The Boy and His Father-in-Law's Heart-to-Heart

"So what? As long as I can take the Serenity Gem away from Schicksal, what's a death in comparison!?"

Maki displayed unwavering resolve.

"Let me guess about your past, Dr. Maki," Shi Hen said calmly. "In the information I have, it only mentions that you are the chief scientist of the Third Institute of Schicksal, Dr. Maki, and that you defected with the Serenity Gem."

But since you have excellent research abilities and have access to something like the Serenity Gem, you must have played a significant role in the experiments involving this gem, right?

"That's obvious."

Maki remained unmoved.

"But in Cocolia's plan, your experience and skills are useless, so she will definitely use another method to unleash the power of the Serenity Gem."

Shi Hen explained.

Maki: "..."

He began to sense that something was wrong.

"And coincidentally, I know of one method," Shi Hen tone utterly indifferent. "Imagine what would happen if a large-scale Honkai occurred in this city, and there happened to be a Herrscher Core like the Serenity Gem."

In an instant, everything became clear to Maki, her pupils widening to their maximum. "No! Impossible! How could Cocolia do such a thing!?"

Changkong City was not destroyed as it was in the original timeline, so Cocolia is still very famous today.

At least, in the eyes of most people in the world, Cocolia is the second most dazzling star of Anti-Entropy.

And the one ranked first naturally belongs to the Anti-Entropy Leader, [Welt White].

You could even say that Welt White is the sun of our time!

"You might not believe it, but the Third Honkai Outbreak that occurred in the Far East was actually orchestrated by Cocolia."

Shi Hen earnestly advised.

"How did you know? Who are you?!"

She quickly asked, a hint of fear in her eyes as she looked at the boy.

Because the number of casualties was so low, the world naturally paid little attention to the Third Honkai Outbreak. Even he, a top scientist from Schicksal, was unaware that the Third Honkai Outbreak was also caused by human factors.

"Let me reintroduce myself. My name Shi Hen, and I was formerly a Major General in the Anti-Entropy Headquarters."

During the Third Honkai Outbreak, I was the battlefield commander of Anti-Entropy.

As he spoke, Shi Hen projected several screens in front of Maggie, "Now, are you willing to believe everything I've said, Dr. Maki?"

"..."

Looking at the evidence listed on the screen, Maki couldn't help but break down.

After witnessing a series of deaths caused by the Serenity Gem, including his beloved granddaughter who became one of the victims, he vowed to end the evil brought about by the Serenity Gem.

But in the end, he almost caused even more serious consequences.

Shi Hen left the room, he took all the information that Maki knew with him, leaving behind only an old man who was weeping bitterly.

"Hen, have you asked everything clearly?"

Upon seeing the boy emerge, Mei, who had been waiting outside, couldn't help but ask him a question.

"Yes, I already know the location of the Serenity Gem, assuming Anti-Entropy hasn't moved it during this time."

Shi Hen nodded.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's rush over and snatch the Serenity Gem back!"

Kiana quickly swallowed the steamed bun in her mouth and jumped up excitedly.

Having also experienced the Third Honkai Outbreak, she was well aware of the consequences if the Serenity Gem fell into Cocolia's hands.

"No, please wait here for me for a while."

Shaking his head, Shi Hen took a few steamed buns from Kiana's arms and left the safe house set up by Schicksal alone.

Kiana: "???"

Without intending to explain to the others, Shi Hen walked quite a distance out of the safe house, and after confirming that Kiana and Mei hadn't followed, he shouted loudly, "Mr. Siegfried, please come out!"

Chapter 229 The Boy and His Father-in-Law's Confession

The boy shouted, but as expected, no one appeared; it only attracted the attention of a few passersby in the alley.

Without calling out again or leaving, Shi Hen leaned against the wall, looking up quietly at the sky above, which was divided into strips by the houses.

Finally, five minutes later, footsteps approached.

Good morning, Mr. Siegfried.

Looking at the white-haired man in his field of vision with slightly long stubble, a weathered face, but exceptionally bright eyes, Shi Hen smiled warmly, as if he had just happened to meet a familiar elder.

"Kid, how did you find me!?"

Siegfried stopped five steps away from the boy and asked in a solemn voice, his eyes fixed on the boy like an eagle's.

He was quite certain that no one had revealed their whereabouts to the other party, and the boy could not possibly have the ability to detect his spying.

"Kiana." With a smile, Shi Hen uttered a name, "You are a very, very important father to Kiana."

Therefore, I believe that Kiana holds the same significance for you.

"But in her eyes, I should have disappeared four years ago."

Siegfried shrugged.

"That's just how she sees it," Shi Hen said softly, his smile unwavering. "But in reality, you must have been by Kiana's side for the past four years, right?"

"Kid, what do you know?!"

In an instant, Siegfried's eyes sharpened.

Although he loved Kiana very much, Siegfried knew in his heart that he could never appear in front of the girl under any circumstances.

Shi Hen's actions had already crossed his psychological boundaries.

"It was a coincidence." Shi Hen explained softly, his expression softening. "In any case, sending a twelve-year-old girl to explore the world is too dangerous, something that Mr. Siegfried wouldn't do."

Therefore, I believe you must be watching Kiana from somewhere.

After listening to Kiana recount her experiences over the years, I became even more certain of this.

