Flushing Out the Snake

Time rewinds. At this point, Lin Wei should still be living his carefree, salty fish life in Singapore.

Schicksal HQ • Floating Island.

"Overseer."

Amber gracefully entered Otto's lab, respectfully reporting to the diligently working Overseer,

"As per your instructions, B-Rank Valkyrie Lynn Maki has been transferred to HQ. What are your arrangements for her placement?"

"Mm, you've done well, Amber."

Otto, his eyes glued to the constantly fluctuating data on the wall screen, offered his praise in a seemingly casual tone. Though a minor matter, he didn't mind rewarding his subordinate with some verbal encouragement.

"Place her in the old Kolosten HQ. It's a quiet, peaceful place, free from unnecessary outside disturbances. After all, the Floating Island recently, heh…"

It had been a spur-of-the-moment idea – to have that Dr. Maki's granddaughter willingly climb onto his experimental platform. He wanted to see if that repulsive old man would remain stone-hearted, or if he would finally crumble and suffer.

"Such a naive child. It would be a shame if she were frightened by some 'accident' here, wouldn't it?"

Though a fleeting, whimsical thought, it didn't mean Otto intended to be careless. After all, not many Valkyries received his "personal guidance."

Though, their outcomes were generally… not good.

Otto silently offered his condolences to the valiant girls who had already been sacrificed, while his spoken words, in a tone neither regretful nor playful, drifted to unrelated matters.

"Understood."

Amber was never a good conversational partner, nor did she ever attempt to understand Otto's "humor." She simply treated every word as an instruction, executing them meticulously.

Otto was naturally aware of this. Or rather, this was precisely what he wanted – a useful tool, devoid of independent thought. Thus, he directly addressed other matters of concern,

"How is the task I assigned you progressing?"

Countless streams of information flowed through Amber's monocle. She opened her mouth slightly, reporting point by point.

"Anti-Entropy remains as usual, no significant anomalies detected for now. I'll have the intelligence department intensify their efforts."

Otto nodded noncommittally. Anti-Entropy couldn't cause much trouble, and he had further use for them later; so as long as they didn't cross any lines, he could magnanimously tolerate their minor actions.

He could settle the score with them all at once in the future…

"The testing of the Bright Knight: Excelsis battlesuit is progressing smoothly. Although Durandal has been traveling the globe and fighting continuously for months, its performance remains stable, far exceeding the Equipment Department's expectations."

"Heh, I suspect the primary factor should be attributed to Bianka herself, wouldn't you say?"

Otto chuckled, gesturing for Amber to continue.

"Rita has just completed her investigation of Italy and France, all suspected leads related to the Second Divine Key have been eliminated; she has now shifted her focus to the Iberian Peninsula to continue the investigation."

"Tsk…" Otto's mood soured.

"At least the search area has narrowed. That's progress too, isn't it?"

Without the Second Divine Key, his so-called "plan" was nothing but empty talk. Otto's desperation and impatience to obtain it bordered on madness, yet his outward demeanor remained calm and collected, as if he held all the wisdom in the world.

He gestured for Amber to continue with the next report.

"Regarding Miss Yuno…"

"Skip that. Next."

Trivial matters happening at HQ didn't require a special report.

"Understood."

Amber obediently turned the page, continuing with the next item,

"We recently submitted the Snow Lotus Squad's data to the local Coral Island government and the UN as investors, expressing our deep concern regarding the incident; the UN representative expressed condolences for the victims, the Coral Island government… expressed their welcome for Schicksal to join the investigation of the Coral Island incident, to prevent similar incidents from happening again."

"Oh? So straightforward? No, 'confident' would be a more appropriate term…"

Otto couldn't help but marvel at the official-sounding rhetoric.

"It seems, as expected, that loach has slipped away. Heh, how very nimble…"

Otto wasn't surprised or discouraged. Over the years, he'd gained a deep understanding of how adept that serpent was at hiding, so naturally, he wasn't disappointed.

"Agree to their request."

Otto sneered, then spoke in a tone of feigned compassion,

"Also, inform them that Schicksal will dispatch an elite Valkyrie squad to be stationed on Coral Island, to protect the people living there from the Honkai."

Otto wanted to see where that snake could hide once every potential hiding spot was under Schicksal's control.

"Understood."

Amber's report was complete, the new tasks recorded. With a slight bow, she prepared to leave.

"Tsk, minimal progress…"

Left alone in the lab, Otto couldn't help but mutter to himself in disappointment. His long-held ambition, all the preparations were 90% complete, even K-423 and the other necessary actors were in place.

The arrow was nocked and ready, yet he still lacked a crucial piece of the puzzle, forcing him and his entire plan to remain stalled – the Second Divine Key.

It was the foundation upon which everything was built; and the Herrscher of the Void would, upon this foundation, construct the most magnificent palace. Neither could be dispensed with.

Otherwise, he could have launched his plan back in 2014. Why delay it until now?

No matter how anxious, Otto could only helplessly accept reality.

Schicksal's global search had yielded no results; as time went on, besides dispatching his most capable agents, Otto increasingly leaned towards unearthing that serpent, who held countless secrets, and forcing the location of the Divine Key from them.

After all, he only wanted the result; the process was irrelevant.

"Human experiments, human experiments… heh."

Otto pondered for a moment, deciding to play another card, originally a minor piece, but now potentially useful.

After some brief calculations, deeming it worth a try, Otto called Amber back, asking,

"What is that child Bianka brought back doing now?"

