NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Arc Apocalypse. Part 1 (2/3)
Although the man's appearance was identical to the one in their memory, after a brief conversation with this newly appeared Otto, the changes in both his tone and the way he addressed them made them suspicious.
Considering whether this was also part of Otto's scheme, they didn't readily believe his words.
"So... you're saying... this is the year 2017, and you're all also from 2017 AD, and you all know me?" Otto said with a puzzled expression, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
After all, who would inexplicably appear 500 years in the future? And have a granddaughter calling him grandpa? Whose child was she?
Theresa and the others remained noncommittal about this point and didn't immediately acknowledge him as the Otto from the past, although what he said sounded plausible.
"After all, your existence is simply too abnormal. Among all the other spacetime information leaking into this place, there's nothing like you, a living, breathing person."
"Well... although this is indeed a valid reason for you to be wary of me... but I have a feeling that the future me must have done a lot of things that you can't accept."
Otto couldn't help but give a wry smile, a hint of helplessness on his handsome face.
These people in front of him had been vigilantly scrutinizing him, which proved that they did know each other, without a doubt.
It's just... did he do something heinous? They were staring at him as if he were a prisoner.
Finally, after a discussion, they concluded that he might be Otto from a parallel world, and based on the information, he was at the moment after winning the civil war; he had led his forces to defeat the main force of Schicksal's headquarters.
Tesla frowned when she realized this.
Generally speaking, history wouldn't be so strikingly similar; there should be some differences...
-----
Most people in the hall room wore thoughtful expressions, harboring various speculations about the identity of this Otto who had appeared.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of grass and earth, sweeping through the corners of the room, dispelling some of the unpleasant atmosphere.
"This reminds me of someone's initial wording... parallel world?" Mobius said with an impassive face, glancing at Luo Mo.
There was a time when she actually believed that the game was some kind of parallel world, although it was a rather abnormal parallel... But after the Herrscher of Sentience appeared, she had overturned all her previous conclusions.
As expected, believing his words was undoubtedly a grave mistake on her part. What parallel world? There were clearly many things that didn't add up.
He had been deceiving them all along. No wonder they called him MiHoYo!
("MiHoYo" (米哈游), the name of the Company, sounds similar to the Chinese phrase "míhu yóu" (迷糊游), which roughly translates to "confusing game" or "deceitful game.")
"That's right, a parallel world. What's wrong with that?" Luo Mo said smoothly, sticking to his claim.
Whether it's a parallel world or not... depends on the definition. Anyway, as long as there are people with the same identities, it can be considered a parallel world.
He wasn't a scientist; it wasn't wrong, right?
"Tsk... whatever." Mobius gave him a disgusted look, deciding not to believe a word he said...
....unless he personally said he was willing to participate in an experiment or something like that.
Then it would definitely be true!
"Otto from five hundred years ago? Is that really possible? Doesn't that defy logic?" Theresa frowned, struggling to comprehend.
Although things like spacetime distortions and spatial rifts sounded reasonable, her sharp intuition still felt that something wasn't right.
Strange... wouldn't that mean she'd have a twenty-year-old grandfather when she was forty?
-----
During their idle chatter, they also began to discuss him (Otto) more.
As for that period of history, even Theresa was so familiar with it that she could easily recite it: Otto, with the support of the people, overthrew the old Schicksal.
But based on her opinion of Otto, Tesla didn't believe for a second that all the people would support him, although she admitted that her personal feelings might be clouding her judgment.
But if he was as righteous and glorious as history portrayed... she would rather believe that he must have been disguised or had rewritten history.
"...Indeed. It's not so much that I'm capable, but rather that everyone is willing to let me serve as a symbolic totem," Otto said, not minding the derogatory tone, but instead acknowledging it and explaining.
"It wasn't because of me that everyone united, but because of the 'legend of the Saint'."
"Saint? ...You mean, Kallen Kaslana?" Tesla asked suspiciously.
"Of course, besides her, there's no other Saint in my world," Otto nodded, and it was clear that even this Otto held Kallen, the Saint, in high regard.
He spoke with a hint of self-deprecation and sorrow, his eyes filled with grief and a touch of despair.
"Kallen... she died because of me. I couldn't bear the guilt, and all I could think about was escaping from myself in a meaningless second half of my life."
"Back then, I didn't dare, didn't want to, and wasn't capable of facing a world without her."
His calm tone held a certain power, compelling those present to listen quietly.
Afterward, he fled to a small island and chose to become a priest, using it to escape the reality he didn't want to face... a reality without Kallen.
A reality he couldn't accept.
[A parallel world? Is he really Otto from a parallel world?]
[How tragic... Even in this Otto's world, Kallen is dead...]
[Otto only believes in one Saint. The pure love warrior won't accept any other Saint!
[Things that happened in that bubble universe? Priest Otto... what a pity.
[Does that mean there's also an edgy Welt who wants to destroy the world? Haha--]
[I wonder if there is a parallel world where Himeko is alive.]
-----
"It wasn't Otto's fault... It's just that, at that time, I no longer understood... the meaning of my own existence." Kallen lowered her eyes, not letting anyone see the emotions within, her voice steady as she spoke.
"At that time, the Kaslana family was in decline. Robbing the rich to help the poor couldn't change the people. The corruption and darkness ran too deep. To quote a popular saying now, I... I couldn't do anything."
She even had the heart to make a joke. But Mei, who was present, darkened, feeling like she had been mocked again. Kiana chuckled stealthily and got her hair ruffled angrily by Mei.
"In short... I reached a dead end. I didn't want to bow my head, didn't want to confess. The only way I could think of was to use the death of a Saint to awaken the people."
"Or rather, I chose the easiest and most effortless way, according to my own will."
"But in the end, you still lived for the light. That's not a stain on your character~ There's no need to dwell on it," Elysia encouraged.
How should I put it? As expected of a Saint, she may not have been perfect in everything, but the beliefs she held onto, even death couldn't change them.
She didn't dislike this kind of person, who tried everything they could, only to meet their end in this world. It was a tragedy of that era.
"It's just... perhaps if I had lived, I could have done more," Kallen sighed.
"That's not necessarily true..." Mobius muttered, glancing at Kallen.
--- If you started a war and failed to win, things wouldn't necessarily have gotten better.
