Silence and Burst

This is not merely the case of an artificial Herrscher, but a rehearsal for the Sirin Project; its success will add even greater confidence to our strategic goals. I want to witness it personally, and I must witness it personally.

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

Durandal and Rita nodded with partial understanding. Although they still did not quite grasp the importance Otto attached to this, since the Overseer had made his decision, they would naturally strive to obey.

Then Otto pushed the notebook across the desk, signaling the two S-Rank Valkyries to inspect it.

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

Rita bent down, pressing naturally close to Durandal's side. Their heads touched, and her delicate fingers touched the notebook with elegance, opening the journal that Otto had been reading with such relish.

April 13, 2011. Rain. Mom's fourth death anniversary. I placed a flower in the corner of the courtyard. I wonder if Mom can see it? I secretly asked the maid sister to buy me this diary, hoping it won't be found.

July 6, 2011. Sunny. Dad stayed here for three days. He made me take off my clothes again and took a lot of pictures. His hands were sweaty, which was very uncomfortable. I don't like it.

December 3, 2011. Snow. Today I found out I grew 1cm taller. He took pictures of me again. The cake he brought was very sweet, but I don't like it.

March 6, 2012. Sunny. After taking pictures, I was held for a long time before I could put my clothes back on. I saw that he was in a very good mood and told him I wanted to go to school. I was slapped across the face.

July 10, 2012. Rain. The maid sister disappeared. I know where she went; I heard her screams. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Mom, can you help take care of her? That person is not Dad.

February 24, 2013. Rain. His gaze is getting more and more terrifying. I have no ability to resist. Weapons are meaningless; the kitchen knives are just toys to me, and even less of a threat to him. What should I do?

June 13, 2013. Rain. My body hurts so much. I hope this is just a dream, but I know it is not. Mom went through this kind of thing too, didn't she, in this cage of his? I have to kill him... Kill (tear stains)...

September 17, 2013. Rain. He said there is a very important experiment. If it succeeds, one can obtain extremely powerful strength. He said this strength must be held in our own hands. I quite agree. Yes, I need strength.

"Bastard!!"

Durandal slammed the table and stood up, the knuckles pressing into the desk creaking and leaving deep indentations on the metal surface.

The charming smile at the corners of Rita's lips also vanished without a trace, and a blood-cold light flickered in her deep red eyes.

Otto raised a hand, signaling the two to calm their emotions.

"The protagonist of the diary is Delta, the main subject of this experiment. As for 'him', he is both Delta's biological father, a high-ranking Oceanic Branch Director, and... a sickening bastard. Read through this diary, and then you will roughly understand your mission."

Durandal took a few deep breaths before sitting down as instructed, while Rita continued flipping through the diary.

After a long while, the two Valkyries, suppressing their anger and killing intent, closed the notebook and raised their heads together to look at Otto.

"This experiment ultimately has three possibilities."

"The first is that the experiment fails, and Delta dies. The second is that the experiment is a semi-success, and Delta is controlled by the Honkai. The third is that the experiment succeeds, and Delta kills the Branch Director with her own hands."

"But no matter which outcome occurs, what you need to do remains the same. Durandal ensures the safety of the branch, and Rita is responsible for purging the Branch Director and the darkness under his command. This is your mission in New Zealand."

Otto picked up the diary, stroked the cover, and spoke with a calm expression, quickly receiving the expected resolute reply.

"Yes, Lord Overseer!" ×2

"Delta is very smart and takes extremely good care of her diary. Our people only had the opportunity to record these contents when she went to do experiments. In any case, you can see it too: the poor girl caught in the darkness has a special fondness for another flower that bears the same darkness yet blooms strongly..."

"You mean to use Wendy to control Delta after the experiment succeeds?"

Rita looked at the notebook in Otto's hand and spoke thoughtfully.

For a poor child like Delta who had been immersed in darkness for so long, such a plan was somewhat cruel.

However, if it was to defeat the Honkai, if it was for this world, Rita and Durandal could suppress the unbearable ache in their hearts—as long as they treated that child better in the future and made her a little happier, this kind of plan was not unacceptable.

Otto looked at the clouds outside the airplane window, smiled, and remained silent.

Delta, let me witness the scene where you overcome your pain for Wendy, and even conquer the Honkai's control.

As long as you can do it, then K423 will surely succeed as well!

This was an unexpected surprise, and Otto would witness everything that followed with pure anticipation and blessing.

"For the people of St. Freya, stirring up their sympathy and allowing their kindness to resonate is the most crucial part."

"For the Anti-Entropy veterans, we must let them discover the 'truth' themselves, letting them discern the 'true face' they have never seen clearly. The more deeply hidden and complex the 'facts' seen with their own eyes are, the more they will believe them."

"As for my master, the key lies in firmness."

"And as for Otto—a mastermind who has meticulously plotted and operated with ease for 500 years—we must let him 'manipulate' everything. Give him the clues, let him write the script he desires, and let him 'personally' push the situation into the shape he anticipates. Only in this way can he be made to believe!"

Amidst the gentle sea breeze, Delta nestled in Wendy's soft embrace, drinking hot water and listening to the Anqis in the Theater analyze the layout thus far.

Although it made a lot of sense, although it had been confirmed that the carefully prepared diary had been read by outsiders, and although various settings concerning the Branch Director and her own identity had been arranged to the most realistic degree based on actual circumstances.

However, the audience this time was Otto after all. Beneath Delta's bland and lazy expression, she still felt heavy 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."

