"Chen Tianwu lied to you. He didn't win a five-million-dollar lottery, nor did he make a fortune from some investment. Everything he has, he traded his life for… All his lies were just to put your mind at ease at the academy, so you wouldn't be looked down upon and could make friends normally with the other students…
And you lied to Chen Tianwu. The academy doesn't have as many expenses as you told him. Every luxury item you bought for thousands, every impulsive purchase for the older girls you liked, was, in fact, draining Chen Tianwu's life…"
"I… I…"
Chen Tianwen's heart felt like it was being twisted, and she trembled, unable to speak a word. She had truly believed her brother had suddenly struck it rich, turning into a wealthy man… that's why she had become like a nouveau riche, instantly losing her sense of the value of money. But now, Ryn was telling her that what she had been spending was her brother's life…
"Go and apologize properly to your brother. Tell him everything clearly, and then obediently accept his punishment."
Ryn ruffled her hair and handed her the phone.
Some things couldn't be brushed aside just because she was young, but this was their family's business, so the final decision should be left to the two of them.
With trembling hands, Chen Tianwen dialed Chen Tianwu's number. The moment she heard his voice from the other end, she lost control and burst into tears.
"Sis, what's wrong, what's wrong! Did someone bully you at school?!"
On the other end of the line, Chen Tianwu panicked as soon as he heard Chen Tianwen's crying, wishing he could appear at St. Freya High School in the next instant to solve all her problems.
But he couldn't do anything…
"Tianwen, you just wait… I'll go beg our benefactor. He can definitely help you. I'll trade my life for it…"
"No, brother, don't… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… brother…"
From the moment he heard Chen Tianwu's anxious voice, offering to trade his life for his help, Ryn had quietly left the scene.
He already knew Chen Tianwu's answer, and Chen Tianwen's was more or less certain as well.
What came next was for the siblings to pour out their hearts and clear up everything.
Alone, Ryn returned to the back mountain and sat under an unusually grown cherry blossom tree.
Her wish was to be buried with her sister under a cherry blossom tree, but Ryn couldn't fulfill that wish for Higokumaru.
Her sister died fifty thousand years ago, and she died fifty thousand years later.
Ryn couldn't find her sister's grave at the old site of Yae Village in Nagazora City. But it made sense. The Herrscher of Finality had overturned the earth's crust, letting magma reshape the land. Even if the place was the same, the things that existed there were no longer the same.
But the cherry blossom tree from Yae Village… with Yae Sakura's approval, Ryn had dug it up and brought it back to St. Freya High School, planting it beside Higokumaru's grave.
Ryn took out two cups of wine, opened one, and placed it before Higokumaru's tomb.
"Higokumaru… did you know? This time, a little girl about your age went down the wrong path! She has high Honkai energy adaptability, perhaps like Kiana and the others, she could become a Valkyrie without needing the surgery, but that also means she's a Herrscher vessel…
Back in Manila, I confirmed it from Anna's words. Chen Tianwen's Herrscher transformation was forcibly halted due to her severe injuries… which in turn led to her own brother, Chen Tianwu's, Herrscher transformation…
Heh, how ridiculous! Both siblings have excellent Honkai energy resistance, both are Herrscher vessels… and now one is a Valkyrie, and the other an unawakened Herrscher…
I'm sorry, Higokumaru. The tragedy named Rin from fifty thousand years ago is something I can only listen to as a successor, but fifty thousand years later, today, I will not let her repeat your ridiculous fate…"
——————————————
Ryn sat before Higokumaru's grave for half an hour. Estimating that enough time had passed, he stood up, patted his butt, and left the back mountain.
In the original spot, Chen Tianwen had already finished her call with Chen Tianwu. Her eyes were red, but her expression was firm as she stood there, waiting for Ryn to emerge.
Upon seeing Ryn's figure, Chen Tianwen ran towards him.
Ryn placed his hand on Chen Tianwen's head, stopping her from hugging him. Otherwise, the little girl would have definitely wiped her snot and tears all over his clothes.
Chen Tianwen wiped her tears, laughing through them as she said, "Brother Ryn, you must not have a girlfriend! A girl opens her arms to you, how can you refuse!"
"With so many scammers these days, who knows if you're trying to blackmail me. Besides, I do have girlfriends, and they're much prettier than a little pipsqueak like you. And even if I didn't, I wouldn't be interested in a little kid like you," Ryn shrugged, unfazed.
"Hmph, I'm only ten. I'll definitely grow up to be a cute, charming, and mature woman," Chen Tianwen said angrily, hands on her hips. Her chubby little face, combined with her tear-reddened eyes, was utterly adorable.
"Dream on. In my story, you'll be lucky to survive until the end."
"?"
"Let's not talk about that. Seeing you so happy, it looks like the misunderstanding with your brother has been resolved. Have you realized your mistakes?!"
"I have. I won't spend money recklessly anymore. I'll go back and sell all that stuff at home online… Actually, at first, I really thought my brother had struck it rich, so I started buying all sorts of things to fulfill my childhood fantasies…"
"Mm, it's human nature. After all, when people get money, they're bound to want to satisfy their past desires. Even adults can't control themselves, let alone someone as young as you…"
"There's one more thing…" Chen Tianwen paused, deliberately building suspense.
"What?"
"Brother Ryn, you asked me before if I was willing to become one of those glorious Valkyries, right? My answer is… I am willing.
I am also one of the lucky ones who survived from behind. A life of luxury made me lose sight of my original purpose for coming to St. Freya High School… Vengeance against the Honkai is the sole obsession of us survivors… I forgot it once, but I will never forget it again."
Chen Tianwen revealed a determined smile and held out her clenched left fist.
Ryn extended his right fist and bumped it with hers.
"I feel your resolve. In that case, once you graduate, I'll be waiting for you on the front lines to take my place."
"Huh? To take the position of Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie? I didn't know you thought so highly of me, Brother Ryn!"
"Of course, I have high hopes for you! Do your best. The fight against the Honkai and the future of humanity all depend on you!"
"Mhm!" Chen Tianwen nodded vigorously, shouting excitedly, "I will definitely become Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie!"
Seeing his persuasion had been so successful, Ryn nodded in satisfaction. He wouldn't tell Chen Tianwen that he used the same trick on every junior.