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Siberian winters were bitterly cold, much like Kiana's feelings upon witnessing the current state of Babylon Tower.
Inside, it was filled with corpses—only a few had transformed into Zombies, while most lay lifeless.
Swiftly clearing out these undead, Sirin's taunts grew increasingly relentless in Kiana's mind.
"Should I remind you, Kiana?
"They destroyed me here, so I too shall destroy them here."
Though Kiana couldn't see Sirin's expression, she could hear the gritted fury in her voice: "I remember one particularly annoying man in white attire—he loved throwing me into solitary confinement. One day, I ripped open his chest with my bare hands."
"His heart was surprisingly red," she chuckled darkly, "How utterly absurd, Kiana."
"To think that after committing such deeds, his heart still remained red."
Kiana paid no heed to her words and ventured deeper into Babylon Tower, searching for undamaged computers.
She knew this place was largely an illusion, but there were answers to certain questions she could find here.
Xia Chen had previously provided Kiana with a partial copy of information regarding Sirin Project's inception and progress. However, it was incomplete, or more precisely, he only shared details about Sirin Project itself.
What Kiana sought was the complete set of experimental records from the entire Babylon Tower.
Up until Sirin, the experiments at Babylon Tower had persisted for nearly two decades, claiming hundreds of lives amidst the torment of Honkai.
As she reviewed the laboratory logs, she witnessed the horrific abuse these individuals endured within the labs. Apart from ensuring they didn't starve, their treatment was akin to that of pigs or dogs.
Just like animals devoid of dignity, so too were these subjects treated similarly.
The information within these experimental logs further fueled Sirin's hatred: "Thinking back now, I was too merciful at that time, merely offering them release instead of letting them perish in despair."
"How benevolent of me then."
Kiana remained silent.
Without seeing this evidence, she could have stood on moral grounds to counter Sirin's arguments. But after witnessing these records, all she could do was remain quiet.
Sirin was deeply consumed by her hatred, with the flames of vengeance seemingly sustaining her desire to seize Kiana's body. However, Kiana remained unwavering.
She said, "Humans have already paid a significant price for their actions."
"I believe it should end here, don't you?"
"What saintly nonsense is this?" Sirin sneered, "If someone harmed your beloved Raiden Mei, would you just let it end there?"
Kiana's pupils slightly contracted, realizing she indeed couldn't persuade Sirin.
Just then, movement outside caught her attention.
Kiana rushed out and found that Honkai Beasts had swarmed across the snowy plains, converging on Babylon Tower en masse.
Without hesitation, she charged into battle with her weapon raised.
Despite Sirin's incessant interference within her mind, Kiana remained steadfastly committed to humanity's side.
After all, the Kaslana family has always been driven by an unwavering impulse to protect humankind.
Before Kiana could even employ her Marksmanship Arts, a long lance descended from the sky, instantly clearing the area of Honkai Beasts around her.
She turned back to see a Valkyrie with white hair and blue eyes arriving at the scene.
"Which unit are you from? Are you alright? What's the current situation?"
Kiana blurted out, "Mom."
Kiana quickly recognized Cecilia. The newcomer looked identical to the clone she had seen in Saint Freya's basement.
Cecilia, on the other hand, was startled by Kiana calling her "Mom." She replied, somewhat taken aback, "I'm sorry, although I do have a daughter, she shouldn't be as old as you."
"Which unit are you from? What's the situation here?"
Without thinking, Kiana stammered, "I... I am..."
Just then, another Honkai Beast's furious roar echoed nearby.
With no time for further questioning, Cecilia said, "Stay safe and protect yourself."
"Don't worry, these Honkai Beasts are no match for me."
Combat was Kiana's forte, especially after gaining part of the Herrscher of the Void's Authority recently. Her combat abilities now surpassed those of most individuals, including Rita clad in Fourth-Gen Valkyrie Armor.
The power conferred by the Authority was truly overwhelming.
Despite this, her efficiency in clearing enemies paled in comparison to Cecilia's prowess.
Wielding the Sixth Divine Key, Abyss Flower White Depth with effortless mastery, Cecilia swept through the area. Each pass left Honkai Beasts weakened, decaying rapidly until they perished.
Kiana watched, momentarily stunned.
Although her academic performance at Saint Freya Academy wasn't stellar, it wasn't entirely devoid of knowledge either.
Kiana was well aware that significant updates to Valkyrie Armors only occurred after 2002. Even Cecilia's current armor was equivalent to Kiana's former White Training Armor—the third-generation standard Valkyrie Armor.
Yet, the power Cecilia wielded with this armor was nothing short of terrifying.
After swiftly dispatching the Honkai Beasts, Cecilia noticed Kiana and smiled, "What's wrong? Did my performance just now scare you?"
"No... not at all." Kiana vigorously shook her head, her eyes sparkling like stars. "It's just, Mom—er, I mean, Senior Cecilia, you're amazing! Could you teach me how to do those moves, you know, those kinds of..."
As she spoke, she mimicked gestures enthusiastically, resembling a silly, chuunibyou teenager.
Cecilia couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Of course, but we'll have to wait until after this situation is resolved."
Kiana nodded eagerly.
Strangely, ever since seeing Cecilia, Sirin inside Kiana's mind had gone silent. She expected Sirin to criticize or utter venomous words towards Cecilia, but there was no response whatsoever.
Kiana found this relief welcome.
However, a sudden thought crossed her mind:
"If..."
"If Mama hadn't died, it would be so much better."
Meanwhile, within the Dominion Theater.
Otto stood at its very center, deep in thought.
Using the Second Divine Key, he had observed worlds beyond this one and obtained 'coordinates' from Kevin. With these two conditions met, his endeavor now held a possibility of success.
This was a divine privilege granted to him.
He would have only one chance.
As he pondered, Otto suddenly detected a quantum fluctuation.
In the infinitely extending world, the girl named Kiana Kaslana experienced quantum superpositions across different timelines.
"Just her will alone seems to attract divine favor."
"Can she create possibilities without any cost or sacrifice?"
"The opportunity I painstakingly sought can be effortlessly attained with just a single thought from her."
"Kiana, you truly make me envious."
Outside the realm of this world, another branch sprouted on the Imaginary Tree.