Honkai: Strijder (Honkai Impact 3 Male MC)

Late at night, everyone who needed rest had gone to sleep.

Sigurd sat in his room, legs crossed, eyes closed, appearing relaxed but still exuding an air of authority. It seemed like he was waiting for someone.

And soon enough, a knocking noise on the door made him open his eyes.

Knock! Knock!

"Come in."

Einstein entered the room.

Sigurd felt surprised upon seeing her, after all, he had been expecting someone else when he heard the knocking, but he did not let it show on his face, instead, he glanced at the blue-haired girl and let out a hum.

"Is there something you need, Dr. Einstein?"

Without beating around the bush, Einstein went straight to the point and spoke: "I want to tell you something regarding the conversation you had with Welt just now, I've turned your talk into a video recording, an audio recording, and text transcripts. Do you think it's suitable for publicizing to boost morale?"

"Well….. Not necessary. It doesn't make sense to publicize these scraps of conversation before we get on the right track. Additionally, it's not suitable to publicize Welt's departure, both for safety reasons and because only when no one is prepared can he hear the most genuine voices."

"Hm, You have a point."

Einstein nodded and looked at Sigurd, adding, "Thank you."

Sigurd blinked his eyes, feeling surprised. "Thank you for what?"

"For pointing the way for Welt. Tesla and I are fundamentally technicians. Our ideology comes from Joyce instead of ourself, and that's something that can't be changed—we helped Yang grow to his current state, and then he stagnated. If it weren't for you, no one would have realized that he could actually move forward, and that he should move forward."

Einstein sighed deeply, his pure blue eyes filled with satisfaction and gratitude.

"Don't think too much about it, I just want to find a new path. Otto's path is viable, but if there is a different way that would cause less suffering and sacrifice, I would take it."

Sigurd opened his eyes, not because of Einstein but because the room's door had silently cracked open, and two pairs of eyes, one above and one below, were peering inside.

"Come in."

Sigurd said.

"You stupid fish-for-brain girl! He noticed me because of you!"

"What are you saying? It's obviously because your infiltration skills are subpar!"

There were some subtle shoving sounds from outside the door, and after a moment, the door opened, revealing two little girls, one in pink and one in white.

They stood there with pleasing smiles, and then took small steps into the room.

Einstein raised an eyebrow.

"I was wondering why you seemed preoccupied. I see you had a prearranged appointment. I won't disturb you. Good night."

"Take care, Doctor."

Watching Einstein depart, the door opened once again, and Bronya entered, carrying her rarely let-go-of Homu doll.

"Do you need something with Bronya? If Sigurd do, Bronya need to give some warning, it's not appropriate to sleep together with Bronya. Bronya is still underage... It would be more preferable if you do it with Matushka instead."

"..."

Bronya, quick on the uptake, interjected casually, leaving Sigurd momentarily speechless.

Sigurd had been preparing for a moment of solemnity and importance but was caught off guard.

He could only cover his face and say, "Just close the door."

Bang!

Bronya obediently closed the door.

She talked about not sleeping together, but in reality, she showed no intention of fighting back if Sigurd were to do anything.

Then the three girls stood in front of Sigurd.

Bronya was in the middle, her face calm and her figure relaxed, hugging her Homu doll as if she were in her own room, feeling completely at ease.

Kiana and Sin Mal stood on either side, their faces bearing expressions of guilt and embarrassment at being caught.

Sigurd observed each of them, his hands clasped on his knees, and spoke.

"Bronya used to be your instructor, and she's also your comrade. Kiana and Sin Mal, you have a close relationship. I believe that everyone here can trust each other; you're not treating each other as outsiders, right?"

The girls glanced at each other and nodded.

Even Kiana and Sin Mal, who usually couldn't stand each other, nodded in response to Sigurd's question.

Whether it was due to being used to being under his authority, holding hidden genuine feelings, or a combination of both, they nodded.

"So, I think we don't need to be too cautious about what comes next. Kiana, why did you have Bronya investigate Siegfried's activities?"

"Chibi, you betrayed me!?"

Kiana trembled at first, then pointed at Bronya, trying to hide her panic.

But Bronya furrowed her brow, not understanding.

Sigurd said, "She didn't tell me about it, or maybe she hasn't had the chance yet. Anyway, it was the Icarus subsystem controlling the workers here that reported to me. To be honest, what I really want to know is... how much do you know?"

"..."

Kiana bit her lip, and began to twist her fingers, revealing her nervousness and resistance.

"I... I don't want to say."

"A wound that is covered up, if not exposed and thoroughly cleansed of pain, will remain beneath the surface until it becomes inflamed and festers, causing even more suffering. If you don't trust them enough, you can tell me alone. But I won't let you keep your head down, lying to yourself."

Sigurd stared at Kiana, his eyes calm and resolute.

Bronya and Sin Mal also realized that something was not right. Kiana was acting very strangely.

Kiana continued to bite her lip and lowered her head.

Sigurd sighed softly, waved his hand, and signaled for Bronya and Sin Mal to leave first.

The two exchanged a glance, understanding that the situation was not simple.

Even Sin Mal chose to comply, and they both walked out, closing the door behind them.

"You know you're a clone, right?"

In the silence, Sigurd spoke slowly.

Kiana, with her downcast face, had already wet her eyelashes, and a tear fell.

"Come here."

Sigurd let out a sigh and opened his arms.

Kiana twisted her fingers, and bit by bit, she moved closer until she was finally embraced by Sigurd.

"Hm? Did you get fatter? When did you find out?"

"I haven't!... I... very early, I felt something was strange. After seeing my dad's experience, I guessed."

"So, you had Bronya investigate Siegfried's interpersonal relationships within the Schicksal. If he had no one else he was desperate to save in Schicksal, it would confirm your suspicion— that you're a clone, his real daughter still in Schicksal?"

"Yeah... isn't it obvious? I have no childhood memories, not a single one. My dad was very cold and didn't talk to me at first... thinking about it now, I'm just a clone, how could I have a childhood? His initial coldness also makes sense."

As Kiana spoke, her voice gradually shifted from her initial timidity to a more normal tone.

The most awkward moment was at the very beginning when Sigurd opened his arms to her, but Kiana soon realized that she was no longer as afraid.

Sigurd rubbed her head and sighed.

"You're very clever."

He said, not surprised at all.

Kiana's brain wasn't non-functional; she just had a habit of speaking without thinking.

Kiana sniffled.

"You know, it's not that hard to accept, really. I've been thinking a lot these days. The day my dad left and told me so much, it was his way of telling me that he accepted me, wasn't it? And Sigurd, you've known for a long time too, right?"

"Yeah, I've known for a long time."

"But you didn't reject me. Once I understood all of this, I didn't feel so sad anymore. I thought about it, and Bronya's past is very tragic, so is Sin Mal's, and the Wendy we met today... so many unfortunate people near me. I can't be too melodramatic."

Kiana sniffled and in Sigurd's embrace, she gave a tearful smile.

But Sigurd gently patted her head and said, "No, with me, you can be as melodramatic as you want."

At this, Kiana's smile suddenly froze and gradually faded, and her small body began to tremble.

"Sig..."

"I'm here."

"I'm... I'm a clone..."

"I know."

"I'm... I'm... fake..."

"You're not."

She started to cry, her sobs at first subdued, but maybe she had been suppressing them for too long, and they gradually turned into uncontrollable wailing.

She used Sigurd's sleeve to wipe away her tears and snot, crying without any elegance or cuteness.

But this time, Sigurd didn't mind at all as he held her, whispering sweet word to ease her sadness.

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