Chapter 373: Sirin's Little Secret
Ten minutes later, Sirin sat with a cup of instant noodles in her hands, staring unblinkingly at the television.
It was worth mentioning that Sirin, in her original life, had spent nearly all her memories locked inside the Babylon Lab, enduring experiments and confinement. She had never even seen a TV before. The current Sirin, however, had been born at the same time as Kiana. Kiana, after being taken in and raised by Sigurd, naturally had the leisure to watch TV. But Sirin had spent most of her existence half-dreaming within the depths of her own consciousness. On the rare occasions she broke free from that prison, it was to destroy the world—not exactly the time to sit down for cartoons.
So, despite her words about such things being "childish," the reality was that Sirin was now staring, motionless, at the Homu anime playing on the screen—so focused she might as well have been a statue.
Bronya watched this scene, her eyes glinting mischievously. She stood up, leaned close to Sigurd's ear, and whispered,
"This isn't the first time she's snuck out to watch TV. According to the monitoring data I've collected, she seems very fond of an idol audition show—and may also have a thing for children's animated movies."
"Hmm!?"
A pair of golden eyes filled with killing intent instantly shifted toward Bronya, glaring at her like a corpse waiting to happen.
Bronya, unfazed, slipped an arm around Sigurd's neck and coolly returned Sirin's stare.
Her eyes said clearly: Go ahead, try it. If Sigurd doesn't beat you into the ground, I'll admit defeat.
That was the arrogance of someone with powerful backing.
And Bronya's read on the situation was accurate, Sirin wasn't stupid enough to pick a fight she couldn't win.
"Hmph."
Sirin quietly took note of the insult for later, gave a cold snort, and kept eating her noodles, maintaining a look of indifference while never taking her eyes off the screen.
Sigurd placed a hand on Bronya's head and gently pressed her back down into his lap. His calm gaze then turned toward the unfamiliar girl standing behind Sirin, her head lowered, awaiting orders.
She had gray hair and blue eyes, a face of cold beauty adorned with an ornate feathered headpiece. Her long white coat flared behind her, and the contrasting black-and-white thigh-high stockings emphasized her slender, graceful legs. White high heels completed the ensemble—elegant, icy, and yet somehow a little airheaded.
"Benares?"
Sigurd murmured the name under his breath.
Benares—the Judgment-class Honkai Beast, Sirin's eternal companion, once granted human form by the six-core Sirin of old. After the battle in Siberia, Benares had fallen into the glaciers in dragon form, only to be reawakened by the current Sirin during the second Herrscher of the Void incident half a year ago.
He hadn't expected she could still maintain a human form. Perhaps this Sirin—or even Kiana—had found a way to give her one again.
Incidentally, the instant noodles Sirin was eating were made by her ever-loyal dragon. Five minutes to cook the noodles, three minutes to add the seasoning packet—Benares had perfectly brought out the dish's full flavor.
As Sigurd pondered, Benares lifted her gaze slightly, her sky-blue eyes turning toward him.
'So this is Sigurd…?'
She quietly observed the man who was both feared by her queen and adored—perhaps even obsessed over—by Kiana.
A fusion warrior, capable of rivaling Herrschers themselves. Three golden orbs hung from his waist like mere trinkets, though two of them were in fact Herrscher cores—the Cores of Earth and Corruption—and the third seemed to contain an even greater, unspeakable power. A black ring on his left hand's ring finger, reportedly the Key of Judgment, and several other Keys of Domination supposedly carried on his person… yes, he was terrifying indeed. Her queen's caution was more than justified.
And as for his looks—his features were those of a calm, sharp-faced youth, with the kind of composure that didn't waver even if a mountain collapsed before him. Handsome, in his cold way. No wonder Kiana was so deeply attached to him.
Then Benares noticed that Sigurd had turned his gaze toward her—eyes deep and tranquil, as though they could see straight through her from the inside out.
"You," Sigurd said evenly. "Come over here. Let's talk."
Benares froze in place, hesitant to move.
Sirin turned her head, still holding her noodles, frowning coldly.
"She's my subordinate," she said icily. "You don't get to order her around."
"I'll give you twenty-four extra hours of free time this month. And a box of new instant noodle flavors. You know… in this age, if I really wanted to, I could erase instant noodles from existence entirely."
"…Go. Hear what he's scheming."
Sirin hesitated for a second, then turned to Benares and spoke.
If this had been six months ago, she would never have entertained such "carrot and stick" tactics—she'd have simply attacked without a word.
