"What do you mean, that's what I really think?! Just you wait!!!"
In the mental realm, Inner Wendy lounged lazily on the sofa, propping her head up as she watched TV and munched on chips. She scratched her left shin with her right toes and rolled her eyes dismissively.
"If you've got time to yell at me in the mental realm, why not do something productive instead, my dear Wendy?"
"With that tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside personality of yours, you'd only scare someone if pigs started flying!"
Inner Wendy threw a chip into her mouth, yawning lazily.
In the real world, Wendy had just picked herself up off the ground. She adjusted her dress, hesitated, then shuffled a tiny step forward, and then another, until she finally stood next to Sigurd.
Sigurd's experiment with the fusion warrior had been a success, allowing him to reach his full potential.
But Wendy, with her petite frame and a four-year age gap between her and Sigurd, looked entirely dwarfed next to him—an adorable contrast in height.
"You're so tall…" Wendy muttered absentmindedly, craning her neck to look up.
Sigurd raised his hand.
Instinctively, Wendy clutched at her newly acquired beret.
"What are you doing? Don't mess around! That's it—wait till next time!"
If he cut any more, her hair would be beyond salvage.
With wary, wide black eyes, Wendy glared at Sigurd. But all Sigurd did was pat the top of her hat-covered head instead of yanking at her hair as she'd feared.
"???"
Wendy exhaled in relief, though she was still somewhat baffled.
Sigurd looked at the peculiar display with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Paranoid much?"
"Who's paranoid?! You don't even think about whose fault this is!"
"Mine."
"See, you do get it!"
Wendy gritted her teeth but ultimately let it go, exasperation giving way to resignation.
Of course she understood by now—this guy was just like that: striding down the path of righteousness with dazzling confidence. Even if his words could be cutting, being by his side made it impossible not to follow him—because standing next to him gave people hope.
"...If you need anything, let me know. I get it—the Herrscher's research is incredibly valuable and strategically significant. It's important for this world," Wendy muttered, leaning on the railing. She took off her hat and fiddled with it, letting her awkward hairstyle be exposed to Sigurd.
Let him laugh if he wanted to; Wendy didn't mind. Sacrificing a bit of hair for the greater good of fighting against the Honkai was an honor.
"Thank you," Sigurd said calmly.
Though Wendy often lashed out at him, and Sigurd wasn't exactly gentle toward her, in truth, Wendy had the highest level of understanding and alignment with Sigurd's ideals among all the girls around him.
Kiana, Sin Mal, and Bronya all had their reasons—some pursued justice, while others had no interest in saving the world at all. Yet, regardless of their motives, their decision to follow Sigurd was more driven by emotional attachment.
Wendy, however, was different. She genuinely believed in the grand vision of saving the world and actively thought and acted on it. Her decision to follow Sigurd wasn't a matter of blind emotion but a calculated judgment after comparing various philosophies and capabilities, ultimately choosing Sigurd's path.
If one day she found that Schicksal's ideals were more correct, Wendy would bid Sigurd farewell. Even if she cried while leaving, she wouldn't look back.
Only Wendy tried to truly understand Sigurd's thoughts—his problems, his actions, his purposes, and their significance to the world. She comprehended him completely.
That's why she never truly got angry at Sigurd's blunt or harsh behavior. She understood that it was all meaningful and necessary.
Returning to the moment, after receiving Sigurd's thanks, Wendy clutched her hat and slowly turned her face away to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Why… why are you suddenly saying this kind of thing…"
It was so embarrassing!
"Recently, the doubts and criticism about Herrschers have been growing louder," Sigurd said, abruptly shifting the topic.
Wendy paused for a moment, her brows furrowing.
"True, just because you trust us doesn't mean outsiders will accept us without hesitation. More Herrschers standing on humanity's side could be a good thing, but it's also a ticking time bomb for some."
"No, even I have my doubts about the nature of Herrschers. You each have quite a few drones watching over you."
