18. Xi: Are you guys doing something only adults are allowed to do?

For such emergencies, Xia Ling has a backup plan. The fundamental purpose of this plan is not to solve the emergency, but to make the most of it.

Since she's chosen to fight, she can't let it be for nothing; it has to have some effect, otherwise, she'll have been tricked by Otto for nothing.

Furthermore, depending on the chosen plan, she would decide what kind of compensation she wanted from Otto.

"Hmm... Although it seems like there are many options, considering the current situation, and the fact that the opponent is Theresa, there are actually no options at all."

"But if we choose this plan..."

Xia Ling subconsciously touched the collar around her neck and couldn't help but shiver.

After all, this plan meant that he would have to really fight Theresa, and he wouldn't be able to hold back.

However, once it comes to a real fight, the Power of Restraint is an insurmountable hurdle. Whether it's a status-based ability or an explosive attack, it can be directly negated by the Power of Restraint.

Furthermore, Theresa's powerful regenerative abilities mean that Xia Ling cannot afford to delay, since even during the Second Honkai Outbreak, Theresa's physique was already capable of easily recovering from limb-level injuries.

And... even if I win, I'll probably be severely punished by Theresa afterwards.

Xia Ling's face was full of hesitation, but this hesitation quickly turned into helplessness.

"Forget it, this is fine. Anyway, the rest of the plot doesn't really concern me."

"Resolving this problem beforehand will reduce the number of variables in the final chapter..."

Having made up her mind, Xia Ling didn't dawdle any longer and immediately headed towards the location of St. 537 Church.

After all, time is tight right now. If I arrive late, I might run into Durandal, who has come to confront me—that would be a big problem.

"Oh my, what a rare guest..."

As Xia Ling stepped into the church, Otto, as if he had been expecting this, turned around at just the right moment.

"Isn't this my dear business partner? Why isn't he preparing to connect with little Theresa, but instead he's come here to me, the parent?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Xia Ling gritted her teeth in anger. "Don't you know why I came to see you?!"

"You've misunderstood me, old friend." Xia Ling's behavior seemed to play right into Otto's hands. "I'm doing this for your own good... After all, such suitable opportunities don't come often."

Xia Ling's expression froze instantly. She frowned and looked at Otto suspiciously.

"Can you guess what I wanted to do about Liu Ba's private affairs and Wu D's group?"

"Theresa was originally an experiment in the creation of herself, Miss Xia Ling."

Otto chuckled softly.

"Although you were quite discreet in requesting those documents and data, and your reasons for the split application were impeccable, and you even have a much more detailed understanding of Vishnu than I do..."

"But, after all, I am Theresa's Grandfather."

"What a cunning old fox..."

Xia Ling looked away, unconvinced.

"However, Miss Xia Ling, I didn't expect that even though you have a complete plan and theoretical support, you have not taken any action yet."

"So, I've decided to create an opportunity for you, after all, Theresa is also my beloved granddaughter."

"Don't assume my thoughts are correct. I'm not like you," Xia Ling retorted. "I'm not like you, capable of scheming against even those close to you... My plan was originally designed to deal with unforeseen circumstances."

"Right, so this is an unexpected situation?"

Otto shrugged. "See how understanding I am?"

"The unexpected situation was that you stepped on the gas for me, right...?"

Xia Ling sighed helplessly and held out her hand to Otto: "Fine, it's already like this... give it to me."

"Oh? What would Miss Xia Ling like to ask me?"

"Don't play dumb!" Xia Ling said irritably, "You know I want to force Theresa's downfall, but don't you know what I want?"

"Without solving the Judah problem, how could Theresa possibly choose to unleash her trump card in this area... She is very reluctant to use the word 'collapse'."

"So, what they wanted was some form of Authority of Binding..."

In Otto's hand, strands of golden and brown light gradually converged, eventually gathering on a core.

"I must say, your control over abilities is truly useful; you can freely use any ability by borrowing it..."

With a gentle toss, the core immediately flew towards Xia Ling's body.

"... Um?"

As the core merged into her body, Xia Ling suddenly opened her eyes and stared blankly at Otto.

"You... you're giving me both the power of domination and the power of the Herrscher of Rock?"

"The power of domination has ended for me, but the core of Rock Herrscher was borrowed by me and Little Xi."

"Incomplete Authority of Binding are not enough to force Theresa to break down."

Otto smiled slightly, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Besides, without affecting my side, I'd be happy to see your plan succeed..."

"Tch, granddaughter-obsessed."

"Miss Xia Ling, we're in the same boat."

The two exchanged a glance, and Xia Ling quickly turned her head away in a huff.

"Alright, it's almost time, Miss Xia Ling. You should go and prepare for your operation."

Otto glanced at the time and said, "I see you crying. Lu Baqi Lingmeng looked at the time."

"Oh? You... can you be sure when Durandal will come knocking?"

Xia Ling asked curiously.

"Of course, whether it was revealing my disguise plan to Durandal through Changguang, or breaking the binding of the World Bubble in advance so that Durandal could entrust the World Bubble to Rita and fight me to the death, it was all part of my plan."

"Just now, the information Changguang hid in the spacetime rift was unlocked, and at the same time, I sensed the energy fluctuations of the Sumeru Mustard Seed. Rita also handed Gnius over to Durandal..."

"Next..." Otto's gaze turned to the outside of the church.

"This knight, who has laid down all his burdens, is coming to settle accounts with me..."

Chapter 18 Evening: Are you doing things that only adults should do?

"Little Xi, is there anything unusual happening at the church?"

