Falling Asleep with Sweet Dreams

Cocolia had just received Rosia's report as well.

"A natural Stigmata awakener, only ten years old, yet capable of unleashing enough power to instantly kill three Honkai Emperors..."

"Her body's compatibility with Honkai energy... is nearly perfect..."

When Cocolia saw Rosia's report, she even temporarily overlooked their blood relation.

"If it were her... the X-10 experiment back then definitely would not have failed..."

Cocolia lightly gritted her teeth.

She did not regret carrying out the X-10 experiment. What she regretted was that it had not succeeded.

If the experiment had succeeded, these children would have become "new humans." Only then could her children survive in this dangerous world.

Otherwise, before the Honkai, they would all die sooner or later.

Ever since Seele, she had never encountered another natural Stigmata bearer. She did not even think highly of those Valkyries from Schicksal.

After all, most of their Stigmata had merely been artificially created by Schicksal, and their power could severely harm themselves.

"If she is Seele and Bronya's child..."

Cocolia clenched her fists.

"There really is hope..."

Judging by the experimental results, Seele had already been in a half-successful state. If she had been just a little more exceptional...

Cocolia did not know whether Seele was still alive, but from beginning to end, she believed that she cared for every child.

"This child named Rosia... will be even more exceptional."

It was not that Cocolia had never considered creating a more outstanding natural Stigmata bearer. But putting aside whether she could even find one, nearly all those with resistance to Honkai energy were female, and she did not dare touch the Kaslana family.

As for research into genes and Stigmata, Anti-Entropy was far behind Schicksal. Besides, they also opposed Schicksal's practice of implanting artificial Stigmata.

"She can bring my child back..."

Cocolia bit her lip tightly.

Originally, she had placed her hopes on the girl named Raiden Mei. But now, Rosia was undoubtedly the best candidate.

"Prepare the basic facilities, reassign personnel, and maintain the equipment..."

Cocolia issued her orders.

"Make every preparation as quickly as possible."

"Restart the X-10 experiment!"

After comforting "Rosia," Rosia and Kiana finished dinner, and by then night had nearly fallen completely.

That evening, Bronya helped Rosia arrange her new room. Bronya was somewhat reluctant, while Kiana looked delighted.

"Kiana, you are not allowed to leave your room tonight. Do you hear me?"

Seeing Kiana's foolish grin, Bronya did not need to think to know what she was planning.

"Mei, look at Bronya! Am I that kind of person?!"

Faced with Bronya's accusation, Kiana immediately retorted.

"Um... I do not think so, maybe. But Kiana... could you wipe your drool first?"

Raiden Mei rubbed her forehead and spoke helplessly.

Even if she wanted to defend Kiana, she had no way to begin.

"Hiss..."

Casually wiping the liquid from the corner of her mouth, Kiana immediately played dumb.

"What are you talking about? Mei, you saw wrong!"

"All right, Sister Mei, take Kiana out first. I have something to say to Rosia."

Bronya could not even be bothered to deal with Kiana anymore. Back in the pavilion that afternoon, Kiana had nearly reached her hand into Rosia's clothes. Bronya had tolerated all the hugging, clinging, and rubbing, but if Kiana dared launch a nighttime sneak attack, Bronya truly intended to give her a hard hit with Project Bunny.

After confirming that Kiana and Raiden Mei had left, Bronya sat down beside Rosia.

"Mother Bronya, what is it?"

Rosia looked a little confused.

"It is nothing. I just wanted to ask whether you have ever wondered where your Mother Seele went."

Bronya forced a smile.

"I... I do not know."

Even if Rosia knew, she could only pretend not to at this moment.

"She went somewhere very far away... But do not worry, Rosia. One day, Bronya will find her together with you."

Bronya's gaze was earnest.

"I believe you, Mother Bronya."

Rosia revealed a sweet smile.

Of course she knew Mother Bronya would find Mother Seele, but by then...

A trace of melancholy flashed through her beautiful eyes, but it vanished in an instant. Even Bronya did not notice it.

"This is for you..."

Bronya carefully handed a blue-and-black hair accessory to Rosia.

"This is...?"

Rosia looked at the accessory before her, slightly puzzled.

"Your Mother Seele once left it with me. I do not have any other gift to give you, so let it stay with you as Seele's companion."

An illustration is available here and can be viewed after updating the version.

Bronya gently stroked her head.

"Thank you, Mother Bronya!"

At Bronya's reminder, Rosia remembered and said happily.

"I'll put it on for you."

Bronya gently brushed through her hair, then put it on her.

"It looks so pretty, Mother Bronya."

Looking at the blue-haired girl in the mirror, Bronya said nothing. She merely placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled softly.

"Oh, right, Rosia. Have you ever seen the sea?"

"No. Ever since I was old enough to remember, I have always been in the orphanage..."

Rosia spoke quietly.

"..."

Hearing her answer, Bronya froze for a moment before continuing.

"How should I describe it to you... The color of the sea is like the color of your Mother Seele's eyes."

"Then it must be beautiful."

Rosia said expectantly.

"Mm. Next summer, let us go see the sea together."

"Next... summer?"

"What is wrong?"

Bronya asked, somewhat confused.

It was already winter, and she wanted Rosia to see the sea at its most beautiful in summer.

"Nothing..."

Rosia came back to herself, wrapped her arms around Bronya's neck, and lightly kissed her cheek. Then she tilted her little head slightly and smiled adorably.

"I love Mother Bronya the most!"

Chapter 23: Falling Asleep with Sweet Dreams

After Bronya left, the smile on Rosia's face gradually faded.

Sitting on the edge of the soft bed, she gently swung her legs, seemingly lost in thought.

In the end, the girl went to the desk and took out a notebook tied with a blue ribbon from the drawer.

"Next summer... do you not think that is a little too late?"

"Rosia" appeared by the bed, one leg slightly raised as she propped her chin on her hand and stared at Rosia's profile.

"Mm. According to our agreement, we should reassemble next May, but..."

Rosia pursed her lips and looked at her.

This time, there was no pleading or pitiful emotion in the girl's eyes. There was only clarity.

"I understand. Delaying it for a while is not a problem."

"Rosia" naturally understood Rosia's thoughts. She knew that even if she insisted on their agreed time, Rosia would not refuse.

"Thank you."

Rosia smiled faintly.

"Hmph. Since when did you like thanking me?"

"Rosia" curled her lips.

In her eyes, Rosia was still a child who had never grown up.

"What are you doing?"

"Rosia" watched as the girl carefully untied the ribbon and picked up a pen.

"I want to record today."

Rosia smiled.

Although she still had the mentality of a child, beneath the gentle glow of the desk lamp, "Rosia" somehow felt that she was a little different.

"Do as you like. Just hope you will not regret it when you see this embarrassing history in the future."

"Rosia" waved her hand and disappeared.

She could not be bothered to read a child's diary.

"Mm-hm."

Rosia gently shook her head, completely unaffected by "Rosia's" words.

"December 10th. Today, she told me that she met Mother Black Seele today. I really hope she can get along well with Mother Black Seele..."

"Mother Bronya gave me the hair accessory Mother Seele left for her. I am so happy."

"Mother Bronya and I made a promise to go see the sea together next summer. I am really looking forward to it."

"..."

After finishing her entry, Rosia tied the blue ribbon back around the notebook and gently returned it to the drawer. Then she carefully took off the hair accessory Bronya had put on her.

Looking at the exquisite accessory, Rosia could not help revealing a sweet smile.

After a while, she picked up her pen, but after hesitating, she put it down again.