Chapter 13: Seele Can't Understand These Strange Family Relationships...

Chapter 13: Seele Can't Understand These Strange Family Relationships...

Just as Hua was hesitating, Elysia opened her eyes.

Her ever-present smile remained, but her sharp gaze had already caught on to Hua's hesitation—

"Hmm? Why that adorable expression, Hua?

Do you have something on your mind but feel embarrassed to tell me?"

"I… It wouldn't be right to trouble you with this." Hua was still hesitant.

"Hehe~ Hua, you're so cute when you're overthinking!

Alright, don't be so stubborn. Come on, tell me everything.

Or do I… look like a bad person to you?"

Elysia leaned in close, her soft, delicate face just inches away.

Hua couldn't help but sigh internally.

Elysia always seemed so close with everyone, always solving problems in unexpected ways.

It felt like… there was nothing in this world that could trouble her.

"Actually…"

After an intense inner struggle, Hua finally made her decision.

She chose to tell Elysia everything.

Inside the Livestream – A Familiar Figure Appears

As the cutscene ended, a small, silver-haired girl appeared on the phone screen.

[What a beautiful evening… Yawn~]

Above the text box, a name was displayed—

Theresa…

Seeing her name again, Hokuto felt a wave of nostalgia.

He couldn't help but remember his time as the Captain of the Hyperion.

Who would have thought that, after being isekai'd into the Honkai world,

the first time he'd see Theresa again would be inside the game itself?

After a brief moment of sentimental reflection, Hokuto tapped the screen again.

And soon, another familiar figure appeared beside Theresa.

[Lady Theresa, good evening. Master Otto has received your report on "Moonlight Throne."

I will be arriving at the Far East Branch tomorrow to confirm the contents of the report and inspect the battleship.]

—It was Rita.

Or at least, a projection of her.

Hokuto recognized her instantly.

And it wasn't just him.

Inside the livestream chat, one viewer was particularly stunned.

Otto.

Seeing yet another familiar person appear in this game, Otto was once again left in shock.

"Who the hell created this game?!"

First Fu Hua… then Theresa… now even Rita?

And that "Otto" Rita was referring to…

She's talking about me, isn't she?

The more Otto thought about it, the more bizarre it became.

"Could this be the work of some god?"

"How does this game know so much—

not just about me, but about all of them?"

"Even the events are perfectly accurate…"

Despite his overwhelming curiosity, Otto remained silent.

He had no intention of exposing himself.

Instead, he even gave Durandal a direct order—

"Don't say anything unnecessary.

No overreactions. No reckless comments.

If you want to speak, get my approval first."

"Understood. I will follow your command." Durandal responded with absolute seriousness.

Satisfied with her obedience, Otto finally turned his attention back to the screen.

[Hmm, Rita… You're welcome to inspect the battleship tomorrow.

I've already prepared all the necessary arrangements.

But… you must have other reasons for coming, right?

There's no need for a personal visit just to confirm the ship's status.]

[Indeed. Master Otto also hopes that I will attend this year's Valkyrie ranking exam.

He's looking forward to seeing you do something… interesting.]

[Ugh… Grandpa is always such a pain…]

Hokuto barely had time to process that line before noticing—

The livestream chat had suddenly received a new message.

But it wasn't words.

It was just a series of ellipses—"..."

It was Otto.

Seeing this, Hokuto smirked.

"Oh? What's the matter, Boss?

Do you have something to say?"

"Hehe, nothing at all. Just continue your livestream."

Otto forced himself to remain composed, quickly shutting down the conversation.

Hokuto was having way too much fun with this.

But before he could tease Otto any further—

A new viewer tentatively spoke up.

"Umm… Big Brother Streamer?"

It was Seele.

She had been quiet for a while but now sounded hesitant.

"That little girl just now… who is she?

Why does that older lady call her 'Milady'?"

Hokuto froze for a second.

"Little girl…?"

Then he realized—

Seele was talking about Theresa.

At that moment, Hokuto almost burst out laughing.

It seemed that Seele had never heard of the term 'legal loli' before.

If she knew Theresa was old enough to be Kiana's mother,

wouldn't she be completely mind-blown?

"Hehe, let's just keep watching.

I think we'll find out soon enough."

"Oh, okay!"

As they wrapped up their conversation,

Theresa and Rita's exchange in the game also came to an end.

However—

Just before logging off, Rita suddenly made an offhand remark—

[Oh, and one more thing—it's been a while, Milady.

You're still as cute as a doll.]

[A doll?? W-wait! Why did you suddenly bring that up…?]

[That's all from me, Milady. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.]

[This woman is… dangerous… (sweating)

I can't help but feel like taking out Judas right now…]

Otto: "..."

Hokuto: "...Alright, now what?"

Otto: "Nothing. Just… continue."

Otto was utterly baffled.

Rita had never included that remark in her mission report.

And yet—

"'Still as cute as a doll'…?

Well, she's not wrong…"

But Theresa…

She was still just as impatient as ever.

As Otto was pondering this, the game shifted into combat mode.

The screen faded to black for a moment—

Then, when it lit up again—

A small girl in a nun's habit was standing there.

A massive silver cross, nearly as tall as her entire body, rested on her back.

[I need to punch something to vent!]

Otto: "..."

Hokuto: "Seriously, what is it this time?"

Otto: "Nothing… I just think this girl is very cute."

Hokuto laughed.

"Wow. Even Otto Apocalypse can feel awkward, huh?"

"This is hilarious."

That said, Hokuto knew when to stop poking fun.

Time to focus on gameplay.

Seele Learns About "Aunt" Theresa

The battle wasn't difficult.

Since this was a beginner tutorial fight, enemies had low HP and posed no real challenge.

The fight ended quickly.

Then—after another brief black screen—

The playable character switched from Theresa to the player avatar.

Hokuto had them walk up and start a conversation.

[Kiana, class is about to start. Where do you think you're going?]

[T-Theresa! I was just on my way to class…]

[While you're at school, don't call me by my name.

And don't call me 'Aunt' either.]

"…WHAT?!"

Seele's reaction was instant.

Her message popped up in huge, bold letters—

"This little girl is… Kiana's AUNT?!"

End of Chapter 13