So, for Schicksal to do something like this, Bronya wasn't the least bit surprised.
However, for Kiana and Raiden Mei, who hadn't been exposed to such darkness, the blow was quite significant.
Kiana looked toward Theresa, but Theresa could only sigh and give her a silent nod, confirming that what Einstein said was true.
She could no longer hide everything from Kiana as she had in the past.
She had grown up. It was time for her to face certain things.
Theresa was just a little afraid. After learning of this darkness, would Kiana still be able to fight for all that is beautiful in the world, just as she always had?
"What... are we even fighting to protect?"
Kiana lowered her head, staring at the palm of her own hand. At this moment, she seemed to finally understand the source of the hatred and disgust for humanity she had seen in the Herrscher of the Void's eyes back in the consciousness space.
They spoke constantly of protecting humanity, of saving the world, yet everything they enjoyed now was bought with the lives of countless people...
And the Herrscher of the Void, Sirin, was just one of the victims...
Schicksal's Valkyries fight for human civilization. They resist the Honkai, not hesitating to sacrifice their own futures and lives. Were they wrong?
To enhance the combat effectiveness of the Valkyries, to allow them to better fight the Honkai and increase their survival rate on the battlefield, Schicksal used a large number of test subjects for human experimentation. They used the results obtained from them to help more people. Were they wrong?
Those children, brought from all over the world, had lost their families, their homes, everything. They should have been treated with kindness by the world, yet they became disposable test subjects. Were they wrong?
If this were the Kiana from before, who understood nothing, she would have unhesitatingly declared that Schicksal was in the wrong.
But now, knowing the future, knowing so much more, Kiana's thoughts were no longer so simple. That was why she was so conflicted and torn.
"Kiana, there has never been true right or wrong in this world. It is all merely a matter of standpoint and the perspective from which one views things," Einstein stated calmly.
"Sometimes, to achieve certain goals, we must make certain sacrifices."
"Schicksal is this way, Anti-Entropy is this way, and we... are the same."
"But unlike Schicksal, we will not forcibly impose our goals on others. The only ones we can sacrifice are ourselves."
"However, it is a fact that the results Schicksal obtained through the lives of those children did indeed save more people in this world from disaster and allowed more Valkyries to survive on the battlefield. These are all facts."
"Kiana, in your opinion, is this right, or is it wrong?"
Everyone's gaze simultaneously turned to Kiana.
Her face was filled with pain and confusion, but when Einstein posed the question, she still gave an answer subconsciously.
"Of course... it's as wrong as it can be!"
"...Right, Dad told me before, if someone tells you that to save the world, you must sacrifice the few to save the many, you should just punch them in the face without a moment's hesitation...!"
"We Kaslanas have always only done what we believe is right!"
A light gradually returned to Kiana's eyes. She remembered the principles she had held onto until now. Was she really going to waver just because she had seen something she couldn't accept?
What Schicksal did was undoubtedly wrong. Perhaps some people thought it was right, but she could never accept a victory bought by sacrificing others.
Because she is Kiana Kaslana!
"Kiana, true growth is being able to witness everything, understand everything, and still remain firm in your original convictions and make a choice... Do you have that resolve?"
Himeko looked at her, softly imparting her guidance.
"Major Himeko, I don't know if I have that kind of resolve, but at least for now, this is what I believe. And I can't accept a so-called victory that comes from the sacrifice of others."
"If one day, someone tells me that to save the world, one of you must be sacrificed, then I'll punch them square in the face and then find my own way to save the world!"
Kiana's gaze was exceptionally clear, and every word she spoke was powerful and resonant, coming straight from the heart.
Fu Hua watched from the side with a gratified expression. In that short period, Kiana's mental fortitude had grown by leaps and bounds. She had a clear conscience about the choice she made.
"...Kiana, while I may not have your level of determination, I will always follow you, watch over you, and pull you back if you ever go astray," Raiden Mei also spoke up.
She wasn't as grand as Kiana; she was just an ordinary girl. She had no great ideal of saving the world. To Raiden Mei, Kiana was her entire world.
At Senba Academy, the hand Kiana had extended to her was like a ray of light that shone into the depths of Raiden Mei's heart. No matter how much time passed, no matter what happened, that sliver of light would never fade.
"Kiana, I believe that if Siegfried were to see how you've changed now, he would be very pleased," Einstein said with a light chuckle.
Seeing Kiana and Raiden Mei recover from the blow, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief and quickly changed the subject.
"Then the answer to this question must be B, right? Speaking of which, why are the other options so strange?" Theresa said.
"Kiana, do you want to answer this one?" Himeko looked at Kiana.
"Yes, I choose B."
Kiana stepped forward without hesitation and stated her choice.
[Answer... Correct.]
[Congratulations, you have obtained three vials of H-12 Body Repair Fluid.]
The correct answer didn't elicit any surprise, but the reward this time was a pleasant one.
The effects of the Body Repair Fluid from the last reward had already been proven on Fu Hua, so its usefulness was beyond doubt.
After some discussion, the group decided to give two of the vials to Einstein and Tesla for research, while St. Freya would keep one for emergencies.
Theresa had wanted Bronya to drink the Body Repair Fluid to restore her legs and damaged cerebral nerves, but Bronya refused.
In her words, she needed this physical imperfection to constantly remember Seele. Only when she had rescued Seele from the Sea of Quanta would she allow her body to be healed.