However, even she wouldn't say that out loud.
-----
Otto calmly recounted those turbulent years. After all, he was a nobleman; whether it was his status, knowledge, or the wealth he carried, he could live a carefree life and do whatever he wanted.
But the common people couldn't; the endless exploitation of the old Schicksal and the ravages of war made their lives unbearable... Uprisings were repeatedly suppressed, but the people's anger wouldn't submit.
Over time, the people developed a faith; they yearned for the one who was hanged, who sacrificed her life for the people... the Saint.
"They believed that Kallen was the only 'Saint' in this world. They believed that Kallen's death was atonement for 'all those born with sins."
"They worshiped everything related to the Saint, using this spiritual sustenance to resist the dark rule of Schicksal."
As he spoke these words, there was a certain gleam in Otto's eyes, perhaps pride, perhaps longing. He hated those who had caused her death, yet he was among those responsible.
He... didn't know what to do. If his death could bring her back, he would willingly give his life. Unfortunately, the world didn't operate on the principle of a life for a life.
"So... you exploited all of this to become the Overseer?" Tesla asked from the side, recalling how Otto eventually led his forces to successfully become the Overseer, she made a reasonable deduction based on her understanding of him.
"This... why would you think that way..." Otto's eyes widened in astonishment.
Was that how she saw him? How could he possibly desecrate those who believed in Kallen? He only felt guilt and remorse...
"Isn't it because just looking at your face makes me think you'd definitely do something like this?"
"With this face, you betrayed the inventor of the Moonlight Throne, drove Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie to her death, and murdered the First Herrscher who fought for humanity!"
"With this face, you, with your unknown shady schemes, obstructed the First Herrscher's successor, released the Second Herrscher, and caused the deaths of ninety thousand innocent people!"
As it turned out, the twin-tailed lobster doctor couldn't change her temperament; the slight suppression only delayed her anger. Tesla couldn't hold back any longer and pointed at him angrily.
It wasn't directed at what Otto just said, she was simply targeting him as a person. This face... it just didn't look like the face of a good person!
In her view, Otto had repeatedly acted as a traitor to humanity, sabotaging several operations against the Herrschers, nearly leading to the demise of human civilization, and her friends around her had perished one after another... No wonder she was unwilling to go back and be Otto's liaison.
She definitely wouldn't be able to negotiate anything with him.
"..." Otto was speechless, looking at the suddenly enraged Tesla. After venting her anger, Tesla also realized she had chosen the wrong target; her harsh words came to a halt, and she softened her tone slightly, choosing to apologize.
"No, thank you," Otto quickly regained his composure, accepting the outburst.
Strangely, he didn't find it difficult to understand; instead, there was a hint of melancholy in his eyes, as if... he wasn't particularly surprised by it.
"...There is indeed a void in my heart that even time cannot fill." He admitted this, because of it, he felt suffocated, as if living in hell every moment.
The void in his heart was eating away at him, he wanted to grasp onto something, but the only flame that could fill his heart had already been extinguished, and he couldn't rekindle it... He could only be enveloped by darkness, the cold wind whispering, leading him to a destination he didn't even know.
"The more I pursued the Saint's light, the more this void plunged my soul into the agony of darkness. It truly is an incurable poison."
"I have conducted human experiments, killed companions who admired me. Indeed, as you said, there is a terrifying risk of falling into boundless darkness."
"For me, to be a compassionate person like the Saint... is merely a form of asceticism, a precept, a form of self-restraint."
"Everyone, if I can still return to my own world after this bizarre encounter, I will relinquish my right as the first successor to the Schicksal Overseer."
He made a light-hearted joke, but it was sincere; it seemed he would keep his promise if this bizarre encounter were real...
The him at this moment would truly give up the position of Overseer because of this glimpse of the future and return to being a priest with peace of mind.
...Unfortunately, there are no "ifs." This was just a future that existed in words.
[Haha, "because of this face," that's rich! Tesla really dares to say anything. Isn't that a personal attack?]
[Otto... giving up being the Schicksal Overseer? Damn, it matches up, too bad it's five hundred years later.]
[He's not the Saint, so he can't do what the Saint could do, and the Saint couldn't do what he could do.]
[The current Otto actually seems a bit inferior? Can't even hold his head up in front of Kallen... How pathetic.]
[What a shame... We won't get to see a henpecked Otto. How sad and lamentable.]
…
They continued to explore the ancient town and quickly discovered new clues.
For example, the puppet strings on Otto beside them undoubtedly indicated a connection to the Herrscher of Domination.
Next, they needed to take Otto around the town and repeatedly measure the location of the core. But they never considered why the puppet strings happened to be wrapped around this 'person from another space'.
While searching for traces of the core, they also thought more deeply about Otto in the main world.
Was he truly fixated on bringing Kallen back from the past? Did such a method truly exist? But Nagamitsu said… he had a chance to return to the past.
"If there were truly five hundred years… I would indeed change for this," Otto murmured from the side.
"If that person has lived for more than five hundred years… then the obsession in his heart should be ten times, even a hundred times greater than mine."
Undoubtedly, the one who knows oneself best is oneself. This statement has always been a metaphor, but at this moment, it transformed into reality.
No one understands Otto more, but himself. He did not believe that the him after five hundred years would be swayed by external information, anything at all.
Absolutely not.
Therefore, the only thing that could change his actions was himself, and the plan he already had. He chuckled softly, indirectly answering Tesla's previous question and allowing others to understand what kind of person Otto truly was.
"I admit that I am not a person who covets power. The direct reason I joined the anti-Schicksal rebellion was that they raised the banner of the Saint."
"Ah?" Tesla was somewhat puzzled.
"...From a selfish perspective, maybe I just don't want the name "Kallen" to experience any more failures."
"You–"
Otto chuckled bitterly, and in response to their questioning, he simply continued, "What I've said is the truth from the bottom of my heart. My motives may seem ludicrous or laughable to you..."
"But you should also know that when Kallen died, a part of me, a part that was called my 'self', died with her."
"And I have never stopped wanting to go back to the past, back to the days when Kallen was still alive, back to the time when I still had a 'self'."
Yes, he had this thought now, and he was certain that this thought wouldn't fade away with time. It would only grow stronger with each passing day, overwhelming all other thoughts in his mind.
