Rather than worrying about her own condition, Bronya blamed herself more.
This time, it was because she had been too weak that Rosia had used the power of her Stigmata.
Otherwise, they would have already been captured by this "Anti-Entropy Sovereign."
This was already the second time. The second time Rosia had been provoked into activating the power of her Stigmata because of her...
Once again, she had failed to fulfill her responsibility as a mother.
"It's not your fault, Mother Bronya. Rosia is very happy, because Mother Bronya has always tried her best to protect Rosia..."
"Rosia's" expression was adorable yet earnest.
Having put aside her airs, "Rosia" possessed nearly the highest possible degree of charm, just like Rosia herself.
Though she said that, a trace of dissatisfaction still showed in the depths of "Rosia's" eyes.
This was exactly what "Rosia" had worried about from the start.
Staying near the protagonists made it easiest to run into trouble. And in the early stages, the protagonists lacked the ability to deal with it, so they could only suffer blow after blow, while Rosia got dragged into the mess as well.
Still, "Rosia's" acting was excellent. At least, that was what she thought.
"Mother Bronya, Rosia will help you to the infirmary..."
"Rosia" glanced at the still-struggling "Joyce," then could not be bothered with him anymore. He most likely would not survive anyway; the Honkai Energy mixed into her weapon had already eroded his body.
Honkai Energy resistance had to be built upon the body's systems remaining intact, and it could not completely prevent Honkai Energy erosion.
His limbs had been severed, and his body had been eroded by Honkai Energy.
It could be said that "Joyce" had been left hanging there, bleeding as he waited to die.
"Rosia" could not even be bothered to finish him off herself.
As Bronya, supported by "Rosia," headed out the door, she gave a soft laugh.
"Actually, she rarely calls herself Rosia."
Upon hearing Bronya's words, "Rosia's" expression completely froze.
Rosia had always had a habit of talking to herself, and Bronya had noticed it long ago.
But Bronya did not expose her any further. Instead, she said gently,
"Thank you for always taking care of her. It must have been... hard..."
After saying that, her head drooped.
Meanwhile, "Rosia" blushed, steam practically rising from her entire body. Only after quite a while did she notice that the silver-gray-haired girl had fainted.
"Hey!"
"Hard how? Say it!"
The Final Trip to the Amusement Park
May 26
It had been more than twenty days since Kiana and the others had gone to Shenzhou. According to the plan, they should be returning soon.
"Rosia, are you ready?"
Bronya entered the room and smiled faintly at the girl, who was carefully putting on a hair accessory.
"Mother Bronya, I'm ready."
After carefully fastening the accessory, Rosia happily stood up and hugged Bronya.
"We're going to the amusement park today."
Bronya took out the two tickets Kiana had given her before.
The weather would only be good today over the next few days. If they did not go now, it would be a little too late.
Although they had gone through the unpleasant incident of "Joyce's" attack, it had not affected Bronya and Rosia's relationship.
Bronya had also thoughtfully mailed the barely alive Joyce, after "Rosia" had dismembered him, to Cocolia.
Although she did not know where Cocolia was, Bronya knew of several Anti-Entropy strongholds in the Far East.
No matter how incompetent Anti-Entropy's Sovereign was, he would not be as foolish as "Joyce."
Without a doubt, Cocolia had been behind this.
"Okay, Mother Bronya. Wait for me a moment."
Rosia bent down and took a small box from beneath the bed.
Seeing Rosia's practiced movements, Bronya's mouth twitched.
She liked hiding things under her bed, just like Bronya did...
No, it was probably because of Bronya that Rosia had also developed a habit of hiding things under the bed.
"All right, Mother Bronya. Let's go."
After taking the small box, Rosia looked noticeably happier. Her smile today was the loveliest Bronya had ever seen.
Bronya did not ask what Rosia had put in the box, just as Rosia did not ask what was inside the long case Bronya carried on her back.
"Rosia, those dolls..."
Bronya had clearly noticed that Rosia's room was exceptionally tidy today. The dolls she, Kiana, and Mei had given Rosia had all been put away in the toy chest.
The entire room looked as though no one had ever lived there.
"I put them away, Mother Bronya. We'll be out for a long time today, and what if there are thieves..."
Rosia explained naturally.
