SCHICKSAL HEADQUARTERS
Otto jolted awake. He felt wires snap off of him.
I'm.. Alive?
He thought to himself.
"That's.. The first thing you say after you pull off such a reckless stunt?"
A familiar voice chided.
Archives. So it was you. You… had a body prepared this entire time?
"Well, I expected you'd do something like this. I had been working on this body from the day you washed up ashore. It's fully optimised. Just a few minor… cosmetic details were left before you decided to outplay the Kaslanas in their own foolishness."
Otto observed his current body. It was different from the regular soulium avatars he'd used. There were greyish stripes and circles mapping it.
"I couldn't mask them up. Don't worry, though. The avatar is fully functional."
What.. Are these lines… for?
They were truly out of place for a soulium avatar.
"You need an effective conduit to control your imaginary powers. For that end, I simply created circuits. The lines you see are 'paths' and that circle.. "
Otto turned his head backwards, looking at a mirror placed on the wall, showing his back. There was one noticeably large circle.
"That's where your Nihilus Core is."
Was… this really the most effective way out? I look like an android.
"I was sceptical at first, but the calculations didn't lie. It's.. Actually quite similar to how the key of blankness mimics Herrscher Authorities."
I…see..
Using organic circuits to link up to imaginary space…
Makes sense.
"To make things more clear, your previous avatar could only use 40% of your true abilities. This avatar, however, can use up to 93% of your calculated potential. You can control your output at will."
You're saying, I… made short work of the Herrscher of the Void with not even half my actual strength?
"Precisely. Whoever sent you back to the past is clearly playing favourites. Though, Bianka too could easily manage such a threat. Even the current Kiana would've won without any difficulty."
To have power and to know how to use it are two entirely different things. The Herrscher of the Void was simply a child throwing tantrums. Bianka… is a trained prodigy. A stark contrast, wouldn't you agree?
Otto chuckled as he walked towards his personal storage unit. He needed clothes.
One suit stood out at the centre of his attires. It was the very suit he'd worn for his final banquet at Kolosten.
With careful consideration, Otto decided to wear that outfit.
The Play has finally begun.
He observed himself in the mirror. The attire covered most of the lines, save for a few on his neck and ungloved hand.
Otto glanced towards the outfit he had worn in his journey to the East, hanging on the side. This immediately reminded him of someone important.
"Master Jingwei…"
His eyes widened as he remembered the fate his Old Friend had met hours ago.
"I've checked the logs. Her body is currently contained at HQ. Amber has complied with Emergency Protocols. Cellular repairs are ongoing."
Void Archives interrupted, before Otto could delve into panic.
Otto sighed with relief.
But…she's going to return as… that… isn't she?
"..."
Just then, his Assistant entered his quarters.
"Lord Overseer! You've finally.. Returned!"
… Lord Overseer?
Otto couldn't help but picture a certain Archbishop when he heard Kalle- Amber's voice utter those words.
"... Yes, I have."
"I have carried out Emergency Protocols concerning the Shadow Knight. Furthermore, I have obtained operation reports from the Immortal Blades. The status of the Hyperion has been monitored and documented over the course of the last 6 weeks. Would you like to go over them, My Lord?"
"Amber… could you just do me one favour?"
"What would that be, Lord Overseer?"
"...please just… address me as Otto."
He noticed her eyes visibly widen behind her visor.
"B-But you're-"
"You're my assistant, Amber. Not my servant. You've been doing your job for decades! So it'd only make sense if you were to atleast address me with my name, wouldn't it?"
"I shall try.. Lord Ot… to…"
All of this felt alien to her.
"Well, that's a start. Also, starting today, you will receive regular pay and will be allotted your own quarters. You can also take certain days off."
"..My Lor- Otto. Why are you doing this? Has my work not been satisfactory?"
"No, it is the opposite. You've always done well. I am merely expressing my gratitude."
Amber wasn't buying it.
She opened her mouth to protest yet again.
Luckily, she was interrupted by two Valkyries who'd barged into the quarters. They were both gasping for air, as if they'd been sprinting this entire time.
