Kiana Wants to Become Schicksal's Strongest Valkyrie. / A Surprise Prepared for Kevin.

Even if you didn't come for this purpose, you should still accept it with grace. This does not detract from your humility, but rather allows your actions to inspire more people to learn from your good deeds.

Moreover, the people you'll be dealing with in the future won't tolerate your humility.

Looking at the young man in front of him who suddenly seemed a bit green, Raiden Ryoma chuckled and said in a rather amiable tone.

"Is this the old story of Zigong redeeming people?"

Upon hearing Gwen instantly understood what the Raiden Ryoma meant and nodded slowly.

"Um?

Have you also studied Divine Land culture?

Hearing Gwen's mutterings, Raiden Ryoma was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, I've read some ancient books in my spare time—"

For centuries, Mandate of Schicksal and Divine Land have maintained close ties, Divine Land culture has spread widely throughout the World Island. Even at Destiny Headquarters, I can see these stories.

Gwen nodded, but didn't say he understood, and casually explained.

"Um..."

Upon hearing Gwen's words, Raiden Ryoma's expression changed slightly, a hint of worry flashing through his mind, but he did not show it at this moment, only nodding slightly.

Immediately, reflected in Raiden Mei's suddenly contracting pupils, the sharp glint of the blade clattered into the moonlight—

Raiden Ryoma suddenly drew the katana he had prepared to use in the fight against Gwen from its sheath.

Gwen, who did not sense any malice from Raiden Ryoma, remained unmoved and even raised his hand to signal Mei beside him not to be nervous.

As Gwen had predicted, Raiden Ryoma, who had suddenly drawn his sword, did not strike down directly. Instead, he looked with some reluctance at the pinnacle of Anti-Entropy technology that was arguably the highest achievement of ME Company and even the part of anti-entropy that he could influence.

"This knife is called Plasma Shadow Show, and it is my greatest masterpiece to date."

From its inception, this knife was conceived to target only one enemy: to prevent her, who was no longer herself, from causing even greater disaster, and to prevent her from continuing to suffer mental torment after losing herself.

He softly explained the origin of the sword in his hand, Raiden Ryoma sheathed it and presented it to Gwen.

"Gwen, I no longer have the right to protect Mei."

I implore you to accept this knife, and together with my share, protect her.

"... Leave it to me."

Looking at the Raiden Ryoma bowing slightly before him, as if entrusting his son to someone, Gwen did not refuse again and accepted the sword, which was jokingly called "Mei's dowry," with both hands.

Along with that, he also accepted the entrustment from the old father in front of him.

"Father..."

Although Raiden Ryoma's earlier words were somewhat vague, Mei understood her father's thoughts after hearing what he said later. Her nose tingled again, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Call..."

Seeing his daughter like this, Raiden Ryoma exhaled a breath of stale air and gently patted her head.

"In the end, all of this started because of me, so I naturally have to take full responsibility for it."

"But... it's so hard on you, Mei..."

"No, no..."

Although her emotions were churning like boiling water, Raiden Mei did not cry as she had before. Instead, she forced a smile that wasn't forced.

"Father, you have done everything a qualified father can do, and you owe your daughter nothing in the slightest."

"Now, it's my turn to walk this path alone."

"Hmm, as expected of my daughter..."

Looking at his daughter, who had matured even more, Raiden Ryoma smiled with satisfaction, took her hand, and led her toward Gwen.

"Anyway, I'm entrusting Mei to you from now on."

"Please rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

Feeling the slightly cool little hand that the Raiden Ryoma had placed in his own, Gwen slightly curled his fingers to grasp it, transferring the warmth from his palm to it.

"Yes, I believe you."

Although he noticed the subtle movement between his two clasped hands, Raiden Ryoma smiled and nodded, without his previous scrutiny and wariness.

Not far away, seeing this scene, Siegfried, who was enjoying this last moment of family time with his foul-mouthed father and his little girl, suddenly thought of something.

Looking down, Siegfried saw that his daughter was also looking in that direction...

298

Chapter 298 Kiana will become the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal.

Although Kiana didn't say anything, Siegfried could still see the longing and anticipation in his silly daughter's eyes—

Perhaps Siegfried hadn't clearly noticed it when they spent so much time together, but through years of secretly protecting and observing him, Siegfried discovered the deep loneliness hidden beneath the child's outward enthusiasm and cheerfulness.

Therefore, although the actions of the Raiden Ryoma not far away made Siegfried feel a certain sense of vigilance.

However, recalling Kiana's occasional haggardness and loneliness in the dead of night over the past few years, Siegfried's sense of vigilance was not completely clear and was quickly forgotten.

"It looks like they've finished speaking. Let's go over there."

Siegfried rubbed Kiana's head with his large hand, then grabbed Kiana hand without a word and led her over there.

"Don't pull me, you stinky old man, I can walk by myself..."

The emotion that had just risen in her heart was instantly shattered. Kiana muttered to herself, but she had no intention of breaking free from Siegfried's grasp. Just like that day when Siegfried was playing with her in the snow, a happy smile appeared on her lips.

When Siegfried brought Kiana to Gwen's side, Gwen three of them had already lowered their hands and were looking at the two of them.

