Thousand-Person Ruler's Personal Opinions Chapter 44

"This isn't just the first artificial Herrscher, it's also a trial run for the Sirin Project. Its success will give us much greater confidence in our strategic objectives. I want to witness it personally, and I must witness it personally."

Otto closed his notebook, picked up his black tea, and displayed a pleasant smile as warm as a spring breeze.

Durandal and Rita nodded, half-understanding. Although they didn't quite grasp Otto's emphasis, since the Archbishop had made his decision, they would naturally do their best to comply.

Then, Otto pushed the notebook over, gesturing for the two S-rank Valkyries to examine it.

"Lady Durandal, please allow Rita to open it."

Rita bent over, naturally leaning close to Durandal. Their heads touched as her elegant fingers touched the notebook, opening the journal Otto had been so engrossed in.

[April 13, 2011, Rainy – It's Mom's fourth anniversary. I placed a flower at the corner of the yard. I wonder if Mom can see it? I secretly asked the maid to buy this diary. I hope she doesn't find out.]

[July 6, 2011, Sunny – Dad stayed here for three days. He made me take off my clothes again and took many photos. His hands were sweaty, which felt uncomfortable. I didn't like it.]

[December 3, 2011, Snowy – I found out I grew 1cm today. He took photos of me again. The cake he brought was very sweet, but I didn't like it.]

[March 6, 2012, Sunny – After the photos were taken, he held me for a long time before letting me put on my clothes. I saw he was in a good mood and told him I wanted to go to school, but he slapped me.]

[July 10, 2012, Rainy – The maid disappeared. I know where she went. I heard her screams. I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional. Mom, can you take care of her for me? That person isn't Dad.]

[February 24, 2013, Rainy – His gaze is becoming more terrifying. I have no way to resist. Weapons are meaningless; kitchen knives are like toys to me, and they pose no threat to him. What should I do?]

[June 13, 2013, Rainy – My body hurts so much. I wish this were just a dream, but I know it isn't. Did Mom also go through something like this, in this cage of his? I want to kill him... kill (tear stains)...]

[September 17, 2013, Rainy – He said there's a very important experiment, and if it succeeds, I can gain immense power. He said this power must be in the hands of our own people. I agree. Yes, I need power.]

"Scum!!"

Durandal slammed her hand on the table, her knuckles cracking as she gripped the surface, leaving deep indentations on the metal.

Rita's charming smile also vanished, and a cold, blood-like glint flickered in her crimson eyes.

Otto raised his hand, signaling for them to calm down.

"The subject of this diary is Delta, the protagonist of this experiment. As for 'he,' he is Delta's biological father, a high-ranking Oceania branch leader, and... a repulsive beast. Read this diary, and then you will roughly understand your mission."

Durandal took several deep breaths before sitting down as requested, while Rita continued to flip through the diary.

A long time later, the two Valkyries, suppressing their anger and killing intent, closed the notebook and looked up at Otto in unison.

"This experiment ultimately has three possible outcomes."

"The first is experimental failure, resulting in Delta's death. The second is partial success, where Delta is controlled by the Honkai. The third is successful completion, followed by Delta personally killing the branch leader."

"But regardless of the outcome, your tasks remain the same. Durandal, ensure the safety of the branch. Rita, be responsible for purging the branch leader and his subordinates. This is your mission in New Zealand."

Otto picked up the diary, caressed its cover, and said calmly, quickly receiving the expected firm reply.

"Yes, Archbishop!" ×2

"Delta is very intelligent and kept her diary exceptionally well. Our people only had a chance to record this information when she was undergoing experiments. In short, as you've seen, a poor girl living in darkness has a deep affection for another flower that endures darkness yet blooms resiliently."

"Are you saying we should use Wendy to control Delta after the experiment is successful?"

Rita looked at the notebook in Otto's hand, lost in thought.

And for a poor child like Delta, who had lived in darkness for so long, such a plan was rather cruel.

However, if it was to defeat the Honkai, if it was for this world, Rita and Durandal could suppress their reluctance—as long as they treated that child better afterward, making her happier, this plan might not be entirely unacceptable.

Otto looked out at the clouds beyond the airplane window and smiled without speaking.

'Delta, let me witness you overcoming your pain for Wendy, and even your Honkai control.'

"As long as you can do it, then K423 will definitely succeed!"

This was an unexpected surprise, and Otto would witness everything that happened next with pure anticipation and blessings.

"For everyone at St. Freya, the key is to evoke sympathy and resonate with their kindness."

"For the elders of Anti-Entropy, we need to let them discover the 'truth' themselves, to see the 'true face' they failed to see. The deeper and more complex the 'facts' they witness firsthand, the more they will believe."

"For Master, the key is firmness."

"And for Otto—a mastermind who has been meticulously planning and effortlessly maneuvering for 500 years—he must be allowed to 'control' everything. Give him the clues, let him write the script he desires, let him 'personally' push the situation to his expected outcome. Only then will he believe!"

In the gentle sea breeze, Delta nestled in Wendy's soft embrace, drinking hot water, and listening to the Angies in the theater analyze the layout so far.

Although it made sense, although it was confirmed that the meticulously prepared diary had been read by outsiders, although all the settings regarding the branch leader and her own identity had been arranged to the highest degree of realism based on the actual situation.

However, Otto was the audience this time, and beneath Delta's calm and lazy expression, she still felt immense pressure in her heart.

"Delta, are you nervous about tomorrow's experiment?"

