"Do you remember this? Mm, this is the bath. Hot water on the left, cold on the right…"
After Amber brought clothes for Cecilia, Otto led her to the nearest residence he kept.
Naturally, the first thing was to let her wash up. The nutrient fluid was replaced regularly, but a bath always relaxed both body and mind, making it easier to feel at ease.
And easier, in their little two-person world, to open one's heart.
"This is body wash… mm… I'll prepare new clothes for you…"
Seeing Cecilia nod blankly, Otto stepped back, ready to leave. But she quickly grabbed his sleeve, her expression lost and uncertain.
"Brother…" Are you leaving?
"I…"
Seeing the longing in her eyes, the dependence in every small movement, Otto almost broke character.
Of course he understood what she meant, but—
That contrast of a mature figure with a childlike demeanor… completely unfair, alright?!
Who could refuse a beautiful woman looking at you like you're her entire world, inviting you to bathe together?
Apparently, he could.
Otto's gaze quickly returned to calm composure.
If he crossed that line, once Cecilia's memories returned, it would be hard to explain. She might understand, she might still obey—but she might also feel embarrassed and withdraw.
Otto understood people well enough now, but he had no desire to gamble on something like that.
"Women shouldn't bathe with men," he said, gently stroking her silver hair, "unless they're very close."
Cecilia lowered her head, slowly letting go of his sleeve, looking a little dejected.
"I've already shown you the steps. Don't worry—I'll be in the living room. I won't leave."
Like coaxing a child, Otto guided her back to the bath, then turned and closed the door despite her reluctant gaze.
Cecilia pressed her lips together, picking up the towel and recalling his words.
"Very close…?"
…
"I knew I'd find you here."
Back in the living room, Otto saw—unsurprisingly—Void Archives in Cecilia's form.
She lounged on the sofa with a smug expression.
"You were in your late teens or early twenties before, right?"
Without waiting for a reply, she continued her analysis.
"At that age, a boy feels both the melancholy of leaving home and the anxiety of forming a new one. First love awakens while nostalgia for family lingers, so he naturally becomes drawn to girls who evoke a sense of belonging."
"And Cecilia Schariac possesses the gentleness and maternal warmth that age finds irresistible, plus a sacred aura that sparks a man's desire to conquer. So of course she'd be the first one you'd summon to your side—even as a clone. Am I right?"
Yeah, sure, whatever you say.
Otto remained expressionless, but inwardly relaxed.
It seemed the book truly was remarkable.
It said only he and Amber would know—and even Void Archives had been fooled.
"Well, it's partly my fault," she laughed. "After all, I used Cecilia in the end. You're adorable, you know that?"
Thanks. The backstory you made up for me is adorable too.
Figuring it was time to respond, Otto lifted his head, putting on a cold, irritated look.
"If you're done talking, leave. I still need her."
"Need her? Need a Cecilia-version Amber to replace the real one as your secretary?"
Void Archives laughed.
"If you ask me, I should just kill that Amber, impersonate her, and help you deceive everyone—"
"I refuse," Otto cut in without hesitation. "I love saying no to people who think they're clever."
If he could truly control Void Archives, he might consider putting Amber into stasis and letting her impersonate her.
But he couldn't.
So he wasn't about to bet everything on her.
And remembering the stunt she pulled in the Post-Honkai Odyssey timeline—bringing in aliens to deal with the sealed Honkai on the Moon—Otto felt relying on himself was safer.
"Hmph," Void Archives sneered. "You really don't trust me."
Why does that sound a little bitter…
"You're overthinking," Otto denied immediately. "Our interests align. Of course I trust you. Our alliance will last."
"Then you'd rather let a clone protect you than take my advice?"
"Your advice is crude. And… too cruel."
"Hearing the word 'cruel' from Otto is a novel experience," she grinned.
"He is him. I am me." Otto's expression hardened with conviction.
"Wow. So not only lustful, but also a fool who thinks he's important."
She said it softly—just loud enough for him to catch.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. Just that you're simple and cute," Void Archives replied, her tone dripping with disdain. "So, what's your plan?"
"Why should I tell you?!" Otto snapped, sounding genuinely annoyed.
Her gaze grew even more contemptuous. She glanced toward the bath, narrowed her eyes, then smiled.
"I see… I see…"
She rose and stepped closer.
"Clone Cecilia Schariac, Siegfried Kaslana, Theresa Apocalypse—right?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Otto stepped back, answering calmly.
"It's a good plan," she said, pacing the room. "What do they call it in Shenzhou? Ah—'holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords.' Even if they sense something's off, they'll still protect you for Cecilia's sake."
"With two S-rank fighters and the destructive Judgment of Shamash, in a Schicksal that currently has only one S-rank, you really could move freely."
She stopped, admiration in her voice.
"To come up with such a self-protection strategy so quickly—you've got a bit of Otto's flair, my friend."
"I didn't think of it that way," Otto said, his face "pale," still "denying."
"Believe whatever you want," she shrugged. "But you overlooked one thing—we're allies."
"My dear boy in his teens and twenties… aren't you being a bit exclusionary?"
She gave him a cryptic smile and vanished.
"Tch."
Otto's expression changed instantly. Rolling his eyes, he sat down by the sofa, entirely unbothered by her theatrics.
Just trying to dampen the mood, huh?
Enjoy showing off while I'm still growing, Void Archives.
So far, everything was proceeding smoothly, the plot unfolding as planned.
And every move you make… hah.
Otto picked up the pocket watch on the table and slowly closed it in his palm.