A jealous dispute.
Otto had never thought he would experience such a thing.
After all, if not handled properly, it could very well lead to a bloody end.
However, he felt that Kiana and Mei's bickering couldn't really be called a true battleground.
To Otto, the two of them were more like little she-pups with a strong sense of territory, afraid that their own safe haven would be snatched away by the other.
Still.
The fact that they were fighting over him satisfied Otto's vanity and sense of accomplishment.
This pleased him greatly. If they had no feelings for him at all, why would they be so confrontational?
"Mei, you go take a bath first."
"We'll all go out to eat together later."
Otto stepped in to smooth things over.
Mei nodded.
Only after Mei had entered the bathroom did Otto turn to the still-pouting Kiana with a wide smile.
Her puffed-up cheeks really did make her look like an inflated pufferfish.
Kiana looked at Otto with dissatisfaction, her hands on her hips, but her heart was hammering in her chest.
Honestly, talking about fighting over him...
This young lady is doing no such thing!
"Alright, alright, why has this cute little face become so round?"
Otto cupped Kiana's face in his hands and kneaded it gently. Kiana pouted, letting him squish her cheeks as if they were dough.
She was already getting used to physical contact with Otto.
Habit truly was a terrifying thing.
(My cat.jpg)
"I know you're just jealous."
"This young lady is not jealous!" Kiana retorted. Seeing her swear so earnestly, Otto almost believed her.
If she truly didn't care, she would have gone up to Mei to get friendly with the pretty girl, not competed with her over feminine beauty.
"My cute little kitten, you're Mei's senior. As a reliable senior, you have to look after your junior."
"Mmph, junior?" Kiana's voice was muffled as Otto played with her cheeks. He nodded.
"From now on, she'll be just like you, a Valkyrie. You came before her, so you're her senior. You have to set a good example for her, okay?"
"Senior..."
The word was completely foreign to Kiana, but she gleaned one important thing from Otto's words.
Which was: I came first!
Hmph, hmph.
Otto stroked her head. The docile white-haired dumpling felt wonderful to the touch.
If he weren't worried about going too far, he really would have captured her lips with his.
Kiana shook her head slightly. She felt that Otto always treated her like a cat, petting her whenever he felt like it.
But this feeling...
It had a strange sense of warmth.
Kiana didn't dislike it.
This white-haired dumpling who had wandered alone for years, who had lacked a mother's and father's love since she was little, had developed a slight sense of dependence on Otto.
(Motherly love.jpg)
Otto affectionately stroked Kiana's head and said with a smile, "But you don't have to worry. There will always be a place for you by my side. My lap will always welcome your little bottom to sit on it."
"After all, you're my number one wife, and Mei is just my second wife."
"Who's your number one wife!?" Hearing Otto's joke, Kiana playfully punched him in the chest.
Otto simply lowered his head and looked into her azure-blue eyes, which shimmered like a clear spring.
The sound of running water continued from the bathroom; Mei was still showering.
Otto whispered in Kiana's ear.
"My number one wife, let me kiss you, okay?"
Kiana's heart skipped a beat.
She knew her lips had been tasted by Otto more than once, but those were all surprise attacks while she was asleep.
"No way."
Her chest fluttered, and Kiana forcefully pushed Otto away.
A trace of fear crept into her heart.
Because for a fleeting moment, she had actually considered agreeing.
Can't give in.
Absolutely cannot give in.
Although the atmosphere was perfect, Kiana still held back.
Because with her sensitive heart, she worried that if she gave in too easily...
He would no longer cherish it.
No one cherishes something that can be obtained so easily.
"What a pity," Otto said, feigning sadness. He stretched lazily, feeling no real disappointment. He felt that the relationship between him and Kiana was developing nicely.
More than friends, less than lovers.
Now, all he had to do was wait for their bond to deepen and settle.
When that time came, she would be able to light the flame for him.
But honestly, he truly enjoyed these happy times with the girls.
This period was very relaxing; he didn't have to devise any complex schemes, nor did he have to worry about his identity being exposed.
I'll repay this happiness with children in the future.
Ignoring Otto, Kiana sat on the sofa and started watching TV, though the blush at the tips of her ears had not faded. Otto glanced at her and smiled.
Returning to the balcony, he took out his communication terminal and contacted his aide, Amber.
"Send people to investigate Nagazora City thoroughly. Report to me immediately if you find anything strange," Otto commanded.
His reason for this was the System's earlier warning that things in Nagazora were starting to get weird.
Clearly, some trouble was brewing.
Was it Cocolia's doing, or the Will of the Honkai?
If it was the latter, then the problem was immense.
Otto pondered.
Truthfully, he could take Mei out of Nagazora City now.
Part of the reason he hadn't left with her earlier was that he didn't know how to awaken her Herrscher of Thunder personality.
He had thought that, if necessary, he could use Cocolia's hand to awaken it. That way, even if something went wrong, his own hands would remain clean.
Cocolia could just be the scapegoat.
That was his selfish side.
But now, Otto knew how to awaken Miss Herrscher.
Therefore, there was no need to remain in Nagazora.
He looked up at the sky, then closed his eyes and asked the System in his mind, "System, if I complete the mission to have a Herrscher in Schicksal, will that physical body be given to me immediately?"
In truth, Otto could get a new body without the system's reward, but a main mission reward shouldn't be too shabby, right?
It didn't need to be too strong. Something on Kevin's level would be enough.
[Host, you may claim it whenever you wish.]
[After all, your body is yours to decide.] the System replied instantly.
"Then do you have a way for me to usurp the authority of the Will of the Honkai?" Otto asked again.
[As long as you can get in close proximity to the vessel of the Will of the Honkai's descent, this system can open the gate to the Will of the Honkai for you.]
In other words, the System was only responsible for getting him in front of the Will of the Honkai.
Otto opened his eyes.
A ferocious glint flashed in his emerald eyes as an idea that could only be described as insane took shape in his mind.
He wanted to take the initiative and attack, rather than passively wait for the Will of the Honkai to grace him with its presence.
But then, he shook his head.
No.
It's not necessary.
Things are calm now. There's no need to take such a risk.
But.
A rising sense of unease made him uncomfortable.