Would Otto really let Kevin escape the Sea of Quanta?
Of course not.
Otto would absolutely, under no circumstances, allow Kevin to leave the Sea of Quanta!
However, according to his deal with Gray Serpent, World Serpent would not interfere with Schicksal, and Schicksal would not interfere with World Serpent.
Otto wouldn't be the first to break the deal, either.
But Anti-Entropy could interfere!
He could just whisper a little something in Old Yang's ear, subtly revealing the danger Kevin posed to humanity.
Otto knew that if Welt learned Kevin was planning to execute the Stigma Project, he would absolutely rush off gleefully to block the gate to the Sea of Quanta, sacrificing his life over and over again under Kevin's fists.
So, there was no need for Otto to dirty his own hands with this matter.
Besides, Welt was used to his sit-ups.
---o---
Otto fiddled with the communication terminal in his hand, sitting leisurely on a sofa.
He was currently located within Schicksal's Far East Branch.
He was no longer the clueless newcomer he had been when he first arrived in the Honkai world.
After leaving Raven's bar, which World Serpent used as a contact point, Otto had gotten in touch with his secretary, Amber.
Amber had been a little surprised. After receiving the news of Overseer Otto's death, she had gone to check the resurrection program at Schicksal HQ, only to find that the Overseer had not used it.
But Otto didn't explain how he had come back from the dead, and just as he expected, Amber didn't ask.
She was a secretary who knew her place.
It was no wonder she was the second-longest-serving woman by Otto's side.
Otto then instructed Amber to conceal the fact that he was still alive and to have someone pick him up and take him to the Far East Branch.
After arriving, Otto did not reveal his identity. Aside from the head of the Far East Branch, no one knew of his arrival.
Right now, Otto was resting in his room, looking at the terminal and reviewing the events that had transpired while he was away.
First, the Honkai Eruption in Nagazora City had still caused a significant number of casualties.
But compared to the original tragedy where only a handful of people survived, this was a much, much better outcome.
Next, Durandal and Rita had left Nagazora City with the Immortal Blades. Durandal went off to fight Honkai Beasts at other branches, while Rita took Bronya back to Schicksal HQ for surgery.
Removing the bio-chip in Bronya's head and healing her legs required the headquarters' medical technology, which was far ahead of its time.
Then there was the news that Mei had finally reunited with her father. But for some reason, Raiden Ryoma had thrown a fit and was now refusing to leave the prison.
According to Fu Hua's report, it seemed that if Mei wouldn't leave Schicksal with him, he wouldn't leave the prison.
Faced with her father's demand, Mei, the ever-so-filial daughter, replied that she would visit him often.
Raiden Ryoma had apparently almost fainted on the spot.
Seeing this, a smile touched the corner of Otto's mouth.
His death had not been in vain.
As for Kiana, she was with Theresa. There were no reports on her current situation, but Otto figured Theresa wouldn't treat her poorly, so he wasn't too concerned.
However, Otto suddenly remembered that he had Himeko's private contact information. He could ask her privately about Kiana's recent condition.
Should I make Aunt Himeko the Herrscher of Flame?
Otto pondered this. Himeko's body was already falling apart due to the artificial stigmata project. Becoming a Herrscher could save her life.
But, if he were to have a conflict with Theresa, Himeko would undoubtedly side with Theresa.
After some consideration, Otto shook his head. There was no rush to create the Herrscher of Flame. One must eat rice one mouthful at a time, and walk the road one step at a time.
However, Otto's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had casually opened Himeko's social media feed.
Although it was a "private" contact, it was really just Schicksal's internal communication software, which happened to have a "Moments" feature.
Otto browsed through Himeko's feed for a bit. It was mostly just her sharing trivial things from her daily life and complaining about which student was being disobedient.
As he casually scrolled down, Otto's eyebrows suddenly shot up.
He had spotted something interesting.
It was a photo of Himeko and Theresa together.
Judging by the location, it must have been at the beach, as both were wearing swimsuits.
Otto directly ignored Theresa, who took up a third of the photo.
After all, Otto had no interest in a school swimsuit, especially one that had "Theresa Apocalypse" written on it.
Where did this primary school student come from?!
Hey! Theresa, don't forget you're over forty years old!
Otto's gaze went directly to Himeko, who had an arm around Theresa's shoulder and was flashing a brilliant smile.
Unlike Theresa's conservative swimsuit, Himeko wore a black one that did little to hide her devilishly alluring figure.
Otto raised an eyebrow, casually tapped the 👍 button, saved the photo, and then skillfully uploaded it to the Schicksal database.
Still, it would be nice to take Kiana and Mei to the beach. Having the two of them with me would be wonderful.
With a soft chuckle, Otto felt that day wouldn't be too far off.
Lying on the beach with a girl in each arm would surely be a divine experience.
After tapping out a few messages to a certain Shenzhou Flatboard, Otto casually tossed the terminal onto a nearby table.
Then he closed his eyes. He hadn't had a proper rest these past few days.
Silence descended upon the room. Otto drifted into a deep sleep. The head of the Far East Branch wasn't a well-connected freeloader like Theresa; she wouldn't dare disturb the Overseer's rest, so Otto was able to sleep soundly.
---o---
Time passed. After an unknown while, Otto's eyebrows twitched slightly. He seemed to have sensed something.
Otto opened his eyes and looked toward the door.
He felt someone's approach.
A knock sounded at the door. Otto didn't get up, simply saying in a calm voice, "Come in."
As his words fell, the door opened. The ordinary-looking A-rank Valkyrie, Fu Hua, stood in the doorway with her large belly.
Fu Hua looked at Otto. So he really didn't die. She had seen how Mei had grieved for this bastard of a man these past few days. However, she had been ordered by Otto to keep silent and had not told Mei the truth.
"Yo, my old friend. You've brought me what I asked for," Otto said, his gaze falling on Fu Hua's bulging stomach. This Celestial really was a simple-minded person who didn't know how to adapt.
But then again, a Celestial like that was the easiest to control.
"Mn," Fu Hua responded coolly, not bothering with pleasantries. She closed the door and took off the pouch she had been wearing under her clothes.
Fu Hua handed the pouch to Otto.
She was just an errand girl he had summoned to deliver this item.
Taking the pouch, Otto opened it and took out a large box—a special container designed to seal in Honkai energy.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving," Fu Hua said coldly.
Otto let out a soft chuckle.
"Don't be in such a hurry, my old friend."
Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea for Fu Hua to stay here.
After all, with Fenghuang Down, Fu Hua should be immune to the Herrscher of Corruption. Having her by his side might be useful for handling any unexpected situations.
"Aren't you curious about what's inside this?"
"Perhaps..."
"It's an old acquaintance of yours."