How could Ethan Lane not know the importance of a natural Stigmata? For a Valkyrie, it was equivalent to a powerful antibiotic, effectively increasing her adaptability to Honkai Energy. Moreover, the only ways to obtain a Stigmata were through family inheritance or being born with a natural one. (Except for the artificial Stigmata Otto created by studying Sirin's body.)
In this world, only three families had inherited Stigmata: the Apocalypse, Kaslana, and Schariac families, all of which were part of Schicksal. This was why their families could produce a large number of Valkyries. (Siegfried: ???) If an ordinary person became a Valkyrie without a Stigmata, they could only be forcibly injected with Honkai Energy to adapt, a trial that was either succeed or die.
But natural Stigmata were incredibly rare, and those who adapted to Honkai Energy to become Valkyries were also extremely few. All these factors combined meant that the number of Valkyries in the world was probably less than a thousand, and even this small number was tormented to death by Otto.
To Otto, a natural Stigmata was the best research subject. Originally, Ethan Lane hadn't planned to reveal that he had a Stigmata. But considering he would have to deal with him sooner or later, revealing it himself versus having them find out on their own were two completely different things. The former might make Otto think Ethan Lane had great potential and spare his life.
As for Anti-Entropy... the current Anti-Entropy was like a den of demons, not much better than Schicksal. If he joined them, he might end up as a human experiment subject one day. Although they were always researching Titan mechs and rarely sent Valkyries to the battlefield, they didn't skimp on human experiments, all in the name of contributing to humanity.
Based on this, joining Schicksal was much better than joining Anti-Entropy. Anti-Entropy had a plethora of factions where might makes right, and changing orders overnight was commonplace. In Schicksal, at least Otto called the shots. Maybe he would be more interested in Ethan Lane than in his Stigmata and let him off the hook.
However, Ethan Lane didn't plan to deal with Otto directly from the start, at least not before the Second Honkai War began. If possible, contributing his value to make other members of Schicksal value him was also a way to restrain Otto. If all else failed, he would just run. The world was so big, there was always a place to hide.
Ethan Lane broke free from Shigure Kira's embrace and went straight to Kakarov's side to continue treatment. Shigure Kira and the other woman followed and watched him. A while later, Kakarov's wounds had mostly scabbed over. As for his arm, there was nothing he could do. Maybe he could find a way to regenerate it in the future.
Seeing that his treatment was finished, Shigure Kira said, "Is this the ability of your Stigmata? It's very practical. If you go to the battlefield, you'll be a mobile hospital." Ethan Lane had intentionally treated him in front of them. For the time being, he didn't plan to show that he had very powerful offensive abilities, but rather to present himself as a support, so that he could fade from the sight of most people while still being useful.
"Yes, the function of my Stigmata is healing. Of course, it has some other uses, but let's go back to the town first," Ethan Lane replied. Shigure Kira nodded and helped him move Kakarov and the others onto a nearby snowmobile.
Soon, the group returned to the town. After dropping the others off at their homes, the four of them went to Ethan Lane's house, placed Kakarov on the bed, and covered him with a blanket. All of this made Shigure Kira ask strangely, "Miss Tianlin, why do you care so much about an ordinary person? And those people before, what do their lives and deaths have to do with us?"
"Kira, if you continue to hold such thoughts, I won't save you if you get hurt in the future. He saved me before, so now I'm saving him. This is repaying a debt. As for those ordinary people... I'm a good citizen. How could I see someone dying and not save them!" Ethan Lane suddenly said loudly.
"But in this world, ordinary people die very easily. We can't save them all. Sometimes, we can't even protect ourselves," Shigure Kira retorted. Ethan Lane gave her a deep look until Shigure Kira couldn't meet his gaze, then said, "Then we save who we can. Human civilization is ultimately created by these ordinary people. Protecting them is the duty of us Valkyries."
"But..." Shigure Kira wanted to continue, but was interrupted by Patricia, who patted her on the shoulder. She shook her head at Shigure Kira, then said to Ethan Lane, "Lane, we understand your mindset. We hope you can always stick to it." "Thank you, I will," Ethan Lane replied.
"Alright, we'll be leaving then." Patricia directly pulled Shigure Kira out of the room. Ethan Lane watched their retreating backs and sighed, then looked at the still unconscious Kakarov and turned to change his clothes.
In the room, Ethan Lane was changing clothes absentmindedly. As he was changing, he looked down at his lower body strangely and suddenly his eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "My... my little brother? How did it become a little sister?!"
After a period of turmoil, Ethan Lane sat on the floor and muttered to himself, "I've become a woman? Not only did I transmigrate, I also gender-bent! I've been a single dog for twenty years and haven't even held a woman's hand. Why is this happening? God, are you playing with me?! Ahhh!!!"
Ethan Lane howled for a while to vent his frustration. Finally, he quieted down. He... she had finally accepted reality. After changing her clothes, she walked out of the room with lifeless eyes. Kakarov, on the bed, moved and woke up. He looked around strangely. Seeing this, Ethan Lane quickly walked over and said, "Uncle, how are you?"
"Lane, I'm still alive?" Kakarov asked. Ethan Lane nodded, "Yes, you're still alive, but your hand..." Kakarov smiled faintly, "Did you save me? It's a blessing to be alive. I can't ask for anything more."
"Uncle... trust me, I will definitely find a way to restore your hand," Ethan Lane said firmly. At worst, he could ask Schicksal. Their cloning technology was ridiculously advanced; cloning a hand should be easy.
"Thank you, Lane. It was all because I was being too reckless, I got you involved," Kakarov said apologetically. Ethan Lane shook his head, "You saved me, so it's only natural that I save you. Let's not talk about this anymore. What do you want to eat? I'll go make it."
"Anything is fine, as long as it's edible," Kakarov said with a smile. Ethan Lane pouted, "Uncle, just you wait. My Chinese cooking will definitely make you bite your tongue off." "Then I'll look forward to your skills," Kakarov said with a smile.
"Just a moment, it'll be ready soon." Ethan Lane turned and went to the kitchen. Soon, he came back with several dishes on the dining table. He carried a bowl of chicken soup to the bedside, blew on it, and brought the spoon to Kakarov's lips.
Kakarov hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth and drank. His eyes lit up immediately. "Lane, this is the most delicious soup I've ever had." "I'm glad you like it. Here, this was made especially for you. It's good for your injuries," Ethan Lane said with a smile.
Kakarov didn't say anything and quickly finished the bowl of chicken soup. Ethan Lane refilled it for him. "Lane, I'm full. Thank you for the chicken soup. Ah, if only my daughter could be as capable as you."
Ethan Lane sighed inwardly and silently ate his meal. He was already the same as his daughter.
Before he could take more than a few bites, Shigure Kira and Patricia pushed the door open and entered. Seeing her eating, Shigure Kira went straight up to her and said, "Miss Tianlin, do you have any plans to join us at Schicksal? I've already reported to Lady Cecilia, and she has agreed to teach you personally."
"Hmm? Really? I'm ready anytime," Ethan Lane replied. "Really? That's great! I'll get ready right away, and we'll leave later," Shigure Kira said happily.
"Er... can we wait for a while? I still have some things to take care of here," Ethan Lane said after a moment of hesitation. Shigure Kira and Patricia looked at each other and nodded in agreement.