Bianka let out a sigh of relief, as if a huge burden had been taken off her shoulders. Her eyes were red and puffy.
Kiana, though, had still been crying.
"Ah, Bianka, Kiana! Must I say your timing is perfe-"
THUD
The blonde man felt air leave his lungs as he was knocked to the floor by a herrscher grade tackle.
"Why did you… do that!? I… I thought you-"
Kiana started crying loudly, unable to complete her sentence. She was holding onto him tightly.
"I told you I'd… be back, didn't I?"
"You could've… told me.. I really thought you were gone!"
She said.
"I just.. Don't want to lose people anymore.. Papa.. Mama.. Hua.. Not you too… I can't.."
Her voice now reduced to a whisper.
Otto couldn't understand. He'd done so much to her yet she saw him as family.
The girl simply lay there, not uttering a word.
Several minutes later, Kiana got up. She pouted and looked away.
"You really scared me, you know. You're going to have to make up for it, Mister Overseer."
And… she's back to her normal self.
"... My alt account for Kallen Fantasy. Deal?"
Otto jokingly offered, trying to alleviate the situation.
The corner of her lip twitched.
Knew it. That was simple.
"Now, young lady. When are you going to admit you're not feeling well?"
Otto remembered the experimentation she'd gone through. Kiana needed urgent medical attention.
"Wh-What?! I'm fine!"
Amber too had been observing Kiana. Her visor blinked.
"Diagnosis confirmed. Subject was exposed to severe Honkai Radiation. Immediate treatment required."
"There you go. You're fooling no one, Kiana. Now, get going. I'll be there soon."
Amber escorted Kiana out of the quarters.
Otto turned towards Bianka.
She averted her gaze.
"I.. Apologise for having worried you."
Otto tried to speak to her in a low voice.
"No, I was quite certain you'd have switched to another body. It was just my first time seeing…"
"..."
"I felt… lost. If something really had happened to you… I don't know.. What… I would have done."
"You would have continued your duty, like you always have. Do you remember what I said when I told you the tale of Medea?"
Otto was referring to when he'd visited Bianka in the orphanage a decade ago.
"To never sympathise with her.. For the world is abound with beauty and kindness…"
Otto smiled.
"And it's your duty to protect that beauty, is it not?"
"But without you…"
Bianka looked at her hands, gloved in armour.
They were shaking.
"... I…"
Otto couldn't bear seeing her like that.
He had never seen the Bright Knight look this confused and distraught.
The Overseer bit his lip.
"... I'm here now and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. So it'd be for the best to not think about such hypothetical circumstances."
Otto walked past Bianka. This conversation was too heavy for his heart.
"You should go check up on Rita, don't you think?"
He left his quarters.
Otto had only taken a few steps. But he stopped. He didn't turn towards the valkyrie behind him. He simply called out to her.
"Bianka…"
"Yes… Overseer?"
"I'm honoured you hold me in such high regard. I'm… a flawed man. But, I will strive to better suit the image you have of me. That's a promise."
He declared, before he walked away.
… You know, I wanted to tell her the truth myself this time. But, seeing her like this. I don't think I'll be able to.
"She'll find out eventually."
Otto put up a sad smile as he walked.
She will.
But, I'm really selfish, aren't I?
I still choose to withhold the truth all because I see her as my own.
"You remember what she'd told you when you were slain by her own hands?"
"That she'll never forgive you, but she couldn't bring herself to hate you either? She had acknowledged you as the one who raised her. To me, it seemed she actually understood you. "
That's Bianka for you. I put her through pain and hardships, yet she still…
He sighed.
"But if you hadn't, she wouldn't have become the valkyrie she is today."
Lies. She's a prodigy. The ideals I raised her with are the same as those of her mother and father. If they were around, it would've taken her a little longer, but she would have reached the exact point where she is today and I would have no part of it. Who knows, she might even be happier.
Staff walking past salute the Overseer.
".. You ought to stop whining like you did back in the 1500s and actually make amends. Because that's what you're supposed to do."
Looks like Void Archives had enough of Otto's moping.
You're right. I have to deal with things, one at a time.
He entered the Medical Ward.
