Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

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"Your name's Zeke, right? How did you know I was outside?"

Siegfried brushed off the snow with his remaining hand. Despite his scruffy appearance, he still exuded charm, wearing a relaxed and carefree smile on his rugged face.

Zeke twirled the cup in his hands and replied, "Just a guess, not entirely sure, so I decided to check."

Siegfried's lazy grin froze momentarily.

"Tsk! Your demeanor reminds me of someone truly annoying."

Must be Otto, thought Zeke silently before maintaining his composed expression and responding, "My apologies then. Regardless, thank you for saving me, Uncle Siegfried Kaslana."

"...Did Kiana tell you about me as well?"

"Hmm, she revealed it casually when asked; no sense of caution whatsoever."

"Sigh!"

Siegfried covered his face, displaying a headache-inducing frustration.

However, Zeke glanced at him and said, "I think it's your parenting that's the issue."

"How could it be? I'm raising her according to the finest traditions of the Kaslanas, there's absolutely nothing wrong."

"Then it's your issue."

"Hey!"

"Do you mean to suggest that Kiana was born stupid?"

"Of course not! My Kiana is absolutely perfect!"

"So, indeed, it's your problem."

"..."

Siegfried scratched his head, feeling at a loss for words. Although there didn't seem to be any direct issues, he couldn't shake off the suspicion—does this brat have something against me?

"Yes, I do have an issue with you," Zeke confirmed.

Can you read minds? Siegfried looked astounded.

"It's not mind reading; it's just that you and Kiana are quite similar. Your expressions reveal what you're thinking."

Siegfried remained silent, taken aback.

"In any case, given the circumstances, you clearly haven't strayed far from Kiana. So why haven't you sought her out instead of making her find you?" Zeke asked, his calm eyes fixed unwaveringly on Siegfried, devoid of any hint of amusement.

Although Zeke knew the storyline, even then, he couldn't comprehend such irresponsible behavior.

Siegfried was fully aware that Kiana's true age made her even younger than she appeared. Moreover, her memories only began after he rescued her from the laboratory. Abandoning someone like Kiana, leaving her to wander alone in an unfamiliar world—it left Zeke deeply unsettled.

"I..." Siegfried began but struggled to continue.

Seeing Siegfried's troubled expression, Zeke filled in for him: "Being with her might put her in danger? Or perhaps your missing arm is connected to her somehow, and you're unsure how to explain it?"

Zeke's suggestions seemed to hit close to the truth, at least part of it. Siegfried's expression shifted, surprised, as he asked, "How did you know?"

"The first reason is a common inference. As for the second, Kiana has never mentioned your missing limb; she sees you as fully intact. Additionally... I told Kiana earlier that when this happened, I wasn't entirely unconscious. Suddenly, she transformed... into something peculiar, and I witnessed it."

During his fever-induced state, unable even to speak, Zeke had experienced firsthand the power of a Herrscher for the first time.

The chilling wind reversed its flow, freezing falling snowflakes mid-air. It felt as though the entire world revolved around the figure sprinting relentlessly. Just observing Kiana from behind instilled in Zeke an instinctual fear, momentarily blanking his mind before he completely lost consciousness.

The subsequent events likely involved Siegfried arriving just in time to knock Kiana unconscious—or worse, perhaps they engaged in a fierce battle that leveled the nearby snowy peaks.

"Ah, so you saw it too, the Herrscher's form. Regardless of what happened, please believe Kiana is a good person. She didn't willingly embrace that state; it's more like a...curse upon her."

Siegfried approached the fire pit, crouched down, and warmed his hands, barely maintaining a smile as he looked at Zeke with almost pleading eyes.

Kiana had never had friends before him.

No matter the circumstances, Siegfried did not want Kiana to lose this friendship due to something beyond her control.

Zeke lowered his gaze, still slowly swirling his cup, and said, "I only caught a glimpse before completely passing out. I already understand who Kiana truly is, but...what exactly is a Herrscher?"