"... " Theresa, Durandal, and Einstein were all silent.
Looking at Otto, who was confiding his innermost thoughts, for some reason they felt a bit sorry for him, but this was the future Schicksal Overseer!
A great figure who deeply influences reality, the things he can't do in the world are few and far between. A person like this…
"The future Overseer of Schicksal, the figure who has continuously influenced the fate of the world for five hundred years - yet just a walking shadow, a pitiful puppet?" Tesla couldn't help but utter this thunderous question, looking at the other person in disbelief.
[Just doesn't want to see Kallen's name go through any more failure... Tears welling up]
[Finally, people believe it – he really is for a woman? Only for a woman?]
[Five hundred years, five thousand years, is he obsessed with the number five? The number of pure love!]
[Let's calculate, it seems Fu Hua is five thousand years, so… she deeply loves me! (instant reply)]
[Bro, the Taixu Sword God on your head looks really cool]
[Up stairs, you better lose those delusional thoughts about Fu Hua!]
-----
"He really... Sigh, it reminds me of Kevin," Elysia was a little sad, she rubbed against Eden's embrace and sighed.
Is Kevin like that now...?
A walking shadow of person, a pitiful puppet?
She didn't want these words to appear on her companions, but she had to admit that Kevin now... maybe He really is a shadow and puppet executing Dr Mei's Plan.
"... " Kallen remained silent, looking at Otto's words from five hundred years ago and the ridicule in Tesla's words.
She didn't find it particularly amusing.
She just involuntarily tightened her five fingers, digging them into the flesh of her palm, her fair skin turning red, and she pursed her lips.
The subtle pain sharpened her thinking, preventing her from getting lost in it.
Her blue eyes took on a complex expression, intense emotions coursed through her heart, those words echoed in her ears, Otto's answers and his sorrowful helplessness.
She couldn't help but recall more, the face that was about to fade, the past buried by the world, like a movie replaying in her heart.
"Otto... Oh..." She murmured a name, feeling a pain in her heart. Perhaps it was pity, perhaps sympathy, she felt a sudden wrench in her heart, then it beat violently.
To live for five hundred years for one person?
To do everything just for a name?
She didn't know what that feeling was like, but just thinking about it made her want to cry.
Why?
Compared to what others think of him, Otto's own self-assessment is far harsher, more ruthless, and perhaps more accurate.
He understands himself so well that he's fully aware of how irredeemable he is.
He possesses a dark abyss within him, so profound that even he can't fathom the extent of his own potential for darkness.
Since Kallen died, the world holds no meaning or beauty for him.
"Otto...is that truly how he feels? I assumed he was some final villain, pretending about this whole resurrection thing!" Kiana covered her mouth, surprised by this revelation.
"But, to think he'd overthrow the old Schicksal just to prevent Kallen's supporters from losing...that's still incredibly strange."
"Unfortunately, that's exactly how Otto thinks. Anything related to Kallen, he takes incredibly seriously."
"Especially after Kallen died, it reached an almost unhealthy obsession... Remember why he took Theresa in as his granddaughter? Simply because, for a moment, he thought she looked like Kallen..."
Luo Mo sighed softly and explained, "At least when it comes to his motives, Otto's actions aren't truly villainous."
"Huh? Eh—?" Theresa glanced at Kallen, then at Luna, silently comparing their appearances.
She realized there was indeed a slight resemblance. She always felt she resembled her grandmother, and it played a part in her accepting Kallen as family.
It seemed Kallen felt the same way too. (yeah yeah maybe it's because of something haha)
Looking to Luna... If there is no mirror, just use someone else's instead, it's the same anyway.
As for Kongming, she seriously suspected that the other person was not of the same species as herself, so she would not comment on it.
"Alas..." Kallen breathed a sigh of relief, her fingers gradually relaxed, and her feelings towards Otto became more complicated.
She glanced at Luo Mo, indicating that he didn't need to explain more.
-----
The group continued brainstorming countermeasures, trying to unravel the true purpose behind Otto's scheme.
Moving from place to place within the town, they were using the puppet strings attached to this "past Otto" as reference points, diligently trying to triangulate the position of the final core.
Having investigated all other locations, they were confident that after confirming the last church, they would finally pinpoint the core's location.
Just as Tesla confidently issued the order to advance, someone's communicator began to ring insistently with a series of ill-timed notifications. She couldn't shake off a growing sense of foreboding.
As she feared, Durandal's communicator indicated an incoming call from someone who had been missing until now.
Despite being the one who invited them, this person had yet to show their face. To make matters worse, it was the person Tesla despised above all else.
On the screen appeared a young woman with similar white hair, but sporting orange goggles. It was his secretary—Amber.
"The Overseer says he has pinpointed the Herrscher of Domination's core. He requests that you all head to St. 537 Church, and he will ensure the Hyperion obtains the core."
"Everyone"? Who exactly does he have in mind?' Theresa, wary of her grandfather's carefully chosen words, asked cautiously.
She had no intention of putting her students in danger again!
However, as if reading her mind, Otto had anticipated her concerns. Yet, the individuals he chose next still managed to catch her off guard...
"Lady Theresa, Lady Durandal, Miss Kiana, and—"
"—the other 'Mr. Otto' you've encountered."
"Me?" A confused voice came through the communicator. The blond man, the other Otto, sounded bewildered.
"Yes," Amber replied calmly, fulfilling her role as secretary and relaying Otto's decree. "The Overseer believes your presence is essential."
Amber calmly delivered this message, fulfilling her duty as Otto's secretary and mouthpiece.
This revelation clearly implied that Otto had been aware of the other Otto's presence all along, possibly even orchestrating his arrival as part of his grand scheme.
This made everyone frown even deeper.
Theresa, however, chose to address the issue head-on.
She didn't want Kiana involved.
Kiana always seemed to be a vital component in her grandfather's schemes, and that wasn't a reassuring thought.
Those who found themselves entangled in Otto's plans were often subjected to considerable risk.
To their surprise, however, Otto had anticipated this concern. Amber swiftly conveyed that the Herrscher of Flames' presence was not required.
This made several people even more fearful and confused about the other party's thinking.
-----
"So, no more persecuting Kiana then?" Cecilia breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Kiana wouldn't need to be present after all, "That's good."
