As Long as You Don't Lose Your Nobility, the Whole World Will Open Up to You / Discharged from the Hospital

Though those memories of uncertain truth were still somewhat blurry, Gwen had managed to glean some information from them and could recount parts of his past.

Inwardly, however, Gwen quietly raised his guard—

Otto would never bring up his identity without reason. He was probably planning to use it for something.

"Those traits depend on whether the genes are expressed, so they cannot serve as absolute proof."

Faced with Gwen's hesitation, Otto smiled and presented even more conclusive evidence.

"The genetic comparison data shows that Caslana blood does indeed flow through your veins."

Although he had already confirmed Gwen's identity through those hazy memories and the pendant, Otto had still conducted genetic testing and comparison—

In the Eigenworld, Otto and Kallen had once adopted Vera. It was perfectly normal for the Otto and Kallen of a World Bubble to adopt a child as well.

Moreover, Gwen did bear some resemblance to Vera.

So, despite having already made plans for Gwen's future, Otto had still chosen to confirm whether Gwen was Kallen's biological son or that world's Vera.

The examination results reassured Otto. Gwen simply had not inherited Kallen's talents. Instead, like Otto in his youth, he was frail and sickly, which left Otto unable to suppress a wave of emotion when he saw the results.

Still, with the resources and technology Otto now possessed, that was only a minor problem. Gwen's rosy complexion was proof enough.

"Caslana..."

Gwen lowered his head, taking small bites from the apple personally peeled by the Lord Bishop of Destiny, and softly murmured that surname.

Seeing this, Otto said nothing more. He merely smiled as he watched Gwen.

As a master of inspirational speeches who had once encouraged countless young men and women, Otto understood Gwen's current state of mind very well—

He was now at the stage of receiving the call to adventure in the Odyssey. He needed someone or something to give him a push before he could truly step into this heroic journey of his.

As Long as You Do Not Lose Your Nobility, the Whole World Will Open Before You

Yet Gwen, from whom Otto had placed such high hopes, only wanted to tell him one thing—stay the hell away from me.

Being under Otto's watch was simply too dangerous.

If possible, Gwen wanted to stay far away from the den of demons that was Destiny Headquarters and quietly build himself up.

"Still, it seems Otto has no intention of letting me leave..."

Thinking this, Gwen lowered his head and took small bites of the apple as he quietly said:

"Sorry for the trouble, Lord Bishop. What I remember most is the endless snowfields and the biting cold wind.

As for Caslana... it feels far too distant from me..."

Though he knew he had no right to choose, Gwen still decided to decline first.

After all, even Cao Pi had known to refuse the throne three times before accepting it.

If he agreed the moment Otto brought it up, Otto might get the impression that he was overly ambitious.

"Distant?"

Otto smiled and shook his head. Looking at the still-thin Gwen on the hospital bed, he said gently,

"Gwen, do you feel distant from You Lan Dai Er and Rita?"

"..."

After carefully considering his interactions with You Lan Dai Er and Rita over the past month, Gwen gently shook his head.

At least in Gwen's hospital room, You Lan Dai Er was merely an energetic young girl who was warm and straightforward, while Rita was simply a tranquil maid who enjoyed watching You Lan Dai Er and Gwen, two children, laugh and chat.

"Then Caslana is not distant from you either."

Otto tilted his head slightly and looked toward the bright sunlight outside the window. Yet his gaze was somewhat unfocused, as though he were looking through that sunlight into the distant past.

"They may charge at the forefront on the battlefield against Honkai, but in daily life, they are all fools just like You Lan Dai Er.

They... are living people too, no different from you or me."

"..."

Gwen did not deny Otto's inspirational words. He nodded lightly before quietly asking,

"Then... Lord Bishop, do you want me to acknowledge my ancestors?"

"It is not about acknowledging your ancestors."

Otto withdrew his gaze. Looking at the still-downcast Gwen, his smile became even gentler.

"It is merely about letting you reclaim everything that should be yours..."

"..."

Gwen responded with silence, continuing to play the part of an ordinary Honkai survivor.

"What an introverted child..."

Otto sighed inwardly, his gaze toward Gwen becoming even gentler as he asked warmly:

"Gwen, do you enjoy the time you have spent casually chatting and laughing with You Lan Dai Er and Rita every day over this past month?"

"Mm..."

Gwen answered honestly.

"Then you must accept all of this."

Otto's smile faded slightly as he said seriously,

"I believe that over this past month, You Lan Dai Er and Rita have already revealed the truth of this world to you.

Even if you choose to return to your former peaceful life, you may still be left battered and wounded—or even lose your life—in the next Honkai eruption.

Meanwhile, they must confront Honkai directly, risking their lives to fight Honkai Beasts, the dead, and even Herrschers.

