85. My Dad, Secretly Raising Another Daughter Outside!
The first day of 2014, a rare holiday, the spacious mountain shrine wasn't as deserted as one might have imagined.
"Mom, I've reached the designated position. Seele will begin evacuating the surrounding civilians. Once the evacuation is complete, the experiment to communicate with and collapse the Quantum Sea can proceed."
Her expression remained indifferent. At this moment, Bronya was hiding in the high ground near the shrine, observing through the scope of a sniper rifle the purple-haired girl hanging an ema plaque on the wishing board.
As the core of this experiment and the host of the Gem of Conquest, Raiden Mei had always been a key surveillance target for Cocolia.
To facilitate monitoring her, Bronya had been enrolled in Senba Academy, responsible for observing Raiden Mei's condition at school.
At other times, Mei outside school was monitored by other Anti-Entropy members.
They had investigated the identity of Raiden Mei's sworn brother, "Gao Qi," but the other party had extremely strong counter-surveillance awareness. The Anti-Entropy members had obtained absolutely no relevant information.
Those who tried to approach him were all knocked out by him. He didn't kill anyone, clearly indicating he was aware of Cocolia's faction's existence. This prompted Cocolia to immediately cease the investigation into him.
Bronya didn't know who he was, but given how much Raiden Ryoma valued Raiden Mei, he would presumably send his most capable agent to protect her.
It was said that he and Raiden Mei were currently living together... If the fleeing Raiden Ryoma knew, he'd probably faint on the spot.
However, none of this concerned Bronya. She would only focus on the task at hand, ensuring Raiden Mei remained in good condition.
At school, Raiden Mei was quite a unique student. She studied diligently, practiced kendo, greeted friends with a smile, and when dealing with troublemakers, she would decisively subdue them in the coldest manner.
Although the middle school and high school sections were far apart, Bronya had tried to interact with her a few times. They weren't friends, but they were somewhat familiar.
Of course, Bronya wasn't inclined to socialize much with strangers, and Cocolia Mom never expected her to win anyone's trust with her expressionless face.
However, when Bronya accidentally tripped and fell on flat ground once again, unlike other students who either snickered or avoided her, Raiden Mei directly stepped forward to help Bronya up and thoughtfully applied a band-aid to her leg.
This older sister, slightly older than Bronya, reminded Bronya of her deeply caring father. Sister Mei's gentleness and nurturing habits, in Bronya's eyes, felt strikingly familiar.
But Bronya didn't overthink it. She merely thought she must be missing her father too much.
Although less than a year had passed since their separation, Bronya and the children in the orphanage missed their father constantly.
Cocolia Mom was the same. After Father disappeared into the Quantum Sea, that mother who had always seemed strong and rational to them completely broke down. For a period, she shut herself in her room, drowning her sorrows in alcohol day after day.
Bronya and Seele, who had received "gifts" from their father and possessed high affinity for the Quantum Sea, had once asked their mother to initiate the X-10 experiment to allow them to enter the Quantum Sea, but she refused.
Cocolia Mom said she had promised Father that from now on, she would absolutely never use any excuse to exploit her daughters again. No matter what, she could not let Bronya and Seele become test subjects again.
Fortunately, Cocolia's despondency didn't last long. Quickly, relying on information obtained from within Anti-Entropy and intelligence Raven sent through various channels, she soon devised a brand new plan.
Using the Gem of Conquest as an energy source, tear open a gateway to the Quantum Sea in Nagazora City.
This was the result of calculations. Raven said this was wisdom bestowed upon her within World Serpent by a generous "Lord."
Although Jörmungandr still slumbered, the Serpent's Eye still watched over the entire world. It claimed that compared to the Eye of the Abyss, at this very moment, Cocolia and Bronya could only find the person they wanted to see in Nagazora City.
Although theoretically impossible, the opening of the Quantum Sea gateway in the Sea of Okhotsk years ago was already illogical, so this time, Cocolia chose to believe Raven.
Once the timing was confirmed, civilians in the experimental area were evacuated, Bronya would knock out Raiden Mei, take her to the experimental zone, and use the energy of her Gem of Conquest, via a small-scale Honkai eruption, to open the gateway to the Quantum Sea.
Of course, Bronya would also ensure Raiden Mei's survival. She was a good person. Bronya didn't want someone as good as Dad to die—they were just borrowing the Gem of Conquest itself for a while.
"Raiden Mei's side confirmed safe, capture conditions mature..."
Watching Mei tiptoe to hang two ema plaques, Bronya's indifferent expression wavered slightly. She then shifted the scope elsewhere to ensure the surroundings were safe.
"Is that so? Personnel within the shrine are mostly evacuated. If you think the timing is right, give the order to proceed, Bronya. Seele will take her away directly."
The experiment was about to begin. Capturing Raiden Mei now would have a high success rate.
