Chapter 280: Wanting to Be Lord Sigurd's Dog
"The purpose of coming here? Hmm... After all, the Herrscher of Thousands is still a Herrscher. It'd be a lie to say I wasn't interested. But the main reason is still Kiana's safety—it's simply too important for me to not take extra care. Also, I guessed that after the trial ended, you would definitely have some contingency planned for the Herrscher of Thousands. I wanted to see what it was so that I can learn from it!"
Otto said with a smile, no longer referring to Kiana as "K-423."
It's partly because of Kiana's performance, which had earned his approval, and partly because of the shifting dynamic between him and Sigurd, which made Otto consciously lower his attitude.
Sure enough, noticing the change in Otto's wording, Sigurd's expression softened a little as he said:
"Now you've seen it, I use a person that you probably won't be too happy about. I guess that's within your expectations too. So, want to have a chat with her?"
"I... do indeed want to have a talk with Miss Yae Sakura. But let's do it outside. I'll come find you afterward. Since you've already arranged the Herrscher of Thousands' aftermath, I won't delay you here any longer. See you in the real world."
Otto gave a long look at the complicated expression on Yae Sakura's face before disappearing from the theater.
Yae Sakura opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but seeing the now-empty platform, she could only lower her head in frustration.
"Lord Sigurd, may I... may I go see him?" she asked quietly.
"I forbade you from appearing before because I didn't want to provoke him. Now that he's invited you, you can go," Sigurd replied.
"I see... May I ask one thing—if he tries to kill me, would you step in for me?" Yae Sakura asked carefully.
"Not necessarily. Depends on his attitude. Your value is high, but even at his lowest, Otto's value is still three times yours."
"You're brutally honest," Yae Sakura said with a bitter smile.
Sigurd, expression unchanged, replied:
"I told you from the beginning: you work for me, and I'll help you resurrect Kallen. But it's nothing more than a cooperative relationship. If you slip up and provoke Otto, I won't protect you, it wouldn't be worth it."
"But I didn't know at the start... that this was also part of your deal with Mr. Otto, right?
It feels like I got used for free," Yae Sakura said softly, a little grievance in her voice.
But it was only a little grievance. Deep down, Yae Sakura had no objection to serving Sigurd.
After all, being saved from darkness and despair was a tremendous favor. Helping resurrect Kallen was an even greater one.
Moreover, working against Honkai was, in a sense, her way of atoning for her past mistakes.
In every sense, Yae Sakura was willing to serve Sigurd.
"Don't say such depressing things... Relax. Knowing Otto, if he wanted to kill you, he would have quietly wiped you out without me even knowing about it. The fact that he openly invited you means he has no killing intent. You can go meet him without worry. Of course, if you say something wrong during your conversation and provoke him, then I can't guarantee your safety," Sigurd said carelessly.
Despite his cold words, he had already vaguely grasped some of Otto's intentions.
This time, Yae Sakura wouldn't be in real danger.
And once her identity became more openly accepted by Otto, it would be easier for Sigurd to make use of her.
Yae Sakura sighed. "Understood, Sakura will obey."
Toward Otto, Yae Sakura mostly felt guilt.
She already knew that Otto was Kallen's fiancé, that he loved Kallen deeply, and had been struggling for over five hundred years to bring her back to life.
She also knew that one of the critical catalysts for Kallen's death was Kallen's love for her—
Well, based on the information she had dug up so far, that seemed to be more or less the case.
In short, in Yae Sakura's view, she bore a significant responsibility for both Kallen's death and the five centuries of pain and sorrow endured by poor, devoted Otto.
Sigurd studied her for a moment.
Honestly speaking, he had little psychological insight into this straightforward subordinate, so he couldn't tell what she was thinking.
But it didn't matter. The matter here was already concluded.
Sigurd soon cut off the communication.
Yae Sakura remained standing on the platform, unaware of the passage of time. After a while, however, the dolls on the ground slowly began to get up.
"My life is as humble as an insect's, but even such a lowly being as myself has been saved by a glorious light! Lord Sigurd is eternal!"
"Living is for Lord Sigurd alone!"
"Ah! I so desperately want to be Lord Sigurd's dog!"
"The ultimate truth of life is nothing more than to be Lord Sigurd's dog—and to become a better dog for Lord Sigurd!"
"Becoming Lord Sigurd's dog is the greatest honor of my life!"
Voices rang out one after another—some dolls raising their heads in praise, others kneeling in prayer, all of them so devout that it felt disturbingly like a cult.
