Of course, although the two could communicate directly through Gwen's special energy, considering there might be listening devices here, Prometheus still spoke aloud when recounting what had happened earlier. Only when secrets were involved did she communicate mentally.
After fastening the button around his wrist, Gwen's fingers touched the bracelet lying quietly on his wrist, something no one else could see or touch—
After returning from Ginga's world, the Light-Dark Spark Gwen had received as a final gift had also come with him into the system space.
At Gwen's feet lay the stone that had sent him to Ginga's world.
When Gwen picked it up again, nothing unexpected happened this time, such as sending him to the set of Ultraman Ginga S.
However, when Gwen accidentally brought the two into contact, they transformed amid a hazy glow into something incredibly familiar to him—
"The Paraj Bracelet?"
Looking at the officially licensed Bandai product on his wrist, identical to Rabbit's, Gwen was only briefly surprised. He did not dwell on it, instead studying it for a while before successfully making it invisible—
The situation in Ginga S, where Hikaru Raidou wore such a huge officially licensed Bandai product on his wrist yet only the Yapoolians noticed it, basically would not happen in reality. Better to hide it if he could.
As for the name Light-Dark Spark... Gwen had changed it himself—
Since it had already been purified and only a few black streaks remained on it, calling it the Dark Spark no longer seemed appropriate. But calling it the Light Spark would betray those pitch-black patterns that would not fade. So Gwen, who was terrible at naming things, simply gave it this name for now.
After sensing it and confirming that he could pull out the Spark Gun and shoot Otto at any time, Gwen stepped out of the lounge.
Following the terminal's directions, Gwen arrived at a reception room and met a blond, blue-eyed, fair-skinned, breathtakingly beautiful... man, whose long hair was tied into a ponytail draped over his left shoulder.
Although there was still a considerable gap between a two-dimensional character and a living person in reality, combined with the information the woman had told him earlier, Gwen tentatively confirmed the man's identity—Otto Apocalypse.
However, before Gwen could speak, Otto, who had apparently been waiting here for quite some time, rose to his feet and extended a hand to Gwen with a smile.
"Welcome back to this world, hero of the Previous Civilization."
"Thank you for your praise of... the Previous Civilization, but I am not the hero you speak of."
Shaking Otto's hand, Gwen answered calmly.
"I was merely an ordinary person who was fortunate enough to survive until now under the protection of heroes."
"But didn't you also make a heroic choice when you injected the Hyper-Evolution Factor, chose to enter universal hibernation, and opened up a new future?"
The smile on Otto's face did not fade as he spoke, like a reliable senior encouraging a young man lacking confidence.
"Thank you for the compliment, but at least for now, I am still just an ordinary person who can do nothing."
Gwen gently shook his head.
"Mm...
Being down-to-earth is indeed a quality worthy of praise...
Come, let us sit and talk."
Otto nodded appreciatively, led Gwen to the sofa, filled an empty teacup with water, and pushed it in front of him.
"I imagine you have already guessed my identity."
"The Overseer of Schicksal, Mr. Otto?"
Gwen asked tentatively.
"Yes, I am Otto, the Overseer of Schicksal you speak of."
Otto smiled and nodded. Then he leaned forward slightly, staring directly into Gwen's eyes.
"As for Schicksal, you may think of it as the Fire Moth of old.
However, compared to Fire Moth, Schicksal does not have so much internal strife...
At the very least, as a warrior, you need not concern yourself with matters unrelated to battle.
Would you consider joining Schicksal, borrowing Schicksal's strength, and fighting Honkai?"
Although the many materials left behind by Fire Moth did not specifically record its own dirty laundry, with Otto's intelligence, it was not difficult to deduce the internal discord within Fire Moth from certain events.
And even without those materials, Otto could confirm it from Void Archives's occasional remarks.
"Of course, I have no intention of forcing you to join Schicksal. If you do not enjoy fighting and simply wish to build a new world, Schicksal can arrange suitable work for you as well.
With what you have brought Schicksal by opening access to that ruin, you can receive enough money to live a worry-free life."
"...Although I have already made my choice, let me ask one thing first. How many Herrschers have appeared in the Current Civilization?"
After a moment of silence, Gwen finally asked.
Otto: Prometheus Will Surely Achieve Something, Don't You Think, Void Archives?
Otto immediately answered.
"In 1953, the First Honkai Eruption occurred.
In 2000, the Second Honkai Eruption occurred.
And now, it is October of 2013. The Third Honkai Eruption has yet to occur.
Of course, these years are merely a dating system. They do not mean that the Current Civilization has only existed for two thousand and thirteen years."
"So it has already reached the Third Herrscher..."
Hearing this, Gwen slowly nodded.
"Honkai has taken everything from me and left me with nothing.
Whether for revenge or for survival, I have only one choice.
However, regarding whether I join Schicksal, I hope Bishop Otto can give me some time to learn more about Schicksal before I decide.
Of course, if there is anything you need from me, I will cooperate as much as I can.