Each time she saw her daughter embroiled in those convoluted plots and conspiracies, a mixture of pride and anxiety rose up inside her.
She was proud of Kiana's growth, yet she couldn't help but worry about the dangerous paths Kiana was forced to tread.
Frankly, none of their family had a favourable impression of Otto, his actions were far too extreme.
Cecilia felt incredibly grateful that the Overseer she had encountered was Kallen, not him.
"What do you mean, 'persecuting' Mom? " Kiana retorted with a touch of pride, crossing her arms and tilting her chin up.
"Haven't I always managed to foil his plans, preventing them from coming to fruition?"
Although she understood they had to stop Otto, the thought of her friends facing danger while she remained on the side-lines was unbearable.
"So... this so-called 'other Otto,' is he just a puppet?" Mobius suddenly interjected, her sharp mind cutting to the chase.
Her reptilian gaze bored into Luo Mo, hoping to collect some hint of confirmation or denial from his expression.
"Hmm?" Luo Mo responded, mimicking Elysia's playful tone and opting for ambiguity rather than a direct answer.
His evasiveness only solidified Mobius's belief that she was onto something.
Yes, the 'other Otto' being a puppet was practically a given...
But the real question was, why?
What was Otto's true motive in sending this puppet into play?
Resting her chin in her hand, Mobius sank deep into thought.
"Wow—so it's not really an Otto from another timeline?" Elysia struck in, surprised by this revelation.
"Tsk, Otto really loves his theatrics," the Herrscher of Sentience scoffed, clearly unimpressed.
"The disguise is pretty convincing; I'll give him that. He really had everyone fooled for a while."
"Well... I wouldn't necessarily call it a 'disguise'?"
Luo Mo interjected, hesitating slightly as he partially contradicted her statement.
-----
The old church, St. 537, held a statue of a saint. The statue was made of white stone, but time had left its mark.
You could see where the stone had worn away, like tiny scratches telling stories of the years gone by.
The statue looked very holy. She wore a white veil over her head and her face was calm and peaceful, like someone deeply devoted to prayer.
Her hands were held together in a prayerful position, reaching up towards the sky.
It was like she was praying for everyone in the world, she prayed for the deliverance of mankind from suffering.
The statue stood tall in the middle of the large open space in front of the church.
It felt like it belonged there a long time ago, fitting perfectly with the old buildings and history of the place.
But now, it looked a little strange in this Era.
People had forgotten what the saint really looked like and what she had done.
Her story was mostly lost, just a few words in some old books.
It was like she was a whisper from the past, a memory that was fading away.
"That's..."
Otto's voice was laced with a mix of astonishment and uncertainty.
The historical architecture here was remarkably well-preserved, Coupled with the fact that she was an eternal wound in his heart.
He recognized her immediately.
It was Kallen—the symbol embraced by the people, the Saint.
He remembered the day they won their victory.
The crowds were ecstatic, celebrating their success.
But it seemed like everyone had forgotten about Kallen, the very symbol that had brought them together in the first place.
Except for Otto, he hadn't forgotten.
"Hm. A statue in place of the gallows, huh?" Otto let out a dry laugh, a bitter smile twisting his lips.
History, as they say, is written by the victors, he shouldn't have been surprised.
And yet, a profound sadness washed over him, Flowing silently within his heart, a poignant melancholy.
"What a shame that the Saint herself won't be resurrected simply because people choose to remember her," he murmured, his voice thick with regret, remorse, and torment.
His gaze lingered on the time-worn statue as he spoke, his voice barely a whisper.
The past has passed, but he... can no longer escape the past.
It was a part of him, forever etched in his soul.
With a certain kind of grief and anger, and hatred towards those people, and annoyance at his own weakness, he vented the world's injustice towards her.
As if until this moment, he had only just revealed a part of his inner self and the layers of pretence on the surface.
Even though he had always been polite, his heart had always been like dead ashes, full of emptiness and despair.
"The saint betrayed by everyone once wished to enlighten the ignorant masses with her death."
"Before her execution, I saw her once, she was not a fool..."
she knew what she was doing
"It's just when a person truly wants to change the world, she will realize how small their power is."
When he wanted to protect and save her, he also felt small and sad, to the point where things slid towards a catastrophic end.
"In the following days, she became desperate, gave up the plan to escape prison, and was wholeheartedly seeking death... Even in the courtroom, she deliberately rebuked harshly to get herself sentenced to the harshest of all punishments..."
"Perhaps in her view, this was her final struggle against this unfair and unreasonable world."
Otto lowered his eyebrows and softly said.
He understood her; it was precisely because of this understanding that he was always deeply attracted to her light.
That light was so alluring that just looking at it filled him with joy and hope.
like moths drawn to the fire that burns them…
The saint was pure enough; her purity surpassed that era and did not belong to this era either.
This was undoubtedly a kind of sorrow.
She brought bright light but could not endure the darkness of the world itself.
She wanted to resist but only kept sinking.
So, she let go and peacefully fell asleep.
[She is not pure anymore after she fell in love with that woman. ]
[The saint made her final struggle, even if it cost her life.]
[If Kallen was willing to bow her head, she might... no, she definitely could have lived on. But then she wouldn't be Kallen, not the saint.]
[The gallows were replaced by a sculpture, that's very thoughtful.]
[Powerless, huh... pathetic hero.]
[At that time, Otto surely didn't shout "I can't do anything™", right? If he did, maybe he would have had strength...]
[???]
At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind, but the tone was sarcastic and light-hearted, a stark contrast to the sorrowful and heavy tone of the person before.
"Perhaps so. But the reason a Saint is a Saint is because the spiritual power she represents is, in fact, far stronger than she herself can imagine."
Otto, dressed in formal attire, appeared gracefully.
The pure white Overseer's robe accentuated his solemnity, golden threads embroidered on the robe, further highlighting his elegance and that strong aristocratic air.
From the moment he appeared, he effortlessly took control of the conversation, naturally issuing commands.
"Alright, Theresa, I know you have a lot to say, but for now... let's take care of the most important matter at hand."
"I have already seized 99.9% of the Herrscher of Domination's core; the remaining 0.1%, the final piece of the puzzle, is about to fall into place."
