"Everyone, I'm back!"
Elias had to summon a fair bit of courage to push open the door to House of the Hearth again—because he realized that nothing had changed since the day he left.
It was as if the girls had wanted to freeze ti itself.
To preserve everything exactly as it was on the day he walked away.
He could already feel their longing for him, even before laying eyes on them. The overwhelming emotion moved him deeply—so much so that he just wanted to do sothing, anything.
But in the end, the only thing he could do was open that door as quickly as possible—to reunite with them one second sooner.
And at that mont, the fire in the hearth—which should have long since gone out—flared again into an eternal, undying fla.
"Papa Elias—!" xN
The mont his figure appeared, Sin Mal, Rozaliya, Liliya, and the others burst into tears.
Before he even stepped into the house, they had all rushed out and thrown themselves at him.
"Uuu, it really is Papa Elias!"
"Mm! There's no mistake!"
"Papa's finally ho!"
"Everyone, hold on to Papa tight—we're never letting him go again!"
"That's right! Huh? Why does Father seem so much younger? Sniff sniff But he still slls the sa~"
(S-So enthusiastic...)
Dozens of girls tackled Elias straight into the snow outside the door. Lying on the ground, he wore a soft smile and let them cling to every inch of him.
Honestly, if he hadn't relaxed his body just in ti, with Rozaliya and the others charging at full speed, it would've been like slamming into a steel wall.
"I'm back, everyone—I'm finally ho!"
"We knew it! No doubt about it, Papa Elias is back! We all missed you so, so, so much!"
"Mm, and I missed all of you too~"
Elias gently hugged each girl in turn. His mories hadn't faded one bit. He still rembered all their nas, every mont of those past days.
Off to the side, Bronya and Seele couldn't help but tear up as well. In this mont, it felt like they were transported back to a year ago—the happiest ti of their lives.
"Sin Mal, I'm amazed at how dependable you've beco. I'm proud of you—you really are our family's child."
"Rozaliya—whoa, how'd you gain so much weight since I left? Still cute as ever, though."
"Liliya, you tickle when you snuggle like that. Let see your face properly... Mm, just as adorable as your sister."
Elias found himself filled with endless things he wanted to say to these girls. It had only been a year, but already he couldn't bear the thought of parting from them again.
"At last... it feels complete again."
Bronya wiped the glimr from the corner of her eyes.
Watching Elias return to House of the Hearth felt like a puzzle finally receiving its center piece—the missing fragnt that made the whole family whole again.
Surrounded by the girls, Elias stepped inside.
And took his seat at his rightful place.
He gazed at the hearth's flas with deep emotion.
Although the fire had already responded to his presence at the front door—resonating with his power as Herrscher of Fire, transforming once again into a Herrscher fla—
He could feel it clearly: the fire he thought had long been extinguished had never gone out.
Elias reached out and touched the flas in the hearth.
The mories stored in the fire flowed into him.
"You've all done such an incredible job. Even without here... you still managed to protect the heart of this ho."
Even without the support of Herrscher authority or unlimited Honkai energy as fuel, the girls had kept the fire alive through their own efforts.
Every night, two girls would take turns on fire-watch duty—adding wood, keeping the flas burning steadily. No one assigned them. No one forced them. They all volunteered.
This fla had taken the place of Elias' eyes.
It had watched over everything happening inside House of the Hearth.
And it had borne witness to the girls' longing and devotion.
Just as it reawakened into Herrscher fla earlier, Rozaliya had accidentally fallen into it.
But Elias hadn't intervened to control the fla. That ant—it had chosen, on its own, not to hurt her.
Fla: (Of course I didn't harm her. Once I regained my special form and could control my temperature again, why would I ever hurt the girls who fed night after night? My whole purpose is to warm them.)
After that, Elias began sharing stories of where he'd been—after all, he owed it to the girls who had waited so long to know what they had waited for.
"As for what I've been doing this whole ti... well, on the small scale, I saved a few girls. On the larger scale, I saved the world."
"Oh, right—everyone needs to change how you address from now on. Start calling 'Big Brother' instead of 'Papa'... At least when we're around other people."
Elias emphasized this matter of titles.
"Eh? Why's that?"
"Because I'm about the sa age as you all now. If you keep calling Papa in public, it could cause problems. You don't want the cops to haul off, do you?"
"Nooo! We don't want that! It's weird, but we'll do it. Elias... Big Brother."