And you can only pray that you never encounter another major Honkai eruption, while wishing that they never come to harm. In truth, you would be able to do nothing at all."

Looking at Gwen's current appearance, Otto seemed to see his younger self.

Knowing exactly what a child like this needed, Otto prescribed the right remedy and attacked from two directions at once—

Though Otto's voice was not loud, it still struck Gwen like thunder. He felt a powerful unwillingness surge from his chest and rush toward his head.

Yet Gwen's eyes, hidden beneath his lowered head, were ice-cold.

Gwen could sense that something was affecting him, making his emotions more sensitive and easier to stir.

Still, although he had noticed the abnormality, Gwen kept his mind taut while following that wave of emotion, allowing a trace of resentment to enter his voice.

"Yes, I can't do anything..."

"But that was only before. If you want to, you can accomplish many things."

Seeing that he had finally stirred Gwen's emotions, Otto immediately pressed his advantage.

"The Caslanas were one of the three great pillars at Destiny's founding. They have left a profound mark on the history of Destiny and humanity as a whole.

Within Destiny are the most complete methods for strengthening a Caslana.

As long as you are willing, you can become the strongest person in this world!"

"Can I... really?"

Gwen spread open one hand and looked at his palm, still stained with a little apple juice. He asked with little confidence.

"As long as you want to, you can do it!"

Knowing they had reached the critical moment, Otto did not hesitate to pour on even more encouragement.

"Then... Lord Bishop, what do I need to do?"

Clenching that hand, which still felt slightly sticky, Gwen finally raised his head. His eyes seemed to flicker with light as they fixed on Otto.

"Clean yourself up properly. You will be discharged this afternoon. I will arrange all these trivial matters for you."

Seeing that familiar spark in Gwen's eyes, Otto smiled. He rose and gently patted the child's shoulder before saying solemnly,

"Believe in yourself, child.

As long as you do not lose your nobility, the whole world will open before you."

"Mm..."

Though he acted like a little brat who had been sweet-talked by Otto, Gwen's nerves were stretched to their limit as he slowly nodded.

In Gwen's view, Otto had gone to such lengths to feed him inspirational nonsense because he was a chess piece in some plan.

Since he could not escape the board for now, he might as well be an obedient piece. With Destiny's resources, he could develop himself better, survive better in the future, and perhaps even... change something.

"Good child, do not put so much pressure on yourself. A smooth road lies ahead of you. Follow it, and one day you will become the brightest star in this world."

Leaving behind that final blessing, Otto departed the hospital room and gave Gwen time to prepare himself.

"Phew..."

In the room, Gwen let out a long breath. He turned his gaze toward the bright sunlight beyond the window and reached out as though trying to grasp the sun in the sky.

He had no right to choose between heaven and hell now, but Gwen believed that one day, he would break free from the fate of being chosen.

Outside the room, as Otto walked alone down the corridor, Void Archives' teasing voice sounded in his mind:

"This son of yours does not seem as brave as you imagined..."

"Physical frailty inevitably leads to a lack of confidence in the heart.

Once his body becomes strong, his heart will naturally shine with the light it should possess."

Otto was unmoved as he replied casually.

Seeing the shadow of his former self in Gwen, Otto unconsciously recalled the girl who had climbed atop the wall, and his mood grew somewhat heavier.

"I am only afraid that he will fly too high and be unable to open his eyes."

As though it had not noticed Otto's emotional shift at all, Void Archives continued teasing him.

"I believe he will wipe his eyes clean and see reality for what it is."

Otto's voice was calm, as if he had complete faith in this.

Void Archives, which knew Otto inside and out, immediately exposed his true intentions.

"Because he has a good father who has arranged enough hardship for him to see reality clearly, right?"

Discharged from the Hospital

After two knocks on the door, a lively girl's voice came from outside—

"Gwen, I'm coming in!"

"Come in."

Hearing the familiar voice, Gwen replied with a smile.

The next moment, the hospital room door opened. You Lan Dai Er entered in a fitted training uniform, looking valiant and spirited. After taking two steps inside, she saw Gwen sitting by the bed.

"Gwen, you've already packed up?"

Seeing that Gwen had changed out of his hospital gown and into a slightly oversized set of casual clothes, You Lan Dai Er was a little surprised.

"What, do I look like some little kid who still needs someone to take care of him?"

Hearing that, Gwen looked down at You Lan Dai Er from the bed and asked with a smile.

"No, not at all..."

Realizing that she seemed to have said something wrong, You Lan Dai Er hurriedly waved her hands and said somewhat embarrassedly,

"I was being a little presumptuous. All I could think about was how you looked lying in that hospital bed, and I forgot that you had already recovered..."