The white-haired girl leaned on the windowsill, gazing outside where heavy snowflakes blanketed everything in white.
While this weather might surprise some, she had grown tired of it as she faced it almost every day.
Turning away, she surveyed the various toys in the room—furry teddy bears, soft pillows, wind-up wooden soldiers capable of marching far, toy remote-controlled cars, and accompanying tracks. These were just the tip of the iceberg; there were still many unopened boxes piled in the corners.
She remembered each item in those boxes vividly because they were all things she had asked for, and her father had quickly brought them home. Yet, what she truly desired wasn't toys but her father's company.
As the car lights gradually brightened in the snowstorm, approaching the village, the girl's hands gripped the window in excitement—was her father finally coming back?
Soon, the car entered the village, illuminated by the streetlights, and the white-haired girl could see the vehicle clearly—it was an off-road car.
Her father drove an off-road car too!
The girl climbed onto the windowsill, widening her eyes, watching the figures getting out of the car.
"That's not Dad"
A girl in a bulky down jacket jumped out of the car, struggling through the snow with luggage, disappearing around the street corner.
"Dad... when will you come back?"
The white-haired girl leaned against the living room wall, picking up the teddy bear beside her, holding it close.
"Little bear, can you tell me when Dad will be back? Is he going to get hurt this time?"
The toy bear's black eyes reflected the light from the fireplace, silent.
"Sigh..."
The girl hugged the bear tighter, closing her eyes.
Her name was Kiana Kaslana. Her father had told her she was born into the Kaslana family, and her mother passed away when she was two.
Later, her father left his own family, bringing Kiana to live in this remote village.
And they stayed there for a long, long time...
During this time, her father had been secretly dealing with the Honkai beasts in the area, and Kiana knew about it. A year ago, Siegfried had even briefly slipped into a coma due to an injury.
It was perhaps lucky or unlucky that when Siegfried was unconscious, Kiana gathered the courage to try to replace her father in dealing with the Honkai beasts. Although she failed and was saved by Siegfried upon awakening...
Then, she finally learned her own name: Kiana Kaslana.
After that incident, Kiana felt Siegfried's attitude towards her subtly change... Of course, it seemed her father wasn't very good at showing affection.
The girl looked at herself in the mirror, her young face filled with confusion and unease. She reached out, touching the cold surface of the mirror.
"Hey ☆ hey ☆~ How long do you want to stay with your killer?"
The girl in the mirror smirked strangely, her golden eyes staring intensely, her hair gradually turning purple—
"Wake up, wake up!"
The white-haired girl suddenly opened her eyes, seeing her father's concerned gaze.
"Dad! I was so worried about you!"
She rushed into his warm and sturdy embrace, filled with the familiar scent—
It was a mixture of gunpowder residue, blood, and ointment, a scent unique to her father.
The girl buried her head in her father's chest, unable to see his complex expression.
The man's hands trembled slightly, but he eventually embraced the girl.
"Don't be afraid, Kiana, Dad is right here with you..."
Siegfried Kaslana comforted the girl in a low voice until she fell asleep in his arms.
The man lifted the girl and placed her gently on the warm bed in the bedroom, covering her with the blanket gently.
"...Goodnight, child."
Siegfried quietly left the room, carefully closing the door.
His expression darkened as he walked to where the girl had been leaning against the window, lifting the curtain slightly to gaze at the off-road car not far away.
"...Local license plate?"
Siegfried narrowed his eyes, judging from the scratches and wear on the vehicle, it wasn't new and had been around for a while—not particularly well maintained, but still drivable.
It looked like a rented car.
Siegfried stroked his stubbled chin, lost in thought.
...
"Child, I don't recommend you rent this house..."
Luo Lin asked somewhat puzzled,
"Grandma Dalia, is there something wrong with this house?"
"The house is fine, but the neighbors aren't! It's a single-parent family, a man with a girl. I don't know what the man does all day, leaving his child alone at home..."
"Poor child, I once went to take care of her. One of her eyes also has a problem, seems like she can't see clearly... But her dad is simply crazy! He kicked me out when he saw me with her!"
"Ah, this... maybe he's just worried?"
"Phooey, he doesn't care about his daughter at all! Such a lovely girl, she was very sensible. She greets us on the street, even helps the villagers... Everyone takes good care of her."
The old lady looked indignant, "But he's like a firecracker, explodes at the slightest thing. Anyone who talks to him ends up arguing, and it's always his daughter who comes out to stop him... He's a drunkard too! Always shouting! His neighbors couldn't stand it, they moved out soon!"
"Oh, so that's why the rent is cheap..."
"Luo Lin, you're a good child. Grandma runs this little shop and part-time inn just to keep busy... You help out so much as a guest, it's cheaper to stay here than rent a whole house..."
Luo Lin scratched her head, "Grandma Dalia, I'm a painter. I came here for scenery... The smell of paint and stuff is strong and not good for your health... And with my profession, sometimes inspiration strikes, and I work all night, making noise..."
"Grandma, I appreciate your kindness, but living here isn't suitable..."
"Ah, old me, if I were thirty years younger, I'd definitely make you stay..."
Dalia sighed, "Oh, artists, child, when I was young, I wanted to be an artist too... I loved fiery red dresses and sunflowers..."
Luo Lin listened attentively to the old woman's words, occasionally engaging in conversation, subtly drawing out information about this remote town from her words.
After all, intelligence comes from the smallest details.
The girl came to this small town as a freelance painter, claiming to be here for scenery. Although she didn't know what scenic views this remote place offered, it was still a reason.
After all, the thoughts of artists are always different from ordinary people's. They suddenly want to go to an unknown area to find inspiration, although strange, it's not uncommon.
The Schicksal Intelligence Department quickly determined relevant backgrounds based on Luo Lin's role and fabricated a large amount of various information—
Now she was a painter named "Luo Lin." If you searched online, you could not only find her educational background and health insurance, but also see her "works" on some art websites, albeit at a relatively cheap price.
Indeed worthy of Schicksal.
As she analyzed the information provided by Grandma Dalia while drinking hot tea, the door of the shop opened—
A white-haired man reeking of alcohol walked in. Although he seemed unsteady on his feet, his eyes were exceptionally clear, evidently feigning drunkenness, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in his gaze.
As his eyes focused on Luo Lin, a tremendous sense of threat washed over her, making her tremble involuntarily.
Moreover, the heightened sensitivity brought by her Edge of Taixuan cultivation told Luo Lin that although this man seemed ordinary on the surface, there was a tremendous hidden power within him—
It was an astonishingly powerful Honkai energy!
Luo Lin was shocked, realizing the man's identity instantly. She forced herself to calm down, maintaining the appearance of a fragile painter, so as not to arouse his suspicion.
Good heavens, why was Siegfried already here!?
----
Poll at Patréon. Lasts until May and June.