"Theresa... fourteen years have passed since we last parted. Are you... well?"
Just like in the past, Cecilia's gentle smile eased Theresa's emotions. Even after so long, she was still such a gentle person.
However, facing Cecilia's smile again, Theresa felt guilty, because she hadn't taken good care of Kiana, and even caused Siegfried to be hunted by Schicksal.
"I'm fine... Cecilia. I've fulfilled your wish. The students of St. Freya Academy are all Valkyries who cherish their lives."
"Ah... I see, that's wonderful, Theresa. But, we can't chat like before now. Since you've found us, I must leave."
More and more security personnel and Valkyries were gathering nearby. Not leaving now would only cause unnecessary trouble.
Although Cecilia's will truly wanted to stay with Theresa for a while longer, the current situation did not allow it to happen.
Just then, there was a sudden commotion among the members surrounding Cecilia. Turning around, they saw a figure rushing in from outside the encirclement at an extremely fast speed.
The person rushing in was Yae Sakura.
Although Inaba Tsukiyo had taken on Cecilia's appearance, she still recognized this person as Inaba Tsukiyo. With Higanbana's secret help, she rushed to Cecilia's side.
"Sakura... you shouldn't have come..."
"There's no 'shouldn't'. If these guys want to harm you, then what does it matter if I expose myself?"
Anyway, she had always been hiding in the dormitory without any mistakes. Since these guys wanted to cause trouble, it would be fine to leave St. Freya Academy with Cecilia and the others.
After Yae Sakura appeared, Higanbana used her power of erosion to corrode all the weapons in the hands of the Valkyries present. Although the power of erosion had no effect on Judah, it could reduce the opponent's combat power.
"Everyone, stand by me. We must leave here quickly."
Cecilia had Kiana and Yae Sakura stand by her side. The black abyss in her left hand disappeared, and she raised the white flower in her right hand high, her eyes narrowing.
"I am the black that devours all, I am the white that nurtures all; born before creation, existing after annihilation; divine key: Black Ought White Flower, First Output!"
"What? Could it be... All personnel! Quickly duck down!"
Realizing what Cecilia intended to do, Theresa quickly told the other members to cover their heads and duck down. She, meanwhile, pulled Himeko and hid behind Judah.
Although they didn't understand the meaning of Theresa's command, the person in front of them was the former S-Rank Valkyrie of Schicksal. If they weren't careful, they might perish here.
After everyone present had taken the appropriate measures, Cecilia raised the white flower in her left hand above her head and slammed it fiercely into the ground.
"Holy Lance Blossom!"
A pillar of light reaching the sky spread out from Cecilia, and the shockwave generated by the pillar of light blew away all the Valkyries present.
Even Himeko and Theresa, who were hiding behind Judah, were affected by this shockwave, their eyes tightly shut.
Himeko looked at the sky-reaching pillar of light in front of her, surprised that the move Cecilia used was so powerful.
"This is the power of a Schicksal S-Rank Valkyrie? It's terrifying."
The impact lasted for a long time. When the impact dissipated, Cecilia, Yae Sakura, and Kiana were all gone.
The Valkyries present had some scratches, but there were no casualties. The previous attack was only meant to scatter everyone.
After checking the injuries of everyone present, Theresa had the others investigate other corners of the Academy, while she and Himeko discussed why Cecilia would appear here.
"Headmaster, I think the reason Cecilia appeared here might be related to the videos that have recently appeared online."
"I know, but that reason doesn't have much to do with why Cecilia is at St. Freya Academy. I'm more interested in why Cecilia is at St. Freya Academy, and why I never discovered this?"
Theresa pressed her head, a little headache. She had been secretly investigating the video incident, and it turned out that the person she had been looking for was right in her St. Freya Academy. It was too ironic.
"Theresa... I think the most important issue is Kiana. She was taken away by Cecilia."
"No... Kiana is still safely in the dormitory. The Kiana we just saw... she is not the Kiana we know."
"...What does that mean, Headmaster?"
Suddenly, Raiden Mei walked out from the nearby bushes. She had been hiding there, eavesdropping on Theresa and Himeko's conversation.
Upon hearing that the two Kianas were actually different people, she finally couldn't help but step out. She wanted to figure out what was going on.
"Why does that girl look exactly like Kiana? Why do they have the same name? What exactly is going on? And what about Kiana?"
"Can you tell me what happened to them?"
Raiden Mei voiced all her doubts. She hadn't expected that simply following Inaba Tsukiyo out would lead to such a discovery.
