"...Cecilia?"
"Well, long time no see, Siegfried."
Siegfried glanced at Luo Lin, who was standing next to him, whispering with Senti, then looked at the white-haired Valkyrie, smiling and holding Sirin, and asked with difficulty, "So, what's going on?"
"Cecilia wanted to come see you, and, by the way, address any psychological issues Kiana might have..."
"No, that's not what I'm asking about... She..."
Seeing Siegfried's flickering eyes, Luo Lin could guess what he was thinking. She was silent for a moment, then said, "You're aware of [Stigmata], right? Stigmata is essentially a database that records a lot of genetic information. It relies on blood but isn't only inherited through it."
"By chance, I acquired a set of stigmata related to [Cecilia], which gave me a strong recovery ability. There are even many of her memories in the stigmata... In this consciousness-based world, [Cecilia] re-emerged through the power of the stigmata—the one you see before you."
"...I see. Anyway, thank you, Luo Lin."
Siegfried took a deep breath and asked, "So, are things settled now?"
"Well... we should be able to leave soon."
The girl turned her head to look at the Herrscher of Sentience. The gray-haired girl pinched [Fenghuang Down] and made an "OK" gesture toward her.
Senti coughed and said to Siegfried, "Siegfried, don't you want to chat with [Cecilia] again?"
"...I..."
The white-haired man watched Cecilia talk with Raiden Mei in a friendly manner, quickly making Mei lower her defenses, and took the still-unconscious white-haired girl from Raiden Mei's arms.
"Honestly, things have come to this, which is beyond my imagination..." Cecilia touched Kiana's face, then called to Luo Lin, "Make me a [Black Abyss White Flower]!"
"Coming right up."
Luo Lin skillfully used the [Key of Revelation] to conjure a Mimic Black Abyss White Flower, then handed the weapon to Siegfried, winking at him: "Oh, I've been through so many battles, I feel exhausted. Mr. Siegfried, could you deliver this for me?"
he white-haired man silently took the Mimic Divine Key and quickly walked toward Cecilia.
Luo Lin shook her head: "...Look at Siegfried's fake reluctance. He clearly wants to talk to Cecilia..."
The Herrscher of Sentience suddenly asked, "So, is this [Cecilia] still alive?"
"...I don't know, Sentience. These philosophical questions are really beyond someone like me, a stupid transmigrator who only knows how to fight."
The black-haired girl responded. She watched Cecilia and Siegfried smile at each other, as if everything was self-evident.
The Valkyrie took the golden spear from the man, and healing power spread from her hand, enveloping Kiana.
"According to the Overseer, Cecilia undoubtedly died many years ago, and the one before us is just a replica of her consciousness and memories..."
Luo Lin brushed her bangs aside and said softly:
"But the definition of life and death isn't that simple—I don't remember who said this: people die three times. The first is when they die biologically; they're gone. The second time is when they're buried, and people remember their life—then they're gone from society, with no place left for them. The third time is when the last person who remembers them forgets them, and only then are they truly dead."
Senti was thoughtful.
Kiana slowly opened her eyes and saw her mother and father beside her. They both looked at her with kindness. Further away, Raiden Mei and Sirin were also there, concern on their faces.
Kiana's instinct told her this was her real mother. The white-haired girl was a little dazed: "So, my mother isn't lost, and my sister isn't a Herrscher..."
"No, everything is real..."
Cecilia knew some things had to be made clear.
The white-haired Valkyrie believed in Kiana, believed she would be sad and angry, but in the end, her proud daughter would bravely face the truth—at least, she wouldn't let today become a flaw in Kiana's heart.
After all, the Herrscher who appeared later excelled at rubbing salt in people's wounds, shaking their mental state, and achieving their goals.
"Your sister Sirin is indeed a Herrscher, and I, Cecilia, died in the Second Eruption back in 2000... Do you remember what I told you? People's memories intertwine and compile here, and under the influence of special forces, this strange space of consciousness formed today."
"Through it, you saw me and Siegfried, your relationship with Raiden Mei developed further, and [Cecilia] became more than just an abstract 'mother' figure in your mind... But, this is still the world of consciousness, and I'm only standing before you thanks to its power. Like a dream, you'll wake up eventually..."
Cecilia paused and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Kiana, and Siegfried, I haven't been a good mother. You've both had it rough all these years."
The white-haired Valkyrie took Kiana's hand, interlocking their fingers.
Kiana pursed her lips and said in a hoarse voice, "Mom."
"Kiana, you might not understand now, but your life is a bit complicated... One day, you might feel lost, but remember that you'll always be my good daughter—no matter what, I'm proud of you."
"...Yeah."
"Don't frown, it's so unlovable. Relax." Cecilia kissed Kiana's forehead lightly, then changed the subject. "Kiana, now that your father and mother are here, let's talk about life, shall we? After all, Siegfried didn't spend much time with you growing up, so now's the time to strengthen your bond, right?"
"And Raiden Mei and Sirin over there, don't just stand around. Come over and join us. By the way, Raiden Mei, you're Kiana's classmate, right? How is she doing in school?"
"Uh... um... Kiana is very lively, always able to lift the class's mood... warm-hearted, very strong..."
Raiden Mei racked her brain, trying to find good things to say about Kiana, but it was clear they hadn't known each other well before coming here, and she only knew that the white-haired girl wasn't great at studying.
Siegfried covered his face, Cecilia smirked, and Kiana began to sweat, her ahoge spinning as if she might faint.
Luo Lin watched the scene and softly said, "When it comes to life and death... maybe it doesn't need to be so clearly defined, does it?"
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