
By then, Sin Mal had long sensed that something was off and came knocking.
"My Sigurd… damn it…"
Seeing Kiana lying with her head on Sigurd's lap, resting in a lazy, alluring posture that hovered between girlish innocence and mature charm—especially that intoxicating air of satisfaction—Sin Mal nearly ground her teeth to dust.
"Damn it! If it weren't for… if it weren't for…"
"If it weren't for Sigurd insisting on an age boundary, you'd have gotten your wish long ago, right?"
Noticing a change in Sin Mal's massage strength, Bronya lazily lifted her eyelids and spoke weakly.
That was true—Sigurd was a man with strong principles. It was just that many of those principles became blurry when it came to Kiana.
For example, judging by actual biological age, this tuna of a girl was only around twelve or thirteen—firmly within the "absolutely forbidden" category. Yet Sigurd had still crossed that line.
So in truth, Sigurd was rather… inconsistent with his standards.
Of course, Bronya only thought these things privately. Kiana's unusual background wasn't something pleasant, so she wouldn't voice such remarks or tease her about it.
At that moment, Sin Mal hugged Bronya tightly, pressing her against her chest with a pitiful expression.
"Bronya, I'm not happy!"
"Give it another two years. Sigurd will let you get closer eventually… also, loosen up a little, Bronya can't breathe."
"Oh…"
Sin Mal loosened her grip slightly, allowing Bronya to breathe again. After Mobius's experiments, Sin Mal's body had undergone a dramatic evolution. Occasionally, she still made small mistakes, but nothing too serious.
Meanwhile, Sigurd wasn't paying attention to the interaction between Bronya and Sin Mal. He simply brushed aside a few strands of hair from Kiana's forehead while feeding her fruit and snacks. However, the distant look in his eyes showed that he was lost in thought.
"Sig— ah—"
"Hmm?"
"You're feeding me too fast! Slow down!"
"Even a little glutton like you can't keep up sometimes?"
Sigurd snapped out of his thoughts. Seeing Kiana puffing her cheeks as she chewed and looking at him with a resentful gaze, he couldn't help but smile and tease her in a serious tone.
Kiana's expression became even more aggrieved.
"I just have a big appetite! Is that a crime? That's not important—you seem to have something on your mind again. What are you thinking about?"
"…Nothing."
"You're lying! Fine, fine—it must be something troublesome that I'm not supposed to know yet. Tell me when you feel like it… wait—don't tell me you're still not satisfied? Even with the two of us combined?!"
Kiana's eyes widened in shock as she gasped dramatically.
In response, Sigurd slapped her on the backside with a loud, crisp sound.
Smack!
"Ow!"
Kiana rubbed her butt, pouting her glossy lips in grievance. But in her current weakened state, she didn't have the energy to argue stubbornly with the head of the household.
Sigurd shook his head, unable to hold back a laugh. He tapped Kiana's forehead and sighed:
"You're so carefree… but that's fine. That's who you are, Kiana."
"What do you mean? You make it sound like I'm an idiot."
"Whether you are or not, you know it yourself. But there is something—I can't tell you about it for now. Later… it might make you angry and sad."
He paused, then added with a hint of helplessness:
"Sorry."
Kiana immediately sat up. The ahoge on top of her head swayed energetically. After a brief moment of blankness, her gaze suddenly sharpened.
"Don't tell me you've finally made a move on Seele and the others? You scumbag! I just loosened up a bit two days ago, and now you're already cheating on me! Too much! This is way too much!"
Smack!
"Ow!!!"
Kiana rubbed her reddened forehead, shrank her neck, and stuck out her tongue in a cute attempt to play it off.
Sigurd withdrew his hand, then gently rubbed her head.
"I'm sorry, but there are things I have no choice but to do. The variables now have exceeded my expectations. For the sake of our future, I can only speed things up… When the time comes, I'll allow you to be angry—but you're not allowed to ignore me."
Sigurd looked straight into Kiana's eyes, guilt welling up inside him.
