Chapter 378: Fu Hua, You're Drunk
Kiana chose Kevin.
That was only natural—Kevin was the strongest, and the similarities in their bloodlines meant that Kiana would benefit most from him.
After all, the Kaslana brand of reckless, brawler-style combat wasn't exactly suited to anyone but a Kaslana.
Seele chose Su.
After chatting with the Su from fifty thousand years in the future, she learned he was a doctor. Seele's current goal was to become one too, so she figured they'd have plenty to talk about.
Wendy decided to visit Fu Hua.
The Six Fists stances and Art of Taixuan Sword—these godlike applications of Honkai energy—were techniques even a Herrscher could benefit from. Though the Fu Hua of fifty thousand years ago hadn't yet developed those arts, that might make her perspective and advice all the more unique.
Raiden Mei was the only one who received direct guidance from Sigurd.
She was to seek out Kalpas and Sakura—Kalpas, to learn his wild, unrestrained ferocity in battle; Sakura, because she was an exceptional swordswoman.
As for Bronya, her options were few.
After sweet-talking Elysia until the pink elf was dizzy, she secured Elysia's Sigil and then headed to Eden's domain in search of further gains.
And Sin Mal—well, from the very beginning, her choice had always been Mobius.
"One of the main reasons I didn't bring you all in earlier was because of Mobius. You know she's dangerous. Are you sure you want to go?"
As each girl left the lounge one by one, Sigurd stood behind the bar, mixing a bright, colorful fruit drink for Sin Mal, his tone casual as he asked.
Sin Mal accepted the drink with both hands, lowered her head, and answered quietly, "Mm."
Sigurd reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his eyes shadowed.
After a long silence, he let go.
"Go, then."
He spoke softly.
Sin Mal tilted her head back and drained the glass, then carefully set it down.
Pushing herself up with both hands on the counter, she leaned in and kissed Sigurd lightly on the cheek.
"Wait for me to come back, okay, Sigurd?"
"Alright."
With his simple reply, Sin Mal's face lit up with a radiant smile.
Then she turned and jogged toward the exit.
Sigurd watched her small, graceful figure until it disappeared into the light at the end of the passage—then the glass in his hand shattered with a sharp crack.
Fragments and liquor spilled across the counter, filling the air with the sharp scent of alcohol.
Fu Hua pulled out a clean handkerchief, silently wiping Sigurd's hand before tidying the counter.
Only then did she rest her chin on her hands and gaze at him, helplessness written all over her pale, milky-white face.
"You knew it was dangerous. You didn't want to let her go. So why did you still watch her walk away?"
Her tone carried soft disapproval, a sigh following soon after.
Few people knew the danger of Mobius better than Fu Hua did—for the body that had carried her through fifty thousand years of time was Mobius's creation.
With Senti's powers, Fu Hua had regained many of her lost memories—and even now, the recollection of those old experiments made her uneasy.
Sigurd turned, taking a bottle and a glass from the shelf, mixing another drink as he spoke.
"The day I first met Sin Mal, I told her I needed her power. And ever since, I've used that power without hesitation."
"But as time passed, I gathered more cards in my hand. The human-side Herrschers have each come into their own, and on battlefields growing fiercer by the day, her role's become less and less vital."
"She knows it, too—that I don't really need her strength anymore."
"I could tell. That child's been restless," Fu Hua said softly, blinking.
In her clear, starlit eyes flickered both warmth and sorrow.
It was just like herself in the distant past—when she had obeyed Mobius completely.
Helpless, desperate to change something, chasing power without regard for anything else.
Even the slightest pause felt unbearable, as if she'd lose her place in the world.
Then Fu Hua lifted her head, her bright eyes meeting Sigurd's directly.
"She's not like I was," Fu Hua said softly. "She has you watching over her. That's all the more reason you should've stopped her. At the very least, it'd be safer if you handled it yourself instead of leaving her to Dr. Mobius, wouldn't it?"
As she spoke, Sigurd had just finished mixing a drink. Fu Hua reached out and took one of his hands in hers, gently kneading it. She could feel the incredible density of his bones, the indestructible structure beneath his skin, and the endless, perfectly balanced Honkai energy coursing through every vein.
Sigurd didn't stop her. He only sighed quietly.
"It's not that simple. Modifying oneself and modifying others are two completely different things. Many aspects just can't be replicated. If they could, Anti-Entropy wouldn't have only one perfect fusion warrior—me. Otto wouldn't have only one perfect body—Hera. If fusion warriors could be copied one-to-one, we would've mass-produced an army of thousands long ago."
"…I see. I suppose that was naïve of me."
"It's not ignorance, just a different field," Sigurd said evenly. "Like your so-called 'realms of cultivation.' Even Otto and I can't fully decipher them. Realistically speaking, I can't guarantee that Sin Mal will achieve Herrscher-level power. Worse, the process might smother her innate potential entirely. The loss would outweigh the gain."
"You're right," Fu Hua murmured. "That child's still growing. If she just keeps training, developing her strength step by step, her future would be limitless. But… I suppose she also knows we might not have that kind of time, doesn't she?"
