"So... this is the study plan you've devised for me? A Homu toy? Don't you dare make fun of me!"
After lunch, Kiana was dragged into Bronya's room by Snow, like a chick caught by the scruff of its neck. The white-haired clump eyed the strange Homu doll before her with disdain.
"You can pick another option. I'll pin you down while Bronya finds a tape recorder and drills the key points into your head for seven days and nights straight," the golden-haired Valkyrie said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Your magnanimity knows no bounds! There's no need for such measures!" Seeing the golden-haired Valkyrie's expression, the white-haired clump immediately caved.
"Idiot Kiana, this isn't a toy. It's the latest model Homu Homu Virtual Reality Connector," Bronya said, standing on tiptoe to place one of the blue Homu headgear onto Kiana's head.
"Snow, do you want to join us?" Bronya asked, holding up another Homu headgear to the golden-haired girl.
"Hmm... this sounds like an interesting new experience. I'll give it a try," Snow replied, taking the headgear from Bronya and putting it on.
"Please, Snow and silly Kiana, find comfortable positions to sit in. Once the virtual reality connectors activate, your brains will temporarily lose control of your bodies," Bronya explained, putting on the final yellow Homu headset and settling herself steadily on the sofa.
—Link Start—
The vision went black, then flashed with a blinding white light. A grand library materialized before the three girls.
"This is Schicksal's core database, containing the most detailed historical records of the Honkai," Bronya explained, appearing before Snow and Kiana dressed as a little witch.
"I am Bronya, the guiding witch—O wandering maidens! I will guide you on the path to truth!"
"A guiding... Witch?" A few beads of cold sweat trickled down Kiana's forehead.
"Let's start with the earliest records of the Honkai," Bronya said, ignoring Kiana's question as she pulled a thick book from the massive bookshelf. A door radiating white light materialized before them.
"Bronya's taking dummy Kiana to review history. Sister Snow can browse other sections here—most of Schicksal's database is accessible to Valkyries," Bronya said with a nod to Snow, who was studying the library. She then grabbed Kiana by the arm and pulled her through the glowing portal.
"...Good luck with your review, Kiana," Snow called after them, turning her attention back to the bookshelves.
"...Let's see what books they have here." Her gaze swept across the shelves, the intricate titles blurring before her eyes.
"Dragon Aotian and the Vampire Princess"... Pass.
"The Overbearing Herrscher's Obsession with Me"... Kiana would probably like this... Pass.
"My Life's Light—Kallen"...? Pass!
Scanning the shelves, she found only strange books... until her gaze landed on a corner of the bookshelf.
There lay a black book with no title on its cover. Instead, a golden, one-eyed symbol was embossed on its dark surface.
"...The crest of the Apocalypse Family?" As Snow pulled the black book out, a white door—identical to the one Bronya and her companions had used—materialized before her.
"Looks like another piece of history... Interesting." The blonde girl stepped through the luminous portal.
As the last person departed, the grand library plunged into darkness. At the spot where the black book had been removed, a string of unnoticed characters flickered:
■■■■■■ Identity Authentication Approved
-
1476 AD, Vienna, Europe - Old Schicksal Headquarters
Snow stood in bewildered silence on the filthy street, her attire inexplicably transformed into a black cloak, the acrid stench unique to medieval streets assaulting the golden-haired girl's senses.
".....?" Suppressing her physical discomfort, she bent down and scooped up a handful of the muddy ground, the loose dirt clinging to her fingers.
".....An interactive, hyper-realistic simulation. Interesting." Her azure eyes examined the dirt in her palm, a spark of curiosity lighting her gaze.
"Hey! You sneaky-looking character! What are you up to?!" A young man's sharp rebuke rang out from behind her, interrupting her thoughts. Annoyed, Snow glanced over her shoulder.
It was a squad of soldiers clad in medieval knight's armor, the Schicksal insignia emblazoned on their breastplates. Judging by the muddy stains on their iron boots, they were likely knights patrolling the area.
"Wearing a suffocating robe in broad daylight... acting so suspiciously! Civilian, lower your hood and turn around for inspection!" The lead knight glared at the black-robed figure, cautiously gripping his sword as he slowly approached.
"...Intriguing," Snow murmured softly, removing the dark robe. Her long golden hair cascaded free as she turned, her blue eyes meeting the gaze of the advancing guards.
"...A lady? Ahem... My apologies, fair maiden. I apologize for my earlier rudeness, but please submit to our questioning." The knight visibly faltered at the sight of the beautiful girl revealed beneath the robe, covering his embarrassment with a cough.
The knight scrutinized the girl before him. Beneath the black robe lay an exquisite white outfit, its intricate layers hidden beneath. A golden-embroidered shawl draped naturally from her right shoulder, and a golden crest unique to the Apocalypse Family hung at her waist—a sign of a noble lady of high birth, the knight thought.
Wait... the Apocalypse Family crest?! The knight's face froze beneath his visor. His gaze drifted upward again, returning to the crest on her right shoulder and the pale golden hair cascading over it.
The crest on her right shoulder was a simple golden one-eyed symbol, echoing the golden emblem at her waist.
"...Forgive me! Lady of the Apocalypse Family, I apologize for my previous impudence. If you permit, please allow my squad to escort you back to the Bishop's castle."
Ignoring the muddy ground, the knight plunged his sword into the earth and knelt on one knee before Snow, who still looked somewhat bewildered. As the lead knight knelt, the other guards, hearing their captain's words, clattered to their knees in unison.
"...Rise," the golden-haired girl said, quickly composing herself and adapting to her role. "I forgive your offense."
"Lady, would you like us to escort you back to the castle?" The knight rose cautiously, his gaze fixed on the girl before him.
"If you would be so kind," Snow replied after a moment's consideration, nodding.
A castle... where did this castle come from? This is supposed to be medieval Vienna, right? Modern Vienna only has the old castle owned by my adoptive father. There aren't any other castles here.
Did it collapse during the later turmoil? And why would this interactive virtual reality assign me the identity of the Apocalypse Family?
Following the guards' footsteps, Snow pondered as she walked towards the distance.
-
"We've arrived, my lady," the knight accompanying her called out, drawing the girl back from her thoughts.
"My lady, if there's nothing further, we'll return to our patrol," he added.
"Mm, okay..." Snow responded absentmindedly, dismissing the knight. She lifted her gaze to the castle before her, the destination of their journey: the Apocalypse Family's ancestral seat.
"...Why does this castle look so... vaguely familiar?" The girl gazed at the castle's towering spire, a place she had often climbed as a child. Apart from the difference in age between the outer walls, the castle's exterior was identical to her memories.