Because she encountered so many coincidences along the way.

For example, she encountered several adventurer camps on the Siberian snowfield. During her stay in Germany...

"Alright, alright! I believe you!" Seeing that the boy was about to launch into a long explanation, Siegfried quickly interrupted, "But, even telling you these things, what exactly is your relationship with Kiana!?"

As he spoke, the man's eyes sharpened in a different way, and his gaze as he looked at the boy took on a strong scrutinizing quality.

"We are friends, very close friends."

Shi Hen explained with a calm expression.

Even if the world were to Honkai tomorrow, he and Kiana would remain inseparable best friends.

"..." Upon hearing this, Siegfried remained silent for a few seconds before patting the Phoenix Incinerator at his waist and saying, "Kid, it's not good to lie at a time like this."

Even though he mostly observed Kiana from afar and was unaware of her social interactions.

But thinking about it, it's obvious that people of the opposite sex and the same age who can talk about their family history can't possibly be just ordinary friends!

Moreover, although the boy was rather thin, he had a very handsome face and was the type that girls would like.

With all these buffs stacked up, you still tell me you're just ordinary friends with Kiana... Are you questioning the emotional education my Kaslana family has received?

Shi Hen: "..."

He had no doubt that if he admitted it now, Siegfried would really... wait, he and Kiana were clearly just friends, why would he admit it?!

Even if Siegfried really pulled out the Skyfire today, he and Kiana will still have a purely platonic friendship!

While earnestly declaring to himself, Shi Hen rationally chose to change the subject. "If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Siegfried must have come at Dr. Einstein's request, right?"

"Just as Einstein and the others said, you are so perceptive that you are almost like a monster."

Upon hearing this, Siegfried couldn't help but sigh in surprise.

If one had guessed beforehand that Kiana might be nearby, then the latter seems somewhat monstrous.

Based on the information the boy possessed, it was clearly more likely that he was entrusted by Theresa.

The truth of the Second Honkai Eruption was buried by Schicksal, and Anti-Entropy did not reveal all the details. The friendship he and Anti-Entropy built during the battle should not have been known to the boy.

"If the Serenity Gem Project is Cocolia's own doing, then Dr. Einstein and the others will definitely try to stop it."

Furthermore, since you, Mr. Siegfried, happen to be nearby, it's easy to guess what the truth is.

Shi Hen explained with a smile.

"What if Theresa begged me to come and help?"

Siegfried countered with a question.

Although he was nearly two cycles older than his opponent, he still felt that he couldn't keep up with the boy's thinking.

If it were him, Siegfried was certain he would never have guessed any of this.

"If the headmistress finds out about this, then she herself will be the one to come."

Shi Hen shook his head, a helpless smile on his face.

Even though she usually seems unreliable, Theresa will never run away from trouble when it comes to real problems.

Moreover, if Siegfried knew that Siegfried was trying to avoid seeing Kiana, Theresa wouldn't easily break that rule.

On the other hand, compared to Theresa, who possesses formidable combat power, Einstein and others truly have no good cards to play.

Even Welt Young, who could have been used as a trump card, has been secretly killed by that shameless imposter, Welt White.

"That's true." Siegfried laughed and stopped worrying about these intellectual and logical issues. "Since you invited me out, there must be something you want to tell me. Tell me about it."

"Mr. Siegfried must already know about Cocolia's plan, right?"

Shi Hen asked calmly.

"Of course." Siegfried nodded, then looked the boy up and down again. "Although I'd like to ask you how you knew, since Cocolia wouldn't reveal the real plan to that doctor."

But now... it seems unnecessary.

Having just experienced just how perceptive the boy was, he was no longer surprised by these things at all.

"If you want to sabotage Cocolia's operations, you'll inevitably have to confront that imposter."

"But with Kiana and the others' strength, we're not yet a match for that imposter." Shi Hen explained, looking at Siegfried with a sincere expression. "Therefore, I hope Mr. Siegfried can lend us a hand."

Looking into the boy's fervent black eyes, Siegfried stroked his chin and nodded. "Of course I won't stand idly by. But... you must first understand that I cannot appear before Kiana right now."

As he spoke, a bitter smile appeared on Siegfried's lips.

If he hadn't been forced into this situation, why would he have left his daughter?

"I would suggest that Kiana split up into two groups, with them responsible for retrieving the Serenity Gem, while I will temporarily hold off the imposter."

Shi Hen calmly stated his plan.

Are you sure?

Siegfried's face showed surprise.

Although he had never fought against Walt, he knew that the other party was not someone to be trifled with.

Even just stalling for time is a near-death experience for a boy who is only good at piloting mechs.

"I can do it." Shi Hen nodded emphatically, without the slightest hesitation. "Even without the mecha, I can still fight that imposter."

As he spoke, Shi Hen raised his hand slightly, and a purple flying sword suddenly appeared in the air.

Even though Mei the Xuanyuan Sword that she the First possessed, St. Freya still has nearly twenty more.

"Ruoshui?"

Siegfried was surprised to sense a familiar aura emanating from the flying sword.

Although the Key of Domination is more often called the Xuanyuan Sword in this era, the first Key of Domination Siegfried came into contact with belonged to Cheng Lixue, a former A-rank Valkyrie, a weapon called Ruoshui that could control water.