Otto Felt Like He Had Committed a Grave Sin

When Gu Chu spoke those words, Otto, back in the base, finally unclenched his fists.

He leaned back wearily in his chair, covering his eyes with a hand to create a dark, quiet space for himself.

Only in such an environment could his thoughts find some semblance of peace.

Don't think his casual, bantering demeanor had been easy. In truth, manipulating emotions was a crucial part of any negotiation.

He had to create a persona for himself—one that seemed unpresentable yet cunningly shrewd. This would prevent his opponent from becoming too wary of him while also curbing any unnecessary ideas they might have.

No one with any ability would respect a treacherous court eunuch, but no one would underestimate one either...

It might not have been the optimal solution, but it was the best he could come up with in such a short time.

Even for Otto, having his carefully laid plans shattered twice in quick succession was enough to give him a headache.

He had initially thought this was just a small mission, the first step in propping up Bianka as the new face of the MOTH. But the sudden appearance of the Emperor-class Honkai Beast had been a surprise.

The plan immediately shifted to solidifying Fu Hua's position as a pillar of strength. That was why he had allowed Quinn to take Fu Hua to the battlefield first, and why he'd had her bring recording equipment.

If things went smoothly, the combat footage would become the MOTH's best recruitment material.

But Gu Chu had once again thrown his plans into disarray.

The moment Gu Chu appeared, Otto had truly panicked. No one knew better than him how many coincidences and strokes of luck were needed to defeat the "Evolution" he remembered.

He had sent everyone away, issued the highest lockdown order, and locked himself in his office. Half an hour later, he emerged with an insane plan.

He was going to create a MANTIS.

Although Bianka was still immature, that was only because her own development was incomplete. Her potential was always there, and it didn't stop her from undergoing the experiment.

But his knowledge of MANTIS technology was limited to a name and the most basic concepts. His research into Honkai energy hadn't even found its proper footing, so how could he possibly master such a technique?

So he abandoned the normal methods and chose to believe in a miracle.

To believe in Bianka's unbelievable potential.

An unrestricted dose of the Last Stand Serum would push Bianka's physical potential to its absolute limit. Coupled with the will she showed when she made her decision to abandon everything, it would allow the first step of the experiment to succeed.

If it failed... Otto would have initiated a brute-force approach, throwing every test subject on the twelfth basement floor into the experiment to gamble on that minuscule chance of success.

And if that failed too... well, what was that but annihilation? Could things get any worse?

He didn't know if Lady Luck had smiled on him this time, or if she simply embraced anyone connected to the Kaslana family, but Bianka had successfully integrated the core into her body.

The experiment moved to the second phase: the battle for consciousness.

If time and conditions had permitted, Otto might have chosen to believe in the power of emotions, in the idea that a heart wanting to protect someone important could overcome the consciousness of a Honkai Beast.

But there clearly wasn't enough time. Not enough time to guide Rita's actions, and the emotional bond between Bianka and Rita wasn't deep enough yet.

Moreover, the only thing keeping Bianka going was her attachment to Rita. If that single thread snapped, the puppet would lose all support and be easily crushed by the Honkai Beast's consciousness.

During his hesitation, Otto had turned his attention to Gu Chu.

*Perhaps... Taixu Sword God could do it?*

He had once again chosen to take a risk. And so, Fu Hua had demonstrated every technique like a textbook, stopping just short of personally tutoring her "enemy."

Gu Chu hadn't disappointed Fu Hua. He had truly learned Taixu Sword God, and just as Otto had predicted, he had developed the desire to witness Bianka at her full power.

As long as Gu Chu helped Bianka break free from the chaos and killed Parvati's consciousness, the world's first true MANTIS, Bianka, would be born before his very eyes.

At that point, Bianka and Gu Chu would face off in a climactic duel.

Winner takes all, loser gets nothing.

But just at that moment... just as the most crucial strike was about to land, Shu defeated the Herrscher... everyone's memories returned, and Gu Chu stayed his hand.

The more precise the machine, the more it fears the slightest error in its parts. The more meticulous the plan, the more it fears unknown variables.

With Gu Chu's uncontrollable moment of hesitation, the plan Otto had laid out for so long was shattered.

Fortunately, the unexpected value this variable brought was significant enough for Otto to stabilize Gu Chu in time.

Reflecting on this, Otto let out a long sigh and raised a hand, revealing his weary eyes.

He felt a bit tired... perhaps he needed a cup of coffee?

With that weary thought, Otto's gaze shifted to the large screen still broadcasting the feed.

Fu Hua was already receiving emergency treatment, her life out of danger. After standing down, Gu Chu stood off to the side, looking agitated, his gaze constantly darting north.

Everyone looked as if they had just survived a disaster.

Except for Bianka...

She was gone.

"Overseer, I've found Lady Bianka's trail," Quinn's robotic voice crackled intermittently. It dawned on Otto that he still needed to dispatch two Titan mechs to help the depleted Quinn return to base.

A signal was patched through. Otto accepted it, and an image appeared on a dark screen.

On the scorched earth where Rita had fought Parvati, Bianka's desolate figure appeared.

She raised a hand to cover her mouth and nose, seemingly trying to suppress some intense emotion.

Otto watched her cautiously approach Quinn's immobile form and open the cockpit.

Inside, Rita lay quietly in a sealed medical pod, her eyes closed. Even through the thick glass, it was clear that some color had returned to her face. She was apparently out of danger.

Bianka visibly relaxed. She closed Quinn's cockpit door and retreated, step by step.

Finally, she stood a great distance from Quinn, glanced back once more, then leaped into the distance, quickly disappearing from the screen.

*She ran away...* Otto could guess why.

The subconscious malice toward life, her own monstrous appearance, and the fear of when that malice might consume her—it all made her afraid to stay by Rita's side.

*She didn't kill herself... perhaps that's the last bit of cowardice left in a newborn human?*

*I really have...*

*...created a great evil...*