In the corridors of the Sea of Quanta City, Bronie's specially modified P90 sprayed armor-piercing rounds designed to penetrate the silicon shells of Honkai Beasts, cutting down a swarm of jellyfish-shaped creatures.
Beside her, Bronya controlled Project Bunny, opting for cold weapons like its massive lance and kinetic claws given the unique nature of this underwater city.
After impaling a crab-shaped Honkai Beast in front of them, the two finally had a brief moment of respite.
"Wow—these Honkai Beasts don't seem like much at all—"
"It's like playing a musou game."
Whistling, Bronie looked at the scattered Honkai Beast fragments on the floor and shook her head, reloading her gun's magazine.
"Project Bunny has detected no other Honkai energy lifeform signatures nearby. This area is clear."
Bronya reported the situation in her routine manner, then slipped back into silent standby mode.
"Sigh—why are you so reluctant to talk more?"
"You could at least ask me some weird and wonderful questions!"
Unable to stand the silence, Bronie waved her hands frantically at the quiet Bronya beside her.
"Let me tell you, I'm a Traveler of the Sea of Quanta. I've definitely seen more things and met more interesting people than you have!"
"If you don't ask, you might miss out on a lot of interesting things, you know?"
Bronie wore an expression that screamed "ask me, go on, ask!" while Bronya finally seemed somewhat swayed by her words. She turned to Bronie, asking her question in a tone that held little hope.
"Bronya wants to know, as a Traveler of the Sea of Quanta, whether Bronie has ever seen a girl with blue hair and blue eyes named Seele."
"She is Bronya's good friend."
"Huh? You're friends with that short-tempered scythe-wielding girl?"
"That doesn't sound right... Someone with your personality seems like they'd get along horribly with her... The first time I met that girl..."
"Just because I ran my mouth and asked a pretty girl if she wanted a ride... she chased my motorcycle with a scythe for nearly an hour... In the end, we had to fight it out before we even properly met."
"???"
Bronie's explanation only served to confuse Bronya further...
"Seele, a violent scythe-wielding woman who chased you for half an hour?"
"That's right. That girl looked exactly like the type to be a gang boss. We only started getting along after we fought it out... But a person who can deflect bullets with a scythe is just terrifying."
"I originally wanted the Captain to bring her on board too... Unfortunately, an accident happened, and I was thrown directly into this universe."
"She was totally my type. I wonder if I'll ever run into her again..."
Bronie wore a somewhat nostalgic expression.
"Bronya needs to confirm with Miss Bronie exactly what the Seele she is talking about looks like...?"
"Blue hair, blue eyes, carrying a long scythe, and a tall figure. Oh, and she wore black hot pants. That girl doesn't like skirts and stuff, just like me."
"She said they get in the way when you're fighting."
"Blue hair, blue eyes?"
"Yes, shoulder-length blue hair."
"In that case, we're fine. The Seele Bronya knows is a timid short-haired girl. Of course, Bronya's Seele also uses a scythe as a weapon."
Confirming that the Seele they knew was not the same person, Bronya breathed a sigh of relief for the moment. At least her adorable little sister hadn't learned any bad habits during these few years in the Sea of Quanta.
However, Bronie's next sentence made Bronya tense up.
"Short-haired? The last time I saw that gang-boss type Seele, there was indeed a timid girl who looked almost identical to her following behind her."
"But before I could even ask, I was blown into this world..."
"Seele in the Sea of Quanta is following a delinquent version of Seele?!"
"That's about how it is, I guess."
Bronie shrugged.
"So... Bronya summarizes that the Seele Bronie knows is currently wandering in the Sea of Quanta, and the Seele Bronya knows is also lost in the Sea of Quanta."
"And then Bronya, you met me, while that little Seele also met the big Seele I know."
Bronie took over Bronya's words and nodded seriously.
"When you put it that way, we really are quite fateful!"
"Since the area here is all cleared, shall we go check out the center of this city?"
"According to that green-haired Doctor, there's a gate built by the Previous Era here that leads to the Sea of Quanta."
"Using that thing, maybe we can find those two Miss Seeles?"
"After all, hearing your description, Bronya, and based on my impression... it seems like they are lost... The energy surge from starting a massive gate in the Sea of Quanta would be huge."
"The resulting waves might just attract them and show them the way."
"And then we'll win our beauties over... ahem, ahem."
Bronie, who had always been a restless adventure seeker, began to incite her temporary partner, and she was fortunately and successfully able to do so.
The usually composed Bronya felt her heart stir for the first time in a long while upon learning that she might be able to help Seele...
"Bronya knows that Doctor Yssring is a very reasonable executor..."
"If Bronya and Bronie can successfully persuade Doctor Yssring, it might be feasible to temporarily activate the Eye of the Deep."
Bronya nodded thoughtfully and turned to look at Bronie beside her.
"Eh? So you're already acquaintances? That makes negotiation even easier!"
"Today's the day we win our beauties over!"
Hearing that it was possible, Bronie immediately pulled Bronya and dashed toward the center of the Sea of Quanta City.
-
"You want to activate the gate to enter the Eye of the Deep?"
Yssring pushed up her glasses and looked at the two "Bronyas" in front of her, feeling a bit confused for a moment.
"Yes, we're going to find Seele!"
"Hmm, Seele Vollerei... I've looked into the experiments Cocolia conducted back then. Although the final records were erased, I can guess why..."
Yssring nodded under their expectant gazes and said thoughtfully...
"Therefore, I disagree."
The green-haired doctor gave a response that sent their moods on a rollercoaster ride...
"Cocolia was the one messing around back then. Why are you two making a mess now?!"
"Your mother, Cocolia, was removed from her position as Executor for certain reasons and was even imprisoned. I am currently the nominal guardian and teacher of you, the orphans of Cocolia's Orphanage—"
"I reject your request. If you cause any more trouble, I don't know how I can answer to the Leader, Simon Lailey, and Cocolia."
"Wait... Cocolia, my mother, was imprisoned?!"
Bronya seemed to have heard some even more shocking news.
"It happened quite a long time ago. It wasn't exactly imprisonment. Out of consideration for the children at the orphanage, the Leader ultimately only stripped her of her position and placed her under house arrest at the Anti-Entropy Headquarters in New York."
"Anyway, you, Bronya, have nothing to worry about."
"She eats and sleeps well, and she mumbles about you all day. You should remember to go back and visit her when you have time."