Otto's fighting style reminded Rita of one person: Noldrei.
He wasn't maintaining a human form while fighting Sirin, nor was he using conventional combat methods. Instead, he was leveraging the unique properties of Soulium to create his own distinct style of battle.
Sirin, with only the Core of the Void, was being utterly dominated.
The more she fought, the more frustrated she became. And the more frustrated she became, the more she wanted to fight.
Her nemesis was right in front of her, yet she couldn't even lay a finger on him.
With the liquid Soulium scattered everywhere, Sirin couldn't even pinpoint Otto's location. She hadn't yet learned to perceive the world beyond her five senses; she was simply swinging the sledgehammer that was her Herrscher Core with the senses of a normal human.
Although Sirin had learned a great deal, it was all basic knowledge, like someone who skipped elementary school and was now getting remedial tutoring.
Misteln approached Rita and led her away from the battlefield.
Sirin's gaze swept the area, but she couldn't find Otto at all. Even using her ability to lock down space-time, she couldn't pinpoint his exact location. Like a slippery eel, Otto wasn't just moving through space; he was weaving through the seams between the Imaginary and real worlds.
How does he have that kind of power?
The young girl had probably never bothered to research her enemies. Her one-track mind usually meant she just charged in headfirst. Whether she could actually win was a problem for later. She had no idea how many trump cards Otto held.
Right now, Sirin was feeling the thick, viscous nature of this battle.
She didn't know what abilities her opponent was using, or even what kind of weapon he wielded.
This is bad...
Rita knew this couldn't go on. If it did, Sirin would most likely be killed by Otto.
"Lady Misteln, aren't you here to stop this fight?" she asked Misteln anxiously.
To her surprise, Misteln immediately shook her head. "I'm here to protect you, not them."
"Huh? What?" Rita was stunned for a moment, surprised that she was considered so important.
What? He doesn't think the Schicksal Overseer is important, nor the Herrscher, but I, a retired maid, get a personal bodyguard?
Rita's head was spinning. She couldn't figure it out at all.
Could it be... that the Director is abusing his power for personal reasons?
Rita quickly dismissed the thought. She didn't believe Noldrei was that kind of person. That left only one possibility: Noldrei had anticipated that a conflict would erupt, that she wouldn't be able to protect herself, and yet, she had to be present.
"But, if we just let them keep fighting..."
Rita's fears soon became a reality. More and more Honkai Beasts began to appear in the area.
As the surrounding Honkai concentration rose, the Honkai Beasts multiplied. Sirin was once again resorting to her old tactic of swarming her enemy.
"Lady Misteln, it looks like we'll have to start clearing out these Honkai Beasts."
"No need." Misteln's response was much simpler. She looked up at the two figures clashing in the sky and said calmly, "Someone will take care of this rampant Honkai Energy."
"Hmm?"
Rita prided herself on being able to maintain her composure thanks to her extensive experience. She followed Misteln's gaze and looked up at the sky.
Unfortunately, Rita couldn't see anything.
The sky was too vast for her to spot the SELENE Engine that Dr. Tesla had deployed.
"Does the Council have a plan?"
"Don't worry. Academy City has set the stage for them. This place was always meant for them to resolve their conflicts. The Kengan Association in Academy City is too small to handle this."
Misteln's explanation did little to reassure Rita; in fact, it made her more frightened.
So they just cordon off a section of another country's territory to resolve a conflict? Rita was only now beginning to grasp the sheer audacity of the man from the future. Even Schicksal had to use the excuse of dealing with the Honkai to exercise military power on foreign soil.
But Noldrei couldn't even be bothered to give them a heads-up.
"Sirin's combat skills are too poor..." Misteln closed her eyes, unable to bear watching Sirin get pummeled any longer.
"Overseer Otto was the one who taught us Valkyries how to fight. The strongest Valkyrie, Durandal, was his student. Not to mention... Overseer Otto has lived for so long. Even we Valkyries don't have his kind of skills. He must be hiding more trump cards."
"In comparison, Sirin's fighting style has been completely figured out. She has absolutely no chance of winning."
Rita truly had no faith in Sirin's chances. But Sirin's spirit had been thoroughly provoked by Otto; she wouldn't listen to a mere Valkyrie like her.
Besides, Sirin's assault was in full swing, leaving Rita no opportunity to intervene.
Rita couldn't hold back any longer.
"Sirin! Conserve your strength! Don't let him bait you into wasting your stamina!"
Rita sighed, unsure if Sirin had even heard her shout.
Misteln looked at her in astonishment, surprised that Rita would suddenly offer combat advice to Sirin. "But... didn't he just say that the Valkyrie Ragna died at Sirin's hands? Why are you still helping her?" she asked curiously.
A conflicted expression appeared on Rita's face. To be honest, she hadn't been able to accept that fact just yet. But right now, Rita had to side against the Honkai.
And Otto's current actions were clearly not aimed at fighting the Honkai.
"I know," she said, "but there's no reason to push away a Herrscher who was originally on humanity's side, is there? Besides, Sirin doesn't seem like that kind of person... Maybe it's because I met her later on. Perhaps she wasn't as easy to get along with before? Or maybe it's because the Director is keeping her in check."
"Regardless, as long as it's an action that can weaken the power of the Honkai, I will choose to do it."
"And maybe... just maybe there's a little bit of sympathy for her?"
"If something like this happened to me, I could only accept it."
Misteln seemed to understand Rita's feelings a little better. Perhaps, like Alexandra, Rita also had a sanctuary of life in her heart.
Sirin had no time to ponder Rita's motives.
She was starting to lose her composure in the battle with Otto, but after Rita's reminder, she had no choice but to calm down and observe Otto's attacks.
My Imaginary attacks are being completely dodged. How is he doing that?
The completely invisible power of the Imaginary Space seemed as plain as day to Otto. He could detect any Imaginary power, any shift in space-time, in advance.
It's as if he's detecting it before it even happens. What's going on?
Sirin had considered many scenarios, but she had never imagined that her powers would be completely nullified.