"It's not just surveillance; it's protection, isn't it? Stop pretending to be so harsh when you're actually soft-hearted. Do you think I don't know you by now?"
She nudged Sigurd's side with her elbow and leaned on the railing, turning her head. Her smile bloomed like a fresh flower—radiant, vibrant, and irresistibly charming without her even realizing it.
Sigurd's lips curled into a faint smile.
"I'll handle this wave of criticism, but it won't disappear entirely. It'll linger for quite some time. Don't let it affect your mindset. Also, keep an eye on Seele for me. That kid's far less mature than you."
"Got it, I'll be careful… Wait, now that I think about it, why is it that you're always pulling my hair, but Seele's hair is perfectly fine?"
"Because… she's well-behaved. I can't bear to."
"So I just deserve it, huh?!"
Wendy pointed at herself, hopping in frustration, looking utterly indignant as though she couldn't believe Sigurd's blatant favoritism.
"By the way, Kiana's one of you now."
"What?"
"It's a long story, one that starts with the Second Eruption…"
Sigurd began recounting the tale. His tone carried no personal bias, simply laying out the facts logically, like narrating history.
It was precisely this straightforwardness that allowed Wendy to grasp the full weight of the situation.
"Wow… If it weren't for you, who knows what would've happened to Kiana. I can't even imagine. And Otto Apocalypse… The more I learn about him, the more I want to tear him apart, yet the more terrifying he seems."
Wendy sighed heavily, her heart aching for Kiana's trials.
Sigurd glanced at her and, with characteristic bluntness, said:
"If I hadn't been there, you wouldn't have fared much better."
"…That's true."
Wendy scratched her cheek, conceding the point. Without Sigurd, she might still be trapped in the Oceania branch's abyss—crippled, surrounded by hostile forces, or perhaps long dead, consumed by the corruption of the Gem of Desire.
"It's all in the past now. Whether it's Kiana or me… Thank you. You've been through so much, starting from nothing, deceiving Otto to survive, joining Anti-Entropy, inspiring Walter's philosophy, advancing scientific research, managing the complexities of Anti-Entropy, and bolstering humanity's strength step by step. You've taken on responsibilities most people can't even imagine… Are you tired?"
Wendy smiled softly, her eyes shimmering as she gazed at Sigurd.
He stared back at her for a moment, then flicked her forehead.
"You little brat, trying to comfort me? Drink more milk and grow taller first."
"Ahhh!!! You're so annoying! Can't you just graciously accept my kindness for once?!"
"Sometimes, I do think it's exhausting. I'd like to live peacefully, without so many troubles. But the times are what they are, and I'm here. So I have no choice but to step up. Honkai is ever-present, but humanity will win. That's what I believe."
His calm words, devoid of any fervor, dispelled Wendy's annoyance over her height. Her expression softened as she gently took Sigurd's hand and said:
"I know. We'll all work hard alongside you."
"Alright, it's time to eat. Let's go."
"Okay!"
The two walked inside, heading down the stairs toward the dining room.
Along the way, their conversation continued, interspersed with bickering.
"By the way, if you're not going to wear the hat, return it. The material's expensive, and I can use it elsewhere."
"Don't even think about it. It's mine now!"
"But you're not wearing it."
"It's still mine. You're not getting it, period! Nyah~"
"Fine. Not wearing it is okay. You're not ugly, even if you go bald. If anyone says otherwise, I'll punch them."
"You're the bald one! Wendy will always be the cutest, no matter the hairstyle!"
"…Shameless."
"What did you say?! Wait, does that mean you're planning to pull all my hair out next time?!"
"That's not what I meant, but if you're offering, I won't say no."
"Not a chance, you jerk Sigurd!!!"
<+>
Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please go to my Patreon[1], just for $5 each month, you can read till the latest chapter.
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 307: This Is a Coup[2]
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=expanded
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-131269637
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-131269637
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