He stood with his arms crossed, glancing at the few people present, pausing for a moment on another Otto.
Then said with interest, "Everyone, let's enter this church ruin and together, we shall welcome the arrival of this momentous occasion."
The moment they stepped inside the church, they were stunned by the sight above.
There, upon the dome not far away, countless dazzling 'stars' were arrayed, each core meticulously arranged.
Against the dark gray backdrop, they shimmered like stars, brilliantly illuminated.
999 Herrscher cores gathered in one place, creating a visually stunning spectacle.
So much so that for a moment... they let down their guard in the presence of this most dangerous man.
And Otto, he was adept at seizing such opportunities, never missing a beat.
Compared to the methods of Dr. Tesla and the others... when it came to Herrscher cores, he had a faster and more convenient route. He would deal with it his own way.
"Rita, recover our experimental subject," Otto said coldly, paying no mind to the thoughts of others present.
A cold scythe sliced through the darkness, a chilling light briefly illuminating a dark corner, followed by a muffled thud.
By the time the unprepared Valkyries reacted, the guest they had brought had already become a lifeless husk.
At that moment, Otto had Rita kill 'Otto'.
[What the...?!]
[Experimental subject?]
[What just happened? Did they just start fighting out of nowhere?]
[He's... dead just like that?]
[Otto is finally dead? Although, he is just a puppet but...]
The brutal act leaves everyone reeling.
Durandal, true to her personality, immediately demands an explanation for the senseless killing.
Otto answered her question calmly and unhurriedly.
He explained that after Kiana defeated the Herrscher of Domination, he used the Second Divine Key to enter the Theatre of Domination afterward.
Some cores of the Herrscher of Sentience had hidden themselves in the Imaginary Space, waiting for the opportunity to find the next hopeless victim and then possess them.
"But... what does that have to do with Mr. Otto just now?"
Durandal couldn't help but ask. In her opinion, the man was undoubtedly a good person, but he was killed just like that.
It makes no sense!
"Don't be impatient for a moment, Durandal."
"When I stepped into the ruins of the Domination Theater, I had collected 999 cores...but the remaining one was always cunningly wandering deep in the gap between dimensions, unable to locate its traces."
"So I decided to throw a bait to this last core, a host that it will definitely not be able to refuse."
Otto just smiled, seemingly not caring about the corpse on the ground, and said the shocking answer himself,
"...Yes, that is myself, "Otto Apocalypse" himself. "
"Wh-what!?" and the others looked horrified, their minds still spinning from his words.
No one understood him better than himself.
Even the Otto from 500 years ago understood part of him, so how could he not understand the Otto from 500 years ago?
"Five hundred years ago... that's who he was, a man filled with despair, willing to let the world fall to ruin, such a... fragile person." He merely smiled as he passed judgment on his past self.
No one could comprehend the emotions swirling within Otto as he uttered those words.
Just as he said, he was no longer fragile, no longer driven by despair.
He would leave no openings, show no mercy, to anyone, not even himself.
[Using himself as bait to lure in the Herrscher of Domination?]
[666 (internet slang for awesome), that move was really swift.]
[How could he be so sure that no one would be a more suitable host than himself back then?]
[Good knife skills! An accidental stab!]
[It had to be Otto, Tuna to finish him off again... Too bad, Otto is not on their side.]
-----
"...Tsk, that's a good idea indeed, and cruel."
Mobius glanced at the always-smiling Otto on the screen with some apprehension.
He can't be said to be related to normal people, only completely irrelevant!
Would a normal person offer their past self to become a Herrscher of Domination?
"Targeting Herrscher compatibility and waiting for the rabbit... hmm, that's an unexpected angle. Unfortunately... I don't have that kind of personality yet."
(The "rabbit" in that sentence is a reference to a famous Chinese idiom: 守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù) which literally translates to "waiting for a hare(rabbit) by holding onto a stump." Search that.
The idiom is used to describe someone who relies on luck and chance, rather than putting in actual effort, hoping for something good to happen again in the exact same way.)
Vill-V watched the screen with interest, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, producing a crisp sound.
From the looks of it, her main personality is the most suitable... But forget it, if it goes wrong, it'll be a real disaster.
However, her subconscious had already devised a seemingly feasible plan.
"The so-called Otto from 500 years ago... is just a puppet of his current self...? Just Otto's confidence in being chosen..." Kallen pursed her lips, feeling a sadness in her heart.
Whether it was the execution rack or Otto's understanding words about herself, they both made the image of his past self even more vivid in her mind.
After five hundred years, he was no longer in despair, but had become even crazier.
Kallen remained silent.
After seeing the real him and his indifferent methods, even towards herself, she took a deep breath, her mind racing.
-----
He trusted his past self so much.
But this trust stemmed from the unparalleled despair and deep wounds of his past self.
A huge black hole in his heart dragged him into its depths.
Having once lived in the past, he naturally understood better than anyone when he was at his most desperate.
—It wasn't the moment when Kallen died.
At that time, although his heart felt like ashes and grief washed over him like a tidal wave, it wasn't his most desperate moment, not at all.
It was after the victory of that civil war, after he was swept up and placed upon the Overseer's throne of Schicksal, he looked around, but there was no sign of her.
Those connected to Kallen passed away one by one, traces of her existence buried one after another, her name forever confined to books... Everyone gradually began to forget the departed Saint.
Only then did he realize with a reminder—that the light of his life was slowly fading away from the world.
He had won, but it was as if he was the one who had lost.
The people cheered and celebrated, raising his name high, but he, only he, remembered that they had initially marched under the banner of the Saint.
Desolation and confusion gripped his heart, dragging him deeper into despair. Ironically, less than a year after her death, he obtained the power that could have helped her withstand and fight against the world.
This power came too late, a step behind, leaving him with lifelong regret, making him yearn for the past with every fiber of his being.
When was the most desperate moment? It was when he finally possessed the ability to save her, yet she was already beyond his reach.
He looked at the cheers in front of the execution rack, at the joyful expressions of the people, at the blood-stained church square... and at the gloomy gray sky.
He was the victor, yet he couldn't feel his own heartbeat.
Only an abyss-like despair washed over him, calm... his heart as still as death.
