73. Kiana's Growth, Getting Close with Gao Qi! 3500
As the fifteenth day of the lunar month approached, a bluish moon, growing increasingly round, hung high in the sky.
This was yet another night in Arc City, but for the people of this city, the night was far from peaceful.
For many days now, the sound of alarms had been ringing through the city daily.
In the current world, while ordinary people had only a superficial understanding of the Honkai, they were at least not as ignorant as they were before the Third Honkai Eruption. Megacities were constantly under attack by Honkai beasts. Even with the city shields in place, Honkai beasts and zombies relentlessly assaulted the city's outskirts.
Especially recently, after the outbreak of the Fourth Honkai Eruption, zombies and Honkai beasts even began appearing directly within the city. Although Shenzhou's technological capabilities were not weak and the city had formidable defensive firepower, the longer this went on, the more severe the Honkai situation became.
"Damn it, there are too many of these Honkai beasts—they're everywhere!"
"Then fire everywhere!"
On the streets of Arc City, two soldiers piloting large mechas were struggling to fend off a swarm of Honkai beasts.
Although the Valkyries of Schicksal also had night patrols, Shenzhou was, after all, a sovereign nation, and Schicksal couldn't intervene too much. The bulk of the resistance had to be shouldered by Shenzhou's own warriors.
Shenzhou's mechas lacked the automation of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, requiring pilots to operate them personally. These warriors lacked the physical prowess and reflexes of Valkyries, making it particularly challenging for them to combat Honkai beasts even while piloting mechas.
Soon, the transmission of one mecha malfunctioned under the charge of a Knight-class Honkai beast's lance. Immediately after, a Chariot-class Honkai beast leaped high into the air, its weight of over a ton crashing down like a cannonball.
Thud!
However, a golden light suddenly descended from the sky, piercing through the Honkai beast in an instant.
Then, a spirited white-haired girl wielding dual pistols stomped down with a powerful blow, shattering the Honkai beast's shell. Her dual pistols fired wildly around her as Herrscher energy erupted, instantly annihilating a large number of Honkai beasts.
"Kiana, behind you! Try using the Edge of Taixuan this time!"
Soon, a low voice echoed in the girl's ear. Understanding immediately, she holstered her pistols, formed a sword with the fingers of her right hand, and felt the surge of Honkai energy within her. With a pointed finger, she directed it toward the charging Honkai beast.
Boom!!!
An ethereal short sword appeared, far more powerful than gunfire, effortlessly slicing through the Honkai beast before her. This move, the Taixu Sword God, was something Kiana had only just begun to master.
The Edge of Taixuan,a secret technique of the Taixuan Sect created by the Immortal Phoenix. Its essence lay in releasing Honkai energy outward, constructing and extending it, transforming intent into a sword, and allowing sword energy to form naturally.
And the Immortal Phoenix was none other than Kiana's class monitor—Fu Hua.
However, how many people possessed such abundant Honkai energy to release sword energy?
Thus, most who practiced the Edge of Taixuan risked "losing control"—in other words, being completely corrupted by Honkai energy.
Now, a "half-Herrscher" met the requirements of the Edge of Taixuan. The Honkai energy within her was more than enough to effortlessly destroy a city.
Kiana Kaslana, the current Herrscher of the Void.
"Thank you, miss. You're a Schicksal Valkyrie—wait, your appearance!"
The warrior in the mecha wanted to thank the white-haired girl before her, but upon seeing her face, the pilot recalled the recently issued warrant.
However, Kiana simply turned her head, made a funny face at her, then stomped the ground and leaped away, disappearing among the buildings after a few bounds.
"Kiana, you're learning quickly. I'm surprised you have such a solid foundation in martial arts, something you rarely displayed at St. Freya Academy. This set of fist techniques likely has deep connections to me."
Soon, a female phantom with white hair and red eyes, dressed in a short white robe, materialized beside Kiana. Unlike a living person, she seemed more like an ethereal illusion.
Since that night's operation, the tense relationship between the two had eased somewhat. Kiana accepted Fu Hua's cooperation. Now mature and rational, she knew she couldn't resolve the crisis facing the city alone.
Fu Hua was particularly pleased with this. She knew Kiana was intelligent but had grown lazy due to a life of comfort—well-protected by her father in childhood and later by Theresa and Himeko.
Now, forced to face everything on her own, those sorrowful experiences had spurred her rapid growth. Yet… Fu Hua wasn't entirely happy about it. If given the choice again, she wouldn't want Kiana to go through such painful memories.
Although, as a feather, many memories were now blurred, Fu Hua faintly recalled that her own past… seemed somewhat similar to Kiana's. Both had strengthened their hearts through despair and sorrow.
Otto… It was only recently that Fu Hua learned the true face of this madman. He and Kevin were both pure obsessives! They cared nothing for anyone's life or death beyond their goals!
But the grave mistake had already been made. Fu Hua could only strive to make amends. To her surprise, Kiana not only had martial arts training but was using the Inch Heart Fist!
As the Immortal Phoenix, Fu Hua had countless disciples, but what she taught then was the Taixuan Sword Qi, which integrated her lifetime of learning. The family fist techniques she first learned had long been buried in the deepest recesses of her memory.
Was it a martial arts manual from the Previous Era discovered by later generations? Or did survivors from the Previous Era pass these techniques down to the future? Fu Hua didn't know. Apart from the most crucial memories, her mind held no other details.
"Well, my dad taught me. After all, I'm a clone. My health was poor as a child, so my dad would come home every day and cook rich, nourishing meals for me. He also taught me martial arts, which is why I grew up so healthy."
