"Origin, Truth, Finality, as well as the Gem of Serenity, and them in the Elysian Realm serving as anchor points fixed in reality."
Xia Qi looked at Kevin, speaking expressionlessly.
"..."
Kevin listened to Xia Qi's words, his gaze calm and cold as he watched her, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Xia Qi continued: "Using Origin, Truth, and Finality to leverage time, pulling those who had already died out from past timelines, then letting them merge with their memory bodies, and finally, using Domination, that is, the Herrscher of One Thousand..."
"Enough."
Kevin gently interrupted her.
He stared coldly and calmly at Xia Qi, and Xia Qi stared back expressionlessly. She had just felt a creeping unease.
Because everything she had just said was a lie she had instinctively woven together.
Using the things Otto had done in her memories, she had fabricated a seemingly reasonable story, one that had never been put into practice.
But it seemed that Kevin, the chill around him gradually dissipating, had believed her.
He had stopped her from continuing because, as she spoke, he had once again felt a sense of dread.
"Are the parallel world versions of us all this strong..."
Kiana stood to one side, listening blankly, her gaze very confused.
Raiden Mei, Himeko, and the others felt the same.
"Let's head back first."
Welt said solemnly to Xia Qi.
"Now that we've found Seele, and this Hyperion, let's leave the Quantum Sea first and discuss everything else afterward."
"Wait a moment."
Himeko interrupted him, looking at Xia Qi and asking: "Bronya, didn't you say before that you wanted to find your world?"
"It's not necessary anymore."
Xia Qi lowered her head slightly.
"Bronya... can no longer find the way back."
"..."
Although Xia Qi said nothing more, looking at the figures in the data console, some familiar and some not, everyone fell silent.
A Finality that had fought for humanity... had already fallen.
Then none of them wanted to think about what had come after.
An immense pressure weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.
Except for Xia Qi.
All the loose ends had been tied up. She felt an unusual calm inside.
It was just that, influenced by Bronya's memories, she wanted to transform into Seele later and let her and the others come out for some air.
"Then, let's return."
Xia Qi looked at everyone and said calmly.
"Once we're out, we'll likely need to discuss some matters of cooperation."
Welt looked at Kevin, then at Himeko, and finally settled his gaze on Xia Qi, speaking solemnly.
"Yes." Xia Qi nodded.
However, as she steered the battleship toward the Eye of the Deep Sea, she couldn't help but turn and look at Kevin with a puzzled expression.
"Bronya is very curious. Without the necessary clearance, how did you manage to start the Hyperion and find us?"
Instantly, everyone's gaze turned to Kevin.
"..."
Kevin was silent for a moment, then, meeting their stares, said expressionlessly: "That is not important."
"?"
...
Xia Qi stood at the bow of the Hyperion, looking down at a video the data console had transmitted to her device.
It was footage from the ship's stern.
Half an hour earlier, Kevin had been pushing the Hyperion forward through the void with his bare hands, his expression utterly blank.
"Bronya..."
But at that moment, she heard a timid voice behind her. She closed the video, saved it, and turned around.
"Seele..."
Looking at Seele standing behind her, the expression on Xia Qi's face softened considerably.
Bronya was standing right beside Seele, their hands intertwined. Her small face was still expressionless, as if the radiant, joyful smile she had shown in the lounge had been nothing more than an illusion.
"Are you... the Bronya from another world?"
Seele looked at Xia Qi, her manner timid and a little uneasy.
"Yes."
Xia Qi looked at Seele, her expression gentle, a small smile on her face.
"Bronya is from another world. And Bronya's Seele is just like you, very cute, Bronya's most precious little sister."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Bronya and said softly:
"Bronya believes that for your Bronya... it's the same."
"Yes."
Bronya nodded, holding Seele's hand a little tighter.
Xia Qi's smile widened slightly, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes as she watched them in silence, as if reminiscing. But the curve of her lips gradually faded without her realizing it.
"..."
Seele looked uncertain, glancing between Xia Qi and Bronya in quiet confusion.
The one in front of me is Bronya, and the one beside me is also Bronya. But the Bronya beside me is my real Bronya. Yet the Bronya in front of me is also Bronya, just from another world, but she still counts as my Bronya...
Looking at them both, Seele's eyes widened slightly, as if little swirls were spinning in them.
"Idiot Seele, thinking so much about it. Go on, reach out with your other hand and hold hers."
"R-really... should I really do that?"
"Of course. Can't you see? The other Bronya is very sad. It's your turn to comfort her. And having two Bronyas, what's wrong with that? Isn't it even better? Just like us~"
Hearing the other her's words, Seele instinctively reached out and gently took Xia Qi's hand.
"Bronya... you are also Seele's sister, even if it's from another world. Seele... hopes she can help you..."
Seele's face was a little flushed, but her eyes held sincere concern and warmth as she looked at Xia Qi.
"..."
Xia Qi looked at Seele, momentarily stunned.
Then a smile appeared on her face again.
She reached out and gently pinched Seele's cheek, then nodded.
"Bronya understands. Also, Bronya isn't too sad, okay? Besides, you two probably have a lot you want to talk about properly with your own Bronya. After all... she missed you very much too."
Xia Qi finished speaking, gently withdrew her hand from Seele's, turned, and walked toward the bridge.
"Idiot."
Seele stared blankly at Xia Qi's retreating figure. It was unclear whether the other her's words were directed at Seele, or at Xia Qi herself.
Xia Qi returned to the br
idge.
At that moment, everyone was still in the lounge. Kevin, in particular, stood with his arms crossed, silently staring at the figures in the photographs.
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