------
"Hiss... what a swift move, a bit outrageous, but then again, considering it's Otto, it makes a twisted kind of sense," Little Senti commented.
"To be so ruthless, even to himself, fits perfectly with my impression of Otto."
Little Senti felt a jolt in her heart as she witnessed this scene.
The memory of that unexpected gunshot flashed in her mind, a haunting nightmare she couldn't shake off. But this time, Otto killed himself.
Though Rita was the one who swung the scythe, she did it with such practiced ease... could it be that she'd been harboring resentment all along?
Why do I suddenly feel a sense of wilful satisfaction?
"Otto... seems like he's changed a lot, especially when you see him from two different eras side by side."
Kallen sighed softly and said, slowly closing her eyes and then opening them again, clearing away any lingering emotions to reveal a serene blue eye.
She wasn't the same person she used to be either.
"That scene just now scared me, he just got rid of him without any warning. Other Fu Hua, is Otto really that kind of person?" Elysia patted her chest, seemingly startled.
But to the Herrscher of Sentience, those jiggling mounds just looked like they were showing off.
It's not like she didn't know her, why was she putting on such a show?!
"All I can say is... that's a pretty accurate portrayal. Otto is like that." Annoyed as she was, Little Senti still replied politely.
She didn't want to give Elysia any excuse to latch onto her; that was more Mobius' style!
…
"No wonder I hated him in the game... he really has no boundaries when it comes to getting things done." Tesla, as if inheriting the resentment of her other self from the game, had been chattering non-stop since hearing about Otto's deeds.
She said with a mix of regret and anxiety, "Ugh... this guy, with a mind that sharp, if only he'd used it to fight the Honkai... things would be so much better."
"I thought you hated this Otto, Dr. Tesla?" Einstein paused in her work, glancing thoughtfully at her red-haired, twin-tailed comrade.
"I still hate him!" Tesla quickly retorted, her face etched with visible disgust, but then she continued, hesitant and reluctant,
"It's just that... regardless of anything else, the guy is still skilled. His thinking, his innovations, his ideas... damn! You can't see a hint of old age or decay in him for someone who's lived for five hundred years."
"Oh? So, are you implying that the Overseer Kallen has outdated ideas? Then... should I report this?" Einstein said with a touch of amusement, watching Tesla's face turn dark.
"Cut it out! Even if I had to choose between those two leaders, I'd definitely choose Kallen. It's just that... how does his brain work? Though it's a bit inhumane, the method isn't bad, actually. It's highly feasible."
"But we wouldn't choose that either. Give it up, Dr. Tesla... Besides, was there ever a time in your life when you were that desperate?"
"A time when you were desperate enough to become the Herrscher of Domination Puppet?" Einstein was always good at conversation.
Even during Tesla's low points, she always managed to engage in witty banter and help her friend out of those times, though it seemed like Tesla got even more agitated every time...
"Or maybe... when you were being persecuted and made to look like a fool, did you ever think of destroying..." She tried to list examples, thoughtfully placing her finger by her lips, but there seemed to be too many instances.
So, before she could say anything, Tesla, blushing with shame, covered her mouth with her hand.
"St-stop it! I don't want to become some kind of puppet!"
-----
Otto revealed in his audacity, explaining himself to the group, almost like he was leading them to a certain understanding.
"Everything you've seen and collected has been recreated in our own world."
These past events are just fragments of information, not the real thing.
As for the Honkai Steel Puppet on the ground, Otto confessed—he's simply a simulation program, based on real, complete historical information that traversed time and space, that is, him.
That's why the puppet firmly believes he is Otto Apocalypse from 1491.
His memory tells him that's the truth, and he believes it wholeheartedly.
"Would you like a reminder of what truly happened?" Otto smiled sweetly, but the smile was cold, his eyes gleaming with a chilling light, and he spoke in a theatrical tone.
Fearing they might confuse reality with history, he "kindly" set the record straight for them,
"—A leader of "New Schicksal" who rose to power through an uprising, in order to mend the unspeakable wounds in his heart, betrayed all his comrades over the long five hundred years—"
"—And ended up as a prime example of evil in the eyes of Anti-Entropy. Even his most loyal followers only chose to serve him out of a need to maintain order."
"...And the 'other him' you saw is at the very beginning of this long and dark journey."
It was as if he wasn't talking about himself, as he calmly and objectively described and dissected another person's life experience from a detached, third-party perspective.
Quite objective and accurate.
"He's like Macbeth after meeting the witches—driven by his own delusions, he arrogantly decided the fate of everyone."
(reference to the famous play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare.)
He bowed slightly, as if taking a bow at the end of his performance, his face remained impassive, his smile revealing no emotion.
"But... in terms of the outcome..."
"It was you who artificially created that consciousness, and then... for your own purpose, you personally killed it."
Durandal looked at him with uncertainty, asking.
"Yes. But is this the first time you've heard me say I would do such a thing?"
Otto shook his head and asked, seemingly disappointed that she still held such a naive view.
"For example... I once saved someone's life five hundred years ago, but five hundred years later, I still drew my gun on her. That's what Otto Apocalypse would do."
Otto smiled as he spoke, stirring up the emotions of the group, watching their expressions fluctuate and shift, he continued to push their boundaries.
"For instance... to study the power of the Herrscher, I once snatched the Second Herrscher from Anti-Entropy. At the time, Mr. Welt almost wiped her out on behalf of humanity."
"After that, I killed her, resurrected her, and tormented almost everyone on the Hyperion for her power. Those were all things Otto Apocalypse did."
"Durandal, you know the whole story behind these events, more or less."
"—Yet now, you're concerned about a mechanical consciousness that only existed for a few hours?"
[Only Otto himself could dissect his own actions from a third-party perspective, even offering a slightly derogatory assessment... ]
[Argh! This guy! Fu Hua, Sirin, Kiana... ]
[I'd call him a master at manipulating other people's emotions.]
[Pointing a gun at: Immortal Phoenix, I'm not lying! ]
[Is he mocking the other side?]
[I don't know what is wrong with him but, he real love mocking himself and make others hate him and feel sorry for him]
-----
Fu Hua took a deep breath, the Herrscher of Sentience was furious, clenching her teeth.
Sirin's face darkened as well, Kiana clenched her fists.
