Kiana, I Will Always Be By Your Side
At St. Freya Academy—
Shipping Elias with Mei and the others had always been a favorite pastime among the young Valkyries.
Whether it was Elias × Mei, Elias × Bronya, Elias × Theresa, or Elias × Fu Hua, there were plenty of Valkyries passionately supporting their preferred pairings.
But among these, the Elias × Kiana ship—just as popular—had one particularly fervent
"Tsk! Why hasn't the affection score gone up today?!"
"Does this paramecium even know how to fall in love? Kiss him already!"
"Yes yes, finally! A hug at last!"
"What the hell was Siegfried teaching her?!"
"So frustrating... don't tell me K423 is really just being raised as a pet by Elias? Eh, well, that's fine too—as long as the feelings are real."
One of Schicksal's super satellites had been constantly aimed at St. Freya Academy.
Not for surveillance.
But solely so Otto could observe whether Elias and Kiana had progressed their relationship.
Although his goal was ultimately to revive Kallen—to ensure that Kiana, after her Herrscher of the Void transformation, would have someone capable of anchoring her back to humanity—
Still...
Otto: "Emmm... it's kind of addictive."
Just a little bit.
So little it almost felt like a delusion.
But watching the bond grow between Elias and Kiana, this wayward Overseer couldn't help but feel a tinge of satisfaction and joy.
Even his soulium face occasionally glitched and formed what could only be described as an auntie-like smile.
In fact, Otto had been so absorbed in shipping them that he hadn't logged into Kallen Fantasia in three days!
Otto: "Long live the Elias × Kiana ship~"
And when Elias and Kiana went out together today—Otto, displeased that the affection meter had stagnated for some time—
"No! I can't take it anymore! Amber! Ready my soulium body... pick the cutest, most harmless, most disarming form possible!"
He decided to intervene personally as their wingman!
By using programmable soulium, he transformed himself into a loli under ten years old, and through a shady behind-the-scenes deal with the hot pot restaurant owner, managed to win the fourth prize—specifically the prize Kiana would target.
Hot pot owner: (Hehehe... little loli, such a cute little loli~ ehehe~)
In the end, after giving the prize to Kiana and delivering a verbal assist, Otto also got to enjoy a front-row, real-life bowl of Elias × Kiana dog food.
Otto: "A true CP shipper doesn't just watch. They create opportunities for their
Amber: "Lord Overseer, are you... enjoying this?"
By the way, Otto had played the little girl, while Amber took on the role of the father.
The strongest secretary in Schicksal now shed her heavy disguise and reverted from a kindly old father into her true form: a curvaceous semi-cybernetic secretary.
Otto: "Enjoying? Heh. Of course I am. K423's feelings for Elias grow stronger by the day. I believe it's almost enough to complete my plan."
Amber: "Lord Overseer, what I meant was..."
Otto: "No need to say it, Amber. I understand. I admit, their day-to-day interactions really are sweet and heartwarming—like a delicate, fruity wine. But..."
My goal will never change.
My vow will be fulfilled—no matter what!
For that one beautiful thing that remained in his heart—the one he had lost five hundred years ago.
If there was even a chance to retrieve it—
Then Otto Apocalypse would not hesitate to destroy someone else's happiness.
Even if the price was himself, he would not waver.
"My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror. All I do is for Kallen's resurrection. Ah~ Kallen!"
"..."
Watching her deranged Overseer, Amber once again questioned whether she should consider switching jobs.
Seriously, this man was something else.
Not only did he switch to a little girl's body, but he performed the role flawlessly!
And while the sweet loli voice came from the soulium body's built-in modulator, the way he kept calling people Big Brother and Big Sister so naturally made even a semi-cybernetic being like Amber break out in goosebumps.
Pervert. Absolutely perverse.
As expected of Lord Otto, doing things no one else could. She never imagined he wasn't just into crossdressing—but also had a habit of becoming a loli.
"...Since you've said their affection levels have reached the target, shall we proceed to the next phase of the plan, Lord Overseer? Should we act now?"
"No, no, no~ It's still too early. We haven't reached the stage where everything is foolproof yet."
Loli Otto sat on the rooftop, kicking his tiny legs, still watching Elias and Kiana walking back hand-in-hand to St. Freya Academy.
"Even if the timing is a bit early, not in line with the original schedule... awaken Li Sushang from cryostasis. We need someone of her combat level now."
Otto glanced at Elias' retreating figure with apprehension.
In this short span, St. Freya's power had grown beyond his expectations: Elias, Raiden Mei, Fu Hua, Rita, Theresa—too many high-tier fighters.
Though Durandal was an SSSR he'd drawn after five hundred years, arguably the strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal's history—
Even she couldn't take on all of them alone.
So he had no choice.
Originally meant to awaken at the final stage of his plan, Li Sushang now had to be brought back early.
But even that wasn't enough!
There was still a significant gap in top-tier combat power!
Otto: "Using a huge number of Valkyries and strategic-level weapons to compensate for quality with quantity is viable... but it can't guarantee success. I may have to use that unexpected trump card after all."
In truth, Otto had already devised many ways to push Kiana toward Herrscher transformation.
Most of them didn't even involve force.
But when it came to the Herrscher of the Void—a key element in resurrecting Kallen—Otto had to ensure perfection in every aspect.
Especially with that white-haired boy—who always managed to pull off miracles and in whom Otto had placed significant expectations.
He was also Otto's most feared opponent.
After all, no one in centuries had ever given Otto such a hard time.
Looking at Elias' current intel:
Key of Blankness, Herrscher Core of Fire, Herrscher Core of Reason, Godslayer: Surtr, Judgment of Shamash, unknown Stigmata, quantum authority...
That alone was already more than enough to make Otto cautious.
But he couldn't help raising Elias' strength level another 30–40% in his estimates. His instincts told him this white-haired boy was hiding something.
...Meanwhile...
Elias and Kiana returned to St. Freya.
Thanks to Elias' guidance, the paramecium had completely let go of her inner shackles.
"Hehe, it's really good having you around, Elias."
"Of course. But you don't just have me."
He gently patted Kiana's head.
"There are more people who love you in this world than you realize. For example... Kiana, look at this wall."
"Hm? What about it?"
Hearing him, Kiana looked curiously at the academy's perimeter wall. She often climbed over it to sneak out and play, so she knew it well.
"Because you always climbed over it, Theresa got a headache. She raised it three times. Though you still managed to get over it."
"So that's why it kept getting harder!"
Kiana suddenly understood. No wonder it had been more difficult every time. Elias smiled gently and continued.
"But she stopped raising it afterward."
"W-Why?"
"Because she was afraid you'd hurt yourself."
"...Aunt Teri."
Kiana froze, and when she looked at the wall again, her eyes were filled with emotion. She instinctively reached out and touched it, not knowing what to say.
Elias watched her tenderly, saying no more.
He just wanted Kiana to know—
Even with her tragic past and the heavy fate she'd carried since birth, there were still many people around her who cared for her, who loved her.
"You're not alone anymore, Kiana. And you never will be again. I, and everyone here at the academy, will always be by your side."
"Mm!"
Kiana nodded vigorously. Crystalline tears overflowed uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes.
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