Fu Hua held Sigurd's hand in both of hers, eyes lowered, her sigh tinged with quiet sorrow.
On the path of fighting against Honkai, she had long grown accustomed to this kind of helplessness.
Then she looked up again, smiling faintly.
"You mentioned 'realistic factors.' That means there are other factors too, aren't there?"
"Mm. Emotionally speaking… I guess I just couldn't bear it."
"Couldn't bear it?"
"Don't make me out to be so cold and heartless. She's placed her whole life in my hands—her joy, her laughter, her will to fight, even her willingness to die for me. So I don't want her to suffer more pain or take unnecessary risks. If she weren't so stubborn and headstrong, I would've given her something safer to do."
As he spoke, Sigurd withdrew his hand from hers and slid the freshly mixed drink across the counter toward her.
Fu Hua was silent for a moment. Then she lifted the glass, took a sip—her movements graceful and restrained, as always—and the corners of her lips curved slightly.
"It's good. Sharp, but not harsh—smooth and lingering."
"It's made with a Shenzhou spirit as the base," Sigurd said mildly. "Glad it suits your taste."
He drained his own glass of pale green liquor in one go and exhaled slowly.
Fu Hua shrugged and followed suit, downing hers in a single breath.
As she tilted her head back, the curve of her slender white neck moved gently, the motion unexpectedly vivid and alluring.
Setting down the empty glass, her cheeks now faintly flushed, she leaned lazily on the counter and murmured with a teasing smile, "I never thought you were cold or heartless, Sigurd."
"When the day comes that I ask you to throw your life away," he replied quietly, "I hope you'll still say that."
"Hah! If that day comes, it'll be a necessary sacrifice. I'll fulfill my duty with a smile."
"Thousands of years old, and still as naïve as ever. I can't decide whether to laugh or admire you… Anyway, one more drink. It's rare that all those troublemakers and clingy ones aren't around—your Little Xuan's off watching over Senti. It's not often we get a quiet evening to talk."
He poured again, sliding two fresh glasses toward them.
Fu Hua chuckled softly. "When it's with you, I could drink a hundred—or a thousand—and not mind."
"Funny, I was just about to say the same."
"Then cheers—to the new era. May it prosper and never fade."
"Cheers—to the new era."
Their glasses met with a crisp clink.
Fu Hua's smile bloomed like a flower, her beauty radiant under the warm light, enough to stir any heart.
Even Sigurd's normally impassive expression softened into a faint, comforting smile.
After several more rounds, Fu Hua propped one hand on the table, her pink cheeks resting on her palm, a lazy, gentle smile playing at her lips.
"That's enough for tonight, I think. One more, and even if the wine doesn't win—you'll be the one who's drunk."
"Fair enough," Sigurd replied lightly. "As long as you enjoyed it."
Sigurd waved his hand, and in an instant, all the bottles and glasses on the table vanished without a trace.
Fu Hua's gaze shifted toward him, her eyes calm yet inquisitive.
"By now, Sin Mal should've met with Dr. Mobius. You're really not going to stop her?"
Sigurd gave a low chuckle.
"How many of you heroes have surpassed your limits—reached Herrscher level or beyond—thanks to her? In terms of creativity, Dr. Mobius is unmatched throughout history, far above Otto or me. And now that she's acquired my blood and deciphered a flawless fusion gene blueprint... If Sin Mal's determination can't be swayed, then let her walk the path with the highest probability of success. At least... since I'm not the one forcing her, I can comfort myself with that much."
"Heh. What a hypocritical thing I just said."
Tilting his head back, Sigurd gazed upward as he monitored Sin Mal's vitals through the swarm of quantum microbees mixed into her drink. For the countless time, a weary sigh escaped his lips.
Suddenly, Fu Hua reached out with both hands and gently cupped his face, tilting it toward her. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and a tender smile bloomed there.
"It's not hypocrisy," Fu Hua said softly. Her eyes shimmered with warmth as she continued, "That's just your kindness, Sigurd. On the surface, you allow no opposition, but deep down, you understand every one of our convictions—and you respect them completely. You're not cold-blooded, nor are you false. You just bear the burden silently, shielding everyone in your own way. That's the Sigurd everyone loves—the best version of you. I guarantee it."
Thump. Thump.
Her smile, her hands gently cradling his face—Sigurd felt his heartbeat stutter, then race uncontrollably.
They stayed like that for a long moment before he finally moved. Reaching up, he grasped her wrists and slowly lowered her hands.
"Fu Hua, you're drunk."
"Maybe… I am."
Her smile faded into a faint, embarrassed one. She slipped free from his grasp, toying with a lock of her hair while scratching her cheek with the other hand, lowering her gaze shyly.
Sigurd poured another cup—this time, plain water—and slid it toward her.
"Sober up. I'll go check on the others."
"Alright. I'll rest here for a bit."
He turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the light spilling from the corridor beyond.
Sitting alone at the bar, Fu Hua cradled the glass in both hands. She remained silent for a long time before finally taking a sip, the cool water washing away the lingering taste of alcohol.
"If… I weren't drunk…"
Her soft whisper drifted into the stillness of the room—and was swallowed by silence.
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