Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

"So you called me back just for this child?"

"Mm-hmm!"

"Can you please choose your words more carefully next time? I thought something serious had happened!"

"Huh? You're complaining now?" Tesla lifted her foot and kicked Welt's shin with her red shoe.

Unfazed, Welt stood his ground.

"Why'd you have to grow so tall anyway?!" Tesla muttered.

As a petite scientist, attempting to move the Herrscher of Reason—Welt, whose resilience was unparalleled in human history—was clearly futile jest.

With a helpless look, Welt gazed at Tesla and said, "Alright, alright, whatever you say."

"Hmph! If I hadn't phrased it that way, would you have returned so quickly? This genius always prioritizes efficiency—you should appreciate it!" Tesla tapped Welt's head repeatedly with her index finger, seemingly teasing him but with pure joy and amusement in her eyes.

Tesla and Einstein practically raised Welt Yang themselves. They had witnessed firsthand how a fragile yet slightly rebellious young boy grew step by step into the steadfast and reliable man he is today, someone capable of bearing any burden.

Their bond felt like that between mother and child, close friends, or siblings. Perhaps, hidden beneath the surface, there were delicate emotions none dared to acknowledge.

In this world, few relationships could rival theirs.

Everyone understood that Tesla's urgent call for Welt likely stemmed from some degree of personal bias, but no one chose to address it openly.

"Dr. Tesla, surely you know the story of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf,' don't you?" Einstein still felt compelled to remind her.

Hands on hips, Tesla turned around. "Of course I do. Next time we're truly in dire straits, can't we just use this same tactic again?"

"I hope it doesn't come to that."

"What's with that superior attitude? It's really annoying."

"...Dr. Tesla, let me suggest that once we arrive at the scene, leave communication matters to Welt and myself," Einstein said gravely.

Tesla was brilliant and unconventional; as a scientist, she ranked among the most exceptional across any millennium. However, she lacked tact when it came to speaking with others.

It wasn't just pride; her interactions with others often came across as confrontational. Those familiar with her understood, but strangers might not tolerate it.

"Mophead! What do you mean by that? Explain yourself!"

Seeing Tesla nearly nose-to-nose with Einstein, Welt had no choice but to intervene and separate them. "Um, perhaps we should first discuss the details before proceeding, alright?"

Einstein then expanded a virtual screen, presenting several extraordinary video clips to Welt:

A serene and elegant manor suddenly transformed from top to bottom, becoming a massive fortress bristling with countless terrifying cannons. It mercilessly shredded swarms of Honkai Beasts surging like tidal waves.

Black steel motorcycles, leaving long trails of flames behind, charged recklessly through forests, pursued by floating giant guns reminiscent of science fiction.

Mushroom clouds soared skyward, melting snow and shattering mountains.

Swarming spherical robots unleashed dense barrages of laser beams, annihilating an entire Titan force crouched beneath their onslaught.

"All this is due to that Gat... Zeke?"

"From the intelligence we've gathered so far, yes."

"I think I understand your concerns now. He's only twelve years old, right? For such a prodigy, it indeed warrants my personal attention. At least, we must ensure he doesn't end up like Otto." Welt gazed pensively at the image of Zeke's youthful yet indifferent face.

Tesla playfully smacked him on the head and retorted, "As if you know anything! The real question is whether he's truly a genius or just one of Otto's traps. Only a genuine genius can discern another. So leave the assessment to us; your role will be solely as bodyguard when we visit."

"You really believe that?" Welt questioned them in return.

Einstein responded, "What's wrong with our perspective?"

Welt shook his head and said, "Otto's intentions are indeed hard to gauge. But based on my understanding of him, this isn't his style... Have you studied the boy's technology?"

Einstein pondered for a moment before replying, "We obtained some wreckage, and frankly, it's impressive. During the Yordle City incident, the technology he displayed didn't significantly surpass current global standards nor did it involve Honkai Energy. It was primarily material enhancements and system optimizations. However, he achieved near perfection, seamless and flawless."

Welt shook his head once more and said, "No, these aspects are indeed significant, but they're not the most crucial point."

Einstein and Tesla exchanged glances, with Tesla impatiently asking, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Welt responded, "I want to know if his technology follows the same path as Schicksal's?"

"No, it's entirely different—a distinct technological approach," Einstein answered, gradually realizing the implications.

Sighing, Welt explained further, "I believe Otto is capable of developing such technologies, but would he really need to go through such elaborate measures for his plans? Moreover, if this were a ruse, wouldn't Otto be aware of your discernment skills? What's the purpose of a deception that crumbles at the slightest scrutiny?"

"Could it be...an attempt to draw out Dr. Eins and myself, aiming to capture us both in one fell swoop?"

"The answer remains: there's no necessity. Attempting to deal with you now offers little tangible benefit and would only provoke me, a Herrscher. Otto wouldn't engage in such a losing proposition."

The trio fell into silence.

After a moment, Tesla vigorously scratched his hair, visibly frustrated, and exclaimed:

"Ahhh! Why overthink it? Won't we know for sure once we get there? With Welt as our bodyguard, unless Otto is willing to go down in mutual destruction, nothing bad will happen."

The other two then stared at Tesla with astonishment.

"Why are you both looking at me like that?"

"No, just didn't expect Dr. Tesla to occasionally offer constructive suggestions."

"What do you mean by that? Want to test my latest invention, the Armstrong Cannon, genius style?"

"Isn't that thing prone to exploding on its own?"

"That's precisely the design - to send you sky-high!"

"I see, truly a brilliant concept. I'm almost tempted to applaud, Dr. Tesla."

Einstein's calm response left Tesla visibly flustered, his face turning red.

Welt hastily stepped in to smooth things over and change the subject: "Gentlemen, time is of the essence. How about we discuss further details while en route?"

"Huh? You want to leave now? What's the rush?"

"I just think if this is a trap, arriving quickly and unexpectedly would make us safer."

"You're right. Showing up when Otto least expects it means even if it's a trap, he won't have fully set everything up! Let's move out!"

However, Einstein blocked their path.

"Wait, one person hasn't arrived yet."

"Who?"

"Siegfried."

"What's he doing there... Oh, right, I almost forgot—his daughter got compromised." Tesla looked suddenly enlightened.

The issue was that she herself had contacted Siegfried and embellished Cocolia's information further. How could she forget so quickly?

Einstein rested her forehead on one hand, sighed deeply, feeling utterly drained.

Meanwhile, Welt wore an expression of utter shock, his worldview shattered. "What does 'compromised' mean exactly?"

"It means just what it says—the clone daughter with Herrscher of the Void's power, got compromised by Zeke," Tesla explained bluntly.

"Don't listen to Dr. Tesla's nonsense; it's likely just a fabrication meant to lure Siegfried out," Einstein calmly interjected.

Unexpectedly, Tesla displayed a knowing smirk and retorted arrogantly, "Do you think this genius wouldn't see through such tricks? But honestly, I've been fed up with Siegfried for ages. He won't let us intervene while failing to keep an eye on that dangerous ticking bomb himself! And not too long ago, he even mooched a robotic arm from me for free... If we don't give him some serious trouble, he'll think he can easily fool this genius!"

Einstein and Welt were speechless.

They feared Tesla truly didn't grasp how gullible Siegfried really was—he would unquestionably believe every word!