"Overseer, this is the latest admission list of St. Freya Academy."
She passed him the list with needless professionalism.
It was a woman with silver hair that was neatly tied back, revealing a rectangular orange glasses-like device that hid her blue eyes.
She was clad in a sleek, black Schicksal uniform adorned with golden accents.
"Thank you, Amber."
The blond-haired man nodded at her, his green eyes already focused on the list she passed to him
"What's the situation in Nagazora city?"
"More than 90% of the buildings have suffered extensive damage, with surrounding areas near the city being significantly affected as well."
Amber coldly continued reporting the damage that the Honkai Eruption caused, without mentioning any possible survivors
"I see."
Putting down the game console in his hand, Otto picked up the written list and read the names one by one.
"...It looks like there are quite a lot of new students in the new semester."
-Suddenly, his fingers paused on a certain name in the paper.
"Kiana Kaslana..."
He stroked his chin, green eyes narrowing
"K-423….As expected…."
Otto allowed a small smirk to emerge on his face
It seemed that baiting K-423 into travelling to Nagazora city while allowing Cocolia to continue her conspiracy was the right call….
-She has entered St. Freya Academy in a 'reasonable' manner.
He is quite satisfied with his granddaughter's work- she has indeed made this Academy the greatest place for K-423 to build friendships and connections with other people
….Now, he only needs to wait until a suitable time.
In the meantime, he will increase Theresa's funding. That will be his 'thanks'
"Raiden Mei... Bronya Alexeievna Zaychik- Oh?"
Suddenly, he paused on yet another name
"Someone from Anti-Entropy?" He raised an eyebrow. "Theresa is quite kind to take in a potential agent from Anti-Entropy…"
He paused yet again as a certain possibility emerged in his mind
…Perhaps his granddaughter didn't even know this girl's origin?
"- Never mind."
He shook his head, letting her do as she pleased
Then, he went back to reading the list
"...."
Suddenly, Otto's eyes widened slightly, as if he had discovered something interesting.
"Olivia Servant, Asterios…. Adam Tempest? Heh, what a ridiculous name…."
Otto smiled, looking at the picture of this new student
"....."
-Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, becoming extremely sharp and serious.
Then, he stood up and walked to the window.
Looking at the floating island from his window, a holographic screen appeared in front of his face
"What is the situation with the Herrscher?"
The holographic screen showed the face of a cool, gray-haired girl with red glasses and a school uniform
-It was Fu Hua, the class president!
"The third Herrscher is Mei Raiden. According to my observations, Kiana Kaslana has a good relationship with her"
Fu Hua, current A-rank Valkyrie of Shickshal and undercover agent, reported diligently
"The girl who had the Gem of Conquest implanted in her body?" The blond-haired man closed his eyes. "This isn't surprising."
The gems that were obtained in the second Honkai Eruption by the second Herrscher have always been under strict surveillance
Of the four Herrscher Gems, only the Gem of Conquest is-or rather was-in the hands of Anti-Entropy, while the remaining three were in Shickshal's possession
"I have had some contact with the Third Herrscher." She pushed the red-framed glasses that were resting on the bridge of her nose upwards. "Although her emotions are a little unstable.... she doesn't seem uncontrollable."
She paused, frowning
"As for Kiana Kaslana... She had been living a comfortable life in Chiba Academy until the Eruption. There is nothing abnormal about her."
The gray-haired girl continued:
"Otto…..What are you actually planning?"
Fu Hua questioned him with a frown once again
Although K-423 has the core of the Herrscher of the Void implanted in her body, she has no training and no qualification to control this power
-Mentally and physically, she's not mature in the slightest
"My old friend, you should put some trust in me." Otto smiled hypocritically, even as he saw his undercover agent scowling. "At least, I will use the power of love and emotions- so trust in those"
Fu Hua stayed silent, yet her scowl remained.
He didn't have to think much to know what she was thinking
"Anyone else of note?"
Slowly, his hands grasped a wine bottle as he deliberately changed the subject
"In addition, there were also two girls and a boy, Bronya, Olivia, and Adam."
The undercover A-rank valkyrie 'thoughtfully' sent him information about Bronya
-Compared to the meager investigation capabilities of the Far Eastern Branch, Shickshal is obviously leagues beyond
And so, one of Bronya's identities was revealed and presented to him.