And at that moment, Bronya's gaze was suddenly drawn to a leaping figure. She had long white braided hair, wore a skirt and shirt seemingly unfazed by the deep winter cold, and what appeared to be a pair of firearms were vaguely visible at her waist.
She seemed momentarily dazed, looking at someone, then accelerated and rushed towards him.
"Armed, possesses speed far exceeding an ordinary person's... Preliminary assessment: Schicksal Valkyrie. Mom, Schicksal personnel might interfere. Need to prepare in advance—wait."
Suddenly, Bronya saw that Schicksal Valkyrie rush up to a tall man and throw herself into his embrace.
A man... Bronya seemed to have never seen him before, yet found him strangely familiar.
That man who could detect all prying eyes, who would swiftly incapacitate any approaching Anti-Entropy personnel, whose image had never been successfully captured... revealed a flaw at this moment.
"It's, it's—Mom, Cocolia Mom, stop the experiment, pause it, pause it! I, I need to adjust the sniper scope... Father, it's Father, it's Dad! It's really him!"
Uncertainly rubbing her eyes and adjusting the scope, Bronya's detached expression completely shattered in that instant. Her normally expressionless face twitched violently at the corners of her mouth, and two clear streams of tears immediately fell.
"It's him, I'm sure, I wouldn't mistake him! Seele, you come quickly too!"
Bronya saw him. That man, whose all image data and written records had somehow completely vanished, whom most children and orphanage staff had completely forgotten, whom only Cocolia, Raven, and a few children still remembered.
That mercenary named "Zero," their father, the one who disappeared into the Quantum Sea to save her and Seele.
No matter how chaotic Bronya's memories were, she would absolutely remember!
"Da, Dad—"
Struggling to stand up, Bronya forgot to adjust her leg exoskeleton. Her petite frame wavered unsteadily, nearly tumbling forward.
Fortunately, in an instant, a giant semi-humanoid mecha materialized out of thin air. Its massive arm wrapped around Bronya's body, its small head turning left and right.
"Is that so, Project Bunny? You're sure it's Papa too? Ah, I can feel it, resonance with the Quantum Sea... Let's go!"
Sitting on Project Bunny, the usually calm Bronya was nowhere to be seen. Her mind in turmoil, she directly charged down towards the shrine below.
Right now, Bronya didn't want to delay a single moment, didn't want to stay put for a single second. Like a fluttering butterfly, she ran towards that man.
——————
Half a minute ago, Kiana was shaking a fortune slip cylinder repeatedly, but couldn't get a slip out.
These days, her mood had been quite good. Life studying in Nagazora City was uneventful, and she couldn't really focus on studying anyway. Most of the time, she was searching for the source of the rising Honkai energy concentration, carrying out the task her aunt had assigned her.
The Far East Branch had dispatched many Valkyries to Nagazora City. Kiana also had to coordinate with their work, but most of the time, she was actually more idle because Kiana couldn't sense any high Honkai energy concentration at all. Her Kaslana family instincts were still exceptionally reliable.
Although her aunt Theresa was very tense, Kiana continued her leisurely life step by step. Her search for her dad was also fruitless so far; she was just taking things one step at a time.
Her main goal was still to become stronger, strong enough to help her dad!
But lately, Kiana had slowed down a bit and started enjoying life in Nagazora City.
No helping it, Sister Mei was just too nice!
Having been drifting constantly, Kiana rarely stayed in one place for long, so she never had many friends. Mei was her first real friend in the truest sense.
Moreover, her cooking was incredibly delicious, some dishes even reminding Kiana of the meals her dad used to make for her.
Dad had told Kiana to treat good friends with sincerity, so Kiana cherished her friendship with Sister Mei. Occasionally, they would go out shopping together, visit fun places.
However, Sister Mei spent more time with her boyfriend. Although Kiana didn't know what kind of person he was, when she heard that Mei and he had known each other for nearly ten years, Kiana understood why they were so affectionate.
Isn't that obvious? Dad only raised me for three years, and our bond is already this strong. That "Gao Qi" has spent ten whole years with Mei! It's only natural for them to be together, right?
Besides, whenever Mei talks about that "Gao Qi," a happy smile always appears on her face. Kiana might not understand love, but she knows that Mei must be really happy. It's so enviable.
So, Kiana accepted Mei's invitation to accompany her for Far Eastern New Year blessings, meet her boyfriend, and also wish to find her dad soon to live a stable and happy life.
"Ah, finally got it—awesome, it's 'Great Blessing'!"
After struggling for a while, just as the shrine maiden nearby couldn't hold back and was about to offer help, Kiana finally shook out an "Excellent Great Blessing." Seeing the fortune's content, she couldn't help but curl her lips into a slight smile.
"Heh, maybe something good will happen..."
Waving the "Excellent Great Blessing" fortune slip in front of her, she returned the fortune stick container to the shrine maiden and prepared to meet up with Mei.
Then, beside the words "Excellent Great Blessing," she saw a tall figure.
