The True Golden Finger in Honkai is Alicia!

Although Teacher Yang, who teaches at St. Freya, is certainly aware of Honkai and Schicksal, highly classified information like this involving a Simulated Herrscher Core still needs to be kept secret.

"Oh, then I wish you a pleasant lunch."

Upon hearing this, Teacher Yang immediately looked as if he suddenly understood, greeted the three of them—Gwen—and left without any hesitation.

"Let's go."

After the unremarkable history teacher left, Fu Hua said to the three of them, taking the lead into the shop.

While Theresa is often unreliable, when it comes to food, she's relatively dependable, excluding anything related to bitter melon.

In short, Gwen was quite satisfied with the meal, and judging by their portions, Yolandale was also reasonably satisfied.

After a satisfying meal without any alcohol, Gwen and the other two, after bidding farewell to Fu Hua, boarded the airship they had arrived in.

It wasn't that Murata Himeko, who was currently in charge, was putting on airs. It was mainly because after the Honkai outbreak in Changkong City, Murata Himeko had too much work. The three of them knew her well, and since this wasn't an official mission, they simply said goodbye via communication and left, not wanting to waste Murata Himeko's precious time.

Although it was only a small airship, on the Eurasian Continent, which was Schicksal's home base, as long as a certain civil war phantom hadn't made a move, no one would be foolish enough to attack a Schicksal airship. Finally, after Gwen and Yolandale discussed the application of new armor throughout the journey, the airship smoothly arrived at Schicksal Airport.

It wasn't that Gwen or Rita didn't want to chat about everyday, relaxed topics. The main issue was that the third person present found it difficult to engage in such conversations—

Bianca, who was once lively and mischievous, like the king of the orphanage kids, had become serious, rigid, and lacking in flair (her own evaluation) after returning from the Sea of Quantum, gradually becoming detached from those lighthearted daily conversations.

It's only because Rita is here that Yolandale hasn't become a mechanical person who throws everything into getting stronger and fighting Honkai.

Upon returning to Schicksal, the two new A-rank Valkyries, Rita and Yolandale, took the Knight · Moon Sky and the Simulated Herrscher Core stored within to the laboratory designated by Otto. Gwen, on the other hand, went to Otto's office again.

In the gentle morning sunlight, Gwen once again recounted to Otto in detail the entire process of his encounter with the Simulated Herrscher, tentatively codenamed "Herrscher of Poison."

After that, Otto also asked about other matters that Gwen had not mentioned in their communication—

"So, my friend, what is this matter you mentioned that was inconvenient to discuss over communication?"

Otto asked with a smile, the golden sunlight falling on his golden hair, giving him a somewhat divine appearance.

"Regarding this matter—"

Gwen pondered for a moment, seemingly considering how to explain it to Otto, then asked:

"Bishop Otto, you must be from the same era as Saintess Kallen, right?"

"...Indeed."

Otto nodded, his smile fading slightly, and he said solemnly, "Although in the face of her radiance, I was just a despicable wretch, she and I were indeed from the same era. How, do you want me to tell you the story of Saintess Kallen?"

"Then... I suppose Bishop Otto, you must have heard the name Yae Sakura, right?"

Gwen ignored Otto's subsequent jest and asked solemnly.

Chapter 86 Otto: My Friend, Do You Want to Hear My Story?

Gwen keenly sensed that after he uttered the name "Yae Sakura," a distinct emotional change occurred within Otto's Soul Steel body.

In the past, even though the special nature of his Soul Steel body made him indistinguishable from Otto's original body to a certain extent, it also allowed Otto to control himself better.

Even Gwen found it difficult to discern Otto's true emotions when facing him directly.

This was the first time Gwen had clearly felt Otto's genuine, unfeigned emotions. Although it was only for a moment, it was enough to show how much this name had stimulated Otto.

"My apologies, I lost my composure for a moment..."

However, Otto was Otto after all. He quickly regained his composure, composed his expression, and put on a smile again, asking, "You saw her? Let me guess... that woman with pink hair?"

Although his expression had returned to normal, a certain aggressiveness in his words made Gwen clearly notice that Otto was different from his usual self... Perhaps Otto was doing this intentionally? Gwen wasn't interested in that and continued his report.

"That's right, it was her. It can be confirmed that she is the witch from the Far East mentioned in Saintess Kallen's story."

After confirming Otto's guess, Gwen continued, "However, five hundred years later, Yae Sakura, who was initially just a Stigmata awakened, became a Simulated Herrscher after prolonged contact with the Black Box. Although she is still trying to suppress the Herrscher consciousness within the box, and the box itself is part of the seal, she has still become a Simulated Herrscher. She might become a major problem, like the final boss in Kallen Fantasy. After all, what is sealed within the box is the culprit that extinguished the last spark of human civilization 50,000 years ago, bringing it to the brink of being completely crushed by the Herrscher of Finality—the Herrscher of Erosion."

Although the identity of the Previous Civilization was no longer important to Otto, and with Otto's intelligence and the information he possessed, he likely didn't place much trust in this identity, Gwen didn't mind maintaining it casually.

"Herrscher of Erosion?"

Otto quickly recalled the information he had about this name, and his brow furrowed unconsciously. He clearly thought of something, but eventually calmed down and asked with a smile, "So, where is our Simulated Herrscher, Miss Yae Sakura... now?"