"I'm a little nervous, but if Wendy kisses me, I'll feel much better."

"...Saying such strange things again, am I some kind of miracle drug? You really are hopeless."

Wendy complained, but then lowered her head and kissed Delta on the cheek.

Wendy stopped thinking about whether she should be shy or not; until the experiment succeeded, she couldn't refuse any of Delta's requests anymore.

"Feeling better?"

"Much better. With Wendy here, I have the strength of a thousand people~~"

Delta said with a smile, her tone seemingly devoid of any worry or fear.

But in Wendy's clear, autumn-like eyes, a hidden anxiety flickered. She remained silent, holding Delta tighter in her arms. If only they could stay like this forever.

Chapter 69: Silence and Explosion

[The previous chapter has been slightly revised. I thought about it for a long time today, and I really felt something was wrong, or rather, it was toxic. I've made some adjustments as much as possible, hoping the viewing experience will be a little better.]

The diary was mostly half true and half false.

The true parts were that the Oceania branch indeed had significant problems and a dark secret base.

The false parts were that there was no girl named Delta, nor was there any diary; these were all elements meticulously embedded by the Angies. As for the children who actually experienced the diary's story, it was too late for Angie to reach the branch leader, and they were beyond saving.

It wasn't until she saw Otto in person in the depths of the heavily guarded laboratory that Delta was certain that the previous series of preparations had worked.

"Delta has met the Grand Bishop."

Delta nodded from her wheelchair, her heart pounding a little, but she maintained her usual perpetually sleepy and lazy expression. In any case, she showed no respect.

Wendy, who was pushing the wheelchair, was not as excited or reverent towards these legendary figures as she had imagined. She merely mechanically performed the customary greeting, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

The reactions of the two caused the Oceania members present, including the branch leader, to look displeased.

Otto raised his hand to signal them to be silent, then turned to Delta and Wendy, showing a warm and sincere smile, and placed his hand on his chest in a salute.

"Headquarters has always seen your resolve and courage. Unfortunately, I was always too busy to personally offer my condolences. I apologize. But at this moment, on behalf of all of Schicksal, I want to express our highest respect and gratitude for your sacrifices and contributions to humanity! Thank you, Wendy, Delta!"

"Your words are too kind, Bishop. It's what we should do."

Wendy finally refocused her attention and quickly bowed in response.

Although the experimental process had been painful, and the interpersonal atmosphere after participating in the experiment had been extremely treacherous at times, Otto's attitude as the supreme leader of Schicksal was enough to soothe most of the pain and grievances.

Wendy couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart. But then she inadvertently glanced at Delta, who was still wearing her dead fish eyes, looking completely indifferent and distracted.

"Snap!"

Delta slowly patted her head, turned, and looked at Wendy with a bewildered expression.

Otto had already finished his salute and was now looking at them with a kind and friendly smile.

"It's alright. Today, you, or rather, Delta, is the protagonist. We are merely invited guests. So, please do as you normally would, and don't feel constrained."

"Yes, Grand Bishop!"

Wendy responded obediently.

Good thing the Grand Bishop is as magnanimous as the rumors say, otherwise, would you still be a Valkyrie, you lazy bum?

Wendy glared at Delta, feeling both exasperated and a little fortunate.

But her buoyant mood lasted only a fleeting moment before Wendy lost control of the wheelchair, watching as Delta was sent into the sealed laboratory.

"Wendy, wait for me outside, okay~~"

Delta slowly waved her familiar thermos cup, calling out weakly.

Wendy couldn't help but chuckle. Amidst her worry and fear, she nodded heavily with teary eyes.

The experimental area was a massive spherical bunker covering an area of 189 square kilometers, looking like an exceptionally smooth hill from afar.

The bunker was equipped with numerous facilities for defending against and suppressing Honkai Energy, and Delta's entry into the central laboratory was described as an impenetrable cage capable of trapping even a Herrscher.

Outside the laboratory was the main control area used by researchers.

And one layer further out was the area where high-ranking officials like Otto and Wendy were waiting.

Delta was placed inside the experimental pod in the central laboratory.

"Everyone to your stations, keep an eye on the data you need to monitor, we're starting!"

"There can be no mistakes, everyone stay sharp!"

"T-minus 30 seconds, begin!"

The researchers took their positions, and various instruments and lights sprang to life.

The Gem of Desire itself was a conglomerate of massive amounts of Honkai Energy.

To achieve complete fusion with the human body, it had to be unsealed from its condensed state and transformed into pure energy that permeated every corner of the body.

The Oceania branch's proposed solution was to input Honkai Energy of a specific wavelength, supplemented by energy extracted from the Gem of Stillness, to induce and accelerate the activation of the Gem of Desire.

Delta floated curled up in the liquid experimental pod, and as time passed, she could clearly feel a large amount of Honkai Energy being injected into her body.

Unfortunately, the researchers' meticulous design was actually completely ineffective, because the moment the Gem of Desire entered Delta's body, it had already been enveloped by the Dominion Authority.

If it weren't for the need to ensure the experiment's validity, this gem would have long since been fused with Delta's body.

"Beep—"

The preset alarm sounded shortly after, making everyone's hearts jump.

"It's happening, the experimental subject's own Honkai Energy is rapidly increasing, the Gem of Desire is activating!"

"Everything is proceeding as we designed!"

"Quick, stop the external energy supply, all restraint measures in place!"

"Success or failure hinges on this moment!"