-A famous killer and assassin who was once listed in the "Most Dangerous Killers list", [Ural Sniper Wolf].
Her name was enough to scare many ordinary people. But after some time, this killer disappeared and was never seen again.
Many people speculated, and various rumours started to spread about her disappearance
However, for Otto, this girl is simple to deal with -
"Don't mind her, she's just Cocolia's pawn."
"...Are you sure?"
As he popped the cork of the wine bottle, the gray-haired girl pursed her lips
"She's unimportant. As I said, old friend- no need to worry about her."
"What about this woman named Olivia Servant?"
Fu Hua asked him once again. This time, a worried look flashed across her eyes
"Her background....It seems very artificial."
"Maybe..." He deliberately paused, making eye contact with her "...She's a pawn of that mysterious organization."
"Then shouldn't you be worried?"
The gray-haired girl frowned, again
"Don't worry, everything is under control."
As Otto spoke, he calmly smiled, filling a glass cup with wine and ignoring her cold stare as he brought up the last person:
"A male..."
After staring at the boy's photo for a while, a rare surprised expression appeared on his face
"...Is there something wrong with him?"
"Heh…'Something wrong with him'?"
The blonde-haired man smirked, swirling the glass of wine yet not drinking it
"My old friend, every single male who has been qualified to get involved with Honkai is troublesome to deal with- this is the truth I've come to realize over my long life."
-The former First Herrscher Welt Joyce
-The current Anti-Entropy leader and successor of Joyce, Welt Yang
-And the previous head of the Kaslana family, Siegfried Kaslana
They have all caused him countless troubles of varying degrees
Otto never liked things that were beyond his expectations.
Unfortunately, all these men were people he couldn't control and 'guide'
-His intuition told him that something was very wrong with this familiar yet unfamiliar boy
"....Thus far, I have only observed that this boy can use almost invisible threads- ones strong enough to bind A-rank Valkyries"
Listening to Fu Hua's report, he stroked his chin
'Dominance? No….'
Rejecting the instant guess that appeared in his mind, Otto closed his eyes in thought
-Only one Herrscher can be born from each Honkai Eruption, this has been a firm iron law
The Herrscher born in the 3rd Honkai Eruption was Mei Raiden, the Herrscher of Thunder.
Since the Herrscher's appearance in the current era abide by the order of the Previous Era- this boy being the Herrscher of Dominance is improbable
Is it some special ability? A stigmata made by imitating the power of Dominance? Or….Is he a pseudo- Herrscher?
The honkai scans indicate that the honkai energy concentration in his body is low….So him being a Herrscher or pseudo-Herrscher can actually be ruled out
'Perhaps it's only a similar ability?'
He felt that this was the case, however-
If…this boy could use the power of the Herrscher of dominance….Could he also use the power of other Herrscher?
-For example... the one he cares about the most- the Herrscher of the Void.
Although the plan regarding K-423 is already complete and only requires the passage of time and a natural accumulation of emotions, Otto would naturally not mind having more options and backup plans
"How are they?"
He asked.
"All of them have enrolled and became students"
"Haha…That's not what I wanted to ask, my old friend"
His smile widened
"....."
The so called old friend remained silent
"...."
Of course, while it was within his calculations, Otto was still slightly surprised that Theresa actually did this so decisively
His granddaughter is an idealist…. but unfortunately, she is still immature and childish
-Partly, it was also his fault. Since as long as she doesn't go against his plans, he is willing to dote on her
"You don't have to look at me like that, my old friend"
Otto once again remarked. The red wine in the glass held by him swirling around as his arm moved in a small, circular motion
-Naturally, he hoped for Theresa to bring warmth to K-423- who has been wandering alone for so many years.
He hoped that K-423 will develop love, feelings, and bonds in general with the people around her
His granddaughter can and will do such a thing- quite easily, in fact.
Otto is naturally willing to provide help with this 'process'- he is happy to do so
When the time is right, the Herrscher of the Void will once again descend upon this world, laying ruin and destruction.
