Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

"Attacks carrying Honkai Energy, seamless quantum data transmission, and quantum-based physical manifestation combined with overwhelming numbers, continuously upgrading potential as you advance... The fully realized Hive System will be a terrifying arsenal."

"You flatter me. Compared to Schicksal's S-Class Valkyries, they can only serve as nuisances at best."

"In the short term, indeed, they might not hinder an S-Class Valkyrie effectively. However, given favorable conditions, their inexhaustible numbers could exhaust and defeat any S-Class Valkyrie through attrition tactics."

'If only you haven't witnessed Durandal's true form yet.'

Zeke subtly pursed his lips.

That overpowered girl, practically favored by the scriptwriter herself, sliced Herrschers like chopping vegetables. If Zeke had found her earlier, he would have undoubtedly secured her before Otto could.

"Hmm, our discussion has gone on long enough, and it's getting late. Plus, you have guests waiting. So, let's call it a day here. Goodnight!"

Otto ended the communication link.

At Schicksal Headquarters.

After ending the call, Otto took out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead.

In truth, with his Soulium body, he didn't easily break a sweat. However, engaging in such intense intellectual discourse after a long hiatus still gave him the illusion of feeling thoroughly refreshed and perspiring profusely.

"You seem quite pleased."

"He's a genius."

"I can tell."

"Thus, his theory holds great credibility. Once realized, my long-cherished aspiration will be within reach!"

Otto covered his face with one hand and burst out laughing hysterically.

"Hahaha!"

After a prolonged bout of laughter, Otto's expression turned complex as he gazed at his own hands.

"A friend...?" He murmured, somewhat bewildered.

He referred to Fu Hua as an old friend, indeed feeling a unique admiration and respect for her. Honestly speaking, if not for the potential to revive Kallen, Otto would have considered Fu Hua more important than the entire Schicksal organization.

However, conversations with Fu Hua were often cold and discouraging. Unlike his engaging exchanges with Zeke, filled with intellectual sparring and mutual probing, there was no anticipation or excitement for their next dialogue.

So, what exactly does it mean to be friends? The question lingered silently in the mind of Otto Apocalypse, who had already lived over five hundred years.

"Speak up, what brings you here, Cocolia?" Zeke closed his laptop and glanced toward the door where Cocolia stood stiffly.

Cocolia took a step back.

Despite witnessing Zeke's unfathomable technical prowess, once her initial shock subsided, Cocolia remained convinced that it was merely a matter of timing. Once she recovered, by rallying sufficient power within Anti-Entropy, she could potentially overpower Zeke or even persuade him to join their cause.

But now, panic set in.

At present, Cocolia's sole pursuit was climbing as high as possible within Anti-Entropy, securing more influence to protect herself and the children.

Otto Apocalypse—a name both excessively distant and overwhelmingly formidable. From the perspective of an Anti-Entropy member, this moniker evoked the same dread as the ultimate Great Demon King poised to destroy the world at the final level of a labyrinth.

Engaging Otto in intellectual sparring or befriending him? Even the Anti-Entropy Alliance Leader wouldn't dare attempt such a feat.

Just who the fuck is this guy?!

"You...just now, was that Otto Apocalypse?"

"It's him. Didn't I tell you that adopting those two girls would put us at odds with Schicksal? Were you not prepared for this?" Cocolia asked grimly.

"You never said we'd directly confront the Schicksal Archbishop!" she protested.

Zeke glanced at her and nonchalantly continued, "Sin's abilities are rather unique. Otto believes she is suitable as a test subject for a specific theory he has. As for Kiana, well, her surname is Kaslana."

Zeke didn't mention that it was actually his own theory, nor did he reveal that Otto wouldn't have shown interest before seeing tangible results. He also omitted that Kiana wouldn't be captured anytime soon, as Otto was pleased to let her gain more life experiences and form connections.

This was merely a bluff, pulling rank under false pretenses—snatching people from Otto's grasp and then casually conversing with him afterward... The mere thought of such audacity made Cocolia shudder before making any decision.

"Otto's favored experimental subject... A Kaslana..." Cocolia murmured, feeling a chill run down her spine.

Cocolia muttered under her breath, suddenly feeling a chill.

She realized that now was not the time to ponder how best to exploit Zeke; perhaps it would be more urgent to find a way to rid herself of them from the orphanage... But Sin had already called her "Mom."