But now… well, Kiana had somehow talked her into signing that ridiculous contract, and she'd been forced to coexist peacefully with them for over half a year. Annoying as it was, Sirin had begun to understand—just a little—what it felt like to live.
Anyway, since resistance was futile, she might as well take what she could get. Besides, Benares was half Kiana's anyway. With that connection, Sigurd probably wouldn't go as far as dissecting her… probably.
With her queen's permission, Benares stepped forward, stopping behind Sigurd's chair.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked coolly.
"Let's start by taking a blood sample," Sigurd said, as calm as ever. "I'm curious about your method of transformation. I've done similar experiments myself, but you achieved your metamorphosis under the observation of the Honkai Will, while I did it entirely on my own. I imagine there's quite a bit I could learn from comparing the two. Oh, and by the way—the primary genetic material used in my fusion experiments came from you."
"…"
Benares accepted the oversized syringe he handed her—so large she had to hold it with both arms, roughly as thick as her thigh—and felt her mouth twitch involuntarily.
She had expected a warning not to betray him, or perhaps some strict, queen-like declaration of terms. Never in her life had she thought he'd just ask… for blood.
"You don't want to?" Sigurd asked evenly.
"I…"
"Would it be easier if I asked Kiana to do it instead?"
"I have no objections. I'll draw it right now."
Benares stiffened her expression, lifted the hem of her outer coat, and carefully positioned the automatic extractor against her lower abdomen. Scarlet blood began to flow rapidly into the syringe, visible even through the reinforced glass.
Kiana cared deeply for her, but that kindness could never outweigh Sigurd's authority. And whether or not Kiana could resist him didn't matter—because if Sigurd did give the order, that gentle girl would only be torn by guilt and hesitation.
Benares would not allow that to happen.
Soon, Benares carefully handed the large syringe, now filled with blood, over to Sigurd.
From the ceiling above, a mechanical arm descended, grasped the tube, and carried it away.
Sigurd's gaze lingered on Benares for a long moment before the sharpness in his eyes finally faded.
Good—obedient, just as expected. It seemed the situation matched the "original scenario" perfectly: as long as Kiana was here to keep Sirin—the restless wildcat—under control, Benares naturally became a well-behaved, loyal hound.
"Though I doubt that little bit of blood loss will affect you much, here—this is a vitality supplement designed for Honkai Beasts. Drink it."
Sigurd passed her a cup filled with a green liquid.
Benares frowned slightly, but obediently drank it down. After all, her blood had already been drawn—what difference did it make? This man was Kiana's caretaker, and now half of her queen's as well. Benares repeated this to herself, reminding her to stay calm, to stay submissive.
Sigurd's expression didn't change, but inside, he was thoroughly satisfied.
"Good. From now on, you'll continue under Kiana's command and act alongside her. Occasionally, I might have a few requests of my own—but don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."
"…Understood."
Benares bowed slightly, her demeanor respectful and composed.
And with that, Benares—the Judgment-class Honkai Beast who had twice rampaged across the skies alongside the Herrscher of the Void—finally stepped fully into the light, completing her shift in allegiance.
Slurp!
Just then, Sirin noisily sucked up another mouthful of noodles, eyes fixed on the TV as she blinked innocently.
[Sirin, thanks. I'll talk to Sigurd later—see if I can make it up to Bella somehow… I don't know how much I can really do, but at least, I want her to have a peaceful life here from now on.]
Kiana's voice echoed softly in Sirin's mind, tinged with helplessness and regret. She knew all too well that the sins of the past—especially those that had cost so many lives—could never truly be undone. But she also had her own attachments. Benares had always stayed by her side, loyal to a fault, and Kiana couldn't simply look the other way.
Sirin narrowed her eyes slightly.
[Hmph! I just came out to eat noodles. Whatever you're saying, I don't get it.]
[Don't be so tsundere! You knew Sigurd was in a good mood, so you purposely brought Bella back, hoping she'd be accepted, right? Come on, you think I don't know you by now?]
Kiana's tone in the shared consciousness carried an unmistakable smile.
With Sirin's temperament, if she hadn't been deliberately trying to help Benares find a place here, she would've jumped to argue with Sigurd the moment he drew Bella's blood. That much was obvious.
[Shut up!]
The disposable fork in Sirin's hand snapped cleanly in two. Without a word, she pulled a new one out of thin air and continued eating her noodles as if nothing had happened.
<+>
Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please go to my Patreon[1], just for $5 each month, you can read till the latest chapter.
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 408: Reunion[2]
Link to the latest chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-146627958[3]
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=condensed[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-146627958
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-146627958
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=condensed