Otto had a strong impression of that Yuno – as a Schicksal Valkyrie, she was actually wary of him, the Overseer, upon their first meeting?

Amber manipulated the system slightly, replying,

"Miss Yuno is currently at the Nagamitsu Labs."

"Oh? Is she visiting our 'Nagamitsu' Director for another checkup?" Otto's smile was odd.

"Didn't I tell her such matters should be handled at the Medical Center? Their medical technology is the most advanced in the world."

"No, Overseer. A few days ago, A-Rank Valkyrie Anna Schariac sent Miss Yuno a coral from the tropical seas from her station."

Amber replied,

"Miss Yuno has been trying to revive it these past few days."

"Oh, Anna…" Otto pondered.

"If I remember correctly, it was she who uncovered the secret hidden on Coral Island… Is she a friend of Anna's?"

"Yes, Overseer."

Amber replied,

"There's one more thing. A while ago, Miss Anna inquired through a private channel, hoping to invite Miss Yuno to visit her station. She's asking for HQ's approval."

"Oh? Why wasn't this…" Otto's question trailed off as he stopped himself.

"Never mind, continue."

He remembered now. He had interrupted Amber's report earlier, it wasn't her fault.

"Understood."

Unfazed, Amber calmly continued,

"Knowing you had other arrangements for her, Overseer, I haven't responded yet."

Then, she raised her head slightly, asking,

"Should I politely decline?"

"No, approve it."

Instantly realizing this was a perfect opportunity, Otto eagerly stepped out from among the complex instruments, a smile spreading across his face as he said to Amber,

"Also, prepare a suitable body for me."

Otto possessed hundreds of Soulium bodies, each model serving a different purpose. Most were usually dormant, activated, adjusted, and deployed only when needed.

"As you command, Overseer."

Amber understood, her expression unchanged as she retreated.

One day later…

"Are my preparations complete?"

Having just transferred his consciousness into a new body, Otto impatiently inquired of his belated secretary.

"Everything is ready, Overseer."

Amber respectfully presented two items – a syringe and a chip – explaining,

"This is Miss Yuno's genetic sample; and a compilation of data collected on her combat, daily life, and other behaviors over the past few months."

"Excellent."

Otto picked up the unassuming syringe, his green eyes studying it with amusement. He rolled up his sleeve, slowly injecting its contents into his wrist.

As the empty syringe clattered to the floor, Otto's perfectly intact body transformed into a pool of liquid metal, shimmering like mercury. It pulsed and shifted, reshaping itself according to the new genetic data, skin, hair, features, even clothing reforming, indistinguishable from a living person.

Only, standing in its place was a petite young woman. The tall, imposing figure of Overseer Otto seemed to have vanished.

"Heh, what an interesting experience."

"Yuno" opened her mouth slightly. Otto's characteristically affected tone, combined with the clear, melodic voice, was utterly dissonant and bizarre.

Amber stood silently by, unmoved. She didn't find Otto's transformation into a young woman strange, nor did she offer any judgment.

Otto picked up the chip, uploading the data it contained. He then used this information – gleaned from the life of the girl named Yuno through surveillance – including her gestures, speech patterns, combat style, and so on – integrating it to form a virtual personality system, a mask of deceptive realism.

"Ah, Miss Amber…"

"Yuno" seemed to notice Amber for the first time, taking a small step back, as if this distance offered a sense of security.

"…"

Amber also took a step back, a shiver running down her spine.

"Tsk, still not realistic enough, lacking a certain something. It seems further adjustments are needed…"

"Yuno's" body flowed and reshaped itself back into Otto's form, much to Amber's relief.

"Heh, I'll personally observe that child for the next few days."

At this point, Otto's expression turned unusually serious, making Amber flinch. He gave his orders in a solemn tone,

"Amber, I need you to attend to a few matters these next few days."

"First, disseminate Yuno's information, including her age, background, identity, and most importantly – her unique Honkai beast fusion constitution. Ensure those lurking in the shadows, observing Schicksal, all learn of this. But be subtle. Some will naturally be interested."

"Understood."

"Second, order the Oceania Branch, and all Valkyrie units stationed in Southeast Asia, to intensify their crackdown on organizations involved in human trafficking and smuggling within their jurisdictions, and thoroughly investigate any connections to the organization behind the Coral Island incident."

"Understood."

"Hmph hmph, I'm going to flush out the snake!" Otto sneered, his expression grim.

"Third, issue an order. Schicksal HQ C-Rank Valkyrie Yuno will be temporarily transferred to the Snow Lotus Squad under the pretense of visiting a friend. Departure is scheduled for one week from now. Spread this news as well. – Of course, there's no need to inform the girl herself."

"Understood."

"All other work proceeds as usual."

"Understood."

Confirming all instructions were received, Amber took her leave.

"Are you so confident that someone won't see through such a clumsy trap, and walk right into it like a fool?"

The Void Archives scoffed, mocking Otto's desperation.

"What are you talking about, my old friend?" Otto sneered in return.

"Schicksal is a most compassionate organization. We can't possibly deny those lovely Valkyries their small wish of reuniting with friends, can we?"

"…You're disgustingly hypocritical."

"Thank you for the compliment." Otto chuckled.

"A naturally born, unique individual, possibly classifiable as a [Fusion (MANTIS) warrior] coupled with an elite descendant of the Schariac family; such sweet bait, I believe someone will take the bite."

"Of course, even if it yields nothing, it doesn't matter; they're just rats hiding in the shadows. We'll simply continue digging."