SCHICKSAL HQ- MEDICAL WARD
Kiana lay in a bed with her arm stretched out, as Otto used a syringe to inject a blue serum.
"I've administered a controlled dosage of HSN-032-F. If it stings, you're going to have to bear with it for a while."
"It's… nothing."
She was gritting her teeth.
She was definitely in pain.
Something tells me that's what Siegfried probably would have said when he lost his arm.
Otto sighed.
"The immediate threat of herrscher reawakening is gone, but the cores are out of control…"
He narrowed his eyes at the readings.
"To put it simply, you've got too much Honkai energy, Kiana. Even with all this medication, it's going to be hard to stabilise the cores. You would only be damaging your body."
Kiana looked towards him, anticipating what he'd say next.
"I suggest that you.. Return the gem of conquest to its former owner. It might become fatal if you were to harbour it in yourself for too long."
"...I can't."
Otto half expected this.
"May I ask why?"
"I know I can control all of these gems. I need to try harder."
She clenched and unclenched her fists.
"I don't want to watch and be able to do nothing. I could barely hold my own against Raven."
"That's.. Not your fault. They'd been using underhanded tactics. You'll learn to pick these things up with experience."
"Then I'll just have to train harder. I… can't keep compromising."
"She's… beginning to sound like Bianka."
… they're sisters, after all.
"Well, yes. Training will be required as a means of dissipating all that Honkai Energy. I shall talk to Bianka later this evening. I suppose the two of you have already gotten along?"
"We.. Didn't speak a single word. She dashed off for HQ and I just.. Followed her. She's.. Really fast."
"I'm sure.. Bianka would be glad to instruct you."
They stayed silent for a few moments.
Otto then decided to ask her a question which he desperately needed an answer to.
"... Say, Kiana?"
"Yes?"
"Did… Fu Hua leave you a feather, of sorts?"
Kiana's eyes widened.
"So she did. Good. Hold on to it. She'll be back soon and we will need it."
"She will?"
"They called her the Immortal Celestial for a reason. I'm sure she will tell you the full story herself some day."
"I.. Don't understand.."
Kiana's eyes were beginning to flutter. Her exhaustion had finally caught up and the pain from the vaccine had subsided.
"We shall discuss the Gem of Conquest and future plans some other day. But for now, you ought to get some well deserved rest."
The girl had already fallen fast asleep.
He pulled a blanket over her and left the room, switching the lights off.
Now that we're done here….
I've been meaning to try out my new body.
Prepare the simulacrum, please.
Otto asked Void Archives, as he began walking towards the Training Halls.
"Affirmative."
A reply came.
SCHICKSAL HQ-TRAINING SIMULACRUM
Otto stood at the centre of the Training arena, as he performed a few warm up kicks and punches.
This body felt light. As if he had been unchained. He could feel the air swerve with every punch.
"All systems nominal. Let's begin."
The gates opened briefly, as three Aesir Baldr units were dispatched.
"You can control your power output. Give it a shot."
AUTHORITY OF IMAGINARY- NIHILUS SEED
LIMITER - 25%
Otto noticed the few lines in his ungloved hand were now glowing in a bright gold.
The three mech units coordinated with each other, launching three successive slashes.
Otto swiftly evaded them all, leaving a trail of gold. He was now directly behind one of the mech units.
Otto swung his hand in a circular arc, cleaving the unit diagonally.
The second mech had been modified. It was equipped with anti-honkai rounds. It fired all 7 rounds at Otto.
It appeared as if the blonde man teleported away from each of the rounds, leaving golden afterimages of himself.
Once all rounds were fired, Otto moved directly in front of the mech unit and carefully descended his hand downwards in a single line.
Seven consecutive shots were heard again. Otto had just caught and returned the rounds back to the one who fired it.
The last one had attempted to sneak up on Otto from behind, but with a swift spinning kick, it was torn in half.
This entire time, however, the Overseer wasn't aware that two people had been watching him from the Observation deck.
"Not a single wasted step.."
Bianka exclaimed, as she looked on to the scene with fascination.
It was the first time she'd seen the Overseer fight seriously.
"His efficiency has greatly improved. The difference from his former self is… like night and day."
