The Real Kiana

"Overseer, do you have a new mission?"

As the door swung gently open, Durandal, clad in her military uniform, entered the office. Her expression was impeccable, though fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Judging by the strands of hair slightly stuck to her temples, she had clearly rushed here from the training grounds immediately after receiving Otto's notification.

Due to Otto having been attacked by the Herrscher of Sentience at Schicksal HQ previously, Durandal's main activity recently had been standing guard at headquarters. For an S-rank Valkyrie, this was practically a paid vacation.

However, even without substantial tasks, Durandal still rigorously completed her daily training regimen.

Seeing her appearance, Otto paused for a moment, then said half-jokingly, "Bianka, you could really afford to relax a bit more."

"Overseer, I must respectfully decline. 'Skill is honed by diligence, lost through idleness.' That's what you taught me."

The girl's earnest reply left Otto unsure whether to laugh or cry. He could only smile and explain, "While I did say that, didn't I also say training isn't achieved overnight, and balancing work and rest is equally important? At your age, it wouldn't hurt to pursue some hobbies."

"My hobbies? Does training count?"

"Besides training?"

Durandal thought seriously but found nothing else she particularly wanted to do. Her days consisted of training and more training. Only during her time off did she occasionally read detective novels.

Speaking of novels, the last time she read one was back at the Vimur Lab with Ren. Unfortunately, since parting ways in Nagazora City, she had never finished the second half of that book.

She shook her head slightly, and Otto wore an expression that said, "I knew it."

"It's my fault for being too strict with your upbringing," Otto sighed, a hint of guilt in his tone. "Otherwise, girls your age are usually most active emotionally and with their hobbies, yet you spend all day training."

"Overseer, there's no need for that. Training is my own choice. If you require it, I can try cultivating other interests."

Sensing Otto was acting a bit strangely today, Durandal decided to steer the conversation back on track. "By the way, did you summon me this time because you have a mission for me to execute?"

"Indeed, there are some things I need you to do," Otto nodded, then changed tack. "But before you go, I have a question for you."

"?"

"Bianka, what do you think of Ren?"

"Uh, why ask that all of a sudden?"

"Just curious. It's fine if you don't want to answer."

It wasn't that Durandal didn't want to answer; the name just suddenly stirred some memories—like his stubbornness yet rationality at the Vimur Lab, or the brilliance reflected in his eyes when he gave her the bracelet in Nagazora City.

Thinking carefully, though, his eyes had always been filled with the image of that girl named Kiana.

She nodded slightly. "He's a decent young man."

"'Decent,' hm?" Otto pondered the answer. He knew Durandal well enough to understand that coming from her, "decent" was quite high praise. And the answer fit his expectations.

However...

"Never mind. Let's talk about the mission." After a moment's thought, Otto decided against voicing the plan forming in his mind. He cleared his throat, resuming his usual calm demeanor.

"Recently, disasters of varying degrees have erupted worldwide. The source of the Honkai element seems to be a suspected Herrscher known as the Herrscher of Dominance. I need you to investigate and suppress it. Rita will compile the specific details and send them to you later."

"Additionally, when you go to suppress the Honkai locally, remember to notify the local government. Tell them directly this is a Schicksal military operation."

"But regulations state that Valkyries cannot interfere in the internal affairs of other nations."

Otto scoffed. "Trust me, they'll be too busy panicking to object right now."

Though she didn't fully understand, carrying out missions was a Valkyrie's duty. Receiving her orders, Durandal turned unhesitatingly towards the door.

But before she left, Otto stopped her.

"Oh, right. While you're out, find Li Sushang. Tell her she still owes me a life, and in exchange, she needs to do something for me. I'll inform her of the specifics later. If she refuses... tell her Ren is still alive."

---||---

With Durandal's departure, Otto was left alone in the office. He stretched lazily, preparing to issue his next command, when a golden figure slowly materialized beside him.

"You were thinking of telling her her real identity just now, weren't you?"

"You're being rather nosy, Void Archives," Otto glanced impatiently at the figure identical to himself.

"Let me guess," Void Archives continued, "you planned to use the 'real Kiana' identity as a bargaining chip in a deal with that Ren fellow? Or perhaps even arrange a marriage, using Bianka to tie him down?"

"It seems you've recovered quite well, even learning to spout such nonsense."

"Don't be like that, old friend," Void Archives retorted. "I practically died for you back on Coral Island. What's wrong with a little guessing? Besides, you're so much smarter than my previous hosts; imitating and learning from you is my purpose."

"Alright, that's enough," Otto cut him off. "While I did consider it, that bargaining chip clearly isn't what he wants. The wrong leverage isn't leverage; it's just provocation."

As kindred spirits in obsession, Otto naturally understood that Ren cared only for the Kiana—the one he knew. But as a master strategist holding the piece labeled 'Durandal is the real Kiana,' the temptation to explore new gambits was unavoidable.

However, it was evident that neither Ren nor Durandal would likely accept such an outcome.

"Since that move is off the table, what's your next play?"

Otto didn't answer, silently dialing Rita's communication line instead.

"What's the status of the investigation?"

"Based on the Honkai Energy concentration at the scenes," Rita reported, "it does match Herrscher levels. However, compared to recorded Herrschers, these puppets are remarkably weak. Furthermore, after their rampages, there are signs of other combat. It seems someone is specifically dealing with these uncontrolled puppets."

"Just as I thought," Otto confirmed his suspicion. "These chaos-causing Herrscher puppets are merely disposable pawns he released."

"The investigation ends here," Otto continued. "Next, contact all media outlets under Schicksal's banner. The official report should state: 'Schicksal conducted a 20-day operation to sweep away crime and evil, eliminating hundreds of thousands of underground organizations worldwide.' Let them fabricate the details as they see fit."

"Your intention is for Schicksal to directly claim the Herrscher of Dominance's 'credit'? But as far as I know, there's still a forum called The Obsidian Concord circulating online... Many people likely won't believe it."

"Whether the public believes it is irrelevant," Otto stated flatly. "Your goal is to make the local governments and organizations willingly accept this narrative. If any refuse to believe, deal with them directly. As for attributing the credit, assign it to the Snow Lotus Squad from that previous operation."

Although the internet was highly developed in this era, not everyone had time to surf the web. Most people still relied on news programs for current events. By controlling the media, Schicksal controlled the ability to twist black into white. They had clearly used similar methods to erase the truth of Kiana's actions in saving Coral Island.

"Whether it's armed forces or reputation," Otto mused aloud, "only by making Schicksal's influence greater can the value of my bargaining chips on the table increase."