Showdown

"This… was a kindness, a favor to us both. Why do you still hold a grudge, Overseer?" Lin Wei sighed dramatically.

Where have I heard that before? Void Archive thought, a flicker of recognition in her eyes.

Otto stared at him, speechless. He's mocking me.

Yuno felt a chill, a sense of unease.

Even the heavy curtains in the stigmata space seemed to hold their breath. He's doing it again…

Lin Wei was deliberately using Otto's own rhetoric against him.

He remembered clearly how Otto had manipulated Durandal into supporting his Herrscher of the Void project.

Otto had started by casually mentioning "Kiana Kaslana," a name Durandal didn't recognize. Then, downplaying the name's significance, he'd focused on her clone, the one carrying the Herrscher of the Void's core.

As expected, Durandal had expressed concern. Otto had immediately reassured her, emphasizing Kiana's humanity, downplaying her Herrscher nature, easing Durandal's apprehension.

Then, he'd cleverly linked the Herrscher core to Durandal's world bubble, painting a tempting picture: "If we could stabilize the core, like your world bubble, and harness the Herrscher's power… wouldn't victory against the Honkai be within our grasp?"

Durandal had remained silent, her skepticism clear.

Then came the masterstroke. Otto had cited the First Herrscher as an example of a Herrscher fighting for humanity, justifying his own project.

He'd then lamented that the Herrscher of the Void experiment was a necessary backup plan, necessitated by the Herrscher of Reason's betrayal. Otherwise, his grand vision would have already been realized.

Thus, the controversial project had been presented as a necessary, even beneficial, measure, with a tempting bonus for Durandal: "Replacing the Herrscher of Reason with the Herrscher of the Void might even solve your world bubble problem. The Herrscher of Reason couldn't do that."

A perfect plan, with noble intentions, a successful precedent, and a promising future, had been effortlessly presented. Durandal had no grounds for objection. The persuasion was 80% complete.

Of course, intellectual agreement didn't guarantee emotional acceptance. For the remaining 20%, Otto had shifted the focus to the Second Herrscher, delivering his infamous line: "I had to kill his father…"

Durandal, like everyone else, had been stunned.

Otto had used this shock to break down her remaining resistance. By the time she'd recovered, the project was already underway.

With Durandal's support, Rita's followed naturally. The entire Schicksal machine began moving according to Otto's plan.

Now, Lin Wei was using the same tactics, but with a different effect. Coming from him, it wasn't tragic or manipulative, but mocking and defiant.

No one had ever dared to challenge Otto like this. He finally understood. This man wasn't Welt Yang. The First Herrscher would have crushed such insolence.

"Such… amusing rhetoric," Otto said coldly, toying with the katana, not even looking at Lin Wei. "While I admire your… theatrics, I won't comment further. Now, answer my question."

"Such a pity. My goodwill is met with suspicion, even imprisonment. How… disappointing. But there's something I don't understand." Lin Wei sighed dramatically, then smiled slyly. "You seem to have already judged me guilty, Overseer. Then why this elaborate charade of hospitality? Why not simply imprison me?"

"You could have interrogated me openly, yet you chose this… underhanded approach. It seems you have… ulterior motives, Overseer."

"Underhanded? That describes your actions perfectly," Otto retorted impassively. "If you'd been honest from the beginning, you'd still be an honored guest."

"So, the deaths in Manila… are a 'minor disagreement' in your eyes, Overseer? My apologies. I misjudged your… magnanimity." Lin Wei feigned surprise, then continued, "But I still don't understand. With your vast generosity, you could have simply asked. I would have answered truthfully. Yet, you chose to accuse me of being Welt…"

He stood up, spreading his hands, bowing slightly. "I am but a simple traveler, Overseer. I wouldn't stoop to impersonation. I had to defend my name."

Otto's eyes narrowed. He twisted my words, turning a simple question into an accusation of collusion with Anti-Entropy, and now he's using it against me?

Before Otto could respond, Lin Wei continued, "As for your current accusations, I have… reasons for my silence. I didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble."

"So, it's my fault?" Otto sneered. "You're not denying it?"

"Yes, I was involved in your… unfortunate incident in Manila," Lin Wei admitted, glancing at Durandal. "But if you hadn't attacked me first, and tried to use me, I wouldn't have retaliated. And even if I had, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly." If you hadn't been so arrogant, with Durandal as your bodyguard, you'd be untouchable. Whose fault is that?

Otto's face darkened, knowing he'd brought this upon himself. He forced a smile. "Such eloquence from a World Serpent operative. I'm impressed…"

Durandal stiffened at the mention of "World Serpent."

"World Serpent? No, you misunderstand, Overseer. I'm not a member." Lin Wei shook his head. "I've had… dealings with them, mostly unpleasant. Our relationship isn't much better than… ours, actually." World Serpent was the first organization I raided. They're just as bewildered as you are.

"How much longer will you continue this charade?" Otto's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. He'd wanted to simply extract the answers from Lin Wei's mind, but knew it wouldn't work. Now, his patience was gone. He was ready to use… less pleasant methods.

"That… is precisely my 'reason,' Overseer." Lin Wei seemed to flinch under his gaze, taking a step back. "Do you really want to know?"

"I have no interest in your… reasons." Otto stood up, towering over him, his voice like ice. "Tell me everything about World Serpent. Or you'll regret it."

"Wow, is this how you treat a 'hero?'" Lin Wei clapped slowly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Actions speak louder than words, Overseer. You're truly… admirable."

"Lin Wei, just tell him what he wants to know," Durandal finally spoke, unable to bear the tension. "I don't understand your hostility towards the Overseer, but this is pointless."

"You're mistaken, Lady Durandal. I'm not trying to antagonize him. On the contrary, I'm trying to avoid conflict with anyone. That's why I've resorted to these… measures." Lin Wei sighed dramatically. "But since the Overseer insists, and you've asked so nicely, it would be rude to refuse."

Otto sneered, his arms crossed. Clever words are useless without power.

"…My first encounter with World Serpent was a year ago, after the Third Eruption." Lin Wei sighed, as if resigned to his fate. "Unlike your… forceful invitation, Overseer, I sought them out."

Otto frowned. World Serpent's location is not common knowledge. But since Lin Wei was finally talking, he decided to listen.

"They are descended from the Previous Era. They could help me with certain… matters related to that time." This, at least, Otto understood. He himself sought the Second Divine Key.

"I was infected by the Honkai, dying. Desperate, I sought out the last surviving Herrscher of the Previous Era, defeated her, and found a cure."

"Then, I found World Serpent. After some… unpleasant negotiations, they helped me forge a new Divine Key. And in doing so, they learned my secret…"

Otto's heart skipped a beat.

"Unfortunately, revealing this secret to you, Overseer, would inevitably lead to conflict."

"So, to prevent further… unpleasantness, I had to intervene when you tried to capture World Serpent, preventing them from revealing my secret, the secret of the Divine Key…"

"Otherwise, you would have become my enemy. And I, in self-defense, would have been forced to take… drastic measures."

Lin Wei sighed, looking at Durandal. "I didn't want that. So, I resorted to… deception. Of course, if you hadn't attacked me first, I wouldn't have gained Lady Durandal's trust so easily. But regardless, I still feel… remorse."

He smiled wryly. "I thought we wouldn't meet again, but… here we are."

He raised a hand, a black box materializing in his palm.

"And this Divine Key… is the root of my… predicament." He looked at Otto, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"The Key of Corruption, Pandora. For your consideration, Overseer."