From the Mouth of Babes

Otto had been certain: "He's trying to provoke me!" So, he'd maintained a facade of affable arrogance, waiting for Lin Wei to reveal his true intentions.

Lin Wei, however, was seething. He wanted to tear off Otto's mask, expose the monster beneath, and mock his pathetic attempts at manipulation. Only then could he shatter Otto's carefully constructed image and gain the upper hand.

He needed to maintain the positive impression he'd cultivated.

While seemingly useless now, this "hidden stat" determined whether he faced "all of Schicksal," or just Otto, or "Otto's faction within Schicksal." The former meant all-out war, the latter, room for negotiation.

"Overseer, I feel less like an honored guest, and more like a suspect under interrogation," Lin Wei said, his voice flat, his eyes mocking. "Is this my imagination, or is this Schicksal's unique brand of hospitality?"

If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me. I have nothing left to lose.

"You are an honored guest. Schicksal values hospitality," Otto replied calmly, unfazed by the sarcasm. "I simply asked your name. But you responded with veiled threats. Such… unique guest etiquette is quite… eye-opening."

His initial question could have been interpreted either way—a malicious probe, or simple curiosity. After Lin Wei's display of power in Manila, assuming he was someone important wasn't unreasonable.

And even suspecting him of being Welt, Otto had treated him with respect, offering hospitality. My sincerity is met with hostility. Whose fault is that? He'd turned the tables effortlessly.

"You misunderstand, Overseer. You accused me of being Welt. Naturally, I was… offended. How could I, a mere nobody, claim such a title?" Lin Wei chuckled. 

Nice try, but I'm not taking the bait. 

"My words were simply self-defense. I contacted Anti-Entropy to clear my name. As for the 'threats'… well, I used the communicator you allowed me to borrow from Rita. If that constitutes a threat… then I plead guilty."

"So be it. But you brought this upon yourself."

Otto sighed. This felt familiar. He'd seen this sharp tongue and sly smile in Singapore. But the subsequent events had changed their dynamic.

Now, seeing that familiar demeanor, he understood Lin Wei's true attitude. He prepared to act if necessary.

Durandal frowned. Unlike Rita, she hadn't seen this sharp-tongued side of him. She'd only known the polite He Kun and the heroic Lin Wei. This reminded her of his deception, sparking a flicker of annoyance.

Yuno remained silent. She sensed his desperation, her dislike for Otto intensifying.

"While your explanation is… plausible…" Otto began, feeling strangely intrigued by this verbal sparring. It was a first. "Your connection to Anti-Entropy is undeniable. As Overseer, I had to inquire."

"Really? You segued seamlessly into the Manila incident," Lin Wei sneered, his expression, however, remaining calm. "Yes, I know some people in Anti-Entropy."

The word "Anti-Entropy" was a thorn in Otto's side.

"Do tell," he said, gesturing with a smile. Since you brought it up, I'll gladly pry.

"Is this an inquiry, Overseer, or an interrogation?" Lin Wei asked pointedly.

"Even as a guest, someone connected to Anti-Entropy is… unwelcome." Otto sighed, as if disappointed by Lin Wei's behavior. He wouldn't fall for his verbal traps.

"True. But if I recall correctly, the current Anti-Entropy was once Schicksal's S-rank…" Lin Wei began, feigning camaraderie, subtly bringing up Otto's past.

He couldn't understand Otto's unwavering confidence after all his dirty deeds. "Though I don't know why they defected, traitors are always despicable. It's understandable that you'd be suspicious, Overseer." Has he finally lost it?

Otto's eyes turned icy. He wanted to silence this insolent fool. But Lin Wei hadn't crossed the line, and Otto didn't want to appear rattled.

He suppressed his anger, replying calmly, "Since you know they are traitors, you should also know their words carry little weight." Keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you.

He regretted having Durandal and Rita present. Without them, this insignificant nobody wouldn't dare speak to him like this.

But given Lin Wei's power, facing him alone was too risky. He needed Durandal's protection, even if it gave Lin Wei ammunition.

Otto realized he was trapped. He couldn't replace Durandal and Rita now. He had to face this challenge head-on, crush this insolent fool, and strip him of everything.

Yuno was secretly amused. It was rare to see someone get the better of Otto. Twice, if you counted Manila. But she kept her amusement hidden. Otto might be annoyed, but he could still crush her easily. She couldn't afford to provoke him.

Rita maintained her polite smile, playing the role of the obedient assistant and observer. She knew almost nothing, but she was no fool. She kept her secrets close. She'd learned that the key to survival under Otto was to feign ignorance.

Her cleverness and cooperation had made her one of the few who could hide their true thoughts from Otto. The other was the "traitor" who'd outmaneuvered him several times.

"You're right, Overseer. Traitors are unreliable." Lin Wei chuckled, deciding to ease up. "Besides, I'm not a member of Anti-Entropy. While I'm curious about the truth, I wouldn't trust their version of events." I have time. Let's play the long game. 

He knew Otto's secrets, but Otto knew nothing about him, only relying on assumptions and fragmented intel, some of which Lin Wei himself had planted.

He had to exploit this information asymmetry now. When would he get another chance like this?

"Oh?" Otto, realizing he was on the back foot, decided to concede, curious to see what Lin Wei would say next.

"Are you accusing me of treason, Overseer? I fought alongside Schicksal Valkyries the entire time." Lin Wei gestured towards Rita. "Would I be standing here with a Schicksal Valkyrie if I were with Anti-Entropy? Rita can attest to that."

Rita's smile froze. She couldn't respond, nor could she interfere in this strange power struggle between Lin Wei and the Overseer. She looked to Otto for guidance.

Otto, forced to respond by Rita's pleading gaze, feigned confusion. "Really? But I recall, before the eruption, Valkyrie Rita encountering you during her investigation, even engaging you in… a rather intense confrontation. Surely you wouldn't deny that."

"That's true," Lin Wei admitted readily. "She broke into my home. I thought she was a burglar, so I tried to apprehend her. I only realized she was a Schicksal Valkyrie after we fought."

Otto stared at him, his smile inscrutable. What's the point of such a ridiculous excuse?

"Well, the reason is quite simple," Lin Wei said with a shrug. "As a Nagazora resident and a survivor of the Third Eruption, I asked Anti-Entropy for compensation, a new home, and some financial assistance. Perfectly reasonable, wouldn't you say? That's the extent of our 'relationship.'"

He sighed dramatically. "Though, I doubt you'll believe me…"