Making Honkai Impact lll In A World Where Kallen Exists [Continuation]

The next morning,

"Boss, I heard there was quite a ruckus at your place, and there was a house that collapsed?"

Su Luo suppressed a smile, her face twisted as she looked at Luo Mo. She was on the verge of bursting into laughter. A reunion that ended up collapsing a building. Was it a terrorist attack?

No, wait—

Terrorists wouldn't stand a chance against a group of S-rank Valkyries. She was quite certain of that.

"Speaking of… last night's champagne, did you guys finish it? Just say it here,"

Luo Mo glanced at the sinister smile on her face, sat down, picked up his cup, and asked.

"Cham… champagne? Huh, in the end, we just couldn't finish it…"

Su Luo sighed helplessly, telling the truth.

-----

In another possibility, during that tug-of-war of consciousness, the Herrscher of Sentience didn't hold on until the end. At that moment, the system didn't have time to respond, and she was pulled back to her original world.

Even though her final words were sharp, mysteriously masked by electronic noise, they left one last statement echoing: "I'll be back!"

The others were still frozen in place, unable to help.

(TL/N: I'm still not sure if this is a 'What IF' or it did really happen. So, let's just go with 'It did happened' for now.)

-----

The once cloud-covered sky cleared up, sunlight shining on this small town.

Although that man was gone, traces of him remained everywhere.

Within this small town that had stood for centuries under the 500-year rule of Schicksal, every corner seemed to bear his mark.

Theresa was leaning on the bridge by the river in the small town of Korosten, lost in thought.

The calm, yet surging river flowed gently, its surface unbroken. A gentle breeze carried away the scars left by battle, and people gradually returned.

Time is like a flowing river, moves forward unceasingly and cannot be stopped by anyone.

The world will not stop because of one person's disappearance, nor does it sink into endless grief because of someone's departure.

Yet… even so, she would occasionally think of that person who left without saying goodbye.

Perhaps he had already said his farewells, but no one expected he would leave for good… But now he really was gone.

The breeze stirred her hair, and before she knew it, Theresa found herself nostalgic for the past.

In a blink, she herself was about to shoulder the responsibilities of Schicksal as the nee Overseer…

It all felt a bit unreal. Even though that great battle had ended, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

She murmured to herself,

"Is… everything really over?"

Her blue eyes gazed at birds circling in the distance. The world, now quiet without that person, felt eerily silent, even a little unsettling.

She brushed back a strand of hair and quietly enjoyed the morning.

'I've been a bit too busy lately. Without realizing… so many days have passed.'

'Schicksal's headquarters continues to operate smoothly, everyone at their posts as usual… just a bit busier than before.'

'The events of the past few days feel like a hazy dream, lacking a sense of reality.'

'I don't know why, but I keep having this feeling: perhaps, sometime in the future, he'll appear somewhere else, release another video, and casually stir up another big event…'

'Just like that day when he announced his resignation to the whole world.'

'No…'

'What am I even thinking? Grandpa has indeed…'

Theresa shook her head, her thoughts accidentally swept away by memories, leaving her in a slight daze.

When it came to that troublesome grandpa, he must have found her equally troublesome as a granddaughter.

But soon, a familiar voice sounded in her ear, loud and unrestrained, showing no sign of holding back, startling her.

"Hey, don't worry, Otto is really dead. There was some reluctance at the time, but thinking about it now, it's actually quite satisfying!"

The Herrscher of Sentience came along casually, chatting with Fu Hua, her expression gleeful like a child's, far removed from the destructive figure she used to be.

Now and then, she would point enthusiastically at nearby buildings, her excitement visible. The happiness was written all over her face.

Speaking of which… no one knew where she went. When she returned, she simply appeared in the town, her anger mysteriously dissipated, and she had quickly become friendly with Kiana and the others. Even when they acted cautiously around her, she just smiled it off.

It's hard to believe what she has been through these days...

Fu Hua initially thought she should learn how to apologize to her, but now it seemed unnecessary. Instead, she felt a bit troubled as the Herrscher tugged her wrist closer.

"Come on, old Timer, hurry, hurry! Why are you so slow? Isn't this your old haunt?"

"And I already promised there'd be someone keeping an eye on me at all times. You can relax! Let's go!"

The Herrscher of Sentience chastised Fu Hua without holding back, pointing fingers with an expression full of exasperation, like an energetic girl ready for a day out.

As for Fu Hua's injuries… well, fighting was out of the question, but walking wouldn't be too hard.

"No… that's not it. Look over there, in the distance, it's Principal Theresa, isn't it?"

Fu Hua pushed her glasses up, her lenses catching a cold glint, as she defended herself.

"Where? Where?" The Herrscher of Sentience raised herself on tiptoes, looking around, but couldn't spot anyone.