"A Herrscher, ah, well, it's quite a long story. Essentially, you can think of them as enemies of humanity."

Siegfried lit a cigarette using the campfire, exhaling smoke pensively amidst his melancholic sigh.

'Where was he hiding? My clothes are soaked from the melting snow; how can his cigarette smoke be so dry?'

Zeke already knew about Herrschers and Honkai's premise, so his thoughts momentarily strayed before swiftly returning to focus.

Despite being part of the storyline, even the author might not fully grasp the essence of Honkai. Therefore, Siegfried's insights were valuable, especially since they pertained to Kiana as well.

Following this line of thought, Zeke prompted, "Tell me more about these Herrschers and anything related to Kiana."

"Alright, I'll explain. Since you're already involved, it's best you know sooner or later. First, let's start with understanding the concept of 'Honkai'..."

Honkai, the enemy of civilization, manifests in various forms: natural disasters, plagues, powerful Honkai Beasts, and more. Though diverse in appearance, all seek the destruction of human society, undeniably making them adversaries of mankind.

Herrschers, born amidst large-scale Honkai Disasters, are humanoid agents of Honkai wielding godlike destructive power. Each one possesses the potential to annihilate entire civilizations, arguably representing the most terrifying form of Honkai manifestation.

Within Kiana's body slumbered the soul of the Second Herrscher, who had been killed over a decade ago... However, Siegfried did not reveal further details about her origins or why the Second Herrscher resided within her.

Zeke attentively listened, comparing and integrating this information with what he already knew. Unfortunately, it didn't yield much new insight.

While Zeke pretended to process the information, Siegfried blew smoke towards the fire and continued:

"The reason I left Kiana is indeed as you suggested. If that's why you hold resentment against me, there's nothing more I can say. I truly am a failed father, both for this world's Kiana and for..."

The unspoken words plunged the initially carefree man into deep despondency.

At this moment, Zeke raised his head, speaking firmly, almost commanding:

"Go see her. Just make up an excuse for your arm; she'll believe anything you tell her. Even if you must leave afterward, at least embrace her, assure her of your love, and explain that important matters require your immediate attention."

"I...can't. It would only make her worry more."

"I'd rather her worry than have her sobbing late at night, doubting if you've abandoned her," Zeke coldly retorted.

Oh, Siegfried, dear Siegfried! Do you truly not understand?

When Kiana discovers she's merely a clone, when she realizes she isn't your daughter, and when she comprehends that her life has been akin to a tragicomedy, leaving her now will inflict immense harm. At that moment, her self-doubts will be confirmed, longing will transform into despair, and years of accumulating shadows will instantly expand into boundless darkness engulfing her entire being—for someone as deeply emotional as Kiana, it would undoubtedly be hell.

Under Zeke's stern gaze, Siegfried opened his mouth but found no words. After a long pause, filled with guilt and helplessness, he finally spoke, dejected:

"I can't do it."

Zeke turned away, remaining silent.

He knew he couldn't force Siegfried. His ability to confront him so assertively stemmed from two factors: first, Siegfried's inherently down-to-earth nature, and second, their shared concern for Kiana.

However, Zeke lacked the strength even to stand, let alone compel Siegfried. How could he possibly coerce him?

Moreover, beyond the narrative of the story, Zeke was unaware of exactly what Siegfried had experienced and carried upon his shoulders. Even if he wanted to persuade him, he didn't know where to begin.

"Anyway, Kiana, my daughter, I'll leave her in your care from now on."

Siegfried scratched his head dejectedly, speaking with a tone full of apology.

Zeke glanced at him briefly before turning back to stare at the fire.

"If even as her father, you can be so heartless, why should I bother looking after her? Besides, I've already learned about the concept of Herrschers. What makes you think I'd risk myself for someone I've known for barely two days?"

"Young man, I may not be particularly clever, but I have a knack for reading people. You're no coward, and I believe you would willingly help Kiana. Moreover, when it comes to danger, it's too late for you to escape now," Siegfried said softly, causing Zeke's previously calm demeanor to suddenly stiffen.