When she left St. Freya Academy, Inaba Tsukiyo had considered that Bronya might call her. The phone she possessed was given to her by Bronya.
However, after receiving the call from Bronya, Inaba Tsukiyo didn't know what to do.
Was it because of Cecilia that she couldn't let go of Kiana, and therefore had no choice but to take Kiana away from St. Freya Academy?
Why, when Kiana first arrived at St. Freya Academy, did Inaba Tsukiyo not choose to let Kiana stay there, but instead left St. Freya Academy?
It wasn't that she didn't trust Theresa, nor that she didn't believe Theresa would protect them. The biggest reason was that she didn't want to implicate Theresa and the others.
St. Freya Academy was still under Schicksal's control, and St. Freya Academy had no power to contend with Schicksal.
Even if Otto could spare Theresa, what about everyone else?
Knowing that she could transform into others, would Otto let go of her, an excellent research subject?
No, absolutely not. Otto would definitely find a way to research her abilities until he could make Kallen reappear before him.
Moreover, Kiana didn't want to face Kiana. Kiana absolutely did not want to confront this clone who had taken everything from her.
So... Inaba Tsukiyo left St. Freya Academy, but she left Bronya at St. Freya Academy.
"Older Sister Tsukiyo... is that Older Sister Bronya calling?"
As Inaba Tsukiyo hesitated whether to answer the phone, Seele's voice reached her ears.
"Yes. I actually thought Bronya would call last night. It seems she also had trouble accepting it when she found out I left the academy. But... what should I do now?"
She had promised to stay by Bronya's side, yet she had left Bronya again, and without a word.
As Bronya's older sister, Inaba Tsukiyo felt like she was a complete failure.
"...Answer it, Older Sister Tsukiyo. Seele believes Older Sister Bronya will understand. It's not like we won't have a chance to meet again, and we won't become enemies."
Yes, even if they were separated, Inaba Tsukiyo and Bronya would not become enemies.
Although Cocolia was a despicable woman, Bronya was her daughter, and even if she was placed in St. Freya Academy, Bronya could return to Anti-Entropy when necessary.
"...I understand. I won't run away."
After a moment of silence, Inaba Tsukiyo answered the phone and held it to her ear.
No sound immediately came from the other end of the phone. Whether she was organizing her thoughts or hadn't expected Inaba Tsukiyo to answer her call, the silence lasted for more than ten seconds.
"Is that Older Sister Tsukiyo?"
"Yes, it's me, Bronya. How are you? Have you been eating well?"
"Yes, Older Sister Mei has been cooking for us. But, I'd rather eat Older Sister Tsukiyo's cooking. I... want to stay by Older Sister Tsukiyo's side."
Her words had no emotional fluctuation, as if she were simply talking about what they were having for dinner tonight.
However, anyone familiar with Bronya would know that Bronya wanted to see Inaba Tsukiyo; even if they had only been separated for a few hours, she found it somewhat unacceptable.
Seele had already left, and now Inaba Tsukiyo was also leaving her side. Everything had returned to how it was a few months ago.
But Bronya didn't feel sad; she understood Inaba Tsukiyo's choice. If it were her, she would do the same.
"Older Sister Tsukiyo, Older Sister Mei and the others don't know Bronya has your number. But after this call, Bronya hopes Older Sister Tsukiyo can destroy the phone. Once someone finds the phone's signal, Older Sister Tsukiyo's location will be exposed. Bronya hopes that before she sees Older Sister Tsukiyo next time, Older Sister Tsukiyo can take good care of herself."
"...Heh! Really, when did you become so fond of worrying about others? Little fool. Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself. It's you, while I'm not around, you must take good care of yourself, understand?"
"Mm, I understand. Then, goodbye, Older Sister Tsukiyo."
"Goodbye, Bronya."
After hanging up, the phone gradually disintegrated into molecules under the Honkai Energy's erosion, vanishing from this world.
Bronya's understanding made Inaba Tsukiyo feel much better.
Indeed, when doing something, if someone can support her, then she has the motivation to continue doing it.
Seele smiled and nodded. After sensing that Seele's emotions had stabilized, she returned to Inaba Tsukiyo's body.
At the same time, a figure was tiptoeing, quietly approaching Inaba Tsukiyo, raising her hands, seemingly wanting to scare Inaba Tsukiyo.
"She's already sixteen, yet her behavior is still like a child's. Kiana."
"Ugh~ Why did you know I wanted to scare you, Mom? You clearly weren't looking behind you."
Kiana dropped her hands a bit dejectedly and pounced towards Inaba Tsukiyo, hugging her tightly.
Although she didn't have Cecilia's figure, the petite Inaba Tsukiyo felt very comfortable to hold, making one reluctant to let go.