"Mm."
Bronya did not think too much about it. Or rather, her attention was focused more on something else right now.
"Rosia, you've grown a little..."
Only as they headed out did Bronya realize that Rosia had grown around three or four centimeters taller compared to half a year ago.
At Rosia's age, changes came in the blink of an eye, yet they were especially noticeable.
"Because I've known Mother Bronya for a long time already."
Rosia wore an exquisite blue-and-white dress, an outfit perfectly suited to her figure. Though the girl was still somewhat young, one could already glimpse her enormous potential for the future.
For some reason, Bronya felt that Rosia had matured considerably. Even her tone had grown gentler than before.
But Bronya knew very clearly that the Rosia before her was the Rosia she knew, not the "Rosia" who occasionally appeared to tease her.
Although she did not know what exactly was going on with that "Rosia," it was enough that Bronya knew she had always been protecting Rosia.
Holding Rosia's hand as they walked down the street, Bronya could feel many people watching them.
"Candy apples..."
Seeing a shop beside them selling candy apples, Rosia stopped and turned back to ask softly,
"Mother Bronya, would you like one?"
Previously, because Bronya had been in a bad mood, there had been no change in her expression no matter what she ate.
"Okay."
Bronya nodded softly.
"Sir, um... could I borrow the ingredients and tools for making candy apples? I want to make two myself..."
The owner froze for a moment at Rosia's request. Then, upon seeing Rosia deliberately make a shushing gesture and glancing at the silver-gray-haired girl beside her, he gradually understood something and replied with a smile.
"No problem."
It was practically common knowledge that this cute little girl Rosia sold candy apples nearby. She only sold them two days a week, and only for a short while each day, so she had almost no impact on the regular vendors.
On the contrary, because of Rosia, quite a few people had become interested in the candy apples here, increasing their monthly revenue by nearly fifty percent.
Never mind lending her the tools; it would not matter even if they gave her all the tools in the shop.
After all, the ingredients and tools for making candy apples were not expensive to begin with.
"Rosia, you can make candy apples too..."
Watching Rosia seriously make candy apples, Bronya was somewhat surprised.
Rosia had given her cut-up candy apples before, and they had tasted delicious. Bronya had thought Mei had made them.
"Mm, I only learned recently."
Rosia smiled and did not explain further.
Before long, she brought over two candy apples that gave off a sweet fragrance.
"Mother Bronya, give it a try."
Rosia handed one to Bronya and watched expectantly.
Only after hearing Rosia's form of address did the owner realize that they were not companions or sisters, but mother and daughter...
From what the silver-gray-haired, expressionless girl said, she seemed not to know Rosia could make candy apples, but...
She had already been making them for nearly six months.
Before they left, the owner could not help asking,
"Rosia, will you still make candy apples in the future?"
"I won't anymore, because I've already made the most delicious ones."
Rosia shook the candy apple in her hand, then turned back with a smile to bid them farewell.
Farewell to the place where she had sold candy apples for half a year.
"Rosia..."
"Mother Bronya..."
Rosia and Bronya sat beneath the parasol outside a café. After hesitating for a while, they spoke at the same time.
"I want to leave for a little while."
Hearing that they had said the exact same thing, Bronya and Rosia smiled at the same time.
"Mm."
Watching Rosia's departing figure, Bronya opened her communicator and selected a contact from the list.
"Are you still in the Far East?"
Bronya sent the other party a message.
"I can be."
"At six this afternoon, I'll put someone on a train bound for the northern Far East. I'd like to ask you to help send her to the coastal city closest to Shenzhou."
"Oh my, is this after-sales service?"
The blond youth wearing a dark green hat on the other end of the communicator chuckled.
Bronya's previous order had not been cheap. After all, it was Destiny's latest technology, and the price had reached ten figures.
"Consider it a favor I owe you."
"Fine. This deal isn't a loss."
Bronya glanced at the several people around them who were monitoring them. After sending her final message, she completely cut off her communication signal.
"Thanks, Otto."
Rosia: I'm Not Stupid at All!
"Rosia, congratulations. It belongs to you now."
After accepting the neatly folded hundred thousand Far East Currency Rosia handed over, the clerk packaged the limited-edition Houmu doll and brought it out.
Before you continue