Several girls already couldn't stop the corners of their lips from lifting.
Looking at their once-father now appearing their age... the chance they'd dread of had finally co!
Elias continued talking about what he'd been up to—saving Nagazora from certain destruction, joining a school called St. Freya Academy, defeating a terrifying beast from 5,000 years ago called Chiyou, playing gas of wits with a certain Fool...
The girls at House of the Hearth listened in awe. It was just like old tis—when Elias would tell them bedti stories to help them fall asleep.
"Really, I have Bronya to thank. If she hadn't found , I probably still wouldn't have reunited with you all."
"Wow, then Bronya really saved the day. Uh... wait, you're Bronya? H-How'd you get so big?! Am I dreaming?!"
Their joy at reuniting with Elias had monopolized their attention—
They hadn't even looked at Bronya or Seele until now.
And when they did... everyone was dumbfounded.
What a majestic bust.
What refined elegance.
Holy moly! What happened to this Big Duck?!
"Hi~ everyone. Long ti no see."
Seeing how these ungrateful brats had forgotten their dear sister the mont Papa showed up, Bronya imdiately straightened her back and thrust her chest forward.
Seemingly nonchalant—but actually putting maximum effort—she struck a graceful pose and flicked her silver-gray turbine hair, radiating the ultimate mature Big Duck charm!
Big Duck: (Everyone's eyes on Bronya now! Prepare to be stunned by my beauty!)
"Y-You're really Bronya?"
"What in the world happened?!"
"Papa Elias got younger, Bronya grew up... Just how much plot did we miss?!"
"Bronya's so beautiful... I'm jealous."
The girls' eyes sparkled as they stared at her.
Though they couldn't understand what exactly had happened to this Big Duck, it didn't stop them from being stunned—and more than a little awestruck.
Only Sin Mal's face twitched violently. She stared at the dazzling, radiant Bronya, then looked down at her own utterly flat chest. Jealousy twisted her face into a bitter shade.
What the hell happened to this Flat Duck in a single year?! Bronya, you're totally cheating!
"This really shouldn't have happened. I was just so happy Father ca ho that I got careless... and let so stranger into our ho."
"Stranger? Sin Mal, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying it's ti for you to leave House of the Hearth. Strangers aren't welco here."
"I may look different, but I really am Bronya Zay..."
"Silence! The Bronya I know had a chest flatter than mine—flat enough to use as a mousepad! If you want to impersonate her that badly, then let your boss cut off those annoying lumps for you!"
Sin Mal pulled out a cake knife and nacingly licked a dollop of frosting from the blade. Her eyes glead with icy intent.
Flat Duck or not, how dare you bloat up like this! Today, Boss Sin Mal's gonna carve you back to size!
"Tch~! So you're just jealous of Bronya."
Bronya put one hand on her hip, completely unfazed. Before Sin Mal could continue raging, the barrel of Project Bunny's cannon—thick as a human head—clicked into place against her forehead.
"..."
"What? Cat got your tongue? You were so mouthy a mont ago. Oh, and by the way—this power ca from Elias too."
Bronya crossed her arms smugly.
Watching the normally foul-mouthed, arrogant Sin Mal make a face like she'd just swallowed a fly was deeply satisfying.
Sure, what she'd said about being flat was true—but that was the past. The current Bronya was the perfect Bronya!
"Damn it, Bronya! Don't get cocky! From now on, you better sleep with one eye open. I swear I'll cut those things off and feed them to Rozaliya!"
Never backing down, Boss Sin Mal still kept up her front.
But Bronya wasn't having it. Her expression darkened.
She raised her hands protectively over her proud, full chest.
This was her proof of victory—a miracle she achieved for her future! The definitive answer to the age-old question of whether 8 was greater than 50,000!
Even if they were all sisters of House of the Hearth, this was her pride—untouchable!
"Sin Mal, what exactly did Bronya do to make you treat so disrespectfully? Don't forget—I'm the eldest sister of House of the Hearth. And you won't even call 'Big Sister.'"
"Hah! You want to call you sister? Bronya, did your ti outside fry your brain? You dreaming about peaches now or sothing?"
"Fine then. If that's how you want it—Bronya won't hold back anymore."
"Oh no! Bronya's about to drop the nuke!"
Dark Seele's face turned pale. She imdiately covered her ears and retreated into the ntal space, letting White Seele take over—no way was she sticking around for this lethal one-liner!
