For a mother who had lost her husband and her daughter, how could the despair and grief buried deep within her heart be surpassed by the mere whispers of Honkai—or a god?
Honkai had tried to persuade Alexandra to destroy the world.
Yet relying solely on her longing and obsession for Bronya, Alexandra overcame that temptation, because she understood one thing very clearly.
"I know very well that this world has never been beautiful. Cold, hunger, poverty, war—my homeland alone was filled with so many tragedies."
Facing Honkai's seduction, Alexandra calmly laid bare the ugliness of the world.
Some people lived in the light, while others lived in darkness. Even though it was the same Earth, when Europe in 1470 fell into the despair known as the Black Death, when the terror of Honkai Beasts threw people into panic—
At that very same time, Shenzhou remained calm and undisturbed.
Under the protection of the Immortal Phoenix, people barely knew what Honkai was, living in peace and stability.
This world had never been fair.
Alexandra knew that very well.
"To be born into such a world—living is more painful than dying, and the future is darker than the present. So even if I listen to you and destroy the world, what would it change? My daughter still wouldn't come back. And besides..."
"Death may be a release, but only the living have hope."
"The future may be darker, but dawn will eventually arrive."
"You say my daughter is already dead. Maybe that's true. But I don't believe it! I won't accept it! I will find Bronya—no matter what it takes, even if I must spend the rest of my life!"
Even Honkai could not shake Alexandra's resolve. She had already lost what mattered most to her. And precisely because of that, she could not fall into despair. She had to reclaim what was precious to her.
"Resenting the world is useless. For my daughter's sake, I'm willing to spare this world for now."
From that moment on, Honkai abandoned its attempt to tempt Alexandra. It understood that it could not sway a human who bore the identity of "mother"—unless it placed her daughter's corpse directly before her.
But at the time, Bronya was in an orphanage called House of the Hearth, protected by a boy who defied fate.
And just two days ago, after traveling through more than half of Shenzhou in search of news about Bronya, Alexandra finally obtained a clue from a World Serpent employee.
World Serpent Employee: "You're asking about that little girl? Of course I know her! She's a Valkyrie from St. Freya Academy. Last time a Honkai Beast as tall as a building appeared here, and it was Miss Bronya who took it down!"
Alexandra: "!!!"
The unexpected news filled her with overwhelming joy. Not only was her daughter still alive—she had even become a Valkyrie!
Although after the Manila Honkai incident, countries had officially made information about Honkai public, Alexandra—who had experienced the Second Eruption—had known about Honkai and Valkyries long before that.
As though she had grasped a lifeline, Alexandra immediately rushed toward the airport. Only when she arrived did she remember something extremely important...
She had no money.
All these years, she had lived at the lowest possible standard—barely surviving. In truth, if Elias had not once used his authority to heal her in the past, she would not have endured this long.
In any case, staring at the exorbitant price of the plane ticket, Alexandra even briefly considered stowing away—or swimming to the Far East region.
Just when she was at a complete loss—
World Serpent Employee: "Ahem! Congratulations, you are our airport's one-millionth passenger. We have prepared a first-class private jet service for you to anywhere in the world!"
Alexandra: "Eh? Th-then... can I go to the Far East region?"
World Serpent Employee: "Of course! Certainly! We wish you a pleasant journey and that all your wishes come true!"
Alexandra felt as though she had been blessed by fortune. Ever since she found news of Bronya, it was as if the world had begun standing on her side, everything clearing a path for her.
Silently, she prayed that this luck would last until the moment she found her daughter. In her hand, she tightly clutched the old, yellowed photograph of a young Bronya.
She knew that if her daughter was truly alive, she would have grown from a little girl into a young woman by now. She would no longer look like the child in the photo.
Yet Alexandra was confident that the moment she saw Bronya, she would recognize her instantly.
After all, if nothing else, the distinctive twin spiral hairstyle inherited through their family bloodline was an unmistakable feature.
However, their reunion came faster—and more suddenly—than Alexandra had imagined.
When this mother arrived in the Far East region and walked past a crossroad, her gaze was seized by the figure of a girl.
Silver-gray hair. Twin spiral curls. A face similar to her own.
But those were not the most important things.
The instant Alexandra saw Bronya, her heart pounded violently.
Tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes.
It was as if the resonance of blood ties reignited the dried and congealed blood within her veins, making it flow hot once more.
(Found you... I found you! My daughter—my Bronya! God, I'm not dreaming, am I?)
Alexandra hurriedly wiped away her tears. Otherwise, her blurred vision would prevent her from seeing the girl clearly.
Compared to her childhood, she had grown taller. More adorable. More mature. There was even an indescribable nobility about her—she seemed to shine.
Alexandra had imagined countless times what her daughter would look like when she grew up. But Bronya, now transformed into the Herrscher of Reason, far exceeded her expectations.
In that moment, Alexandra felt as though she had finally come back to life. Just one glance made all those years of persistence worthwhile. She hurried toward Bronya.
She wanted to embrace her daughter, to look at her closely from the nearest distance. Countless longings surged through her heart in an instant, quickening her steps.
However, just then...
"Papa Elias, where are we going to play today?"
Bronya held the hand of the white-haired boy and asked expectantly. And those words reached Alexandra's ears.
(Eh? Papa? Who is Bronya calling? Alexei is already dead... Th-this... what is going on?)
Alexandra's steps came to an abrupt halt.
Just moments ago, all her attention had been fixed entirely on Bronya, causing her to overlook the white-haired boy standing beside the girl—someone who should have been even more eye-catching.