"The church is currently functioning normally." Xi closed her eyes and sensed for a moment. "I haven't noticed any abnormalities in the creations I drew."

"Besides, if Rita is really worried, why doesn't she go and check on Bianca herself?"

"I can handle the defense of this place all by myself."

"Little Shirt Ling j5iu Cage Saki wsu (8) Don't be silly, this is an adult's business."

Rita crouched down, touched Xi's hair, and said softly.

"So, when Rita sent me away to secretly meet with Bianca, was that also doing adult things?" Yu pouted angrily. "She even changed her clothes after she came back!"

"Well..."

Rita guiltily looked away.

Although I know that's not what Little Xi meant, this sentence... sounds like something a parent would say to send their child away so they could secretly get intimate.

Moreover, she changed into a new suit of armor because it was Star Armor materialized from the World Bubble within Durandal's body. She also needed to hand over Gnius to Durandal, but... Little Xi didn't understand this, and it seemed impossible to explain it to her in a short time.

However, this wasn't something that needed to be deliberately kept from Little Xi; it's just that Rita had her own considerations.

After all, from either side's perspective, Xi is now considered to be sitting at the children's table. No matter what she does, Rita can always conveniently attribute it to Otto.

However, if Xi is allowed to deeply participate in the event according to her own will... this reason no longer holds true.

Therefore, at least until the outcome is clear, Rita needs to turn Xi into a tool who knows nothing. Although betting on both sides is somewhat despicable, it is not a psychological burden for her as long as it is for Xi and Durandal.

"What's Rita thinking about now? You haven't answered my question yet!"

"Hmph, yeah, just now Rita and your Bianca were having some intimate contact, and because she accidentally got her clothes dirty, she had to change into a new set."

Rita flashed her signature alluring smile and whispered warmly in Xi's ear, "What, Little Xi, do you want to join too?"

"Huh??!"

Xi was startled, and her face instantly turned bright red.

"Really... really doing adult things?"

"That's why I said, Little Xi is still a lovely little girl."

Seeing this, Xi became shy and stopped asking questions. Rita, with a mischievous grin, pinched Xi's soft, rosy cheek.

"Alright, although Little Xi can't get involved in adult matters yet, she can still help Sister Rita with some things she can manage."

Taking advantage of Xi's dazed state, Rita decisively shifted the topic to the defense mission.

"How is the situation on the Hyperion side now?"

"Over there... it seems they've split into three groups."

"The two Doctor and the dark blue-haired woman have finished cleaning up the Lord Bishop's doll. They are currently gathering residents in Kolosten and setting up a strange device, which seems to be used to counter the Lord Bishop."

"Countermeasures against the puppets... Unfortunately, these two Doctor are destined to make a wasted trip. After all, given the Lord Bishop's situation, since he has released so many puppets to their deaths, he certainly won't use the same trick again."

Rita shook her head slightly. As a trusted confidante who had followed Otto for so long, she knew Otto's style of doing things very well.

"Little Xi, what about our side?"

"The ones coming this way are the older sister with the big robot and an elf-like older sister."

Xi carefully read the visions conveyed by her creation and said.

"The 'big robot' probably refers to Bronya... The other one seems to have joined Anti-Entropy after the Thousand-Man Herrscher incident?"

Rita recalled the information about Mulsus. There wasn't much information about her, only that she was also one of the hosts of the Thousand-Man Herrscher, possessed the ability to control water and had a peculiar ability to create clones. Her strength was unknown, but she wasn't considered weak.

If the opponent's strength is unclear... it's best not to let Little Xi take the risk. I just obtained Lady Durandal's Star Armor, so... it shouldn't be a disaster, right? Miss Bronya knows Little Xi, so she should be careful what she does.

Rita silently chose her opponent.

"If there are only two of us on our side... then Lady Li Sushang will have to face three people?"

"That's right." Xi nodded. "I can see Theresa, Kiana, and Fu Hua... they seem to be heading in the direction of the Sunrise Observatory."

"But didn't Sister Sushang say she would only stop one?"

"But the other party has to agree to a one-on-one fight with her first, you silly girl."

Rita gently tapped Xi's head. "It was originally supposed to be Durandal who went to support Miss Sushang, but now... she can only hope for the best."

After all, Lady Durandal has already gone to confront the Lord Bishop...

No, that's not true.

Xi shook her head seriously.

"Sushang there, one of my Ink Fiend saw the shadow of another person... Although it was killed the moment it saw it, the Lord Bishop should have another helper to support Sister Sushang."

"Another helper?" Rita was taken aback, and couldn't help but think of the person who used to be very active, but had disappeared during this mission.

"Miss Xia Ling is over there?! She really cooperated with His Lord Bishop?"

Meanwhile, on Sushang's side...

"Huh? You're going to hit Theresa? Really?!"

Sushang's eyes widened. "But aren't you two... that kind of relationship? Was it because you had a fight, or because you have different beliefs?"

"No, it's because Otto tricked me and forced me into this situation."

Xia Ling covered her face helplessly.

"There's no need to resort to force. If it's a problem with the Rakan, why not just let him handle it himself? Xia Ling, have you been deceived by him?"

Sushang said seriously, "He's not a weak bishop anymore. Although he hasn't admitted it, I can tell he's really strong now. I certainly wouldn't be confident of winning against him."

"The situation is a bit complicated... I'd say I did it somewhat voluntarily, and fighting this battle isn't necessarily a bad thing."

"Anyway, I'll have to trouble you to give me the area of Saniyat Bridge later... After all, if Theresa and I fight, it might make quite a commotion."