Bronya threw herself into Elias' arms like a swallow returning to its nest, snuggling close with utter affection. With the air of an absolute victor, she smiled sweetly at the stunned Sin Mal.
"Since you won't call sister, then why not just call ... Mom?"
"...Huh?!"
It wasn't just Sin Mal—every girl in House of the Hearth (except Rozaliya, of course) nearly dropped their jaws.
Seeing Big Duck's blissful, satisfied smile—and Elias' helpless but doting expression—everyone understood in an instant.
"Bronya, I swear I will %@#!$%&@ you!!"
"Say whatever you like. In the end, it's just a sore loser's howl. Bronya has already won."
"Damn you, Bronya! You actually stole Father?! Even killing you a thousand tis wouldn't be enough!"
Sin Mal completely snapped. If not for Project Bunny's robotic arm holding her back, she would've lunged forward and bitten Big Duck to death with her shark-like teeth.
She never imagined Flat Duck would dare sneak off like this.
"Your boss stays behind to babysit while you're out there growing up and secretly nabbing Father?! Bronya, you're too damn bold! When the hell did this even happen?!"
"Last night."
"WHAT THE—?! Spill it! You found Father ages ago, didn't you? And instead of bringing him ho, you finished the al first?! You absolute traitor!"
"Uh... well..."
Now it was Bronya's turn to avert her eyes guiltily.
She suddenly realized she really was at fault here. Sure, she had worked hard this past year—but Sin Mal had done her share too, holding the fort at ho.
And they'd agreed: once Elias was found, he'd be brought ho imdiately. And yet...
"Fine, Bronya admits she broke the agreent. But... Bronya doesn't regret it."
"You're proud of that?! You little—!"
"Sorry, Sin Mal. I was going to bring Elias ho quickly. But... a lot of things happened along the way. And last night... I just couldn't resist."
Bronya scratched her head, then stuck out her tongue playfully.
"%~!$#%!*"
Boss Sin Mal turned into a human telegraph machine.
"Wait! If you already made your move, then what about Seele?! Don't tell even Seele...?!"
"I-I-I didn't! I swear! I haven't!"
Sin Mal's demonic glare had Seele waving her hands in terror, frantically denying everything.
That at least brought Sin Mal so relief.
If even Seele—the one remaining voice of conscience in House of the Hearth—had snuck ahead, she'd have coughed up blood and gone back in ti just to punch her past self for staying ho.
"Anyway, Papa Elias now belongs to Bronya. Sin Mal, you've lost."
"Unacceptable! Bronya, I challenge you to a duel!"
"No problem. Project Bunny 19C—ready to fire."
"Hey! That's not fair, you cheater!"
Sitting on Elias' lap, Big Duck happily kicked her feet, thinking to herself that she had i-sis—wait, i-chan—to thank for teaching her the ways of war.
Love is war!
There is no such thing as first co, first served!
The winner gets the sweet monts, the loser eats the crumbs!
Bronya: (This is the blazing truth!)
Yet the world also holds another truth—don't get too cocky.
"Duck, this won't do."
Elias tugged gently at her cheek.
"Eh?"
"Long story short... your Big Duck trial period has expired."
Elias activated the Herrscher of Rebirth's power.
Before Bronya could react, her body shrank amid white blossoms of creation—transforming from Big Duck back into Flat Duck in the blink of an eye.
"W-Why...?"
She blankly touched her chest—only to find nothing but empty air. She was stunned.
Elias patted her head in comfort.
"Big Duck was great, but the current Bronya is the one I love just as much. So let's go back, alright?"
"But Bronya liked her grown-up self..."
"You'll get there in ti. And when it's just the two of us, I'll let you transform again, okay, Duck?"
Honestly, Elias himself liked Big Duck a bit more too.
But that form would only draw rejection from the others in House of the Hearth. The rest were still growing—Bronya had effectively skipped all the levels.
Even in such a close-knit family, pulling sothing that over-the-top would definitely lead to resentnt.
And seeing Bronya revert to her familiar, pint-sized self—
Sin Mal swooped in with a perfectly tid jab.
"Pfft—ahahaha! Yo, Bronya! What happened to your chest pillows, huh? Deflated overnight?"
"...Project Bunny! Fire!"
"Gaaah! You psycho!"
As Sin Mal ran for her life, chased by Project Bunny's cannon—
Elias could only sigh, muttering:
"Emmm... you two sure are full of energy."
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