Rita, who was wrapped in a few bandages affirmed. The Overseer seemed much faster and stronger than what he had been in Arc City.
"He's really strong. Perhaps, stronger than what I'd expected. I wonder if.."
Bianka trailed off. Rita hadn't paid attention to what she said.
All this power in a single person. I can't help but feel uneasy. Even though he is genuinely trying to help…
Rita was lost in thought until she realised she'd made a mistake.
Durandal had already left the Observation deck.
She shouldn't have taken her eyes off of her.
She knew too well what the Captain of the Immortal Blades was going to do.
The maid inhaled sharply.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Otto was now dealing with AE Mechs. He'd been swatting them all effortlessly, without even having to use any divine key projections.
"Your performance is easily comparable to the higher ranking Flame Chasers from the Previous Era. As far as my records suggest, that is."
What's with the uncertainty?
"My access to records pertaining to Kevin Kaslana and Elysia are incomplete. Not even the Archbishop's enhancements have provided any information on them."
That just sounds like censored data to me. They must have something to them the world was better off not knowing.
"I suppose so."
As he finished off a Titan Mech, Void Archives warned.
"Incoming Projectile at your 3 o'clock."
Otto had sensed it too. He jumped backwards, dodging the attack.
It was a training lance.
The sound of clicking heels could be heard.
The Bright Knight of Schicksal stood before him, holding another training lance in her hand.
Her eyes looked eager.
"Overseer… would you like to spar? Your combat style has piqued my interest."
She didn't bother beating around the bush.
"It would certainly be my honour, Bianka. But please, go a little easy on me."
"What are you even talking about, Overseer? If we were to actually fight, it'd be you who would win."
Her expressions indicated that she really believed so.
Otto chuckled. She'd said the same thing last time too.
He was recollecting the two times he'd fought Durandal in his previous life.
This girl had clearly overestimated him.
"But that statement of hers now holds true. See for yourself."
The Overseer grasped the lance which was embedded in the ground and lifted it up. He swung it and positioned himself into a stance.
"Let's begin."
With a loud boom, Bianka dashed forward with a thrust of her lance.
Otto pulled one leg back and then swung it, kicking the lance and knocking Durandal off balance. Not wasting a moment, he charged with his own lance.
The Valkyrie, however, was fast. She instantly side stepped and spun, swinging her lance which aimed directly at Otto's head.
He slid underneath the lance and put some distance between the two of them.
Otto then began spinning the lance with one hand, as if it were a sword.
Durandal raised her eyebrow.
The Overseer smirked and initiated a flurry of strikes, using the Lance like a duelling sword.
Bianka clashed her lance with his and with a circular arc, pinned it to the ground. Before he could react, she used her lance as a support and lifted herself up, launching a powerful kick at his head, knocking him back a good distance.
"That was well connected, Bianka."
Otto admitted proudly. He jerked his head to rebalance himself.
"I've.. Not had a match this unpredictable before. You're not using any particular martial arts. It's almost like if.. You're calculating and correctly predicting what the opponent will do next."
"Ha! She's caught on, boy!"
It was true. Otto did indeed use Void Archives and his own simulation technology to predict enemy moves and the best possible counters.
The two walked towards each other and resumed their flurry of attacks. Otto hadn't realised he'd been putting more and more force into his attacks, until eventually-
CRACK
Bianka's lance shattered and she was knocked back to the other end of the arena.
Otto's eyes widened.
"Bianka! Are you alright?"
All he saw was a glint of shining silver in the cloud of dust.
In a blink of an eye, Durandal had landed a lunch which Otto barely blocked using his lance. The lance cracked, as her punch went through it.
Her gauntlets had intricate patterns of glowing silver lines.
She's… using the bubble universe!
The sheer shock of the punch sent Otto flying into the walls of the simulacrum.
"Ov-Overseer!"
Bianka exclaimed, her voice one of worry.
He snickered as he climbed out of the rubble.
"If that's how.. It is.."
AUTHORITY OF IMAGINARY - NIHULUS SEED
LIMITER - 40%
The dust settled. Parts colored black and gold revolved around him, latching on one by one.
