Honkai: Strijder
Chapter 436: Staying the Night
While some people's emotions were running particularly high, the day quietly passed.
That night, in Sigurd's study, Durandal arrived right on time.
"Sit. Milk or warm water, which would you like?"
"Water will be fine, Lord Sigurd."
Durandal replied calmly and respectfully. She gave everyone the respect they deserved, but her great strength and firm heart also gave her the confidence to remain composed in front of anyone.
Sigurd nodded.
Without needing any verbal instruction or gesture, Bronya had already walked to Durandal's side and poured her a glass of water.
"Thank you."
Durandal politely thanked Bronya.
Bronya nodded and returned a faint, courteous smile.
Then the scene settled into place:
Sigurd and Durandal sat facing each other.
Kiana and Sin Mal leaned against either side of Sigurd's chair, eating fresh sour jujubes and plums.
Bronya stood beside the desk, ready to assist at any moment.
Sigurd interlocked his fingers and placed his hands on the table.
"I called you here because there's something I need to tell you."
"Please speak, Lord Sigurd. Whatever the order may be, Durandal will carry it out with all her strength!"
"It's not an order… anyway, take a look at this information. I extracted it from the data black box of the Cosmic Juggernaut this morning. It can basically be confirmed as factual."
Sigurd moved his fingers slightly.
A three-dimensional projection appeared above the desk.
Durandal blinked in confusion, but remembering that following instructions came first, she focused her attention on the holographic images. The footage wasn't completely continuous, but the logical connections between scenes were still clear enough.
…
"Kiana, don't be afraid! Dad will protect you!"
"I'm not scared! You're the one who should worry, stupid dad—take care of yourself and her first!"
"Ah! Anyway, Theresa gave us the map. She'll hold back the main forces in the base. I've got friends outside ready to help us. We're going to force our way out!"
"Understood!"
…
In the footage, Siegfried carried an unconscious little girl on his back while holding the hand of another identical-looking girl, rushing forward as Valkyries pursued them.
Durandal frowned slightly as she watched.
"This is… the incident when Siegfried broke into Schicksal years ago?"
She asked herself quietly, unable to understand why she was being shown this footage. However, as someone who valued discipline, she didn't question it before the viewing finished and simply continued watching attentively.
…
"Stupid dad, take her and go first! I'll cover your retreat!"
"Don't joke around! We're almost out of—Kiana, watch out!!!"
BOOM!!!
"No!!!"
…
Durandal rubbed her head uncomfortably.
She couldn't explain why, but the scene—and Siegfried's desperate roar when he saw "Kiana" struck in the head by debris and fall into the mountains—made her feel deeply uneasy.
Subconsciously, Durandal looked toward Kiana.
Because of Sigurd's involvement, Otto had greatly increased the secrecy surrounding the information that Kiana was a clone. At present, Durandal knew nothing about it.
'If the original Kiana Kaslana had already died… then she… must be the girl Siegfried was carrying on his back? A clone created by the Overseer?'
Durandal silently pondered this.
But just then she noticed Kiana looking back at her with a gentle smile.
Durandal froze for a moment, touched her nose awkwardly, and strangely felt a bit embarrassed.
…
"What remarkable vitality. Struck in the head by aircraft debris and falling into a deep valley, yet she still showed signs of life when discovered. I don't even need to replace her body tissues with soulium—only use it to activate her natural regenerative ability. Heh, truly a monstrous girl."
"Overseer, you intend to…"
"I don't intend to do anything to her. I don't need her to become some 'Kiana Kaslana.' She has the right to escape the conflicts of adults and walk a path that truly belongs to her—to become the strongest Valkyrie in history, someone more valuable to Schicksal and to humanity. You can understand that, can't you, Miss Lothbrok?"
"Th-this…"
…
"Senior Ragna!?"
Durandal suddenly shot up from her seat, instinctively stepping forward. Then her pupils shrank and she abruptly held her breath.
She looked at Kiana.
Kiana was still gazing at her with a gentle smile, though now there was a trace of apology in her eyes.
…
"Since you've already forgotten the past, why not choose a name you like here?"
"Hmm… Bianca… Bianca Ataegina. I like that one!"
"Good, very good! From today onward, that will be your name."
"Mm, thank you, Overseer!"
…
Thud!
Durandal collapsed back into her chair, her expression blank.
She grabbed a lock of her smooth golden hair, watching it shimmer under the lights with a brilliant golden glow. Then she looked toward Kiana again, opened her mouth—and found herself unable to speak.
"Want some sour jujubes? They're great for the appetite!"
Kiana walked around the table to stand in front of Durandal, holding out a plate of fruit she had already eaten half of.
Durandal looked at Kiana's smile, lowered her head, and after a moment of silence asked in a low voice:
"This… isn't some kind of joke or prank, right?"
"No. It's real. Though to be fair, we only found out about it a day earlier than you did."
"I… Half a year ago, when they came with you to attack Schicksal headquarters… they were actually looking for me?"
"Yes, they were looking for you. But at that time, we thought you were someone else… Well, that's a long and complicated story. We can talk about it later."
As she spoke, Kiana crouched down, trying to see Durandal's expression.
Durandal turned her head away, not letting Kiana see her face. Then, in a somewhat hoarse voice, she slowly said:
"I even fought all of you."
"That's true. The title of the strongest Valkyrie in history is absolutely deserved, you nearly wiped out all three of us by yourself!"
"…Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong. I don't know whether you'll accept me or not, but when I learned that Durandal was actually the person I was cloned from… I felt honored. Truly, incredibly honored. I'm serious—I'm not lying to you!"
Kiana stayed crouched in front of Durandal, tilting her head up and looking at her with eyes that shone like stars, filled with warm sincerity.
At that moment, Durandal suddenly realized something.
Kiana's eyes—clear and pure blue like an icy lake and the open sky—were exactly the same as the ones she saw when looking into a mirror.
Under Kiana's gentle smile, Durandal unconsciously raised her hand and placed it on top of Kiana's head, softly stroking it. Her fingers felt the silky softness and warmth of Kiana's hair, making it hard to let go.
Slowly, Durandal's lips curved upward as well.
That night, Durandal stayed overnight in Sigurd's room.
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