Black hair, black eyes, broad shoulders, a straight and upright posture... and that appearance, almost identical to the blurry memories and the only photo she had. The familiar man was also just taking a long fortune slip from the container.
It's him—it's Dad!
Kiana's breathing quickened. Usually confident and composed, she suddenly felt nervous and flustered. Her hands began to tremble as she pulled out an old photo yellowed by Honkai energy erosion from her pocket.
She wanted to compare it with her father's face, only to realize that at some point, the last bit of clear image had completely worn away over the days, making it impossible to discern any details.
But she didn't need the photo for comparison anymore. Kiana's instincts told her that the person before her, though looking younger, was her father! It had to be him!
"Dad!"
A thousand words condensed into just two in Kiana's mouth.
And upon hearing this, just as she expected, the man before her immediately looked up instinctively. Like years ago, he began scanning the surroundings, searching for her based on Kiana's height from years past.
At this point, Kiana didn't need to hesitate. Her grown-up body tensed like a leopard's and she lunged fiercely toward the dazed man.
Duang!
Just like in the past, Kiana turned into a little cannonball—no, a missile—crashing into Gao Qi's embrace, tightly wrapping her arms around him.
"Silly Dad, I've grown so much taller! I missed you so much, you dumb dad. Why did you leave me behind and run off back then? You big jerk!"
Chattering nonstop, giving Gao Qi no chance to speak, Kiana clung tightly to him, pouring out four years of longing.
"Wah, I missed you so much... Why didn't you come find me... Waaah..."
As she spoke, Kiana, who hadn't cried all these years, buried her head in Gao Qi's chest and burst into loud sobs. Passersby couldn't help but stop and stare, thinking some scumbag had deceived an innocent girl.
Four years—from the far north to the far east, traversing the Eurasian continent. Kiana faced not only the threat of the Honkai but also the harshness of the world and the fickleness of human relationships. The hardships and grievances she endured, she never told anyone—not even Theresa or Mei.
But Dad was different. All her frustrations and grievances could be vented out here with him.
The only place she could cry was in Dad's arms.
"Ha... Yes, it's my fault. Kiana, my moon, I'm back."
After a brief moment of daze, Gao Qi instantly understood everything—the hypothesis he had considered but dismissed earlier was correct!
This place was the same as the simulated world where he had raised Kiana! They were connected!
But only four years had passed. Why did Theresa, who never got along with him, not remember him at all, while only Kiana did? How strange...
Gao Qi had no time to ponder further. He opened his arms, embracing Kiana, and patted her head just like when she was little. But Kiana had shot up so much in height that the gesture felt somewhat awkward now.
"There, there, don't cry anymore. It's my fault..."
After comforting her for a while, Kiana finally stopped crying. She looked up with red-rimmed eyes, a bright smile spreading across her face.
"Dad, you look so much younger... I don't remember clearly... Did you shave your beard?"
Looking at her father, who appeared much younger now, Kiana's past memories began gradually surfacing, becoming clearer and clearer.
"About that..."
Rubbing Kiana's little head, Gao Qi was just about to explain when suddenly, from behind him, another voice filled with surprise and confusion rang out.
"Father, is that you—Dad?!"
Gao Qi's body jolted sharply. The familiar voice made him instinctively turn around. There, he saw a girl with gray spiral twin-tails staggering as she ran toward him.
Right before she was about to trip flat on the ground, she lunged forward and clung to the other side of Gao Qi's body.
With a barely noticeable expression of joy, Bronya, just like in the past, hung onto Gao Qi. Only a few months had passed for her, so she hadn't changed much. From her emanated a strong aura of quantum energy. Through this familiar power, Gao Qi confirmed that the Bronya before him was indeed his precious daughter!
"Father, you came out of the Sea of Quanta. Mom, and Seele, and I... we've been looking for you..."
Though somewhat expressionless, Bronya's emotions were never lost. Tears of joy streamed from her eyes, tracing down her cheeks.
"It's me, it's me. I made you worry..."
Reaching out to pat Bronya's little head, feeling her familiar petite frame, Gao Qi was now utterly bewildered.
Wait, there's another one! Why are they all crowding together now?!
Meanwhile, Kiana and Bronya, having snapped out of the joy of finding their dad, both noticed each other's presence.
"Father, who is this girl—?"
"Dad, did you... have another daughter behind our backs?"
Gao Qi was completely dumbfounded.
...What in the world is going on?!
——————
Meanwhile, Raiden Mei, having hung up her ema, was happily heading back to find Gao Qi.
"Gao—huh? Kiana, and that... Bronya?"
But soon, she spotted two familiar figures.
"Why are they with Gao Qi, and... being so intimate?"
Feeling puzzled, Mei lifted her foot to walk toward them, intending to ask.
But suddenly, a force accompanied by purple lightning made her stop in her tracks.
[Ah, my foolish Mei, you are truly naive... Shh, don't move—watch closely what the one you love is hiding from you.]
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?