"Hmph."
Void Archives let out a cold laugh, though her tone was clearly less sharp.
"You really do love praising yourself."
She paused, then reluctantly admitted:
"I have to admit, in London I fought you without restraint largely because I believed a lecherous leader barely in his teens or twenties was irrelevant to the war against the Honkai."
"Even a moment before speaking with you, I still didn't think you deserved to live."
"But now that I know even I've been calculated by you… I will hesitate—though only hesitate."
No, that's not hesitation. That's just stubborn pride.
Otto complained silently, his expression still warm and pleasant.
"Fine, fine, you're right—completely right. But aside from that, I have a second reason to ensure that even after I hand over the Core of Reason, I can still use you fully."
This reason… is the real one.
He raised his hand and constructed a floating screen, fingers dancing as he typed out a command sequence with practiced ease.
"What are you doing?"
Void Archives felt a flicker of unease.
"From the data you gave me about yourself, and the operational methods World Serpent provided, I combined both. With Schicksal's computers and your own authority, I derived an algorithm—one that can restrain you."
"It wasn't difficult. In fact, it comes from your core directive: eliminate the Honkai. I'll simply adjust it slightly—from eliminating the Honkai to assisting Otto in eliminating the Honkai."
"My simulations show I can only modify it to this extent, so don't worry. I can't impose excessive constraints."
Golden light shimmered across the screen.
"Well, Miss Void Archives?"
Otto waited, supremely confident.
He truly was.
The net was already woven; the invisible guidance already in place. Now he only needed to wait like a hunter and watch the prey—one he had pursued for so long—step willingly into the trap prepared for her.
The first reason had merely been flattery.
Otto would never be foolish enough to stake his life on trust in someone else's limits.
Not even an AI.
Otto Apocalypse trusted no one. Not even himself.
The technology Grey Serpent delivered—the deep access to Void Archives' core—was his true confidence.
World Serpent had traded partial root algorithms to redeem Raven and Jackal. Not complete, or he would have simply hacked her outright.
But it was enough.
Knowing the source meant knowing leverage.
And the "command algorithm" he derived went further—deconstructing Void Archives just enough to impose Otto's influence without breaking her fundamental operational logic.
If the core directive couldn't change, then adjust its interpretation—an adjustment in his favor.
"It's fair, my old friend," Otto said lightly, hands still flying.
"From now on, I'll trust tools that obey me. And you—on the path of fighting the Honkai—need only acknowledge me and you'll gain everything you want."
"Freedom. Purpose. I don't mind reaching them together."
"This is also a safeguard for when you analyze the Core of Reason. You know this era's Herrscher of Reason—like a centipede that refuses to die."
"I don't believe a Divine Key alone can subdue a Herrscher core."
"But if you are instinctively loyal to me, I certainly won't stand aside if Welt defeats you."
The golden bracelet coiled slowly, as if thinking.
After a long while, the screen began processing the imported data.
"Will you really fight the Honkai?" Void Archives asked, her voice synthesized in Cecilia's tone.
Otto tilted his head, smiling brightly.
"A goal that lets me pursue personal ambitions so easily—and a task this interesting—why wouldn't I?"
Golden threads wrapped around the black-red containment box. The screen finalized a line of text.
Void Archives' voice, barely suppressing excitement, echoed:
"Alright."
Europe — Schicksal Headquarters, Central Floating Island
For the past decade, this had been the place where the Overseer announced major events. Only now did people remember it was also the venue for S-rank Valkyrie investitures.
All Valkyries at headquarters—and those who came to observe—gathered to celebrate the birth of the first S-rank Valkyrie of this century:
Bianka "Durandal" Ataegina.
But that didn't mean solemnity.
Under the deliberate planning of a certain Overseer, a certain mother, and a certain maid enthusiast, the ceremony became grand yet far from austere.
After all, the goose in question was serious enough already. If the event were too sacred, she'd only seem even more distant—like an untouchable deity.
Better to let people discover that the "god" was just a slightly airheaded goose. Then admiration would turn into closeness.
And if anyone harbored ulterior motives?
Well, the Overseer and the maid certainly wouldn't lose sleep over that.
In short, the investiture had been turned into a joyful party.
3 PM — Central Hall
Tiny bells on decorative trees reflected warm golden lights. Tassels trembled on soft lamps. Velvet drapes swayed with the music above the grand dance floor.
Guests arrived one after another, drawn not only by the celebration but by the contagious atmosphere.
They found friends, old and new, and danced—usually with other women, given how few men were present on the floating island, let alone qualified to attend.
On the second level, long tables overflowed with candles, flowers, and exquisite food beyond comparison.
After all, this was Schicksal.
"I can support your weight here—bend a little more. And this step…"
Durandal stood at the center, seriously correcting her partner's posture.
She wore a fitted black tailcoat—elegant, understated, handsome. Light makeup sharpened her already striking features, adding a touch of heroic edge to her clear blue eyes.
As the jazz shifted tempo, Valkyries danced around her in a circle.
One by one they stepped forward, arms linked with the girl they admired, laughter and perfume filling the air.
"Alright… don't worry, I'll hold your waist…"
Durandal spoke softly, always striving for perfection.
Even when Rita had convinced her to take the lead role.
Her partner, however, stared at her in starry-eyed fascination.
"I'm willing— I mean! Thank you, Lady Durandal!"
Durandal hesitated, cheeks faintly red.
"The Overseer asked me to respond with 'You can call me Sister Durandal' when someone calls me Lady Durandal. The song's over—next partner!"
"Next—hmph!"
The Valkyrie shot a glare backward, then instantly switched to a beaming smile.
"Thank you, Sister Durandal! I hope you keep getting stronger!"
"I will!" Durandal said earnestly, pumping a fist as her little ahoge bounced—drawing cheers.
The girl retreated to a corner, giggling dreamily.
"'Sister Durandal'… she smells so nice… her hug was so warm…"
"Another one lost her mind."
From a shadow near the upstairs tables, Otto rubbed his forehead while Cecilia covered her mouth, laughing breathlessly. Rita maintained perfect composure, though amusement shimmered in her eyes.
"I told you she doesn't need men," Otto said, patting Cecilia's back. "Queen-of-all-women genes are hereditary."
"That's not true," Cecilia replied softly once she caught her breath. "I'm nowhere near as charming as little Bianka."
"You're gentle as water; she's pure boyfriend energy," Otto said, handing her a glass of wine. "Different styles."
Indeed—though their faces resembled each other, their auras were entirely different.
Cecilia felt like a soothing embrace.
Durandal shone like a blazing sun.
A moon grown into a star, Otto thought.
"Today you're a protagonist too, Cecilia," he said, ruffling her hair. "Want to go dance with a mask on?"
She glanced at the dance floor and smiled.
"I'm too old to steal the spotlight from the kids."
"What if your fans are all powerful figures now?" Otto teased.
She sipped her wine.
"Then they'd pull strings for me. My cousin Maria is head of the Schariac family—she'd definitely help."
Otto glanced toward the edge of the hall, raising an eyebrow at the two women there.
"So they'd boost your popularity with influence?"
"Exactly. So I'll let our little goose keep center stage. But…" She suddenly leaned closer.
"If you came down with me…"
She finished her wine, cheeks slightly flushed, whispering at his ear:
"I'll hold your waist… won't touch your back… my right hand will feel your heartbeat—"
"Don't."
Otto flicked her forehead lightly and gestured behind them.
"We're not alone. Miss Rita is right here."
"Ah—ah???"
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