The two followed Patricia through the lower levels of the Babylon Tower reactor. Unnoticed, the time had shifted to night.
"Hey, what's she doing running to the reactor so late?" Kiana trailed behind the silver-haired Valkyrie, watching Patricia's fully armed figure advance toward the reactor with growing curiosity.
"During her morning operation, she detected residual Honkai energy outside the reactor. And while rescuing the experimental children, she found the same Honkai energy traces on the bars of Sirin's cell."
"She's already found the answer."
Hermit explained to Kiana, who was watching Patricia confront Sirin after catching her red-handed.
"Then why didn't she bring Auntie along? Auntie is clearly very strong, you know?" Kiana asked, her confusion deepening. She stared incredulously at Patricia, who was locked in a standoff with Sirin.
"Because this A-rank Valkyrie's identity isn't merely that of a Schicksal Valkyrie."
As Omega and Kiana spoke, Patricia and the Second Herrscher clashed.
The outcome was predictable. Patricia's initial burst of firepower briefly suppressed the Herrscher, but Sirin quickly retaliated. The Valkyrie lost an arm. She dropped smoke and flashbang grenades, clutching her injured right hand as she retreated in disarray.
"Follow her. You'll soon understand the answer," Hermit said.
Kiana didn't respond to Hermit's words. After a brief silence, she posed another question:
"I overheard what that child said earlier... She claimed the researchers were conducting experiments on them to create Stigmata for Valkyries... That these orphans should feel honored to sacrifice themselves for the Valkyries and Schicksal...?"
"...Are we truly fighting for a better world?"
She looked at Hermit, whose face remained eternally hidden beneath a hooded cloak and black mask, revealing no trace of emotion.
"Are you asking me? You yourself are a Valkyrie—a descendant of the Kaslana bloodline. Do you truly believe you're fighting for the world's betterment against its injustices?"
Amused by Kiana's question, Hermit's tone dripped with sarcasm.
"What's this? Just a few words from her have made you doubt all your past heroic actions?"
"A warrior is a hero who shoulders the hopes and sufferings of the masses, venturing forth in solitude. They etch the prayers and desires of the people into their hearts, bearing the weight of their misfortunes and agonies. They hack through thorns and briars, paving the way for the masses to follow."
"The suffering of the experimental subjects she spoke of is the fate that every Valkyrie who knows the truth must bear. They died for this cause, whether those children willed it or not. At the very least, they died because of the Valkyrie."
"If you lack such resolve, there's no need to continue this journey. You've already forfeited your right to proceed—"
The sharp words, so unlike anything the white-haired girl had ever heard from her mentors or friends, stung her to the core. The Hermit offered her no comfort, simply crossed her arms and coldly watched the girl kneeling on the ground.
Growing impatient, she turned and strode deeper into the dark passage without pausing.
"Wait! Don't leave! Wait for me!!"
Kiana shouted after the retreating figure, but only received a derisive laugh in response:
"Wait for you? Wait for a coward frozen on the ground, too afraid to even stand up? A waste of time—"
The Hermit vanished into the darkness, leaving the white-haired girl kneeling alone. She tried to rise, but confusion robbed her of the ability to remember how to stand.
...A black shadow crept from the depths of the passage where the Hermit had disappeared, swallowing the last sliver of light in the chamber.
-
In the pitch-black space, only the white-haired girl remained as the illusory dream began to crumble. At the very end, a petite and warm body embraced Kiana—a purple-haired little girl in a lavender princess dress.
The girl's golden eyes gazed at Kiana, filled with concern.
"...Big Sister, are you alright?"
Her sweet voice, like honey, soothed Kiana's bitter and confused heart, slowing the dream's collapse.
"You're... Sirin?!" Kiana turned her head in disbelief to stare at the purple-haired child beside her.
"It's Sirin! Big Sister looks a little sad. Would you like to see my magic show?"
"Magic?" Kiana glanced at the little girl, puzzled.
"It's magic that makes you feel better~"
"...Ping-a-ploo~ Pang-a-ploo~ Duru-ru-ru-ru-BANG! How about that? Feeling a little better, Big Sister?" The girl waved her arms, scattering sparkling stardust. The swirling stars transformed into golden fireworks.
Sirin's golden eyes gazed at Kiana, brimming with anticipation.
"...Thank you, Sirin. I feel much better now," Kiana murmured, gently stroking the child's hair. Her dark mood had lifted considerably. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she turned to Sirin.
"Um... Little Sirin, why are you here?"
Kiana stared at the little angel who had appeared, utterly baffled. This was a far cry from the misanthropic Herrscher she had just witnessed!
"Huh? Sirin has always been here... Big Sister is asking a strange question..."
Little Sirin tilted her head, confused, before closing her eyes and reveling in Kiana's gentle head pats.
"Then does Sirin know the one called Hermit?" Kiana continued stroking the child's hair, tentatively probing with another question.
"Lady Hermit? Sirin knows her! Did Big Sister make her angry?"
"Something like that... Well, here's what happened..."
Kiana explained her recent experiences to the young girl before her.
"I see... Perhaps Lady Hermit has already given you a clue, Big Sister. It seems like a trial."
Sirin nodded and gave Kiana a gesture of encouragement.
"A trial, huh... So, Little Sirin, what do you think about those children?" Kiana asked, her curiosity piqued as she gazed at the young girl, eager to hear the perspective of someone who had experienced it firsthand.
"Hmm... That Sirin isn't me. She's a nasty, awful person," Little Sirin explained, sensing Kiana's thoughts.
"If it were me, I'd probably remember their names and use magic to pray for them."
Little Sirin tapped her index finger against her lips, pondered for a moment, and offered her answer. She then made a praying gesture, as if earnestly praying for the girls Kiana had mentioned.
"I see... Thank you, Little Sirin. I think I understand now."
Kiana didn't care who the "awful person" Little Sirin was talking about. She nodded solemnly at the purple-haired girl.
"Hmm, is Big Sister leaving already?" Sirin asked, looking at Kiana with a hint of reluctance.
After all, head pats feel really nice, the little girl thought to herself.
"Yes, I think I know where to find the answers now, Sirin."
Kiana stood up, patted the girl's head in farewell, and turned to leave.
"Good luck, Big Sister whose name I don't know," Little Sirin murmured, watching Kiana's retreating figure disappear into the darkness. She silently cheered her on.