She had a premonition that the Kiana who slacked off daily and failed exams might have some big secret that they didn't know.
Theresa looked at Raiden Mei with a calm expression, completely different from her usual self. Raiden Mei had originally thought Theresa would be flustered by her questions.
"Since you've found out, it's no use hiding it anymore. But this isn't the time to discuss such things. Come to my office, and I'll tell you everything slowly."
Theresa sighed. She really wanted to hide this issue, but if she didn't clarify it now, there would surely be a rift between Raiden Mei and Kiana.
As Kiana's maternal aunt, she had an obligation at this moment to make Raiden Mei understand what all of this was about.
However, this matter is not suitable for others to know; loose lips sink ships, and the fewer people who know, the better.
"Oh, right, Director Theresa. There's something I must tell you."
As Raiden Mei followed Theresa towards the Headmaster's office, Raiden Mei remembered something important.
"I was originally reading in my dorm room, but I suddenly noticed Tsukiyo leaving the room. I couldn't help but want to come and see what was going on, and I found…"
"Tsukiyo… transformed into Miss Cecilia's appearance and met another Kiana."
"What did you say!?"
On the other side, after using [Saint's Lance Bloom], Cecilia and the other two arrived on the rooftop of a building in Changkong City, which had previously been attacked by Honkai.
There were no safe houses in the Far East, and the spatial teleportation location couldn't be too far. While carrying others, they could only teleport to this place.
The most dangerous place was the safest place; even if this place was attacked by Honkai, no one would think they would hide here.
"Let's just find a random house to rest in for today. We'll consider our plans starting tomorrow."
She had originally planned to act with Bronya and the others, but due to the true Kiana's arrival, all plans were disrupted.
However, she didn't regret it. Compared to an unchanging plan, acting with the true Kiana was also good. After all, she had promised Cecilia's Original Body to take good care of Kiana.
From just now, the true Kiana had been clutching Cecilia's clothes, as if fearing Cecilia would suddenly leave.
This feeling was as if she was in a vast ocean, with only a small bamboo raft to rely on. Leaving the raft would mean facing the dangerous sea.
Moreover, this was probably what she desired most, as unlike the carefree Kiana, the true Kiana lived in loneliness every day.
Inaba Tsukiyo understood this feeling very well. She was an old veteran with hundreds of years of experience and naturally understood why she had become like this.
"What are you going to do now? Kiana. You should be Bishop Otto's person, right? Are you still planning to go back?"
"I… I don't know. But I don't want to be separated from Mama. I want to stay with Mama."
Kiana leaned into Cecilia's embrace, wrapping her arms around Cecilia's waist, speaking with deep attachment, just like when she was little.
"Then you can stay with me. However, I must tell you beforehand, I cannot always appear before you."
"Huh? Mama… Mama, are you going to leave me?"
Kiana looked at Cecilia in horror, increasing the strength of her hug, making Cecilia slightly breathless.
But she didn't blame her. She understood Cecilia's current situation, but there was nothing she could do. It was impossible to maintain her current state indefinitely.
"You also understand that I actually died fourteen years ago. The reason I can appear here in my current form is also due to a reason. You must have seen the video that appeared online recently, right?"
"Yes, I saw it. The video of Mama, and Bishop Otto's beloved Kallen, dancing with the Second Herrscher."
At this point, Kiana's expression became a little strange. After all, Cecilia died in battle with Sirin, yet now she was dancing and singing with Sirin, which was completely unimaginable.
"Ah haha~ Actually, there are many things in this that are difficult to explain. I'll tell you all about it later. Since you don't want to go back, then stay here. You'll understand my situation eventually."
"You're very tired now, Kiana. Get some good rest."
Under Cecilia's soothing, Kiana slowly closed her eyes, a sweet smile on her lips, gradually drifting off to sleep.
Cecilia gently picked up Kiana and carefully handed her to Yae Sakura, who was nearby.
After Yae Sakura took Kiana, Cecilia began to glow, transforming back into her Original Body, Inaba Tsukiyo.
"What should we do now, Tsukiyo? Everyone at the Academy must be looking for us, Bronya and the others…"
"I know, but we can't just leave her. She's already very lonely, we can't let her be lonely anymore."
"Did something happen to her? She seems different from the other Kiana."
"Actually, I'm not very clear either. I'll tell you what I know. For now, let's go find a place to rest."
"Mm, okay."
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!