Fu Hua fell silent, watching as the principal approached the Herrscher, gritting her teeth and clenching her fist, glaring up at her.

The Herrscher of Sentience instinctively looked down, only to find a small, angry face staring at her with fierce eyes.

"You ...did you do this on purpose?"

Theresa said angrily, seeing how the Herrscher hadn't learned a single good thing during her absence.

"Ahaha, maybe I really didn't see you?"

The Herrscher of Sentience turned her head to the side, whistling as if nothing was wrong.

"Say that again, but look at me while you say it!"

"Heh heh, no way! I'd feel guilty."

The Herrscher of sentience replied smugly. She then noticed the grinding sound of the other's teeth, her face tinged with a slight blush, out of irritation. She had a sense that the Theresa might actually want to bite her, so she decided to strike first.

"wait!, wait! Haven't you been curious about where I went the past few days? Even though it felt surreal upon returning, I did watch your battles. That part is definitely true~" the Herrscher of sentience said teasingly.

"Watching us?"

Theresa and Fu Hua exchanged glances, then looked at her in surprise.

"Speaking of which, Otto had some last words for you, Theresa. He said, ahem, 'Theresa, eat some fruits and vegetables other than bitter melon occasionally.'"

The Herrscher of sentience, recalling something amusing, coughed a few times to clear her throat, then imitated the somber voice of a person she remembered.

"…You always stay up late. Your body should get more nutrition."

"…"

Theresa pressed her lips together, eyeing her suspiciously. That didn't sound like her grandpa at all.

"Hm… don't believe me, huh? Let me think… 'Theresa, the magic of cooking with love is gone. Take better care of yourself, alright~'"

"Fine! I believe you!"

Theresa initially felt exposed, as if her embarrassing dark history had been uncovered. Then, she recalled that it was something from a long time ago. so far back that none of her students could possibly know. The only likely source was indeed her grandpa himself.

"So… you went to a higher dimension and observed everything in this world, including Grandpa, Otto's final steps?" Theresa said, hesitantly, as her gaze softened.

"Hehe… well, I wouldn't call it a 'higher dimension,' but even I had a new perspective on Otto in his final moments."

"Instead of a higher dimension, it's more like I witnessed the formation of a split world. His saint actually survived that fateful death."

The Herrscher of sentience murmured, waving her right hand. A fishing rod appeared in her hand, and she cast the hook into the river below, sending ripples across the still water.

Whether there were fish or not didn't really matter. she simply thought the scenery was too perfect not to fish.

"…He succeeded? Heh, of course he did. It is Grandpa, after all; he never failed at what he set his mind to."

Theresa was initially taken aback, but her worries eased, a subtle joy filling her heart. Despite her calm exterior, deep down she was glad. If it didn't involve so many lives, she would want him to achieve his dreams, too.

"Haha… well, it's hard to say. His earlier life was full of failures, after all. Let's leave the past behind." The Herrscher of Sentience looked at the undisturbed water, then impatiently jerked the fishing rod.

"Ugh, Li Sushang made a good point; people need to focus on the present. Look, the old Timer was saving her strength to help Kiana, and she ended up losing that duel."

After three minutes with no bites, she tossed the illusionary rod aside and turned to Fu Hua, showing mild irritation.

"Tch, what a pity. One of these days I'll have to duel her again, or my ranking will slip. Come on, old Timer, give me a break."

"Uh… battle ranking?"

Fu Hua adjusted her glasses and raised an eyebrow, not following the Herrscher's train of thought.

"Sigh, you see, you and Kiana beat me, then you lost to Sushang. Now I have to prove I'm stronger than Sushang! Otherwise, how am I supposed to earn respect from the public?"

The Herrscher argued with conviction. She'd let the old timer off, and Kiana was the protagonist. Losing to the two of them was acceptable. But letting that junior stand on top of her? Not a chance! She had to prove herself!

"Uh-huh… Herrscher of sentience, your thinking is so scattered, I can't keep up."

Theresa rubbed her temples in exasperation. At first, she had sounded serious, but now she was all over the place! Couldn't she be more focused?

The once-comfortable breeze suddenly felt slightly irritating. She had learned so much at once, and it hadn't quite sunk in, but that familiarity in her words… It was clear she truly understood the world's happenings.

"... 'Herrscher of sentience,' huh? It feels strange to be called that now. Ugh, habits really do change people," the Herrscher said, suddenly looking a bit wistful.

She really miss the atmosphere of that other world. Otherwise, she wouldn't have first gone to Taixu Mountain for some quiet time. But she couldn't stand it there and had to come here instead. Still… after experiencing both places, the differences felt huge.

