HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

"Such a vast place—perfect for hide-and-seek!"

As they entered the forest at the foot of the mountain, Rozaliya bounded ahead like a lively rabbit, her energy infectious.

Her joyful presence couldn't help but bring a smile to everyone's face.

Behind Rozaliya, the five others—including Liliya—gazed at her with amusement. Even the most serious among them couldn't suppress a grin at her cuteness.

Seeing Rozaliya so full of life lifted everyone's spirits.

"You dolt, Rozaliya! We don't have time for games now. And you're not a child anymore—stop acting like one," Liliya muttered, feeling a headache coming on.

Has Rozaliya's personality truly taken over? She wondered. She's acting just like the real Rozaliya now.

The influence of the Valkyries on their bodies was indeed powerful. Despite being in Liliya's body, she felt herself drifting off at any moment.

If it weren't for the others talking nearby... I'd probably be sound asleep already... But still...

I'm so tired... I want to sleep.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, a wave of drowsiness washed over Liliya.

After walking for so long, Liliya was exhausted beyond belief.

Scanning the area, she found no suitable place to rest. She unsheathed her massive blue great sword, Swan Lake, and leaned against it, placing her weary body at ease.

Her sky-blue eyes couldn't resist drooping closed.

"Lady Liliya..."

Cellinia, who had been walking ahead, realized Liliya hadn't caught up. Turning back, she saw the adorable, expressionless young girl about to fall asleep standing there.

"Lady Liliya, are you alright?" Cellinia hastily returned to Liliya's side.

"I'm fine..." Liliya replied weakly, eyes still shut.

"How can you claim to be fine, Lady Rozaliya... Hurry, come see what's wrong with Lady Liliya!" Seeing Liliya's condition, Cellinia grew anxious. "Rozaliya!"

In front, Rozaliya was almost out of sight. Hearing Cellinia's urgent cry, she sprinted back.

Assessing Liliya's state, Rozaliya shook her head helplessly.

"Don't worry. Liliya is just tired."

"Tired?" Cellinia was taken aback; Liliya seemed more than just drowsy...

"Remember when you were curious about why Liliya always sleeps? It's not because she's lazy, you know. Liliya's body has some lingering effects from her ordeal, so...she tends to doze off unintentionally."

Watching Liliya struggling to stay awake, Rozaliya approached and gently patted her on the shoulder.

"Liliya, come here... Let me carry you on my back..."

After accepting the world serpent's experiment, both Rozaliya and Liliya gained power comparable to that of Emperor-level Honkai Beasts. However, it wasn't just Liliya who suffered from aftereffects—Rozaliya had them too.

It's just that...up until now, the specific nature of Rozaliya's aftereffects had not yet manifested.

As for the horns on their heads and the tails? Those didn't count as aftereffects.

"Rozaliya..."

Hearing Rozaliya's words, Liliya lowered her Great Sword and draped herself over her sister's back.

Only at this moment did Rozaliya truly seem like a good older sister.

"Rozaliya-sama, Liliya-sama... Will she be alright?" Cellinia looked worriedly at Liliya, her concern evident. The mention of aftereffects alone suggested this was no simple matter.

"I can't believe the Great Hero is still dealing with aftereffects," Cellinia mused aloud.

"Don't worry," Rozaliya replied with an air of indifference. "It's just that her sleep patterns have shifted. Besides, I'll take care of her."

"Lady Rozaliya, perhaps we should find a place to rest for a bit? With Liliya...asleep, it won't be an ideal situation for taking on the dragon," suggested Skyfire, a cat-eared maiden, as she approached Rozaliya. She gazed at Liliya slung over Rozaliya's back and offered her advice.

"Hmm, let's rest for a while... We'll look for a suitable spot and see if there's any hot springs around. The relaxed atmosphere might help Liliya recover more quickly." Rozaliya pondered briefly, knowing well that without Liliya, their combat strength would be severely diminished.

Without Liliya, Rozaliya wasn't even a complete person anymore.

Liliya absolutely had to rest and recover.

Rozaliya never anticipated that as they approached the vicinity of the dragon, Liliya would unexpectedly fall into such a deep slumber.

Alright then... let's not put too much thought into Rozaliya's decision-making process.

"Yes, Lady Rozaliya. We'll go around and check for a suitable spot," Platinum and Cellinia responded promptly, swiftly moving forward to search for a hot spring.

-

"Rozaliya, why don't I carry Liliya?" the feline mage suggested. Unlike Platinum and Cellinia, who possessed agile reflexes, the feline girl might end up being more hindrance than help if she were to accompany them. Thus, she remained at Rozaliya's side.

She glanced at Liliya resting on Rozaliya's back and said.

"No need," Rozaliya replied with a smile, declining the offer. "I can manage carrying Liliya alone."

Protecting my sister is my greatest desire.

Rozaliya Olenyeva... had harbored one wish since childhood: to obtain extraordinary strength to protect her frail younger sister. After undergoing the Magical Doctor's "treatment," she sprouted horns and a tail, but finally—she possessed enough power to shield Liliya.

"Very well then..."

Skyfire observed how Rozaliya, who usually acted like a child, now showcased the demeanor of a competent older sister while caring for Liliya.

Is this the power of sisterhood?

"Lady Rozaliya, we've discovered a natural hot spring at the foot of the mountain ahead."

Before long, Cellinia returned with the demon blade and Platinum.

"Really? That's fantastic news."

Rozaliya's eyes lit up at hearing this. A hot spring... It had been so long since she last experienced one, especially a natural one.

The last time was... during Yae Sakura's lifespan.

Natural hot springs are immensely beneficial to the human body. Could Liliya perhaps awaken quickly if she bathed there?

"There is a problem near the hot spring, though," Platinum suddenly added.

"Hm?" Rozaliya paused.

"The area surrounding the hot spring is home to many centaurs..."

"Centaurs?"

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