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

The day after the Siegfried incident.

"Using Sin Mal's unique perspective as a starting point, through error fitting from repeated experiments, this indirectly validates the feasibility of information theory. Additionally, by hypothesizing the recurring unknown data as souls, further..."

Otto was deeply engrossed in studying the research report Amber had brought back, meticulously analyzing the reliability of the data and experimental approach. Suddenly, a loud explosion shattered his concentration.

BOOM!

"Wo—wo—wo—" The deafening blast shook Tianming City, followed immediately by incessant alarm sirens.

Frowning, Otto looked up just as Amber rushed in, pushing open the door simultaneously.

"Lord Bishop."

"What has happened?"

"It's...the young lady."

"Her? Is she dissatisfied with what transpired with Siegfried?" Otto furrowed his brow, feeling both impatient and somewhat helpless.

Amber shook her head. "It's not clear yet."

"Never mind, I'll go investigate."

Otto navigated through the hurried Valkyries rushing to extinguish fires, accompanied by their respectful greetings. With Amber in tow, he entered a hidden electronic door.

They traversed winding corridors and crossed multiple specialized gates designed to suppress Honkai Energy. Finally, they arrived at a serene room with decor exuding a young girl's touch.

On the large, soft white bed sat a silver-haired girl, her limbs, torso, and even neck shackled, restrained within the room by glowing cables.

Dressed in pristine pajamas, she hugged a pillow tightly. As Otto entered, her golden eyes shifted toward him, filled with icy indifference.

"Young Lady, if this is about Siegfried, please accept my apologies. However, it was necessary—to draw out Welt and assess his condition. I hope you can understand. Besides, I didn't harm Siegfried in any way, did I?" Otto explained patiently, his tone gentle yet apologetic, resignedly.

The girl stared coldly at him for a moment without speaking. Then, her ethereal, youthful voice echoed throughout the room: "Mother's clone..."

"I see. I promise you, I will not use Cecilia's clone like that again. Moreover, aside from essential research and extracting perfect holy blood, I'll minimize further production of clones, including yours. Will this help alleviate your anger?"

The girl gazed steadily at him for a long moment before slowly closing her eyes. The glowing cables connected to her shackles gradually dimmed, transforming into ordinary heavy iron chains.

Otto knew his explanation had passed muster.

He let out a deep breath and attempted to change the topic, discussing various subjects like weather, food, songs, movies, or even updates on K423's condition, but none sparked the girl's interest.

Finally, he shook his head, without much expectation, and casually mentioned:

"Oh right, I've made a new friend recently. You know, the one taking care of K423 as I told you earlier. Zeke—he's someone with great potential and quite intriguing..."

Throughout this, the girl remained with her eyes closed, seemingly uninterested in engaging.

However, Otto was attentively observing her expressions. He noticed that beneath those pale pink eyelids, her eyes seemed to flicker slightly, causing her lashes to tremble briefly.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, as if having gained some insight, Otto turned around and left the room.

"The Information Origin Theory is feasible."

Just as he was about to exit, the girl's voice echoed from all directions.

Otto paused mid-step, swiftly looking back, but found her eyes still firmly shut. Despite watching closely for a while, there were no changes.

With that, Otto exited the room.

"Amber, do you think she might be interested in Zeke?"

"I'm uncertain, Director Otto."

"Hmm... Currently, I have three cards to keep her tethered: the righteous cause of combating Honkai, the promise to resurrect Cecilia, and Siegfried. Earlier, she seemed somewhat responsive to K423 as well, but now that seems irrelevant. I believe we need to add more ties to bind her."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"It's been nearly two days since Vera Crowe regained consciousness, hasn't it? Arrange for her to accompany the Young Lady... Then, let's observe closely if mentioning Zeke elicits any further reactions from our guest."

"As you command, Director Otto!"

Vera Crowe had been awake for two days now.

After nearly half a year of unconsciousness and severe Honkai Energy corruption, her body was incredibly frail. These past forty-eight hours were spent entirely on rehabilitation amidst constant anxiety.

This place felt alien to her; she didn't recognize any of the doctors or nurses. Neither Big Bro Zeke nor Big Sister Kiana came to visit, and as for her most beloved father... Vera's last memory was of him shielding her from collapsing debris with his own body.

What happened to them?

With no sign of anyone familiar and receiving no answers from the medical staff, could it be that they've all...

Leaning on her crutches, Vera paced around the room before shaking her head vigorously.

"No, I can't think like that. They're fine. Once I recover, I'll find them. Everything will be okay."

She pursed her lips, determinedly walking across the room despite the difficulty and pain, without uttering a single complaint.

"Swish—"

The sealed hospital door suddenly swung open.

Based on Vera's experience over these two days, it wasn't yet time for check-ups or meal delivery.

Curious, she turned to look.

Entering the room was a slender, silver-haired beauty with long legs, wearing an unusual golden crystal eyepatch, her expression impassive.

