Could Anyone Be This Clingy?

Elysia wasn't the only one suffering.

Lihua had often worried about what would happen when Otto and the others found her—now that it had happened, it wasn't so bad.

No creepy basements here~

"Alright, Eleanor, let go…"

Lihua tried to pry Eleanor, who was clinging to her waist with tears in her eyes, off of her. "I just went out with Otto for a bit. We were back in two hours. I'm staying home now; I won't disappear."

"You can't be sure! I rushed here so quickly, yet I still missed you! That slowpoke Otto caught up!" Though, to be fair, even with both arms, he's still weaker than Eleanor, a 500-year-old Valkyrie. It must be Otto and Kallen's bad influence!

But Lihua's inner complaints didn't change the situation. After struggling, she gave up on physically removing Eleanor, resorting to reason and emotional manipulation.

"Eleanor, you're a representative of Schicksal's Valkyries now. So many juniors look up to you. Even the game calls you Schicksal's Ice Queen. Imagine if they saw you like this, they'd—"

"It's all an act!" Eleanor mumbled into Lihua's waist, refusing to look up, her composure gone. "I hate being the queen! I can't even curse… if it weren't for that annoying Otto meddling in the Association's affairs, I would have quit long ago!"

"Ahaha, you've worked so hard…" Lihua chuckled dryly.

The Association was the philanthropy group she'd founded. It had continued to grow after her death… Otto wanted control, but Eleanor refused to hand over Lihua's legacy to him, keeping it under her own control.

Maintaining her image was necessary—but it was torture for Eleanor, used to Lihua's laissez-faire approach.

Eleanor's perseverance was commendable, and Lihua had always been generous with praise, but… she still needs to let go!

And the snuggling… Lihua was embarrassed to even mention where Eleanor's face was. Mei and Kiana were giving them that look, the "you two are really close" look.

Five hundred years can turn a righteous companion into a simp and a normal kid into a clingy mess… time is a terrifying force.

Lihua's patience was wearing thin. Eleanor's face was dangerously close to her… lower abdomen.

"I understand, Eleanor…" Lihua sighed. "If you insist, I'll go with you."

"..."

Eleanor froze.

"Uh, that's not necessary. It's too dangerous…" She quickly released Lihua. "The three of us can handle it."

As if afraid Lihua would change her mind, Eleanor vanished, too quickly for Lihua to see how.

Eleanor's anxiety was understandable. They weren't going on a picnic; they were meeting Earth's leaders under heavy guard.

Their televised brawl with [Lee] had been… though not world-shattering, it was on par with a disaster movie.

Otherworldly visitors, a fictional character wanting to rule humanity, superpowered battles on Earth—and an Earth miraculously unharmed despite the destruction.

The explosive news had rocked the planet. Some panicked, fearing imminent doom. Others were indifferent, their low wages unaffected. Some rejoiced at their waifus coming to life, dreaming of isekai-ing themselves, even fantasizing about their favorite doujinshi plots becoming reality…

Earth was in a delicate balance. The events should have caused mass hysteria, but the lack of actual casualties had contained the unrest.

Further incidents could shatter this fragile peace… but with careful handling, the public could be calmed and the situation stabilized.

The latter was difficult, especially with global disagreements… and that's where Otto stepped in.

To unite Earth against future threats, a unified organization was essential—and he was good at building those.

As a participant in the recent incident, a leader from another world, and a friend of Lihua, the well-treated otherworldly guest, he had ample reason to contact Earth's leaders.

And Earth couldn't ignore these otherworldly visitors, leading to this meeting.

Following their instructions, Otto and the others agreed to meet at a designated location… a place undoubtedly bristling with security. Though unlikely, they didn't want Lihua anywhere near potential danger, so they'd convinced her to stay home.

Originally, the Schicksal trio was supposed to go, being more accustomed to such meetings… but Eleanor had backed out at the last minute, wanting to stay with Lihua, leading to this scene.

Otto found Eleanor's clinginess childish, not even bothering to intervene.

What was the point of clinging to Lihua for a moment? He wanted her for eternity!

Why volunteer for this meeting? Because Lihua was in this world! Therefore, he had to make it safe and beautiful—creating a world where Lihua could be happy was Otto Apocalypse's new mission!

Earth? Never heard of it!

He even wanted to avoid violence and underhanded tactics, as it might tarnish his image in Lihua's eyes.

Lihua hadn't criticized or blamed him… not even a single word of reproach.

But her lack of blame didn't mean she approved.

After returning to the villa, Lihua had personally apologized to Kiana and the others for his, Kallen's, and Eleanor's actions, vowing to atone…

Seeing Lihua bowing her head, begging for forgiveness, had been more painful than being killed by them.

Otto couldn't imagine the depths of depravity required to make your beloved bear responsibility for your actions.

But he wasn't that person, and he refused to be!

So, he'd use peaceful methods, becoming someone Lihua could proudly call her hero.

Of course, if certain Earthlings refused to listen to reason, his newly acquired Divine Key also had some… persuasive functions.