It is just that before I went to sleep, I was only an ordinary volunteer. I cannot help with research problems or confidential matters."
"Of course. That is your rightful choice."
The smile on Otto's face did not fade. He nodded, looking as though everything was under control.
"Schicksal's doors will always remain open to every human willing to fight Honkai."
"Thank you for your understanding, Bishop Otto."
Gwen nodded and expressed his gratitude.
"Hehe, it is nothing. It is only human nature."
Otto smiled and waved dismissively. Then, after tapping twice on the terminal in his hand, the reception room's main doors opened, and the woman Gwen had just met entered.
After she entered, Otto began introducing her to Gwen.
"Allow me to introduce you. This is Elizabeth 'Choukai' MacSmith, director of Schicksal's Institute St. 1504, the Seventeenth Choukai Institute."
Seeing her roll her eyes, Otto seemed to recall something and introduced her that way.
"Ms. Choukai? Hello."
Gwen rose to his feet and shook hands with the first person he had met after waking up.
"Hello. My name is Elizabeth MacSmith, though there is someone who directly calls me Choukai."
"That just means everyone likes calling you that, Choukai."
Otto said with a smile.
"I only found it amusing when Yolandale called me that, so I did not correct her. I never told you to just change my name, Your Grace."
Choukai rolled her eyes at the obnoxious man and complained.
Although she called him "Your Grace," neither her tone nor expression showed much respect.
"Well, if Yolandale can call you that, then I should be able to as well. After all, I am your superior."
Otto merely spread his hands with a smile, joking with his subordinate without any of a bishop's airs.
"Throwing your rank around, are you?"
After rolling her eyes at Otto, Choukai stopped bickering with him and turned to Gwen.
"Choukai or Elizabeth, call me whichever you prefer. Just do not give me any strange new nicknames."
As she spoke, Choukai revealed a meaningful smile.
"After all, while I am certainly not a bad person, sometimes I may not be a good person either."
"Of course, although our Director Choukai enjoys pranking others, she is not some mad scientist. She will not do anything too excessive."
After offering a word in Choukai's defense, Otto continued his introduction.
"Although Choukai specializes in quantum mechanics, as a genius, she has achieved much in many fields. She can help you smoothly understand Schicksal's current technological level and formulate a scientific, reasonable training plan to help you grow stronger.
Of course, considering you have only just arrived in the Current Civilization and may have some concerns about security, I will also clear out a separate laboratory. The Prometheus on your person can take it over and handle your daily examinations."
"In that case, I shall gladly accept."
Gwen nodded, accepting Otto's goodwill.
"Say, Bishop, since you are being so generous, how about approving some more funding for me too?"
Choukai spoke with a smile.
"Look, you have given me so much extra work. It is only fair to give me more funding too, right?"
"As for Institute St. 1504's funding, Choukai, you should discuss that with Amber."
Otto spread his hands helplessly.
"You know, Amber holds Schicksal's financial authority. Even the funding for my Kallen Fantasy has to come out of my own budget."
"Come on, Gwen. I will take you over to my place so you can get familiar with the route."
Seeing Otto shamelessly pass the buck, Choukai did not linger for even a moment. She grabbed Gwen and walked out of the reception room, completely ignoring Otto.
"Hehe..."
After Choukai pulled Gwen away, Otto chuckled and stretched lazily on the sofa, looking perfectly at ease.
"It seems you are rather satisfied with him."
A male voice somewhat similar to Otto's suddenly rang out. Void Archives, which looked like a golden cube, glowed faintly.
However, Otto showed no displeasure at being interrupted. Instead, the smile on his face deepened.
"Hehe, of course.
Although his identity is highly suspicious, at least he is an obedient child willing to be used by me, is he not?"
"But the obedient child you speak of did not tell you many truths."
Void Archives mocked.
"After all, as he said, he is merely an ordinary person. It is only natural for him to conceal information about himself in an unfamiliar world.
If he had laid everything out before me the moment we met, I would instead have to worry whether he had ulterior motives."
Otto picked up the teacup on the table and drained the plain water in one gulp.
"And now, time will prove everything—
I will help him find what he once lost in this new world, and he will place what I want in my hands. Is that not so?"
"Heh... Should I say that is just like you?"
Void Archives sneered, though it was unclear whether he was mocking or sighing.
"The man who controls everything..."
"Ha...
I merely gave him what he wanted and traded for what I wanted. Sincerity for sincerity, nothing more."
With a light laugh, Otto set down the empty teacup, a brilliant smile on his face.
"Rather than talk about me, why not talk about your brother? Or perhaps sister?
After so long, how does it feel to see your family again?
How much do you think she can help Mr. Gwen achieve?
Will she devote herself wholeheartedly to assisting him and help him become a qualified Fusion Warrior?
Or will she perform her proper duties and help this civilization fight Honkai?
In any case, I believe she will surely achieve something remarkable. Don't you think?"
Before you continue