It's not about me loving you. It is you who must love me.
The man's domineering words echoed in Mei's ear.
If she were still the beloved young lady she once was, she would have scoffed at such a statement.
But now, the fallen lady had no escape. Even her hands were caught in his grasp.
Otto was crushing her spirit, applying psychological pressure to keep her unstable.
"After you learned of your situation, after you learned the reason for your father's imprisonment, your negative emotions took over this body."
"If this continues, when you completely lose control, all of Nagazora City will be plunged into disaster. Of the millions of people, perhaps fewer than a thousand will survive."
"And even... your father will die."
"Killed by your own hand."
Mei's eyelashes trembled.
Once again, Otto had struck at her softest spot.
"Therefore, you must control your negative emotions. For instance, by suppressing them with another emotion."
"And that is love."
Love can turn a Herrscher back into a person.
"You must love someone. You must make one person your pillar of support. Your eyes will see only them, and you will devote your everything to them."
"Then, that person will become your controller—the reins that can pull you back from the edge of the cliff."
Just as in the future, you will disregard the entire world for Kiana's sake and become the Herrscher of Thunder.
Though, I'd rather avoid that particular beating, thank you very much.
"And I hope that person will be me."
Otto needed to get his hands on Mei's remote control. Mei was very similar to the original Otto; once she committed to someone, she would never change, remaining utterly devoted and loyal.
Unfortunately, she fell for a 'central air conditioner'—someone warm to everyone.
This time, however, the central air will be replaced by a public bus.
"This might sound a bit like boasting, but I think I'm quite good-looking. I'm also very wealthy and powerful. My status is beyond your imagination."
"With my help, your father would never have had to face imprisonment in the first place."
"To put it in more common terms, I suppose you could call me a prize catch."
Otto said with a smile, lightening the heavy atmosphere slightly as he kneaded Mei's small hand.
Mei's fingers were colder than Kiana's, but much smoother and more delicate. After all, Kiana had lived on her own since she was young and had to do many things for herself.
"Do I... have any other choice?"
Mei's lips were slightly pale. Otto gave her a gentle smile.
"No."
A very direct answer.
"You will learn to love me, and I will help you control this power, rescue your father, and even clear his name."
"Even if you could break your father out of his cage, his name would not be cleared. In fact, the two of you would become fugitives, hunted by the world. Your father would carry that stigma for the rest of his life."
"The name Raiden Ryoma will forever be linked to economic fraud. Perhaps in a few years, it will even become a negative example in textbooks."
For a person, their name is incredibly important.
Mei's lips trembled. She had clearly realized it herself. Even if her father was innocent, if his name couldn't be cleared, there would be no bright future for either of them.
What good was immense power? Even if she could break into the prison and save her father, could that clear his name?
Unless...
She killed everyone who dared to speak ill of him.
Mei's grip on Otto's hand tightened slightly.
She already had the answer in her heart.
She looked at Otto's handsome face and his gentle gaze—a kindness she hadn't seen from anyone since her father's incident.
The people and events around her had been filled with malice. In an environment steeped in hostility, only his voice was gentle, as if he were afraid of startling her.
And only he had come to help her.
He was like a ray of sunshine in the darkness, illuminating her path.
Mei, the lost girl, wanted to grasp that ray of light.
Besides, his smile was truly beautiful.
Blond hair, emerald eyes, unparalleled looks—he was like something straight out of a fairy tale.
So, the knight who had come to save her had arrived long ago.
No, not a knight. My prince.
A blush crept onto the girl's pale face.
Once a choice is made, many people will subconsciously glorify that choice.
Still, there was no denying that Otto was an exceptionally handsome man.
Otto studied the girl's pretty face carefully.
Right now, she was just an ordinary high school girl who couldn't do anything.
Rescuing someone was easy, but clearing their name was hard. For Otto, however, it was child's play.
And while Otto was telling the truth, he was hiding certain things from Mei.
For example, the conservatives in Anti-Entropy could also have rescued Raiden Ryoma. But he had long since moved Ryoma to a Schicksal prison, making things much more difficult for them.
He was exploiting an information gap.
"I promise you, I will help clear your father's name."
"So, come and love me."
"Alright?"
The chips were on the table. Otto looked at Mei, awaiting her answer.
"Mm..."
Her voice was barely a whisper, but Otto heard it perfectly.
Mei had no other choice.
And even if she did, he would have blocked all other paths.
There was no way Otto would give up the Herrscher of Thunder.
"However, love is a process. I know you can't just love me all at once."
"So, for a start, you can try spending tonight in this room..."
"...like a young girl in love."
"You're only allowed to think of me~"