Honkai: Strijder

"Hahaha! Interesting, truly interesting! Do you know how long it has been since I had a conversation with someone on equal terms, even to the point of teasing each other? Hundred of years! Those people who is stupid enough to claim to be my equal are either foolish, overestimate themself, or both."

Otto suddenly burst into laughter and couldn't stop, looking at Sigurd on the screen with growing interest.

Sigurd nodded and raised a glass of cold water from the table, toasting Otto through the screen.

"Indeed, conversing with intelligent people is a delight. The collision of thoughts and knowledge always brings infinite surprises. To the great wisdom, to the remarkable Mr. Otto."

"I toast to you as well, interesting young lad."

During their first interaction, Otto had also referred to Sigurd as a young lad, but it was a casual and dismissive term. However, now, the phrase "young lad" carries a sense of recognition and even deliberate closeness.

Otto raised his glass, took a sip of red wine, and responded to Sigurd's toast. Then he said:

"So, what plans do you have for your theory? I'm not rushing you, of course. After all, developing a new theoretical system and putting it into practice is no less challenging than building a modern city from scratch. However, precisely because of the high difficulty and because it's your theory, only you know the ins and outs and how to proceed, so it's best to plan ahead."

"I've found a girl."

"Oh?"

Otto's eyes lit up.

"You mean her abilities involve time, and because of this factor, her eyes can see more complex information, touching the essence directly."

Otto's expression showed his curiosity.

"You're saying that Sin Mal's ability is a suitable entry point?"

Sigurd had never mentioned Sin Mal's name, yet, he know about it regardless.

Feeling a headache coming on, Sigurd sighed.

"Mr. Otto, how many eyes have you placed around me? I've hardly interacted with anyone along the way, so how did you track us?"

"Don't be mad~~ one is a valuable asset of Schicksal, and the other is a young promising genius of this era. How could I trust you to wander the world on your own? It's not malicious; I just wanted to provide you with a bit of insignificant help when necessary, that's all~"

'Yeah, right.'

Sigurd rolled his eyes inwardly but calmly praised:

"Schicksal is truly an organization that has no bounds."

"You flatter me. Since you have a plan, I won't say too much. However, concerning Cocolia, although she is seeking cooperation and an opportunity to challenge Schicksal, her methods and schemes are not simple. Have you figured out what you will use as a bargaining chip?"

Sigurd turned his head and looked at the moon outside the window. He calmly replied:

"You don't need to worry about that. I will offer her an irresistible condition."

...

"You want me to adopt two girls with the adaptability to withstand Honkai, with the risk of facing Schicksal, and the condition is... a cold fusion device capable of solving the energy problem of the Titan robots, along with the accompanying research data?"

In an orphanage a hundred miles away, Cocolia looked at the small metal pyramid-shaped device, a black USB drive, and the letter in her hand, deep in thought.

The Titan robots are combat machines that utilize both Honkai energy and conventional electrical energy. They possess powerful maneuvering and firepower capabilities, making them the core force of the Anti-Entropy organization in their fight against the Valkyries.

The energy problem related to Honkai energy has been perfectly addressed by Tesla and Einstein. They wouldn't allow a subpar research team to tamper with Honkai energy-related matters.

On the other hand, the core technology for conventional energy remains locked in the hands of conservative scientists.

The radical faction represented by Cocolia and Anti-Entropy can obtain a certain amount of energy cores through legitimate applications to enhance their Titan forces, but they lack the ability to produce them independently.

The lack of autonomy in the production of the Titan forces is the key reason why the radical faction has always been unable to overpower the conservative faction.

The development of the core technology for conventional energy is not something that can be accomplished overnight, and there has been little progress so far.

If this cold fusion device is genuine and can solve the issue of autonomous production for the Titan forces, Cocolia, who is climbing the ladder of power, would gain tremendous prestige. By obtaining and operating it, she may even become the de facto leader of the radical faction.

This is an irresistible condition.

Cocolia pressed her forehead.

"Bronya, how did you obtain these things?"

She looked at the indifferent girl with gray spiral curls standing beside her and asked.

Because these things were brought by Bronya.

Bronya raised her eyes and in a cold tone that revealed a hint of mockery, replied, "Bronya discovered the secret code of our original organization near the courtyard. I was worried about the orphanage's safety, so I followed the code and investigated. In the end, I found these things in the forest three kilometers away. They were placed on a wooden stake, along with a letter addressed to Matushka."

After listening to Bronya's description, Cocolia instinctively doubted the authenticity, origin, and purpose of these things.

The authenticity could be verified quickly, without much need for further consideration.

As for their origin... it definitely wasn't the military organization Bronya used to belong to. If they had such capabilities, Anti-Entropy wouldn't have found it so easy to establish themselves on this land, as if they were entering an unclaimed territory.

In any case, if these items were genuine, it meant there was a mysterious and formidable client behind it, someone who possessed futuristic technology and powerful intelligence capabilities.

"This is irresistible..."

Cocolia placed the letter down, murmuring to herself.

The items were enticing, and their timing was perfect. It was precisely at a critical moment when she needed a breakthrough. It was like offering a glass of cold water to a thirsty traveler in the desert. Who could resist it?

She was already willing to adopt two children.

Confronting Schicksal, isn't that the determination every Anti-Entropy member should possess?

The only question was whether this client had deeper intentions.

Furthermore, by directly delivering these items, they must have either a deep understanding of her or enough confidence to believe that she won't back out of the deal. Well, she wouldn't. Whether out of caution towards the unknown or considering the possibility of more enticing technological trades after the cold fusion technology, Cocolia would not betray her word.

"Either they know me well, or they are confident enough to believe that I won't refuse... Well, then I'll accept it."

Cocolia picked up the pyramid-shaped cold fusion device, and her golden curls shimmered in the light, forming a beautiful gloss. On her face, there was a seductive yet dangerous smile.

"Matushka is like a cunning fox. Bronya wants to mourn for the person being targeted."

"...You, child, why do you speak such blunt truths?"

Cocolia caressed the head of the twin tailed assassin, indulgently saying.

...

"So, if there are any further questions, feel free to contact me. I will eagerly anticipate your results."

"Thank you for your kindness. Goodbye."

Sigurd terminated the connection and leaned back, sighing.

His exchange with Otto had yielded rich technological insights. Otto was like an artist with an infinite well of inspiration and a precise and accurate machine. Even with Sigurd's "intellectual superiority," their communication was on equal terms, and Sigurd gained a lot of inspiration from it.

But in other aspects... It was truly exhausting.

It was hard to say which of Otto's words had hidden meanings and which were simple narratives.

However, once Sigurd adjusted his mindset, he wasn't afraid of Otto.

Both of them had extraordinary minds, but Sigurd had the absolute advantage in intelligence and had knowledge of Otto's fatal weakness—Kallen. So even though Otto was trying to appear superior, Sigurd wouldn't back down.

After organizing his gains and thoughts, Sigurd decided to go out and put an extra blanket on the sleeping Kiana before finally ending a day of exertion and resting in bed.

<+>

Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please go to my Patreon1, just for $5 each month, you can read till the latest chapter.

Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 202: The Knight and the Princess1

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Strijder1