However, from Otto's smile, Gwen couldn't even find a trace of his usual fake warmth.

"After she learned that five hundred years had passed and Saintess Kallen was long gone, she lost her last tie and cooperated with me to completely resolve the hidden danger of the Herrscher of Erosion."

Seeing Otto's expression, Gwen gave up on the idea of a detailed explanation and stated concisely:

"However, because she had become a being akin to a Simulated Herrscher, Miss Yae Sakura's life came to an end after the Herrscher of Erosion's power was completely eliminated.

And whether it was due to the influence of the Herrscher of Erosion's power or the power of Miss Yae Sakura's Stigmata itself, before her death, she transferred her Stigmata to me in some unknown way, and then completely disappeared."

"Oh?

Stigmata transfer?"

Raising an eyebrow, Otto showed surprise.

Natural Stigmata awakeners were exceedingly rare. Even Otto, as Bishop of Schicksal, had never heard of such a situation.

"Yes,"

Gwen nodded affirmatively, "Although it's incredibly unbelievable, Miss Yae Sakura's Stigmata did indeed transfer to me.

However, because it has only been a short time, I am still completely unaware of what kind of power this Stigmata possesses."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Otto softly asked, "May I see it?"

Whether natural or artificial, awakened Stigmata would appear as tattoo-like patterns on the skin, serving as proof.

"Of course."

Gwen nodded, took off his jacket, lifted his inner shirt, and turned his back to Otto.

"This is truly incredible..."

Looking at the flower-like pattern that appeared beneath the crystal flower on Gwen's back, Otto's eyes flickered, revealing a rare complex expression.

"The principle is indeed quite difficult to comprehend,"

Gwen lowered his shirt and sat back down, saying, "But logically, there aren't too many issues.

After all, Miss Yae Sakura was deeply influenced by Saintess Kallen, whom you, Bishop, also highly esteemed."

"Yes, Kallen..."

Otto sighed, his face filled with reminiscence. Seeing this, Gwen remained silent, not wanting to disturb him further.

Not letting the atmosphere in the room become heavy, Otto soon spoke again.

However, the content was slightly beyond Gwen's expectation:

"My friend, would you be interested in hearing my story?"

"Your story?"

Slightly surprised by Otto's sudden change of topic, Gwen didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement:

"Of course. As an ordinary person, I am naturally interested in the story of Bishop Otto, who can be called a 'living legend'."

"Then, please forgive me for taking up some of your time."

Nodding, Otto's face showed a reminiscent expression. He slowly leaned back against the sofa, looking up at the softly glowing electric light above, as if returning to that morning—

"Five hundred years ago..."

Undoubtedly, Otto was a master storyteller.

Even though Gwen already knew most of the grievances and entanglements, he lacked the understanding of many specific events. Now, with Otto, the person involved, telling the story, Gwen found himself gradually immersed in Otto's past.

It was not a short story, nor was it excessively long. Even though Otto involuntarily added many descriptions to certain details, he also simplified some parts of the narrative. The story, which began in the morning, concluded in the evening.

"Phew... Sorry, it's been too long since I've spoken to anyone about events from five hundred years ago. I got a bit carried away."

Looking at the sunset outside the window, Otto, with a lingering look of reminiscence, apologized to Gwen.

"It's alright,"

Gwen shook his head and said, "Being able to hear this story has already made this trip worthwhile."

"I'm glad you don't mind."

Nodding, Otto shifted his gaze from the window to Gwen:

"Although I have no good feelings towards Miss Yae Sakura, this was, after all, a choice she made in accordance with Kallen's spirit.

I only hope that this power, carrying Kallen's spirit, can help you better protect the world that Kallen wished to protect."

With utmost sincerity, Otto spoke these words that held not a single shred of genuine feeling.

"Of course."

After looking at Otto for a moment, Gwen turned his gaze to the setting sun outside the window:

"Even if I don't have such noble ideals, I still want to protect a world where there are people I want to protect."

Bounty Results Summary

Monthly Votes—(279-89)/50=3...10

Recommendation Votes—(3058-1552)/500=3...6

Tips—(2676-1476)/5000...

Blade Votes—(93-33)/50=1...10

Total Extra Chapters—3+3+1=7

I ended up adding seven extra chapters this week, just right. Hooray!

Chapter 87 Mei: Kiana, you deserve to die—

After a heart-to-heart... or rather, a probing conversation, Otto finally let Gwen go.

After Gwen left, Otto, now alone, slowly took a bottle of wine from the liquor cabinet, opened it casually, poured a full glass, and walked to the window. He happened to see Gwen leaving the building.

"..."

Without saying a word, Otto simply smiled and raised his glass, as if celebrating something.

Downstairs, Gwen, who had just finished sending messages to Raiden Mei and Kiana, felt something and looked back. He saw Otto smiling and raising his glass behind the window, and he waved with a smile.

After bidding Otto farewell again, Gwen's Schicksal terminal vibrated slightly. It was a message from Raiden Mei, saying that they were on their way to a restaurant and asking if Gwen wanted to join them for dinner, along with an address.

Casually replying "On my way," Gwen strode away.

Thanks to Kiana's rather conspicuous white hair, Gwen easily found Kiana and Raiden Mei at the restaurant—

"Mei, Kiana!"

Calling out softly, Gwen sat down opposite Mei and Kiana, who were sitting side-by-side.