Chapter 92: Otto Vera

Serenade pondered for a moment, then began spouting nonsense. However, it wasn't entirely incorrect - her current body was indeed the Valkyrie representing Kallen's Phantom Thief will.

"..."

"I think I understand now!"

After hearing Serenade's explanation, Otto gave a vague indication of comprehension. Meanwhile, Kallen stood to the side looking somewhat confused.

"Good. Now let's discuss something else." Seeing that Otto had understood, Serenade smiled. Talking with intelligent people was always easier.

Now came the main topic.

"What is it?"

Otto looked calmly at Serenade, showing no surprise at her words. He had already guessed that Kallen and Serenade hadn't come to see him merely to meet another version of Kallen.

"Otto, have you ever considered replacing your father... the current Archbishop?" Serenade gazed at Otto for a long moment before speaking.

"Oh? What do you mean? This isn't like you at all, Kallen! Right?" Otto narrowed his eyes, his response carrying an inscrutable tone as he glanced at Kallen.

"If I'm wrong, you must already have a plan in place, don't you?" Serenade countered with her own unanswer.

"Fascinating. Are you truly Kallen?"

How could Kallen possibly be this clever, having already guessed his preparations?

As Serenade had implied, Otto had long been ready. Unlike the original timeline where he only began his schemes after Kallen's death, this version of events saw him prepare when Kallen was first placed under arrest.

Yet even now, Otto... lacked the power to overthrow the Schicksal hierarchy. Especially the current Archbishop... his own father, who remained a cautious and formidable opponent.

"It seems there's no mistake. So, shall I help you accelerate this progress?" Serenade looked at Otto with Kallen's smile, uttering words that caught him off guard.

However, compared to Serenade's words, it was her smile that left Otto momentarily dazed.

Though Serenade's personality and behavior differed completely from Kallen's, their shared body meant their smiles were identical.

This made it all too easy to mistake Serenade for Kallen, even with the real Kallen sitting right beside her.

The Otto before them wasn't yet the future version. But... considering how he'd created numerous Kallen clones only to destroy them when necessary, it was clear Otto didn't merely covet Kallen's physical form.

He yearned for the person herself - her kindness, her acceptance of him, and everything that made her Kallen.

Yet... Serenade wasn't a clone. She was another version of Kallen.

"What do you plan to do? You should understand the nature of Schicksal's power, right?" Otto responded to Serenade's words with half-hearted skepticism. Though the Schicksal organization had grown corrupt, it remained one of the era's most formidable forces.

"You'll find out soon enough. All you need to do is take your father's place. However... before that, you must promise me three things."

Ideally, having someone else trustworthy control Schicksal would be preferable. But Serenade couldn't find a suitable candidate. Anyone else would require too great a sacrifice to gain control.

Schicksal's brainwashing capabilities were formidable. Installing a non-Apocalypse family member as Overseer would inevitably face opposition from all Schicksal operatives, not to mention the brainwashed civilians under their control.

This wasn't a matter of simply replacing a few managers. It was more complex than overthrowing a dynasty - the inherent trouble with religious organizations.

The Valkyries themselves demonstrated this clearly. These warriors would rather transform into mindless Honkai Beasts than refuse the slightest service to the corrupted Schicksal.

To overcome this, one would need to eliminate every single opponent within the Schicksal organization.

But what purpose would the organization serve then?

"What three things?"

"I'll keep that to myself for now. I'll tell you when everything's settled."

Serenade let out a dry laugh. Three things... One of them was Kallen's desire to break off the engagement.

This shouldn't be difficult. As long as Kallen remained firm, Otto would have no choice but to comply.

But...

Kallen sat beside Serenade, visibly frustrated.

She could only grasp fragments of their conversation. Most of what they said remained incomprehensible.

But isn't Serenade essentially me?

Why does she seem smarter than I am? This isn't normal!

When the conversation between Serenade and Otto finally wound down, Kallen took a sip of water, set down her cup, and turned to Otto.

"Otto, where's Vera? Is she doing well?"

"Vera is perfectly fine, Kallen. Would you like to see her? I'll have her brought here immediately," Otto responded promptly.

During the Schicksal's failed campaign to conquer Shenzhou, their forces had been halted at the Kipchak Steppe. While returning to Geneva, Kallen had rescued an orphan from the ruins.

Driven by equal parts guilt and compassion, Otto and Kallen had brought the girl back to Europe and named her Vera.

Both Otto and Kallen raised Vera as their own little sister.

In truth, many people liked Otto, with numerous girls harboring feelings for him. However, since his heart belonged solely to Kallen, their fates were inevitably doomed.

Take Ellie, for instance, whom Otto had rescued—she'd always harbored affection for him. Then there was Vera, who had worshipped Otto from childhood. Upon coming of age, she became the captain of his personal guard. Driven by her devotion and admiration, Vera even adopted his name as her own, becoming... Otto Vera.

Now that I think about it, Otto bears striking resemblance to Yang Guo from Yankee Doodle!

Ellie lived because of Otto, and died because of him. Vera remained devoted to him until her death, never forming any romantic ties.

Yet compared to Yang Guo, Otto was... how should I put it...

Though he'd rejected countless girls and caused heartbreak, at least Yang Guo's beloved reciprocated his feelings.

But the one Lord Otto loved never returned his affection.

Unrequited love.

"No need," Kallen shook her head slightly. "I'm not in a position to see her now. It's enough to know she's doing well."

Truth be told, Kallen did wish to reunite with Vera. But given her current status, it would be unwise to risk such contact.

"You're right..."

Indeed, Kallen's current circumstances made such a meeting inappropriate.