"Gran! Pa! Don't bully my subordinate!"
Theresa sensed the darkening mood and yanked the conversation back on track.
"If you won't let me come to Headquarters, at least explain over the call what that was all about!"
"What thing?" Otto adjusted seamlessly, slipping into teasing mode.
"That thing!" Theresa's eyes blazed. "You know exactly!"
"I've done many things," the man said, spreading his hands in mock innocence. "Plenty of misdeeds, plenty of pots slung across my back. If you wish me to guess one by one, I don't mind wasting the time."
"Do you really have to make me say it?" Theresa's voice cracked with a sob. "Fine! St. Freya's basement! All those clones! Tell me—what is going on?!"
Otto narrowed his eyes, slowly twirling the Oath of Judah on his right wrist.
"Theresa," he said, "I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"Don't change the subject, Grandpa!"
"First," Otto pressed on, ignoring her, "her blood can neutralize Honkai energy, correct?"
"Yes." Theresa calmed a fraction, though fury still smoldered in her gaze.
"So second—do we not need her blood?"
"But…"
"But it's disrespectful to her? An affront to your friend?" Otto's smile was faint. "My dear granddaughter, long ago that girl signed a body donation agreement, willingly offering her final strength to Schicksal."
"I'm sorry, Theresa. Your friend was far greater than you imagine."
"That was only blood!" Theresa shouted. "Not cloning an entire army of her!"
"If cloning her grants us greater odds in the war against Honkai—"
"This isn't about odds! This…"
"This is precisely about odds, Theresa," Otto interrupted softly. "This is Honkai."
"Perhaps Schicksal has draped reality in too pretty a veil, but as a retired S-rank Valkyrie, you should know—since the Second Herrscher in 2000, or even earlier, since the First Eruption—that the blade of extinction has already kissed civilization's throat."
"War, slaughter, death—these are no longer charming simulations where beautiful girls in miniskirts vanquish monsters. For those of us truly living in this world, this is Honkai. A catastrophe capable of erasing humanity entirely."
Otto spoke each word deliberately into the camera—for Theresa, and for himself.
"This is the end times. Civilization's end times."
"Any action that aids civilization's survival through the end times is permissible. You may not comprehend it, but it exists logically—even if it violates ethics."
"Rehabilitating Herrschers or slaying them; human experimentation or cloning the mighty—ruthlessness for survival is a skill humanity learned in the wilderness."
His tone softened.
"Little Theresa, I do not expect you to share my values. I am genuinely glad you preserve that free, innocent heart—this is no mockery. Our ancestors struggled in the mud so their descendants could gaze at the stars."
"I bless you, bless this era, bless every child fighting for a beautiful world."
"But I want you to understand: to prevent the world from truly becoming the end times, someone must tear away the thin sugar coating of beauty. For the sins committed, those people will offer profound apologies to the departed—but never repentance."
"They are willing to be dragged to hell by the dead, yet when the living ask if they would do it again, they will only smile—the smile of elders… or villains."
"Lord Overseer, Lady Cecilia's clothing has arrived."
Amber's voice cut in suddenly. Otto's eyes brightened. He flashed a cryptic smile at the still-stunned Theresa, raised his hand to end the call, and said without turning.
"Good. Help her dress, then bring her out."
"Yes, Lord Overseer."
Amber understood, glanced sideways, and withdrew.
"Rita Rossweiss."
Otto closed his eyes lightly and spoke.
"Lord Overseer, I am here." The black-stockinged maid trembled faintly, instinctively straightening and pressing her thighs together.
"You know little Durandal's identity." A statement, not a question.
"Rita will keep the secret." She did not deny it; worry flickered in her eyes.
"Very good. Continue your assigned tasks," Otto murmured, lips curving. "Also, inform Durandal: temporary S-rank Valkyrie examination at Headquarters in three days."
Rita nodded, the weight lifting from her heart.
An exam launched before Christmas holidays even concluded, open only to Valkyries already at Headquarters—what else could it be but tailor-made for Lady Durandal?
The Overseer was indirectly assuring her: he valued Durandal deeply.
So long as she served Durandal wholeheartedly and kept silent about what she should not hear, she would come to no harm for overhearing too much.
And fortunately… she was more than willing.
…
Cecilia stood there in a mid-length pale yellow-green down jacket over a white turtleneck sweater, paired with black slim-fit pants.
The knee-length coat veiled her exquisite silhouette, yet her flawless face and long, elegant legs still inspired quiet confidence about the beauty concealed beneath.
"Beautiful." Otto praised with genuine sincerity.
Cecilia answered with a radiant smile.
"Lord Overseer," Amber stepped back. "Any further instructions?"
"Mm… halt the Silent Gem experiments. Transfer them to the Divine Key research institute," Otto mused. "Prepare three SoulSteel bodies ready for immediate activation—one to remain at Headquarters, the other two I shall carry as spares."
"Also—handle any paperwork you can. For the more delicate matters, contact me later. Best to delay until I return to Headquarters. I trust you can manage."
"Yes."
Amber displayed flawless secretarial poise—no questions, only acknowledgment as she departed.
Once Amber had gone, Otto approached and gently smoothed Cecilia's snow-white hair.
"Remember anything?"
"No…" Cecilia's voice carried quiet dejection.
"As I said—no need to force it," Otto replied lightly. "No one requires you to become who you once were."
"Okay." Cecilia's tone brightened. Suddenly she stepped forward and embraced him.
"Thank you, Onii-sama."
A wave of delicate fragrance brushed Otto's senses. He arched a brow.
"Between us, thanks are unnecessary."
He guided Cecilia out the door. Outside, sunlight poured brightly—yet as ever, offered no warmth.
"We're going somewhere different today," Otto said as they walked. "Leaving Headquarters for a while."
"Where?"
"Remember the place we mentioned yesterday?"
Otto gazed into the distance, eyes gleaming with rare anticipation.
"We're going to England."