He had clearly promised not to make her sad again. Yet now, the person who had hurt Kiana the most seemed to be himself.
But ever since a corner of the "young lady's" mysterious veil had been lifted, his worries about the future and his apprehension toward the end of civilization left him with no other choice.
Only by fully bringing the final two Herrscher-level uncertainties under control could he face the final battle with greater confidence.
I'm right—Sigurd told himself.
Yet unconsciously, he lowered his gaze and broke eye contact with Kiana.
"Huh?"
Kiana tilted her head, becoming even more confused by Sigurd's vague, unspeakable explanation. A trace of unease crept into her heart.
Sigurd didn't explain further. If he told her about Theresa now, she would lose control on the spot, creating even more uncertainty.
"That's all. I've already had dinner sent in. You two can eat here—I need some time alone to think."
After saying this, Sigurd stood up and left the room.
Kiana stared blankly as he walked away, then turned her confused gaze toward Bronya.
"Don't look at me. Bronya won't tell you anything."
"I… I'm really not a child anymore…"
Kiana lowered her head, lost and dejected.
She had gone through so much—fighting forward without fear, even when covered in wounds—reaching the point where she could wield Blade Eminence and control two Herrscher authorities.
All she wanted was for Sigurd to truly acknowledge her, to see her as an equal partner who could stand beside him.
That was all.
But now, it seemed Sigurd still treated her as a child who needed careful protection. Nothing had really changed from the beginning.
At this moment, that excessive protectiveness brought her more disappointment than sweetness.
…
Sigurd arrived at Otto's room.
As expected, Otto was having afternoon tea with Theresa. Unexpectedly, aside from Amber who was attending them, there was also a familiar red-haired, alluring woman present—Murata Himeko, Theresa's right-hand support.
"Welcome, my dear friend."
"Mm."
Sigurd pulled out a chair and sat down. Amber gracefully arranged the tea set and poured tea for him.
Sigurd nodded in thanks to Amber, then looked toward Murata Himeko, whose expression carried a hint of melancholy.
"Major Himeko, it's been a while."
"It has indeed been a while, Sigurd… Your Majesty."
Himeko looked at Sigurd and nodded. There was visible respect in her movements, but her voice carried complicated, hard-to-describe emotions.
Sigurd could guess that she probably knew something, so he didn't hold back and directly asked Otto:
"Are you sure you want to take full charge of this experiment by yourself?"
"My friend, regarding stigmata, pseudo-Herrschers, Herrschers, and the Imaginary portals—do you possess any information that I do not?"
"…No."
"In that case, if things go smoothly, whether you lead or I lead makes no difference. If it fails, whether you are present or I am present, a price must be paid. One person or two, you holding the scalpel or me—it changes nothing, does it?"
Otto smiled faintly. His handsome features carried a calm and gentle composure as he declined Sigurd's offer to accompany him.
Just as Otto said, he had already mastered all the data related to the experiment. The entire plan had been developed jointly by him and Sigurd, even incorporating Mobius's expertise. There was nothing left to improve.
Under such circumstances, whether Sigurd stayed or Otto stayed—or even if both were present—would not affect the outcome at all.
Sigurd had no reply.
Otto then raised his hand and gently patted Theresa's head with a smile, sighing softly:
"Besides, for this uncertain road ahead, I would like to be the one accompanying little Theresa. What do you think, my adorable granddaughter?"
"Sigh… although most of the time Grandpa is shameless and underhanded, this time, I believe him. Sigurd, you don't need to worry about my side, just take care of Kiana and… the others for me."
Theresa paused slightly. In the end, she kept Durandal's name to herself. Yet the faint upward curve of her lips at the thought of that name made it seem less like she was about to undergo a terrifying, unprecedented experiment to become an artificial Herrscher—and more like she was going to visit a beloved family member.
Otto's brows twitched slightly, though he still managed to maintain his smile.
My dear little Theresa… just how deep is your prejudice against me?
Rubbing his forehead with a mix of distress and helplessness, Otto let out a melancholy sigh—like a misunderstood good man.