This man was vile beyond measure.
Just as he had been decades ago.
This was the vile man who had caused Joyce's death.
Einstein watched Otto with cold eyes. Unlike Tesla, her emotions were not so easily read on her face.
"Is it because of that sword?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the Jizo Mitama in his hand.
Einstein had expected Cocolia to become hysterical after Otto's torment, to curse him out, or to feign composure. But Cocolia had said nothing at all.
Evidently, Otto had seized control of her body once more.
She couldn't speak, couldn't even avert her eyes, forced to remain motionless and savor the despair Otto had just inflicted upon her. A despair that far surpassed the humiliation of having words carved into her face.
However, Einstein, who had been observing the whole time, deduced that the tool Otto was using to control them must be the tachi in his hand. And its power was somewhat similar to the 'corrosion' documented in the Previous Era.
"How clever, Dr. Einstein," Otto praised her. She had pinpointed the source of the problem at a glance.
The cold blade tilted her chin up. Looking at Einstein's doll-like face, Otto felt a flicker of curiosity. What kind of expression would she make if he were to kiss her right now?
But he had no intention of doing so.
Theresa was still here. How could he let her watch such a stimulating scene?
"Was this place a trap you prepared for us?" Einstein asked, a hint of confusion in her voice. If it were Tesla here, she would surely be cursing Otto's entire lineage, but Einstein was far calmer.
So calm that she could speak evenly with the man who had killed Joyce.
She truly didn't understand why Otto was here. It shouldn't be possible. Welt was also undercover at St. Freya Academy; if Otto were present, he would surely have been discovered.
"No, no."
Otto waved his hand dismissively.
"I swear on the name of Saint Kallen Kaslana, I was just here by chance on other business. But as it turns out, my luck is quite good."
Otto said with a smile. He had indeed only come to St. Freya to take Kiana with him, only to run into this delightful surprise delivered right to his doorstep.
Heh, Kiana really is my goddess of fortune.
He would have to dote on her properly. Who knows what good things might come of it afterward?
"Then it seems we were the unlucky ones," Einstein stated flatly. Even if their attempt to persuade Theresa had failed, they had methods of escape. But Otto had taken control of their bodies from the start, interrupting their recall and making quantum teleportation impossible.
"Heh."
Otto chuckled softly. He raised his hands and clapped.
At the sound, Einstein found she could move again. She stared coldly at Otto.
"Open this door. I'm also quite curious to see what you wanted to show my dear Theresa. I hope it's nothing R-rated; my Theresa is still young," Otto said with a grin.
But now that Einstein could move, she made no further attempt to escape. Instead, she closed the small computer she had been holding.
"Since Mr. Otto has said as much, there is no longer any need for me to open it."
Einstein was calm. The fact that Otto was telling her to open the door meant that he had already disposed of anything inside that could be used against him.
"So, we were the clowns all along."
Since the evidence inside had long been removed, her mission to persuade Theresa was doomed to fail even if Otto hadn't been here. Without proof, it would be difficult to plant the seeds of rebellion in Theresa's heart.
"Heh."
Clap, clap.
Otto clapped his hands, and the great doors of the underground chapel swung open. Staring at the empty experimental pods inside, Einstein sighed.
She had been thoroughly defeated.
Perhaps the only person who could defeat Otto was Joyce. And though Joyce was long dead, Welt had inherited his will.
But...
It seems my time is up.
Einstein knew that Otto wouldn't stop at brainwashing Cocolia. She would suffer the same fate. As for making a deal... that was impossible.
With herself, Cocolia, and Raiden Ryoma in his hands, there was only one thing Otto would do next.
And that was to devour Anti-Entropy.
At the very least, I must find a way to get a message out. To warn Welt to be wary of that sword.
If that tachi was truly related to the Previous Era's Herrscher of Corruption, then Anti-Entropy would be completely defenseless against its power.
"Well now, you seem a little tense. Am I really that scary?"
A hand rested on Einstein's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Your joints are all stiff. Haven't you been resting well?" Otto asked with a smile.
But his seemingly intimate gesture felt to Einstein as if she were being entwined by a centipede. If it were Tesla, she would surely be breaking out in goosebumps; she absolutely despised Otto, after all.
Even at a time like this, Einstein found herself thinking of such trivial things.
A carefree smile touched her lips.
"Is there a bed available next to Raiden Ryoma's cell?" she asked faintly.
"Of course. If he's willing, you can stay in the cell next to his."
"But!"
Otto's hand shot out and grabbed Einstein's left arm, instantly corroding and controlling it. Tucked between Einstein's fingers was a device no larger than a fingernail.
"A little naughty, aren't we?"
Otto pinched the tiny device between his fingers.
"Sending a message to Anti-Entropy, are we?"
"To be able to do something like this at a time like this... you are not to be underestimated, Dr. Einstein."
Einstein let out a breath of relief. She had transmitted the single word 'corrosion' to Anti-Entropy's headquarters. It was the last piece of information she could send before her capture. Welt and the others would surely take it seriously. Then, when faced with this bizarre power, Anti-Entropy would be able to prepare.
But seeing her look of relief, Otto simply smiled.
"Dr. Einstein, did you think for a moment that I was so angry I was going to crush this thing?"
Otto held up the tiny device for her to see.
"Let me guess... you transmitted the word 'corrosion' to Anti-Entropy, didn't you?"
A terrible feeling rose in Einstein's heart.
"Dr. Einstein... no, I'll just call you Ein."
"After all, we'll be getting to know each other much better for a long time to come."
Otto crushed the device between his fingertips.
"When, exactly, did you get the mistaken impression that I wasn't using the power of corrosion?"
Einstein froze.
Otto lowered his head and whispered in Einstein's ear.
"Thank you. I followed the signal you transmitted... and have found the locations of the others."
"I promise you, I will make sure the others are reunited with you and Raiden Ryoma."
"It will probably take less than a week. After all, I have a lot of free time right now..."
And it's a good chance for Kiana to get some experience.
You could even call it a kind of honeymoon.
Otto was speaking with a grin, but his words suddenly stopped. Theresa, who had been listening impatiently, finally spoke up.
"Grandpa, if there's nothing else here, I'm going to help my students."
But Otto just stood there. Even when Theresa called out to him, he didn't respond.
He raised his head, staring at the dark ceiling, his brow deeply furrowed.
"..."
"Joyce?"
The name that suddenly escaped Otto's lips made Einstein freeze. She couldn't understand why Otto would suddenly mention Joyce's name.
But her thoughts came to a halt as Otto's fist struck her in the chest.
Einstein's breath was knocked out of her, and she collapsed to the ground unconscious. Otto then did the same to Cocolia, delivering a punch to her chest and knocking her out as well.
He was getting better and better at hitting women.
"Theresa, you're in charge here," Otto then turned and commanded her.
Before Theresa could reply, Otto's figure vanished on the spot, gone without a trace.