Then….Using sacrifices, "She" will awaken humanity, thus, resulting in a human able to control the full power of a Herrscher
After that, all that is required to resurrect a person would already be present- and he would proceed from there
As for who the sacrifice would be…. Otto's starting target is naturally….
—His granddaughter, Theresa Apokalis. She's a very suitable candidate indeed
There is no doubt that Otto Apocalypse loves his granddaughter very much- second only to his love for Kallen Kaslana
But if it for the purpose of reviving Kallen, everything can be abandoned- that too includes Theresa.
However….After seeing this Asterios' name and picture, he had some new ideas
—Emotions can be divided into many types.
Familial affection, friendly affection, and... love- romantic love
The stronger, and more intense the emotion, the better fuel it would be for bringing Kiana's humanity back
So, after seeing this person named Asterios Adam Tempest, he had a new idea
—Maybe he would be a more suitable candidate than Theresa.
His silver hair and blue eyes were concerning….However, the result of the examination didn't lie- while he seemed to have quite some good potential for a man, he wasn't at the level of Siegfred and Welt
-A controllable male that could easily be implemented in his plans. It would be a pity not to use him….
Thinking of this, Otto couldn't help but smile slightly.
Then, he instructed the undercover agent under his command:
"My old friend, you are free to go now"
Seeing Fu Hua nod, his smile widened
Beep
As his old friend wordlessly hung up the call, the blond-haired man walked back to his seat, sitting down and opening a certain file on a certain individual
[Name: Adamian Anatolyevich Andreev
Date of Birth: 19/11/1998
[Parents:
Anatoly Sergeyevich Andreev, D-rank logistic officer (Deceased)
Elena Viktorovna Andreeva, D-rank logistic officer (Deceased)
Cause of death: 2nd Honkai Eruption]
Honkai Adaptability: D+
Additional notes: Was in the same Orphanage as Bianka Ataegina, and had a good relationship with her. Was taught by Ragna Lothbrok. Could be considered 'smart' and 'mature' for his age.]
"....."
Otto closed his eyes as he finished reading this file
"...So this Asterios and that 'Adam' Bianka often talks about….They are the same person."
He wasn't dense. When it came to feelings, he was quite observant.
-Thus, only from her words, he could clearly see Bianka's special 'feelings' towards this boy
However….
He looked at the student attendant list, then at Adam's file
…They were different. Or, perhaps it was more correct to say, that he changed drastically?
Whatever the cause of this change, this 'male' would eventually fall under his control and have to follow his arrangements.
-No matter the cost, he will achieve his goal
But…Clearly, there was something wrong with this man.
And so, Otto will have to include him in his plan- with caution, and with various plans prepared beforehand
-Same as always, then. The end result won't change; only the process will
"...."
Otto turned his chair around, adjusting the screens around the control room to be transparent.
Now, after standing up once again, he has a clear look around the island- seeing what he had built with all his hard work over countless years
He has spent over 500 years molding Shickshal to what it is today- an organization that controls almost all major parts of the globe
Most Valkyries treat him as an idol, a savior, a messiah
People who know some of his secrets, however, treat him as a demon lord to be culled
However, nobody knows what his true goal is- nobody knows what his determination and preserves accumulated over 500 years amount to
Everything he has done, and will do…Whether it's good or evil, whether it's benevolent or malevolent
-They are all for a singular goal
And Otto has never forgotted this goal- nay, obsession
-The resurrection of his beloved
"What a pity…."
It would truly be a pity to use Bianka's 'childhood sweetheart' as a sacrifice….
But she would forgive him, right?
After all, this man could easily be the 'spark' that will make the strongest S-rank Valkyrie mature and develop even further, surpassing her previous limits
Besides...Her special 'feelings' can't even be considered love.
-Quite convenient. This boy bearing the strongest Valkyrie's definite love would be quite inconvenient for him
Otto took a sip of the red wine in the glass slowly:
"Heh...Love is really…"
With a leisurely tone, he continued
"-The most vicious curse in this world."
A self-deprecating smile emerged on his face as he slowly swirled the glass of wine in his hand
…
..
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A/N:
Writing Otto is very hard....I don't want his thoughts to be... 'basic', so to speak.
Though, how did I do?
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patreon.com / AncestorAdamFlores