"Mentioning weird things again... Am I some kind of miraculous medicine? You really are impossible to deal with."

Wendy complained, yet her head lowered accordingly, and she planted a kiss on Delta's cheek.

Wendy no longer bothered to ponder whether she felt shy or not. Until the experiment succeeded, it was already impossible for her to refuse any of Delta's requests.

"Feeling better?"

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

Delta said with a smile, and her rising tone seemed devoid of any lingering worry and fear.

Yet within Wendy's sparkling autumn-water eyes, restrained and uneasy emotions flickered. She remained silent, holding Delta tighter in her arms. How wonderful it would be if she could just never let go like this.

Chapter 69 Silence and Burst

The previous chapter has been slightly modified. After pondering about it for most of the day, I indeed felt something was off—you could say it was somewhat toxic. I made adjustments as much as possible, hoping the reading experience will be a tiny bit better.

The diary is basically half-true and half-false.

The true part is that the Oceanic Branch indeed has huge problems, and such a dark secret base truly exists.

The false part is that there is no girl named Delta, nor is there any diary; these were all elements carefully embedded by the Anqis. As for the children who genuinely lived through the stories in the diary, what a pity, when Anqi reached the Branch Director's side, it was already too late, beyond saving.

And it was not until she saw Otto in person deep within the heavily guarded laboratory that Delta became convinced that the previous series of foreshadowings had taken effect.

"Delta, greetings to the Overseer."

Delta nodded in her wheelchair, feeling somewhat nervous inside while maintaining that lazy expression on her face as if she could never sleep enough. In short, any sign of respect was entirely absent.

Wendy, who was supporting the wheelchair, felt no past imagination of excitement or reverence toward these legendary big figures. She merely performed the customary greeting mechanically, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

The reactions of these two made the Oceanic Branch members surrounding them, including the Branch Director, look somewhat displeased.

Otto raised a hand to signal them to remain silent, then revealed a warm and sincere smile toward Delta and Wendy, placed a hand over his chest, and bowed.

"Headquarters has always witnessed the determination and courage of you two. It is a pity that in the past, I never had the time to come and offer condolences in person, and I truly apologize. But at this moment, on behalf of all Schicksal, I wish to express the highest respect and gratitude for the sacrificial contributions you have made for humanity! Thank you, Wendy, Delta!"

"You flatter us, Lord Overseer. It is only what we should do."

Wendy finally reined in her attention and hurriedly bowed in response.

Although the experimental process had always been agonizing, and the interpersonal atmosphere after joining the experiment had once been extremely harsh, the attitude displayed by Otto as Schicksal's supreme leader at this moment was enough to soothe most of the pain and grievance.

Wendy could not help but feel a warmth in her heart. Yet, inadvertently, she caught a glimpse of Delta still wearing those dead-fish eyes, looking completely indifferent and lost in thought.

"Smack!"

Delta slowly rubbed her head, turned around, and looked at Wendy with a blank expression.

By this time, Otto had already concluded his salute and was simply looking at them with a warm and cordial smile.

"Never mind. Today the two of you—or rather, Delta—are the protagonists, and we are merely invited guests. So just do as you usually do, and don't be reserved at all."

"Yes, Lord Overseer!"

Wendy replied submissively.

Fortunately, Lord Overseer was as magnanimous as the rumors said; otherwise, would this dead salted fish of yours even qualify to be a Valkyrie?

Wendy glared slightly at Delta. While feeling a mix of exasperation and disappointment at her lack of drive, she could not help but feel a sliver of relief.

Yet this carefree state of mind lasted for only a fleeting instant. Wendy quickly lost control of the wheelchair as she watched Delta being sent into the sealed laboratory.

"Wendy, be a good girl and wait for me outside~~"

Delta slowly waved the familiar thermos cup she held and called out weakly.

Wendy could not help but burst into laughter. Amidst worries and fears, with red-rimmed eyes, she nodded heavily.

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

Inside the bunker were housed a large number of defensive and suppression facilities targeting Honkai Energy. Delta's entry into the central laboratory was deemed an extremely powerful cage capable of trapping even a Herrscher.

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

And beyond that outer layer was the zone where high-ranking figures like Otto and waiting individuals like Wendy stayed.

Delta was sent into the experimental capsule within the central laboratory.

"Positions everyone, keep your eyes on the data you need to monitor. We are about to begin!"

"There cannot be any mistakes. Get your acts together!"

"30-second countdown, start!"

The researchers took their positions one after another, and various instruments and lights sprang into action.

The Gem of Desire itself was an aggregate of massive Honkai Energy.

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

The solution provided by the Oceanic Branch for this was to input Honkai Energy of a specific wavelength, supplemented by energy extracted from the Gem of Serenity, to induce and trigger the activation of the Gem of Desire.

Delta curled up and floated inside the liquid experimental capsule. As time passed, she clearly sensed a massive amount of Honkai Energy pouring into her body.

Regrettably, the researchers' meticulous design had actually no effect whatsoever, because the Gem of Desire had already been shrouded by the Dominion Authority the very moment it entered Delta's body.

Had it not been for ensuring the rationality of the experimental process, this gem would have long since been fused by Delta's body.

"Beep—"

The preset alarm sounded shortly after, making everyone's hearts leap into their throats.

"It has appeared! The test subject's own Honkai Energy is beginning to rise at a high speed, and the Gem of Desire is activating!"

"Everything is just as we designed!"

"Quick, stop the external energy supply, and have all restraint measures ready!"

"Success or failure depends on right now!"