After obtaining Cecilia—and the formidable lineup that came with her—the plan Otto set the moment he gained his cheat was simple: weaken God Kevin, then gather every possible force to confront the Herrscher of the End.
Kevin's Stigma Project alone guaranteed they would be irreconcilable enemies.
For ordinary people, letting someone else carry them through the Honkai while they enjoyed themselves in a dream might sound appealing.
But for him, as Overseer, whether for personal interest or for the survival of modern civilization, that plan had to be taken.
In other words, Kevin had to lose the qualification to oppose him.
If anyone were to carry out a Stigma Project, it should be Otto—one where he held absolute initiative.
Only after exhausting all his own methods would he consider organizing a Stigma-style "surrender." There was no rush.
Thus, as long as Kevin pursued the Stigma Project, he would be Otto's greatest enemy besides the End.
Not eliminating this fanatic outright was already a concession—saving him as a last resort scapegoat.
So, to weaken Kevin, he first needed to suppress World Serpent, the organization inheriting most of the Previous Era's knowledge and surpassing Schicksal in research.
World Serpent was Schicksal's greatest enemy aside from the Honkai.
—Anti-Entropy? That was like St. Freya in the future: just a sulking sub-branch.
When subordinates throw tantrums, does a leader wipe them out? Of course not.
You squeeze every last bit of value from them—and if possible, keep them alive. Living people always have more to extract.
Schicksal didn't even bother demonizing such "enemies" in Valkyrie education. In the future at Kolosten, even Durandal considered them little more than impostors or clones.
Anti-Entropy wasn't worthy of being Schicksal's enemy—at most, an overworked employee.
World Serpent, however, was.
So if he wanted to deal with that organization worshipping the Previous Era, he first had to find them, understand them, and ultimately… devour them completely.
In the original timeline, they revealed themselves on their own terms.
That didn't serve Schicksal's interests.
But now… he would take the initiative, uncover their veil, and then consume them down to the bone.
(Though… Hare was pretty tempting. Wait—did she even exist yet?)
"Shencheng Pharmaceuticals—keep an eye on that name," Otto said, recalling both game and manga details. "And Adam Ruhani as well. Both are connected to the organization."
Amber very much wanted to ask how the Bishop had learned so much about a secret organization while hiding in his office playing Kallen Fantasy for days with documents piling up worldwide.
But remembering that the man before her was Otto Apocalypse, all questions turned into a respectful reply.
"Yes, Bishop."
To Schicksal, Otto was practically omnipotent. Amber was no exception.
Even as his secretary, closer to him than most, she still believed it.
If he wished it, he could do it.
(In some distant corner, a certain Flame-Chaser: "Meow?")
From that perspective, everyone in Schicksal was basically an Otto fan.
"Anything else?" Otto asked.
"That's all for now," Amber said, glancing up briefly—then lowering her gaze again when she noticed Otto and Cecilia's interlocked fingers. "No further matters. Enjoy your meal, Bishop."
She stepped back and closed the door.
Otto sat at the table and released Cecilia's hand.
She curled her fingers slightly, rubbing her palm as if recalling the warmth, feeling a faint reluctance.
Otto arranged their food, uncorked the wine, filled two glasses, and slid one toward her with a small smile.
"To your rebirth."
Cecilia accepted it carefully, clinked glasses with him, and, watching his movements, drank it down in one go.
"Cough… mm…"
She frowned as the wine went down, and Otto's smile deepened.
Of course he knew wine was usually poured lightly—filling the glass was his little indulgence.
A faint flush bloomed across her cheeks, spreading toward her ears, her star-like eyes shimmering. One of the most beautiful moments, he thought, was a woman slightly tipsy.
As a writer once said, there aren't many truths in this world—but a woman's blush is worth more than a page of dialogue.
He shook his head, forcing down the creeping fatigue and mild buzz.
A thousand damage dealt, eight hundred taken.
Worth it.
"Eat," he said, handing her utensils.
"Mm."
A single glass wasn't enough to intoxicate a Valkyrie. Cecilia quickly recovered and began eating.
Seeing she liked the food, Otto casually finished a steak, poured another glass, savoring the rich taste as he closed his eyes.
So much had happened in just a few hours…
When he opened them again, Cecilia had finished eating and was staring at him with blue-green eyes, expression blank and thoughtful.
"Full?"
"Almost."
"Then let's keep walking. Amber will clean up."
"Okay."
Otto grabbed a pen and scribbled a note, then hooked Cecilia's little finger naturally. She rose with him.
"Come on. A walk after dinner."
…
Amber entered the office later. One meal tray was spotless; the other barely touched except for the steak.
She knew the Bishop didn't truly need food and made no comment, though an emotion she couldn't quite name flickered in her eyes.
Almost… happiness for him.
A note lay on the desk. She picked it up.
"The wine was fine—I just wanted a change of taste. Pouring it out is a grand and magnificent handover ceremony, a tradition born of secret arts. You'll understand eventually. —Otto Apocalypse"
Amber: …
The Bishop must have his reasons.
…
By the time the two stepped outside, streetlights had lit up. Schicksal glowed like day beneath the night sky.
There was little nightlife here. Daytime was quiet enough; night even more so. Most Valkyries were stationed at branches or sparring in simulation chambers.
A few rested, but hardly anyone slacked—unless they were D-rank logistics staff.
After all, the one urging them onward was their own fate.
Otto and Cecilia walked in silence through the quiet paths.
Only when they reached the house where she had bathed earlier did they stop.
Otto looked up at the night sky and let out a long breath, a hint of resignation in his eyes.
"Bianka 'Durandal' Ataegina—you've been following me all this way. What's so difficult that you want to step forward yet hesitate? That's not like you."
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