Watching Otto on the screen spouting his venomous words, they were all directly involved in his discussion.
Naturally, their expressions didn't look good.
"Ugh! This guy, this guy, ..." The Herrscher of Sentience repeated the phrase, unable to find a word vicious enough to describe Otto, her anger only growing.
Finally, she took a breath, spat "ptui!" and said with a fierce expression, "...How despicable!"
Kalpas couldn't help but look at her twice.
He thought her insults needed improvement, but he didn't want to argue with a child, so he just glanced at her and didn't comment.
Elysia and Eden covered their mouths and snickered, while Luo-Muo couldn't help but smile, finding it amusing.
Sirin also spat, "What's with this repeated killing and resurrecting? I don't do sit-ups!" However, she did find him rather despicable, her eyes revealing disgust.
"He shouldn't be so impatient as to provoke the principal and her group on the eve of victory, should he?" Mei was a little puzzled, not understanding his actions.
"Obviously, his plans still involve Theresa and her group, and it's quite a deep connection... But, I'm not sure about the provocation part, it would require him to actually lower their goodwill."
Vill-V shook her head, clicking her tongue, but her lips still held a knowing smile.
-----
Otto, as if oblivious to the shared expressions of anger on their faces, continued to speak as if to himself.
He spoke to Durandal as a senior, as a teacher, and to Theresa as an adult, offering advice, keeping fanning the flames, talking to them as if they were children.
"Alright, stop being so grumpy, my dear children. Theresa too, why are you staring at me like that, like I'm a murderer?"
"Your grandfather isn't a devil, after all. He wouldn't just go around killing people." Otto spoke with sincerity, his emerald eyes fixed on them.
But maybe his words would have had more impact if they could have ignored the bleeding puppet at his feet.
"—But my child, haven't you realized that all those troublesome things are in the past now?"
"My resignation is sincere. My departure from Schicksal is also sincere. You have to understand that after five hundred years, I've traveled far and wide to finally find my ultimate destination—"
"—It's a priceless treasure that can't be exchanged for anything else, worth sacrificing everything I have."
"What exactly did you find?" Theresa asked, her brows furrowed.
"I've found a time, I've found a sacred soul that hasn't passed away yet. You know—many people die too late, while others die too soon."
"She thought she had found her death, but everyone knows that wasn't the right time. On the contrary, if I could decide my own death—"
He paused for a moment, as if a certain image had appeared in his mind, his voice filled with excitement.
He had no fear of death, it was simply a necessary journey, and besides... he was the one who should have died long ago.
"I will use my death to prove to her what a magnificent ending, a truly voluntary death, a death embraced with free will, can be for life."
"By then... she will realize the brilliance of human spirit her life can unleash in that future, once stagnant." He exclaimed this with hope in his eyes, he would prove this, he absolutely would!
Then, he merged all the gathered cores of the Herrscher of Domination, transforming them into a stream of light that floated directly into Theresa's hand.
Otto continued to smile and bid farewell to Theresa.
"You needn't be too angry with me, Theresa. The power transfer ceremony will proceed as planned. I guarantee you will become the 'Schicksal Overseer' with full authority."
"As for me..."
"I will soon embark on my final journey, to the edge of the world, to find that one being—a hero known to each and every one of you."
He abruptly turned around and walked out of the church door, his pristine white Overseer's robes billowing in the gloomy sky, his departure a little hasty.
"...Kallen Kaslana."
"The only one worthy of my everything."
It was then that everyone realized Otto's resignation was not a joke or a lie.
Like a devoted believer, he had found his faith.
However, as they guessed about his journey, none of them could have imagined the price he was willing to pay... it would be so insane!
[He knows... but this obsession can't be stopped.]
[Who is he referring to when he says "many people die too late; while others die too soon"?]
[Otto is a real pure love warrior! ]
[He wants to prove the value of life, to prove to Kallen—what a single, insignificant person can achieve.]
[Huh... love. The most complicated and sensible emotion.]
-----
A low wind blew in gusts, making the landscape painting hanging in the living room sway slightly.
There were many people in the living room, some of them quite boisterous, but at this moment, they were all silent.
They held their breath, watching Otto's final words, his eyes shining with a certain light, filled with hope and happiness.
"The only one... worthy... of everything... ?" Kallen murmured to herself, silent for a moment, then bowed her head and sighed.
She didn't believe she was that kind of person.
But since Otto saw her that way, she felt a mix of emotions, unsure whether to feel happy or anxious.
He understood her own cowardice and retreat at that time, he knew that she had given up hope of survival, that those struggles had been met with powerless resistance.
Yet, he still chose to chase after the light called Kallen, even though it had faded, even though it wasn't bright at all.
All for that one sunny spring day, when the scenery was just right, for that cry over the wall...
"Great Inventor".
Kallen was filled with countless emotions, but she didn't know who to confide in.
She was simply in a daze, replaying unrealistic scenarios in her mind.
Perhaps if she had been willing to submit back then, to accept any of Otto's proposals, to yield to the nobles even for a moment, she wouldn't have been sentenced to death by hanging.
Or perhaps, if she had agreed to marry Otto, even if it was just a temporary solution, even if it meant the Kaslana family would eventually be absorbed by another...
Perhaps... if she had been more patient, planned more carefully, she could have not only recovered everything but gained even more...
But there are no "what ifs." She would never surrender.
In that case, she wouldn't be Kallen, she wouldn't be the Saint.
There are always some people who cannot yield; she represents something far greater than herself.
Kallen had entertained many "maybes" and "what ifs" in her heart, but none of them felt true to who she was.
And time wouldn't wait for her to dwell on hypotheticals.
She was willing to die fighting, rather than by surrendering.
"Wow, he even praised you as the only one worthy of his everything. Kallen, there's no need to look so gloomy, okay?"
Elysia smiled faintly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her pink hair swaying in the air, her smile as beautiful as a flower.
Recently, Kallen had enjoyed a rare holiday.
Although she still couldn't completely forget about work and occasionally dealt with some, she and Cecilia had been frequenting this courtyard and became quite familiar with the people here.
Among them, the pink-haired Elysia was particularly enthusiastic... well, except when the white-haired man with the mask was around (Kalpas), according to Luo Mo.
"Thank you for your comfort, Elysia."