"Don't you know my hearing is very sensitive? Also, I'm not your mother. Didn't I already explain to you that Cecilia is just one of the states I can transform into?"
Inaba Tsukiyo couldn't help but reach out and press Kiana's face. Ever since she had explained it clearly at the dinner table, this girl would hug her whenever she had a chance, constantly rubbing her cheeks against her.
Although the feeling wasn't bad, it was still very embarrassing, and she felt like she was being treated as a doll by Kiana.
"Hehe~ But Mom, when you woke up this morning, didn't you tell me you were Mom? And I've thought it through, Mom sacrificed herself when I was two, now I'm sixteen, and you're fourteen, it's just right."
"What 'just right,' don't twist the concept. My real age is more than fourteen, hurry up and let go of me~"
She didn't dare to use too much strength, fearing that too much force would hurt Kiana.
No matter how much she pushed, Kiana just didn't want to let go of Inaba Tsukiyo, making Inaba Tsukiyo want to draw her sword.
Finally, Inaba Tsukiyo used Sirin's power, using her imaginary arms to pull Kiana away and gain her freedom.
After finally calming Kiana down, Inaba Tsukiyo told Yae Sakura and Kiana about her conversation with Tesla.
Although they were preparing to join Anti-Entropy,
"So, what do you all think? Tratt is very likely an Anti-Entropy member, and Tratt isn't her real name either. Do you think we should join Anti-Entropy?"
"Wherever Mom goes, I go. Anyway, we can't stay in Schicksal anymore, so going to Anti-Entropy isn't bad. I heard you can even pilot mechs in Anti-Entropy."
"Tsukiyo's decision is fine."
"Wherever Big Sister goes, I go. Since the Divine One wants to go to Anti-Entropy, then we should go. And since they mainly operate machines, my abilities can also be put to use."
Higanbana's erosion ability was practically tailor-made to deal with Anti-Entropy's mechs, not to mention these mechs were driven by Honkai Energy.
Well, it was basically a pointless question. She had originally wanted to discuss it, but it was unanimously approved right away, rendering all her previously prepared arguments useless.
"Oh, right, Mom. Although this might be a bit demoralizing, I want to remind you that Schicksal's power isn't just Valkyries. Schicksal also has mechs, and their performance is better than Anti-Entropy's."
"Mm, I know. Even if Otto doesn't value the lives of Valkyries, the number of Valkyries is limited and uncontrollable. Developing mechs to obey him is something Otto would do."
"Mm. So, if Mom really wants to be an enemy of Schicksal, she needs to have enough combat power. It's just... even if Mom returns to her original form and uses the Black Abyss White Flower, she's no match for the Archon. He... is truly very strong."
Although he was the Archon of Schicksal, Otto was not the kind of researcher who spent years immersed in studies; Otto's own strength was also very formidable.
If it was just Cecilia plus the Black Abyss White Flower, then she would be no match for Otto.
"If he didn't have the ability, how could he have served as Schicksal's Archon for five hundred consecutive years? But don't underestimate me too much, Kiana. I also have trump cards I haven't used."
Inaba Tsukiyo couldn't help but smile, and under everyone's bewildered gaze, she looked up at the ceiling.
"Calculating the time, it should be arriving soon, right?"
"————"
A dragon's roar, tearing through the sky, entered everyone's ears. This roar, filled with a tyrannical aura, made everyone's hearts skip a beat.
Everyone who came to the balcony found a blue-and-white giant dragon soaring in the sky. The immense aura emanating from its massive body made Yae Sakura and Kiana instinctively draw their weapons.
Kiana clearly knew the identity of the giant dragon before her; this was the Judgment-class Honkai Beast — the Demon Dragon Bella — that had appeared fourteen years ago alongside the Second Herrscher.
"Why... why is a Judgment-class Honkai Beast appearing here? Has the Second Herrscher appeared?"
This demon dragon was clearly a Servant of the Second Herrscher. Ever since the Second Herrscher's death, this Honkai Beast had vanished without a trace, and no matter how Schicksal searched, they couldn't find her whereabouts.
After fourteen years, why was this demon dragon appearing here? Had the Second Herrscher reawakened?
The moment Yae Sakura and Kiana were about to make a move, Inaba Tsukiyo came to their side and put down their weapons.
Inaba Tsukiyo walked to the balcony, looked at the giant dragon in the sky, and smiled contentedly.
The giant dragon let out a low growl the moment Inaba Tsukiyo appeared. It tilted its head and let out another low growl towards Inaba Tsukiyo, seemingly confirming something.
Immediately after, under everyone's tense gaze, the giant dragon flapped its wings, its body began to virtualize, gradually shrinking, and taking on a human appearance.
Until finally, a young girl with blue-and-white long hair knelt before Inaba Tsukiyo, lowering her head.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty."
"Bella."
[Miss's Red Moe Hall] 298316354
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