"…forget it, let's drop the 'Herrscher' stuff. Here's a deal for you guys: either call me 'Great Herrscher of sentience,' or just 'Little senti.'" She waved her hand dismissively, with a somewhat forlorn expression.

Ugh… and she still hadn't drawn her Durandal character in the game yet. Too bad! That horse looked pretty cool! Wait… shouldn't she be able to see the real version now?

The realization dawned on her.

"The Great… Little senti?"

Theresa saw her expression darken and quickly changed her tone. "Your information about that side... might as well call everyone together and talk about it."

She suggested.

"Huh… back in that world, you even stood on the podium and lectured me twice, giving tons of homework. I remember I got caught copying the old timer's work…"

The Herrscher of sentience seemed pleased with the title, then suddenly recalled something mischievous, scrutinizing Theresa with a mischievous glint.

"Uh…"

Classes… homework…?

Theresa blinked, feeling like it was ages ago. And… in that world… could the Herrscher of sentience really sit in a classroom and study?

Theresa felt disconnected from reality.

----

On the Hyperion, arranging a room large enough for everyone wasn't difficult, and the privacy features ensured their discussion would remain confidential.

The Herrscher of sentience recounted her journey, though she left out some core details, focusing on things relevant to those present.

"So… it was an experience like that… but it doesn't seem all that different from our side? Familiar people, except for Mei…"

Kiana said calmly, though her emotions wavered slightly when she heard Mei was still in the academy. The part about being turned into a game character, though, caught her off guard.

"The Overseer, as his last student… I will remember his teachings,"

Durandal nodded, her expression complex. That person had left a profound impact on her life, so much that almost everything she'd done carried traces of his influence, even if she eventually resisted him.

"…Why are you looking at me like that, Little Senti?"

She touched her head, puzzled by the Herrscher's gaze.

"Hm… where is your horse? 'Crush them, Cristina!'"

The Herrscher of sentience smirked, eager.

"Uh… that's my battle partner, not something I summon casually. And I've never said that line."

Durandal replied seriously, staring at her.

"Tch, fine. Still… your hair color's odd. Even if the Kaslana gene awakens, it can only occupy a small tuft of white hair~"

The Herrscher glanced at Durandal's white hair and suddenly said.

"Huh? Kaslana… you mean…"

Theresa looked puzzled, then seemed to realize something, her face showing shock.

"Huh? Could it be…"

Kiana looked over at her battle companion, someone she had previously clashed with but now saw as an ally. They would surely stand together against future battles.

"…Sigh. I've been waiting for the right moment to tell you. Based on what I found in the Kaslana family's stigmata space, I am indeed… that Kiana."

"Wait, does that mean… I should call you… Big sister?!"

Kiana tilted her head, her typically calm expression faltering.

"well...."

Durandal nodded slightly, turning her head.

Regarding this somewhat shocking news,

None of them had expected that, at this moment, they would suddenly find themselves in a sisterly bond.

"Sister?"

Kiana couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

She had always been curious about Durandal's return, the lone white streak in her hair, the newfound powers she wielded. Sometimes, the look Durandal gave her held a deep complexity.

All of these things had hinted at something more. But connecting it to this… from the way she looked now, it was clear she had never even considered this possibility. To suddenly gain a sister, who was also her comrade-in-arms. what was she supposed to do?

Kiana clenched her hand, relaxed, then clenched it again, repeating the motion several times until her palms began to feel damp with sweat.

"Um... sister Durandal?… no, Kiana oni-chan… ugh…"

For a moment, this invincible Herrscher of Flamescion was stumbling over a simple form of address, tripping on her words.

"Uh... Kiana-chan, just call me by my original name. The name 'Kiana' is yours now… as for Siegfried… Dad made the mistake..."

Durandal sighed, rubbing her forehead as if she were grappling with the complications of it all.

"I'll tell him clearly myself when the time comes."

Why did they have to choose the same name? If not for the memory loss afterward, it seemed she'd come to accept calling Durandal by that name...

"Okay, Big Sister Durandal~ Ah, wait... did you just say... Dad?"

Kiana's eyes lit up.

She had searched everywhere for Siegfried many times before, but there was never any information.

As for the sister in front of her, though Aunt Theresa seemed surprised, she held Durandal's hand seriously, suggesting a possible connection.

Besides… the strongest Valkyrie wouldn't need to fake such an identity.

"Hehe— surprised? Honestly, I've been shocked about this for a long time myself!"

The Herrscher of Sentience nodded, satisfied with the shocked expressions of those present. Starting with such a surprising topic had definitely grabbed their attention.

Then, she pretended to be mysterious as she asked another question.

"But what's even more surprising is you guys in another world! Tsk tsk, you really became a pair of good sisters there. And guess what? There's someone else who's your sister too. Who could it be?"

"Another sister?"