Hearing these words, Yae Sakura awkwardly touched the hilt of her sword, thoroughly embarrassed.
Even though she had adjusted the Key of Corruption herself under Sigurd's instructions and personally carried out the operation, this scene was still way too absurd!
[–He really has the worst sense of humor! Big Sis, I suggest we get out of here early—otherwise, sooner or later, that guy's gonna sell us off.] said Higokumaru, grumbling inside her mind.
"Shh, Higokumaru, better not let Lord Sigurd hear that. Or he might spank you," Yae Sakura warned playfully.
[Aaaah! Big Sis, can you please forget about that incident already?!] Higokumaru wailed.
"Haha! Come on now, Lord Sigurd may be sharp-tongued and have some questionable tastes, but he really is working to save this threatened world. We should do our best to help him... Still, I didn't expect our corruption powers could actually distort a Herrscher's mind so easily."
[What Herrscher? They're just a bunch of half-baked fakes! That guy's brain is really on another level—top-notch even by the previous era standards. He redefined my erosion ability as 'informational corruption' and massively enhanced it. Against complete Herrschers, it might be tricky, but for these half-finished ones? One slice and they're done!]
Higokumaru said smugly.
"Yeah... Lord Sigurd really is a genius," Yae Sakura agreed softly.
[Hmph! If he hadn't saved you, I wouldn't bother cooperating with such an annoying guy— Tch, what a pain!]
Higokumaru grumbled under her breath.
Yae Sakura simply smiled warmly.
In the black mist–shrouded world, she shone like a vibrant light piercing through the darkness.
In truth, Yae Sakura knew very well that her tsundere little sister didn't actually dislike Sigurd at all, especially someone who felt no fear or loathing toward them.
On the contrary, she actually quite liked the little toys and treats that Sigurd would occasionally toss into the Key of Corruption.
However, Lord Sigurd really did speak a bit too bluntly—especially toward a tsundere little girl. He had zero tolerance, and every encounter left Higokumaru, who always said one thing and meant another, absolutely fuming.
"Miss! Where is Lord Sigurd? I want to lick his boots!"
SLAP!
Without thinking, Yae Sakura smacked away the overly serious doll that had approached her.
But then, even more dolls noticed the platform and rushed over.
"Lord Sigurd! Take me to see Lord Sigurd!"
"I want to be Lord Sigurd's dog!"
Yae Sakura's eye twitched uncontrollably.
If she weren't here to fully confirm the situation and relay Sigurd's orders, she would have bolted from this world already!
. . . . . . . .
In an unnamed pocket world within the Sea of Quanta, Kiana suddenly opened her eyes.
Standing by the bed, Sigurd looked down at her and let out a long, soft sigh.
"You're awake? The baby was aborted, but we can make another one if we work hard, so don't be too sad."
"〣(ºΔº)〣… (ー_ー)!!"
Kiana's expression first froze in utter shock, then shifted to pure speechlessness.
"Sig, do you think I'm stupid?"
"If you are not stupid, then why do you make yourself like this?" Sigurd squeezed her bandage-wrapped cheek in annoyance.
Kiana guiltily tugged the blanket up, hiding her face a little.
"I mean… I succeeded, right?"
"Yeah. You succeeded. If it weren't for me, you would've successfully gotten yourself killed."
"...Don't be mad! I'm sorry, okay?"
"Apologizing sincerely, but never changing, that's your bad habit," Sigurd said blankly.
At that, Kiana pulled the blanket completely over her head, trying to hide from the impending lecture bombardment she knew was coming.
After a long while, hearing no sound, Kiana cautiously poked her head out again.
Sigurd reached out and gently touched her forehead.
"I'm glad you're alive," he said quietly.
Kiana paused, then reached out and grabbed Sigurd's hand.
"Sig, I love you."
"...Don't say such sweet words now..
"But I really do love you, Sig," Kiana said, blinking up at him, her crystal-clear eyes filled with sincerity.
Sigurd was silent for a long time before finally replying:
"I love you too."
"Mm, I know."
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little."
"Where does it hurt?"
"Everywhere... So, um, kiss me, okay? That's the best painkiller!" Kiana said seriously, batting her eyes.
Sigurd could only tilt his head back and let out a long sigh.
He had been bottling up his anger earlier, thinking that once she woke up, he would teach her a lesson she'd never forget, something that would shake her soul itself.
And yet now… why can't he get angry now?
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