"It seems you've finished your discussion?"

Siegfried smiled and greeted Gwen, who was now wielding the Greatsword of Heavenly Fire Raiden Ryoma one hand Plasma Shadow Show in the other.

"Well, I guess we've reached a consensus..."

Gwen smiled and nodded, then glanced at the time and said.

"It's not too late yet, you still have a few hours to catch up."

However, try to leave before dawn.

Otherwise, even Theresa wouldn't be so easily fooled.

"Thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary..."

Before Raiden Ryoma could speak, Siegfried spoke first—

Amidst the somewhat astonished gazes of Kiana and the others, Siegfried sighed softly—

"After all, Ryoma and I are now enemies of Schicksal. Even if you have reached some kind of consensus with Otto, it's best not to spend too much time with us two old guys."

Otherwise, if that guy gets suspicious, it could be quite troublesome.

Although the only real reason Siegfried wanted to leave quickly was to avoid stimulating the Herrscher consciousness within Kiana.

But upon hearing Siegfried's words, even Kiana, who instinctively grabbed Siegfried arm, couldn't utter a word of rebuttal.

Even though she didn't know Otto yet, Kiana had a vague, terrifying impression of him just from Gwen and Siegfried's attitudes.

However, even though she could accept Siegfried's explanation, Kiana couldn't help but show a hint of reluctance.

Seeing this, Siegfried could only bend down slightly to comfort the girl.

"Besides, it's not like we won't see each other again after that."

"Dad and your Uncle Longma are just going to recuperate. In a couple of years, after this whole mess of me being wanted by the police has died down, I can come back to you openly and honestly."

"It's a deal!"

Upon hearing this, Kiana wrinkled her little nose but didn't refute it; she simply stared straight at Siegfried.

"Okay, it's a deal."

Seeing Kiana's childlike appearance, Siegfried smiled kindly and gently pinched the bridge of Kiana's nose.

"When Kiana becomes a powerful Valkyrie, Dad will definitely come back to find you."

"Hmph, you old fool, you've changed your mind again!"

Kiana pouted, put her hands on her hips, and glared angrily at Siegfried.

"Just wait until I become the strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal, then I'll drag you back and spank you!"

"How about your old man comes back before the day you become the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, and then applauds you at your investiture ceremony?"

Upon hearing Kiana's words, Siegfried was suddenly reminded of the warm and beautiful past, a time when he still had a happy family. This made the man feel a pang of sadness, but he still managed to put on a doting smile and asked with a smile.

"If you can't do it, you'll be in for a world of hurt!"

Upon hearing this, Kiana immediately put her hands on her hips, a smug smile spreading across her face, as if she were already the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, waiting for a burst of laughter that would make her stinky old man's butt bleed.

"Ha ha...

Dad is waiting for that day.

Siegfried chuckled twice at Kiana's boastful words and readily agreed.

Having said that, Siegfried straightened up and turned to look at Gwen:

"I'm counting on you for Kiana for the next while."

As he spoke, Siegfried mimicked the action of Raiden Ryoma, pressing Kiana's hand and Gwen's hand, which was holding Plasma Shadow Show, together.

"I won't let anything happen to Kiana."

Although Gwen sensed that Raiden Ryoma's gaze seemed somewhat unusual, he still solemnly replied to Siegfried's words.

"Um..."

Siegfried smiled and nodded, but his gaze fell on Heavenly Fire Judgment in Gwen's other hand—

"By the way, now that the Heavenly Fire Judgment is in your hands, there are some things you should know—"

According to legend, in addition to the power that the Heavenly Fire Judgment has already shown to the world, it also hides an even more powerful force, one that could even change the world.

In reality, it may not be enough to change the world, but there are certainly more powerful models.

Given your current control over it, there might be hope of achieving this—

Find another Herrscher- level energy source and synchronize its power supply with the core within it.

Once the energy reaches the threshold, the Heavenly Fire Judgment will reveal an even more powerful aspect.

Even Herrscher would be utterly helpless before him.

"I know."

Although he wondered why Siegfried would say these things in front of Kiana, whose mental state was not very stable, Gwen nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Gwen also approached Kevin had been quietly observing the area:

"Kevin, what are the key points to entering that mode?"

"..."

Upon hearing Gwen's question, Kevin, whose past Remembrance were being recalled by what he was seeing, snapped back to reality and frowned slightly after reading the status information that Gwen shared.

"With your current energy reserves, you can indeed put the Heavenly Fire Judgment into a state of An-Utu."

Only..."

Kevin initially wanted to say that Gwen diminishing control after his recent surge in power probably wouldn't allow him to perform such an operation, but recalling Gwen's use of energy in his recent duel with Siegfried, Kevin paused slightly before changing his mind—

"Without activating the Hyper-Mutation Factor or fully awakening the Stigmata, you are probably not strong enough to withstand the high temperature of the An-Utu Mode."

"We should give it a try."

Gwen became even more interested upon hearing this—

"We can't throw the baby out with the bathwater, and I'm also very curious about the current level of my defense capabilities."

299

Chapter 299: A Surprise Prepared for Kevin.