Otto's Realization
So she already knows my plan…
But who told her?
Otto's brows furrowed as Kiana's furious voice echoed through Rita's communicator.
His plan was known only to himself—
Yet K423 somehow understood exactly what he intended to do.
Impossible.
And more importantly—
Why had she stabilized again?
She was fully Herrscher-fied moments ago.
And what about the "revived" Second Herrscher?
And the impossible reappearance of Cecilia?
The more Otto thought about it, the more unsettling the picture became.
There must be a hidden force in the shadows…
Not World Serpent.
Not Anti-Entropy.
Someone else.
Someone unseen.
Otherwise, the recent chain of events simply couldn't be explained.
Unless…
No.
Even he wouldn't assume "God" had personally interfered with the world.
Otto had no answer—only a rare, genuine confusion.
For the first time in centuries…
He was not in control.
"Rita," he finally said, voice low, "no matter the cost… bring Kiana back to me. I will support you fully."
"Yes, Overseer."
With that, he switched channels.
"Durandal. Lead your Valkyries to Sky City immediately.
Bring Kiana back—no matter what method is required."
"Yes, Overseer."
Sky City — Chaos on the Rooftop
Rita stepped forward with an apologetic bow.
"My apologies, Lady Theresa. The Overseer has ordered me to escort Miss Kiana back.
If you intend to stop me… then forgive me."
Theresa tightened her grip on Judah.
Einstein spoke quickly beside her:
"Otto must have already learned about Kiana's Herrscher reaction.
If she returns to Destiny—"
"I know what I must do," Theresa interrupted, voice firm.
She fully understood the consequences of crossing Rita.
But she would never allow her granddaughter's friend to become another experiment on Otto's table.
Never.
"You all don't need to worry."
Jiuxiao stepped confidently in front of the group, chin raised high.
"Lady Jiuxiao is here. Everything will be fine."
Raven, observing from the side, finally exhaled.
So they really aren't here because of the experiment…
Then I don't need to panic.
But Otto's "full support" meant more forces were on the way.
That meant she needed to push Destiny out of Sky City fast, before anything got exposed.
"Miss Rita," Raven said calmly,
"You have matters to settle, I see.
But this is Sky City—we cannot permit destruction here.
We will assist you, to keep the disturbance contained."
Rita hesitated.
"…Understood.
Thank you, Miss Xiola."
Theresa's eyes narrowed.
Raven stepped too quickly into cooperation—
But she didn't have time to question it.
Because Kiana was shaking with rage.
"So that's how it is.
You are all in the same rotten camp.
Disgusting!"
The accusation pierced the air.
Earlier, Kiana had wanted to warn Rita about World Serpent—
and now she saw them standing together, coordinating smoothly.
She felt sick.
"I'm sorry, Miss Kiana," Rita replied softly.
"But the Overseer is acting for your own good."
"Divine Machine Unit—engage in hunting mode!"
Rita raised her arm.
Her mech squad moved instantly, weapons deploying.
"Go!"
And Raven gave her own command.
World Serpent's mechs surged forward as well, surrounding them.
Theresa's Counterattack
"Bronya, Mei—protect the doctor!
Everyone else—don't engage unnecessarily!
Look for a chance to break through!"
Theresa barked orders as she blocked the first wave of incoming attacks.
"Understood!"
BOOM—!!
Jiuxiao swung her oversized sword casually, slicing a mech in half.
"Hm… Who should the great Lady Jiuxiao fight?"
She scanned the battlefield with mild disappointment.
"Why are they all just robots…? Oh—"
Her eyes locked onto new targets.
"That one."
She ventured deeper into the fray.
A Question That Cuts Deep
"Rita!"
Theresa raised Judah, glaring.
"Tell me—
Destiny is involved in human experimentation in this city, aren't they?"
"What?" Rita froze.
"Lady Theresa, I… I don't understand what you mean."
Human experimentation?
She had heard nothing of that.
Raven, on the other hand—
nearly choked.
Shit. This is bad.
Before she could come up with a planned lie—
Her body suddenly collapsed, her knees slamming into the ground.
"What—?!
My body—why is it so heavy…?"
"Move!
Lady Jiuxiao already immobilized them!"
Theresa didn't hesitate—she grabbed Mei and Bronya and raced down the stairs.
They had to leave.
Otto's reinforcements would arrive soon.
Betrayal
The moment Raven regained mobility—
"Miss Xiola," Rita said sharply,
"Explain what Lady Theresa meant.
What experiments were she referring to?"
"…"
Before Raven could respond—
BEEP—!
Rita's communicator lit up.
"Vice-Captain, the transport craft—
We're under atta—kzzzt—!!"
Static.
The connection died.
"EOS?
EOS, respond!"
Silence.
Rita's expression hardened instantly.
Something had gone terribly wrong—
And when she looked up, she saw the truth:
"Xiola's" eyes were cold.
Her mechs were turning their guns toward Rita's squad.
HISSSS—
A canister rolled across the rooftop—
spewing a strange gas into the air.
Poison.
"Spread out!
Don't inhale it!"
Rita snapped her mask into place instantly, voice sharp and commanding.
And then—
A familiar voice echoed through the fog.
"Oh, don't worry.
This poison is specially made for Destiny's Valkyries.
I do hope you enjoy it."
Jackal's mocking tone sliced through the chaos.
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