–While Kiana was still in a coma–
Mei woke up first and was arranged by Theresa to be taken to an isolation room with surveillance cameras.
It was dark and spacious, with cameras in all four corners. The walls and ceiling were made of special metal, to prevent Mei from suddenly going mad and turning into a Herrscher again.
Herrscher of Thunder: Who are you calling crazy!
Mei sat alone by the wall, head bowed, her eyes somewhat vacant.
'Has Kiana woken up yet? Is Bronya alright? When will I... be executed? I've already accepted this outcome, but why does my heart feel so heavy... it's suffocating.'
Mei clutched her chest. She had already prepared herself for death. After all, she had killed so many people; death was the best atonement.
It can't be, right? There's no way someone who caused the death of a group of people wouldn't have to atone, but could instead happily achieve their wishes, right? What do you these people are, some livestock or insects?
Just as Mei was thinking this, the door to the isolation room was pushed open. A red-haired woman walked in. Mei recognized her; she was the one who tried to stop her when her body was taken over.
"Mei, right? Your friends are fine. The little girl named Bronya has also settled into a dormitory in the academy." Although she already knew the name, perhaps for caution, the red-haired woman asked again. Only when Mei nodded did she tell her about Kiana and Bronya's situation.
"Is that so? That's wonderful..."
Mei forced a smile. Knowing Bronya's situation, she felt relieved. Now, all she had to do was... wait for Kiana to wake up, say goodbye to her, and then she could... she could...
Mei didn't want to think any further. A new life had just begun. She still wanted to stay with them. There were still so many things she wanted to do with Bronya and Kiana...
Mei suppressed the bitterness and sorrow in her heart and looked up at Himeko.
"Next, please... allow me to say goodbye to my friends, and then you can do whatever you want with me."
Himeko looked at the sadness and faint death wish in Mei's eyes, frowning slightly, and asked coldly, "Even if it means killing you? If one less Herrscher exists, perhaps the world can be saved from the prophecy of destruction."
"Is that so... Then that's good. If I continue to live, I will definitely harm others... So, as long as I die..."
Before Mei could finish speaking, Himeko slapped her across the face. She covered her face, looking at Himeko with shock and confusion.
"Don't joke around! I am a warrior fighting Honkai! Not an executioner who kills young girls!" Himeko roared at the girl who didn't cherish her own life.
"But, but I... I was the one who kill everyone in Nagazora..." Tears welled up in Mei's eyes. The girl still believed that she had caused the deaths of millions in Nagazora.
Himeko was stunned for a moment. She hadn't expected that the girl in front of her knew nothing?
"Listen, the one who caused the deaths of Nagazora's citizens was not only you, Mei. The main reason of this eruption was not you either." How could Schicksal not find the culprit of the Third Eruption? Moreover, if Theresa wanted to investigate, the Schicksal Bishop, who doted on his granddaughter, would definitely agree.
"What?"
"Listen carefully, little girl, You are not the only one who responsible for a million of people life; you are also a victim."
"But, but I'm still a monster... It's better for me just dies..."
Mei's voice began to tremble as she thought of the Herrscher of Thunder within her.
The helplessness of having her body taken over, only being able to watch her friends be attacked, and even almost die...
"You really giving up living that easy?"
"..."
"Did you think you can escape by death and get forgiveness for doing it?"
"No! I dind't mean that!"
"Then don't think about dying anytime sooner!"
"Try to save a life for each person die in nagazora, try to make people living a better life, anything but taking the easiest way by just killing yourself."
"But what if I lost control again, and killing more people?" She still want to just end everything right now, but at least Himeko could see some spark in her eyes.
"Then let's add an insurance! Put a bomb next to your heart. This way, you can rest assured!"
Mei stared blankly at Himeko, then came back to her senses after a long moment and lowered her head.
"Thank you..."
–The present–
Theresa squatted beside Kiana's hospital bed, resting her chin in her hands, smiling as she said to Kiana, "Your two friends have already agreed to enroll~ How about it, do you want to become a Valkyrie with your friends?"
Kiana looked at Theresa, pondered for a moment, then spoke, "First, let me see Mei and Bronya. This is our first time meeting; I can't trust you."
Theresa sighed, raised her hand, and snapped her fingers. The Oath of Judah received the command and retracted the chains binding Kiana.
"First time meeting... That's heartbreaking. I even held you when you were little. Alright, alright, I'll take you to see your friends. They should be at Major Himeko's place now."
...
Inside the luxurious dormitory building, Kiana used the key Theresa gave her to open the door. The next second, she froze in place, looking down at Theresa by her feet, and asked with some uncertainty,
"This room, like a garbage dump, is...?"
Theresa chuckled a few times, "There's no helping it, this is the world of single women of a certain age."
"Don't open that cabinet!"
"Ah!"
A familiar voice rang out. Kiana's eyes lit up, and she quickly rushed into the room, then saw...
Bronya buried under a pile of garbage on the floor and Mei standing nearby.
"Mei!"
"Kiana!"
Kiana and Mei, after an unintentional glance, simultaneously let out surprised cries. Mei ran towards Kiana and embraced her.
"Welcome home!" Mei said, holding Kiana. Kiana's face was slightly flushed, and she raised her hands to hug Mei back.
"Can someone save Bronya?" Bronya, buried in the pile of garbage, pleaded in her flat, childlike voice. Kiana and Mei let go of each other as if shocked, feeling a little embarrassed.
After pulling Bronya out of the garbage pile, Kiana looked back at Theresa and asked, "If I join, will you tell me my dad's whereabouts?"
"It's not that simple. If you want me to tell you Siegfried's whereabouts, you must become at least A-Rank Valkyrie." Theresa looked at Kiana. Kiana, hearing the requirement was so simple, showed a confident smile.
"That simple? Good! It's a deal!"
Theresa smiled when Kiana agreed, but thinking of the gems inside Kiana, her smile gradually faded.
"Kiana, come with me to my office. I have something to ask you."