Proudly patting her perky chest, Kiana adeptly assumed the Inch Heart Fist's opening stance. With a move called "White Tiger," accompanied by the power of a Herrscher, the space around her instantly distorted.
But then, thinking of her absent father, Kiana's mood soured, her blue eyes filled with sorrow.
"Alright, Kiana, focus on the mission. I'll continue teaching you how to control Honkai energy. Decades ago, there was a Herrscher who could master her power and fight for humanity. You can be the second."
Facing Kiana's sorrow, Fu Hua was at a loss. She remembered that she too had once carried a similar grief—perhaps she had loved someone, but... after ten thousand years, that person was surely gone.
"But are you really sure about cooperating with Schicksal? Even though you've noticed something odd about Arc City, they all believe you caused the Collapse incident there. Given Rita's personality, I don't think she'll trust you—do you really believe the address that man gave you? It might be a trap."
Now, the two were heading toward the outskirts of the city, making their way to the address left by Schicksal's logistics officer. After days of contemplation, Kiana had made her decision.
"Of course not. I don't easily trust others anymore. Trusting you too readily in the past already cost me dearly—ah, I'm just kidding, Class Monitor. Don't always look so serious."
Shrugging her shoulders, Kiana said something that left Fu Hua utterly embarrassed, leaving her speechless on the spot. But Kiana wore a smug grin—her father had taught her not just combat skills, but also how to read and influence people.
In the past, living at St. Freya Academy, surrounded by the happiness of her companions, she never needed to use such tactics.
But now, Kiana had to do as her father said—"unleash the devil within." To resist the will of the Herrscher of the Void and outsmart the cunning Otto, she had to become even more fearsome than them!
"Alright, since you're feeling guilty, Class Monitor, just focus on guiding me properly. I'll save my punches for you until the day you regain your body!"
Listening to Kiana's words, Fu Hua realized that Otto hadn't just awakened the Herrscher of the Void—he had also unleashed a hidden side of the once-naive Kiana.
"I don't need Schicksal to trust me. I just need them to recognize the threat. Otto is my enemy, but that doesn't mean I'm at war with Schicksal. I understand that most Valkyries are educated similarly to me—they're fighting for the world, and they're not wrong."
Calmly analyzing the current situation, Kiana leaped down from a tall building and landed in front of a construction site. With the power of a Herrscher, she easily saw through Schicksal's camouflage.
"My father taught me to always distinguish between enemies and allies, to find those I can unite with. To be honest, I'd prefer if they called Durandal here. Even though I wasn't interested in seeking her out before, right now, she's the person I trust the most."
Extending her hand, Kiana gave Fu Hua a mischievous grin, mimicking her late father. Her right eye shifted from azure blue to brilliant gold, and a golden portal opened beside her.
"After all, Bianka 'Durandal' Ataegina, Schicksal's S-rank Valkyrie, is the original of this clone. The name 'Kiana' once belonged to her, and she and my father saved me—in other words, she's my sister. Surprised?"
The next moment, before Fu Hua could widen her eyes in shock, Kiana vanished in a dizzying swirl and reappeared in a tidy room, straddling a startled man.
The authority of the Herrscher of the Void to open imaginary portals was now hers to command.
Without hesitation, Kiana covered his mouth, whispering soothingly,
"Don't make a sound, shh, calm down. I mean no harm, sir. I'm here seeking help and cooperation!"
This was precisely why Kiana had come. Seizing the opportunity while Rita was away and the Schicksal outpost was undermanned, she had launched a surprise attack—Rita might not listen to her, but there was someone who would, and who could also make Rita listen.
"Ki—Kiana!"
Gao Qi was stunned—wait, wait, why are you here?!
Instinctively, he tried to move, but found himself pinned firmly in place.
Kiana was now a full-fledged Herrscher, enhanced by the Kaslana bloodline. While her strength might not match Durandal's, she was easily S-rank Valkyrie level, and she effortlessly restrained Gao Qi.
Of course, Gao Qi couldn't possibly use his full strength against her.
"Be good, don't struggle. Thank you for the candy and medicine, but I'm here to discuss something serious—something very important!"
Leaning down, the gold in Kiana's eyes gradually faded, replaced by azure blue as she met Gao Qi's gaze. She gently patted his head.
"Please, trust me, okay?"
Somehow, she found herself using the trick her father had taught her—whenever he patted her head lightly, she would quickly calm down.
"Ha... sigh, barging in without knocking really is a bad habit, Miss Kiana."
Looking at the girl before him, Gao Qi wore a resigned smile. He was more than content to reunite with his precious daughter, even if she didn't recognize him.
"Miss Rita is away for now. If you'd like, I'm willing to hear what you have to say, but... um, could you maybe get off first?"
With Kiana on top of him, her perky chest swaying before his eyes, barely covered by white fabric, and feeling the pressure of her hips against him, Gao Qi sensed his paternal affection rapidly dwindling.
[Wow, you old pervert, this is your precious daughter! What are you thinking?!]
"Huh? Oh, sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, hehe."
Noticing the faint blush on the face of the dark-haired man, who was a few years older than her, Kiana quickly realized the awkwardness and prepared to stand up.
But the next second, the room door was abruptly pushed open, revealing the tired face of Alvitr.
"Mr. Gao Qi, I can't find—"
"Eek!"
Without hesitation, Gao Qi pulled Kiana into his arms, yanked the nearby blanket over her, muffling her startled cry, and turned an awkward expression toward the Valkyrie.
Barging in without knocking really is a bad habit!
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?