"Now then."
The man disappeared, leaving sparks of gold.
He'd dashed directly at Bianka, who used the powers of the bubble universe to shield the incoming attack. Yet, his punch managed to knock her back a great distance.
The Overseer stood in front of her. His body was shrouded in black and gold armour.
It was a sight befitting the leader of the Valkyrie Order.
Both of them laughed. They were having a good time.
Durandal once again assumed stance, so did Otto and they dashed towards each other.
Before their fists could connect, however. A voice buzzed over the intercoms.
"I am extremely sorry to intrude on this sparring session, but I must inform you that if this match entails any further, the simulacrum will be completely demolished and training sim services will be rendered useless."
Rita Rossweisse had interjected.
Otto snapped back to his usual demeanour and took a good look at his surroundings.
"Ah, Rita. You're right. I got a little carried away there."
The maid simply bowed down from the Observation Deck.
Otto turned towards Durandal.
"Exemplary performance, Bianka. Colour me impressed."
"Likewise, Overseer. I could never have fathomed you held such power. Please consider sparring with me again. This was a good test of my abilities."
She replied earnestly.
"I certainly will. I need to hone my skills too. I've..spent a little too long watching from the sidelines. Ah. That reminds me. You're aware of who Kiana Kaslana is, correct?"
"Ah, yes. The former Herrscher of the Void had accompanied me on my way here from Arc City."
"That's right. She will be training alongside you from now on. She's a potential S-Ranker."
"I already had taken interest as she's from the Kaslana lineage. But to hear that she is personally sponsored by you… I look forward to working with her."
"Excellent. Now, get going. Rita probably doesn't want you to delay your dinner meal any further."
Otto chuckled.
"Mhm. I shall do as such, Overseer Otto."
She began walking away.
".. And I was right, you definitely would win in an actual fight."
She added as she glanced sideways towards him.
Otto made a quizzical expression, feigning confusion.
"You.. Held back. I know you did."
She pouted and then left.
The Overseer stood there, smiling.
He then sighed contently and went back to his quarters.
OVERSEER'S OFFICE
Otto was reviewing the reports Amber had forwarded him.
So much had happened in the weeks he had gone incognito.
He had handed 1/4th of the Valkyrie forces to Theresa and let go of Anti-Entropy territories he had annexed.
Fortunately, there has been a considerable decrease in AE-Schicksal tensions.
Furthermore, Valkyrie morale was now at an all time peak. It would seem videos of the Overseer taking on a giant honkai dragon aboard the Hyperion had been leaked. Amber did have them removed, but word has now spread that the Overseer himself leads the fight against the Honkai.
Valkyrie applications have increased drastically.
This… can't be real…
He thought to himself as he sipped wine out of his glass.
Lastly, Bronya Zaychik had fallen into the sea of quanta during World Serpent's siege at Cocolia's base. Fortunately, she has returned alongside Seele Vollerei and the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, Welt Yang. She can now wield the Core of Reason.
He's back, huh? I wonder how he will take all of this in.
Otto laughed.
Though..I need to talk to him.
"You do realise that those three are not the only ones who have returned, right?"
…. Right. Kevin must be back too.
Otto's brows furrowed.
He's.. A tricky one. I'm sure the bomb in Arc City was his trial run for Project Stigma. I.. Have little understanding of what he's trying to do but I know for sure it will cause mass destruction..
"Everything regarding Project Stigma is redacted. All I know is that it is the last resort of mankind."
It's.. Just genocide.. That's what it sounded like.
We will have to convince Kevin to join us and give up on Stigma. Otherwise…
"You're going to have to fight him."
Precisely. You think I have a chance?
"Can't say."
Otto sighed.
There's also Kiana.
I can't take the gem of conquest by force.
It'll only break her trust in me.
I'll… just have to talk her into it.
Otto returned to working on his system.
He had for sure attained much better results than last time.
But now, the challenges ahead would only get harder.
But he is ready to face them head on.
CHAPTER 9 - END
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
And Otto is finally back!
I actually had this chapter near completion three days ago but then 6.1 dropped.
As always, do let me know your thoughts on the chapter!
Take care!