"Hmm?" Elysia tilted her head, just about to continue her enthusiastic display when...
"But I don't understand why Luo Mo said to minimize contact with you... He said that Elysia, you... ahem, never mind?"
Perhaps a bit absentmindedly, Kallen let slip what was on her mind. After spending several days here, she had let her guard down around Elysia and this place.
Of course, Otto's actions had left her in a state of shock, contributing to her unguarded moment.
"?" Elysia's face stiffened, and she slowly blinked in confusion, her head tilting towards Luo Mo.
Luo Mo blinked back innocently, caught off guard by the sudden shift of attention.
His initial intention was simply to protect every "pure love warrior," even if they were a female couple! He, Luo Mo, was determined to safeguard every ship!
But looking at Elysia's pouted and angry expression, he felt something was not going well in his heart.
It seemed that he would have to settle the matter in the future.
A tragic heroism welled up within him.
By the way... Kallen shouldn't mind if he throws Theresa in, after all, it's partly her fault!
…
"Hey, Mei senpai! If Auntie Theresa really became the Overseer, what do you think would happen to Schicksal? I can't even imagine!"
Kiana whispered to Mei, a mischievous Expression spreading across her face.
With some distance between them, Kiana seized the opportunity to gossip while Theresa trailed behind Kallen.
As for Otto... Kiana's initial impression of him was deeply ingrained.
After all, she had suffered the most at his hands.
While his "new look" was somewhat interesting, it did little to quell her fundamental dislike.
However, she wasn't about to cause a scene. A little harmless chatter with Mei was more her style.
"With the Principal as Overseer... well, finances might be a bit tight," Mei replied, glancing quickly at the petite figure in the distance, her voice a low murmur.
"But other than that... it should be alright?"
The image of Theresa as Overseer had also sprung to Mei's mind, but a different question occupied her thoughts: Would Theresa even be able to reach the floor from the Overseer's chair?
Mei's face flushed slightly at the feel of Kiana's warm breath near her ear. She quickly shook her head, trying to dispel the odd image that had popped into her mind.
What was she even thinking? The chair could always be adjusted. Although Theresa's height... Wait, why was she thinking about it again?!
"As for finances, with the gaming company now part of Schicksal and with Anti-Entropy's contributions, there shouldn't be anything to worry about," Bronya interjected unexpectedly.
"Right, right! The boss is pretty good at making money, so it should be fine," Kiana agreed, a hint of hesitation giving way to certainty.
Her aunt might not be the best at everything—education, diligence, frugality... all foreign concepts to Theresa. And her love for bitter melon was just...weird. But if there were capable people around, then everything would work out!
And if there weren't? Well, there was always the option of starting a revolution...
And Theresa was watching intently next to Kallen. As for what grandma blurted out, if it wasn't in front of Elysia, she would have nodded fiercely. That woman... is so terrifying! Must stay away!
-----
After Otto left alone, heading towards what he said was his personally long-awaited journey,
Even Rita stayed behind, and now he seemed to be really alone, preparing to go to the last shore.
But based on Otto's inhuman performance in the past, they had to be on guard.
There was speculation about the consequences of what he wanted to do, since it was something he had never mentioned.
Through those who had served Otto for years, like Rita and Nagamitsu, they learned his resignation was indeed driven by a desire to return to the past, to reunite with Kallen and fulfil his long-held wish. However, a significant question remained:
"If the Overseer is truly capable of single-handedly achieving the feat of 'time reversal,' then his current actions seem rather excessive," Rita remarked, her expression Full with concern.
With the guarantee of Durandal, several people accepted her, and she was indeed an important part of the Destiny S-class Valkyrie. In the absence of Otto, her relationship with Theresa was actually quite 'good'.
Rita, in turn, willingly shared her knowledge of Otto. He had, after all, given her permission to reveal everything she knew, leaving her with no reservations.
"Precisely. This isn't Overseer usual style. If 'recovering the Herrscher core' and his 'journey' are genuinely separate matters—" Durandal added thoughtfully.
"—then he's invested an excessive amount of energy and showmanship into a 'relatively insignificant matter'," Rita finished, her tone laced with suspicion.
"…Indeed. Though prone to theatrics (flamboyant person), Grandfather is usually quite practical and efficient when it comes to crucial matters," Theresa conceded, a frown etching itself onto her face.
Her grandfather wasn't one to be swayed by fleeting Glory or momentary displays of power.
There had to be a deeper reason behind his actions!
Theresa resolved to strategize with the others, determined to untie the truth behind Otto's intentions. The Herrscher of Domination's core, now safely in their possession, provided a sense of relief.
Finally, they had eradicated that troublesome threat.
However, they remained oblivious to a crucial fact: everything that had emerged was but a carefully orchestrated performance directed by the very Overseer they sought to understand.
Or perhaps, on some level, they had their suspicions right.
They just hadn't grasped the sheer scale of what was to come, failing to recognize that what they perceived as the end was merely the beginning for Otto's grand scheme.
-----
"Showmanship? An apt description. His clumsy act seemed deliberately staged for Theresa and the others... He needn't have gone to such lengths," Mobius mused, her voice Full with a amusement.
"Though, it's true that the plan requires the Herrscher of Void's power..."
Mobius furrowed her brow, her mind digging into deeper implications.
"Huh? Is Sirin's power really that important?" Kiana interjected, surprised.
To her, Sirin's use of her abilities always seemed rather unusual, mostly employed for everyday laziness and convenience.
Though, an envy always accompanied her observations. Why was Sirin able to conjure snacks out of thin air, while she, Kiana, could only manage to burn sushi?
It simply wasn't fair!
Clearly, the two Herrschers had vastly different perspectives on their respective powers. However, in their current state, Sirin's core undeniably held greater practical value.
"The power of the Gem of void isn't as simple as you think. In some ways, its true potential shouldn't manifest until encountering later Herrscher forms... though, that mainly applies to its scientific applications. For a Herrscher alone, mastering it is indeed a formidable task," Mobius explained patiently, perhaps swayed by Kiana's presence.
However, judging from the blank look in Kiana's eyes, her words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
Mobius, for once, refrained from further explanation. Had she known what truly occupied Kiana's thoughts, she'd likely retract her statement entirely.
The girl's mind was solely focused on snacks!