'She's... Big Sister Kiana's mother? Or is it just Kiana herself grown up? Could I have been asleep for that long?' Vera wondered anxiously and hesitantly asked with a slightly hoarse, weak voice:

"Are you..."

"Her name is Amber, Miss Vera."

As Amber stepped aside, Vera noticed another person standing behind her: a handsome young man with sun-kissed golden hair and a warm, gentle smile.

"Oh, um, hello! My name is Vera Crowe."

"We already know. You suffered severe injuries, so when Zeke entrusted your care to us, he naturally shared your name. Right, almost forgot to introduce myself—I am Otto Apocalypse, Schicksal Archbishop, the master of this entire base, and also...the one who revived you."

Otto spoke with a smile.

Then, amidst Vera's startled gasp, Otto gently lifted her back onto the bed.

"Don't rush; recovery takes time and patience. Just follow the standard rehabilitation process, pushing yourself too hard can hinder progress!"

Otto chuckled warmly, affectionately tousling Vera's hair, appearing as kind and caring as any gentle man would.

"Th-thank you, Mr. Otto."

"You're welcome. Zeke is my friend, and since your condition involves Honkai Energy corruption, assisting you was only natural."

"Big Bro Zeke... Right, how are Big Bro Zeke and everyone else doing?"

"Zeke and Kiana are fine; they've been through much themselves and are currently busy with their own matters. I haven't had a chance to inform them about your recovery yet! However, regarding your father, I hope you're prepared for the news."

Otto's gentle words sent a shiver through Vera Crowe's heart.

"My papa, he..."

"Sacrificed himself."

Vera stared at Otto, tears silently streaming down her cheeks.

"Don't be too upset. He gave his life to protect you. As long as you remain safe, he would undoubtedly be happy in the other world."

"..."

"If it becomes overwhelming, don't hesitate to cry. For now, even Robbins wouldn't mind seeing your tears. But from tomorrow onwards, for his sake, you must stay strong, okay?"

"W-Whaaaaa!"

As Otto opened his arms, Vera rushed into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably. Her mournful cries were enough to bring tears to anyone's eyes.

Yet, while holding the grieving girl, a smile played on Otto's lips, revealing not the slightest hint of emotion beneath.

A week later, fully recovered and bouncing with energy as before, Vera ventured to that deeply concealed room.

"So this is it?"

"Yes, Miss Vera, this is the young lady's chamber."

"I-I'll do my best. Since Big Bro Zeke and the others don't have time to visit me yet, I want to repay Mr. Otto by playing nicely with her."

"Miss Vera, thank you for your assistance. The young lady's condition is quite unique, so please remain composed no matter what you witness. If you need anything, simply call out within the room; someone will come to help. In case of emergency, they can also contact Lord Bishop or myself."

With these instructions, Amber pushed open the door.

Vera stepped inside.

Her eyes fell upon a silver-haired girl dressed in white lace pajamas, flipping through a photo album. At first glance, she resembled a serene and noble little princess—but numerous chains were bound around her body.

This sight startled Vera, but what shocked her even more was—

"Big Sister Kiana?" Vera exclaimed incredulously.

Judging solely by appearance, the girl looked remarkably like the Kiana Vera knew.

However, the young lady before her exuded an icy aura, distant and unwelcoming. Her eyes were a cold yet dazzling gold, reminiscent of a lofty deity's gaze, evoking subconscious reverence and discouraging direct eye contact.

"Who is she?"

The girl referred to as "Young Lady" didn't move her lips, but her emotionless, frigid voice echoed throughout the room.

"This is Miss Vera, entrusted to our care by Lord Zeke. For the coming period, Director Otto hopes you both can become companions and get along well."

"A pointless test."

"Yes, I'll convey your message to Director Otto. Well then, Amber takes her leave."

"Black tea and pastries," came a faint command just as Amber was departing.

Nodding in acknowledgment, Amber exited the room.

Left alone under the scrutiny of those golden eyes, Vera gradually began trembling, feeling like a small creature confronted by a formidable giant.

Fearful.gif

"Come closer."

Once again, the voice emerged in that mysterious manner. Vera instinctively looked around but found no speakers or devices. It felt as though the sound resonated directly within her mind, making it impossible to pinpoint its source.

Vera approached the bed, hesitated briefly, removed her shoes, and climbed onto it, facing the young lady.

"Hi...hello! I'm Vera Crowe, very...very pleased to meet you!"

Clearly terrified, why bother pretending otherwise?

The Young Lady remained expressionless as she slowly raised her hand, dragging heavy chains that clinked with each movement. Her hand rested on Vera's head, pausing momentarily before gently stroking her hair.

"Just call me 'Young Lady'."

"Yes, Y-Young Lady! Um, do you know Big Sister Kiana?"

"...Don't mention that brainless fool around me."

"Yes ma'am!" Trembling under the Young Lady's touch, Vera responded, even her voice shaking slightly.

Apparently satisfied with this reaction, the corners of the Young Lady's mouth subtly curved upwards.

The scene evoked an irresistible image: a great dragon interacting with a little lamb.