A young boy was passionately expressing his love for "Alahato."
Would I... really be bound by some hollow mission to protect the world?
—As if!
The boy watching the anime gritted his teeth, gripping a figurine in his hand.
*At fifteen, I ran away from home.
For the next four years, I traveled across the world.*
I wanted to see with my own eyes—to determine the meaning of my existence.
Time passed, and that runaway boy grew into a man.
[Siegfried]: "Heavy Armor Alahato... Ah, the nostalgia!"
[March 7th]: "A mecha anime? Seems like something Mr. Yang would like."
[Siegfried]: "The creator of this anime is none other than your Mr. Yang!"
[Stelle]: "Mr. Yang, I never knew you could do something like this!"
[Honkai: Star Rail - Welt]: "Ahem... That was all in the past."
[Einstein]: "Your Mr. Yang is quite the polymath—he's drawn manga, produced anime, and even been a teacher."
[March 7th]:"Wow, impressive!"
[Kiana]:"I never knew my deadbeat dad used to be a runaway delinquent!"
[Siegfried]: "Ah, the recklessness of youth...
The me back then probably wouldn't recognize who I am now.
Judging by the timeline, this should be right before my first meeting with Cecilia."*
1991, Danish Border
Inside a large cargo truck, three Valkyries were assigned to escort a shipment of classified weapons.
Just as they neared their destination, a crimson glow flashed across the vehicle—and the entire truck was lifted into the air.
In the distance, a lone figure manipulated the truck's gravitational pull.
The Valkyries acted swiftly, leaping from the airborne vehicle mid-flight.
Cecilia raised her weapon, pointing it straight at the enemy!
Standing atop the overturned truck, Welt held a dark cube in his hand. "So this is... the weapon rumored to kill a Herrscher?"
He crushed it—only to find it empty.
At that moment, the other two Valkyries attacked Welt while he was still processing the deception.
Welt barely spared them a glance.
Summoning a replica of Eden's Star, he unleashed overwhelming gravity, pinning them down before they could even stand.
*"Hey, young lady.
Your chance is now."*
Their frontal assault had been a diversion—buying time for Cecilia to strike.
From above, Cecilia descended like a falling star, her spear aimed straight at Welt!
[March 7th]: *"Mr. Yang, why do you seem like such a villain here?"*
[Honkai: Star Rail - Welt]: *"At the time, Anti-Entropy and Schicksal were still hostile factions.
My actions were... justifiable under those circumstances."*
[Kiana]: *"Mom seems so cold and aloof here!
Nothing like the gentle presence she had when we first met her."*
[Siri]:"Damn you, Siegfried..."
***THUD!
THUD!***
A ten-meter-tall Chariot-class Honkai Beast lumbered down the highway toward a nearby town.
*"Hey!
Stop right there!"*
"This is a motorway—Honkai Beasts aren't allowed to walk here!"
*"Running into me?
Tough luck!"*
Nineteen-year-old Siegfried stood defiantly before the beast, a baseball bat resting on his shoulder.
[Raiden Mei]: "Kiana... Is wielding baseball bats just a Kaslana family tradition?"
[Otto]:"Truly fitting for a Kaslana—charging at a Honkai Beast with nothing but a bat..."
[Elysia]: "Right, Kevin? I heard you used a baseball bat too during the Third Eruption while protecting Mei."
[Stelle]: "Why are so many people trying to steal my 'Galactic Slugger' title?!
I won't allow it!!"
[Kevin]: "...Bats are practical."
"—Phew, that was easy."
"Taking out this Honkai Beast that Schicksal missed means a fat paycheck."
"Plus, I heard the client's a real beauty~ Who knows?
She might even fall for me...
Heh~"
After defeating the beast, Siegfried swaggered down the road, drooling at the thought of meeting a gorgeous woman.
"Huh?
The sky..."
"Something's falling..."
"Wait—is that... a person?!"
Realizing what was plummeting toward him, Siegfried frantically caught the falling figure.
"Ow ow ow...
Who is this girl?"
Cradling the unconscious Cecilia in his arms, he asked urgently, "Hey!
You okay?"
---...
Meanwhile...
"The box was empty.
The so-called 'Herrscher Killer' was just false intel."
Welt stood at the scene, explaining to Dr. Einstein as she arrived.
"Are you injured?" She noticed blood on his hand.
Welt shook his head. "No.
That's from the white-haired girl."
"When I sent her flying, her blood splattered onto me."
"We must capture her."
Removing his glove, Welt revealed corroded wounds on his hand. "I believe... the secret of the 'Herrscher Killer' lies within her."
[Siegfried]: *"Ahh, memories...
That was my first meeting with Cecilia.
I was so shocked when she fell from the sky."*
[Kiana]: "Deadbeat!
You were still thinking about other women back then?!"
[Siegfried]: "Cough—I hadn't met Cecilia yet!
Now, my heart belongs only to her."
As he spoke, Siegfried—now recuperating in Anti-Entropy—gazed at the screen as if Cecilia's smile were right before him again.
With his remaining arm, he downed an entire bottle of liquor in frustration... before tears began streaming uncontrollably down his face.
[Theresa]: "...Cecilia."
How could Cecilia be only Siegfried's "white moonlight"?
Even Theresa's expression darkened with sorrow—something Himeko noticed with surprise.
[March 7th]: "Mr. Yang's last line makes him sound even more like a villain."
[Stelle]:"And a kidnapper!"
Welt could only sigh under their accusatory stares.
Given the conflict between their factions at the time, his actions did, admittedly, seem questionable in hindsight.
Meanwhile—Elysian Realm
After Welt stopped interfering with Kevin's return to reality, Kevin easily exited—bringing both Welt and Seele along to World Serpent's headquarters.
Seele—a girl housing a complete Stigma consciousness—and Welt—a Herrscher with human emotions—were both delightful surprises for Elysia!
Seele thrived in World Serpent, becoming something of a mascot in the Elysian Realm.
The only one suffering was poor Welt Yang.
Now, under Miss Pink Elf♪'s disapproving gaze after watching the footage—despite initially feeling no guilt—Welt suddenly felt his conscience sting.
Truly... no one could resist Miss Pink Elf♪!