Cecilia barely turned—
when Otto was already beside her, slamming the cross into the ground.
"Oath of Judah."
The name left his lips like a quiet command.
Countless golden chains erupted from the cross, intercepting the inhuman beast's strike—wrapping, binding, pinning it mercilessly in place.
"That won't do, Cecilia," he said, turning to her with gentle reproach. "Letting a Honkai beast slip behind you like that."
"But you handled Black Abyss White Flower quite well."
"Mm…"
Cecilia offered a sheepish smile, then turned a fierce glare on the fully restrained creature before looking back at Otto.
At his nod, she stepped forward, raised the lance, and drove it—swift, precise—through its forehead.
Boom!
Black mist scattered; the beast dissolved into nothing.
"The deadshi that scattered—I've taken care of them," Otto said, lifting his hand. The cross shrank back into a bracelet on his wrist. "Let's go."
He raised his palm. Golden feathers drifted through the fleeing crowd—then every face went blank.
"What… just happened?"
"Hm… why was I running?"
"Ah!! —Murder!"
"I thought I saw a man and a woman standing there… huh? Where did they go?"
"I saw them too. Pretty good-looking couple, actually…"
…
The Overseer of Schicksal and the saint walked the quiet streets. Streetlamps stretched their shadows long across the pavement.
"In combat… you had some shortcomings this time."
Otto couldn't resist offering his evaluation.
"Your movements were pure instinct. Situational awareness was lacking—letting an ordinary Honkai beast close in like that is unacceptable."
"And…"
He continued pointing out details. Cecilia offered no reply—head lowered, little boots scuffing pebbles along the road.
Visibly dejected.
She didn't know why it stung so deeply. She understood his intent, knew it was for her own good, but…
Strictly speaking, this had been her first real fight since awakening…
She didn't deny the beast's sneak attack had been her mistake, but… she had felled so many deadshi…
"Unhappy?"
A figure blocked her path. Cecilia looked up—Otto's teasing smile greeted her.
"Think I'm wrong?"
Cecilia shook her head quickly. Otto sighed.
"I know what you're thinking—this was your first battle since waking; no need to be so harsh. You might even wonder if yesterday's words to you and Durandal were mere lip service."
"But in truth…"
He raised his hand. Golden feathers shimmered at his fingertips.
"Mimetic Taixuan feathers—could implant memories directly. If I truly wanted you as an S-rank Valkyrie, I wouldn't need to force deadshi encounters to jog your recollection."
"It could overwrite you—instantly shape you into whatever I desired."
Otto snapped his fingers. The mimetic feathers vanished.
Cecilia started at the gesture—fresh questions filling her gaze toward him.
No fear, of course.
"I let you fight because to survive in this world… you must know how."
He lifted his eyes to the vast night sky—stars hidden behind urban haze.
"This is a world of Honkai. Eruptions large and small are ceaseless. Your life is precious. Growing stronger is your only path."
"This has nothing to do with me, past memories, or burdens you once bore. It concerns only you. You need those skills—to safeguard your own life, to protect the friends you will make in the future."
"I want you to have a new life—but only if you can protect yourself."
Otto paused, noting Cecilia's thoughtful expression, and nodded.
"I cannot always be at your side—cannot save you every time, as I did during the Second Eruption. So you must reclaim your strength swiftly, through small incidents like this."
"That way, when I am not there… you can protect yourself."
"Onii-sama?!"
At those final words, Cecilia seized his arm—eyes wide with sudden panic and fear.
Since awakening, Otto had guided her through this familiar-yet-alien world.
Though only a single day had passed, soul-deep trust and the day's beautiful moments had swiftly made her cherish this carefree existence.
She loved the thrill of the comb gliding through her hair, the quiet warmth of interlocked fingers on the coaster, the absolute security of entrusting her back to him.
She wanted more of these moments—infinitely more.
But now he spoke of leaving, of times when he might not be there…
No, no, don't…
"I'll reclaim it," Cecilia said earnestly. "I'll remember properly in every fight, meet your standards. If needed, I don't mind forced recovery with Taixuan feathers…"
As long as you don't abandon me.
The silver-haired woman added silently, gazing at Otto with desperate, pleading longing.
"Don't overthink it."
How could Otto miss the fear in her eyes? He smiled warmly, stroking her hair. Emerald eyes met hers directly.
"I will stay with you—but not every moment, in every place. So I want you to protect yourself. Don't nearly falter against an ordinary Honkai beast like today."
"Your life is singular. So I hope you value yourself, consider yourself—grow strong."
He paused, gazing earnestly at Cecilia. Only after a long moment did he continue, voice low and solemn.
"The current Otto Apocalypse promises: I will never abandon you. So you must protect yourself too—never casually sacrifice yourself for anything."
"I would be heartbroken."
He would be heartbroken.
Cecilia's nose stung; for reasons unknown, her eyes reddened.
It felt like joy born from blood-deep relief after endless suffering.
Like delight rising from death—rebirth on the very brink.
Yet she held back tears. Instead she stepped forward, embracing Otto, basking in the security he offered.
In that moment the surroundings grew utterly quiet—only the man's soft murmurs echoing down the empty street.
"Grow up well, my dear girl. Do not yield to wind, do not yield to rain, do not yield to Herrschers, do not yield to Honkai."
"I will be your strongest shield, but please—do not rely on me alone. Do not treat me as the master of your life and death."
"Because first and foremost, you are yourself—then someone else's someone."
"I am willing to take you across mountains and seas, along every path I once walked. Just as that girl named Kallen once did—joyfully showing a bewildered me the beauty of the world."
"But I believe far more that Cecilia Schariac is stronger than she imagines. Her existence needs no one. Otto is merely an embrace when she grows weary—not a trunk she must cling to."
"Living for me might sound romantic, but girl—I would rather you cherish your own life than become anyone's appendage."
"That way you would live lost, like a puppet tugged by others' strings. In truth, those who wish to stunt your growth are not worth your care—and those who truly adore you would never demand your entire life."
"Girl, I wish you happiness, smooth sailing as you chase new dreams—and of course, standing independently, powerfully, confidently in the world."
"I, Otto Apocalypse, hope you live freely—following your own will, loving yourself and your life at every moment."
"Joy or sorrow, love or hate."
"Life and death are yours. The future is yours."
"Because girl, you belong to you—needing no one, owing nothing to the world."