Cocolia bit her lip, torn between conflicting emotions.

At that moment, as if something just occurred to him, Zeke asked:

"Speaking of the Kaslanas, do you have any information on Siegfried Kaslana?"

"Who? Oh, the former family head who defected from Schicksal and is wanted with a hefty bounty? No, I don't know anything about him. Why did you suddenly bring up...Kaslana? Does he have some connection to Kiana?"

"Father and daughter."

"Ah—"

Cocolia gasped sharply.

Damn!

This situation keeps escalating!

Where's the Alliance Leader?! Urgent request: please visit Cocolia's Orphanage! I fear Otto might storm in at any moment!

*How can anyone handle this shit?!

"Forget it, since you're unaware, let me ask for your help with something else..."

In the end, Cocolia left in a daze, having completely forgotten why she came.

As she reached her bedroom door, Bronya, clad in pajamas, was waiting there for her.

Seeing Cocolia return with a bewildered expression, she stood up, looking puzzled. "Mother Cocolia?"

"Hm? Oh, it's you, Bronya. Why aren't you asleep so late?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing... It's just that something significant happened, and I need to think carefully about it."

Facing her daughter, Cocolia regained some composure. Yes, the situation had unfolded, and she lacked the power to drive away Zeke now. What she needed to consider was... would it be safer to pledge allegiance to the Conservative faction, who clearly have closer ties with the Alliance Leader?

Although opportunities for advancement within the Conservatives were scarce, switching sides would also undermine her painstaking efforts within the Radicals. But at least by demonstrating loyalty to the Alliance Leader, could he help shield her from Otto's sinister intentions?

No, no, no—it's not that dire yet. Rather than abandoning my hard work, perhaps the enigmatic Zeke could still be a suitable ally...

Bronya clutched her Homu doll tighter and asked expressionlessly,

"Because of the newcomers?"

To be precise, she was referring to Zeke.

While Kiana and Sin were also new arrivals, they slept with the other girls. Only Zeke stood out—his single-occupancy room, his gender, Cocolia's unusual attitude toward him...

It reminded Bronya of the letter she had discovered earlier and personally handed to Cocolia. She feared there might be a connection between these two incidents, and it posed a danger.

"Bronya..." Cocolia gently stroked her hair.

Among the children at the orphanage, Bronya was relatively older, mature, and dependable. If anyone could potentially help in this situation, it would likely be her.

"Mother Cocolia, are they...a threat?" Bronya asked in an emotionless voice, beginning to emanate a chilling aura.

The Silver Wolf of Ural might not have held a gun or taken a life for some time now, but if it meant protecting this sanctuary, Bronya could easily return to her old ways and once again become the terrifying Queen of Assassins.

Cocolia felt reassured.

She gently hugged Bronya and, after a moment's thought, said,

"Don't act rashly. In the meantime, keep an eye on that boy Zeke during your daily routine and report any unusual behavior to me. But avoid confronting him, and under no circumstances engage physically. Leave everything to Mother."

"Mother Cocolia..."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll protect you all, no matter what."

Wrapped in Cocolia's loving embrace, Bronya quickly softened, having just dredged up memories of her violent past. As she breathed in Cocolia's scent and felt the softness against her face, she gradually began experiencing...a sense of suffocation.

"Ugh!"

"Oh! Are you okay, Bronya?"

Cocolia released Bronya, who had been struggling fiercely. Seeing her regain her breath, she apologetically said:

"Oh dear, sorry—I forgot these might be too much for you."

Expressionless, Bronya looked down and could see only her own feet. Her face visibly darkened.

"Mother Cocolia, that's indecent!"

"Don't worry about it; you'll grow up eventually... probably." Cocolia's gaze drifted slightly—these things were hard to predict after all. How could she tell Bronya that her intuition suggested the girl would end up being flat-chested?

"Oh right, do you want to sleep with Mom tonight?"

"No way! Bronya doesn't want to be your pillow. I'm heading out now. Goodnight, Mother Cocolia."

"Huh? Why not..."

Without her pillow, Cocolia reluctantly went back to bed alone.

Climbing onto the mattress, pulling up the covers, just as she was about to drift off, something suddenly came to mind amidst her drowsiness:

"That's right, he asked me for help—to..."

"...send word to Tesla or Einstein..."

"...saying...he wants to propose to Kiana Kaslana?!?"