Now, following Bronya's gaze, Alexandra realized that the one her daughter had called "Papa" was not her deceased husband, but a boy tens of thousands of times more handsome.
At that moment, Alexandra's brain completely froze.
(Wh-what exactly is going on? Why is Bronya calling this boy Papa? What kind of relationship do they have?! Could it be...)
As a mature woman, Alexandra had seen her fair share of the world. A boy and a girl who appeared close in age—yet the latter called the former Papa.
For an instant, the mother felt dizzy. The blood that had only just begun to burn hot inside her seemed to freeze once more.
"N-no! I can't jump to conclusions. I have to... observe a little longer!"
She took several deep breaths to calm herself.
Simply being able to find her daughter had already satisfied her beyond measure. And all signs indicated that Bronya was living very well. So Alexandra followed the two of them nervously and cautiously, intending to assess the situation first.
Yet the result once again exceeded her expectations.
In short, there was nothing bad about it.
Aside from the more thrilling parts Alexandra had not witnessed earlier—such as the high-speed pursuit and racing—the date between Elias and Bronya today was nothing more than an ordinary couple's outing.
They dominated the arcade, enjoyed a delicious lunch, strolled through the streets for hours, and watched a movie. It was simple, ordinary, yet fulfilling and beautiful... aside from the form of address.
Throughout the entire date, Bronya addressed Elias as "Papa." Little did the board-duck know just how much that title made the two of them internally panic.
After an entire day had passed,
Alexandra looked at the pair with a somewhat bewildered expression.
Even now, she had not fully determined what relationship Elias and Bronya truly had. Although her daughter called him Papa, the two looked far more like a well-matched couple.
Was it simply playful intimacy between young lovers? Or was he truly a young adoptive father and she his adopted daughter? Or was there some hidden truth she did not know?
But to be honest... Alexandra felt that perhaps it was not something she needed to dwell on too much.
Because her daughter looked happy.
(I don't know what exactly is going on, but Bronya looks so happy. She isn't forcing herself. And that boy... I feel like he seems a little familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before? No... it must be my imagination.)
Alexandra shook her head and sorted through the situation.
First, her daughter was alive and well, with all her limbs intact. She was a Valkyrie of St. Freya Academy—a small heroine saving the world.
Second, she had a close and intimate relationship with a boy. Although Alexandra still did not fully understand their connection, there was no doubt that they were very close. When Bronya was with him, she smiled so brightly. She looked incomparably happy.
"Haa... that's enough."
Alexandra let out a long breath.
At last, the mother's suspended heart settled. Simply being able to find her daughter was already enough. To know that Bronya was living well—what more could she ask for?
However, just as she prepared to step forward and reunite with the board-duck—
"Reunite... can I really do that?"
Alexandra stopped once more, staring blankly at Bronya walking hand in hand with Elias ahead of her.
The girl wore a delicate little dress, as adorable and moving as a tiny princess. The white-haired boy at her side was so handsome he seemed almost angelic.
The two of them looked so beautiful and warm together.
And what about herself?
Alexandra turned to the display window of a nearby shop.
Reflected in the glass was a sorrowful woman. Her overcoat, worn for who knew how long, was already threadbare. Her face was haggard, her hair disheveled. An air of pitiful weariness clung to her.
Did someone like this truly have the right to reunite with her daughter?
(There's no need anymore, is there? This child has already found someone who loves her—and someone she loves. She has her own life now... Even without me, she can live happily. Maybe reuniting with her would only bring her trouble.)
Alexandra smiled bitterly.
Bronya now shone so brilliantly. She lacked nothing, like a noble and lovely little swan. And yet her mother stood here in such a destitute state.
Watching the white-haired boy and her daughter walk farther and farther away, Alexandra made her choice. She took one last deep look at the two of them... then turned and left.
"I've already seen you. That's enough. Even if we don't reunite, it doesn't matter. Just knowing that you're living well is more than enough for me. So... from now on, keep living happily, Bronya."
Alexandra offered her blessing to her daughter. She strangled her past expectations, relinquished the longing in her heart, and decided that from now on she would watch over her daughter from afar.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"Heh... I really don't even know what to say."
"Hm? What's wrong, Papa Elias?"
"Nothing. Just... feeling a little sentimental. Humans really are creatures who do foolish things for love... haa."
Sensing the footsteps and presence behind them gradually fading into the distance, Elias shook his head and sighed again.
"...That's true."
Bronya narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at a certain someone's face, expressing strong agreement with that statement.
Although she had no idea why he had suddenly grown sentimental, those words were absolutely correct. Elias himself was the most typical example!
Sensing the meaning contained in the board-duck's gaze, Elias awkwardly coughed and turned his head away.
After the two returned to St. Freya Academy—
"Duck, you head back and eat first. I have something to take care of. I'll be back a little later."
"Hm? Then Bronya will go with you."
"No, no~ I want to prepare a little surprise for you. So hurry back. Take today's spoils with you—and don't forget to pick up Project Bunny in a few days."
As he spoke, Elias handed the limited-edition Homu plush they had won by conquering the arcade to the board-duck, along with the game console, new clothes, and accessories they had bought.
Although the pile was a bit too much for Bronya's small hands, Elias created a pseudo Star of Eden and controlled gravity so that everything floated gently in midair.
"Um... is it really okay to use a Divine Key like that?"
"Ah~ put it to good use."
"Alright then. Papa Elias, come back early."
Bronya waved to him before heading back to the Valkyrie dormitory. Elias waved back, then opened a spatial gate and stepped inside, muttering to himself as he did.
"Mother-in-law... you really don't let me relax, haa..."
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